Posted on 02/09/2009 12:36:11 AM PST by nw_arizona_granny
Yahoo ran an interesting article this morning indicating a rise in the number of survivalist communities cropping up around the country. I have been wondering myself how much of the recent energy crisis is causing people to do things like stockpile food and water, grow their own vegetables, etc. Could it be that there are many people out there stockpiling and their increased buying has caused food prices to increase? It’s an interesting theory, but I believe increased food prices have more to do with rising fuel prices as cost-to-market costs have increased and grocers are simply passing those increases along to the consumer. A recent stroll through the camping section of Wal-Mart did give me pause - what kinds of things are prudent to have on hand in the event of a worldwide shortage of food and/or fuel? Survivalist in Training
I’ve been interested in survival stories since I was a kid, which is funny considering I grew up in a city. Maybe that’s why the idea of living off the land appealed to me. My grandfather and I frequently took camping trips along the Blue Ridge Parkway and around the Smoky Mountains. Looking back, some of the best times we had were when we stayed at campgrounds without electricity hookups, because it forced us to use what we had to get by. My grandfather was well-prepared with a camp stove and lanterns (which ran off propane), and when the sun went to bed we usually did along with it. We played cards for entertainment, and in the absence of televisions, games, etc. we shared many great conversations. Survivalist in the Neighborhood
Yams have cortosol in them. That chemical aids the body’s feeling of well being, reduces inflamation, and generally soothes the immune system/IG cycle (immunoglobulin cycle).
>>if we need something big,<<
I guess I’ve taken a bit different approach... I’ve been buying those bigger items like generator, fuel storage tanks, wood heater, tools, garden equipment, pressure canner, lots of canning jars, chickens, and soon to get another goat.
I guess those things just give me more of the warm fuzzies than that cold coin does... LOL
I am pretty familiar with the Lakota Nations Bank... Even familiar with the local currencies things like the LETS program - and others that are basically labor based currencies. I’ve even done some work in micro-lending programs that may come to be very important in the future.
I really don’t know what will be the best course for others, but for me I am pretty secure feeling with the direction I am going...
The one thing I do know is that people need to prepare for every eventuality they can. My confidence level with the Goober-mint characters in DC is really low.....
>>>LOL Gee, I better get down off that soapbox
I think you may as well have then glued to your shoes! ;) <<<
Hmmm I think adopted daughter knows me too well...
Sometimes I think I am still programmed for those evening classes I used to teach.... Wind me up and I go for 3 hours - take a break if you need to, I’ll keep going...
Maybe I need to start giving out homework... ;)
I’m still looking for that dehydrator at the thrift shops, but no luck yet.
May have to go for a new one.
Did someone mention powdered spaghetti sauce? Is that done with the dehydrator?
>>>Are things better today for you? What did you decide to do with the court issue? <<<
Oh yes, granny’s oregano vapors and tea are helping tremendously.
LOL on the court issue, I decided to definitely PUNT!
I told them that they were the ones who had access to all his records and his performance for the 10 years he has been incarcerated. If they thought - looking at those records - that he had progressed to where they would feel safe with him on the street, I would go with their judgement as all I could do would be to relate to what was 10 years ago and not to the current situation.
So, I guess that puts the monkey on their back... ;)
>>>Did someone mention powdered spaghetti sauce? Is that done with the dehydrator?<<<
That was netmilsmom
>>>I’ll teach my girls the joy of fruit leather and powdered spaghetti sauce. (geez, I nearly forgot about that!)<<<
I would be interested in that too... Wonder if it can be done and have the more mellow simmered flavor?
I know the powder works in sauces and salad dressings.
Oh, good. Glad you’re feeling better and that things are settled (for you anyway).
Hmmm I wonder if that was kind of like Dear Leader 0bama voting present.... Hope not...
Oh, no - you left it to the experts. I don’t see how they possibly thought you could answer questions like is he rehabilitated or will be commit a crime to get back in. How the heck could you know that! That is weird they’d even ask that of the victims. It would only make sense if you personally knew the guy before the crime and had been keeping in touch all along!
Both is great if you can afford the gold.
Pitifully, we have to stick with silver.
>>I really don’t know what will be the best course for others, but for me I am pretty secure feeling with the direction I am going.<<
That’s fantastic!
We don’t have the land yet so basically it’s suburbia and the things that go with it.
I’m diversifying as much as possible.
Oh, I wouldn’t call it pitiful! Over $1000 for one coin is pretty high. I’m reluctant to jump into that arena. Plus, the gold/silver ratio is much higher than it has traditionally been. Silver will have to go much higher to keep the ratio where it’s been in the last century - so we might be better off with some Ag anyway ;)
How are your scallions doing?
The ones I planted are putting out sprouts and roots -
Now that the nekkid oats are here I can hardly wait for a break in the weather... Gotta plant em...
Fruit leathers are so easy! Just blend the fruit then spread it on a screen in the dehydrator. Watch it until it becomes leathery. Most dehydrators come with instructions for fruit leather. They can be made in the oven as well but they don’t turn out as well.
Spaghetti Sauce in the food dehydrator starts with your sauce as if you were going to can it.
Use a screen in the processor as you would for fruit leather. Only really dry it, like hard. The dryer the better.
Then crunch it up or hammer it to small pieces (between wax paper). Throw it into a coffee bean grinder or mill until it’s powder. Airtight jars and it keeps for a long time.
To rehydrate, boil water and add the powder to the desired thickness. It’s actually pretty good. You can put in different spices too (as you are making your sauce). Depending on whether you want Italian or a Mexican spice for chili.
>>>Spaghetti Sauce in the food dehydrator starts with your sauce as if you were going to can it.<<<
Now that sounds good...
Now I’m going to have to find some bulk rolls of that fruit leather screen..... I was thinking about making a BIG dehydrator - now I have a reason to...
Thanks
BTW, GG, I didn’t mean to sound critical. I first typed something like ‘at least it’s settled’. But realizing it wasn’t settled and that that kinda sounded like I didn’t really read what you wrote, I added ‘for you’.
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