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Monday, January 28, 2013

100 EDC Items

Original Article

I'm always fascinated with EDC stuff...the stuff I carry, the stuff other people carry, new stuff that looks useful, etc.  I get lots of ideas from this subreddit, as well as from this website and this website, among others.
Each person will devise their own EDC based on their own unique circumstances and needs, but in case you need some ideas, here are 100 items you might consider for everyday carry:

Protection

  1. Small firearm
  2. Holster
  3. Extra magazine/ammo
  4. Fixed-blade knife
  5. Knife sheath
  6. Kubotan
  7. Pepper spray
  8. Stun gun
  9. Razor blade
  10. Steel baton
Tech
  1. Cell phone
  2. Flashlight
  3. Headlamp
  4. USB drive
  5. Earbuds
  6. Pocketknife
  7. Multi tool
  8. Folding knife
  9. Watch 
  10. Keys
Medical
  1. Bandaids
  2. Wet wipes
  3. Alcohol wipe
  4. Latex gloves
  5. Packet of aspirin
  6. Moleskin
  7. Super Glue
  8. Bandana
  9. Packet of Benadryl
  10. Acidophilous tablets
Outdoor Survival
  1. Whistle
  2. Compass 
  3. Matches
  4. Lighter
  5. Flint/steel
  6. Sunglasses
  7. Carabiner
  8. Paracord bracelet
  9. Mylar "Space blanket"
  10. Fire starter (ie: small tube of petroleum jelly)
Office stuff
  1. Business cards
  2. Fisher space pen
  3. Mini Sharpie
  4. Small notebook (ie Moleskein)
  5. Wallet/ID
  6. Magnifying glass
  7. Stamps
  8. Deck of playing cards
  9. Digital camera
  10. Spare memory cards
Fix-It Stuff
  1. Zipties
  2. Duct tape
  3. Floss
  4. Electrical tape
  5. Work gloves
  6. Aluminum foil
  7. Ziploc bag
  8. Snare wire
  9. Pocket survival guide
  10. Mini sewing kit
Food and Water
  1. Bottle of water
  2. Granola bar
  3. M & Ms/chocolate
  4. Breath mints
  5. Gum
  6. Tea bags/packet of instant coffee
  7. Beef jerky
  8. Hard candy
  9. Packet of raisins
  10. Condiment packets: salt, pepper, Tabasco, etc
Currency
  1. Cash
  2. Coins
  3. Credit card
  4. Debit/bank card
  5. Gold coin
  6. Cigarettes
  7. ShotPak (alcohol shot in foil pouch)
  8. Challenge coin
  9. Foreign currency (for country you are most likely to go to)
  10. Prescription pain killers (prescriotion in YOUR name)
Emergency Stuff
  1. Laminated list of emergency contacts
  2. Condom (non lubricated)
  3. Tampon (OB)
  4. Folding "spork"
  5. Flat can opener
  6. Micro prybar
  7. Foam ear plugs
  8. Goggles
  9. Surgical mask
  10. Passport
Other stuff
  1. Necessary prescription medication
  2. Hand lotion
  3. Safety pins
  4. Rubber bands
  5. Nail clippers/nail file
  6. Stuff you need: denture adhesive, hearing aid batteries, eye drops, contacts, glasses, etc
  7. iPod/MP3 player
  8. Emergency alert bracelet
  9. Umbrella
  10. Key chain backpack/tote bag

Saturday, January 26, 2013

The Skinny: 6 Everyday Uses for Dry Milk

Original Article

Powdered milk… I know what many of you are thinking, “Never in a million years will I substitute dry milk for the real thing.” Up until a few years ago, I was right there with you, but I have since seen the light. Let me begin by saying powdered milk has gotten a bad rap.
Powdered milk is a prepper staple that all prepper sites suggest we stock up on. To calculate how much your family needs, click here. Bear in mind that if you have small children or are a nursing mother, it is important to have even more powdered milk stored.
Not many know of the versatility of the nutritional value of our little powdered friend. One cup of dry milk provides you with a good source of protein, vitamins A and D, calcium, magnesium and essential fats.

To reconstitute dry milk:

To reconstitute one quart nonfat milk, sprinkle ¾ cup (3.2 oz) non-instant dry milk powder on top of 3¾ cups water at
room temperature. Beat with mixer, rotary beater or wire whip until dissolved.
To reconstitute one gallon nonfat milk, sprinkle 3 cups (12.8 oz) non-instant dry milk powder on top of 3 qt 3 cups
water at room temperature. Beat with mixer, rotary beater, or wire whip until dissolved.

Tips on preparing powdered milk:

  • Mix it very well. Using a clean egg beater or mixer helps to break up the clumps.
  • Mix powdered milk with very cold water. When mixed, keep it very cold.
  • Make powdered milk the night before use. This helps the flavor come out.
  • Mixing equal parts of fresh milk to reconstituted milk to help ease fussy drinkers.
  • A little sweetener can go a long way. Adding a spoonful of sugar, chocolate syrup or vanilla extract can help enhance the flavor.
  • If your family still doesn’t like the taste of reconstituted milk, use it for cooking purposely only and save your real milk for drinking.
For those of us trying to find more economical ways to deal with the ever-increasing grocery bill, powdered milk is your best friend! Many of our diets are centered around dairy products: milk, cheese, sour cream, coffee creamer, and heavy cream. All of these products can be made with powdered milk!

Storing powdered milk:

According to USA Emergency Supply, “Dry milk products are probably the most sensitive to environmental conditions storage foods there are, particularly to temperature and moisture content. Their vitamins A and D are also photosensitive and will break down rapidly if exposed to light.
The area where your dry milk is stored should be kept as cool as possible. If it is possible to do so, air-conditioning or even refrigeration can greatly extend the nutrient shelf life. After opening a package of dry milk, transfer the powder to a tightly covered glass or metal container (dry milk can pick up odors from plastic containers) and keep it in the refrigerator. Unsealed nonfat dry milk keeps for a few months; dry whole milk for a few weeks.
My family stores powdered milk in sealed Mylar bags (In my opinion, this is the best long-term storage method). Adding desiccant pouches to minimize moisture will also prevent “lumping” in the powdered milk. Once opened, we store the unused powdered milk in the refrigerator for prolonged freshness. Use the instructions outlined in this article to store powdered dry milk in Mylar bags.
Aside from using powdered milk as a substitute for the real thing, there are other ways that you can use this essential pantry item when cooking. The following are just a few of the recipes found in The Prepper’s Cookbook: 365 Recipes to Turn Your Emergency Food into Nutritious, Delicious, Life-Saving Meals.
Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe
Equivalent to 14 ounce can
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • ½ cup hot water
  • 1 cup nonfat dry milk
  • ¾ cup sugar
  1. In a small saucepan, add  the butter in the hot water and stir until combined.
  2. Pour into a bowl and stir in the dry milk powder and sugar. Mix well until the sugar and milk powder are dissolved.
Evaporated Milk Recipe
Equivalent to 12 oz. can
  • 1 1/3 cups water
  • 1 cup nonfat instant dry milk
  1. Place the ingredients in a jar with a tight fitting lid and shake vigorously.
Hot Cocoa Mix
Makes 6 cups
Ingredients:
  • 2 c. dry milk powder
  • ½ c. non-dairy creamer
  • ¾ c. sugar
  • ½ c. cocoa
  • Dash of spice such as cinnamon, nutmeg or cayenne or pepper
  1. Mix all ingredients together and store in a cool, dry space.
  2. To make drink, add 1 cup of warm milk or water to 1-2 tablespoons of cocoa mixture.
Heavy Cream Substitute
  • 1 cup milk
  • ¼ cup nonfat dry milk
  1. Whirl the milk and dry milk powder in a blender until thoroughly mixed. Use in baking or cooking dishes that call for heavy whipping cream.
Instant Oatmeal Mix
Makes 14 – half cup servings
  • 6 cups quick-cooking oats
  • 1/3 cup dry powdered milk
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup dried fruit or nuts
  1. In a large bowl, combine all of the above ingredients. Then store in airtight container in a cool dry place for up to 1 month.
To prepare oatmeal:
  1.  Place 1/2 cup of mix and add 1/2 cup boiling water or milk to the mix and stir until oats are softened, about 2-3 minutes.
Pudding Mix
Serves 4
  • 3 cups nonfat dry milk
  • 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup cornstarch
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

  1.  Stir all the ingredients together until well blended. Store in a covered container or in individual 1-cup packages.
  2. To make pudding, place 1 cup pudding mix in a small saucepan. Slowly sir in 2 cups boiling water. Cook over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring constantly, until the mixture is thickened. Let the mixture cool slightly and then pour into individual containers to make homemade pudding cups or into a single container. Cover and keep refrigerated.
Vanilla pudding—Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1 tablespoon butter once the pudding has thickened.
Chocolate pudding—Add 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder to 1 cup of dry mixture before cooking. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and 1 tablespoon butter once the pudding has thickened.
*Place plastic wrap on top to prevent a skin from forming – me, I love pudding skin, but maybe I’m weird. Cool for 15 minutes till room temp and then spoon into individual bowls if you want, refrigerate for at least an hour
For more delicious recipes, The Prepper’s Cookbook: 365 Recipes to Turn Your Emergency Food into Nutritious, Delicious, Life-Saving Meals is available in bookstores now.

Related Reading:

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Book Review: "77 Days in September"

Another great book in the "Survival Porn" genre that I have recently read.

I love a good storyline. The type of book that you just can't put down and will read in just one day.

 On a Friday afternoon before Labor Day, Americans are getting ready for the holiday weekend, completely unaware of a long-planned terrorist plot about to be launched against the country. Kyle Tait is settling in for his flight home to Montana when a single nuclear bomb is detonated 300 miles above the heart of America. The blast, an Electro-Magnetic Pulse (EMP), destroys every electrical device in the country, and results in the crippling of the power grid, the shutting down of modern communications, and bringing to a halt most forms of transportation.

Kyle narrowly escapes when his airplane crashes on take-off, only to find himself stranded 2,000 miles from home in a country that has been forced, from a technological standpoint, back to the 19th Century. Confused, hurt, scared, and alone, Kyle must make his way across a hostile continent to a family he’s not even sure has survived the effects of the attack. As Kyle forges his way home, his frightened family faces their own struggles for survival in a community trying to halt its slow spiral into chaos and anarchy.


77 Days in September

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Book Review: "Going Home"

One of the better books I have read recently.

A great storyline with a great amount of detail on the gear used by the main characters.
I'd almost call it a reference book disguised as excellent fiction.

*EDIT:
Just had a nice conversation with the author and was informed that book 2 is well in the works.

You can check out the author's official website here: http://www.angeryamerican.com/ or follow on Facebook here: Angry American Facebook


Going Home