Is Recession Preparing a New Breed of Survivalist? [Survival Today

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

http://www.pathtofreedom.com/pathproject/offthegrid/solarfooddryer.shtml

Projects: Drying Foods With the Sun

Since antiquity, the art of dehydrating food has saved more than a few civilizations. To the ancient Greeks, Egyptians, and Chinese, drying foods during times of plenty was a lifesaving hedge again times of famine. Today, it’s an easy war to preserve garden goodness.

Dried food is both convenient and nutritious. In fact, according to a study by the USDA, dehydrated foods are more nutritious than their canned counterparts. While the canning process can destroy up to 65 percent of vitamins and minerals, drying food retains most of the vitamins A and C, as well as thiamine and riboflavin. Best of all, there are no chemicals or preservatives necessary for wither the drying process or storage.

Another plus, especially if storage space is at a premium, is that dehydrated food are only one-half to one-twelfth the weight and bulk of the original.

Stored in a cool, dark spot, they should keep anywhere from several months to tow years, depending on the food stored.

Quoted from: Kim Erickson, Back Home Magazine July/Aug 1998

HOMEMADE SOLAR DEHYDRATOR

Photo showing our homemade solar food dehydrator. We followed these instructions from i4at.org with a few, slight variations. Dryer Instructions »

Both the main box and the solar collector were insulated with recycled Styrofoam from packages.

For the solar collector, we used a extra piece of Plexiglas instead of glass or a clear plastic sheet. The inside bottom we painted flat black.

Recommended References

[On site, these are live links]

· Review of Solar Drying - A brief overview on how to solar dry your harvest

· Solar Food Drying - The art of drying food

· Food Drying - Article on how to dry fruit, veggies and meat using the sun

· Solar Food Dryer - Plans on how to build a multi-shelf solar dryer

· Solar Food Dehydrator - Site where you can purchase a solar dryer

· Barrel Dehydrator - Article and instructions on building gem from the past

· Small Scale Dehydrator - Resource list

· Drying Methods - Descriptions on different drying methods

Related reading from Amazon.com

http://pathtofreedom.com/resources/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=223&Itemid=66

6 Ways of Creating Your Own Composting Machine
Written by Path to Freedom
Monday, 23 January 2006

Composting as everybody knows is not a difficult, costly and time consuming process. Even the equipments and tools involved can be made available by just reusing any of your unused items stored in your backyard. If you’re not into the build from scratch or crafting ideas, ready made composting items can be purchased quite easily and cheaply. I’ll show you 6 different steps on how you can start composting, with the least fanciest equipment you can find.

Method 1 : Pile

The most simplistic idea ever. The only thing you’ll need is an open area, measuring at least 3’ x 3’ x 3’ for best results. There will be no supporting structure whatsoever to accommodate your composting activities within the defined area. Just throw in your composting materials and let the nature do its work.

Method 2 : Pallets

If you can find abandoned pallets, then you’re in luck. But fear not, pallets can be easily purchased if you don’t have any. Get at least a minimum of 4 pallets to form a 4 sided, open-top box. You may call it as a composting well if you want. The existing structure of the pallets which have empty spaces will allow a better air circulation throughout your composting process. Install a hinge on one of the pallets to create a door for easier addition of materials and for extraction purposes.It’s a good idea to secure the 4 walls of the pallets together as well as to the ground for a better hold.

Method 3 : Concrete Cinder Blocks

The only drawback of this method is acquiring your own supply of cinder blocks, but this is probably a one time investment as this strong structure will get you going on for a long time. Start by stacking the blocks as high as you see fit. Air circulation is crucial, so stagger the blocks to allow proper circulation through the sides and back of the unit. To save excessive usage of the blocks, assemble a 3 sided composting unit. Provide a supporting wooden or iron posts to stabilize the overall unit structure. For a more organized structure, and provided if you have a lot of blocks to spare, you can create a considerably huge composting unit, divided into 3 areas of storage, for fresh, maturing and finished areas.

Method 4 : Wire (chicken wire or hardware cloth)

This method is relatively easy to implement. Get a galvanized chicken wire or hardware cloth approximately 10’ in length and 1/2 to 1 inch wide. This measurement varies depending on the size of your unit you wish to build. You don’t want to create a overly sized unit as the flimsiness of the wire structure might ruin your whole effort at certain point. Fashion the wire to form a cylinder or a well look alike structure. Get a couple of wooden or iron posts to hold the structure together. You can nail the chicken wire onto several posts on certain areas to give it a “backbone” before putting it up. Create a door with one of the ends so you’ll have easy access to the contents.

Method 5 : Wood bin (single or multiple bin units)

When it comes to any conventional wood architecture, you obviously will need nails and the hammer. This method will require some carpentry skills and other tools that you may have to purchase. These units of design typically end up being larger than the other methods, so you might have to budget your available space should you want to go with this route. A permanent structure of this kind usually will require a slightly higher budget.

Method 6 : Ready-made composters

The simple buy it and use it straight away method. Nothing beats this, as you can find complete ready made composters at your local garden center or any online stores. Pre-fabricated units include tumblers, rotating barrels and boxes for the home gardener. Selection is huge, so you should have most of your options right in front of your eyes.

Happy composting!

Article Provided by the Websition Article Team where you will find free gardening tips to use for your website, newsletter, or ezine, all with royalty-free reprint rights. http://www.websition.com

http://www.pathtofreedom.com/pathproject/gardening/threesisters.shtml

THREE SISTERS GARDEN

We planted a Three Sisters bed last year as an experiment and it grew really well and we are again planting one this year.

This method is really easy and fun to do!

“The Three Sisters all work together. Critters will find it harder to invade your garden by interplanting your corn, beans and squash. The corn stalk serves as a pole for the beans, the beans help to add the nitrogen to the soil that the corn needs, while the squash provides a ground cover of shade that helps the soil retain moisture.” ~ Native Tech.org ~

THREE SISTER’S GARDEN

Here we have planted Black Mexican/ Aztec Corn, Corn Field Beans and a variety of Winter Squashes along with a cover crop/”living mulch” of mustard in a mound/circle pattern. Each available growing space is utilized.

Recommended References

[live links at the site]

· Native Tech - Three sisters gardening

· Eco Literacy - Ancient garden trio

· Garden Gate Magazine - Growing the three sisters

· Native Seeds & Search - Ancient seeds for modern times

· Appropriate Technology - Companion planting

· Native Net - Learning from the Ancestors

"This is a powerful and important article, TAC has been posting on thread #1 from a different Argentina’s blog and they do indeed understand what it appears we are soon to learn."

Thanks! I'll have a look at that thread. The government in Argentina, with help from advisors from all over the world, has been broadcasting for some time that Argentina's rich, fine and dandy again. Even most people in neighboring places like Chile are convinced of that.

"On the Police Scanners, I had noticed that there a more serious break in’s early the morning and way too many children being shot on the streets."

Ah. Is it because you're closer to the border, perhaps? ...lot of terrible things coming from the "trafficantes" down that way, as some of my coworkers call them. There's not much of that going on up here. The dangers here are mostly different (very remote area, extreme cold, dangerous high passes in winter, higher costs, lack of hospitals and the like).

"Thank you for the link, I am glad that I read the article."

You're most welcome! There's a long story behind that link but well worth the read for wiser people here. IMHO, things here won't be exactly like they are in Argentina, even if the economy goes that far down here. There are a few long term cultural differences between there and here. Granted, though, we've been headed that way a little bit for a while (some unwisely discarded old morals, too much materialism, more European-like culture, etc.).

As for survival in general, I believe that our most important assets besides our own levels of discipline are our better neighbors. It's wise to keep our eyes, ears and minds attentive to which neighbors are more likely to be genuinely helpful. ...few and far between, but they are around. Over the past decade or so, we've found a few relatively good, helpful and patient neighbors around here.

http://pathtofreedom.com/resources/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=185&Itemid=59

Grow Your Own Broom

Contributed by Jennifer Murphy
Sunday, 14 August 2005
by Pearl Sanborn

Many years ago, I purchased a beautiful natural colored wreath for my bathroom. Because I’ve enjoyed it so much, recently I decided that I needed to replace it with a new one. You see, after washing the old one so many times, I think it has seen better days ;) The problem? I wasn’t able to find the same type of wreath anywhere!

After searching at several craft stores and doing some research online, I finally had success with the mystery material! It was a plant that Ben Franklin first brought to the United States after discovering its beauty in the late 1700’s called “Broom Corn.” He found a small seed on a whisk broom that his friend had brought him from France, used for dusting his beaver hat. He planted it the next spring, and continued growing it from the harvested seeds.

The humble broom......

In today’s society, we have what seems like a never ending choice of cleaning supplies made from every type of material imaginable. There are even brooms that are supposed to be able to pick up dirt magnetically! However, the pioneers before us did not have the luxury of going down to the corner market to spend an hour or two picking out their favorite broom! Actually, they had to plan their cleaning day at least year in advance ;) Why so far ahead? Because they had to grow their brooms!

They grew what was called “Broom Corn” or Sorghum Vulgare - also known as Millet or Guinea Corn. The seeds are small, white, and round in shape. They are grown much the same as grains such as barley or oats. The stalk of the plant resembles a cane in appearance, and the heads are quite large and full of small grain - not actual ears of corn. Not only are these plants used for making brooms, but they are also grown for other uses as well.

The grain is milled into a very fine white flour which is wonderful for making bread, used to feed horses cattle and poultry, and is also said to be a diuretic. The fiber of the plant is used to make brushes, paper, newsprint, and fiberboard.

Although first thought to be cultivated in Italy, broom corn is still widely cultivated in the United States today - so you can plant & grow your own broom! And because broom corn is generally resistant to insect pests and mold, it is quite easy to grow!

Plant seeds approx. 1/2” - 3/4” deep in moist soil. The rows should be 3 ft. apart so the large seed heads have enough room to fully develop, but not so far apart that the stalks have room to bend over. You can expect seedlings to appear in 3-5 days. These plants will grow up to 10 ft., and be mature approx. 105 days from planting.

It is time to harvest when the seed heads are approx. 20-36 inches long. Flowering should be finished by this time, but the heads should still be green in color. This will ensure that the branches will not be to brittle for crafting. Remember to always cut your stalks in dry sunny weather.

Because you are actually growing a type of grain, you will need to thresh the seed (or remove seed) before you make the seed heads into brooms, wreaths, or other items.

To remove seeds; take several stalks in one hand, and hit them carefully against a large flat area. After you see that the seeds are mostly gone, lay tops on a dry flat surface to dry for 2 weeks. Don’t forget to collect the seed after threshing! The birds will enjoy it in their feeders!

Here is a good picture of what broom corn should look like when ready to work into your projects: http://www.everlastingsflorals.com/BroomCorn.htm

A wonderful picture of some folks harvesting broom corn many years ago: http://www.rootsweb.com/~okgarvin/broomcorn.html

An article on making your own broom: http://www.dnaco.net/~arundel/Brooms_Brushes.htm

A huge list of resources for the person who wants to start a broom business - or share brooms in living history settings: http://www.story lovers.com/listsbroommaking.html

Broom how-tos from 1936: http://www.geocities.com/txtarrant/colleyville/broms.html

Broom making still in progress today! http://www.hockadaybrooms.com/

Rich in warm autumn colors including brown, mahogany, and amber, I know you’ll find yourself, as I have, in love with this 7-10 ft tall ornamental beauty. You’ll want to be sure to reserve a special place for broom corn in your cottage garden this year.

Pearl Sanborn © Copyright http://www.LittleCountryVillage.com Lots of free articles like this one on topics such as; Homesteading, Cottage Gardening, and Frugal Living

http://pathtofreedom.com/resources/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=187&Itemid=59

Growing, Harvesting & Using Gourds

http://www.pathtofreedom.com/pathproject/gardening/seedsaving.shtml

SAVING SEEDS

Saving seeds from your garden is fun and easy! By carefully selecting individual plants each year and saving their seed, you can develop strains that are uniquely suited to your growing conditions.

SELECT: Seed saving is also an important way to perpetuate heirloom plants that are in danger of becoming extinct.

Only save seeds from plants grown from open-pollinated seed. Select plants which are vigorous, disease-free and outstanding in whatever qualities you wish to encourage. Mark chosen plants with a stake or colored string.

Some veggies such as tomatoes, peas, and lettuce are self-pollinated. Others, such as corn, pumpkin, squash, and cabbage families, are cross-pollinated and can cross with other cultivator of the same plant. To keep a strain pure, keep these plants by separated them by at least 200’. Or use bags to cover the blooms you plant to harvest seed from before they open and pollinate them by hand.

HARVEST: Pick seed pods when they have turned dry and brittle but before they break open and scatter.

Allow fleshy fruits like tomatoes, squash and cucumbers to get a little overripe on the plant before harvesting. Separate the seeds from the flesh and wash them clean in water. Tomato seeds are covered with a thick, jellylike coating. Clean the seeds by removing as much flesh as possible by letting them sit in water in a jar for a few days. The seeds will then sink to the bottom of the jar and the pulp will float. Pour off the pulp and dry seeds.

DRYING AND STORING: After gathering seeds allow to air dry for about a week. Label and then pack seeds away in airtight jars and keep them in a cool, dry place. Heat and dampness will shorten the seed’s period of viability.

This is just a brief overview, see books that cover saving seeds from different types of plants.

HOW TO SAVE SEEDS

STEP ONE:

A. Harvest seed heads. We place them in shallow rubbermaids, boxes, or paper bags to dry.

B. Allow seed heads to completely dry. This make take a couple of days to a week. Keep the seed heads in a cool, dry place. We sometimes bring our seed heads out to dry in the sun during the day.

STEP TWO:

A. When seed heads are completely dry, some seeds may have already fallen out into the containers. For others that are still inside, we remove them by placing them in a metal sifter.

B. Crushing the heads helps bring the seeds out. Then the seeds fall through the wire mesh and into the container below. This is a quick and easy method for getting rid of much of the shaft.

STEP THREE: Store your seed in air tight glass or plastic container and in a cool, dark place. Seed should be viable for about 2 years.

Recommended References

[live links on site]

· The Seed Savers Network - Promotes and organizes the preservation, free distribution and exchange of open-pollinated seeds

· Seed Saving - A basic guide for home gardeners

· GardenWeb Seed Saving - A forum for the discussion of tips, techniques

· Seed Saving & Resources - Links and resources

Related reading from Amazon.com

http://www.astorybooklife.com/recipes/apple-pie-rolls/

Easy Apple Pie Rolls

July 23rd, 2007 by admin
Easy Apple Pie

I just love the smell of apple pie baking in the kitchen! But the one thing I like better than smelling it is eating it!

I came across a recent post that Kelli made, where she was sharing a recipe that she found in a cookbook from her local library. I like to think of the recipe as a mix between apple pie & biscuts. The cook book calls the dessert “Roly Poly Pudding”, although I might call it something more like “Easy Apple Pie Rolls” (I know - not nearly as exciting as Roly Poly Pudding :)

The recipe is basically a biscuit recipe (which might be familiar to you, if you already make biscuits in your kitchen), and a group of other ingredients that would be used in making an apple pie.

Biscuit Dough:
2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup shortening
2/3 cup milk

Filling:
1/4 cup softened butter
3 cups cored, peeled, and finely chopped apples
1/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 cup water
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

First lets make the biscuit part of the recipe.

Mix all of the dry ingredients together, then “cut in” shortening with a pastry blender
To cut in = using pastry blender, large fork, or clean fingers ;) to combine shortening with dry ingredients. You know you’ve properly “cut in”, when the mixture breaks apart into small bits that resemble a lumpy cake mix before you mix it ;)

Add the milk a little at a time while mixing gently. The batter does not have to be smooth, and is ready to work with as soon as it can be picked up & rolled out.

Then, on a surface dusted with flour, roll the dough out into a large rectangle (approx. 8X12). Spread 1 tablespoon of the softened butter over the dough.

Spread the apples over the dough, leaving about an inch on all sides. Then, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon together and sprinkle over apples.

Why don’t you go ahead & turn your oven up to 400 right now, that way it will be heated enough to put the rolls in when you’re ready.

Mix the granulated sugar, water, lemon juice, and 2 tablespoons of the butter together in a pot & cook until dissolved. Pour this mixture into a shallow baking dish.

Starting with the longest end, carefully start rolling up the pastry. When you’re done, you should have what looks like a 12 inch long tube - not a VERY fat stumpy 8 inch log :) Slice the roll into 1 inch pieces, and place them in the baking dish with the sugar mixture - apple side up. Spread the remaining butter on top of the rolls, and then bake them for 30-35 minutes.

These would be great served with some heavy whipping cream or a spoon of vanilla ice cream!

You should take a minute to stop over & visit Kelli at: There is no Place Like Home

http://kellishouse.blogspot.com/2007/06/show-and-tell-friday.html

Kelli is a homeschooling mom, and she shares lots of great recipes, as well as other great tidbits from around her home. The picture above is how this recipe turned out in her kitchen! She also has some other pictures of the process as she went along. When you go visit, tell her Pearl sent ya!

Have a Marvelous day!
Pearl

http://www.astorybooklife.com/recipes/orange-juice-cookies/

Delicious No-Bake Orange Juice Cookies

August 4th, 2008 by admin

My mom & I had these tasty little treats at a recent baby shower that we went to. I had no idea what the little orange colored balls would taste like since I had never even heard of this no-bake cookie, but once I ate one, I knew I had to have the recipe! They are so simple to make, and give a real burst of flavor!

Once you try this easy recipe, I think you will add it to your list of favorites!

1 box of vanilla wafers - usually 12oz
1 6oz can of frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
1 box of powdered sugar - 16oz
1/2 cup butter
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1 1/2 cups of coconut

Crush the vanilla wafers until fine. Mix vanilla wafers, orange juice, powdered sugar, butter, and chopped pecans. Shape the mixture into walnut-size balls, and roll in coconut. Store balls in a tightly covered container in the refrigerator. Makes approx. 5 dozen cookies.

So easy - yet so delicious!

http://www.astorybooklife.com/recipes/quick-dinner-recipes/

Quick Dinner Recipes - Easy to Cook and Delicious to Eat!

July 18th, 2007 by admin
Country Farmhouse Kitchen

Don’t let the constant nagging question of “What’s for Dinner” get you down! For today… you shall conquer!
(sorry got a bit carried away :)

I wanted to share this quick dinner recipe that will give you that… cooking in the kitchen all day feeling - while only spending a few actual minutes of your time preparing your family’s evening meal ;)

This is a great “toss it & forget it” kind of comfort food, and it’s so easy & delicious! You could easily toss the ingredients together before leaving for work in the morning, and then you can think about other things besides running around the kitchen when you get home! It would also be a great choice for your Sunday dinner. Just toss everything in the crock pot before you leave for church, and when you get home, you’ll have a wonderful meal waiting for the family table.

Creamy Italian Chicken & Broccoli

Ingredients:

1 packet of Italian Salad Dressing mix (usually comes in 1.7oz packets)
2 1/2 Cups of water
4 to 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 bag frozen broccoli (or 2 cups of fresh steamed)
8oz cream cheese
1 can of cream of chicken soup

Place first 3 ingredients in a crock pot and cook all day on low - or 4 hours on high.

One hour before you’re ready to eat, remove the chicken and add the cream cheese & soup to the liquid in the crock pot. Whisk everything together, then add the broccoli and chicken (can shred the chicken if you’d like) and allow to simmer for the last hour.

Ideas for Serving
If you have quick dinner recipes that you’d like to share, send them in!

- Serve over rice or your favorite type of pasta - (you can prepare a larger batch at the beginning of the week, that way you’ll have enough for 2-3 meals)

- Great with a fresh green salad, or some sliced garden fresh tomatoes on the side

- This meal freezes very well after it’s cooked, so you could make a double batch and freeze half for a future meal! This will help you save both electric and time, as well as help you keep the heat out of the kitchen during the summer months!

I used to think of survivalists as kind of a kooky group of half to full paranoid individuals. But, during these times it has become more of a insurance policy to be independent in terms of shelter, food, and such. I purchased heirloom seeds for much of my garden this year. Heirloom seeds are not the hybrid varieties and therefore you can save the seed each year and plant again the next year. I also have purchased some chickens for eggs and meat, guineas for meat and protection of the chickens and rabbits for meat and fur. We live on a farm and have been accustomed to providing most of our meat from hunting in the fall. I am going to start learning more about subsistence living this year...just in case. But, also for the challenge of doing so. We will probably be doing more canning now and less freezing. If one were to lose electricity all frozen food has maybe a little more than a week before going bad. Canned food lasts for years. We drink our water from a well and I suppose I should probably figure out how to hook up the pump to my generator should we need. Anyway, I don’t think that people have been driving the cost of food up by stockpiling. There have been droughts in Australia, high fuel prices, increased demand from China, India, etc. caused by the huge increase in peoples wealth worldwide from free trade that President Bush pushed and now Obama’s gang wishes to destroy. All those things contributed much more to higher food prices. Good news for all is that food prices and indeed pretty much all prices will be coming down. Unfortunately for all, so will wages, earnings, etc. Keep liquid and refrain from buying large ticket items right now...no matter how cheap they seem at present...todays prices will be expensive within a year.

http://www.astorybooklife.com/gardens/delicious-summer-pasta-and-new-visitors-to-the-cottage-garden/

Delicious Summer Pasta - and new visitors to the cottage garden

May 31st, 2007 by admin
Salad Mix

This is a quick, easy, cheap, come back for seconds family dish!

Pasta salad is the perfect side dish for any summer meal! You can also change the recipe very easily by tossing in any of your favorite ingredients right from the cottage garden!

Cook your favorite kind of pasta while you’re making the sauce to save time! (we like using small pasta such as angel hair or bow-ties)

* Feel free to double the recipe - or add your own favorite ingredients ;)

While your pasta is cooking…

Mix together the following ingredients & let sit until pasta is done.

4 cups chopped tomatoes
1/2 cup chopped basil leaves
2-3 cloves pressed garlic
1 can sliced olives (I prefer mushrooms)
2 T. balsamic vinegar
2 T. olive oil
Add salt & pepper to taste

Top your pasta with this delicious sauce & be prepared for seconds ;)

Some ideas for extra “favorite things” to add:

- Cheese bits (or freshly grated parmesan cheese)
- Diced green, yellow, red, or hot peppers
- Broccoli
- Beans
- Sugar snap peas
- Celery
- Onions
- Chicken
- Pepperoni
- Bacon

I know your family will enjoy this one!

LOL, one could use good recipes as a planting guide...granny

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