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Friday, February 14, 2025

1 Plant Every Survivalist Should Grow

Estimated reading time: 9 minutes

Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor and nothing in this article should be taken as medical advice. Please talk to your doctor before using any of the herbs and/or remedies mentioned in this article.

1 Plant Every Survivalist Should Grow

If you could only grow one food as part of your emergency preps, which one would it be? If you ask me, it should most assuredly be garlic. This tiny little powerhouse of a crop not only improves the flavor of long-term storage meals, it also boasts potent medicinal and household uses.

Allicin is the compound contained in garlic that is primarily responsible or its antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral prowess. The allicin in garlic is exceptionally helpful in treating oral problems and yeast infections.

Garlic, which is often regarded as a superfood, has been used as an herbal medicine ingredient for tens of thousands of years. Not only is garlic easy to grow, it can literally be grown indoors in any climate, even if you live in a tiny urban apartment.

Even better, garlic has an incredibly long shelf life compared to most other fresh produce. When stored properly in a cool, dry place, whole bulbs can last for months, making them an ideal staple for long-term food security. If you dehydrate or pickle garlic, you can make it last even longer.

Garlic Medicinal Uses

Beyond its antibacterial and antifungal qualities, garlic has also been linked to cardiovascular health. Studies suggest that regular consumption of garlic may help lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol levels, and improve circulation. And that's just the beginning. Garlic also helps with…

Gum Disease

There are at least 500 different types of bacteria that could be floating around inside your mouth at any given moment. Now, not all of the potential oral bacteria invaders pose a health threat – some actually aid the body. But, keeping both the good and the bad bacteria in check can help prevent painful gum disease and the tooth decay it can provoke.

The allicin in garlic can prevent the growth of bad bacteria and can help thwart tooth decay in the process. Using this natural gum disease fighter now, before an SHTF event, just might improve the health of your gums. Commercially manufactured products that claim to kill “99% of bacteria” inside your mouth would then, if the claim is accurate, be eliminating the good bacteria along with the bad.

You do not need to go the extreme route and scour the internet for garlic-flavored toothpaste to reap the benefits from allicin. You can purchase garlic in capsule form and consume it daily to weekly or add the veggie (yes, garlic really is classified as a vegetable and not an herb) to your meals on a regular basis.

Toothaches

Chewing on a garlic clove may also help eliminate the pain associated with a toothache. To treat a toothache with garlic, peel away the paper-like outer covering from the clove and then place the clove over the sore tooth. Crush the clove slowly and repeatedly over the tooth to release the garlic juice, pressing as firmly as you can each time.

After a few minutes, remove the remains of the clove and rinse with warm water. The garlic juice should offer relief from the pain in about 10 minutes or so. Repeat this process several times a day to relieve pain and attempt to eliminate the infection caused by an abscessed tooth.

Making a poultice using a ½ teaspoon each of garlic powder, black pepper, salt, and clove oil and applying it to the infected tooth several times a day may also prove successful at eliminating both pain and infection.

Mouthwash

Making a natural mouthwash to both prevent and treat oral health issues is both incredibly quick and easy.

  1. Mix together ½ cup of warm water (distilled recommended) with 1 teaspoon of garlic juice.
  2. Add in 1 teaspoon of salt and stir thoroughly.
  3. Optional, add in ½ teaspoon each of cinnamon and/or apple cider vinegar.
  4. Once the mixture cools, use as a typical mouthwash.

Common Cold

Garlic is also used to reduce the time we are forced to suffer from common cold symptoms. Study results vary, but the consumption of garlic could reduce the time you have a common cold by up to 70 percent.

When my husband was struggling with a cold and possible bronchial issues for weeks and just couldn't kick it, I started him on garlic capsules and added a few pinches more of powdered garlic to our meals and he started feeling better in less than one week. Garlic, more specifically the allicin it is comprised of, is often regarded as having immune system boosting properties.

Splinters

The anti-inflammatory antioxidants in garlic can help eliminate and soothe skin rashes – even psoriasis issues – when rubbed onto the problem areas regularly in oil form.

Yeast Infections

The antimicrobial properties contained in garlic could help thwart yeast infections. A research report by the Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery determined that using a thyme and garlic based vaginal cream was just as successful as using the common commercially manufactured yeast infection cream that contains clotrimazole.

Cold Sores

To help heal a cold sore, cut a single garlic clove in half and rub the pain area. Garlic should decrease both the discomfort and inflammation commonly associated with cold sores.

Splinters

Cut a thin slice of garlic and put it over the area of the skin where the splinter is located. Wrap a piece of tape or a bandage over the splinter to hold the garlic in place. In about 30 to 60 minutes, the swelling and pain around the splinter should subside, exposing the splinter more readily so it can be pulled out of the skin completely with tweezers.

Acne

Cut several cloves of garlic and rub them onto acne breakouts to harness the antioxidant properties of garlic to kill the bacteria that caused the pimples. Ingesting more garlic may help prevent the formation of acne.

Dandruff

Garlic isn’t just great for your skin; it may also help fight dandruff and scalp infections. The same antifungal properties that make it effective against athlete’s foot can be applied to scalp health. Mixing minced garlic with coconut oil and massaging it into the scalp before washing your hair can help combat persistent flakes and irritation.

Athlete’s Foot

Soak your feet in warm water with about one tablespoon of crushed garlic for half an hour to treat athlete’s foot and similar fungal problems.

General Health Benefits

Eating garlic on a regular basis may help you lose weight and ward off cardiac issues.

Beauty

Applying garlic oil or juice to the scalp may promote healthy hair and spark growth. The increased blood flow and bolstered circulation prompted by the garlic could strengthen the hair. Some folks opt to rub unwrapped cloves onto the scalp directly or consume garlic capsules to garner the same hair health and growth results.

Other Uses

Pest Control

Finely chop an entire head of garlic – using a blender or food processor is highly recommended. Place the garlic in a quart Mason jar with hot water and allow it to steep overnight. Then, strain the mixture using cheesecloth and use the remaining liquid to spray areas where pests have been spotted to keep them at bay.

Crack Filler

Garlic not only has a plethora of healthy properties, it can also be used as a natural adhesive as well. To fix hairline cracks in both ceramic and glass objects, use garlic juice from a few to a handful of crushed cloves to fill in the crack and deter it from spreading.

Gardening

Beyond the kitchen and medicine cabinet, garlic can also be great for garden health. Many gardeners use garlic as a natural companion plant to deter harmful insects and even ward off larger pests like deer and rabbits. Interplanting garlic with vegetables such as tomatoes, carrots, and peppers can help protect your crops without the need for chemical pesticides.

How To Grow Garlic

Garlic should be planted in the early to middle of fall, depending upon your climate. I live in the Midwest and put my garlic into pots in late September for a June or July harvest. Garlic can be planted up to six or eight weeks before your first hard frost when growing outdoors in the fall.

  • Garlic should be planted in rich soil that is well drained.
  • Place your container pots in an area that gets full sun. Garlic needs six full hours of sun each day to grow.
  • Garlic cloves must be planted root side down – the thin pointy side of the garlic clove is the root. Plant at least four up to six inches apart if using large pots or sowing directly into the ground. If planting in the ground, make sure the garlic is planted in rows that are a minimum of one and a half to two inches apart.
  • Cover the garlic cloves with at least one but preferably two inches of rich fine soil.

If you’re short on space, consider growing garlic vertically. Hanging planters, stacked containers, or even repurposed pallets can all be used to cultivate a bountiful garlic crop in a compact area. This method is especially useful for urbanites or preppers looking to maximize their growing potential in small spaces.

Growing Hints and Tips

Garlic may also be planted in the spring for a fall harvest. If you live in a cold climate, add up to six inches of mulch if the garlic will be grown in the soil or outdoors in container pots over the winter.

Top 3 Ways To Preserve Garlic

  1. Freezing garlic is the simplest way to preserve it. Peel the cloves and put them in bags and simply place them in the freezer. You can open the bag and grate or chop the amount of garlic you want on an as-needed basis. Garlic that has been roasted or pureed in oil can be frozen in the same manner.
  2. Garlic can be dried by cutting the cloves in half in a lengthwise manner and dehydrating them in a machine, in the sun, or in the oven. If using a common household dehydrator machine, use the vegetable setting (about 135 degrees F) and keep them in the machine until they are completely crisp. If using an oven, bake at 140 degrees F for about 2 hours and then at 130 for another hour – or until crisp and dry.
  3. To make a garlic salt, use a food processor or a blend to finely chop a mixture created at a ratio of one part garlic to four parts sea salt. This mixture can be stored at room temperature in an airtight Mason jar for years.

You might not be able to survive on garlic alone, but this popular recipe ingredient can help you heal yourself, get rid of mice, and even fix a crack in your last remaining bowl, during a long-term disaster.

With its versatility in cooking, its well-documented medicinal benefits, and its surprising household applications, garlic truly earns its place as the ultimate survival crop. Whether you’re dealing with a health crisis, a food shortage, or just trying to keep pests at bay, this small but mighty plant has your back.

So if you’re only going to grow one thing—make it garlic.

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from Urban Survival Site

What I Put In My Kid’s Bug Out Bag

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

What I Put In My Kid’s Bug Out Bag

Last week, I talked about how I built my 30-pound bug out bag. If an unexpected disaster strikes, I can grab my bag and head out the door in less than a minute, and I'll have 3 days worth of food and supplies with me.

However, one thing that new preppers tend to forget is that few people bug out alone. If you're bugging out, you probably have one or more people with you, such as a spouse and kids. If they don't have their own bug out bags, then your food and supplies won't last three days—it might not even last one day.

That's why it's wise to build a separate bug out bag for each family member. For this article, I'm going to share what I put in my 8-year-old son's bug out bag.

Putting his bag together was quite a challenge. I didn't want it to be too heavy. He only weighs 90 pounds, and since experts recommended having a bug out bag that's no more than 15% of one's bodyweight, that limited me to about 13.5 pounds.

With a bag that light, there was no way I could include everything he would need to survive on his own for three days. But of course, I don't plan on letting him end up on his own. This bag is so he can carry extra supplies that won't fit in my bug out bag.

In the end, his bag ended up weighing 13.6 pounds. I'm confident he could carry that a pretty good distance, but this summer we're going to spend time hiking with our bags so we can get in better shape.

Want to save this post for later? Click Here to Pin It On Pinterest!

Anyway, here's what I put in my kid's bug out bag:

Clothes

Kids Bug Out Bag Clothes

Note: His clothes are inside a dry sack.

First Aid Kit

First Aid Kit for Kid's Bug Out Bag

Food

Kid's Bug Out Bag Foods

Total calories: 6842 (2280 per day)

Hydration Kit

Hydration Kit for Kid's Bug Out Bag

Light / Electronics

Light and Electronics for Bug Out Bag

Physical Comfort

Physical Comfort Items for Bug Out Bag

Toiletries

Bug Out Bag Toiletries

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous Items for Kid's Bug Out Bag

So there you have it! Is there anything I should include or replace? Let me know in the comment section.

Like this post? Don't Forget to Pin It On Pinterest!

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The post What I Put In My Kid’s Bug Out Bag appeared first on Urban Survival Site.



from Urban Survival Site

Our Grandparents’ Cold Remedies: Do They Still Work?

For many years, folks have dismissed traditional remedies as outdated or mere health superstitions. However, these time-tested practices were passed down through generations for good reason. They are straightforward, cost-effective, […]

The post Our Grandparents’ Cold Remedies: Do They Still Work? appeared first on Survivopedia.



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The Best Prepping Items You Can Buy At Garage Sales

Garage sales are often overlooked as a resource for prepping supplies, but they can be a treasure trove for savvy survivalists. Some of these sales are filled with gently used, affordable items that can help you build or expand your emergency preparedness kit without breaking the bank. From tools and camping gear to clothing and ... Read more...

from Prepper's Will

Deinfluencing You: 10 Long-Lasting Foods You Should Stop Stockpiling

As preppers, we’re taught to think ahead, stock up, and be ready for anything. But what if I told you that some of the “must-have” long-lasting foods cluttering your pantry might be doing you more harm than good? In the prepping world, misinformation is rampant, and what started as good advice has snowballed into a […]

The post Deinfluencing You: 10 Long-Lasting Foods You Should Stop Stockpiling appeared first on Ask a Prepper.



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Thursday, February 13, 2025

Four Herbs that Support Your Immune System (Other Than Echinacea)

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The post Four Herbs that Support Your Immune System (Other Than Echinacea) appeared first on The Survival Mom.



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Turn Your Yard Into a Food Oasis with Backyard Farming

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15 Street Smarts Skills We All Need

15 Street Smarts Skills We All Need

Maybe it’s just me, but there’s a chance that you’ve been shocked at the thinking and reasoning skills (or lack thereof) of some of our population, especially our youth today. It’s become pretty obvious that just because you have a formal education through a college degree, doesn’t necessarily mean you’re a smart person when it comes to real-world situations. Yes, having book smarts is important, but executing those “smarts” by putting them into practice is even more so. Check out these street-smart skills we all need. 

I’ve known a number of people who I felt were more educated than I was, but they didn’t necessarily use common sense when it came to social intelligence or problem-solving skills. I’m hoping to highlight some skills you should strive for, particularly since most of us live in a more crowded urban environment than in years past.

In case you missed this post, The Best Survival-You Are Responsible For Your Family

15 Street Smarts Skills We All Need

Street Smarts Skills We All Need 

That’s where street smarts come in. Street smarts mean taking that information and using it in a practical way, and also being more aware of what’s going on around us. Here are 15 street smarts that we all need to have.  

1. Knowing Directions and Closeby Markers

Have you ever been in an accident and had no idea where you were and had a difficult time alerting dispatch of your location? Lots of people are terrible with directions and don’t even have the slightest notion of which way is North.

It’s not a good idea to jump behind the wheel or head out in a big city without recognizing surrounding markers or locations, or even what direction you may be heading for that matter. Keep a flashlight in your Everyday Carry Bag-What You Need or in your purse.

2. More Conscious of the Darker Side of Humanity

We’d like to think that all people are genuinely good, but let’s not fool ourselves. There are people who want to hurt and take advantage of us. I’m not telling you to sit at home and read about the sick and twisted things that people do, but you need to be aware that those kinds of people are out there and are looking for easy targets. 

3. Avoid Cyber Incidents

People are far too trusting about giving out their information or location to complete strangers on the internet. Don’t be one of them, and be more cautious about what you share. 

4. Drink Responsibly

When you decide to go out and have a drink, make sure that you do it with a number of friends, and have a designated driver. At the least, make the decision to stay where you are. Too many lives are destroyed because someone chose not to be responsible.  

5. More Knowledgeable When Making a Purchase

Have you ever made an unwise purchase because you didn’t do the research? Instead of getting ripped off as a consumer, spend more time getting to know that product and comparing it to other similar products. 

6. Use all 5 Senses

The majority of us were given 5 senses to experience the world around us, so it’s important that we remember to use all of them. Those senses can alert us to danger, along with helping us remember the things that we like and dislike. 

7. Avoid Looking Lost

Even if you don’t know where you are in a sketchy part of a big city, the worst thing you could do is have the look of being lost written all over your face. Another smart thing to consider is not traveling these areas alone. This makes you an easier target. 

8. Be Aware of Your Belongings

When you’re in a big city it becomes even more important to be aware of your belongings. Don’t carry a lot of cash and avoid wearing a backpack or purse that could easily be pickpocketed. 

9. Don’t Put Yourself in a Dangerous Situation

Partying late at night and then walking alone by yourself, or going home with a stranger is flirting with sure danger. Especially if you’ve had too much to drink. Don’t put yourself in dangerous situations like these. Stay where you are and call a friend or parent to come and get you.   

10. Survival Skills

Could you survive on your own if a disaster were to strike? Here are just a few of the basic survival skills everyone needs to know. 

11. Better Communication Skills

Instead of always needing to be heard and getting the final word in, it’s vital that we stop and listen to other’s viewpoints as well. Stop and listen.  

12. Pay Attention to Detail

You never know when paying closer attention to detail will come in handy. When a situation arises, like a hit and run car accident or burglary, being able to identify a car model or what the suspect looked like becomes extremely important. 

13. Look Up From Your Phone

15 Street Smarts Skills We All Need

There’s so much that can be missed when we have our faces in our phones all the time. Especially when we’re out in public. Warning signs can be missed that could alert us to danger even before it happens. We miss out on relationships too. So keep your eyes looking ahead instead of down at a screen all the time. 

14. Looking at the Whole Picture

Let’s face it, most of us go through life with tunnel vision goggles on and bring only our own worldviews to most everyday situations. Even though our motives may be pure, there are times where they may be misguided. 

So it’s no wonder that it may take a lot more practice from the majority of us at taking a step back and looking at the whole picture and not necessarily at what we think is the right answer all the time. (This is painful to do, I know.) Doing so can save us from a lot of arguments and creating estranged relationships from our closest friends and family.  

15. Trusting Your Instincts 

Even more than we may realize, our brains take in a ton of information about what’s going on in the world around us. Instead of brushing off that information as mere coincidence or not important, practice paying closer attention to the data our brains have collected. More times than not, your instincts will lead us to the correct decision. Now, this is one of those street smarts we all need! 

Final Word

These are 15 practical street smarts that everyone should know. They will help you to make wiser decisions and help you be more observant about what’s going on around you. What are some other street smart skills we all need that you’d add to this list? Please be safe, we must be careful and aware of our surroundings. May God bless this world, Linda

Copyright Images: Small Town Deposit photos_34944253_s-2019, Cell Phone Deposit photos_34744909_s-2019, Students In A Group Looking At PhonesDepositphotos_518668072_S By Oksixx

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from Food Storage Moms

The Good Prepper Canned Beef: A Survivalist’s Honest Review

When it comes to long-term food security, protein is one of the most crucial elements in any prepper’s stockpile. Having spent years testing various emergency food options, I’ve learned that […]

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What Mainstream Media Will Never Tell You

Mainstream media is full of talking bobbleheads who love to prattle on about whatever nuggets appear in the 24-hour news cycle. They love to dissect everything in absurdity or fan the flames of political rhetoric to drive up their ratings. There are also times when mainstream media “Carries the water” for the sponsors, politicians, lobbyists, […]

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Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Easy To Make Chocolate-Covered Oreos

Easy To Make Chocolate Covered Oreos

I’m absolutely in love with these easy-to-make chocolate-covered Oreos. Do you love Oreos, too? They are my favorite cookie. Even though I enjoy home-baked cookies, nothing can beat the classic Oreo cookie. I stick the original Oreo with the regular filling, not the “stuffed” one. You could make these with the vanilla Oreos as well. I just bought the chocolate ones, because I love chocolate!

Easy-to-make chocolate-covered Oreos are the perfect treat! They’re so fun, and they’re beautiful.

Here’s a tidbit about my favorite cookie. I quote Wikipedia: “Oreo is an American sandwich cookie consisting of two wafers with a sweet crème filling. Introduced on March 6, 1912, Oreo is the best-selling cookie brand in the United States. As of 2018, the version sold in the U.S. is made by the Nabisco division of Mondelez International.” In case you missed this post, Valentine’s Day Sour Cream Sugar Cookie Recipe

Easy To Make Chocolate Covered Oreos

Kitchen Items You Will Need

Chocolate-Covered Oreos Ingredients

  • Oreos: A popular sandwich cookie consisting of two chocolate wafers with a sweet creme filling in between.
  • Sucker or Lollipop Sticks: A confectionery stick, usually made of wood or plastic. One end of the stick is pushed into the Oreo cookie to hold it in place, and the other end is used to hold onto the stick while dipping into the melted chocolate.
  • Pink Candy Melts: Pink candy coating made from vegetable oil, sugar, and other artificial ingredients. They are often used for baking and candy making, as they can be melted and molded into various shapes and sizes. They give desserts a sweet, creamy consistency and are often used to add color and flavor to cakes, cupcakes, and other confections.
  • Red Candy Melts: A red-colored confectionery coating usually made from cocoa butter, sugar, milk solids, and food coloring. They can be melted and used for dipping or drizzling onto cakes, cookies, or other treats. They are also commonly used for decorating items such as cupcakes, cake pops, and other desserts.
  • Sprinkles (color of choice): Little bits of chocolate-flavored candies, typically made with white chocolate that doesn’t melt. Sold in a variety of colors. It adds a fun flare to the sugar cookies without using food coloring that can’t be beaten!

Easy To Make Chocolate-Covered Oreos

Gather all of your ingredients.

Step One: Melt Pink Candy Melts – 30-Second Increments

Grab a microwave-safe bowl and place the colored (pink) candy melts in the container. You will need to melt the candy melts in 30-second increments, stirring as needed until you can see they are melted thoroughly.

Melt the pink chocolate

Step Two: Melt Red Candy Melts – 30-Second Increments

Grab a microwave-safe bowl and place the colored (red) candy melts in the container. You will need to melt the candy melts in 30-second increments, stirring as needed until you can see they are melted thoroughly.

Melt the red chocolate

Separate the cookies and place them on a small cookie sheet on parchment paper.

Separate the Oreos

Place a stick in the middle of each cookie, and “glue” the stick with a little bit of the candy melts to keep the sticks in place. Carefully place the top cookie back onto the bottom of the cookie with the stick in place.

Easy To Make Chocolate Covered Oreos

Step Five: Dip Some Cookies in Melted Pink Candy Melts

Dip the cookies in the melted pink candy melts and let the excess chocolate drip back into the bowl. Let them set up in the freezer for at least ten minutes. Place the dipped Oreos on the cookie sheet and sprinkle with your favorite sprinkles.

Dip the Oreos in Pink Chocolate

Step Six: Dip Other Cookies in Melted Red Candy Melts

Dip the cookies in the melted red candy melts and let the excess chocolate drip back into the bowl. Let them set up in the freezer for at least ten minutes. Place the dipped Oreos on the cookie sheet and sprinkle with your favorite sprinkles.

Dipping Oreos in the Red Chocolate

Step Seven: Decorate Chocolate Covered Oreos – as Desired

Drizzle with white chocolate if desired. There are so many ways to “decorate” these!

Decorate The Oreos

Finished Product

These cookies will be kept for 2 weeks if stored in the refrigerator or freezer. Enjoy.

Finished Product

Chocolate Covered Oreos Recipe

Easy To Make Chocolate Covered Oreos
Print

Chocolate Covered Oreos

Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 2 minutes
Set Up Time 10 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Servings 20 Treats
Author Linda Loosli

Ingredients

  • 1 package Oreos
  • 1 12- ounce Candy Melts (Pink)
  • 1 12- ounce Candy Melts (Red)
  • 1 package Sucker Sticks
  • 1 cup Sprinkles (for decorating the cookies)

Instructions

  • Gather all of your ingredients. Place the *pink* colored candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl. You will need to melt the candy melts in 30-second intervals, stirring as needed until you can see they are melted thoroughly.
  • Next, place the *red* colored candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl. You will need to melt the candy melts in 30-second intervals, stirring as needed until you can see they are melted thoroughly.
  • Separate the cookies and place them on parchment paper on a small cookie sheet.
  • Place a stick in the middle of each cookie, "glue" the stick with a little bit of the candy melts to keep the sticks in place. Carefully place the top of the cookie back onto the bottom of the cookie with the stick in place.
  • Dip the cookies in the melted candy melts, some in red and some in the pink. Let the excess chocolate drip back into the bowls.
  • Place the dipped Oreos on the cookie sheet and sprinkle with your favorite sprinkles or decorative topping of choice.
  • Let them set up in the freezer for at least ten minutes.
  • These cookies will keep for 2 weeks if kept cold in the refrigerator or freezer. Enjoy!

How do I store these?

Here’s the deal: if your kitchen is warm, the chocolate may soften to the melting point. If possible, I would keep them in the refrigerator and place them on parchment paper in an airtight container.

Can I freeze them?

I would not recommend it because the chocolate may crack and “sweat” when it thaws.

Can I make these without the sticks?

Yes, you can, for sure. You can dip your fingers or a fork or a set of Dipping Tools like these.

What are some variations that can be made with these chocolate-covered Oreos?

I love these chocolate-covered Oreos! There are so many options!

Instead of the pink or red chocolate candy melts, you can use melted milk, white or dark chocolate bars, semi-sweet chocolate chips, or Ghirardelli melting wafers.

I love the ease of the candy melts, but it is fun to try other forms of chocolate and then top with your favorite decorative toppings. Which variation is your favorite?

Milk Chocolate Dipped Oreos

  • Covered with Chopped nuts
  • Sprinkled with Sea Salt
  • Drizzled with Caramel

White Chocolate Dipped Oreos

  • Drizzled with Peanut Butter
  • Rolled in Crushed Peppermint Candies
  • Coated with Coconut Flakes

Dark Chocolate Dipped Oreos

  • Topped Mini Marshmallows and Graham Cracker Crumbs
  • Double Dipped with White chocolate and Dark or Milk Chocolate

Final Word

I hope you make these chocolate-covered Oreos! Sometimes, we must step back and have fun with our kids and grandkids. These are the perfect desserts to serve or share for Valentine’s Day, Halloween, Christmas, or any occasion. Please let me know if you make these. I would love to hear from you!

Of course, we must keep prepping and teaching our families to cook from scratch and learn new skills. But who doesn’t love chocolate, right? May God Bless this world, Linda

The post Easy To Make Chocolate-Covered Oreos appeared first on Food Storage Moms.



from Food Storage Moms

How to Make $6,000 Per Year Raising Goats

Goats are turning into a really big business in the United States. With consumption of goat meat and milk on the rise this year compared to just the past couple of decades and a steady demand for other products like goat-sourced fiber, it’s a good time to put your herd to work for you… Believe ... Read more

How to Make $6,000 Per Year Raising Goats can be read in full at New Life On A Homestead- Be sure to check it out!



from New Life On A Homestead

Differences Between Short-Term Disasters and Long-Term Disasters – Part II

In the first part of this article, we discussed the key characteristics of short-term disasters and what can we do to better prepare ourselves. I’ve also provided some short-term disaster examples from the last decade that could be a good starting point for anyone wanting to know more about how these disasters unfold in real ... Read more...

from Prepper's Will

Tuesday, February 11, 2025

The Most Comprehensive Bug Out Bag Checklists

Bug Out Bags Photographed By Kay Reilly

Have you wondered why all the bug-out bag checklists are on the internet? You may call them 72-hour kits, a survival kit, or an emergency preparedness kit. Either way, we need them for our family. This is how I see it; I’m not planning on bugging out unless my neighborhood needs to be evacuated during a disaster.

If Mark and I head to the hills, we may become targets of some loony people who are out of control. I must be clear here: I own a weapon, and I believe in protecting my family, however possible.

Here’s the deal: we need the items I have listed below, even if we don’t bug out. I have readers who physically can’t bug out or have no place to go if they leave their homes. Even if we leave our homes, will the destination be safe for our family? Maybe or maybe not. If we are asked to evacuate, you need this bag filled with items YOU plan to use.

Each family is faced with different survival situations depending on family size, location, the makeup of family members, financial circumstances, etc. As you plan and put together your survival gear, all these things need to be considered and the bag contents adjusted accordingly. I also suggest you don’t go into debt trying to be prepared. Take your time and put things together as best you can with the resources you have.

The Most Comprehensive Bug Out Bag Checklists

If Stores Close

Our local stores can close abruptly. Can we provide food, water, and OTC drugs or a needed prescription medication for our family for an extended period? Please don’t think the government will rescue you; in most cases that’s not going to happen. Period. If you’re on food stamps, you need to be prepared to feed your family without store access to use them. The government very likely will no longer be refilling the EBT card you have in your possession.

I call this my Come to Jesus message: please be prepared for the unexpected. You need to take care of your family; it’s called being self-reliant. Tough survival situations have hit our country numerous times in the past couple of years, and I feel more are coming.

I quote Wikipedia EMP-Electromagnetic Pulse

“EMP interference is generally disruptive or damaging to electronic equipment, and at higher energy levels, a powerful EMP event, such as a lightning strike, can damage physical objects such as buildings and aircraft structures.”

Utilities/Internet Will Not Work

The store may be closed, or our country may be hit by an EMP, in which case my car will not work due to the electronics being fried. If, by chance, you have a vehicle that will survive an EMP, you may be able to drive to a store. But, the shelves will be empty very quickly.

The pharmacies won’t be able to process your prescription needs because the Internet will not work. Forget the ATMs; they will not work, and neither will your direct deposit. You get the picture. We’ll be back to non-electric times.

Have you read the book “Lights Out” by Ted Koppel? If not, you need to; it will open your eyes as to how unprepared our country is regarding our power grids. It’s pathetic, I kid you not.

Please refer to “Bugging In” by Raymond Dean White and my book, “Prepare Your Family For Survival.”

Bug Out Bags – Food

Food is certainly what you’d consider one of your essentials. I store this food in my home to keep the temperature more consistent for a longer-term shelf life; I can grab it if we need to evacuate.

Bug Out Bags

Please check out this post for details on these food items. Linda’s Grab and Go Food Storage

Bug Out Bags

You can start by filling boxes with the items you feel your family needs to put in a bug-out bag later. I purchased some oversized bags with wheels for Mark and me and each of our daughters and their spouses.

I store my water and food separately from my bug-out bag. Remember, there are several different kinds of bug-out bags, as detailed below.

There’s no way you can put everything in one bag. You may have to put together multiple bags, depending on the type of disaster taking place. The bag(s) should be of a good quality with durability in mind.

Pet Bug Out Bag

Pet Bug Out Bag
  1. Water/food dish
  2. Photo of the dog (to be circulated in case they get separated from you)
  3. Complete medical records
  4. Chip ID information
  5. Leash/harness/collar
  6. Sweater
  7. Toys
  8. Blanket
  9. Brush/comb
  10. Cat or Dog food (enough for at least three days)
  11. Water  (enough for at least three days)
  12. Pet First Aid Book
  13. Vet wrap 2″ and 4″/trauma pad
  14. Gauze bandage rolls (2″, 4″, and 6″)
  15. Adhesive tape
  16. Tweezers/scissors/surgical soap
  17. Thermometer/mineral oil
  18. Disinfectant solution
  19. Styptic powder/cornstarch
  20. Benadryl/triple antibiotic ointment
  21. Eyewash
  22. Saline
  23. Medication, 5-day supply
  24. Tick-Flea Meds
  25. Paper towels/plastic bags/zip-lock bags
  26. Dog and/or cat carrier(s)
  27. Cat litter box/litter

PRINTABLE List: FSM 72-hour kit Pets

Child Bug Out Bag – Each Family Member Should Have a Bag

  1. Family picture(s) with names and phone numbers/email addresses (in case they get separated from you or if you have a child who can’t verbalize who they are)
  2. Fingerprints, if you have them
  3. Water (enough for three days)
  4. Age-appropriate food that your child will eat: MREs (Meals Ready To Eat—add water), food that is ready to eat without water, freeze-dried veggies, freeze-dried fruit, freeze-dried yogurt bites, snacks, graham crackers, peanut butter crackers, cereal, raisins, fruit leather, fruit snacks, etc.
  5. Candy (such as suckers)
  6. Juice boxes
  7. Cup, plate, bowl & silverware/child mess kit
  8. Reading books
  9. Colored pencils/non-electric pencil sharpener or markers, crayons (not for car or garage-they’d melt)
  10. Paper, tablets, coloring books
  11. Puzzles, games, small activities, and Play Dough
  12. Medications: Motrin/Tylenol, Cough syrup (rotate yearly)
  13. Any medication you use occasionally: antibiotic ointment, Vaseline, saline spray, etc.
  14. Baby wipes/diapers/formula/baby food/baby food grinder/pacifiers
  15. Solar or small blankets
  16. Small pillow
  17. Hand sanitizer
  18. First Aid Kit (child-size Band-Aids)
  19. Extra clothes/jacket/sweater (sweat suits are ideal for storage because you can cut the sleeves and legs off if the weather is too warm or wear them as is in cold weather)
  20. Child size N-95 masks–practice with these BEFORE you need to use them
  21. Bible/Scriptures, etc.

PRINTABLE List: FSM 72-Hour Kits For Children

Adult Bug Out Bag

  1. Water for at least three days (1-4 gallons per day), water purifiers and water filter/ purifier bottles (like Sports Berkey Portable Water Purifier)
  2. Food to last for at least three days: MREs (Meals ready to eat); hot and cold ready-to-eat food packages; freeze-dried fruits and vegetables; and candy, gum, jerky, fruit snacks, raisins, fruit leather, granola bars, peanuts, crackers, etc.
  3. Aspirin, Aleve, Ibuprofen, Vitamin C, cold remedies, Essential Oils, etc., and antacids (for upset stomachs). Don’t forget Tylenol PM or something similar to use as a sleeping aid.
  4. Axe/shovel combo
  5. Baggies (all sizes)
  6. Batteries (all sizes-rotate yearly)
  7. Bible/Scriptures
  8. Bee sting & bite kit
  9. Blanket–solar is thinner
  10. Pillow
  11. Bleach (household chlorine–nonscented)
  12. Books
  13. Bung wrench/Gas shut-off wrench
  14. Small bills/coins (if we lose power, ATMs won’t work; credit/debit cards won’t work)
  15. Can opener (non-electric)
  16. Canned stove (stove in a can)
  17. Candles/glow sticks
  18. Cards or small games to play
  19. Chapstick/lip balm
  20. Chargers in case we have electricity
  21. Coats/Jackets/Sweaters/Extra Clothes & Shoes
  22. Coffee Pot, pitcher, container
  23. Cooking pot, griddle, or fry pan
  24. A cooking stove of some kind/fuel/fire starter/striker
  25. Compass
  26. Contact lenses & supplies
  27. Cotton Swabs/Kleenex Tissues
  28. Disinfectant
  29. Duct tape
  30. Emergency sewing kit
  31. Fingernail clippers/nail file
  32. Fire extinguisher
  33. First Aid Kit
  34. Hand Warmers
  35. Flashlights (preferably solar or crank); don’t forget batteries (store batteries outside the flashlights to keep them fresh)
  36. Garbage Bags
  37. Glasses (extra pair of eyeglasses)
  38. Gloves/latex or non-latex
  39. Hair brushes/combs
  40. Hats, gloves/scarves
  41. Headlamp
  42. Hearing Aid, plus batteries
  43. Imodium/Anti-Diarrhea medicine
  44. Instant milk (chocolate would be good as well)
  45. Ipecac (check with poison control if possible)
  46. Hot pads, dish towels/rags/dish soap
  47. Lanterns/compact lights
  48. Latex/Non-latex gloves
  49. Masks N-95 minimum
  50. Matches (waterproofed)
  51. Mess Kits
  52. Mirror
  53. Scissors
  54. All Purpose Knife
  55. Mosquito Spray
  56. Personal Hygiene (tampons, pads, feminine supplies, etc.)
  57. Post Notes/pencils/pens/crayons
  58. Radio/crank and or battery type (pack batteries)
  59. Rain Poncho
  60. Rope
  61. Safety pins, several sizes
  62. Shaving cream, shavers (disposable)
  63. Solar lights
  64. Sunglasses
  65. Temporary toilet and bags
  66. Thermal Underwear
  67. Thermometer
  68. Toilet Paper, shampoo, hand soap, baby wipes, hand sanitizer, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and tweezers
  69. Tools
  70. Tent(s)
  71. Umbrella
  72. Utensils, plates, cups, and silverware to cook and eat with
  73. Vaseline
  74. Wet wipes-lots of them, they might be our only shower
  75. Whistles, Walkie Talkies (test before you need them for distance) like Motorola Talkabout 2-Way Radios
  76. NOAA Weather Radio
  77. Work Gloves

PRINTABLE List: FSM 72-hour kit Adults

Emergency Car Kit

Vehicle Bug Out Bag
  1. Names and phone numbers of who to contact in an emergency
  2. Battery/crank-powered portable radio/extra batteries
  3. Flashlight/preferably one with solar/crank/LED
  4. Compass and maps: not everyone has GPS in their car and on phones
  5. Can of motor oil
  6. Fire Extinguisher(5 pound ABC type)
  7. Flares and/or orange cones
  8. Jumper cables
  9. Rags/paper towels
  10. Shovel
  11. Pocketknife
  12. Tire gauge
  13. Toolbox
  14. Window scraper for ice
  15. Tow Rope
  16. Bungee cords
  17. Duct tape
  18. Waterproof matches

Necessities for Survival

  1. Water
  2. Blankets
  3. Jackets/sweaters
  4. Emergency cash: approximately $50.00 in small bills
  5. First Aid Kit
  6. Baby Wipes
  7. Hand Sanitizer
  8. Scissors/pens/pencils (not crayons-they melt)
  9. Emergency snack food and/or MRE meals (items may need to be replaced more frequently if stored in extreme heat conditions)
  10. Whistles
  11. Umbrella
  12. Hand warmers
  13. Extra blankets
  14. A 12-volt air compressor, work gloves, a tire plug set (buy them cheaply at Walmart), emergency repair tape – self-fusing silicone tape

PRINTABLE List: Emergency Car Kits

First Aid Kit

Bug Out Bag
  1. Ace Wraps: 3-inch & 4-inch
  2. Allergy Medicine
  3. Anti-Bacterial Wipes
  4. Antifungal Ointment
  5. Anti-Diarrhea
  6. Anti-Itch Cream
  7. Aleve (Naproxen)
  8. Alcohol: 90-100% proof
  9. Apple Cider
  10. Aspirin/Advil
  11. Bandage Scissors
  12. Band-Aids/Butterfly, Several Sizes
  13. Bee Sting Kit
  14. Benadryl, Liquid, and Chewable
  15. Betadine/iodine swabs
  16. Birth Control
  17. Boudreaux’s Butt Paste
  18. Bug Spray 100% Deet
  19. Burn Gel
  20. Calamine Lotion
  21. Castor Oil
  22. Cold Medicine/Cough Syrup
  23. Contacts/Contact Cases/ Extra Glasses/Saline
  24. Condoms
  25. Cotton Balls
  26. Cotton Swabs
  27. Dramamine (motion sickness)
  28. Dressings for open wounds
  29. Duct Tape and medical tape (all different sizes)
  30. Ear-Loop Masks (N-95), all sizes
  31. Ear Plugs
  32. Elastic Gauze Bandage Rolls
  33. Epsom Salt
  34. Essential Oils Book
  35. Eye Patches
  36. First-Aid Book
  37. First-Aid Shears
  38. Flashlights w/Batteries
  39. Floss
  40. Gloves (non-latex)
  41. Gauze Pads (sterile and non-sterile)
  42. Hand sanitizer
  43. Heat packs-Heating pads-Thank you, Janet and Leanne, for this reminder: Hot water bottles
  44. Hemorrhoid Ointment/Suppositories
  45. Ibuprofen
  46. Mylar Blankets
  47. Hydrocortisone
  48. Lip balm/ ChapStick
  49. Lotion or Body Cream
  50. Menstrual Pads and Tampons
  51. Mucinex
  52. Mucinex Dm
  53. Motrin
  54. Monistat (Yeast Infections)
  55. Mouthwash
  56. Molefoam/Moleskin
  57. Multi-Task Knife
  58. Nasal Decongestant
  59. Nasal Spray (Afrin)
  60. New Skin Liquid Bandage
  61. Non-stick Sterile Pads
  62. Nystatin and Triamcinolone Acetonide
  63. Nail Clippers
  64. Neosporin
  65. Orajel
  66. Petroleum Jelly
  67. Pepto-Bismol Chewables
  68. Peroxide
  69. Pregnancy Test
  70. Quick clot
  71. Rolled Gauze
  72. Scissors
  73. Silver Gel
  74. Silver Liquid
  75. Silver Cough Lozenges
  76. Sleep-Aid Medicine
  77. Splinter Removal Kit
  78. Splints
  79. Soap
  80. Stethoscope
  81. Sunscreen
  82. Surgical Face Masks (N-100), all sizes
  83. Tick Remover
  84. Toothbrushes/Toothpaste
  85. Tucks Pads-Which Hazel
  86. Tweezers
  87. Tylenol
  88. Vicks VapoRub
  89. Zantac (Acid Reducer)
  90. Ziplock Bags
  91. VITAMINS
  92. B-12 Vitamins
  93. B-complex vitamins
  94. Calcium
  95. D-3 Vitamins
  96. Magnesium
  97. Mature Complete Multivitamin
  98. Omega 3 Fish Oil
  99. Vitamin C
  100. Essential Oils

PRINTABLE List: First Aid Kit List

Some of these bug-out bag checklists may seem lengthy and cumbersome; remember to start with a little and add the items your family may need. You will be one step closer to being prepared for the unexpected. You can do it, one item at a time. May God bless this world, Linda

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