Weekly Preppers Thread

[Kartographer]

Haven't done one for a while and with all that is going on I though it would be a good idea to do a Weekly Prepper Thread, for posting tips, new products, good prep buys etc.....

“There is no greater disaster than to underestimate danger.

Underestimation can be fatal.”

[Jamestown1630]

I’ve been interested in radio ever since my father told me about building his first crystal set - that would have been in the early 20th century. Then my brother built one, and it was amazing to hear voices coming through some simple wound wires.

I was waylaid by the Internet, in its early years - billboards, Usenet; in a way, it was the same: ‘voices’ coming out of the ether. But I always wanted to get back to Ham, and now at a very ripe old age, I’m trying.

Lately, I’ve been listening to the local repeater feed over the Internet. And, the thing I really like about Ham Radio now, is that it’s a very CIVIL culture. People are polite, gentlemanly, ladylike - it’s a culture with rules, and people follow the rules. And there’s a lot of interpersonal bonding, appreciation; simple human CARING.

73,
JT

[JRandomFreeper]

Sounds like you have great childhood memories.

I do remember that old phonograph with the yellow cover from RadioShack(tm). That's all I remember. And I was 11 when I got my novice ticket the hard way. I had to go to downtown Dallas to take the tests.

It's a great hobby. I can't do that anymore, but I recommend it.

/johnny

[moovova]

Pressure cooker...excellent idea. We inherited one of those when my mom passed...never used it. I’m going to have to experiment some.

[razorback-bert]

I picked the winner first show, Alan was the first with fire, shelter and food.

[greeneyes]

Haters gonna hate. Angry people gonna get angry. Everyone’s perception is impacted by their own mind set. Don’t worry about the naysayers.

It’s your thread, and we still have the First Amendment. Anyone who doesn’t like it is free to stay away from the threads - by now they know what they are going to see.

Maybe just say a prayer for them, that they don’t let their anger raise their blood pressure so much that they have a stroke or something. It’s their problem.

[Marcella]

Go ahead and get the beans. I will definitely get the simple way to cook them to you.

[Big Red Badger]

I love the preppers postings,tuna ,toliet paper and
outfitted Lear Jets are right up My alley,

thanks!

[Marcella]

I just thought of I have the bean information on a website where I wrote many prepper articles. I'm looking it up right now and will post it in just a few minutes. Here it is:

Beans and rice combine together to provide complete protein a body needs. That means one can get sufficient protein without eating animal meat and in an emergency situation, that's important as animal meat could be diminished, even severely. Now, I know guys will get their trusty rifles and head to the woods to shoot Bambi. Unless all laws fail, that's not going to happen except during deer season and there's no way to keep that deer meat good anyway without refrigeration/freezing, except to make it into jerky (if you know how to make jerky without power in the house).

The chemistry part: Beans and rice do not have to be eaten in equal amounts in order for the body to break it down into complete protein. Denise Hansen, the dietician tells us in, “Eating off the Grid” (you really need this book), that the ratio of 3 or 4 portions of grains (rice) to 1 of legumes (beans), is sufficient. Let's see, that's about 4 tablespoons of cooked rice (grain) and 1 tablespoon of cooked beans (legumes), or about 1/2 cup cooked rice and 1/8 cp. cooked beans, or 1 cup cooked rice and 1/4 cup cooked beans. Get the idea? Be sure to eat enough rice with the beans and be sure smaller children don't just eat one or the other. Said another way by Utah State University: “Dry beans average about 22% protein in the seed, the highest protein content of any seed crop. They contain all essential amino acids, except methionine. Methionine can be obtained from corn, rice, or meat.”

The plastic packages of all dried beans in the grocery, have a best by date of about 1 year (stamped on the back in ink and good luck finding it). I don't depend on those packages just left on a shelf after two years for an emergency situation, and here's why: over time the bean oil will finally dry out, then the beans will not absorb water. Only thing to do with the beans, then, is grind them up for powder and add it to other dishes you make. I got beans professionally packed to last 25 years.

COOKING DRIED BEANS:
Dried beans are hard things that have to be made into soft, plumped up things. Cooking dried beans seems to mean a long time of boiling, boiling, boiling, using a lot of fuel - example: I have a bag of 15 bean soup mix, have to soak beans overnight, then simmer them two and a half hours. I also see recipes on the web saying simmer pinto beans for four hours. I'm not using that much fuel in an emergency situation. (In today's world, with power, when I do bean soup, I put it all in crock pot and let it do it's thing for about 5 hours.)

Rather than write the instructions for cooking beans in Cooking off the Grid, I'll just tell you what I did when I followed them, very simple. For this experiment, I used one cup of dried pinto beans. I rinsed them to remove any dirt. Put them in a pot with water to twice the depth of the beans. Brought them to a boil and boiled (don't simmer), for two minutes (just two minutes!). Removed them from heat and let them sit 1 hour. Poured off the dirty soak water. Covered with new water, added 1 tablespoon oil and 1/2 tsp salt as it said, boiled them 30 min. and they were totally done. Beans that will cook to soft in this thirty minute final cooking are black, white, red, pinto, kidney, garbanzo, etc. Lima beans, large or baby, need 45 min. final cooking time.

Some type beans do not need soaking/puffing up before cooking - lentils is one and they cook in 30 minutes. Others are split peas and black eyed peas.

I didn't add any seasoning to these beans, just wanted to see if this method would work and it did. YOU MUST ADD SEASONING TO BEANS TO GIVE THEM A GOOD TASTE. Perhaps you already know which seasoning you like, just have plenty of it and try to vary the seasonings to give them different tastes at different times so boredom doesn't set in.

I put all the on the top of the stove breads and dessert recipes on that prepper site, so I'll post those tomorrow as it is very late tonight.

[Marcella]

Hi, YorkieMom, so glad to know it is you! Hope you are really happy in your new place.

[Ann de IL]

You are not posting too many threads. If people are not interested they don’t have to read them. If they read them and whine about it because they disagree, ignore them. No one is forced to read threads, and most of the ones I have read who complained are trying to convince people who post here on the preppers threads that we are wrong. Mostly, it seems to me, because they are disturbed and don’t want to face the fact that things could go off the rails pretty quickly.

I, personally, love these threads and look forward to them. I learn so much each time you post because of all the you tube video links others here post. In fact, I started reading this thread around two hours ago, following links of interesting ideas all over.

So please put me on your list so I don’t miss any prepping threads and don’t worry about those who have not really thought the whole prepping thing thru, some people allow feelings (I don’t want to face a crisis) to trump logical thinking (If a crisis comes I would like to eat, what can I do to make that happen?)

[Not now, Not ever!]

Try hamtestonline.com

You can take exams over and over, I got my Amateur extra last week.

[Hetty_Fauxvert]

I would definitely like tips on a solar generator that would power a well pump and maybe a freezer.

* * *

Ditto. I’d really like to be able to run our well pump. Freezer/fridge would be nice but we can live without it. If anyone can recommend a solar generator, or *good* information on how to pick one or make one, I’d appreciate a ping or a FReepmail. Thanks!

[SkyPilot]

I would also like to ask the question it seems that lately I have once again angered a number of fellow FReepers with these prepping threads. Suggestion? To many post? Just do a once a week/month thread??

Here is my answer in a nutshell:

The main reason other Freepers are angered by these threads is that they remind them (and all of us) that our political, economic, social, and security situation that we rest upon is hanging by a thread and beyond precarious.

That reminder stirs deep emotions within us, the primary one being fear. And as Yoda once famously said: "Fear leads to anger."

From my observation, our current fears from three sources, and I'll list them in the order of prevalence.

1. Fear that their money, investments, and wealth will be lost, stemming from a realization deep inside that global markets and our economy are on the verge of an epic collapse. This is the most common fear on the threads today, and the most outspoken. Anyone honest person knows that this bubble is going to burst, and when it does, it may take their 401K/IRA/Mutual Fund/Portfolio with it - and that causes fear and depression in many folks.

2. Fear of a total breakdown in society, which threatens people's security, and that of their loved ones. Discussion of this breakdowd intensifies feelings of anger.

3. The first two fears remind people that their "security" is not secure at all, and if they don't have a firm foundation in God, their fear and anger spill out in all other directions.

Taking some basic precautions against bad days ahead or emergencies in order to feed, provide water, and security for my family seems prudent, so I do it. I also believe that those who are not doing anything to prepare for even basic emergencies resent those that do, because it further reminds them that they have not taken any steps. You will always have the foolish and the wise. See the parable of the 10 Virgins told by Jesus.

But my real rock and foundation is Jesus Christ. Yeshua is my solution to fear.

I cannot even concieve, let alone, prepare for every disaster and danger that is looming. But I know that my God knows all, and I know that He loves me way beyond what I deserve. He loves me and cares for me that I cannot even contemplate why or how, but He does.

"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love."

1 John 4:18

[Pollster1]

Some people are easily angered, and I hope you will ignore them. You have about the right number of threads - one whenever you have a worthwhile topic.

[spacejunkie2001]

aha! a guy at a gun shop in Orlando told my husband about the series. It is excellent.

[thackney]

Ram Pump bookmark

[outofsalt]

I think you should call those people at home during dinner time or early in the morning.

I read nearly every one of your posts or pings.

Thanks, FRiend.

[outofsalt]

We fix up houses and sell them. We just had this last one delayed for three months because a disabled vet couldn’t get the VA to approve it for a long time. We waited it out with him even though we could have sold it to another buyer.

It strained our finances but we had plenty of food in the prepper pantry to ride out the wait. It doesn’t have to be Mad Max to come in handy.

[Wpin]

Keep them coming...I enjoy reading them.

[outofsalt]

"A coffee bong? ;-)"
;)