Is Recession Preparing a New Breed of Survivalist? [Survival Today - an On going Thread #2]

May 05th,2008

[DelaWhere]

>>Forgot to ask about your root cellar.<<

Well, I use the concrete base to the old silo (where I used to raise fish) It has 12” concrete walls and is about 4 feet deep. I made 2 lids made of 4X8 sheets of plywood with 2” of styrofoam insulation board in between. It has a sand floor, and I built a shelf about half way up. I put baskets with the produce packed with straw. Works great. If I had to go from scratch, I would probably have questioned the cost/benefit of it... Just used what I already had...

>>>We have an old L.L. Bean small smoker that works well enough for us.<<<

There used to be an old smokehouse here many years ago out back. I can barely remember it, but I remember that it was pretty large about 8X10 feet - and we used to smoke 3-4 hogs at a time - Don’t remember what ever happened to it though. I do remember the smoked bacon, hams, shoulders though...

>>>They also had an ice house, with hugh chunks of ice packed tightly in sawdust.<<<

Believe it or not, it used to get cold enough here for ice houses too - we had one back by the pond (about 80 acre mill pond) they used to start at the shore and hand saw the ice, floating the blocks back to shore and then they used wheelbarrows to move it about 50’ to the ice house which was in ground. Man, I haven’t seen ice tongs in many a year... It is amazing how long it lasts when packed in the sawdust, even this far south.
Now, we seldom see more than a couple of inches of ice.

I used to love it when we used that ice and chipped it up with an ice pick - for homemade ice cream. I preferred chipping the ice to cranking... Strawberry, and Peach were two favorites in the summer. The whole family would get together back by the pond under the oak trees where we had picnic tables - Sunday afternoons maybe twice a month during the summers. Everyone made their own specialty and picnics were a snap... And lots of good eating... Aunt Nellie’s lemon butter, Grandma’s rolls, Mom fried chicken, Aunt Pat made potato salad - pretty soon all was ready - made for lots stronger families and all.

That is also the way we did most of our canning... We would do 2,500-3000 ears of corn on a Saturday with everybody pitching in... Peas, Limas were all done from the viners which have been common around here for years. First there were the stationary viners then the mobile ones that pick and shell right in the field. We also did peaches and strawberries like that and after a day of preserving, we seemed to top it off with some homemade ice cream and one of Grandma’s Coconut cake and Mom’s Devils Food cakes...(my favorite)

Speaking of canning, do you or anyone else know of a source for #2 or #2 1/2 tin cans in cases..... I can only find them in full pallet bulk or in trailer loads.

I have the can sealer and dies that I used to crank when we were canning in them but now can’t find the cans.

[DelaWhere]

>>>I’m not that worried about power issues, (have 2 generators and am a retired High Voltage Power Distribution Lineman)<<<

GOOD - someone I can talk about 3 phase, neutrals and transformers to.... LOL

I look forward to the report on the grinder... I think that one has a definite leg up on the others since it can use both the stone grind and burrs to do a wide variety of chores.

I get impatient waiting for the ground to thaw too. Right now, we get a 63º day like yesterday, and they are talking Winter Storm Warning for tomorrow... At least I got the oats planted and a shower this morning for it before the snow arrives...

I usually wind up having to replant the first planting of sweet corn because I got overly anxious and planted it too early...

Only two weeks till potato planting time... Ides of March (15th) is the date to plant around here.

[Joya]

Depression Cooking w/ Clara (she’s in her 90s)

http://buzz.yahoo.com/buzzlog/92321?fp=1

http://casserolecrazy.com/2008/10/18/depression-cooking-with-clara/

http://casserolecrazy.com/

[DelaWhere]

Thank you for bringing those to us...

I have wondered when some network will start a ‘Depression Survival’ program... Maybe this is a start...

Oh, Welcome to the thread, we look forward to other posts from you.

[upcountry miss]

My grandmother’s butter churns sits here in my living room along with her butter firkin. How I loved to go next door when grammy was making butter and turn the crank. (mine is the round churn with revolving paddles). Gram used to store her dried apples in her butter firkin. Even today 50+ years later, if I take the cover off, I can smell the apples.

[CottonBall]

So, really, we could probably weather a pretty bad situation if necessary. And is the reason I don't feel the need to bug-out as some do.

Sounds like you're set. Yours is the type of place people want to bug-out to. No wonder you're not concerned about having precious metals! You have a situation (and neighbors) that could sustain you through a 10 year depression (like FDR caused), while I cannot store enough food nor afford enough precious metals to sustain me that long. Sounds like you've been living the survival lifestyle, even if that's not what you called it.

[CottonBall]

Hi Marmolade!

Did you try some canning this weekend?

I’m wondering if I should go get a canner myself. From the .pdf DelaWhere posted, it seems that’s the only way to can now.

[upcountry miss]

Ah!! Those big family picnics. Gram made the strawberry shortcake with whipped cream, mother made the ice cream and roasted two chickens, we had a neighbor who was a lobsterman and he furnished two bushel of lobsters (shorts, of course-nobody cared back then) and clam chowder from fresh dug clams along with all the other goodies, potato salad, etc, what a feast. As a matter of fact, hubby and I still dig and freeze clams. It’s funny, after age 70 the license is free and you are allowed to take a helper. We have had several offers of help, but find they just walk all over covering up the holes and the few they dig usually end up having broken shells. After offering once, they decide that it’s too hard work and never go again. Been clamming all my life and still enjoy it.

[nw_arizona_granny]

http://www.homelandsecurityresponse.com/

PLEASE READ: Although this site won’t launch officially until March 2nd, you’re welcome to sign up now and get a head start .

This network is part of the National Terror Alert Response Center’s “Prepared Communities” initiative.

The network promotes homeland security preparedness through awareness, education, community involvement and partnerships between individuals, groups and organizations. Site Guidelines and Rules

We encourage everyone who is interested, to participate in building a rich, vibrant network.

Please keep in mind, the focus of this site is on homeland/national security, and community preparedness. Blog posts, videos, forum discussions, etc should reflect that.

A detailed overview and Press Release will become available on March 2nd. If you have questions feel free to comment here on the site. All features are active.

Martin Jones
Director/NTARC
National Terror Alert Latest Headlines

[nw_arizona_granny]

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/state&id=6682979

Gov: Water shortage ‘state of emergency’
Friday, February 27, 2009

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KABC) — Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger,
R-California, has declared a drought emergency in California, calling
it a crisis as severe as an earthquake or wildfire.

[snipped]

Some farmers have been forced to let their fields lie vacant, for lack
of water.

continued....

[DelaWhere]

upcountry miss is looking for help with a name for the following apparatus - It was used in a country butcher shop many years ago.

Any help with the name would be greatly appreciated.

The heavy rope on the left hangs down in a long loop making it very easy to hoist heavy loads

[DelaWhere]

>>>I’m wondering if I should go get a canner myself. <<<

Hey, it’s not just a canner...

1. Can those veggies

2. Fast Cook/Tenderize tough meats

3. Beans in a hurry...

4. Turn strips of bedsheets into sterile bandages

5. Safely can meats - and have them last a decade

Handy critters...

[DelaWhere]

>>>what a feast.<<<

They sure were. I didn’t even start to list all that people brought - just their specialty... I have tried to do that a couple of years ago, but everybody is so busy and in such a hurry... Just not the same...

>>>clam chowder from fresh dug clams <<<

Clam bakes were big around here. But we don’t have the lobsters, just a lot of Blue Crab... Good, but not like a good lobster.

>>>It’s funny, after age 70 the license is free and you are allowed to take a helper. <<<

Here, I can fish, hunt, clam and crab without any license or permit... Here the helper has to be 12 or under...

>>>they just walk all over covering up the holes and the few they dig usually end up having broken shells. After offering once, they decide that it’s too hard work and never go again. Been clamming all my life<<<

Those Quahogs are a bit different than our clamming is -
here we use a clam rake. I thought it was easier seeing the holes and digging them, but here you can either feel with your feet for them and dive down, or the usual way is to have a long tined rake that has a chicken wire basket on the back. Our clams are in about 3-4 feet of water.

Blue Crab is a BIG item around here. There is a definite art to picking crabs. If you don’t know how, you just might starve to death while eating... LOL

Oysters used to be big around here, but they are getting harder to get any quantity of them now.

Up until this year, I did a bit of surf fishing - have gotten tags so I could take my Jeep out on the beach, but they have raised the rate to $180 a year, so I will just walk thank you... Usually would get enough flounder, sea trout and blues to freeze for the winter, but they seem to be getting scarce the last couple of years. (or maybe it is my fishing...)

As our extended family have moved, we have tried to keep up with them - one cousin is in Indianapolis with her husband and 4 kids... When I have a particularly good crabbing session, I try to send them a half bushel of crabs next day air... A couple of years ago, they got their crabs and were at a cabin by a lake in Indiana. Well, they proceeded to steam and eat their crabs and the neighbor kept going back and forth from his dock to his car, would drive off for a while, then come back to the dock. After several trips like this, he finally came over and asked ‘What did you use for bait to catch those crabs? I have been going and getting everything I could think of for bait, but just can’t seem to catch any’.. He really couldn’t contain himself... Then finally told him how he got them.

[nw_arizona_granny]

http://www.naturalnews.com/025734.html

Eat Celery for Improved Health
Friday, February 27, 2009 by: Sheryl Walters, citizen journalist
See all articles by this author

(NaturalNews) The reason celery is so low in calories is because it is so high in water content. Fresh, light green celery with glossy ribs is the best for eating. Celery is truly economical; all parts of the plant are edible and one cup contains only about twenty calories. There is no waste. It’s a great food and has a number of known health benefits.

Celery can provide a sense of calmness. It can also help lower blood pressure. People with gout should be fans of celery because it lowers uric acid.

Drinking fresh celery juice is said to reduce appetite. Taken before a meal it may help with weight loss.

People seldom think of celery as a real food in and of itself. In today’s culinary world, celery is used as a seasoning, a garnish or a snack, but Hippocrates considered it a medicine and recommended it for kidney health.

High in calcium and Vitamin C, celery should be a part of your daily diet. It is an excellent finger food and best when eaten raw. Avoid the large, fibrous bottom ends and for best flavor, store celery in a part of the refrigerator where it won’t freeze.

One of the complaints about celery is that it is boring and the flavor tends to be bitter. Celery ribs make perfect little boats for holding more flavorful fare. Fill them with peanut butter and pair with an apple and a serving of cottage cheese for a light but tasty breakfast. They are excellent when used for dipping sticks with egg salad or chicken salad. An individual serving removes the dislike of “double dipping.” Celery is delicious with a variety of cheeses and makes a perfect boat for pimento spread.

Chunks of celery, apple, pineapple, walnuts and chicken can be combined with a light mayonnaise for a quick and easy salad. Chunks of havarti cheese make a good substitute for chicken when you feel like a meatless salad. This salad can be served with or without addition of lettuce. Celery seed is an excellent addition to any salad. The intensity of its flavor may surprise you. It adds a real kick to any cold seafood dish.

If you are fortunate enough to have a juicer, blend celery, carrots, apple and tomato for a bright flavorful juice. Seasoned with a touch of salt and lemon, it makes a great mid-afternoon snack.

For those who wish to eat more celery on a regular basis, it can be added to any soup or vegetable dish. Place it in the body cavity of a chicken you want to roast. Lay celery ribs across a pot roast before cooking. Whenever you boil seafood, add a few celery ribs to the pot. It adds a nice touch of flavor and helps reduce fishy odor.

Celery can also be grilled. A light spray of olive oil and it is ready for the grill. Don’t overcook it and serve with lemon, pepper and a dollop of low fat sour cream. A few stalks of fresh celery and a little imagination will brighten up your daily food intake.

Sources:

Ryder, E. J. 1979. Leafy Salad Vegetables. AVI Publishing.

Newall, C.A., Anderson, L.A., & Phillipson, J.D. 1996. Herbal Medicines: A Guide for Health-care Professionals, The Pharmaceutical Press, London.

Bartram, T. 1995. Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 1st edn.,Grace Publishers, Bournemouth.

Buzz up!vote now

About the author
Sheryl is a kinesiologist, nutritionist and holistic practitioner.
Her website www.younglivingguide.com provides the latest research on preventing disease, looking naturally gorgeous, and feeling emotionally and physically fabulous.

[nw_arizona_granny]

http://www.naturalnews.com/024135.html

Celery Works Great for Inflammation, Gout, Cancer, and High Blood Pressure

(NaturalNews) A nutrient found in celery has been shown highly effective against inflammation and cancer. Luteolin is a bioflavonoid also found in smaller amounts in peppers, parsley, thyme, basil and peppermint. And like all bioflavonoids, luteolin has high antioxidant properties, producing a dose-dependent reduction in oxidative DNA damage that is double the amount produced by vitamin C.

In a study reported in the Proceeding of the National Academy of Science U.S.A., May 27, 2008, researchers determined that luteolin inhibits lipopolysaccharide induced interleukin-6 production in the brain through inhibiting the JNK pathway in the inflammatory response of microglia, brain cells in the central nervous system that are key to the body’s immune defense. In other words, luteolin prevents activation of a pathway that allows inflammation in the brain to get switched on.

Inflammatory Research Journal reports a recent study of several kinds of flavonoids which possess anti-inflammatory activity. Results indicated that only luteolin and quercetin inhibited the platelet-activating factor and suppressed inflammatory response induced by allergens. Luteolin inhibited the excess production of TNF-alpha, a direct cause of inflammation.

In another study, mice were fed a strong mutagen that induces fibrosarcoma in 100% of participating mice. When diets were supplemented with luteolin along with the mutagen, there was a significant reduction in tumor expression to only 60%.

Luteolin has been found effective in maintaining healthy methylation patterns protective against DNA mutations that damage cells and cause cancer. Enzymatic and genetic activity throughout the body depends on the continuous re-methylation of DNA. As we age, the breakdown of methylation metabolism predisposes us to a wide range of degenerative diseases.

Luteolin inhibits the proliferation of tumor cells, and inhibits angiogenesis. It shows strong anti-proliferative activity against different human cancer cell lines such as breast, prostate and thyroid cancer. It reduces the formation of carcinogens in food such as heterocyclic amines. It is able to block the activation of carcinogens, increase detoxification, and stimulate error-free DNA repair.

Celery also contains a good amount of another highly active bioflavonoid, apigenin, a powerful COX-2 inhibitor able to halt inflammation as effectively as anti-inflammatory drugs. It also exhibits antioxidant and anti-tumor properties. Apigenin is renown in Chinese medicine for preventing and treating gout and and other types of arthritic conditions.

In addition, celery contains several other active compounds that promote health and well being, including phalides, which have been shown to help lower cholesterol, and coumarins, useful in cancer prevention

Celery is an excellent source of immune boosting vitamin C, allowing it to be a fighter of the common cold. Its anti-inflammatory properties have also been found effective against asthma.

An old Chinese remedy for high blood pressure is to drink celery juice, which you can make in a blender or juicer. One to two glasses daily can help prevent or normalize high blood pressure. High blood pressure is often responsible for strokes, heart disease and kidney failure.

“Do as the Chinese have been doing for centuries: eat and drink your celery for long life,”
recommends Dr. Maoshing Ni in his book Secrets of Longevity.

[nw_arizona_granny]

Thank you for posting these videos, good to know that you are still thinking of the thread.

I will take a look, when I get some of the stuff on the computer closed, as I am still on dial up connection to internet.

[nw_arizona_granny]

Thanks for posting the links, looks interesting and the casseroles work in my crock pots too.

[nw_arizona_granny]

Gram used to store her dried apples in her butter firkin. Even today 50+ years later, if I take the cover off, I can smell the apples.<<<

I am so glad you still have it.

Memories are wonderful, when they are of our loved ones.

As a kid, if we made butter, it was shaking a jar.

LOL, as a young wife, I made it a couple times by not watching the mixer, while beating cream for whipped cream.

[nw_arizona_granny]

Well I do see a meat hook.

The wheel has a name, it shows up in the old torture chambers in dungeons.

Have not met one in real life.

[DelaWhere]

>>>The wheel has a name, it shows up in the old torture chambers in dungeons.<<<

No Granny, not a rack.... Please not that!! I promise to be good... Hmmm are we seeing another side of you??? LOL

I guess with a bit of modification it could be converted into a “Sword of Damocles” torture device.

But there should be a name for it - for it’s use in the abettor shop.