One - Year Emergency Food Supply For One

One-Year Emergency Food Supply For One Adult(3,000 Calories per Day)Copyright © 2008,2010 by Robert Wayne Atkins, P.E.All Rights Reserved.
The following retail Cost of a "One-Year Emergency Food Supply" is based on prices as of February 2, 2010.At the beginning of 2008 the retail Cost of the "One-Year Emergency Food Supply" was equal to $1,385 on January 9, 2008.The total cost of the following one-year emergency food supply increased in price by 15.3% or $212 in twelve-months from January 9, 2008 ($1,385) to January 3, 2009 ($1,597).The total cost of the following one-year emergency food supply increased in price by 6.1% or $97 in twelve-months from January 3, 2009 ($1,597) to January 4, 2010 ($1,694).The total cost of the following one-year emergency food supply increased in price by $2 in one-month from January 4, 2010 ($1,694) to February 2, 2010 ($1,696).
Quantity
Calories
Cost
Item (Number In Parenthesis = Total Calories per One Bag, Jar, or Can)
70 Pounds
105,000
$ 42
Long Grain White Rice in 10 or 20 pound Bags (15,000 Calories per 10 lbs.)
70 Pounds
105,000
$ 24
Whole Wheat Berries or Flour (Not self-rising) (7,500 Calories per 5 lbs.)
30 Pounds
48,240
$ 14
5 lb. Bag Corn Meal (8,040 Calories per 5 lb. Bag)
36 Boxes
60,480
$ 36
16 oz. Box Spaghetti Noodles (Angel Hair or Thin) (1,680 Calories)
36 Boxes
9,360
$ 18
7 oz. Box Macaroni and Cheese (260)
4 Boxes
18,000
$ 13
42 oz. Box Quaker Quick 1 Minute Oats (4500)
4 Boxes
31,720
$ 10
5 lb. Box Quaker Quick Grits (7930)
4 Boxes
12,800
$ 9
32 oz. Box Aunt Jemima Buttermilk Complete Pancake/Waffle Mix (3200)
48 Cans
9,000
$ 72
5 oz. Can Bumble Bee Brand Tuna in Oil (Water pack has fewer calories) (187)
24 Cans
8,640
$ 49
12.5 oz. Can Chicken (360)
12 Cans
9,600
$ 37
16 oz. Can Dak Brand Canned Ham (No refrigeration required) (800)
24 Cans
24,480
$ 51
12 oz. Can Spam (1020)
24 Cans
9,000
$ 11
5 oz. Can Vienna Sausage (375)
24 Cans
9,000
$ 72
12 oz. Can Roast Beef (375)
48 Cans
10,080
$44
15.5 oz. Can Sloppy Joe Mix (210)
48 Cans
30,240
$ 109
24 oz. Can Armour Brand Beef Stew (with Potatoes & Carrots) (630)
48 Cans
33,600
$ 69
15 oz. Can Chili with Beans (700)
96 Cans
35,520
$ 65
15 oz. Can Beans (Assorted Different Varieties) (370)
180 Cans
25,200
$ 140
15 oz. Can Mixed Vegetables (Note: Green Beans have few calories) (140)
12 Boxes
41,280
$ 30
32 oz. Box Instant Potatoes (Add water only preferred) (3440)
48 Cans
15,120
$ 60
15 oz. Can Fruit Cocktail (315)
24 Cans
3,000
$ 13
6 oz. Can Tomato Paste (125)
36 Cans
15,120
$ 35
26.5 oz. Can Hunt's or Delmonte Spaghetti Sauce (420)
12 Cans
480
$ 9
4 oz. Can Sliced Mushrooms (not pieces) (40)
12 Cans
3,600
$ 14
10.75 oz. Can Cream of Chicken Soup (To eat if you get sick) (300)
12 Boxes
76,800
$ 197
64 oz. Box Powdered Instant Non-fat Dry Milk (6,400)
24 Cans
11,520
$ 23
12 oz. Can Evaporated Milk (480)
3 Boxes
7,680
$ 15
32 oz. Box Velvetta Brand Cheese (short shelf life) (2,560)
4 Jars
32,160
$ 38
34 oz. Jar Extra-Virgin Olive Oil (8,040)
4 Cans
49,720
$ 17
3 lb. Can Crisco Shortening (12,430)
12 Boxes
38,400
$ 26
1 lb. Box Butter (Shelf Life is short unless Frozen) (No Margarine) (3,200)
12 Cans
10,800
$ 36
8 oz. Container Hershey's Cocoa Powder (900)
8 Cans
9,600
$ 13
16 oz. Can Hershey's Cocoa Syrup (1200)
6 Boxes
10,080
$ 6
16 oz. Box Corn Starch (1,680)
25 Pounds
42,500
$ 14
5 lb. Bag White Granulated Sugar (8,500)
12 Pounds
10,200
$ 11
1 lb. Box Light Brown or Dark Brown Sugar (1,700)
12 Pounds
10,800
$ 11
1 lb. Box Confectioners Sugar (1,800)
12 Boxes
26,400
$ 17
20 oz. Box Brownie Mix (or Cake Mix) (2,200)
6 Jars
11,520
$ 9
18 oz. Jar Light Corn Syrup (1,920)
6 Bottles
21,600
$ 15
36 oz. Bottle Log Cabin Syrup (3,600)
9 Jars
10,240
$ 42
16 oz. Jar "Sue Bee Brand" Clover Honey (1,280)
12 Jars
36,480
$ 24
18 oz. Jar Peanut Butter (3,040)
12 Jars
15,600
$ 13
16 oz. Jar Jelly or Preserves (1,300)
24 Pkgs.
0
$ 12
5/16 oz. Package Hodgson Mill Brand Yeast (Store in Ziplock in Freezer)
12 Cans
0
$ 14
10 oz. Can Baking Powder (Store in Ziplock Bag in Refrigerator or Freezer)
12 Boxes
0
$ 6
16 oz. Box Baking Soda
6 Bottles
0
$ 27
2 oz. Bottle Vanilla Extract
48 Each
0
$ 12
Beef Bouillon Cubes
48 Each
0
$ 12
Chicken Bouillon Cubes
24 Pounds
0
$ 7
4 lb. Box Salt (Morton Brand Canning and Pickling Salt) (Pure Salt)
12 Jars
0
$ 12
2.6 oz. Ground Black Pepper (or Whole Peppercorns) (Walmart)
12 Jars
0
$ 6
3.12 oz. Onion Powder (Walmart)
2 Jars
0
$ 1
0.9 oz. Oregano (Walmart)
2 Jars
0
$ 1
2.5 oz. Garlic Powder (Walmart)
2 Jars
0
$ 1
2.37 oz. Cinnamon (Walmart)
1 Jar
0
$ 1
0.4 oz. Parsley Flakes (Walmart)
1 Jar
0
$ 4
1.75 oz. Cayenne Red Pepper
2 Jars
0
$ 9
2.62 oz. Cream of Tartar
2 Bottles
0
$ 4
15 oz. Bottle Lemon Juice (Short shelf life)
1 Jug
0
$ 3
1 Gallon Jug Apple Cider Vinegar
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------
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Totals =
1,106,940
$1,696
One-Year Emergency Food Supply for One AdultComfort Foods: The above list contains 60 different food items. However, you should also purchase some Kool-Aid, Tang, Coffee, Tea, Soft Drinks, Beer, Wine, Miniature Tootsie Rolls, Caramels, Assorted Hard Candies, or whatever else appeals to you. These are referred to as "comfort foods" and they can definitely help make the hard times more bearable.Quantities: You should have enough food for each member of your family for at least six-months. If you are an experienced farmer or rancher living on your own land, then you should also have enough seeds to replenish your food supplies on an annual basis. You will also need your own canning jars and lids or a "root cellar." If you have no previous experience with farming then you would probably be better off with a two or three-years supply of food for each family member.Appetite Fatigue: Your emergency food supply must have a reasonable variety of different food items. If you only have a limited number of different food items to eat then appetite fatigue will result in your starvation even though you have food. Your mind and your body will simply reject the thought of eating the same food again and again and again. If you doubt the truth of this statement then conduct a simple test. Pick your favorite four food items that you enjoy eating more than anything else and then only eat those four food items for one-month. Before one-week has passed you will be repulsed at the thought of eating those foods again. Try it and see if you can force yourself to only eat those four foods for an entire month.Appetite fatigue does not occur when there is no food available. For example, long-term war prisoners in a POW camp will generally eat almost anything. Each day they do not have the option to eat or not eat. On many days they get nothing to eat. When they do get fed there is never enough food to satisfy their hunger and therefore they will eat almost anything at any time and be grateful for whatever it happens to be.Appetite fatigue occurs when you have food to eat and you have the choice to eat or not eat. This is one of the reasons old people in a retirement home usually lose weight and their health. The cafeteria serves the same basic bland food over and over again.Therefore you should have some reasonable variety in your emergency food supplies.Substitutions: If you are allergic to a food then do not buy it. If you do not enjoy the taste of one of the above recommended foods then do not buy it. Feel free to substitute any food item and name brands you prefer. However, you should try to keep a reasonable balance of meat, carbohydrates, vegetables, fruits, grains, and dairy products.For example, instead of buying 48 cans of Fruit Cocktail you may wish to buy a few cans of apples, peaches, pears, cherries, and pineapple based on your own individual taste preferences. The important issue is to have some canned fruits in your food storage plan.The same concept applies to vegetables. The above list recommends 180 cans of mixed vegetables, 96 cans of beans, 12 boxes of instant potatoes, 48 cans of beef stew (meat, potatoes, and carrots), and 48 cans of chili with beans. If you like the canned "Mixed Vegetables" then purchase them. But you could purchase cans of corn, peas, spinach, or any other vegetable you wish. However, you should consider the nutritional value of each vegetable by reading the nutrition label. For example, green beans cost almost the same as all the other vegetables but they have very few calories. Therefore, green beans would be a poor choice from a nutritional value standpoint. There would be nothing wrong with having a few cans of green beans in your pantry for variety but the number of those cans should be very small compared to the other vegetables. However, most other canned beans have relatively high levels of protein and calories.You should also adjust the recommended quantities based on your family's actual needs. If you have several family members who drink a lot of milk, then you should purchase more dry powdered milk than suggested.Calories: An active adult engaged in normal physical labor can burn 3,000 calories per day without gaining weight. However, an adult who has a desk job would gain weight. Therefore the concept of a "One-Year Food Supply" is based on the average physically active adult. If you were not very active during a disaster event then you could easily reduce your calorie intake to 2,000 calories per day and still maintain your weight. Therefore, the above food reserves would last a non-active adult for 18 months with no weight loss. If you wanted to lose a little weight, then the above food could last for 24 to 30 months. (Note: For an investment of approximately $1,696 one adult could stay alive and in good health for two and one-half years. Or the above food could feed two adults for 15 months.)Brand Names: All the above foods are generic brand or store brand except where brand names are specifically indicated. For example, in my opinion Armour Brand Beef Stew is pleasant to eat but the cheaper brands are disgusting. Therefore, purchase and eat one can of each of the above food items to see if the flavor of that brand is agreeable to you before you purchase a year's supply of that item and then discover it tastes horrible.Taste is a very personal experience. Two people can have entirely different opinions about the same exact food. The limited number of brand name foods I recommend are based on my individual taste preferences and I do not have any financial interest in any of those food companies. You will need to make your own decision about which brands of food you prefer.If you are already happy with a specific name brand then it would probably be a better investment than a generic brand you are not familiar with. However, if there is a big price difference between the brands, such as 52 cents for the generic and 94 cents for your brand, then it would be a good idea to buy one can of the generic brand and take it home and eat it to see how it compares to your preferred name brand food item.Prices: All the above prices are the average retail price in United States Dollars in the southeast United States. None of the prices are special temporary sale prices. If you can find any of the above items offered at a really good discount, then you should stock up on that item during the week it is on sale.Package Sizes: Larger packages are usually a little cheaper per ounce, but if half the package spoils after you open it and before it can all be used, then you lose. Therefore resist the temptation to buy the large one-gallon size cans of food. If you need more food per meal than one regular size can then you can always open two cans. However, instead of opening two cans of the same thing you might consider opening one can of two different food items to provide more variety during the meal.Storage Area: You should carefully consider where you will keep your emergency food stored for the following reasons:
It takes a lot of space to store a one-year supply of food.
It will take a significant amount of time and effort to move all the food between locations.
The food should not be located where it may be accidentally discovered by anyone.
Absolutely no one, except your spouse, should know about your emergency food reserves.
The above recommended foods need to be stored in a temperature controlled environment for a variety of reasons.
If a disaster unfolds rapidly and unexpectedly, you will need to be able to get to your food without drawing attention to your family.If possible, always purchase your food on cardboard flats for easy convenient stacking when you put it into a storage area. In other words, purchase canned goods in multiples of 6, 12, or 24 depending on the number that fit onto a standard cardboard flat. Take the cardboard flat with you through the check-out line when you pay for the food. If your store cuts one side off the front of the cardboard flats then take two cardboard flats and turn them end-to-end one inside the other to make one new cardboard flat that will hold your canned goods without collapsing.When items are on sale at your local grocery store they sometimes leave them on cardboard flats at the end of an aisle. Just pick up an entire cardboard flat of food and put it into your shopping cart. If appropriate, put two, three, or more flats of food into your shopping cart and then pay for them at the cashier station. It would not hurt to have a little more food than you think you might need.Usually it is much easier to buy large quantities of food at a place like Sam's Club or Costco. You can pick up entire cases of food already enclosed in plastic wrap and put them on your flatbed cart and take them to the checkout area. However, food items are very, very heavy so resist the temptation to purchase an entire year's food supply in one trip. Your vehicle may not be able to move 2,000 pounds of food in one trip. The only disadvantage of purchasing at a "Membership Warehouse" is that the store keeps a permanent record of all your purchases in its computer, even if you pay with cash. On the other hand, if you pay with cash at a grocery store and do not use a "Store Shopping Card" then there will be no permanent record of your food purchases. The lack of an electronic trail to your emergency food supplies may allow you to keep your food if the government decides to collect all the food purchased by "unethical hoarders" who made their food purchases just prior to a worldwide food shortage. If you need to use a credit card to finance your food purchases, then you should consider going to your local bank and asking your bank teller to give you a "cash advance" against your credit card. Most banks will do this regardless of which bank issued the credit card.Each time you go to the store it is usually better to purchase food in more than one food category instead of investing all your money in only one food item. This way you could gradually build your emergency food reserves. If a disaster were to occur before you finished, you would still have some food in each major food group, instead of having lots of rice and no vegetables, as an example.Either write or tape a simple label onto each cardboard flat of food indicating the date you purchased it.It is very easy to forget what you have already purchased so you should keep a written list of all the food items that you have added to your reserves. This list will help you to strategically build your food stores without overlooking something or buying too much of something else.The shelf life of most of the above items is five years or more, regardless of the expiration date printed on the package.Store food at temperatures between 40ºF to 70°F if possible. Higher storage temperatures shortens the shelf life, reduces the vitamins and calories, and changes the taste.Rotation: Long-term food storage advice usually includes the recommendation that you use your emergency food on a regular basis and replace it as you use it by employing a first-in first-out inventory strategy. This is good advice but it is very difficult for most families to execute. The sheer volume of any reasonable emergency food supply makes it very difficult to rotate your food without a tremendous investment in time and energy. Therefore most families simply buy their emergency food, put it into a suitable storage area, and then forget about it. May I suggest a compromise between these two extremes. Most of the recommended long-term storage food items have a shelf life of five-years or longer. The major exceptions are yeast, baking powder, spices, lemon juice, fresh butter, Velvetta Brand cheese, flour, and corn meal. If you will store these items where you can easily get to them then you could gradually use these items and replace them as they are consumed. If you discover that two or three years have passed and some of these items have not been used then you should consider replacing them with fresh food. However the balance of your emergency storage food should still be safe and enjoyable to eat, even though you did not rotate it the same way you did your short shelf life foods.Consumption: Carefully ration your food at the beginning of hard times. Don't wait until half your food is gone before you consider rationing.Cooking From Scratch: At the current time you may not use some of the food items in the recommended food list. However, in the event of an emergency you will probably discover you will need all the foods in the list, including the spices. I recommend that you access the recipes on my web site and print a hard copy of all my recipes. Then store those recipes in a three-ring binder with your emergency food supplies. During an actual emergency those recipes will help you to prepare an interesting and pleasant variety of meals using the basic staple foods and spices in the above recommended list of foods.Additional Food Items: If you have the money and the space, then purchase extra white rice, beans, and wheat.Beans: A small quantity of dry beans may be substituted for some of the canned beans. Dry beans can be planted as seed in a garden and they will produce a new crop of beans at the end of the summer growing season. Dry beans are sold at most grocery stores inside 1, 2, and 4 pound plastic bags. However, it should be noted that dry beans will continue to get drier and drier with the passage of time and they will gradually become too hard to cook and eat after about 3 or 4 years in storage. Therefore, if you anticipate storing your beans for an extended period of time then the canned beans are a better option. Canned beans are already fully cooked inside the can and they will be edible many, many years after the printed expiration date on the can. (Note: I have personally eaten canned beans that were ten years old and they tasted just like they had been recently canned.)Salt: The above food list recommends the purchase of more salt than you would need in one-year because almost all the canned and processed foods already contain adequate salt. The reason salt is on the list is to provide the option to cook, season, and/or preserve any fresh vegetables or meat that you may be able to obtain during a long-term disaster event. Salt is one of the basic ingredients that the human body requires to maintain good long-term health. At the present time salt is very cheap but during a disaster event it may become very difficult to acquire.Long-Term Storage Foods: Freeze-dried and dehydrated foods are also an outstanding choice for long-term food storage and you should include them in your food storage plan if you can find them available at a price that you can afford. Occasionally these items are on backorder and it may take weeks or months before the food is delivered to you. That is one of the advantages of buying food at your local grocery store. You take possession of your food immediately and you don't have to worry about receiving a very polite notice at some future date that your order has been canceled and it will not be shipped to you for reasons beyond the control of the seller.
Revision HistoryRevised February 2, 2010 - Updated all food prices for the month of February 2010.Revised January 4, 2010 - Updated all food prices for the month of January 2010.Revised December 2, 2009 - Updated all food prices for the month of December 2009.Revised November 2, 2009 - Updated all food prices for the month of November 2009.Revised October 3, 2009 - Updated all food prices for the month of October 2009.Revised September 2, 2009 - Updated all food prices for the month of September 2009.Revised August 1, 2009 - Updated all food prices for the month of August 2009.Revised July 1, 2009 - Updated all food prices for the month of July 2009.Revised June 1, 2009 - Updated all food prices for the month of June 2009.Revised May 1, 2009 - Updated all food prices for the month of May 2009.Revised April 2, 2009 - Updated all food prices for the month of April 2009.Revised March 3, 2009 - Updated all food prices for the month of March 2009.Revised February 3, 2009 - Updated all food prices for the month of February 2009.Revised January 3, 2009 - Updated all food prices for the month of January 2009.Revised December 1, 2008 - Updated all food prices for the month of December 2008.Revised November 1, 2008 - Updated all food prices for the month of November 2008.Revised October 3, 2008 - Updated all food prices for the month of October 2008.Revised September 1, 2008 - Updated all food prices for the month of September 2008.Revised August 9, 2008 - Updated all food prices for the month of August 2008.Revised July 4, 2008 - Updated all food prices for the month of July 2008.Revised June 2, 2008 - Updated all food prices for the month of June 2008.Revised May 2, 2008 - Updated all food prices for the month of May 2008.Revised April 4, 2008 - Updated all food prices for the month of April 2008.Revised March 1, 2008 - Updated all food prices for the month of March 2008.Revised February 6, 2008 - Updated all food prices for the month of February 2008.January 9, 2008 - Created this new web page.Click on www.grandpappy.info/indexhar.htm for more Hard Times Survival Tips.Click on www.grandpappy.info for Robert's Home Page.Send e-mail to RobertWayneAtkins@grandpappy.info
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³ Treating for Cold Exposure and Frostbite ³ The following material may assist you in treating a victim forexposure to the cold and also how to deal with frostbite. Thisinformation is derived from "Advanced First Aid & Emergency Care,"2nd edition, by the American Red Cross. To obtain a copy of thisbook and to take instruction in first aid, please contact the localoffice of the American Red Cross. They are listed in the whitepages of your telephone book. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= The extent of injury caused by exposure to abnormally lowtemperature generally depends on such factors as wind velocity,type and duration of exposure, temperature and humidity. Freezing is accelerated by wind, humidity or a combination ofthe two. Injury caused by cold, dry air will be less than thatcaused by cold, moist air or exposure to cold air while wearing wetclothing. Fatigue, smoking, drinking of alcoholic beverages,emotional stress and the presence of wounds or fractures intensitythe harmful effects of cold. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS The general manifestations of prolonged exposure to extremecold include shivering, numbness, low body temperature, drowsinessand marked muscular weakness. As time passes there is mentalconfusion and impairment of judgment. The victim staggers, hiseyesight fails, he falls and he may become unconscious. Shock isevident and the victim's heart may develop fibrillation. Death, ifit occurs, is usually due to heart failure. Frostbite results when crystals form, either superficially ordeeply in the fluids and the underlying soft tissues of the skin.The effects are more severe if the injured area is thawed and thenrefrozen. Frostbite is the most common injury caused by exposure tothe cold elements. Usually, the frozen area is small. the nose,cheeks, ears, fingers and toes are the most commonly affected. Just before frostbite occurs, the affected skin may be slight-ly flushed. The skin changes to white or grayish yellow as thefrostbite develops. Pain is sometimes felt early but subsideslater. Often there is NO pain; the part being frostbitten simplyfeels intensely cold and numb. The victim commonly is not aware offrostbite until someone tells him or until he observes his pale,glossy skin. The extent of local injury cannot be determinedaccurately on initial examination, even after rewarming. The extentof tissue damage usually corresponds to that in burns. In superfi-cial frostbite, there will be an area that looks white or grayishand the surface skin will feel hard but the underlying tissue willbe soft. With deeper involvement, large blisters appear on thesurface, as well as in underlying tissue, and the affected area ishard, cold and insensitive. Destruction of the entire thickness ofthe skin will necessitate skin grafting and will constitute amedical emergency, because gangrene may result from loss of bloodsupply to the injured part. FIRST AID The objectives of first aid are to protect the frozen areafrom further injury, to warm the affected part rapidly and tomaintain respiration. Formerly, it was recommended that victims offrostbite be treated by slow warming -- rubbing with snow andgradually increasing the temperature. But recent studies have shownconclusively that much better results are obtained if the affectedpart is WARMED RAPIDLY in running or circulating water, unless thepart has been thawed and refrozen, in which case it should bewarmed at room temperature (from 70 to 74 degrees Fahrenheit). DoNOT use excessive heat, as from a stove, hot water bottles, elec-tric blankets or other devices. FROSTBITE1. Cover the frozen part.2. Provide extra clothing and blankets.3. Bring the victim indoors as soon as possible.4. Give him a warm drink (not alcoholic!).5. Rewarm the frozen part QUICKLY by immersing it in water that is warm but not hot. Test the water by pouring some over the inner surface of your forearm or place a thermometer in the water and carefully add warm water to keep the temperature between 102 degrees and 105 degrees Fahrenheit. If warm water is not available or practical to use, wrap the affected part in a sheet and warm blankets.6. Handle the area of the frostbite GENTLY and DO NOT MASSAGE IT. Severe swelling will develop rapidly after thawing. Discon- tinue warming as soon as the part becomes flushed (turning red). Once the part is rewarmed, have the victim exercise it.7. Cleanse the affected area with water and either soap or a mild detergent (NOT laundry or dishwasher detergent, though; they can be caustic and cause a chemical burn). Rinse it thorough- ly. Carefully blot dry with sterile or clean towels. Do NOT break the blisters.8. If the victim's fingers or toes are involved, place dry, sterile gauze between them to keep them separated.9. Do NOT apply other dressings unless the victim is to be transported to medical aid.10. Elevate frostbitten parts and protect them from contact with bedclothes.11. Do NOT allow the victim to walk after the affected part thaws, if his feet are involved.12. Do not apply additional heat and do not allow the victim to sit near a radiator, stove or fire. The numbed part may be severely burned and the victim might never realize it is happening to him.13. If a person with frozen feet is alone and MUST walk to get medical assistance, he should NOT attempt thawing in advance.14. If travel after receiving first aid is necessary, cover the affected parts with a sterile or clean cloth.15. Obtain medical assistance as soon as possible. If the distance to be covered is great, apply temporary dressings to the hands if they have been affected by frostbite.16. Keep injured parts elevated during transportation.17. If medical help or trained ambulance personnel will not reach the scene for an hour or more AND if the victim is CONSCIOUS and NOT VOMITING, give him a weak solution of salt and baking soda at home or while enroute (1 level teaspoon of salt and 1/2 level teaspoon of baking soda in each quart of water, neither hot nor cold). Do not give alcoholic beverages. Allow the victim to sip S-L-O-W-L-Y. Give an adult about 4 ounces (a half glass) over a period of 15 minutes; give a child from 1 to 12 years old about 2 ounces; give an infant (under 1 year old) about 1 ounce every 15 minutes. Discontinue giving fluids if vomiting occurs. Fluid may be given by mouth ONLY if medical help will not be available for an hour or more and is not otherwise contraindicated. PROLONGED EXPOSURE1. Give the victim artificial respiration, if necessary.2. Bring the victim into a warm room as quickly as possible.3. Remove wet or frozen clothing and anything that constricts the victim's arms, legs or fingers and might interfere with circulation as the frozen part is thawed and swelling begins.4. Rewarm the victim rapidly by wrapping him in a warm blanket or by placing him in a tub of water that is warmed to 102 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit. If a thermometer is not available, make sure the water is not hot to YOUR hand and forearm.5. If the victim is conscious, give him hot liquids (but not alcohol) by mouth.6. Dry the victim thoroughly if water was used to rewarm him.7. Carry out the appropriate procedures as described under frost-bite.

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Dartmouth Co-op - outdoor clothing and equipment store and catalog, with online shopping.
http://www.dartmouthcoop.com/

Dry Store, The - dehydrators and accessories, jerky makings
http://www.drystore.com/

Earth Shakes - emergency food, water, survival supplies and equipment to support the aftermath of major earthquakes, natural disasters and earth changes.
http://www.earthshakes.com/%20

Emergency Essentials - Provident Pantry foods, one year supplies food storage, water purification and storage, MREs, books, videos, 72 hour kits, communication, shelter, tools, firestarters, backpacks. tents, outdoor cooking, plus much more, preparedness software
http://www.beprepared.com/

Emergency Preparedness Gear - Survival kits and gear, emergency food supplies, water storage, first aid kits, gas masks, potassium iodide, search and rescue equipment
http://www.emergencypreparednessgear.com/

Emergency Products Kits - American Red Cross and Coast Guard approved
products in their emergency kits, with 5 year shelf lives, disaster prep information
http://www.epks.com/

Emergency Resources - Storable foods, First Aid Kits, Disaster Supplies and Equipment, Israeli Gas Mask/Filter, Potassium Iodate, Water Storage Containers and Treatment, Camping items
http://www.emergencyresources.com/

Emergency Supply Center, The - Home and Office Equipment Fastening Systems, Earthquake Gas Shutoff Valves, 72 Hour Survival Kits, First Aid Kits, Disaster Supplies Equipment and Products
http://www.emergencysupply.com/

Epicenter - huge informational site featuring "Tip O The Day", emergency kits, tools and accessories, general safety items power related products, light related items, books and tapes, food and water supplies, fire prevention, backpacks, military surplus and more
http://theepicenter.com/kits.html

Essentials 2000 - new website geared to storable foods and water with more products coming on-line.
http://www.essentials2000.com/

Global Earthquake Response Center - home and office fasteners
http://www.earthquake.com/core.html

Gnome Domes - Simple and easy Geodesic dome and greenhouse kits for the "do it yourselfer" or the serious buider
http://www.gnomedome.com/

HomeSafetyOnline - High quality self defense products include Mace pepper spray, stun guns, personal alarms and more.
http://www.homesafetyonline.com/

Homestead Products - Grain Mills, Water Filters, Aladdin Lamps, other quality simple-lifestyle & outdoors products
http://www.homestead-products.com/

Hot Products, Inc. - AquaFire woodburning demand water heaters
http://www.csia.org/

Internet Grocer - MREs, books, many survival foods-dehydrated and dried, one year plans, canned cheese, organics, non-hybrid seeds, water filters, storage contains, grain grinders, bulk spices
http://standeyo.com/News_Files/INFO_Files/I

Josephs Storehouse - dehydrated food for emergencies and disaster preparedness. - 72 hours kits, water related and emergency equipment, tools, first aid, storable foods
http://www.josephs-storehouse.com/%20

Ke-Peg - Keeps Your Eggs Fresh For 3 years
http://www.wwmagic.com/haphov/Ke-Peg.html

Krill Lights - Cost effective alternative to chemical light sticks; an electronic waterproof lamp, get 120+ hours of light from 2 AA batteries, comes in 6 colors, 5" in length, 1" diam., on-off capabilities, rugged, indefinite shelf life, weighs 3 ounces.
http://www.kriana.com/

Lehman's Non-Electric Catalog
http://www.lehmans.com/

Lodge Mfg - manufacturer of Dutch Ovens
http://www.lodgemfg.com/

Natural Meals Publishing - Rita Bingham's books: Natural Meals In Minutes; Country Beans; 1-2-3 Smoothies; Food Combining; Passport To Survival; Quick Wholesome Foods
http://www.naturalmeals.com/

NITRO-PAK Preparedness Center - 72 Hr. Kits and Supplies, Mylar Bags, Emergency Blankets, Water Storage & Filters, Sanitation, Kitchen & Grain Mills First-Aid, Lighting, Fire & Heat , Solar Products, Security & Protection, Nite-Vision Gas Mask & Gear, Books
http://www.nitro-pak.com/

Oil Lamp Man, The - Aladdin Lamps and replacement parts, Kosmos French Brass Oil Lamps and parts, wicks, lanterns, electric converters, tripods, collars and shades, more
http://www.oillampman.com/

On-Line Health Products - grain mills, dehydrators, water purification, vacuum packaging machines, juicers
http://www.dhi.com/

Oxygen Absorbers - Military Logmars Plus, 1-800-922-1717
http://www.oxygenabsorber.com/

OZ Surplus - tents and camping gear, knives, torches, cookware, clothing, sleeping bags, and more
http://www.ozsurplus.com.au/index.html

Pioneer Emergency Preparedness - specialize in solar/dynamo-powered am/fm shortwave radios and flashlights
http://www.prepare-now.com/

Preparedness Mart - outdoor equipment, 72 hour kits, storable foods
http://www.preparednessmart.com/

Prepare and Survive - 72 hour kits, storable foods and water, emergency equipment, books.
http://www.prepareandsurvive.com/%20

Product Source International - survival bow, canoe, food items, misc. items
http://www.downtownweb.com/psi/

Professional Marketing Group - Vacuum Packers, Dehydrators and Accessories, Specialty Barbecue Grills, Turbo Convection Ovens, Juicers, Food Preparation Items, Vacuum Bags & Canisters, Jar Sealers, Kitchen Items, Yogurt Starter Kits, Jerky Press & Spices and more
http://www.profmarket.com/

Quake Gripple - offers fastening devices, tools, supplies and resources to help survive a major earthquake
http://versales.com/qsindex.htm

Quake Pro - offers a variety of safety products, fastening devices, water filtration and includes earthquake and natural disaster links and information.
http://www.quakepro.com/

Ready Made Resources - many food resources in addition to Electronic Equipment; Non-Electric Appliances; Cooking Equipment; Swiss Army Knives; Water Purifiers; Nuclear, Chem. & Bio. Protection Equipment ; Solar Energy Products
http://www.readymaderesources.com/

REI - camping and hiking equipment, dried foods, water purifying systems, maps, store locator, 8000 products on-line
http://www.rei.com/

Restop - portable and emergency sanitation - unique concept!
http://www.whennaturecalls.com/

Safe-T-Proof - equipment and appliance fasteners, emergency food and preparedness products, gun locks
http://www.safe-t-proof.com/%20

SafetyStore - One-Stop Safety and Preparedness Catalog - A one-stop resource for safety, first aid, preparedness, and rescue products. First Aid Kits, Medical Tools, Home Safety, Flood & Storm Safety Tips, Child Safety, Earthquake Safety Tips, Pet Safety, Earthquake Preparedness Kits, First Aid Kits & Supplies, Earthquake and Furniture Fasteners, Outdoor Survival Gear, Fire Safety Tips, Medical Tools and Gear, Outdoor Safety, Business Disaster Consulting, Search And Rescue Gear, Books & Videos, Business Safety and Preparedness Products
http://www.safetystore.com/

Safety Gear HQ - High quality self defense products including Stun Guns, Mace Pepper Spray.
http://www.safetygearhq.com/

Safe Water Anywhere - Just fill up the bottle with water and squeeze. Using breakthrough advances in microfiltration and ionic Adsorption
http://www.safewateranywhere.com/

Sam Andy - Survival Tools and Equipment, Camping Gear, Blankets, Ponchos, Stoves and Fuels, Cookware, Messkits, Water and Water Storage, Y2K Survival Kits, Food Paks and Specialty Foods
http://www.karinya.com/sandy.htm

Search Gear Catalog - full online catalog of Search and Rescue equipment and "Personal Adventure Equipment." Order online with secure ordering, 33 product categories.
http://www.searchgear.com/

Sierra Trading Post - mail order catalog selling products at 35-70% off
http://www.sierra-trading.com/

Sorbent Systems - oxygen absorbers, desiccants, mylar bags, heat sealers, self-packing kits
http://www.sorbentsystems.com/

SOS Food Labs, Inc. - manufacturers of emergency survival food, water, and thermal products.
http://www.sos-rations.com/%20

SOS Gear - emergency kits for home and business, very good on-line fault line maps for California
http://www.sosgear.com/

South Summit Corp - camping, backpacking, biking, hiking, mapping, stoves, backpacks, tents, sleeping bags, food, water filters, watches, safety items and much more! Good stuff!
http://www.southsummit.com/

Sportmans Dream, A - An index of outfitters and guides that offer hunting trips, and manufactures of sporting equipment.
http://onlinecol.com/sd/sportsb.html

Sportsman's Guide, The - selection of hunting, camping, military surplus gear and more.
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/

Survival Center, The - 72 hours kits, food storage, freeze dried and air dried foods, books on prep and prophesy, grain mills, military surplus, underground shelters, water storage, medical kits, wilderness supplies
http://www.zyz.com/survivalcenter/

Survival Unlimited - radios, Baygen products, first aid kits, battery chargers, canned fuel, solar ovens, firestarters, bulk foods, nitro-pak food, buckets and supplies, lanterns, water filters and water storage, grain mills, mylar bags, oxygen absorbers, diatomaceous earth, heat sealers, military surplus, more
http://www.survivalunlimited.com/

Survivor Industries - 72-hour and first aid kits of varying sizes, Mainstay food rations
http://www.survivorind.com/

Tecfen Corporation manufacturer and master distributor of emergency preparedness, survival kits, and outdoors products.
http://www.tecfen.com/emergency.html

The Stickler - attaches to your car wheel for easy, quick, effortless log splitting. Clever idea! Movie on web site shows how it's done.
http://www.thestickler.com/

These Times - bulk dehydrated foods such as wheat and beans and emergency hardware for disaster preparedness.
http://www.these-times.com/%20

Turners Outdoormen - everything for fishing, camping and hunting including Baygens, lanterns, cooking items, knives, cameras, Foodsaver products and supplies
http://www.turners.com/

United States Plastic Corp. - water storage drum, food storage containers, bags, buckets, and much more.
http://www.usplastic.com/

Walton Feed - very large website with storable and organic foods, grain mills, water purifiers, and lots of information and preparedness articles, many preparedness products, non-hybrid seeds, books, on-line catalog of 1124 items
http://waltonfeed.com/

WaterTanks.com - Storage for 1 liter drinking water bottles to 55 gallon barrels, 200 gallon collapsible bag-in-a-box to 5,000 gallon, polyethylene water tanks, 50,000 gallon collapsible containers to everything in-between. Here you will also find everything there is to know about water and water storage, from articles and info to how to treat and store water to important facts on water to the best preparedness links on the net.
http://www.watertanks.com/main.html

Wildware Outfitters - backpacks, accessories, water purifiers, cooking supplies, tents, sleeping bags and outdoor sporting equipment
http://www.wildware.com/

Weather The Storm - various sizes and selections in Home, Personal, Travel and Evac kits
http://weatherthestorm.net/

__________________

How to Survive Really Hard Times

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How to Survive Really Hard Times
In the old days, folks were accustomed to periodically having to live through hard times. They knew how to survive the hard times with the least amount of wear and tear on their families. Nowadays, most folks dont know what hard times really are. Even those folks who think they have it hard right now can usually still depend on some type of government handout or charity assistance, and therefore they dont truly know what hard times really are.

My definition of hard times is when things aint what they use to be and they dont look like they will return to normal anytime soon. This frequently happens in times of war, floods, tornadoes, and hurricanes. Which are also usually accompanied by power failures that last for days, weeks, or months.

Following are some suggestions for surviving these types of hard times.

Shelter:

Lets start by assuming you now live in some type of dwelling and your dwelling is not in the immediate path of a flood, hurricane, marching troops, etc.

First, stay inside unless you must absolutely go outdoors. In the old days, folks had enough sense to come in out of the rain. During hard times, you dont need to get wet, cold, or frost bitten. That just makes matters worse.

Heat:

During cold weather you need to stay warm. Nowadays most folks believe warm is having the thermostat set at 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Not so in the old days. Back then folks felt comfortable if their home was 40 degrees or warmer in the winter time. Now why was that? Because they wore warm clothes inside the house during the winter. They knew that several thin layers of clothing felt warmer than one or two thick garments. And they were right. There is a layer of air between each layer of clothing and that air forms a pocket of insulation to help retain your body heat. If a person got too warm, they would take off one layer of clothing and they would cool off and be comfortable again.

And they wore gloves inside the house to keep their hands warm.

They also wore their hats inside the house in the winter time. When a person is normally dressed, they lose 90% of their body heat through their head. Do you want to stay warm? Conserve your body heat. Put on a hat. Any hat. If you dont have a hat, make a turban by wrapping a thin towel (or a cut up sheet) around the top part of your head and secure it with a safety pin. You will feel warmer because you are conserving your body heat (and burning fewer calories). If your dwelling is still too cold for you (below 40 degrees), then you need to reduce the size of your living area. If you have a big closet, then move the family into it. If all your rooms are big, then partition off one corner of one room using mattresses to make temporary walls. In other words, build a small temporary room in the corner of a big room. Use all your extra sheets and blankets to insulate this smaller living area.

What does this accomplish? Humans dont generate enough extra body heat to warm up a large room (or house). However, their body heat can increase the temperature of a smaller area by 10 to 15 degrees. In addition, each time someone exhales, their breath will also contribute to an increase in the temperature of the small area. One word of caution. Under no circumstances should you build a fire (or smoke) inside your little area. The carbon monoxide (or smoke) will kill you all. Also remember, heat rises. Therefore, let fresh air into your living space somewhere down close to the floor.

Now some folks may laugh at the idea of heating a room with your body heat. But stop and think for a moment. The Eskimos live in a frozen wasteland and they survive year after year. How? Because they build small igloos that capture and conserve their body heat.

If you have a wood burning fireplace or wood stove, use it for heat if possible (save your propane or fuel oil for a real emergency). Bring in enough firewood once per day. Dont keep opening and closing the door all day long.

If you dont have a chimney, dont start a fire inside. The smoke will kill you. Even if you build the fire near a window, the smoke will gradually fill your dwelling. And you will lose any heat from the fire through the window.

If the water is off, then fire can be one of your worst enemies. Keep a fire extinguisher near any open flames (fireplace or propane stove). Or keep a bucket of water handy. If a cooking skillet accidentally catches fire, you should keep some baking soda nearby to throw on the flames. Some fires can be put out by smothering it with a heavy blanket. Without oxygen, the fire cant burn.

Toilet Facilities:

If the water is off and the toilets dont work, then you will have to manually deal with human waste. Take two trash cans and line each one with two plastic trash can liner bags. When possible, put urine and poop in separate containers. This allows the poop to dry out. Put something over the trash cans when they arent being used. You can urinate and defecate wherever it is comfortable for you, but pour the waste material into the trash cans. Periodically empty the trash cans. Dont just throw the waste outside. It will attract flies and other vermin that breed and spread disease. The best solution is to bury the waste underground.

A different type of waste problem is when the sewer works but you are short on water. That happens sometimes in the country with folks who have septic tanks but their water well goes dry (or almost dry). When that happens, you dont flush as often. You still use the stool all day long, but you only flush solid waste. To quote an old rhyme: If its yellow, let it mellow. If its brown, flush it down.

Water:

Without water, a person will dehydrate and start to die in about three days. This first step to survival in hard times is to inventory your water into two categories: drinking water and all other water. If the water is on, fill all the water containers you have in the house (anything that will hold water and not leak). If the water is off, be creative. Ice cubes in the freezer. Water inside the hot water heater. Both are safe to drink. Water that isnt safe to drink is toilet bowl water and water inside the mattress of a water bed.

Many canned foods are packed in water. When you open a can, serve the water in the can with the food (dont throw the canned water away if you are low on water).

The second step to survival in hard times is to ration your water. During normal times, one person needs one gallon of water per day. Nobody I know drinks a gallon of plain water each day. However, all of us drink some water, plus a variety of other fluids (coffee, tea, soda, juice, or whatever appeals to you). During hard times, a person can survive for a short period of time on two quarts of water per day (two quarts is one-half gallon). If water is really in short supply, then one quart per day will keep a person alive, but they will begin to slowly dehydrate.

Everyone knows better, but after a long period of little or no water, a person will drink all the water they can when it suddenly becomes available in quantity. If you do this, you will get sick. S l o w - - d o w n . Drink one cup of water every 15 minutes. Give your system a chance to absorb the water and send it where it is needed most. Dont overload your system and kill yourself.

When your water runs low, where can you get more? Collect rain water. If you have rain gutters on your dwelling, capture the rain at the end of the down spouts.

Be creative. Think about what you have available that you can put outside to catch and hold rain water, or channel rain water through a partially open window into a big pot. Remember that it usually rains 1 inch or less each time it rains. You need a large surface area to collect enough rain water to drink. A small cup or glass wont do. Even a 5 gallon cook pot is too small to just put outside by itself (it will only collect 1 inch of water in the bottom of the pot). Something like a childs plastic swimming pool would be ideal. You can always put clean bed sheets outside your windows, let them get drenched in rain, ring them out by hand inside the house into a pot, and stick them back out in the rain again.

If it doesnt rain, go outside at dawn and collect the morning dew. How? Take a clean thin dish cloth or thin wash cloth and wipe it gently over the damp grass (and non-poisonous shrubs). Periodically ring out the cloth into a bowl. Repeat. It is hard work, but without water you are dead.

Ground water is usually the most contaminated. Ground water is lake, pond, creek, stream, or river water if you live in the country. In the city, it is water flowing beside the sidewalks during a heavy rain. If no other source of water is available, then you may be forced to collect the only water you can find. But dont drink it until you purify it.

Even if the water looks crystal clear in a glass, it can still contain tiny organisms that will make you sick. You dont need a severe case of diarrhea or a high fever during hard times. Like the old saying goes, it is better to be safe than sorry.

How to purify water:

First, pour the water through a standard paper coffee filter (or clean pillow case). This will trap and remove any large impurities. The same coffee filter can be used over and over again for a long time (unless the water is very muddy or dirty).

After you have pre-filtered your water, you can use one of the following three options to purify the water:

1. Boil the water at a hard boil for about 10 minutes. Wait for the water to cool. Then pour the water from one container into another container several times to add air back into the water to improve its taste.

2. Or put 2 drops of chlorine liquid bleach (Clorox or store brand, unscented) in each quart of water and wait one hour for the bleach to kill all the tiny organisms. (Or 8 drops per gallon.)

3. As a last result (not for pregnant women or nursing mothers), you can put 3 drops of iodine (2 % strength) into each quart of water and wait one hour. (Or 12 drops per gallon.)

If there is snow or ice on the ground, you can collect it and melt it inside your dwelling. A word of caution. Never melt the snow or ice inside your mouth. This consumes more water than you get back in return (water vapor lost through your mouth and nose while breathing). You dehydrate more quickly and end up worse off than when you started. If necessary, you can put the snow inside a small container and put the capped container inside your clothing (but not next to your skin) and your body heat will gradually melt the snow into water. If you are concerned about the cleanliness of the snow, then you can boil the resulting water 10 minutes before you drink it.

If you are short on water, dont waste it bathing or washing your clothes. I know cleanliness is important, but most of us overdo it in this country. Just wash your hands and face periodically. Dont discard the water until it is too dirty to use again. Wash your dishes in one pot of water with dish soap. Rinse the dishes in a second pot. Rinse the dishes again in a third pot. When the dish water in the first pot gets really nasty, discard it. Then put dish soap in the second pot and use it as the initial wash pot. Use the third pot as your first rinse. And add a new pot with clean water as the final rinse. If your sewer is still working properly, you can pour your waste water down your toilet stool to flush it.

Always brush your teeth at least once per day. It doesnt take much water, just a little in a small glass. (Only use a little toothpaste each time, not what you would normally use. Your toothpaste will last four to six times longer this way, with no compromise in dental hygiene.)

Food:

First rule, if you have no water to drink, then dont eat.

Second rule, remember the first rule when you get really hungry.

Your body uses water to digest food, and if you send food into your tummy without having had any water to drink recently, then your body will draw the water it needs to digest the food from your body tissues and you will dehydrate and die much faster. A person can go three weeks without any food and survive without any long term ill effects. But three days without water and you are dead. Never forget the first rule.

If you believe it may be some time before you can replenish your food supplies, such as during a severe snow storm, then inventory all the food in your dwelling and begin rationing on day one. Inventory your food based on the major food groups and on the number of calories listed on the label on each box or can. If you have food in the refrigerator, and the power is off, then eat it before you start on your canned foods. Eat refrigerator food first, then freezer food, and eat canned and boxed food last. Look at the expiration dates on snack foods (potato chips) and be sure to eat them before they go stale. After you have a list of all your food, plan a daily menu based on the order in which you intend to consume your food so you work all the major food groups strategically into your diet on a regular basis. Deviate from that plan if a particular food item looks like it might go bad if you save it any longer. Better to have the calories stored inside your body than to let them go to waste. Concerning waste, during hard times there is no excuse for throwing away any food that is edible. Save all uneaten food. If it cant be saved for the next meal, then someone should eat it while it is still edible.

If you have canned food, try to keep it from freezing (which will rupture the can and ruin the food). When you open a can, smell the food. If it smells funny, or if it has any fungus growing on it, then destroy the food by burning it. Dont put it in the trash. A stray animal (or person) may retrieve it and die of food poisoning. Most canned foods are still edible after two or three years. Canned meat will last even longer. Therefore, dont worry about your canned food going bad if you purchased it during the previous year. After two or three years, the food will still be edible, but the taste and nutritional value of the food will be less.

Drink the liquid inside canned food. It contains vitamins, fluids, and oils your body needs.

Folks here in our country eat over 2,500 calories every day. You dont need that many calories to stay alive, if you remain inactive. Read a good book. Play cards. Tell stories. Just dont exercise. A person can survive a long time on 1,000 calories per day if they remain relatively inactive. They will probably loose a little weight, but for most of us that would be a good thing. Plan your daily menus so each person will get about 1,000 calories each day. If your food supply starts to run low, and the hard times dont look like they are going to end soon, then cut back the calories to 750 per day. A person doesnt suffer any permanent damage just because he continuously feels hungry. Folks all over the world have felt real hunger before, and they have gone on to lead normal, healthy lives. (One exception to this is a nursing mother. Without the proper nutrition, her body cant make the milk to feed her baby.)

If you have any vitamins in the house, ration them out to your family members. Each person should get two vitamin pills each week (for example, one on Wednesday and one on Sunday). The vitamins will last a long time this way, and each person will have a much better chance of staying healthy and not getting sick.

Food from nature:

Squirrels: If you live near an area with trees, you may be able to get fresh squirrel meat with a 22 rifle, or a really good BB rifle at close range, or a trap or snare. However, if you fry or roast the squirrel, its meat it will be too tough to eat for most folks. Skin the squirrel, remove and discard the digestive organs (stomach and intestines), and cut the squirrel meat into small pieces (cut the heart and liver into pieces also), and boil all the meat in a little water with a dash of salt (dont forget the salt). Enjoy the meaty soup and drink the soup broth when the meat is all gone.

Thin Evergreen Needles (pine, spruce, etc.): Those thin green needles are edible and are an excellent source of vitamin C. If you eat them year round you will notice they taste different during the different seasons. Sometimes the taste is neutral and sometimes a little bitter. Regardless of how they taste, they are still an edible food source. Dont eat too many at one time unless your body is accustomed to them. Like any new food item, your body needs time to adjust to the new food source. Remember, they are very low in calories, so they wont provide the energy you need ... but they will provide some fresh natural vitamins. Pine needles may be eaten raw or cooked. Or you can dice the pine needles into very tiny pieces and boil them in some water to make a broth or tea.

Pine Cone Seeds: The seeds of a pine cone are located under the outer scales of the pine cone. Break off the scales to get to the seeds. There will be two winged seeds under each scale. The seeds may be eaten raw (the same way the squirrels do), or you may roast them. This is one of the most important wild food sources due to its high food value and availability.

Soft Inner Tree Bark (not the hard outer bark): In the spring when the sap is rising, the inner bark of most trees is edible (pine, birch, elm, maple, spruce, willow). It is low in calories but better than nothing. Peel the bark up near the bottom of the tree or from exposed roots to reveal the fresh inner bark. Do not peel the bark off a tree in a circle all the way around the tree. You will kill the tree. Dont overdo it on a single tree. Move on to the next tree. Inner tree bark may be eaten raw, or cooked, or dried and pounded into flour for future consumption.

Dandelions: Most folks think of them as pretty weeds. Did you know that every part of the dandelion plant is edible (flower, stems, leaves, and roots). The stems and flowers can be eaten raw or cooked. The leaves taste bitter if eaten raw so it is usually better to boil them first. Remove the tough center vein from the leaves before you boil them. Wash the roots and boil them like a potato. They have an agreeable taste. Or you can dry the roots in the sun, crush them and use them as a substitute for coffee. From a medicinal perspective, any and all the parts of the dandelion plant help to improve blood circulation in the body.

Clover: All types of clover are edible. Clover contains some vitamin E. Clover can be recognized by its small round flowers and its three small leaves. Sometimes four leaves (the proverbial four leaf clover). The clover leaves may be eaten raw or boiled (older leaves are better boiled). The tiny flowers can be boiled to make a tea. The roots can be scraped, washed, and boiled.

Bugs: The following bugs are edible: ants, grubs, slugs, and earthworms. They may be eaten raw (but not alive) or cooked. Nobody I know likes em raw, so the best solution is to dice them into small pieces and cook them in a soup with some other type of wild food. Grasshoppers can also be eaten if you first remove the legs. The legs contain tiny barbs that can get caught in your throat. Dont eat grasshoppers raw because they occasionally contain tiny parasites (which will be killed if you boil the grasshoppers in water). Never eat flies, mosquitoes, ticks, centipedes, or spiders.

Depending on where you live, other edible foods may grow wild. In much of the south, young poke sallet leaves (which no two people can agree on how to spell) are also nutritious if you first boil the leaves three times in clean water. Change the water between each boiling. Acorns (which set every other year) are also edible if you remove the cap (or crown) and boil them at least three times in clean water. Then let the acorns dry in the sun. (Acorns contain a small amount of tannic acid which will make you sick if you dont boil it away first. When our forefathers first arrived in this nation, the Indians showed them how to bury the acorns in mud for three months to make them fit to eat. This is an effective but very slow method for removing the tannic acid.) A handful of acorns is equivalent in nutrition to a pound of fresh hamburger.

If you try a new food source, dont eat too much of it the first time. Give your digestive system a chance to become acquainted with it. You dont need to make yourself sick with a fever or diarrhea by going overboard on a food you have never eaten before.

If you think a wild plant might be edible, there is three step test to go through before you eat it. If there is not enough of the wild plant growing nearby to serve as a regular food source, then you should ignore it. Its not worth the risk. If there is plenty of the plant available, then follow this test sequence. First, rub a little of the plant on the inside of your upper left arm (a sensitive body area but one that wont incapacitate you). Wait eight hours to see if the skin breaks out in a rash. If you pass the first test, rub a little of the plant on the outside of your lips, and wait eight hours to see if your lips break out in a rash. If you pass the second test, then put a very small quantity of the plant in your mouth, chew it up really good, and then spit it all out. Wait one day. If you dont get sick, then you can try swallowing a little bit of it the next day. Never eat too much of an unknown wild plant in a short period of time.

During hard times in the old days, folks didnt complain much. Everyone was in the same boat. They would just make causal comments about having to punch a new hole in their belt so their pants wouldnt fall off. Our forefathers lived through hard times on a regular basis. We can too. Dont let the loss of a little weight make you compromise your values. You do have values, dont you?

Self-Protection:

There is only one sure way to win a fight. Avoid it.

Avoid fights with other people, and stray dogs, and wild animals. How do you avoid fights? First, by staying inside your dwelling. If you must go outside, try to blend in with your environment (whatever it happens to be at the time), and dont attract attention to yourself. Speak softly. Move quietly and slowly. Most people wont attack a person who is visible armed (pistol in holster or hunting knife on waist belt). Dont carry a weapon in your hand. You would be advertising that you are either looking for trouble or that you are afraid. Neither is a good sign if you are trying to blend in.

On the other hand, if you are backed into a corner, and no option is left except to fight, then fight to win. Use whatever weapons are convenient at the time. Remember, with Gods help David whooped Goliath with a tiny stone.

Evacuating Your Present Dwelling:

The time may come when good judgment tells you it is time to leave your dwelling (the flood water is rising, or the enemy troops are on the outskirts of your town). For times like these, it is advisable to have a camping bag pre-packed for every member of your family. Each bag should contain clothes, personal care items, food, and one container of drinking water (12 ounces up to 32 ounces). Water is very heavy. You cant carry enough of it with you. You will have to trust that you can find more water along the way.

If you have these bags packed ahead of time, then you will be in much better shape than someone who waits until the last minute and then grabs items haphazardly to take with them. Pack the bags at the beginning of the hard times and have them ready to go on a moments notice. As time goes by, you will think of additional items to put in your bags. You will also have time to reflect and realize that some items should be left behind. The more time you ponder the contents of your bags, the more practical and useful the bags become.

When its time to leave, you may or may not be able to leave in your car. You may have no gas, or the roads may be blocked. If you have to leave on foot, make sure each member of the family has a bag that is no heavier than they can carry for a long distance.

If you take your car, you should have two sets of bags. One set of bags to carry with you if you have to later abandon the car, and another set of bags that you leave behind in the car (items that would have been nice to have but are not critical). A car offers the best protection for your family from the elements (rain, wind, snow). However, it restricts your movement to surface roads. The final decision on whether to take or leave the car may be a very tough one. Reflect on it ahead of time.

Temporary Government Shelters:

During severe hard times, the government usually sets up temporary shelters for the destitute. The folks who enter these shelters usually bring nothing with them but the clothes on their backs. The government will not let anyone bring a weapon into a shelter. Occasionally the living conditions in a shelter are okay, but most of the time the place is too crowded for the average person to relax in. There is absolutely no privacy.

If you have the knowledge, a little basic equipment, and a little food then you might try camping with your family in the woods instead of entering a shelter. Only the most highly trained individuals can live off the land. If you dont bring some food with you, then your chances of surviving in the wilderness by eating natures fare will be pretty slim. You will spend all your time searching for edible plants and wild game or fish. Most folks wont be able to find enough to keep their families alive. However, if you bring some food with you, then you can supplement that food with what you find in nature and you will have a pretty good chance of having a good camping experience. If the camping adventure doesnt work out for your family, then you can enter a shelter knowing it is your last option.

Camping:

You can camp outdoors in the spring, summer, or fall. Don't camp outdoors in the winter if it is avoidable. There is almost no food available, and the weather is so cold that you will probably freeze to death.

What camping equipment do you need? Every family member (age ten and older) should have a knife with a sharp edge. A knife is a campers most frequently used tool in the woods. It is also a weapon.

One or more rifles. Extra bullets. A small hand hatchet (or meat cleaver) and a small shovel (or big metal cooking spoon) are also nice (but not critical). Plus a waterproof tarp (or the plastic protector sheet off a bed, or anything that repeals water and is big enough to sleep under). A lightweight tent would be ideal, if you have one.

A bible for regular family devotions.

Soap. Small towels. String and rope. Duct tape. Toilet tissue. Matches and cigarette lighters. Plastic freezer bags to keep these items dry. Small cook pots that will survive an open fire. Forks and spoons. Unbreakable cups and plates. Aluminum foil. Lightweight high calorie food (pasta noodles, dry beans, Ramen soup). Precooked food (canned beef stew, chili with beans). Salt and pepper.

A deck of playing cards. First aid supplies. Headache pills. Diarrhea pills. Feminine hygiene items. A compass. A map. A Boy Scout Handbook (or any good camping book). Some fictional paperback books to read (after everyone has read each book, the individual pages make nice fire starter, or even better emergency toilet paper). More freezer bags for these items.

Blankets and a small pillow for each person. One complete change of clothes for each person. Three or four pair of socks for each person. (If you are walking, your socks will need changing more frequently than the rest of your clothes to avoid blisters and athlete's foot rash.) The best way to avoid foot blisters is to wear two pair of socks: a very thin inner pair next to your skin and another pair on top of that. Macho tough guys will laugh at this next suggestion, but panty hose make a good inner pair of socks for both men and women and they keep your legs warm. After the tough guys get a few bleeding blisters and cant keep up with the rest of the group, the panty hose idea wont seem so silly. Remember, the basic idea is survival - youre not trying to make a fashion statement.

Never camp on the very top or bottom of a hill. The best location is on the side of a hill about half way up the hill (avoids high winds and flooding waters). Look for firewood that is just off the ground (fallen branches caught in trees or shrubs). It is usually dry enough to burn even during a rain. Dry pine needles make excellent kindling. Keep campfires contained at all times. Make sure your fire is completely out when you leave. Bury human waste promptly.

Conclusion:

Hard times bring out either the best or the worst in each of us. (I often wonder if God planned it that way?) If you and your family face hard times together sometime during your life, what kind of example do you want to set for your loved ones? In future years, when your young'uns grow up and look back on the hard times, what do you want them to remember? What do you want to remember? Think about it.

May God Bless.

Grandpappy



-- Grandpappy (Grandpappy@old-timers.hom), June 30, 1999

Answers
The above are just a few of my thoughts about hard times and the way to get through them when they come upon you suddenly ... sometimes with a little advance warning and other times with none.
Lots of you folks have been reading the stuff on this forum for a long time but you aint shared any of your ideas yet. Now would be a good time to step in and share your gems of wisdom.

For example:

1. What plants grow wild in your neck of the woods that are widely available and easy to find? How do you identify the plant? What part of the plant do you eat? How to you prepare it (raw, roasted, boiled)?

2. If a person were going to stay indoors, what items do most of us already have around the house that can come in real handy during hard times (or have a second use that most people dont know about)?

3. If a person were to go camping, what should they take with them from the house and what would it be used for?

These are just a few suggestions. I know yall can think of lots of additional good ideas. Please share them with your friends here on this forum.

Thanks.

May God Bless.

Grandpappy

Constitutional Crisis in Argentina

http://ferfal.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Constitutional Crisis in Argentina,
From http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com



Constitutional Crisis in Argentina, President Threatens to Take Over Central Bank; Potential Latin America "Cascade Effect"


Argentina President Cristina Kirchner has attempted to seize control of the central bank. Kirchner fired central banker Martín Redrado for his refusal to hand over $6.6 billion in bank reserves. The matter is now headed for the Argentinean courts.

Please consider the Constitutional Showdown in Argentina.


Argentine President Cristina Kirchner's firing of the country's central bank president last Wednesday has provoked a constitutional crisis, not unlike the one that rocked Honduras last summer.


Mrs. Kirchner's insistence that the central bank's assets should be at her disposal is noteworthy. It reflects a primitive view, not unknown even in the U.S., that the role of a central bank is to print money for the government's use. Yet it is nonetheless surprising that even after the nation has suffered so much inflationary agony, it is still possible for an Argentine politician to pursue this line of reasoning without risk of being tarred and feathered.

Already unpopular for her authoritarian style, Mrs. Kirchner would seem to be skating on precariously thin ice. One opposition senator has pledged that if Mrs. Kirchner does not back down, he will begin impeachment proceedings.

The president says she wants the money to pay back foreign creditors. She could pay them with funds that are already at the treasury, but she has other ideas for that money.


Argentina Set For Inflationary Explosion

Argentina is already suffering from a 17% reported rate of inflation. Rest assured if 17% is the reported rate, the real rate is likely much higher.

Kirchner not only wants the $6.6 billion in bank reserves, she also wants "easy money", otherwise known as lower interest rates. If Kirchner gets her way, and perhaps even if she doesn't, Argentina is going to explode.

In South America, Venezuela is already in the process of blowing up. Please see Chavez Threatens to Seize Businesses, Devalues Currency by 50%; Chavez vs. Obama, Parallels Greater Than You Think! for details.


Cascade Effect

Regarding Venezuela, my friend "BC" writes ...

While the story got little press in the US (not sure about the EU), the action could be one that starts a cascading effect in Latin America where China is frantically acting to establish relations in order to secure energy and grain supplies.

And water shortages and rising energy costs risk a breakdown of internal distribution systems at the periphery, restrictions to transoceanic transport, increasing scale of mass migration and ethnic-racial conflict, and severe disruptions to trade flows and credits, as well as deteriorating trade and diplomatic relations across regions.

Textbook case.

Loans to two countries are now at huge risk. European banks have more exposure than US banks to emerging markets and Latin America.

Mike "Mish" Shedlock
http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com
Posted by FerFAL at 4:57 AM 0 comments

David Wilkerson's Economic Vision

http://www.unleavenedbreadministries.org/?page=wilkerson

David Wilkerson's Economic Vision

Key points to remember about this vision:
From the time the first country goes down, you'll have two weeks to get your money out of the bank.

America will come through this crisis---there will be a restoration.

But the nation will never be like it was before...

God is saying: Get our lives straight...Get rid of the idols...Seek the face of God in holiness...

God will be a wall of fire about you...And the glory in the midst of you!

It's about to happen---very soon, one nation, and I'm speaking prophetically--if I've ever heard anything from God in my life, I heard it ... Very soon a European or North African or Eastern nation is going to default on its international loan and when that happens, within two weeks, Mexico is going to default. Mexico owes $100 billion ---80% of it to American banks---and here's what is going to happen: about two weeks after the first country goes bankrupt, (we're going to survive that, because most of that (money of the first country) is owed to European banks---German, Swiss and French banks) but a second country is going to go down, probably Argentina or Brazil, and we'll kind of live that down and say: "Well, maybe it's not going to hurt," but two weeks after the first country goes down, Mexico's going to default on $100 billion.

And when the banks open the next day at 9 in the morning, $15 billion an hour is going to be withdrawn from our American banks -they're going to be running our banks---the Arabs---all the Latin American countries, they're going to be running our banks--and before the day is over, the U.S.A is going to have to declare a "bank holiday."

SIX MONTHS OF HORROR:

And we're going into six months of the worst hell America has ever seen---there's going to be chaos---not even the National Guard's going to be able to quiet it down---we're going to have to call out the whole U.S. Army.

Now I've had visions recently, for I've been in New York City and I was in Macy's in a vision, and I saw people walking around stunned because they couldn't get their money out of the bank.

Now I'm going to give you a word of advice, the first country goes bankrupt---I've documented this and I've got it sealed in an envelope, and I'm going to call all my friends and I'm telling you---this is the first time I've said it in a public meeting like this---but the first country that bellies up, you go get every dime you have---church get your money out of the bank--because there's going to be a 'bank holiday' and you won't be able to get a dime for six months. Now, of course, there's going to be -restored, but the nation will never be like it is again.

There's going to be fear like we've never known---judgment at the door. When I was at Macy's Dept. store in a vision and I watched people walking around stunned, they didn't know what to do, they didn't know what was happening; then a bunch of people walked into Macy's and suddenly went wild and began to steal and within an hour everybody---I saw the spirit of everybody in the store---they were robbing and stealing---they raped Macy's and destroyed five floors---Macy's was raped and ruined in a period of an hour or two.

That's just the beginning. Folks it's all in this book (the bible) ---we've been warned and warned and warned---you can't tell me God hasn't warned us. You can't tell me God isn't saying something awesome here tonight in this church...we better get our prayer life straightened up, our lives straightened up, get rid of the idols, as Paul writes, and seeking the face of God in holiness or you're not going to be ready for what's coming. God's warning, get ready and you'll not fear these things that come onto you and you'll start rejoicing, you'll not be afraid because your hands will be clean. You've been praying and God's building a wall of fire around you to keep you."

We'd like to teach you a song about God's protection. It goes like this.: "There's a wall of fire around me...There's a wall of fire between my soul and the enemy. There's a wall of fire that you can't see...Between my soul and the enemy. There's a wall of fire around me. May it be so with us all..."


CNN - May 22, 2006

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexican stocks slumped 4.03 percent Monday and the peso lost ground as a rout in commodities prices and fears about rising U.S. interest rates shook the confidence of emerging markets investors.

The IPC benchmark stock index retreated 812.85 points to close at 19,369.29 points. It was its steepest one-day drop since Sept. 19, 2002.

The peso weakened 0.77 percent to 11.27 per dollar, its lowest closing in around 14 months.

Stock markets around the world have fallen sharply in recent weeks, spooked by concerns that U.S. interest rate hikes could go further than previously expected and by a sell-off in record-high commodities.

Latin American equities have slid from recent record highs. Brazil's Bovespa has dropped over 12 per cent since May 10 and Mexico's IPC index has lost about 11 percent. Both countries currencies have also been hit hard.

"The critical question going forward for everyone is to what degree is this a correction or to what degree is this a change in tendency," said Felix Boni, head of analysis at Scotiabank's brokerage in Mexico City.

"I would also say the fact we didn't have that much of a rebound on Friday in the Dow and here in Mexico would suggest ... there is something more serious going on," Boni said.

Recent falling prices for copper, gold, oil and other commodities hurt Mexican mining stocks.

Grupo Mexico, one of the world's largest copper miners, dropped 4.07 percent to 31.80 pesos.

Cellphone operator America Movil, the most heavily weighted stock in the IPC index, plunged 6.10 percent to 19.10 pesos and its New York-traded shares weakened 6.15 percent to $34.01.

Yields on Mexico's long-term bonds rose to their highest since early April.

The yield on Mexico's peso bond maturing in 2015 rose 14 basis points to 8.83 percent and the peso bond maturing in 2024 saw its yield rise 7 basis points to 9.04 percent.

"There's a perception that emerging markets, above all Brazil and Turkey, are overvalued, and that's ... hitting us," said one bond trader in Mexico City.