Friday, September 24, 2010

Living Without Electricity



Living without Electricty

by Self Sufficient if Ye Are Prepared Ye Shall Not Fear on Friday, September 10, 2010 at 5:30pm
For most modern Americans, the loss of power means the complete loss of normalcy. Their lifestyle is so dependent upon the grid’s constancy that they do not know how to function without it. How do you cook a meal if your gas stove has an electric ignition? How do your children find their way to the bathroom at night if the light switches don’t work? How do you keep warm if your wood heat is moved through ducts by an electric fan? What do you do with a freezer full of expensive meat? How do you find out what is happening in your area with the TV and radio silent? What will you drink if your water comes from a system dependent on electrical pumps?
There are five primary areas that are easily disrupted if the power goes off. Each of these is critical to daily survival, as well, so when making preparations for emergencies keep these in mind. In order of importance, they are: water, heating/cooling, light, cooking and communication.


Water
If you live in a town or city, the loss of power to homes and businesses probably will not immediately affect your water pressure, but it could affect the purification process or allow reverse seepage of contaminants into the lines. If, instead, your water comes from an electrically-powered home water pump, your water stops flowing the moment the power does. Either way, with the loss of power often comes the loss of water (or, at least, cleans water). Water that is free of bacteria and contaminants is so crucial to our survival that it should be a special concern in your preparations.
The easiest way to guarantee quality water is to store it right now. The important question is: how much? Both Red Cross and FEMA suggest a minimum of one gallon per day per person. This is an absolute minimum, and covers only your real drinking and cooking needs; bathing, laundry is out of the question. Personally, I don’t take to heart much of what FEMA says, remember, these are the folks who want to destroy us, so why would the offer any true helpful survival information? You often don’t realize just how much water you use in one day, until you don’t have it readily available. I recommend that people do a test run of how much water they use in a normal day. Fill up one gallon of water for each person in your ‘test group’ and then make sure that you only use the one gallon. Things to consider: flushing the toilet for proper sanitation, pets’ water needs, cooking, have seedlings growing that will need your care because it is too cold for them to be outside right now? Well, they’re going to need water too. Now, after your day of one gallon of water is over, fill up 10 gallons of water and start a new test. On day 2…go about your normal daily activities and see how much of the 10 gallons of water you use and how much is left over, if any. This should give you a pretty good idea of how much water you should store for your household. I’m sure you’ll come to appreciate water and the key role it plays in our lives. You’ll better understand why water is termed the Survivalist’s Gold.
The typical American currently uses around 70 gallons a day, taking a nice long hot shower, flushing the toilet several times, washing a load of laundry, letting the water run while brushing teeth, and for cooking and drinking. In a short-term emergency situation, only drinking and cooking water is crucial, but if that short-term incident drags out to weeks or months, daily consumption would rise to include bathing and clothes washing. In that case, 5-10 gallons per day per person would be a more reasonable amount, with a weekly communal bath becoming the routine This presumes that the family has prepared a sanitary “outhouse,” so flushing isn’t needed. One has to take into consideration proper disposal of human waste. If no outhouse or other sort of set up is available, take all of the water out of the toilet and the tank and use it for other purposes. This is clean water (tank). Place a heavy duty trash bag into the toilet bowl and anchor it with duct tape and then putting the seat down on top of it. Fill the trash bag with shredded newspapers or straw and use this as an emergency toilet. The bag can be removed and sealed shut and then placed outside until proper disposal can be used.

One to three-gallon jugs, direct from the supermarket, run about 60 cents to $2; these store easily under cabinets and counters. A few tucked into the freezer will help keep things cold if the power goes off. You can also store water inexpensively in large, covered plastic trash cans; they hold 36 to 55 gallons each. Refresh the water every two weeks, so it will be ready in case the power goes off. You can make your water stay fresh longer by placing a few mint leaves in each storage container. You can also refreshen and re-oxidate water by just giving it a good shake.

Farm supply stores often sell “water tanks” made of heavy grade plastic. These can be partially buried underground to keep water cooler and less susceptible to mold and bacteria. These run about $1 per gallon of holding capacity, so a 350-gallon tank new will cost $350. Plan to filter and purify the water before use. I also recommend investing in the collapsible water containers. You can often find them reasonably priced at military surplus stores. Fill Ziploc bags with water and lay them flat until they are frozen. After they are completely solid, use them to layer your freezer. In the event of the power going out, these water bags will help to keep your frozen food cold and as they begin to melt, will also provide you with drinking water. You can also store water in Ziploc bags and layer them in boxes, which you can store under beds, in closets, etc.
Collecting water can be done by hand with 5-gallon plastic buckets if you live near a river or stream, if it isn’t frozen too thick (it must be filtered and purified before use). You can also divert rainwater off your roof, through the rain gutters and downspouts into plastic trashcans. If you live in the Midwest, Northwest, or East Coast, rainfall is adequate to make this your primary backup water source. West Coast, high desert, and mountain areas, though, won’t have sufficient rainfall to make this a reliable source. In snow areas, snow can be used as your water supply. Melting the snow is preferred for intake. But remember that it takes a lot of snow to make one gallon of water. If the snow is eaten, treat it like ice cream and eat it slowly. If eaten too quickly it will give you the nasty Ice headache and it can also contribute to lowering the core temp of your body, which could invite hypothermia.

A drilled well with an electric pump can be retrofitted with a plastic hand-pump for about $400 – $600. These systems sit side-by-side with your electric pump down the same well-shaft, and can be put to use any time the power is off. Typical delivery is about 2 gallons per minute, and pumping strength varies from 11 to 20 pounds—a good but not exhausting workout.

Water can be purified inexpensively. Fifteen drops of bleach (plain unscented) per gallon of water costs less than 1 penny, and ¼ cup of hydrogen peroxide (3%) per gallon will also destroy bacteria. Twenty minutes of a hard, rolling boil will, too. Bleach is effective against both cholera and typhoid and has kept American water supplies safe for decades. The chlorine taste can be easily removed with a charcoal filter system (such as Brita Pitcher or Pur brands for home use, about $30).
Berky water filters, along with various other brands, are more expensive ($150-$250), but can filter and purify water indefinitely. Both eliminate bacteria, contaminants, and off-flavors. A Big Berkey is a very reliable gravity-fed system. When shopping for filters, if they only offer “better taste” they won’t protect you from bacterial contaminants.

Noah Water System’s travel companion will work great in case of a power outage, or your water supply becomes undrinkable. The Trekker is a portable water purification unit. With the Trekker you can get water from any river, lake, or pond. It’s small enough to carry like a briefcase.


Heating and cooling
With the instability in the world today, it is sensible, and reasonable, to prepare well in advance of season changes. Putting in supplies a year ahead of time is a traditional farm practice, and it gives a cushion of safety against uncertain conditions.
Tape over unused outlets, along baseboards, windows anywhere that you feel cold air coming in, hot air is going out. Lay blankets in bathtubs and shower areas cover the drains and any vents in that area. If you have a dryer in the house, make sure that there is no cold air coming in thru the vent. If you are in a snowy area shovel your snow up against the foundation of your home. This will help to insulate and keep the heat in your house.

Woodstove heating is more common, and comfortable to use, than it was two decades ago. New wood heaters run from $100 to several thousands, depending on materials, craftsmanship, and beauty. Better stoves hold heat longer and may have interior baffles that let you use less wood to produce more heat. Even so, the most basic metal-drum-turned-stove also works to heat a room or a house.
Heating a 3-bedroom home that is moderately insulated will use about 8-12 cords of wood throughout the winter. The size of a cord (sometimes called a “rick” or a “rank”) is not standardized from region to region, but typically will be about 8′ x 8′ x 2′, roughly a pickup truck bed loaded even with the top of the sides. Prices will vary between $65 per cord to $150, depending on the region and type of wood. Hardwoods, such as oak and walnut, and fruitwoods like apple and pear, burn better and longer than softwoods like poplar. Don’t use resinous woods, such as the pines, cedars, and spruces for the main heating—only as fire-starters—because they burn too hot and fast and generate creosote. Better home insulation and better quality hardwoods will decrease the amount of wood you need to use.

If you plan to secure and cut your own firewood, be willing to acquire a good-quality chainsaw—any that cost below $200 will only give you grief. Keep an extra chain on hand. Use safety precautions, too: wear ear and eye protectors, heavy gloves, and don’t chainsaw alone. Cutting your own wood will decrease your heating costs significantly, but increase your labor. It typically takes us a full week of constant work to put up a winter’s worth of wood.

Woodstoves require heat-proof surfaces surrounding them, an insulated chimney pipe (about $90 per 3-foot section), and some building skills in order to install. Installation costs can equal or surpass the cost of the stove itself. Chimneys need to be thoroughly cleaned of the black crusty buildup, creosote, at least twice each year (and more often if you use the stove continuously).

Propane heaters that don’t need venting to outdoors are a relatively new product. A plain one ($200) can be mounted on the wall in the home’s main room, or more fancy models that look like built-in fireplaces complete with fake logs ($450) are available. You will need a propane tank, regulator, and appropriate copper lines, but these will all be installed by your propane company for a small charge. Propane has varied widely in cost from year to year, but typically runs around $0.95 to $1.30 per gallon.

Kerosene heaters ($120) are freestanding units that burn kerosene in a way that is something like a lamp—it uses a wick system and flames to provide heat. These are best used in areas that can be easily ventilated, because of the potential for buildup of carbon monoxide. Kerosene has a strong odor, as well. Kerosene costs about $1 per gallon or less (in quantity).

Solar heat can be “grabbed” anytime the light from the sun hits your house. Even in the dead of winter, the south-facing walls will feel noticeably warmer than the shaded north-facing ones. You can “store” the sun’s heat in any surface. Ceramic floor tiles, for instance, are excellent at retaining heat. So will a flat-black painted covered plastic trash can filled with water. If these surfaces are exposed to sunlight, say, indoors next to a south-facing window, they will absorb heat during the day. At night, with the window curtains closed, the surface will release heat slowly and steadily into the house.

One of the most efficient ways to heat is something else we have forgotten in the past 50 years—close off rooms that are not being used. If doors aren’t available, you can hang curtains in doorways (or even tack up a blanket, in a pinch), and keep your heat restricted to the room you are actually in. In an emergency situation, you can curtain up a room and set up a tent-like “den” for the family to snuggle in under blankets. Body heat alone will keep the den’s interior comfortable. If you have any of those nifty sun tanning blankets that were really popular back in the 80’s or if you have purchased at recently, these make excellent blankets to use when closing off room. They not only will keep the room closed off, but will reflect any light or heat into the room in use. Be sure to hang it so that they ‘shiny’ side is facing into the rooms that will be used.


Light
The most simple and familiar form of emergency lighting is a flashlight. Do you have one that you could find in the dark, right now? If so, congratulations. You are among a very small percentage of Americans. Better yet if you have one for each member of your family, with fresh batteries, plus three extra sets of batteries for each flashlight. That should be your minimum “safe” number. Store your flashlight where you can quickly reach it in the dark night—under the mattress of your bed, for example. Each child old enough to walk should also have his or her own flashlight, and be taught how to use it.

Flashlights range in price from the 79 cent cheapie to the fancy multi-function $80 special. Consider a small 2-AA battery flashlight with a halogen bulb. These cost about $4-5 each, give an excellent clear white light, and are easily portable in a pocket or purse. Additionally, when we discuss communications later in the article, the most common battery used in these devices is also the AA, so your life will be simplified if you stick primarily to one type of battery and don’t have to buy various odd sizes for different needs.

Batteries wear out rapidly if your flashlights are used continuously: figure two changes per week of regular use. Alkaline batteries last longer, give a more powerful light, but cost more than regular batteries. Most rechargeable batteries are suitable for flashlights, but should be recharged when the light begins to dim a little. Don’t let them get completely drained. This means you would need several sets of re-chargable’s for each flashlight (some would be recharging while you use the others).

Recharging can be done by means of a charger plugged into your car’s cigarette lighter outlet. These DC-powered re-chargers can be found at auto supply stores and at Radio Shack for about $30 or less. Solar re-chargers work slower but produce the same results for about $30.

Candles are available, slightly used, at garage sales and thrift stores (5 cents to 10 cents each or less), and some outlet stores like Big Lots have new candles for 25 cents. We have a cardboard box weighing 35 pounds that is filled with various sizes and shapes of candles. This would be about a year’s supply for my family. We’ve acquired them gradually, every time we found them inexpensively. They never go bad! Candles are easy to use and familiar. Most of us can adjust to using candles easily. The light is soft and wavering. You’ll need at least three candles if you hope to read by the light. If you have small children or indoor pets, care must be taken where you place them. Metal candle holders that hang on walls are probably the safest. Remember to place a heat proof plate underneath the holder to catch drippings. Save your wax drippings, too, to make more candles later.  To increase the amount of light that the candles give off, we hang mirrors behind them. You can also use aluminum foil to reflect light.

Oil (kerosene) lamps produce a steadier light than candles. Department store oil lamps cost about $10 each and come in attractive styles. Lamp oil is about $3 per liter. A typical lamp will burn one to two cups of oil per night, so you would use about two liters each week per lamp. The light from these lamps is not quite adequate to read by unless it is placed very close, and the light does waver a little. A single lamp can provide enough light in a room so that you don’t bump into furniture, but two or three may be needed to provide good functional light. As with candles, if you have children, these lamps need to be placed securely and out of reach. The smell of burning oil (kerosene) can get heavy in a closed room so keep ventilation open. Keep an extra set of wicks ($2) and chimneys/globes ($3) in case of breakage.

The Cadillac of oil lamps is the Aladdin Lamp. These run from $60 up to several hundred each. The light given off is as good as a 60-watt bulb, clear, and unwavering. You can read or do needlepoint by the light of one lamp. These burn the same oil or kerosene as typical lamps, but because they burn hotter, there is much less odor. Position these lamps so that they cannot accidentally be overturned, and so that the intense heat coming from the chimney won’t ignite something. Purchase an additional “mantle” (the light-giving portion of the lamp – $3), and chimney ($15), as backups.

Solar powered lamps ($80-$120) are typically small fluorescents, and can be run off of battery systems. It may take more than one day of bright sunlight to recharge these lamps, so you may need several—one to use, while others are recharging. The light is white and clear, good for area-lighting, and rather difficult to read by. Have extra fluorescent bulbs on hand, too.
Don’t forget to store matches!


Cooking
A person can survive indefinitely opening cold cans of beans for meals, but it wouldn’t be a very satisfying existence. In times of crisis, a hot meal goes a long way toward soothing the day’s troubles. The simplest way to heat a meal is the Boy Scout method: a couple of bricks or rocks set around a small outdoor fire, with the bean can propped over the flames. It’s low cost, and it works. However, the cook doesn’t have much control over the outcome.

Outdoor cooking of all kinds, including grilling and barbecuing, all work during emergency situations, provided you have the charcoal or wood (and matches!) needed to get the heat going. These are familiar methods, so family members don’t have to make a huge leap to accept these foods. It’s difficult to cook much more than meats and a few firm vegetables over open heat like this, though. Also, never use these devices in a confined space, as they emit carbon monoxide.

“Campfire” cooking can lend itself to some baking, if you also have a cast iron Dutch Oven—a large, heavy, cast iron covered pot. Place a well-kneaded pound of bread dough into a heavily-greased or oiled Dutch Oven and put the cover in position. Make a hole or pot-sized well in the ash near the fire, and line this with glowing coals. Put about an inch of ash over the coals, and place the Dutch Oven into this. Now, pile about an inch of hot ash around the oven and cover with glowing coals, then another layer of ash to keep the heat in. Uncover and check your bread in about 35 minutes, it should be done. It’s better to cook all the food you will need for at least one entire day, at one time. This saves heating oil, gas, etc.

Propane and butane camp stoves are so much like ordinary home stoves that there is no difference in the cooking results. Portable RV 2-burner propane stoves are often available used and can even do pressure canning because the heat is consistent and reliable. A typical 18-gallon propane cylinder, the kind used for barbeques, costs around $30-$50 new, and a propane fill up is about $7-$20. This will last for nearly a month of daily use. You’ll also need a feeder hose and pressure regulator for the stove, which can be prepared by your propane dealer for $20 or so.

Butane stoves are also portable and run off of a cylinder of the same kind of butane that is used in cigarette lighters. These stoves are $80-90 new, and cylinders are about $5 and last for approximately 8 hours of cooking.

General camp stoves (around $65 at department stores) operate on “stove fuel” (basically, propane in a small 1-pound cylinder – $3). A cylinder lasts for around 8 hours of cooking. You can also find camp stoves that will cook off of unleaded gasoline, and there are some that are “multi-fuel,” using either kerosene or gasoline—handy in case of a shortage of one fuel or the other. Use outdoors or on a covered porch to prevent carbon monoxide buildup in your home.

Solar cooking is another option, if you have plenty of unobstructed sunlight and someone who is willing to adjust the cooker to face the sun every half hour or so. A solar oven need be no more fancy than a set of nested cardboard boxes painted flat black on the inside with tempura colors, a sheet of window glass, and some aluminum foil glued to cardboard panels. Total cost for this, if you can scrounge leftover glass and cardboard, is about $1.

Place your food in a covered lightweight pan inside the box, prop it so the entire interior is exposed to the sunlight (about a 45-degree angle), cover with the sheet of glass (and tape the glass so it won’t slide), then prop the aluminum foil panels so that they reflect more sunlight down into the box. Move the box every 30 minutes so it maintains an even temperature. It will get hot fast, easily up to 325 degrees, and hold the heat as long as it faces the sun. Remember to use potholders when removing your foods! Our first solar oven had a black plastic trash bag as a heat-absorbing inner surface; it worked superbly until the plastic actually melted.
Keeping foods cool if the power goes out can be as simple as looking for shade, even under a tree. Some folks around here have partially buried old broken freezers in the shade of backyard trees, storing grains and winter vegetables inside. During the winter, your parked car will stay at the same temperature as the outside air—below freezing on those cold nights—so you can store frozen goods there safely. During the daylight hours, the car interior will heat up, though, if it’s in the sun. Park it in the shade of the house, or cover the windows and roof with a blanket to keep the interior cool.

Kerosene refrigerator/freezers are alternative appliances that will continue to function with the power off because they are “powered” by kerosene. Their cooling and freezing capacity is exactly the same as a regular refrigerator, and they come in the same colors. Typically, they are a little smaller than conventional ‘fridges and cost up to $1500, but they’ll last for decades with care.

Portable battery-powered refrigerators that keep your foods 40-degrees cooler than outside temperatures are available at most department store sporting-goods sections ($90). These run off of both DC and AC power, so they can be plugged into your car battery through the cigarette lighter outlet or into a solar power system.
What about that freezer full of expensive meat if the power goes off? First step is to cover the freezer with blankets to help retain the cold. Then, find dry ice (if everyone else in your town hasn’t already bought out the supply). Blanket coverings will keep a full freezer frozen for two days, and the addition of dry ice will prolong that to three or four days.

American Indians dried food on a rock above a campfire. This is one of the ways they made pemmican (a concentrated food of dried beef, suet, dried fruit, etc.).

Communications
In a time of distress, keeping in contact with family and knowing about local and national situations is important to maintaining both continuity and confidence. In general, telephone systems are on a different system than the electrical power grid, but they can be disrupted if there are earth movements or as the result of terrorist activities.

You can stay informed about the damages by watching a 4-inch black and white TV set (bought used for $25) that was plugged into our car battery through the cigarette lighter. At night, we heard reports from the BBC via a 4-AA battery powered shortwave radio ($70 from Radio Shack). I consider these two devices—shortwave and TV—the required minimum communication/ information devices during a crisis, especially if the phone system is down.

Satellite internet hookups, using a battery-powered laptop, could be an excellent communication tool, both for accessing news and for staying in touch with friends and colleagues by email.
Citizens Band (CB) radios are excellent tools, as well. These portable devices can be carried with you into the field and used to stay in contact with neighbors and family when you are away from the house. Basic models run $60—you’ll need at least two—and ones with greater ranges and features are more costly. They’ll run on 6 to 8 (or more) AA batteries. Check pawn shops and truck stops for good deals on CB’s.
“Family Radios” are FM-band devices that have a short range, about ¼ mile ($60 for a pair). These are handy for keeping family in contact during outings, when traveling in a caravan, or when one member needs to go out to the barn during a storm. They run on 2 AA batteries.

Keeping things normal
Even though circumstances may change in the world, we can choose how we wish to react. We can live in a state of helpless anxiety—or control what we can. We can control our responses, in part, by maintaining as much normalcy in our lives as possible and being prepared for anything. When one is prepared, the panic button is eliminated and we all know that nothing good ever comes from panic. Many needless accidents, deaths and injuries can be avoided by being prepared.
If your family relaxes in the evenings with a video, plan to continue doing that. Acquire a battery-powered TV/VCR combination, and make sure you have enough power sources to keep that going for at least two weeks. (If things get dicey, you can wean off the system in two weeks.) A cassette player or CD player with external speakers can provide relaxation and entertainment, and they run off of AA batteries as well.
Children have difficulty adjusting to sudden changes in their environment, so if you expect them to play board games if the power goes out, they should be comfortable with board games now. Keep routines consistent, arising at the usual time in the morning and going to bed as you have in the past. Prepare familiar meals with foods everyone enjoys. Have “fun foods” and goodies on hand. Remember to reach out to your neighbors and older folks who live nearby, and provide extras to help them, as well.
Use the knowledge you’ve gained, and your experience with non-electric living, to make your neighborhood a more secure and adaptable place.

The Marvelous Dandelion

Dandelions

by Self Sufficient if Ye Are Prepared Ye Shall Not Fear on Thursday, September 23, 2010 at 7:26am
Dandelions are especially well-adapted to a modern world of “disturbed habitats,” such as lawns and sunny, open places. They were even introduced into the Midwest from Europe to provide food for the imported honeybees in early spring. They now grow virtually worldwide. Dandelions spread further, are more difficult to exterminate, and grow under more adverse circumstances than most competitors. Perhaps this is the Creator’s way of telling you to stop trying to kill off a healing plant that He has put in your yard, close to you, easy to access. Many people detest them, but the more you try to weed them up, the faster they grow. The taproot is deep, twisted, and brittle. Unless you remove it completely, it will regenerate. If you break off more pieces than you unearth, the dandelion wins. The modern French name for this plant is pissenlit (lit means bed) because the root and leaf tea act on the kidneys as a gentle diuretic, improving the way they cleanse the blood, promote excretion of salts and water from the kidneys and recycle nutrients. Unlike pharmaceutical diuretics, dandelion doesn’t leach potassium, a vital mineral, from the body. Improved general health and clear skin result from improved kidney function.
Dandelion may be used for a wide range of conditions requiring mild diuretic treatment, such as poor digestion, liver disorders, and high blood pressure. One advantage of dandelion is that dandelion is a source of potassium, a nutrient often lost through the use of other natural and synthetic diuretics.


Parts of the Dandelion
Dandelion leaves produce a diuretic effect while the roots act as an antiviral agent, appetite stimulant, digestive aid, and may help promote gastrointestinal health. Dandelion flower has antioxidant properties. Dandelion may also help improve the immune system.


Flowers
The tops should be cut on a dry day, when free of rain or dew, and all insect-eaten or stained leaves rejected.
You can eat dandelion flowers or use them to make homemade dandelion wine. Collect them in a sunny meadow, just before mid-spring, when the most flowers bloom. Some continue to flower right into the fall. Use only the flower’s yellow parts. The green sepals at the flower’s base are bitter.
The flowers add color, texture, and an unusual bittersweet flavor to salads. I love sautéing them for about 20 minutes with onions and garlic in olive oil. You can also dip them in batter and fry them into fritters, or steam them with other vegetables. They have a meaty texture that contrasts with other lighter vegetables in a stir-fry dish or a casserole.


Dandelion flowers also have medicinal properties.
They are an excellent source of lecithin, a nutrient that elevates the brain’s acetylcholine, a substance that helps maintain brain function and may play a role in slowing or even stopping the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
Lecithin also helps the body maintain good liver function, so it is no surprise that dandelion is widely recommended for liver detoxification. However, some medical experts warn us that if we have been diagnosed with gallbladder or liver disease we should refrain from using dandelion.
Laboratory studies have shown that dandelion flower extract has antioxidant properties, and may even help inhibit tumor growth.
It is a diuretic, tonic and slightly aperient. It is a general stimulant to the system, but especially to the urinary organs, and is chiefly used in kidney and liver disorders.  And remember, there is a slight difference between a disorder (which means that something is just slightly out of whack) and a disease (which usually means that the organ has already been overtaken by some invader.
Not being poisonous, quite big doses of its preparations may be taken.
A tincture made from the tops may be taken in doses of 10 to 15 drops in a spoonful of water, three times daily.
Dandelion Top Tincture
In fact, you can use these instructions to make a tincture out of almost any herb, not just dandelion.
First, gather yourself as much dandelion flowers as you want—a cup or two is probably enough to start. Clean your flowers. Then put them in an appropriate size Bell or Mason jar (or whatever jar you happen to have) and cover with 100 proof vodka. Set the jar in a cool, dark place and within 8 weeks, you’ll have a very strong tincture that you can take a couple times a day by the dropperful (with water) as a health tonic.
The decoction may be made by boiling 1 pint of the sliced root in 20 parts of water for 15 minutes, straining this when cold and sweetening with brown sugar or honey. A small teacupful may be taken once or twice a day.

Dandelion is used as a bitter tonic in atonic dyspepsia, and as a mild laxative in habitual constipation. When the stomach is irritated and where active treatment would do more harm than good, the decoction or extract of Dandelion administered three or four times a day, will often prove a valuable remedy. It has a good effect in increasing the appetite and promoting digestion.


Roots
The taproot is edible all year, but is best from late fall to early spring. You can use it as a cooked vegetable, especially in soups. Although not as tasty as many other wild root vegetables, It’s not bad. Only large, fleshy and well-formed roots should be collected.

Dig the roots up in wet weather, but not during frost, which materially lessens the activity of the roots. Avoid breaking the roots, using a long trowel or a fork, lifting steadily and carefully. Shake off as much of the dirt as possible and then clean the roots. The easiest way is to leave them in a basket in a running stream so that the water covers them for about an hour, or shake them, bunched together, in a tank of clean water. Cut off the crowns of leaves, but be careful in so doing not to leave any scales on the top. Do not cut or slice the roots or the valuable milky juice on which their medicinal value depends will be wasted.

The roots are not generally collected until October when the harvest is over. The roots gathered in this month have stored up their food reserve of Inulin.


Inulin-– Inulin is recommended sometimes for diabetics; it has a mildly sweet taste, and is filling like starchy foods, but because it is not absorbed, it does not affect blood sugar levels. Despite the similarity of its name to insulin, inulin has no connection with that hormone either chemically or through physiological activity.
The medicinal properties of the root are greater when harvested in the fall as opposed to spring or summer harvest. Inulin is soluble in hot water, the solid extract if made by boiling the root, often contains a large quantity of it, which is deposited in the extract as it cools.

The roots are generally dried whole, but the largest ones can be cut crosswise into pieces 3 to 6 inches long. Air drying usually takes up to 2 weeks as opposed to oven or electric dehydrating at a temp of 200 F, can only take a few hours or via an electric dehydrator, which can take as long as 3 days. I don’t recommend air drying because many insects are attracted to the dandelion root. When finished, the roots should be hard and brittle enough to snap, and the inside of the roots white, not grey.

The roots should be kept in a dry place after drying, to avoid mold, preferably in tins to prevent the attacks of moths and beetles. You can also store them in airtight bags or canning jars. You can tape a bay leaf to the top of the canning jar lid, on the side that faces into the jar, and it will help to repel bugs. Dried Dandelion is exceedingly liable to the attacks of maggots and should not be kept beyond one season.

The root contains no starch, but early in the year contains much uncrystallizable sugar and laevulin, which differs from Inulin in that it is soluble in cold water. This diminishes in quantity during the summer and becomes Inulin in the autumn. The root may contain as much as 24 per cent. In the fresh root, the Inulin is present in the cell-sap, but in the dry root it occurs as an amorphodus, transparent solid, which is only slightly soluble in cold water, but soluble in hot water.

Pre-boiling and changing the water, or long, slow simmering mellows the root. Sweet vegetables best complement dandelion roots. Sautéing the roots in olive oil also improves them, creating a robust flavor.


Dandelion root is one of the safest and most popular herbal remedies. Again because of the inulin, it has been proven to help mature-onset diabetes, and is used for treating hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). An herbal preparation containing dandelion root has improved liver function in people with hepatitis B.
The decoction is a traditional tonic and it strengthens the entire body, especially the liver and gallbladder, where it promotes the flow of bile, reduces inflammation of the bile duct and helps get rid of gallstones. This is due to its taraxacin. It’s good for chronic hepatitis, it reduces liver swelling and jaundice, and it helps indigestion caused by insufficient bile. Again, don’t use it with irritable stomach or bowel, have an acute inflammation, have been diagnosed with gallbladder disease (gallstones) or liver disease. It helps to strengthen the liver and gallbladder as a preventive to getting gallbladder/liver disease, but can be harmful if used after being diagnosed with either of them.

The root of the dandelion plant is believed to have mild laxative effects and is often used to improve digestion. Research suggests that dandelion root may improve the health and function of natural bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract.


Dandelion Root Tincture
First, gather yourself as much dandelion root as you want—a cup or two is probably enough to start. Clean your roots and slice them crosswise, relatively thin. Then put them in an appropriate size Bell or Mason jar (or whatever jar you happen to have) and cover with 100 proof vodka. Set the jar in a cool, dark place and within 8 weeks, you’ll have a very strong tincture that you can take a couple times a day by the dropperful (with water) as a health tonic.


Leaves
Collect dandelion leaves in early spring, when they’re the tastiest, before the flowers appear. Harvest again in late fall. After a frost, their protective bitterness disappears. Dandelions growing in rich, moist soil, with the broadest leaves and largest roots, are the best. Select the youngest individuals, and avoid all plants with flowers. Some people eat the greens from spring to fall, when they’re very bitter. Others boil out the summer bitterness (and water-soluble vitamins) out in two changes of water. It’s all a matter of preference.
Dandelion greens/leaves are wonderful in salads, sautéed or steamed. They taste like chicory and endive, with an intense heartiness overlying a bitter tinge.

People today have become condition to overly sweet or salty processed flavors, but in earlier times, people distinguished between good and bad bitterness. Mixed with other flavors, as in a salad, dandelions improve the flavor.

If you’re not used to the slight bitterness, cook them with sweet vegetables, especially sliced carrots and parsnips. Boiling dandelions in one or more changes of water makes them milder—a good introduction if you’re new to natural foods. Early spring is also the time for the crown—great sautéed, pickled, or in cooked vegetable dishes.

The leaves are more nutritious than anything you can buy. They’re higher in beta-carotene than carrots. The iron and calcium content is phenomenal, greater than spinach. You also get vitamins B-1, B-2, B-5, B-6, B-12, C, E, P, and D, biotin, inositol, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and zinc.

Vitamin P is a much needed vitamin that we don’t hear a lot about. It plays a big role in making sure that our bodies can properly absorb Vitamin C, and the 2 should be taken together. It’s bioflavonoid properties impact the condition of our blood by helping to ensure that our red blood cells and the blood platelets do not clump together. The vitamin also promotes capillary health as well, aiding in the proper function of the capillaries and also helping to prevent capillary bleeding. Bioflavonoids are not true vitamins, but they are often referred to as Vitamin P. The body cannot produce bioflavonoids, so they must be supplied in our diet. For anyone who seems to be deal with colds and minor ailments, VitaminP can be a great ally. Vitamin P is also great for anyone who is prone to bleeding gums, as it helps to prevent and to heal weak blood vessels in the gums. As it boosts the immune system, the vitamin is essential for strengthening the body’s natural defenses against viruses and infections. It is also a natural anti-inflammatory, as well as a natural and gentle diuretic. Vitamin P also helps those dealing with hypertension, allergies, wound healing and ulcers.
There are several substances that can drain Vitamin P from your system. Among the worst of these draining substances is tobacco smoking, followed closely by more than moderate alcohol consumption. Aspirin and a number of over the counter painkillers can also deplete the amount of Vitamin P in your system, as well as prescription antibiotics and cortisone.


Other good sources of Vitamin P (Bioflavonoids) are:
  • apricots
  • cherries
  • paprika
  • grapefruit
  • lemons
  • citrus fruits
  • green peppers
  • grapes
  • strawberries
  • black currants
  • prunes
  • leafy vegetables
We often hear people tell us about the vitamins that we need to have a healthy body, but seldom do they tell us what those vitamins actually do for us.
Water soluble means that it is dissolved in water and dispersed throughout the entire body, but are not stored in the body and need to be replenished daily.
Fat soluble means that these vitamins are usually absorbed in fat globules (called chylomicrons) that travel through the lymphatic system of the small intestines and into the general blood circulation within the body. These fat soluble vitamins, especially vitamins A and E, are then stored in body tissues and tend to remain there.


The following vitamins are all found in the dandelion:
Vitamin B1 (Thiamin)
Vitamin B1, also called thiamine. Since these vitamins are soluble in water they are dispersed throughout the body dissolved in fluid. They are not stored in the body to any appreciable extent and must be replenished every day. Their influence on the body lasts for 14-18 hours after ingestion after which their potency decreases.

All B vitamins, often referred to as B complex vitamins, assist and regulate carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism. These are essential mechanisms which produce energy for the body. They also contribute to hemoglobin synthesis and red blood cell production which carries oxygen around the body. Furthermore, B complex vitamins help maintain muscle tone along the wall of the digestive tract and promote healthy skin, hair, eyes, mouth, liver and nervous system.


Importance of Vitamin B1 (Thiamin):key role in metabolism of carbohydrates, fat and proteinassists production of energy within the bodyessential for normal function of muscles, heart and nervous systemstabilizes the appetitepromotes growth and good muscle tone


Good sources of Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) are:beef kidney, liver, brown rice, whole grains (especially wheat germ).


Vitamin B2 – riboflavin
In addition to producing energy for the body, riboflavin also works as an antioxidant which means it helps the body deal with unstable chemicals called free radicals. Free radicals are produced by the body when food is converted into energy and will build up in the body over time. They increase the potential for damage to the body cells which is associated with the aging process and a general decline in the central nervous system and the immune system. Free Radicals are also thought to contribute to the development of various health conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and inflammation conditions like arthritis. Furthermore antioxidants can help to prevent the conversion of nitrates found in tobacco smoke, bacon, and some vegetables into cancer-causing substances.


Different forms or alternative names for Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin):riboflavinvitamin G
Importance of Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin):key role in metabolism of carbohydrates, fat and proteinassists production of energy within the bodyaids in the formation of antibodies and red blood cellshelps maintain good vision, skin, nails and hairalleviates eye fatiguemay prevent cataractsmay help combat migrainespromotes general health


Good sources of Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) are:cheesechickenmilkwheat germ
Vitamin B5 or Pantothenic Acid
Vitamin B5 is critical to the manufacture of red blood cells as well as sex and stress-related hormones produced in the adrenal glands (small glands that sit above the kidneys). It is not only essential for the synthesis of hormones but also cholesterol and helps in cell building and the development of the central nervous system. Vitamin B5 is also important in maintaining a healthy digestive tract and it helps the body use other vitamins (particularly riboflavin) more effectively. It is sometimes referred to as an “anti-stress” vitamin because it is thought to enhance the activity of the immune system and improve the body’s ability to withstand stressful conditions and fights infections by aiding the process of building antibodies.


Importance of Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid):key role in metabolism of carbohydrates, fat and proteinassists production of energy within the bodyaids in the utilization of vitaminsimproves the body’s resistance to stresshelps in cell building and the development of the central nervous systemhelps the adrenal glandsfights infections by building antibodies


Good sources of Vitamin B5 are:eggs, milk, broccoli, yeast, lean beef
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
Vitamin B6 is important for the maintenance of the central nervous system and muscle cells. Furthermore, it aids in the removal of excess fluid of premenstrual women. It aids the production of DNA and RNA, the body’s genetic material and assists the formation of antibodies in the immune system. It reduces muscle spasms, leg cramps, hand numbness, nausea and stiffness of hands, and promotes healthy skin. Vitamins B12, B6, and B9 (folic acid) work closely together to control blood levels of the amino acid homocysteine. Elevated levels of this substance appear to be linked to heart disease. Vitamin B6 is also essential for normal brain development and function, since it aids the process of making important brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. Vitamins B6 also helps the balance of sodium and phosphorous in the body.
 
Importance of Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine):key role in metabolism of carbohydrates, fat and proteinassists production of energy within the bodyaids in the formation of antibodiesmaintains the central nervous systemaids removal of excess fluid in premenstrual womenpromotes healthy skinreduces muscle spasms and crampsreduces hand numbness and stiffnesshelps maintain balance of sodium and phosphorous.


Good sources of Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) are:bananasavocadobeef liverricewheat germ
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)
Vitamin B12 is an important vitamin for maintaining healthy nerve cells and it aids in the production of DNA and RNA, the body’s genetic material. Vitamin B12 also works closely with vitamin B9 (folate) to regulate the formation of red blood cells and to help iron function properly in the body. Furthermore, vitamin B12 is needed for Calcium absorption. Deficiencies of vitamin B12 are usually caused by a lack of intrinsic factor, a substance that allows the body to absorb vitamin B12 from the digestive system. Such a deficiency can cause a range of symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, diarrhea, nervousness, numbness or tingling sensation in the fingers and toes. People with the blood disorder pernicious anemia do not produce sufficient intrinsic factor and must take high doses of vitamin B12 to maintain their health. Vegetarians who follow a strict vegan or macrobiotic diet are also at risk of deficiency in Vitamin B12.


Importance of Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin):key role in metabolism of carbohydrates, fat and proteinassists production of energy within the bodyhelps formation and regeneration of red blood cells, thus helping prevent anemiamaintains a healthy nervous systempromotes growth in childrenneeded for Calcium absorptionimproves memorypromotes concentrationreduces heart disease risk


Good sources are:beef, blue cheese, eggs, mackerel, sardines
Vitamin C
Vitamin C promotes healthy cell development and proper calcium absorption. Large amounts of vitamin C are used by the body during any kind of healing process from an infection, disease, injury, or surgery. It also helps to repair and maintain healthy cartilage, bones, teeth and gums and assists in the prevention of blood clotting and bruising. It is required for the synthesis of collagen, the intercellular “cement” which holds tissues together and is used to make skin, scar tissue, tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels. Furthermore it prevents scurvy, builds resistance to infection and aids in the prevention and treatment of the common cold. Vitamin C will decrease the risk of getting certain cancers by 75%.


Importance of Vitamin C:essential for healthy teeth, gums and boneshelps heal wounds, scar tissue, and fracturesprevents scurvybuilds resistance to infectionaids in the prevention and treatment of the common coldgives strength to blood vesselsaids iron absorptionone of the major antioxidant nutrients


Good sources of Vitamin C:leafy green vegetables, citrus fruits, tomatoes, melons, berries
Vitamin E (Tocopherol)
Vitamin E is present in many foods, especially certain fats and oils. Vitamin E is also useful in preventing blood clots from forming. It promotes fertility and it reduces and prevents hot flushes in menopause. Vitamin E is also used as a skin treatment to help the skin look younger, promoting healing and cutting down the risk of scar tissue forming. Used on the skin it is also reported to help with eczema, skin ulcers, cold sores and shingles. Vitamin E is also essential for red blood cells and helps with cellular respiration and can increase stamina and endurance.
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin. A fat-soluble vitamin dissolves and remains in the fatty tissues of the body, reducing the need to ingest large quantities.


Importance of Vitamin E (Tocopherol)
major antioxidant nutrientretards cellular aging due to oxidationaids supply of oxygen to the blood alleviating fatiguehelps to bring nourishment to cellsstrengthens capillary wallsprotects red blood cells from destructive poisonsprevents and dissolves blood clotspromotes a healthy heart.


Good sources of Vitamin E (Tocopherol) are:
nuts, oils, spinach, sunflower seeds, whole grains


Vitamin D (Calciferol)
Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin.
Vitamin D is also known as the “sunshine vitamin,” since it is manufactured by the body after being exposed to sunshine. Ten to fifteen minutes of sunshine three times per week is sufficient to produce the body’s requirement of vitamin D. The liver and kidneys convert vitamin D from food sources or sunlight to its active form, calcitriol.

Vitamin D is essential for building and maintaining healthy bones because it helps maintain healthy levels of calcium and phosphorus. Vitamin D and calcium are involved in many body functions, including keeping the immune and nervous systems healthy. Calcium is also the principal element in bone, and can only be absorbed by the body when vitamin D is present.


Importance of Vitamin D (Calciferol):improves absorption and utilization of calcium and phosphorousrequired for bone and teeth formationmaintains a stable nervous systemmaintains a healthy heart


Good sources of Vitamin D (Calciferol) are:sardines, salmon, tuna, liver, egg yolk
Inositol
Inositol is a soluble nutrient that is part of the vitamin B complex. It is necessary for the formation of lecithin and aids in the transport and breakdown of fats. Inositol helps reduce blood cholesterol and helps prevent thinning hair. Most dietary inositol is in the form of phytate.

Good sources of Inositol are:beansnutswheat branoranges
 
Deficiency of Inositol may cause:high blood cholesterolconstipationeczemahair loss
Potassium
Potassium works with sodium to regulate the body’s waste balance and normalize heart rhythms. It is needed for many functions such as growth, building muscles and transmission of nerve impulses.
Potassium is lost in excessive sweating and urine and so foods like bananas are important for sports. Furthermore, if you are suffering from vomiting or diarrhea you may require more potassium. It preserves proper alkalinity of body fluids and assists in reducing high blood pressure along with promoting healthy skin. Potassium also stimulates the kidneys to eliminate poisonous body wastes.

Importance of Potassium:classified as an electrolyteinvolved in both electrical and cellular functions

Good sources of Potassium are:fruitfishwhole grains

Deficiency of Potassium may cause:poor reflexesnervous disordersrespiratory failurecardiac arrestmuscle damage

Adequate Intake (AI) for Potassium:children 1-3 yrs 3.0 gchildren 4-8 yrs 3.8 gchildren 9-13 yrs 4.5 gMales 14-70+ yrs 4.7 gFemales 14-70+ yrs 4.7 gPregnancy 19-50 yrs 4.7 gLactation 19-50 yrs 5.1 g
 
Phosphorus
Phosphorous is involved in bone and teeth formation as well as metabolism, kidney function, cell growth and heart muscle contraction. It not only helps in conversion of food to energy (it is crucial in the production of ATP, a molecule the body uses to store energy) but also in vitamin utilization particularly with the B-vitamins.
Cell membranes are composed largely of phospholipids. The inorganic constituents of bone are primarily a calcium phosphate salt called hydroxyapatite.

Good sources of Phosphorus are:meatfisheggsmilk

Deficiency of Phosphorus may cause:irregular breathing fatigue anxiety skin sensitivity changes in body weight

Magnesium
Magnesium plays an important role in regulating the neuromuscular activity of the heart. Where calcium stimulates the muscles, magnesium is used to relax the muscles. It aids the formation of bone and teeth and assists the absorption of calcium and potassium. Magnesium maintains normal heart rhythm and is needed for cellular metabolism and the production of energy through its help with enzyme activity. It also assists the parathyroid gland to process vitamin D, and a shortage here can cause absorption problems with calcium.

Good sources of Magnesium are:fish, apples, bananas, whole grain cereals


Zinc
It is an antioxidant nutrient necessary for protein synthesis, wound healing and vital for the development of the reproductive organs, prostate functions and male hormone activity. It is necessary for a healthy immune system, and is also of use in fighting skin problems such as acne, boils and sore throats. It maintains the body’s alkaline balance and helps in normal tissue function. Zinc also aids in the digestion and metabolism of phosphorus.

Good sources of Zinc are:meatpoultryfishnutseggs

Deficiency of Zinc may cause:delayed sexual maturityprolonged healing woundswhite spots on finger nailsretarded growthstretch marksfatiguedecreased alertnesssusceptibility to infections

Dandelion leaf infusion is a great addition to your meals. Its bitter elements encourage the production of proper levels of hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes. All the digestive glands and organs respond to this herb’s stimulation. Even after the plant gets bitter, a strong infusion, is rich in vitamins and minerals, and helps people who are run-down. Even at it’s most bitter it never becomes intolerable.

The leaf’s white, milky sap removes warts, moles, pimples, calluses, sores and soothes bee stings and blisters.
American Indians use it to treat kidney disease, indigestion, and heartburn and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) uses dandelion in combination with other medicines to treat hepatitis and upper respiratory tract infections, including bronchitis and pneumonia. Women that suffer from premenstrual syndrome may find that the diuretic action of dandelion helps relieve symptoms of bloating and water weight gain.

Dandelions are also good for the bladder, spleen, pancreas, stomach and intestines. It’s recommended for stressed-out, internally sluggish, and sedentary people. Anyone who’s a victim of excessive fat, white flour, and concentrated sweeteners could benefit from a daily cup of dandelion tea.

Unlike most other seeds, dandelions’ can germinate without long periods of dormancy. To further increase reproductive efficiency, the plant has given up sex: The seeds can develop without cross-fertilization, so a flower can fertilize itself. This lets it foil the gardener by dispersing seeds as early as the day after the flower opens.

Put those pesky dandelion’s in the yard to good use—dry the flowers and leaves yourself and use them in the bath to treat yeast infections, or to make your own dandelion tea (steep about 1 tablespoon of dried leaves in 1 cup hot water). Dandelion is also available at most health food stores in capsules, tinctures, and powdered form

Dandelion is generally regarded as safe, but some people report allergic or asthmatic reaction to this herb. People that are allergic to chamomile, chrysanthemums, yarrow, feverfew, ragweed, sunflower, daisies, may be allergic to dandelion.

Dandelion is not recommended for patients with liver or gallbladder disease because of the traditional belief that dandelion stimulates bile secretion, although there are no studies of animals or humans that support this belief.


Coffee Substitute
If you’re looking for a good coffee substitute, here’s one to try.
First, harvest some dandelion roots (late summer roots are the most ‘fat’ and full of healthful properties). Don’t try to air dry them as they apparently are attractive to bugs and such, and don’t dry well using slower methods. But if you dry them in the oven at about 200 degrees for an hour or two, they’ll be ready quickly and won’t lose much of their nutrient properties. Then, simply grind them like coffee, and use as you would regular coffee

100 Things Too Disappear First

100 Things to Disappear First

by Self Sufficient if Ye Are Prepared Ye Shall Not Fear on Thursday, September 23, 2010 at 10:29a

1. Generators(Good ones cost dearly. Gas storage, risky. Noisy...target of thieves; maintenance, etc.)
2. Water Filters/Purifiers
3. Portable Toilets (Increasing in price every two months.)
4. Seasoned Firewood(About $250 per cord; wood takes 6 - 12 mos. to become dried, for home uses.)
5. Lamp Oil, Wicks, Lamps(First choice: Buy CLEAR oil. If scarce, stockpile ANY!)
6. Coleman Fuel(URGENT $2.69-$3.99/gal. Impossible to stockpile too much.)
7. Guns, Ammunition, Pepper Spray, Knives, Clubs, Bats and Slingshots
8. Hand-Can openers and hand egg beaters, whisks (Life savers!)
9. Honey/Syrups/white, brown sugars
10. Rice - Beans - Wheat(White rice is now $12.95 - 50# bag. Sam's Club, stock depleted often.)
11. Vegetable oil (for cooking)(Without it food burns/must be boiled, etc.)
12. Charcoal and Lighter fluid (Will become scarce suddenly.)
13. Water containers(Urgent Item to obtain. Any size. Small: HARD CLEAR PLASTIC ONLY)
14. Mini Heater head (Propane) (Without this item, propane won't heat a room.)
15. Grain Grinder (Non-electric)
16. Propane Cylinders
17. Michael Hyatt's Y2K Survival Guide(BEST single y2k handbook for sound advice/tips.)
18. Mantles: Aladdin, Coleman, etc.(Without this item, longer-term lighting is difficult.)
19. Baby Supplies: Diapers/formula/ointments/aspirin, etc
20. Washboards, Mop Bucket w/wringer (for Laundry)
21. Cook stoves (Propane, Coleman and Kerosene)
22. Vitamins (Critical, due to Y2K-forced daily canned food diets.)
23. Propane Cylinder Handle-Holder(Urgent: Small canister use is dangerous without this item.)
24. Feminine Hygiene/Haircare/Skin products
25. Thermal underwear (Tops and bottoms)
26. Bow saws, axes and hatchets and Wedges (also, honing oil)
27. Aluminum foil (Reg. and Heavy Duty)(Great Cooking and Barter item)
28. Gasoline containers (Plastic or Metal)
29. Garbage bags (Impossible to have too many.)
30. Toilet Paper, Kleenex, paper towels
31. Milk - Powdered and Condensed (Shake liquid every 3 to 4 months.)
32. Garden seeds (Non-hybrid) (A MUST)
33. Clothespins/line/hangers (A MUST)
34. Coleman's Pump Repair Kit: 1(800) 835-3278
35. Tuna Fish (in oil)
36. Fire extinguishers (or.. large box of Baking soda in every room...)
37. First aid kits
38. Batteries (all sizes...buy furthest-out for Expiration Dates)
39. Garlic, spices and vinegar, baking supplies
40. BIG DOGS (and plenty of dog food)
41. Flour, yeast and salt
42. Matches ("Strike Anywhere" preferred. Boxed, wooden matches will go first.)
43. Writing paper/pads/pencils/solar calculators
44. Insulated ice chests (good for keeping items from freezing in Wintertime)
45. Work boots, belts, Levis and durable shirts
46. Flashlights/Light Sticks and torches, "No.76 Dietz" Lanterns
47. Journals, Diaries and Scrapbooks (Jot down ideas, feelings, experiences: Historic times!)
48. Garbage cans Plastic (great for storage, water, transporting - if with wheels)
49. Men's Hygiene: Shampoo, Toothbrush/paste, Mouthwash/floss, nail clippers, etc
50. Cast iron cookware (sturdy, efficient)
51. Fishing supplies/tools
52. Mosquito coils/repellent sprays/creams
53. Duct tape
54. Tarps/stakes/twine/nails/rope/spikes
55. Candles
56. Laundry detergent (Liquid)
57. Backpacks and Duffle bags
58. Garden tools and supplies
59. Scissors, fabrics and sewing supplies
60. Canned Fruits, Veggies, Soups, stews, etc.
61. Bleach (plain, NOT scented: 4 to 6% sodium hypochlorite)
62. Canning supplies (Jars/lids/wax)
63. Knives and Sharpening tools: files, stones, steel
64. Bicycles...Tires/tubes/pumps/chains, etc.
65. Sleeping bags and blankets/pillows/mats
66. Carbon Monoxide Alarm (battery powered)
67. Board Games Cards, Dice
68. D-Con Rat poison, MOUSE PRUFE II, Roach Killer
69. Mousetraps, Ant traps and cockroach magnets
70. Paper plates/cups/utensils (stock up, folks...)
71. Baby Wipes, oils, waterless and Anti-bacterial soap (saves a lot of water)
72. Rain gear, rubberized boots, etc.
73. Shaving supplies (razors and creams, talc, after shave)
74. Hand pumps and siphons (for water and for fuels)
75. Soy sauce, vinegar, bouillons/gravy/soup base
76. Reading glasses
77. Chocolate/Cocoa/Tang/Punch (water enhancers)
78. "Survival-in-a-Can"
79. Woolen clothing, scarves/ear-muffs/mittens
80. Boy Scout Handbook – 12th Edition(also, Leader's Catalog)
81. Roll-on Window Insulation Kit (MANCO)
82. Graham crackers, saltines, pretzels, Trail mix/Jerky
83. Popcorn, Peanut Butter, Nuts
84. Socks, Underwear, T-shirts, etc. (extras)
85. Lumber (all types)
86. Wagons and carts (for transport to and from open Flea markets)
87. Cots and Inflatable Mattresses (for extra guests)
88. Gloves: Work/warming/gardening, etc.
89. Lantern Hangers
90. Screen Patches, glue, nails, screws, nuts and bolts
91. Teas
92. Coffee
93. Cigarettes
94. Wine/Liquors (for bribes, medicinal, etc.)
95. Paraffin wax
96. Glue, nails, nuts, bolts, screws, etc.
97. Chewing gum/candies
98. Atomizers (for cooling/bathing)
99. Hats and cotton neckerchiefs
100. Goats/chickens

Peach Syrup

Peach Syrup

by Self Sufficient if Ye Are Prepared Ye Shall Not Fear on Tuesday, September 21, 2010 at 6:33pm

Remember when canning to check the rims of your jars for cracks or burrs. Never reuse the lids for canning*.
*I do however  use the lids for other purposes that don’t require an airtight seal: short term freezing, covering something in the fridge, storing dried beans.*
Before beginning sterilize your jars and keep them hot and start heating the water for processing the jars.
Just before filling the jars sterilize the lids.
Ingredients:
  • 5 cups peach puree (peeled, pitted, and whirred with a blender)
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 2 TBSP lemon juice (this is important for the acidity and color)
  • 2 tsp vanilla

Over medium heat in a heavy pot, combine the peach puree, sugar, and lemon juice. Heat to boiling then reduce to a simmer. Simmer, stirring frequently for five minutes. Remove from the heat and add the vanilla.
Pour into the sterilized jars, leaving 1/4″ headspace at the top of each jar. Wipe all the rims with a clean cloth and center the lids. Add the bands and tighten to finger tight (this means don’t strain to tighten them, air needs to be able to escape).
Process in a boiling water bath for 20 minutes.
Remove the jars and allow to cool undisturbed for 24 hours. Before storing, check the lids for a seal. They should not flex when pressed
Yield = 3 pints

Peach Almond Jam

Serving Size: 1

Ingredients:Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method


Cooking Directions:
 3 pounds peaches 1/2 cup almonds -- chopped 1 pouch liquid fruit pectin 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice 7 cups sugar - (3 lbs) 1/4 teaspoon almond extract

Peel and pit peaches and grind or chop until very fine. Measure 4 cups prepared fruit into a 6- to 8-quart saucepan. Stir in lemon juice and almonds. Thoroughly stir in sugar.

Place over high heat and bring to a full rolling boil and boil hard 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and immediately stir in liquid fruit pectin and almond extract. Skim off foam with metal spoon.

Ladle into clean, hot (8-ounce) jelly jars, filling to within one-fourth inch of top. Clean rims of jars and adjust caps, according to manufacturer's directions. Process 5 minutes in boiling water bath.

This recipe yields about 8 pints