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

May 05th,2008

[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

[Eagle50AE]

>> When you make your peppermint oil, what will you use it for? <<

as we say here “linement” . also insect repellent as I cannot use “OFF” ( used so much in the lowlands it makes me sick now) so been trying dryer sheets,Listerine, etc.

I was amazed at the decongestant effect of a few crumpled up leaves.

if it works as a snake repellent I'll mass grow it! no poisonous ones yet but still watching...

[Eagle50AE]

Cheese Coffeecake

Makes 2 coffee cakes.

3-1/2 to 4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
2 envelopes RapidRise Yeast
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup water
1/3 cup butter or margarine, cut into pieces
3 large eggs

Date Cheese Filling (recipe follows)

Crumb Topping, optional (recipe follows)

Directions
In large bowl, combine 1 cup flour, sugar, undissolved yeast, and salt.
Heat water and butter until very warm (120 to 130oF). Gradually add to flour mixture; beat 2 minutes at medium speed of electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally.
Add 2 eggs and 1/2 cup flour; beat 2 minutes at high speed, scraping bowl occasionally.
With spoon, stir in enough remaining flour to make soft dough.
Knead on lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 6 to 8 minutes.
Cover; let rest on floured surface 10 minutes.

Divide dough in half; roll each half to 12 x 7-inch rectangle.
Place on 2 greased baking sheets. Spread half of Date Cheese Filling over center-third (lengthwise portion) of each rectangle.
Along 12-inch sides of each coffee cake, cut 12 (1-inch-wide) strips from edge of filling to edge of dough. Alternating sides, fold strips at an angle across filling. *Cover; let rise in warm place until doubled in size, about 30 to 45 minutes.

Beat remaining egg; brush on dough.
Sprinkle with Crumb Topping, if desired.
Bake at 375F for 30 to 35 minutes; cover with foil during last 10 minutes to prevent excess browning.
Remove from sheets; let cool on wire racks.

Date Cheese Filling: In small bowl, combine 12 ounces softened cream cheese, 1/3 cup sugar, and 1 egg white; beat with an electric mixer until mixture is smooth.
Stir in 1 cup imported chopped or snipped pitted dates, 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour, and 1 1/2 teaspoons grated lemon peel.

Crumb Topping: In small bowl, combine 1/2 cup all-purpose flour and 3 tablespoons sugar. Stir in 3 tablespoons softened butter or margarine until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

*To freeze:
After shaping coffeecakes, cover tightly with plastic wrap; place in freezer. When firm, remove braids from baking sheets; wrap airtight in plastic wrap, freezer bag, or heavy-duty aluminum foil. Return to freezer for up to 4 weeks. When ready to bake, remove from freezer.

[CottonBall]

LOL!

But granny - THAT was your recipe! I couldn’t find the original post, so I just copied it again.

Thanks for the great recipes.

[CottonBall]

Would I need to buy anything besides the food saver thingie plus the jar sealer? (I read something about the sealer doesn’t come with tubes.)

Since I likely won’t use the food saver thing for anything else, would you recommend getting one anyway if there are other uses? I’m wondering if my husband’s 3 air compressors could be used in the opposite way intended (creating a vacuum)....I hate anything having just one use!

[CottonBall]

post # 8318

the peppermint I have was just pulled out of the woods and he said “ plant this , it will grow” and sure enough it looks like it was always there ..

Thanks for the post #. I did miss that one when I was gone over the weekend. I love my essential ginger oil so much that I have to try the peppermint recipe for it.

[DelaWhere]

>>>(I read something about the sealer doesn’t come with tubes.)<<<

My Food Saver sealer came with the tube - Of course when I got the jar sealer, no tube to be found. Made a quick trip to the Ace Hardware, but it is an odd size - did find a gas line tube that would work if I cut the tip at an angle. Oh, by the time I got home, wife was standing there holding the tube - asking ‘Is this what you are looking for?’

If you need one that fits, you can get them from Food Saver for $3.00 @:

http://www.foodsaver.com/Product.aspx?id=r&cid=0&pid=306

There are a number of hand vacuum pumps that will work - might have to use an adapter to the hose..
Here are a few -

http://www.thesciencefair.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=2250-1&Category_Code=M

http://www.arborsci.com/detail.aspx?ID=933

http://www.avac.com/mityvac.php

[nw_arizona_granny]

But granny - THAT was your recipe! I couldn’t find the original post, so I just copied it again.<<<

18,000 recipes later, they all sound familiar....

I am glad you made sure JD had it, for I don’t ping him to all of them.

[smile]

[nw_arizona_granny]

Even my sister likes your coffee cake recipe, thanks for sharing.

It would be neat to have a stack of them in the freezer, for cooking anytime.

[nw_arizona_granny]

I was amazed at the decongestant effect of a few crumpled up leaves.<<<

Yes, I use the essential of peppermint or spearmint for my pillow on the rough nights.

And for many other things, such as rubbing on the arthritis sore joints.

What you will be making, is not the essential oil, as that is a steam distilled product, but will still be useful and you will use it so often that you will be surprised.

It will even help dry hair, apply some while it is wet and the comb will fly through it.

I remain skeptical on the use of peppermint to keep snakes away, but who knows....

[CottonBall]

18,000 recipes later, they all sound familiar....

LOL!

[CottonBall]

Thanks.

I’ll have to ask if hubby has a hand vac already - he has tons of stuff in the garage. You know how you guys are ;)

[petitfour]

Thanks! I check in from time to time. :-)

[nw_arizona_granny]

A Little Help From Up Above: Israel is Replacing Pesticides with Owls and Falcons

by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 05.27.09

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/05/israel-replacing-pesticides-owls-kestrels-falcons.php

owl photo
Photo: Wikipedia, CC

Next Step: Bat Houses?
Farmers in Israel are doing some eco-judo, turning a problem into a solution. BirdLife International reported that many birds of prey in the region were dying because they were eating rodents that had been poisoned by pesticides. But now, there is a will to reduce the use of these poisons and instead us the birds of prey (owls, kestrels) as natural pest controllers. Good for the birds, good for the farmers. Probably not so good for the rodents, but you can’t please everybody... Read on for more details.

kestrel photo
Photo: Wikipedia, Public domain

BBC News writes:

Many farmers are installing nest boxes to encourage the birds, which hunt the crop-damaging rodents.

In Israel, where there is a drive to reduce the use of toxic chemical pesticides, this has been turned into a government-funded national programme.

Jordanian and Palestinian scientists and conservation charities have joined the scheme.

And since kestrels hunt during the day and owls hunt at night, there is a continuous ‘surveillance’ of the fields. Much better than spraying poison around...

[Eagle50AE]

>> I’ll have to ask if hubby has a hand vac already - he has tons of stuff in the garage. You know how you guys are ;)<<

here’s a link that shows a similar setup

http://www.instructables.com/id/The-Alvin-Vacuum-Sealer/

[nw_arizona_granny]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 27, 2009
Release # 09-231

Firm’s Recall Hotline: (800) 347-8372
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Outdoor Play Sets Sold Exclusively at Toys”R”Us Recalled by Step2(r) Due to Fall Hazard; Swings Can Break

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Step2 Play Up Gym play sets

Units: About 4,300

Manufacturer: The Step2 Company LLC, of Streetsboro, Ohio

Hazard: The triangular hangers that attach the swing’s ropes to the upper rail of the play set can break, posing a fall hazard to children.

Incidents/Injuries: Step2 has received 17 reports of hangers breaking. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves Step2 Play Up Gym play sets. The recalled outdoor play sets include a platform, climber, slide area and two swings and have a model number of 797300. A red “Step2” logo plate is attached to the front of the play set. Play sets that have hangers with white plastic bushings are not subject to this recall.

Sold at: Toys”R”Us stores nationwide from January 2009 through April 2009 for about $400.

Manufactured in: China (hanger component), United States (play set)

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled play sets and contact Step 2 to receive a set of replacement hangers and instructions.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Step2 at (800) 347-8372 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.step2.com

To see this recall on CPSC’s web site, including a picture of the recalled product, please go to:
https://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09231.html

[CottonBall]

Cool - thanks!

I know he has everything needed to work on cars (and then some)....

[Sensei Ern]

Excellent advice and I suspect that society is already breaking down, listen to the police scanner for any town and you will see that it is getting worse, daily.

Granny, I used to think that society was breaking down as well. I am growing more and more to accept the idea that it was always as broke as it is, but time has caused bad memories to fade and we no longer have the ability to hide away from the breakdown.

The drug use we see today was just as strong in the 60s and 70s. They promiscuity we see today is only more present on the TV screen. I think the third movie ever made after Edison created the motion picture industry was a porno. (Before that it was burlesque.)

The righteous either got tired of standing up against it, got silenced by it, or joined in the fun, but the breakdown has always been there.

[JDoutrider]

Whoa! Didn't know about the half gallon jars! Good info DW...

Yesterday I went south to Duluth for some bizz and saw a nursery I hadn't noticed before. Lo & Behold, walked in and there they were... all kinds of spuds! Grabbed a few varieties of reds, golds, and white potatoes, and they also had some onion sets just begging to come home with me! They even had some Walla Walla sweets! Spendy... $5.99 for a large set, but they are early risers and I eat them like I do an apple!

Gave the tiller a test ride yesterday... dang near ran over myself! Plenty of power and some to spare...

[nw_arizona_granny]

Animal Pests, Diseases, and Insects That Can Kill Plants
Eliminating garden pests and diseases.

[Many articles]

http://www.essortment.com/in/Gardening.Plant.Diseases.Pests/index.htm

Toast, Cornbread, Rolls, Biscuits and Pretzels
Great breads recipes

http://www.essortment.com/in/Recipes.Breads/index.htm

[CottonBall]

The righteous either got tired of standing up against it, got silenced by it, or joined in the fun, but the breakdown has always been there.

For sure, immorality isn't anything new. But the acceptance of it and the lack of outrage is more prevalent now than in the past. When I grew up in the 70s, there weren't that many kids from broken homes in my classes and more moms stayed home than didn't. Today, it's considered 'normal' for a kid to be divided between 2 houses or to be missing one parent completely. And kids that have a mom at home are rare indeed - and those moms are made to feel pretty guilty about it.

Certainly it was always there, but the trend of normalizing it has increased. For example, some people we know (liberal teachers) were divorced, remarried, etc. They act like it's no big deal. Their kids were all messed up and did the same thing. Multiple marriages, kids from broken homes, new kids with the old ones neglected, etc. Now the next generation is coming of age and what are they doing: shacking up and illegitimate children from teenage parents. They're not even pretending to attempt to make a nest and give kids what they need. It's going downhill fast and the self-centeredness is increasing.