Turn your lawn into a useful garden
If you own a home you have a great opportunity to transform your outdoor living space into a productive garden. Depending on the region of the country that you live in there are a variety of wonderful fruit and nut trees that you can plant around the perimeter of your lawn. A grape arbor could become a fruit baring shady place of comfort for a quiet get away. Many of you may already be planting a traditional garden or a bucket garden yet may feel that it is an eyesore so you may try the same principles just use a fancier pot placed on a nice stepping stone. This would give a nice aesthetic look and produce useful veggies.
This spring instead pf planting the typical ornamental lawn plants put down some beans, cucumber and squash, try some potatoes or onions, plant some tomatoes and peppers as they are beautiful plants that bare tasty treats.
THINGS YOU MAY NOT HAVE CONSIDERED
We could never be fully prepared catastrophe as there could be numerous causes of the catastrophe with each requiring different preparation needs. The best that we can do is to create a cash of items, food, and water that would cover most situations. Here you will find some of the most commonly overlooked items.
Body soap – Ivory bar soap is very inexpensive (10 bars for less than $5.00) so purchase a few bars and make sure that you vacuum seal them as this will extend their life. Simply having clean hands or washing your face can have a much needed increase in attitude during a time of distress as well as promote a healthy environment.
Toothbrushes & tooth paste - You may find on the shelves of discount stores 10 packs of toothbrushes. They are not of the highest quality but they are cheap and in a time of need you would be grateful to have one. Vacuum seal them and put them away for safe keeping. Toothpaste is a bit different as it may have a shelf life so I purchase the brand that I use then rotate my stock. Again having a clean fresh mouth can change your outlook.
Feminine Products – These are items very often overlooked but my have dramatic consequences if not available. When purchasing these items make sure you purchase small baggies that have twist ties or something similar as disposal should not be allowed to become an issue. Vacuum seal them both together in small bundles so you are not opening and possibly contaminating the lot. These are also great products to use in first aid so you may want to consider stocking a few for that purpose.
Always vacuum seal your items in smaller lot sizes so you are not exposing your entire product to the elements.
The power is out and water supply is dwindling and the sewage is starting to back up, what are you going to do? Are you prepared? For your health and wellbeing this could become a major problem and in most cases is not addressed correctly. Don’t think this to gross as it might just save your life. Purchase 2 - 5 gallon buckets with lids and a lot of black yard bags. One bucket is for fecal waste and the other is for urine. Do not mix the two. Line each bucket with a black bag and keep sealed when not in use. The waste should be placed in separate holes (urine can be poured into the ground).
Toilet paper – This too can be a bit tricky as toilet paper not only determinates it can attract insects. Keep enough on hand that you can rotate into use prior to it becoming a problem. You may also want to remove the cardboard roll from the center, compress, and vacuum seal a number of rolls just to be on the safe side.
Razors – Single edged razors are very cheap and if vacuum sealed will last for quite some time. These can be used for many different purposes in a crisis situation.
Remember you do not have to do it all at once but it you prepare along the way you will eventually have the ability to secure a safe and healthy environment for your family and yourself.
CLEAN WATER - A MUST FOR SURVIVAL
Clean clear water is essential for human survival. We begin to lose our ability to function after only three days without water and soon after death will follow.
In the event of a catastrophe would you have enough water to survive?
Look in the news of the world today and you will find countless articles of the catastrophe facing the people of the Philippines as they have been brutalized by the largest typhoon in recorded history. This has left them devastated, without homes, without food, and without water.
Are you prepared to survive this type of devastation?
After two to three days without water people would begin to feel the effects that thirst has on their body and mind. They would begin to lose the ability to make good and clear decisions and would soon begin to take chances. They will drink from underground wells, rivers, streams, and even ditches once the pain of thirst has begun. All of these sources could be contaminated. Thirst will drive people to take the risk of consuming potentially contaminated water. Salmonella as well as other harmful bacteria which cause cholera, E. coli, and all protozoa such as giardia and cryptosporidium could be present in the contaminated water source and if consumed could lead to illness or even death. Yet knowing this people would become willing to drink.
There is a simple inexpensive solution which will allow a person to consume water that may be contaminated with out any health risk, The Sawyer Water Filter. Sawyer produces several size and attachment options but for the purpose of this article I will discuss the filter that I use, The Sawyer Mini.
The Sawyer Mini should run about $24.00 to $30.00. It is capable of filtering 2 liters of water in under 1.5 minutes with a life spam of 100,000 gallons. The Sawyer system uses a 0.1 Absolute Micron Hollow Fiber Membrane which will remove 7 log (99.99999%) of all bacteria such as Cholera, Botulism (Clostridium Botulinum), Typhoid (Salmonella Typhi), Amoebic Dysentery, E. coli, Coliform Bacteria, Streptococcus, Salmonella, as well as 6 log (99.9999%) of all Protozoa such as Giardia, Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora. This filter will not remove dissolved solids such as heavy metals yet for the most part or unless you are in an industrial area the water would not come into contact with these dissolved solids.
With a three bucket system you could filter 5 gallons of water in no time and not run the risk of consuming contaminates. Simply place one bucket above the other with a hose running from its base into the filter then into the lower bucket. The third bucket will be the fetch bucket.
With the Sawyer water filter and a good stash of food you can survive a catastrophe!
STORING CANNED GOODS
It must be understood that a grocery store generally stocks no more than it can market in about three days. During a rush on the store, brought on by a catastrophe, the shelves will be cleaned out quickly leaving those that were unprepared in a bad spot.
Canned goods are a good way to help supplement your needs. When buying canned goods inspect the can and do not buy a can that has been dented or damaged. It has been proven that canned food products will virtually last forever provided the can is not damaged or becomes rusted. It is equally important to keep the canned products in a cool dry location out of direct sunlight. Remember moisture, sunlight, heat, and insects are the enemy of our food products.
For short term needs you may choose items that are a meal in a can such as soups, canned pastas, stews, or chilies. These are items that can be prepared easily or if the situation is dire they are safe to be eaten directly from the can.
For long term needs store plenty of the short term items along with lots of vegetables, meats, and fish. It is true that canned meats like Spam or Treat may be very high in fat content but your body will need this fat during lean times. Look for items that are high in vitamin content like canned sweet potato. It is equally important to have a selection of canned fruit.
Don't forget to pack some comfort foods like hard candy as this can ease stress.
In years gone by all family kitchens or pantries were packed with as many items the family could afford as they understood the need for these items may arise. In our lives we have become so use to popping into a super market and grabbing whatever we may need and as a result we have minimal food storage in our homes. In the event of catastrophe, whether it be a simple power outage or major event, don't find yourself ill prepared.
We all stress the fact that we are always providing for and protecting our families but the truth is that we are falling short of this goal.
It is best to have and never need than to need and not have. It is up to you to take control and to store for the benefit and well being of your family!
Filling the Pantry
From the beginning of time it has been in our nature to store previsions for leaner days. As we gained an understanding of the seasons, weather, and the possibility of natural disasters we understood the necessity to store food and previsions. We know through archeological discoveries, dating back prior to the construction of the pyramids, that vessels were used to store grain, rice, honey, and wine. In modern times people have canned meats, fruits, vegetables and other staples to be stored in a pantry or cellar. In fact, until the invasion of the Super Market, in the 1950’s, most people stored previsions for the leaner times. Today, however, people have forgotten the need to be prepared. We have grown use to the ease of running to the market to quickly purchase the items that we desire.
The Super Market is a great asset but it is a luxury and the people of this nation need to wake up and understand the serious need to be prepared. Simply ask the families of New England of their struggles through the wrath of the Super Storm Sandy. Ask those that have seen foot after foot of snow piling up across the entire northern US. I can assure you that those suffering through these events realize just how quickly the resources of the super market can dry up. Had they prepared their struggles would have been fewer.
Don’t be discouraged by the stigmas placed on those who prepare. Don’t be afraid to be considered a prepper or mocked because you are securing your future. Don’t be worried that your government may consider you a threat because you stock pile previsions. Be worried that you didn’t and disaster strikes!
From the beginning of time it has been in our nature to store previsions for leaner days. As we gained an understanding of the seasons, weather, and the possibility of natural disasters we understood the necessity to store food and previsions. We know through archeological discoveries, dating back prior to the construction of the pyramids, that vessels were used to store grain, rice, honey, and wine. In modern times people have canned meats, fruits, vegetables and other staples to be stored in a pantry or cellar. In fact, until the invasion of the Super Market, in the 1950’s, most people stored previsions for the leaner times. Today, however, people have forgotten the need to be prepared. We have grown use to the ease of running to the market to quickly purchase the items that we desire.
The Super Market is a great asset but it is a luxury and the people of this nation need to wake up and understand the serious need to be prepared. Simply ask the families of New England of their struggles through the wrath of the Super Storm Sandy. Ask those that have seen foot after foot of snow piling up across the entire northern US. I can assure you that those suffering through these events realize just how quickly the resources of the super market can dry up. Had they prepared their struggles would have been fewer.
Don’t be discouraged by the stigmas placed on those who prepare. Don’t be afraid to be considered a prepper or mocked because you are securing your future. Don’t be worried that your government may consider you a threat because you stock pile previsions. Be worried that you didn’t and disaster strikes!
We never know when disaster may strike or when we may just simply stumble upon leaner times. A food storage program could be the difference between meals or hunger. Over the past few years I have experimented with various ways of food storage to provide a long term solution at a minimal cost.
Of course canning has always been a great way to preserve food and if you have the knowledge and ability for this method it would be encouraged. Not everyone has the means to can so I will offer a simple way to build your long term food cash.
All you need to get started is an inexpensive food vacuum sealer and some 5gallon buckets with lids. Each visit to the grocer purchase a few additional items. I buy rice in a 20lb bag (normally around $10.00). I put what I need for the week in a container and vacuum seal the remainder. Other food sources would be dried beans, pastas, coffee, grits, hard candy, sugar, salt, and so on. When vacuum sealing if you seal in smaller portions they may be used without opening and potentially spoiling a larger amount. These vacuumed packets should be dated then can then be placed in the buckets and sealed. This process eliminated air, light, moisture, and insects which are foods worst enemies. These items if sealed properly could last 10 to 20 years. Grains have been found in the tombs (6,000 years old) that are still edible today.
Allow yourself $20.00 per week in dry storable foods and before long you will find that you would not go hungry if you were to suffer a catastrophic event.
Of course canning has always been a great way to preserve food and if you have the knowledge and ability for this method it would be encouraged. Not everyone has the means to can so I will offer a simple way to build your long term food cash.
All you need to get started is an inexpensive food vacuum sealer and some 5gallon buckets with lids. Each visit to the grocer purchase a few additional items. I buy rice in a 20lb bag (normally around $10.00). I put what I need for the week in a container and vacuum seal the remainder. Other food sources would be dried beans, pastas, coffee, grits, hard candy, sugar, salt, and so on. When vacuum sealing if you seal in smaller portions they may be used without opening and potentially spoiling a larger amount. These vacuumed packets should be dated then can then be placed in the buckets and sealed. This process eliminated air, light, moisture, and insects which are foods worst enemies. These items if sealed properly could last 10 to 20 years. Grains have been found in the tombs (6,000 years old) that are still edible today.
Allow yourself $20.00 per week in dry storable foods and before long you will find that you would not go hungry if you were to suffer a catastrophic event.