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Thursday, May 31, 2012

What in the World is TVP?

Original Article


TVP and Whole Wheat Pasta photo by cisc1970
If you’ve looked at purchasing food storage from any number of companies, you’ve probably encountered TVP.  But what is TVP?  And do I need any of it in my food storage?

TVP is an acronym for Textured Vegetable Protein.  It is also sometimes called Textured Soy Protein (TSP), or soy meat.  It is a non-meat product that provides a comparable percentage of protein per serving when reconstituted as meat.  It is high in fiber and low in fat.

TVP is made from soy flour after the soy oil has been extracted.  The flour is mixed with water, then cooked under pressure and squirted out a machine to dry.  Because of the pressure, the TVP fluffs with air pockets when it comes out of the extruder, giving it a texture and mouth feel similar to meat.  TVP can be dried in various forms like strips, flakes, and crumbles depending on what the final product will be used for.

In its natural state, TVP is tasteless, so most food storage TVP has flavor added.  There is chicken, ham, beef, taco, and bacon flavors of TVP.  You know those artificial bacon bits at the salad bar?  Those are TVP.  So you’ve probably been eating TVP all your life and never realized it.

Why would you want TVP in your food storage when there are perfectly good freeze dried meats and canned meats available?  One good reason is the cost.  TVP is quite a bit less expensive per serving than freeze dried or commercially canned meats.  The pricing on #10 cans right now of TVP products are about 1/3 to 1/2 the price of a #10 can of freeze dried meat.  Because of the cost savings, TVP is an enticing alternative be used alone or as a meat extender to add protein to a variety of meals.

TVP is also a great protein source for vegetarian folks as it is soy based and has no meat products in it.
Some people actually prefer TVP to regular meats.  I’m not a huge fan of it personally, but it’s not bad as an extender or an occasional taco filler.  Sweet husband likes the Thrive Ham TVP dry, right out of the can.  So do my kids.  Hubby says he’d put it in his trail mix.  If I actually gathered all the things he said he’d have in trail mix and put them together he’d have a whole dehydrated three course meal in a trail mix sack!  He’s creative like that.

To rehydrate TVP, either add boiling water to it, or boil it in water until it is reconstituted.  Usually it is about 3/4 cup water to 1 cup TVP, but can vary depending on the variety of TVP you’re cooking–check your product label for more specific instructions.

So there’s the skinny on Textured Vegetable Protein.  How about you?  Do you have TVP in your storage?  Do you use it?  What kinds do you like?



Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Preppers, Privacy and Perception - Safeguarding Your Security

A candidate icon for Portal:Computer securityA candidate icon for Portal:Computer security (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Original Article


Preppers are sometimes perceived as being fairly secretive about their activities. There is a very good reason for this attitude. Most preppers have a much better understanding of their right to privacy and the consequences involved when your privacy isn’t safeguarded. Preppers also understand that a failure to safeguard their privacy can have a serious effect on the level of their security.
In most cases, privacy issues are usually thought of in terms of the disclosure of personal information. While the disclosure of personal information is an important aspect of privacy, it also involves several other problems. These problems can create numerous security issues if you fail to take your privacy seriously.
There is a false perception that can arise from this situation. People quite often use the old argument “If they haven’t done anything wrong, what are they trying to hide.” This is a statement that doesn’t cover the real privacy concerns about those seemingly innocent “little things” that can affect your life and your security in a very negative way. The real argument should be “It’s not what’s being hidden; it’s what’s being protected.” If your privacy is being safeguarded properly, there will be fewer concerns about your security.
Privacy is vitally important to your security for a number of reasons. These problems can create serious security issues due to false perceptions many people have about the value of privacy. It is usually not your actual information that creates a problem but how your information may be used or abused without regards to the possible consequences.
Privacy and Perception - Safeguarding Your Security
1. Lack of Control - Quite often you will have little or no control over the dissemination of your information once it has been disclosed.
2. Lack of Concern - Quite often your personal information may be disclosed with little regard to the possible negative effects on your security by those disclosing your personal information.
3. Inability to Correct Errors - You may also experience serious problems if incorrect information is disseminated or done in an incorrect manner. Errors in your information can be literally impossible to correct and many times important details may be disregarded or ignored.
4. Lack of Accountability - Quite often there will be no one that can be held accountable if your information is lost, stolen or abused.
5. Lack of Discretion - Your personal information can also be used with little or no discretion as to how others perceive you and your activities. This can create a totally false impression in the mind of others.
When safeguarding your security, your privacy does matter.
Staying above the water line!
Riverwalker
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Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Audio Podcast: Episode-868- Wade Bowlin on Bug Out Vehicles

Podcast or podcasting icon Français : Icône po...

Original Article

Wade Bowlin is a self described computer nerd, network engineer, business guy, gear head, gun nut, survival junkie and prepping maniac. He joins us today to discuss bug out vehicles (BOVs). Wade will talk to us about different ideas like: … Continue reading →

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Monday, May 28, 2012

Orange Jelly

Original Article

orange juiceorange juice (Photo credit: LizMarie_AK)

  1. Place your jars into your canning pot, fill with water and bring to a boil. Because this jelly is only processed for five minutes, you need to add this jar sterilization step.
  2. Put your lids in a small pot and bring to a very gentle simmer (180°F degrees) while you make the jam.
  3. In a large, non-reactive pot, combine the sugar and orange juice and bring them to a boil. Cook at a boil until they’re greatly reduced. Using an instant read thermometer, watch until the pot reaches 220°F degrees (this is important. Skip this step and you’ll end up with orange syrup in place of your jelly). Add the liquid pectin and allow to boiling for an additional five minutes (the goal is to reach 200°F degrees again and maintain it for at least three minutes).
  4. Pour the jelly into prepared jars. Wipe rims, apply lids and screw on bands. Process in a boiling water canner for five minutes.
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Sunday, May 27, 2012

Quote of the Day

It is precisely because neither individuals nor small groups can be fully self-sufficient that cooperation is necessary to human survival and flourishing.
Tom G. Palmer




Four ‘Unique’ Survival Items

Original Article

four-unique-survival-items

Today I wanted to share with you a few ‘unique’ items that we have in our supplies. When it comes to prepping, everyone usually talks about having food. Plenty of food. And believe me, there is nothing wrong with that at all. In fact it is the first step in a prepping plan. However, trying to maintain some sort of a household, survival retreat, or ‘home’, will require more than just food. I happened to come across these unique items in our supplies, while I was looking for something else and I thought I’d share.

1. Washboard – This simple, inexpensive, yet unique little item, we found to be quite impressive. Whether you are bugged out or bugged in, you will need the ability to clean some clothes and undergarments, particularly if you are out of power. If you are in a disastrous situation, you won’t be doing your normal laundry on a regular basis, but I am sure you will have some things that need to be washed. Our washboard removed stains and cleaned clothing. What surprised us was how lightly you really had to scrub on the steel ridges to get your clothes clean. Again, it’s a simple, inexpensive item and it’s great!

2. Maxi pads –  I recommend that you have them in your first aid supplies/kit. Why would you need maxi pads with your first aid supplies? Well, they are great blood absorbers, so use them when you are trying to stop heavy bleeding coming from someone’s wound. If the bleeding is light, then by all means, use some gauze. Maxi pads will be much more helpful when trying to stop heavy bleeding so that you can apply bandages once the bleeding has stopped. Remember that you need to apply pressure to stop the bleeding.

3. Cable ties or zip ties – Many of you have probably seen these. They are primarily used by electricians. However, they are great fasteners. Generally, they have a one time use. They are inexpensive and lightweight. They will also fit nicely into your bug out bag. They can secure tarps together as long as they have grommets. They also come in handy in your garden for tying plants, such as tomatoes, to a stake to hold them up. There are many uses for these lightweight, but effective fasteners.

4. Bandanas – Here is another useful, inexpensive and unique survival item. First of all, some more obvious uses would be to use them as a washcloth or a dishrag. Ken loves to use one as a sweatband and I use one to cover my head to help prevent heat exhaustion. Tying one around your neck will help to prevent your neck from getting sunburn. You can also keep some in your first aid kit to use as a sling or a tourniquet. They also make a nice impromptu little ‘basket’. Tying the ends together through your belt loop or a loop on your backpack and you have an extra way to carry things.

These were just a few unique and inexpensive items that are great for all preppers. There are so, so many items that are handy for prepping. It’s always fun to list a few that are not typically in the main-stream short-lists.

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Saturday, May 26, 2012

Has it Come to this Again?

Original Article


I remember the whole locking gas cap phase of the 70's when after surprising some teenager stealing gas out of my grandmothers Buick my father and grandfather supplied all the families cars with locking gas caps. I believe my hand-me-down car when I hit 16 still had one of these old relics until I finally got fed up with it and bought a non-locking replacement.

Or maybe that was the Oldsmobile I tore the oil pan off of? I forget.

Apparently over the weekend a couple of co-workers had a run in with gas thieves of their own and were lamenting their drained tanks which they discovered on their way into work this morning. My bet it was the same thief or group of them because the two live very close to one another.

With their complaints fresh in my mind I stumbled across this article this afternoon:

As Gas Prices top $4, Sonoma County fuel thefts Grow
Like we didn't all know that was coming.

We are almost to $4 a gallon here and this is much more of an economically depressed area so my bet is gas thefts are per capita are much higher, but as of today was the first time I have heard of gas thefts in years. Well other than the drive offs and such. Perhaps the station managers don't see it the way I do but I look on siphon thefts from private vehicles as sort of a greater sign of trouble than a few drive offs.

I did have a full gas can disappear out of my front lawn last Summer while I was at work which prompted me to build the battery and fuel addition to my workshop. Not that my locks would stop a determined thief but it may make them think twice.

Keep Prepping Everyone... And guard your fuel!!!!




Thursday, May 24, 2012

Quote of the day

All species capable of grasping this fact manage better in the struggle for existence than those which rely upon their own strength alone: the wolf, which hunts in a pack, has a greater chance of survival than the lion, which hunts alone.
Christian Lous Lange



Information on the Shelf Life of Crisco

Original Article

This information is from the website of the manufacturers of Crisco
How long can I keep Crisco products on my shelf?
The shelf life of a shortening or oil product depends a great deal on how it has been stored and handled. For the best results, Crisco products should be stored in a cool, dry place away from strong odors, direct sunlight, and sources of heat (stoves, dishwashers, and refrigerators)
Crisco Products Shelf Life & Manufacture Code Locations

Shortening Can Shortening Sticks Crisco Oil Crisco Spray
Unopened 2 years from manufacture date 2 years from manufacture date 2 years from manufacture date 2 years
Opened about 1 year about 6 months about 1 year 2 years
Code Location bottom of can side of plastic tub side of bottle back label bottom of can
Freshness Tip: To help keep track of how long a container’s been opened, you might write the date on the package when you first break the seal. If you notice any change in color or appearance, or if your Crisco product develops an off odor or taste, it’s probably past its shelf life and shouldn’t be used.
What exactly is a manufacturing code, and how do I read it?
  • The manufacturing code is the date the product was made. It might look something like this: 4 122 420 0321.
  • The first number represents the year it was made. For instance, the 4 in our example code means it was made in 2004. A number 3 would mean it was made in 2003, 2 in 2002, and so on.
  • The next three numbers represent the day of the year the product was made. In our example, the 122 (or one hundred and twenty second day) is May 2 (May 1 during Leap Year).
  • The third set of numbers or letters are plant codes, which have nothing to do with the date.
  • Finally, the last four digits represent the time displayed in military time.
What exactly is a “Best If Used By” date, and how do I read it?
A “Best If Used By” date code may appear on your product. This future date from the original date of manufacture represents the day that the product is guaranteed fresh. It might look something like this: APR 04 2007. The date code represents the month, date, and year.
Do I need to refrigerate Crisco shortening?
We suggest storing Crisco shortening on the pantry shelf. If you live in a warm climate and prefer to refrigerate shortening and oil, keep in mind that refrigeration causes shortening to be more firm and oils to be thicker and look somewhat cloudy. Allowing the products to return to room temperature will bring their appearance back to normal and give you the best performance.



Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Pinkeye, the Original Pink Slime … and the Impostors

Original Article

pinkeyeby James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.
Well before the controversy over feeding our kids a kind of beef nicknamed “pink slime” in school cafeterias, there was pinkeye. It’s just as gross-looking and even more icky than the new version. Just ask anyone who’s had it.
A reader asked for some posts on common eye problems and their remedies, so guess what I thought of first. And just like some people claim about ground beef and pink slime, there’s the real pinkeye, and there are the impostors.
Pinkeye and its imitators all involve the thin, clear lining of tissue, call the conjunctiva, that covers the white of the eye. They all involve pink eyes too. The color indicates the conjunctiva is inflamed. So what causes this inflammation? Ah, there’s the rub. :-) And I hope to … clear that up—because the remedy depends on the answer.

If you’re like me, you don’t want to play guessing games with your food. Don’t guess when it comes to your eyes either. Many times serious eye problems are hard to tell from the less-serious. Get to a doctor. But if there’s no way you can you, here are some tips to figure out the cause.
The Real Pinkeye: Viral or Bacterial Conjunctivitis
The real pinkeye is caused by bacteria and viruses. Hints that that’s what you’re dealing with:
  • One or both eyes develop more crust, gook, or matting than usual. They may be stuck together with this stuff when you awake.
  • You’ve been around someone with similar symptoms.  (Infectious pink eye is very contagious.)
Infectious-pinkeye remedies:
  1. If you’re wearing a contact lens in an infected eye, take the lens out. Throw away the disposable kind; disinfect the others. Don’t put any back in until all the redness has gone away.
  2. Clean your eyes. Wet a clean cloth with clean water, gently moisten the crust in your eye/eyes, and clean it out. Don’t use the cloth again. Be sure to not use it in an eye that’s not infected.
  3. Start antibiotic eye drops or ointment. We never like to use antibiotics on viruses (they don’t work, and nonjudicious use can lead to bacterial resistance), but most non-eye-specialist doctors like me have a hard time telling viral pinkeye from bacterial pinkeye, so I’m betting you will too. Use the drops or ointment as directed.
If you don’t have eye drops or ointment, though, the reality is, the majority of pinkeye infections are viral and will simply run their course in one to three weeks. But there you are playing games with your eyes.
An alternative is to use the over-the-counter, non-ophthalmic neosporin or triple-antibiotic ointment. As with everything else written here, get your doctor’s opinion or do this at your own risk. The labels say not to use in the eye. My understanding is that they have the same ingredients as the eye kind, but they’re not guaranteed to be sterile. I’d probably not use them on myself if I were going to be able to see a health-care provider within under a week. That’s just me.
Hint pink slime contains bacteria: It turns green?
Remedy for pink-slime bacteria:
Treat it with ammonium hydroxide (done before delivery).
Pinkeye Imitator #1: Allergic Conjunctivitis
Hints allergies may be causing your pink eyes:

  • Allergies usually affect both eyes at the same time.
  • The eyes look the same as they do with the infectious type, but there’s no gunk.
  • Sometimes you have sneezing, runny nose, etc., but not always.
  • You may recognize the symptoms if you’ve had this before.
Allergic-conjunctivitis remedies:

  • If you know what you’re allergic to, avoid it if possible. Stay out of the wind, or wear goggles.
  • Wash your eyes out with clean water frequently.
  • Over-the-counter eye drops might help. If you have an oral antihistamine like Claritin or Benadryl, give it a try. The generic versions are fine.
Hint you’re allergic to pink slime: your throat swells?
Remedy for pink-slime allergy:
epinephrine.

Pinkeye Imitator #2: Chemical Conjunctivitis
This is just what it sounds like—caused by chemical irritation. Alkaline chemicals such as lye and other cleaning agents wreak the most havoc, but strong acids can cause damage also. Wear safety goggles when using such products.
Chemical-conjunctivitis remedy: Wash your eye out with clean water. Irrigate with a continuous stream for at least fifteen minutes.
Hints there are chemicals in your pink slime: ammonium hydroxide, duh.
Remedy for chemicals in pink slime:
don’t eat it?

Pinkeye Imitator #3: Irritation Caused by a Foreign Body in the Eye
Unless the foreign body has chemical in or on it, the irritation is a reaction to the foreign body. This is the one most likely to happen in a disaster situation.
Foreign-body treatment:

  • Never rub the eye. You may scratch your cornea. A scratch feels about the same as a foreign body, but it’s not coming out.
  • Irrigate with water for a few minutes.
  • See my next post.
Foreign body in pink slime: Eyes? Just kidding.
For Any Pink Eye: Warning Signs You Need to See a Doctor Right Away

  • Vision loss. Not just a film over your eyes that you can wash away.
  • Pain. Not just irritation or burning, but severe pain.
These are two urgent reasons you’d better hightail it to a doctor. But, as I said in the beginning, you really need to go, no matter what. Don’t take chances with your eyes.
Photo by Douglas Porter.



Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Audio Podcast: Episode-889- Xavier Hawk on the Transition from Urban to Rural Living

Podcast or podcasting icon Français : Icône po...

Original Article

Xavier Hawk is a homesteading volunteer firefighter/EMT who is semi retired  from the not so glamorous world of business consulting. He is also a prepper who has gone from living in suburbia to the rural mountains of Western North Carolina. … Continue reading →







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Monday, May 21, 2012

Quote of the Day

"Being prepared turns a crisis into an inconvenience."
- Dave Ramsey, financial counselor and syndicated radio show host

Guest Post:: WHEN THE TOILET PAPER IS GONE, by Shirley Toney

Česky: Toaletní papír English: Toilet paper Es...


When the toilet paper is gone what then?  I have recently discovered an answer to that problem. 
A portable bidet is the answer.  It is a bottle with a bent spout that you fill with water and squeeze it to wash the "nether regions".  You can find them on ebay and amazon.  They usually cost about $14.95.  They come in 260ml (1 cup) or 500ml (1 pint) sizes.  I personally prefer the 500ml size just in case.    
Or better yet a "wash bottle".  As a retired science teacher, I used them for lab cleanup.  They are inexpensive in most cases.  They work just as well and are cheaper. They can be found on ebay and amazon as well.  
For the ladies after urination, purchase cheap washcloths to be used once or more than once then washed.  These ideas have really eased my mind in preparing for the time when the toilet paper I have stored will eventually run out.
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Sunday, May 20, 2012

Audio Podcast: Episode-872- Mark Matthews on Estate Planning

Podcast or podcasting icon Français : Icône po...Podcast or podcasting icon Français : Icône pour les podcasts ou la baladodiffusion (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Original Article

Mark Matthews is an attorney focused on estate planning, elder law, veterans law, and firearms law.  Twelve years of practicing law; former Major in U.S. Army JAG Corps.  NRA rifle marksmanship instructor and one of the original 10 guys that … Continue reading →

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Saturday, May 19, 2012

When the Trucks Stop, It’s Over

Original Article

truck-distribution-systemic-risk
Systemic risk. I guarantee that most ordinary folks have no idea that if trucks stopped rolling all across America, within a short period of time nearly all Americans would all be in a life-threatening situation from major delivery shortages. 70% of all freight that is moved in the U.S. is done so by truck. You (we) depend on that ‘stuff’ for our survival.
A major disruption in truck travel would immediately impact seven major industries, and would bring America to its knees within days due in part to “just in time manufacturing”, zero-inventory, and the fact that our modern way of life is entirely dependent upon unimpeded distribution chains.
(Facts summarized from a report sourced from the newsroom of www.trucking.org)

Severely impacted from truck stoppage,

The Food Industry

- Severe shortages within 72 hours, especially of perishable items.
- Panic will make shortages worse.
- Clean drinking water will run dry (every 7 to 14 days all water treatment plants receive chemicals by truck to make drinking water safe).

Healthcare

- Many hospitals operate on a “just in time” delivery for medications and supplies.
- Hospital and nursing home food will run out in 24 hours.

Transportation

- Gas station fuel will run out within 24 to 48 hours. An average gas station requires deliveries every 2.4 days.
- The subsequent fuel shortage will ripple to all automobiles and vehicles which will no longer be able to transport people to work,  police, fire, rescue, mail-package delivery, garbage pickup, public transit…
- Airlines and air-cargo will be grounded due to lack of supplies.
- Rail lines will halt due to non-delivery of the first and last mile (trucks)

Waste Removal

- Within days, America will be buried in garbage, presenting an enormous health hazard.

The Retail Sector

- Most retailers rely on “just in time” delivery of their products to keep inventories low.
- Consumer behavior during emergencies triple the inventory turnover – speeding up the already ‘bad’ situation.

Manufacturing

- Nearly 100% of manufacturing have switched over to “just in time” processes in order to optimize efficiency and profits. Manufacturing will shut down within hours.

Banking and Finance

- ATM’s and bank cash will run dry very quickly.
- Businesses will lose access to cash.
- Bank branches will shut down.

Impact Timeline if trucks stopped rolling

The first 24 hours

• Delivery of medical supplies to the affected area will cease.
• Hospitals will run out of basic supplies such as syringes and catheters
within hours. Radiopharmaceuticals will deteriorate and become
unusable.
• Service stations will begin to run out of fuel.
• Manufacturers using just-in-time manufacturing will develop component
shortages.
• U.S. mail and other package delivery will cease.

Within 48 hours

• Food shortages will begin to develop.
• Automobile fuel availability and delivery will dwindle, leading to skyrocketing
prices and long lines at the gas pumps.
• Without manufacturing components and trucks for product delivery,
assembly lines will shut down, putting thousands out of work.

Within 72 hours

• Food shortages will escalate, especially in the face of hoarding and
consumer panic.
• Supplies of essentials—such as bottled water, powdered milk, and
canned meat—at major retailers will disappear.
• ATMs will run out of cash and banks will be unable to process
transactions.
• Service stations will completely run out of fuel for autos and trucks.
• Garbage will start piling up in urban and suburban areas.
• Container ships will sit idle in ports and rail transport will be disrupted,
eventually coming to a standstill.

Within a week

• Automobile travel will cease due to the lack of fuel. Without autos and
busses, many people will not be able to get to work, shop for groceries,
or access medical care.
• Hospitals will begin to exhaust oxygen supplies.

Within two weeks

• The nation’s clean water supply will begin to run dry.

Within four weeks

• The nation will exhaust its clean water supply and water will be safe for
drinking only after boiling. As a result gastrointestinal illnesses will
increase, further taxing an already weakened health care system.

————————————————————————————————————–
It’s all pretty scary. The ripple effects would be severe, the specifics of which are far too many to list here. You may be of the opinion that something like this could or would never happen. You would be wrong to think so.
Imagine a pandemic. A major and deadly pandemic WILL happen again. It has in the past and there is no denying that it will happen in the future. Much of the trucking transportation system would be affected for a number of reasons including they themselves being stricken or the fear of becoming infected while out in public. Even a partial trucking collapse would lead towards a chain-reaction that would cripple the rest.
Imagine a natural OR weaponized EMP (eXtreme solar flare or high altitude nuke). An EMP could destroy the electronic workings within most trucks in an instant, rendering them useless. In addition to stopping vehicles in their tracks, an EMP will bring down most all other electronic systems, making for an overall truly apocalyptic event.
A major New Madrid fault zone earthquake could sever all or much of east-west trucking distribution as major bridges are damaged or destroyed across the Mississippi river.
A super-spike in the price of diesel fuel due to a major Middle East disaster/war/disruption could grind to a halt much of trucking traffic.
Terrorist attacks while using trucks as truck-bombs could grind trucking to a halt while the government begins mandatory inspections of all.
Any major event, terrorist or otherwise, which causes the majority of truckers to remain at home with their families for the sake of their health or security rather than to risk leaving them behind and going out on the road.

Think about it. Are you prepared?

Except for the commentary, the information was summarized and sourced from a report titled “When Trucks Stop, America Stops” linked from the newsroom page found at www.trucking.org/newsroom/

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Friday, May 18, 2012

Conversion Chart for Powdered Milk

Original Article

Use this conversion chart to use powdered milk in any recipe calling for milk. Add the dry powdered milk to
 your dry
ingredients and water to your wet ingredients.
  • 1 Cup Milk = 1 Cup Water + 3 Tablespoons Powdered Milk
  • 3/4 Cup Milk = 3/4 Cup Water + 2 1/4 Tablespoons Powdered Milk
  • 2/3 Cup Milk = 2/3 Cup Water + 2 Tablespoons Powdered Milk
  • 1/2 Cup Milk = 1/2 Cup Water + 1 1/2 Tablespoons Powdered Milk
  • 1/3 Cup Milk = 1/3 Cup Water + 1 Tablespoon Powdered Milk
  • 1/4 Cup Milk = 1/4 Cup Water + 3/4 Tablespoon Powdered Milk
Delicious Powdered Milk Recipe:
When making 1 Gallon add: 1½ Cups Sugar & up to 1 tsp. Vanilla to taste, mix well, chill and then serve.

Powdered Milk in different ways…

Make your own Sweetened Condensed Milk: (14 oz. can)
1/2 C. Hot Water
1 C. Dry Powdered Milk
1 C. Sugar
1 T. Butter
Blend VERY WELL in blender.

Make your own Evaporated Milk: (12 oz. Can)
1-1/2 C. Water
1/2 C. + 1 T. Dry
Powdered Milk
Blend VERY WELL
in blender.

Make your own Buttermilk:
Add a tablespoon of  lemon juice or white  vinegar to a cup of  milk and let it stand for 5 to 10 minutes.
Howard





Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Audio Podcast: Episode-873- Steven Harris on Alternative Energy Technologies Part 2

Podcast or podcasting icon Français : Icône po...Podcast or podcasting icon Français : Icône pour les podcasts ou la baladodiffusion (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Original Article

Steven Harris returns to TSP for his 7th visit. Today he joins us to discuss various alternative energy technologies including, ethanol, bio diesel, methanol, propane  and more. Steven Harris is a consultant and expert in the field of energy. He … Continue reading →

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Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Waterproofing Flashlights

from Preparedness Advice Blog

How many of you have had so called waterproof flashlights leak?  Yesterday I was talking with a friend who maintains electronic equipment for a living.  He provided me with a simple solution.  He seals his flashlights

 

with Silicone grease once a year.  I found some at ACE hardware, a small container cost me $4 and change.

You place a drop of the grease on the threads and tighten the seal.  It does not damage the o-rings.  In fact, on many of the waterproof flashlight the warranty is void if you don’t lubricate the o-rings with silicone grease.  He says it will waterproof a Maglight quite nicely and keeps the threads from binding.

I have been sitting here waterproof flashlights, using a q-tip to spread the grease.  It doesn’t take much grease just a drop.  Try to keep from getting it on your hands it is hard to get off.  It seems to work well.  This can be used on o-rings used to waterproof electronic devices, just don’t get it on the electronic components.

Howard



Monday, May 14, 2012

Survival Skills Cross Training Is Essential

Original Article

survival-skills-cross-training
I don’t think I can stress often enough how important it is to learn what you don’t know how to do. I am particularly thinking of the things you don’t know how to do that you may need to know in a SHTF scenario. For example, it’s kind of similar to the way Coach Bill Belichick trains his Patriot football players. On any given notice, his players can ‘fill in’ and play another position. That’s part of what makes them a great team.
The members of your household should be able to ‘fill in’ when needed. For example, you and your family are ‘bugged out’ during a SHTF scenario. Your wife gets bit by a brown recluse spider and fever and chills have her laying in bed. Do you know how to treat her medically? Does your teenage son know? Can your teenage son make dinner and some homemade bread for the family while you are treating your wife and securing your premises for the night?
Ladies, do you know how to use a gun? Can you provide security for your bug out location if your husband falls ill? Men, can you make a dinner or biscuits from scratch while your wife is ill? Ladies, can you cut more firewood if need be? It is so important that cross training be done in your family…now!
Yes, it’s nice if you have one family member that you all turn to for medical needs. Perhaps that person just seems to enjoy treating sick or wounded people, or maybe they were first aid certified before the SHTF. What you need to figure out is who will become the family EMT if that person becomes ill. Is there anyone else in your family who can fill those shoes?

Give some serious consideration to cross training

Stop for awhile and give some serious consideration to all of the ‘jobs’ that would need to be done in an emergency situation. Make sure that there is more than one person that knows how to do each job. Make sure that they can ‘fill in’ at a moments notice. Does everyone that is old enough in your family know how to cook? use a hatchet? run the generator? start a fire? cleanse a wound? gut and butcher the rabbit they just trapped? successfully fish for food? tie several types of knots? on and on. There are too many practical survival skills to list. The point is to think about what works for you and your family, and cross-train.
This line of thinking can also be applied to ‘prepper groups’ that are getting together. Like-minded people who believe in prepping are getting acquainted. They are forming groups that can better protect their neighborhood or a common bug out location. Perhaps one is a fireman, another is a day care employee, another is an engineer. Share your knowledge and your skills with other group members.

Practice

Once you have decided who needs to learn what in your family or your group, let the teaching begin. Once the teaching is done, I recommend that you hold frequent practice drills as well. This will keep everyone’s memory and skills current. Frequent drills may expose a new problem or a lack of a certain supply.
Do your teaching now, before there is really a situation. Do your stocking up now, while you can. Stay well! Survive well!

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Sunday, May 13, 2012

Audio Podcast: Episode-881- Joe Nobody on BOL Security and More

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Original Article

Joe Nobody is the author of several best selling books including “Holding Your Ground” ,”The TEOTWAWKI Tuxedo”, “Holding Their Own” and “Without Rule of Law”. Joe has over 30 years as a government and private contractor experience and is a … Continue reading →

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Audio Podcast: Episode-875- Rick Worden of Rise and Shine Rabbitry

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Rick Worden has promoting rabbits for homestead use and personally raising rabbits for 30 + years and feels every homestead should be raising rabbits due to their tremendous impact toward greater self sufficiency.   Rick’s company is Rise and Shine Rabbitry … Continue reading →

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Friday, May 11, 2012

Emergency Food 101

Original Article

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Once in awhile, it’s worth repeating the basics. So, here’s some Emergency Food 101. The first thing a newbie prepper does is to start stocking up on extra food. This, after all, is the first building block of the prepper’s castle.
It is also the easiest thing to do, while times are ‘good’. You don’t even need a lot of money to make significant progress, although spending a moderate sum will ensure a well rounded and long lasting food storage supply.
Be sure and collect food supplies that are tailored towards their purpose. There is more than one purpose.

Food for your car kit

A major consideration for your car kit is to have enough food to survive 72-hours for each person who may likely be in the car at any one time. Consider foods that are less likely to spoil or melt while kept in a warm vehicle during the summer, while also being similarly conscious of freezing temperatures during the winter. I have found an effective way to somewhat normalize the temperature of your stored food is to keep it in a insulated ‘cooler’, out of the sun (in the trunk).

Count the calories of the foods you are considering. Avoid low calorie foods. Focus on calorie-dense foods. Plan on 2,000 calories per day. Personally, for my car kit, I keep a variety of items including canned foods such as beef stew, canned chicken and beef. Don’t forget the can-opener, and remember that you can eat food right out of the can without cooking it. I also keep some MRE’s, peanut butter, chocolate bars (they tend to melt after awhile), Food Bars, and a few other items.

Especially being stored in a car, with temperature extremes, be sure and rotate the food often enough (twice a year should be good) and eat it with plenty of time before risking it going bad.
This post is about food, but I must mention ‘water’. You must also store enough water in the car to go along with your food. It’s a good idea to include a portable water filter too.

Food for your backpack kit, a.k.a. bug-out-bag

Again, it is a good idea to plan for 72-hours. The challenge with a backpack is that the intent is for you to carry it. Therefore the food must be as light weight as reasonably possible while still providing the calories you will need (and water).
To a large extent, my bag contains high-calorie Food Bars of various varieties. I like them because they provide a good cross section of sugars, protein, and nutrients. And they are light weight.

Food for your home (everyday consumption)

The best advice here is to simply buy more of what you already eat at home. Don’t go extravagant. Just buy more of the same stuff. What we do is only buy ‘extra’ when we happen to see the things we normally eat go on Sale. Otherwise we don’t bother. If you are starting out though, and feel the urge to get a jump start, well then don’t hesitate to spend normal retail price – you will sleep better knowing you have a surplus in your cupboards!
Here’s the most important thing though, and something that I know many preppers don’t really practice. That is, to actually rotate and eat what you store. Don’t set it on the shelf and forget it. Rotate it! Eat it! This way it won’t spoil.

Food for your home (long term storage)

After you have established a comfortable surplus of your ‘normal’ food, then you can begin to focus on the really long term storage. These are the foods that you will set and forget, for the most part. Things like bulk rice and beans that you properly seal and store to last many years. Freeze dried foods of all varieties in #10 cans that can potentially last for a decade or longer. Bulk wheat and grains, again stored properly will last for years to decades. Sugar. Salt.

Building a supply of long term food storage will cap off your overall food storage plan, providing you with food insurance for getting into a jam while in your vehicle, to having to lug supplies on your back, to bugging in at home for months, to outlasting the apocalypse.

Once you have reached your goal, you will be amazed at the sense of self-reliance that comes along with it. Use that ‘force’ to continue into other areas while striving for independence and self-sufficiency.

How much food should you store for home?
Given that most main-stream people probably don’t have much more than 1 to 2 week’s worth of food, you will be ahead of the pack by anything more than that. I would strive first for 3-months, then 6-months. Ultimately I would push for a one-year supply of rotating food as a very good baseline. It’s easier to accomplish than you may think. If you factor in a stockpile of long term food storage as well, you could conceivably get to several years worth of food once you put your mind to it.
Now go do it!

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How To Make Self Rising Flour

How To Make Self Rising Flour

how-to-make-self-rising-flour
Dry yeast has a shelf life of about 4 months after it is opened and if kept refrigerated. In a SHTF world, without refrigeration, it won’t be so simple to make bread without being able to reach into the fridge to get some of that fresh active yeast to perform it’s magic of making the dough rise. One solution to this potential problem is to make your own self rising flour. It doesn’t require yeast.
The key ingredient to self rising flour is baking powder. Baking powder contains three ingredients. Sodium bicarbonate (Baking Soda). Monocalcium phosphate (acid salt). Cornstarch (filler and moisture absorbent).
Baking powder works by releasing tiny carbon dioxide gas bubbles into a batter or dough through a reaction between the baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and acid/salt (monocalcium phosphate) when exposed to moisture, causing bubbles in the wet mixture to expand and thus leavening the mixture.
The beneficial aspect to utilizing baking powder to make a self rising flour is that it does not require refrigeration. It’s not a living organism like yeast. So long as you keep it dry, the unopened shelf life is up to several years and once opened it’s good for about 6 months at room temperature.
To test your baking powder, add some (1/2 tsp or so) to some hot water in a cup. If it foams and bubbles, it has enough oomph left. If it just sits there, well, it’s no good.

Self Rising Flour Recipe

To make 1 cup of self rising flour, add 1 1/2 tsp baking powder and 1/4 tsp salt. Stir/mix until well blended together. That’s it!

Self Rising Flour Biscuits Recipe

In the spirit of cross-training in the kitchen, I decided to try my hand at making something edible from my self rising flour. I actually surprised myself by successfully making a simple but tasty batch of biscuits.
All the ingredients used required no refrigeration, making this a reasonable food source for post-SHTF. I only cheated by using the oven for baking. However you could substitute by cooking over a fire (dutch oven?), or using a solar oven, or even improvising by using a covered pan on low heat over a hot burner.
This makes 8 or 9 biscuits.
First mix all the dry ingredients well.
2 cups flour
3 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 cup sugar
4 tbsp powdered butter (1/4-cup)
1 tbsp powdered egg (1 egg)
Then add 1 cup water and mix well.
This will produce a sticky blend of dough. Unlike a yeast mixture, the self-rising-flour does not ‘rise’ prior to cooking. The rise will happen as it cooks. I spooned the mixture into foil baking cups (they will stick to the paper ones) and set them in cupcake trays. I suppose you could use and shape aluminum foil in a pinch, or you could even spread the batter mixture into a do-it-yourself foil ‘cake’.
Bake at 375-degrees for 25-30 minutes until golden.
Rumford Aluminum Free Baking Powder, 8.1-Ounce Canisters (Pack of 6)

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