Hey guys, I just wanted to write a quick article on some of the prepping items that I absolutely love an I use them quite often, even almost daily!
The List:
Hiking Backpack: I picked it up cheap at a garage sale for $3, and I use it every time I go out. It is good for shopping, and carrying most items. If I am gone longer than 4 hours I will put a meal in there for when I am out and about and it can carry a ton.
4 Wheeled Cart: It is the one that I mentioned in my article Survival Gear: Carts! I use it for hauling groceries, garbage and laundry. Dead useful at the grocery store when you want your own cart and it folds down flat for storage.
Bread maker: ... for making... bread. Yeah I know I am a lazy ass, but I like my fresh bread. You can find them all the time at Goodwill for almost nothing.
Pocket Knife: I have a Leatherman Wave. The blades are demon sharp, and it works well for when I have needed it. I used it last week to cut a bread roll for my sandwich at lunch time.
Canteen with cup: Have used it numerous times when I wanted a drink when I am out doing stuff. Nice to carry on the side of my backpack.
Keychain Hand Sanitizer: I have a nice refillable one on my keychain.
Is there stuff that you carry everyday that you would not leave the house without it? Let me know!
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Sunday, March 18, 2012
The 'feeling' of prepping.
There are just somethings you really cannot describe when it comes to doing what I do.
There is a certain 'feeling' when you vacumme seal a package of dried blueberries as a special flavoring for later.
There is a certain 'feeling' when there is a snow storm outside, and you really dont care because you have the extra food at home to make your own hot chocolate from dry chocolate mix, dry milk, and hot water, and not panicing like everyone else is.
There is a certain 'feeling' when you're laid up for a while, yet you have pre-made dinners in the freezer, cans of soup in the cupboard and buckets of dry stuff that just takes water to boil.
There is a 'feeling' when you grow your own food, preserve it and eat it yourself.
The 'feeling' you get when you enjoy that small treat that you get yourself every once in a while because you have done really well in prepping and splurged a bit on some candy.
There is a certain 'feeling' when your car breaks down, yet you do not panic because you can either fix it yourself or know someone who can fix it for you.
Personally, I call that a measure of 'freedom and relief'.
There is a certain 'feeling' when you vacumme seal a package of dried blueberries as a special flavoring for later.
There is a certain 'feeling' when there is a snow storm outside, and you really dont care because you have the extra food at home to make your own hot chocolate from dry chocolate mix, dry milk, and hot water, and not panicing like everyone else is.
There is a certain 'feeling' when you're laid up for a while, yet you have pre-made dinners in the freezer, cans of soup in the cupboard and buckets of dry stuff that just takes water to boil.
There is a 'feeling' when you grow your own food, preserve it and eat it yourself.
The 'feeling' you get when you enjoy that small treat that you get yourself every once in a while because you have done really well in prepping and splurged a bit on some candy.
There is a certain 'feeling' when your car breaks down, yet you do not panic because you can either fix it yourself or know someone who can fix it for you.
Personally, I call that a measure of 'freedom and relief'.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Dehydrating More veggies.
Now that the issues with my paw... I mean hand are almost over, I have gone back to doing some more prepping. I went back to the project that I started 2 months ago, draining cans of veggies and dehydrating them. Did you know that 5 cans of 14.5 oz mixed veggies dried down can fill up a half of a mason jar? This is good to know if you live in an apartment. Also you can keep the water that was in the cans and save it for later for a "vegetable stock" in the freezer or just toss it out. I prefer saving it, but this time around I had to toss it because I have no room in my freezer. I found a good butcher near me and I have been stocking up on meat *DROOL*. Anyways, that is what I started now, and I just thought I would let you guys know about it. Right now I have about 4 mason jars full of veggies. Some I dried from cans, some I dried from frozen. I like doing it that way because it is cheap and it takes less to prep.
If any of you have any projects going on, please put them in the comments section, I would like to hear it.
If any of you have any projects going on, please put them in the comments section, I would like to hear it.
Wednesday, March 07, 2012
Prepping lessons learned during problems.
Hi guys,
As you all know, I have been dealing with some problems with my hand getting cut, and having surgery to repair the problems. Here are some things that I have learned during all these troubles. I had originally posted this in a thread on Today's Survival Show forums under the thread named "accident happen". This kind of covers when I had the first initial cut and repair at the emergency room. Then when I had it examined a week and a half later and went through surgery to correct some nerve problems after it. And also covers the subsequent cast, and then splint.
1. Do not open a can with your bare hands. (I paid the stupid tax for that one!)
2. GPS comes in handy when you are in a panic. (The directions to the E.R. were very accurate!) And this is why I have practiced with it. I knew how to look up directions to places with it beforehand (Puns intended!)
3. When in doubt with something like this, go to the ER. Better to go there and have it be nothing, then do nothing and have it be something. For me I went there and it turns out it was the best decision.
4. GET A NEW CAN OPENER! -- RECTIFIED with a new safety can opener.
5. This was a HUGE reminder to build up my medical supplies. I did not have the basic stuff like gauze or skin safe tape. It is a huge hole that I did somewhat rectify.
6. It is not a good idea to have about 50% of your food supplies relying on one can opener. Even less of an idea if you can only use one hand.
7. Having premade or homemade frozen meals that only take a bit of warming up would help on the days that you can't or don't want to cook.
8. It is a good idea to practice having a bucket bath to keep yourself clean. It helps not only when you are rationing water, but also if you can't really submerge any injuries in water and dont feel like wrapping anything in plastic. I just filled up a bucket with hot water, used my good hand with a wash cloth, soap, and kept the other hand elevated to remind me not to put it in the bucket. I could wash myself really well. To do your hair just dip a bowl in the bucket and pour it over your head. I did all of this in the tub, sitting on a second up turned bucket for a seat. (those buckets are also used for laundry too!)
9. No man is an island. Sometimes you need help, especially if you are injured.
10. Take care of your tools! This includes any and ALL bodily appendages! You do not know what you have till its gone.
11. Press and Seal Reynolds Wrap works well when you have a cast and can't get it wet.
12. Keep track of medicine reactions and keep in contact with your doctor. I did not know that Ibeprophen gives me BAD heartburn. Not good. Not fun.
13. If they tell you not to get something wet, like a cast or a splint, it is for a good reason. I once got a few drops of water under my splint, talk about SMELLY! Also that could cause other problems.
And again to repeat what I have been saying this a lot lately "Sometimes you need to learn the hard way. I sure as hell did. All of this over a stupid can lid." So yeah, I had some and still have some holes to fill.
As you all know, I have been dealing with some problems with my hand getting cut, and having surgery to repair the problems. Here are some things that I have learned during all these troubles. I had originally posted this in a thread on Today's Survival Show forums under the thread named "accident happen". This kind of covers when I had the first initial cut and repair at the emergency room. Then when I had it examined a week and a half later and went through surgery to correct some nerve problems after it. And also covers the subsequent cast, and then splint.
1. Do not open a can with your bare hands. (I paid the stupid tax for that one!)
2. GPS comes in handy when you are in a panic. (The directions to the E.R. were very accurate!) And this is why I have practiced with it. I knew how to look up directions to places with it beforehand (Puns intended!)
3. When in doubt with something like this, go to the ER. Better to go there and have it be nothing, then do nothing and have it be something. For me I went there and it turns out it was the best decision.
4. GET A NEW CAN OPENER! -- RECTIFIED with a new safety can opener.
5. This was a HUGE reminder to build up my medical supplies. I did not have the basic stuff like gauze or skin safe tape. It is a huge hole that I did somewhat rectify.
6. It is not a good idea to have about 50% of your food supplies relying on one can opener. Even less of an idea if you can only use one hand.
7. Having premade or homemade frozen meals that only take a bit of warming up would help on the days that you can't or don't want to cook.
8. It is a good idea to practice having a bucket bath to keep yourself clean. It helps not only when you are rationing water, but also if you can't really submerge any injuries in water and dont feel like wrapping anything in plastic. I just filled up a bucket with hot water, used my good hand with a wash cloth, soap, and kept the other hand elevated to remind me not to put it in the bucket. I could wash myself really well. To do your hair just dip a bowl in the bucket and pour it over your head. I did all of this in the tub, sitting on a second up turned bucket for a seat. (those buckets are also used for laundry too!)
9. No man is an island. Sometimes you need help, especially if you are injured.
10. Take care of your tools! This includes any and ALL bodily appendages! You do not know what you have till its gone.
11. Press and Seal Reynolds Wrap works well when you have a cast and can't get it wet.
12. Keep track of medicine reactions and keep in contact with your doctor. I did not know that Ibeprophen gives me BAD heartburn. Not good. Not fun.
13. If they tell you not to get something wet, like a cast or a splint, it is for a good reason. I once got a few drops of water under my splint, talk about SMELLY! Also that could cause other problems.
And again to repeat what I have been saying this a lot lately "Sometimes you need to learn the hard way. I sure as hell did. All of this over a stupid can lid." So yeah, I had some and still have some holes to fill.
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