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
>>>Are all of them metal drums or some plastic?<<<
She had saved me 4 steel and 2 plastic from her latest truckloads (she gets both in whole trailer loads at a time, and they are gone as soon as she gets them).
I get them from an interesting place, it is a new/used steel business that was started about 50 years ago (and I have bought from them the whole time - Gee, am I getting that old?). When the owner died, his daughter took over about 20 years ago - she is now about 60 and about to become a great grandmother, but still has the steadiest hand with a torch you ever saw. She let her two workers go as business slowed down earlier this year, and keeps right on going, doing all the work herself. To see her is really surprising to most people... She wears work boots, some pretty short shorts, a ball cap with her ponytail out the back. Looks about 30 with the best looking tanned legs you can imagine... (yes, my wife gets very jealous whenever I go get steel for my latest project). It is nice to be able to go there with a project and have her look at your sketch and then tell you that she has just what you need - either out in the lot or squirreled away in the work shed. Best part is she always prices things fairly.
If TSHTF, that is one resource that is indispensable!
Anyone heard from Granny??
>>> Anyone heard from Granny?? <<<
Last I received was 1:44 Pm EDT today . sent her a ping to make contact...
Looks like she last posted at post# 8,668 posted on Tuesday, June 02, 2009 11:45:47 AM.
This worries me, too, TAC.....
I was just noticing her last post on Tuesday. I was thinking I had read a post that mentioned her sister visiting, but went back a few days and didn’t see it. Maybe it was from a week ago or so. I worry about her all by herself out there.
Post 8,417 -
>>>I will have to wait a few days to check it out, I think my sister will arrive today, or she should, so I will be mostly busy for a few days.<<<
That was on the 27th, but Granny posted quite a bit after that, so maybe her sister didn’t get there till recently. At least that is what I am hoping...
Everyone,
I have some emails in my Yahoo account from this morning (3:00 am, typical for Granny). I am so sorry for panicking anyone. I think she’s fine and should be back online later today or perhaps tomorrow. She always said when her sister visits, her belongings are put away where she can’t find them for a time. So I think she’s fine.
I have even more emails from 9:50 am. Sorry, I should have checked there first.
No apology necessary, as I am sure it was on all of our minds.
GOOD to hear!
Ricin Scare Prompts Hazmat Response
Posted: 04 Jun 2009 09:37 PM PDT
A Hazmat team responded this afternoon when police found what appeared to be ricin in an Everett Washington home at 1208 50th Street SW.
The situation started out as an alleged domestic violence assault. The 43-year-old victim was hospitalized, and an FBI spokesperson says after she got out, she discovered the hazardous materials and reported them to police.
continue.
http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_060409WAB-ricin-everett-KS.4b44591f.html
Debris Found Not From Air France Flight 447
Despite earlier reports, France’s transportation minister says no evidence has
been found of an Air France Airbus A330 airplane that vanished over the
Atlantic.
MORE DETAILS: http://www.10News.com/tu/5HiRPVWGM.html
[Reminds me of Padilla and his missing plane, any ideas? granny]
yes , reminds me of growing up listening to radio Moscow and radio Prague and hearing the spin on stories, glad to have had that experience, makes sifting through the b/s easier
except now we may have to search out the truth and separate it from the SRM (state run media ) since their choices of what is news and what angle is reported is ??????
what a difference from the early ‘60’s when David Brinkley was the apparent outsider..and easy to spot
I am finally canning!
I was a little nervous at first, but after getting the chicken mostly cooked, realized I had already completed the most labor intensive part! Now, I’m just waiting 90 minutes for it to complete. I’m using chicken out of my freezer, so I’m not expecting it to turn out wonderful - but I’m trying to lessen my dependence on power and having canned meats instead of frozen seems like a good idea.
My question to all of my mentors is: when it talks of loosely packing the meat, covering it with boiling water and leaving 1 1/4 inch of head space - it seems I can get only a few chicken pieces in a quart jar following those directions. About 2 1/2 chicken breasts cut up, to be exact. Does this sound right?
Thought I’d search out some recipes for wheat berries, since I have seemed to stockpiled bucket upon bucket of the little beauties. I figured I should share the ones I’ve found that I think might be tasty!
Hearty Lentils and Berries
Warm your tummy and tickle your taste buds with this nutritious one-dish meal. Whether you add the browned meat or not, this nutritious dinner pot provides complete protein and is packed with many vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients.
1 1/2 c, green or brown lentils
4 c. vegetable or chicken broth
4 c. cold water
3 tbsp. olive oil
4 large carrots, sliced
1 large onion, diced
3/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1 1/2 cups cooked wheat berries
8 cups of coarsely chopped Swiss chard, spinach, or kale
3 tablespoons lime juice
In a large stockpot combine lentils, broth, and water. Bring to a boil over high heat; then reduce heat, cover, and simmer gently until the lentils are tender but not mushy, about 25-30 minutes.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add carrots, onion, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to brown, about 10 minutes. Add garlic and cumin and cook, stirring constantly, for 30 seconds more. Remove from heat.
When the lentils are tender, stir cooked wheat berries and chard into the pot. Simmer until the greens have wilted, about 5 minutes. Stir in the carrot mixture and lime juice.
Option: Add browned meat if desired; add with carrots and onions after browning.
Saleetah
A cinnamon sweet treat that is delicious and healthy.
1 cup of water
2 cups of precooked wheat kernels
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tbs. whole anise seed
2 tbs. sugar or Erythritol Sweetener
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Mix the water, cooked wheat kernels and spices in a pan and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes and then quickly remove from the heat. Add the sugar, raisins, and pecans.
You can either chill or serve it warm and it makes 6 servings.
Here are a couple of soups using wheat berries:
Vegetable and Wheat Berry Soup
You can make this soup a dozen times and it will be different each time, depending on which vegetables you choose. Add poultry or other meat to please the meat-eaters in your family. However you make it, it is a flavorful way to increase the vegetables and whole grains for your friends and family.
1 c. wheat berries
10 c. of vegetable or chicken broth
2/3 c. lentils
1/4 c. extra virgin olive oil
6 to 8 c. of chopped vegetables of your choice, cut into ½ in. pieces
Ideas for vegetables: mushrooms, carrots, celery, onions, turnips or rutabagas, potatoes, eggplant, winter squash, red or green peppers, yams or pumpkin.
2 minced garlic cloves
2 tsp. dried basil
1 tsp. dried thyme leaves
1 tsp. salt
1/2 c. fresh chopped parsley
1/4 c. soy sauce
1 c. frozen peas
¼ tsp. Red pepper flakes (optional)
Cook wheat berries in broth for an hour with olive oil, thyme, basil, and garlic. Cut vegetables. Add the vegetables in the pot with the wheat berries. Simmer for 30 minutes. Add parsley, peas and soy sauce; simmer for 5 minutes.
Wheat Berry Minestrone
1 – 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1.5 lbs. ground turkey or hamburger (optional)
2 onions, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp. dried Italian seasoning
4 c. vegetable or chicken stock
2 c. water
1 c. wheat berries
4 stalks celery, diced
1 large green pepper, diced
4 diced carrots
8 c. coarsely chopped spinach or Swiss chard, or kale
28 oz. can diced tomatoes with juice
2 c. cooked or canned white beans
2 c. cooked or canned garbanzo beans
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Croutons (optional)
In a large stockpot heat oil over medium heat, add optional meat, and cook until brown. Add garlic and onions and Italian seasoning and cook for another minute. Add stock, water, wheat berries, celery, pepper, carrots, and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer until wheat berries are almost tender, about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Stir in chopped spinach, tomatoes with juice, and beans. Cook for about 10 minutes.
When ready to serve, ladle soup into bowls. Sprinkle with Parmesan, if using.
Wheat Berry Pilaf
This is certainly a colorful and tasty way to serve pilaf. You can even mix it with brown rice if you prefer a two-grain version. Add meat and salad and make it the centerpiece of your meal.
2 c. wheat berries
5 c. water or chicken broth
3 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
1 bay leaf
½ tsp. thyme
2 tbsp. chopped parsley
½ c. chopped onion
¼ c. chopped mushrooms
¼ c. chopped red pepper
¼ c. chopped celery
¼ c. diced carrots
Bring water or broth to a boil. Add wheat berries and cook for 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes. Sauté onion, celery, mushrooms, pepper and carrots in olive oil. Mix vegetables and wheat berries. Add bay leaf, thyme and parsley. Salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for 30 minutes or until berries are tender.
Wheat Berry Waldorf Salad
Wheat berries in Waldorf Salad is a match made in heaven; the texture is delightful. You don’t need to mention to your family or guests that it is nourishing; just let them enjoy the texture and flavors.
1 c. fully cooked wheat berries
1 tbsp. Dijon mustard
1 tsp. sweetener
1 1/2 c. crunchy salad apple; chopped into 1/2 inch pieces
1/4 c. celery (optional)
1/4 c. raisins (optional)
1/3 c. yogurt or mayonnaise
2 tbsp. fresh lemon or lime juice
1/2 c. walnut or pecans pieces
Bring wheat berries to boil in 3 ½ cups of water, then simmer for about 60 – 75 minutes. If necessary, add more water. Cool berries and mix with the remaining ingredients.
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