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

[nw_arizona_granny]

I love this kinda stuff!<<<

Welcome and that is enough to get you accepted into the gang.

All are welcome and I don’t know how so many have missed us, but the word keep spreading and we are all into learning something, LOL, anything.

Thanks for reading the threads, now you can join in. [Said with a smile]

[PGalt]

Thanks for the ping #1672 and note to #1587. Thanks. Thanks.

[nw_arizona_granny]

LOL, no yelling - but I have proof that your computer is in good working order. ;-)<<<

It is me that is not in good working order today, another promise of snow today, and a roof that leaked worse and in new places, from where the leaks were before.

[nw_arizona_granny]

You are welcome, thought it would interest you.

Hope you and loved ones are well and happy.

[PGalt]

So far, so good granny...we’re all just toddling along on the great road of life. Same to you and yours, missy. :)

[Pipe Dog]

Excellent....thank you granny. Still reading through all the interesting posts.

I live on the old family farm so perhaps I can share some info and swap some tales.

[Marie]

“In terms of actual survival in the event of a catastrophe or supply line breakdown. I think the best idea is this:

Buy 50 lbs of seed potatoes.

Find as many out of the way - park or backwoods places as you know of and plant one or two there.

98% of the population would not know a potato plant if they tripped over it, and the yield is high enough you will get a pound or two of potatoes at each site.”

I like the way you think. As I prepare, I can’t help but worry about the rich target I’m planting on my back by planting my garden. “Stealth” gardening is a good idea.

[Marie]

“Lessons from Argentina’s economic collapse”

That is the most haunting article I’ve ever read. It’s amazing how fast things go south.

Thank you for posting it.

[nw_arizona_granny]

Other News:

(U.S.) Clinton Vows to Reach Out to Islamic World
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/17/AR2009021700957.html?wprss=rss_nation
http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/024887.php

(U.S.) Northern Virginia - Omeish for Delegate?
— former president of Muslim American Society’s Esam Omeish running as Democrat for House of Delegates
http://www.nvdaily.com/blogs/politics/2009/02/omeish-for-delegate.html
-— IPT Dossier: Muslim American Society (MAS) and Historical Roots in the Muslim Brotherhood
http://www.investigativeproject.org/documents/misc/44.pdf

(U.S.) Muslim Brotherhood-founded group and Stalinist-led ANSWER group to march on Pentagon March 21
-— “MAS Freedom, ANSWER Coalition and Hundreds of Endorsers [to] March on the Pentagon Saturday, March 21”
http://www.masnet.org/takeaction.asp?id=5291
-— MAS Freedom’s (MASF) Executive Director Mahdi Bray
http://www.masnet.org/news.asp?id=170
-— Reports on MAS Freedom’s Mahdi Bray:
http://www.investigativeproject.org/profile/112
(see section II, page 5 on following link)
http://www.investigativeproject.org/documents/misc/85.pdf
http://www.investigativeproject.org/blog/2008/02/the-mendacity-of-mas.html
http://www.ohioagainstterror.blogspot.com/2008/02/muslim-brotherhoods-grand-jihad-in.html
http://www.investigativeproject.org/760/american-brotherhood-samis-our-man
-— MAS Freedom reports that it met with Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and Hillary Clinton
http://www.investigativeproject.org/585/strange-bedfellows-on-the-campaign-trail
— Other MAS Freedom reports
http://www.investigativeproject.org/501/when-islamists-get-caught-mas-edition

(U.S.) Florida: Islamic reformer, former terrorist to speak — Tawfik Hamid
— hosted by Temple Beth Sholom’s in Sarasota, Florida and West Coast Florida AJC
http://www.sunnewspapers.net/articles/llnews.aspx?articleID=11716&bnpg=0
-— West Coast Florida AJC web site - show your support!
http://www.ajc.org/site/c.ffITK0OyFoG/b.843901/k.B574/West_Coast_Florida.htm
-— The Trouble With Islam: Sadly, mainstream Muslim teaching accepts and promotes violence - by Tawfik Hamid
http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110009890
— CAIR: Fla. Muslims Ask Synagogue to Balance Presentation on Islam
-— Unindicted co-conspirator group CAIR criticizes Temple Beth Sholom’s plans to have Tawfik Hamid lecture on radical Islam
http://news.yahoo.com/s/usnw/20090217/pl_usnw/cair__fla__muslims_ask_synagogue_to_balance_presentation_on_islam

(U.S.) Alabama: iReport Not Sitting Well with Residents of Arab, Alabama
-— CNN reporting Muslims “were shocked” that they weren’t discrimated against
http://www.waaytv.com/global/story.asp?s=9850816
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-201137

(U.S.) Colorado: “Islam one of most misunderstood faiths, speaker says”
— Fairouz Abu-Ghazalen says jihad means “striving in the way of God”
— coordinates with local Somali community, which includes workers at Swift Company in nearby Greeley
http://www.fortmorgantimes.com/news/2009/feb/17/islam-one-most-misunderstood-faiths-speaker-says/?partner=RSS
http://www.thecoloradotrust.org/repository/initiatives/pdfs/SIRFI/MorganCounty1-pager5-08.pdf

(UK) Libraries told to move books in response to complaints that Quran is not on top shelf
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1148363/Libraries-Bible-shelf-sop-Muslims.html

Commentaries:

Are Honor Killings Simply Domestic Violence? by Phyllis Chesler
http://www.meforum.org/article/2067

Jihad TV in Europe: It’s time to shut down Hezbollah and Hamas broadcasts to the Continent
— by Mark Dubowitz and Roberta Bonazzi
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123490878778903321.html?mod=

Further Comments by David G. Littman, twenty years after the Rushdie Fatwa
http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/024888.php
-— February 19, 2004 comments
http://www.unhchr.ch/Huridocda/Huridoca.nsf/0/795e575f36093592c1256e9700555791?Opendocument

So is Britain really going to break with the Muslim Brothers? — by Melanie Phillips
http://www.spectator.co.uk/melaniephillips/3365496/so-is-britain-really-going-to-break-with-the-muslim-brothers.thtml

Propaganda:

ABC: “Former Gitmo Guard Recalls Abuse, Climate of Fear”
— War resister Brandon Neely interviewed
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=6879032
-— War resister Neely on “Alternet”
http://www.alternet.org/story/106404/this_veterans_day%2C_u.s._soldiers_say_%27stop_the_war%27/

__._,_.___

If reposting elsewhere, please credit source of this research as UnitedStatesAction.com

[nw_arizona_granny]

Good to hear that the family is well.

I enjoyed talking to your sister in law.

Thanks to all of you who attempted to help me keep going.

[nw_arizona_granny]

I live on the old family farm so perhaps I can share some info and swap some tales.<<<

LOL, now that you have baited the trap, please do share, the more we all learn the better for it we will be.

Learning the old ways was the intent, when I started this [?],
project.

Learning is the subject, and you will not hear that you are “off topic” here.

In the beginning, I also ran an ongoing terror thread and said no terror news here, but at times I break that rule, if it is important enough to share.

On the above post I left out most of it, as it was more terrorist attacks all over the world.

[nw_arizona_granny]

“Lessons from Argentina’s economic collapse”<<<

That link came from Familyop, and I am still thankful he posted it here.

It is as if someone in America is reading what happened in Argentina and following the same plan, to take us to the same goal.

FerFal, if I have that right, is another Argentina blogger who Tenth Amendment Champion posts here, the two give you a real idea of what is going on still today in Argentina.

You will find FerFal throughout the thread, the last was only 2 or 3 days ago.

Yes, I approve of your stealth gardening, I like the idea, even here, or any place you can do so.

Welcome to the thread.

[Marie]

Even if it is a rabbit for the stew pot.

There's another reason to start a rabbit warren - do you have a diabetic in the family?

My 15 year old son is a type 1 diabetic. He doesn't make any of his own insulin. If we were to be cut off of his insulin supply, he'd be dead in short time.

I'm *praying* that a diet of rabbit may buy him enough time to get his insulin back.

There's such a thing as "Rabbit Starvation". Rabbit is *very* lean meat and a steady diet of rabbit is not good for the long term precisely because it has no fat. If I'm thinking about this right, that's exactly what he'd need. NO carbs, NO fat and pure protein. It wouldn't be pleasant, but if he had enough water and exercise, it might just get him through.

Type 1 diabetes is a terrible disease. The ONLY people who survive it live in western nations. If the SHTF, I don't know if he'd survive it. What sucks is that, other than the diabetes, he's an intelligent, athletic, healthy young man.

Frankly, *that* terrifies me more than anything else.

[Marie]

I’d also like to add: scraps of fabric for the ladies’ toilet needs. TP would be precious and should only be used for #2. Homemade napkins would be most welcome.

Then there’s this option: http://www.mooncup.co.uk/

I have one and it works just fine after you get the hang of things. :-)

(Sorry, but we can’t ignore biology!)

[nw_arizona_granny]

http://edibleherbsandflowers.blogspot.com/

Green Harvest Soup

Posted: 17 Feb 2009 08:20 AM PST

Good Day Folks,

Most of these ingredients are available now from your local farmers market vendors. If you are not yet a locavore check out your local farmers markets for the freshest produce.

I adapted this from a recipe I saw in better homes and gardens. Since I am not overly fond of cooked spinach, I chose a sweet potato over a regular potato to sweeten the soup — worked beautifully and the arugula adds just a nice amount of nutty bite.

GREEN HARVEST SOUP
1 large shallot, minced
1 medium onion, chopped
2 teaspoons - 1 tablespoon dried Herbes de Provence or Italian herb blend
1 teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon unsalted butter
2 cups defatted chicken stock - homemade is best - can substitute vegetable
1 large sweet potato, cleaned, peel left on, chopped
1 package baby spinach, rinsed well and dried - set aside 1 cup, torn into bite size pieces
1 cup arugula, torn into bite size pieces
Parmesan cheese curls
edible flowers for garnish (I used pansies, calendula petals and sweet alyssum)
baguette slices
salt to taste

Notes: I used spinach, shallot, onion, and sweet potato from the One Windmill Farm and the excellent seeded baguette from Classico Italian Breads. The arugula and edible flowers came from my gardens.

In a heavy pot, melt butter and olive, add shallot, onion and dried herbs and saute on medium heat for 5 minutes. Add the stock and sweet potato, bring to a boil, reduce to simmer and cook covered until the sweet potato is tender, about 10 minutes. Begin adding all the spinach (except for the reserved 1 cup) a little at a time until incorporated and wilted. Remove from heat and let sit to cool for about 5 minutes.

I used an immersion (stick) blender, but you can use a regular blender or food processor to puree the soup. Careful! Don’t burn yourself - I do love my immersion blender - once you get the hang of it you are not dirtying another container (blender)*.

Taste the pureed soup for salt - you should not need to add any or only a very little.

Ladle into soup bowls, top with a bit of reserved spinach and arugula, edible flowers and cheese curls, and serve with baguette slices.

There are so many healthy benefits to these foods, it is almost a sin to not serve it whenever they are available from your local growers.

*Immersion blenders take only a minute to learn to use and about 2 minutes to do the job! First have your pot of hot whatever off of the burner — make sure the wand is locked on. Plug it in, and dip the blade all the way to the bottom of the pot, holding upright. Use the lowest setting - press and hold and begin to move the wand around near the bottom of the pot, side to side - do not raise it above the top of the liquid or you will have it all over the place. As I say, it will only take a minute to get the hang of it - move side to side and in a circular motion to make sure you are getting all the solids pureed. Release the button and you can now lift the wand - make sure there are no solids hanging out of the slots on the blade cover. Viola - you have pureed the soup in under 2 minutes.

Find more recipes like this one in my book “101+ Recipes from The Herb Lady”

— Catherine, The Herb Lady
Thanks for reading, and have a great day! — Catherine, The Herb Lady

[nw_arizona_granny]

http://edibleherbsandflowers.blogspot.com/

CLASS:

My 3-part “soil to table” class at the Desert Botanical Garden is coming up and filling up fast (there is a class limit) — First session is February 22. For information and registration (must pre- register) Call Steen Lawson Office 480.481.2066, or visit www.DBG.org.

SEASONAL RECIPES:

Check out my posting on January 1st for Rosemary Lemonade
Goes along nicely with the following seasonal recipes:

RED & GREEN COLE SLAW
1 cup shredded red cabbage
1 cup shredded green cabbage
1 red apple
1 green apple
11/2 tablespoons cider vinegar
11/2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
5 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon celery seed, crushed
Optional herbs: rosemary, thyme, oregano, cilantro, about half to 1 tablespoon finely minced.
Salt & pepper to taste (taste first)
Add celery seed to red wine vinegar and set aside. Core, shred or finely dice apples (don’t peel). Toss with cider vinegar.
Mix cabbages and apples (including the cider vinegar) in a large bowl. Mix red wine vinegar/celery seed with olive oil, pour over salad, and toss to coat well. Taste. Add salt and pepper to taste.

ALMOST EMPTY MUSTARD JAR RECIPES
...ah, the possibilities...frugal cooks once routinely saw the almost empty mustard jar as an opportunity for a salad dressing or sauce. Even 1 tablespoon left over could be turned into a tangy dinner enhancement.

SALAD DRESSING:
1 almost empty mustard jar
2 tablespoons citrus juice (orange or tangerine are lovely)
4 tablespoons oil
Dash of salt and pepper
1 tablespoons fresh herb of choice, finely chopped (rosemary, thyme, oregano, marjoram or combination)
Place all ingredients in the jar, cap and shake well, dress the salad.

Options: If you enjoy chunky salads aka chopped salad (where the ingredients are left larger sized) create your own ‘green goddess’ dressing — in a blender place this salad dressing and add 1-2 cups of finely chopped salad greens (lettuces, kale, escarole, etc.), blend to combine and pour over coarsely chopped vegetables.

MARINADE/SAUCE:
1 almost empty mustard jar
2 tablespoons white wine
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 tablespoons vinegar, citrus juice or other fruit juice (pineapple, apple, etc.)
4 tablespoons finely chopped thyme, or 2 tablespoons finely chopped oregano, or 1 tablespoon of finely chopped rosemary.
Salt and pepper to taste.
Mix well and pour over boneless chicken or sturdy fish (tuna, shark, halibut, swordfish). Marinate for at least 2 hours or overnight. Grill until cooked through, about 10-15 minutes per side depending on thickness and heat of grill, basting with marinade periodically during grilling.

Find more recipes in my book “101+ Recipes from The Herb Lady”

[Marie]

I’ve been working on my own version of “Plumpy Nut” to get us through the really tough times. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plumpy%27nut

Peanut butter
powdered milk
powdered sugar
vegetable oil
powdered vitamins (I’m using Centrum)
no-salt (potassium)

If things are *really* bad, we could survive on that for quite awhile. Even a 9 month old should be able to suck it down. Packed with fat, protein, carbs, vitamins and minerals, it should work pretty well.

[nw_arizona_granny]

My prayers go out for your son.

I do know the feeling, a month or so ago, I learned that I really could not exist for long, without oxygen, as the electric was out here for 10 hours and my oxygen generator does not work without electric.

I now have back up bottles and a portable set up, but they cost an arm and a leg to rent and I still only have 8 hours of backup.

I did not know that rabbit was good for diabetes, that is good to know and I will tell my brother.

Yesterday, I posted about a herb called fenugreek see
post 1435.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/2181392/posts?page=1435#1435

This was also information from Cottonball:

Not just the fenugreek sprouts are useful, but the seeds are apparently quite powerful. I had 3 dwarf hamsters a few years ago and diabetes runs in that species. The vets had no idea what to do for them. When one started showing symptoms, a hamster forum recommended diet changes along with some form of fenugreek - either a tea in their water bottle, giving them 5 seeds a day if they would eat them, or put fenugreek powder on their food. Worked like a charm! They lived long past the expected life span (1 /1/2 years) to a ripe old age of 2 1/2 or so.

1,572 posted on Monday, February 16, 2009 6:31:50 PM by CottonBall

[Marie]

Something that people don’t think about is that we’d loose our paper towels, napkins and kleenex.

Having a good supply of 14”x14” cotton cloths available would be helpful. (My grandpa didn’t go a day without a hankey in his entire life.) It’s also easier to keep clothes tidy if you tuck in a “bib” at meals. People don’t think about the fact that you might not be able to do a load of laundry every day. Clothes may have to go quite awhile between washings.

I know that when people are think about getting enough food to survive, it seem silly to think of these things, but it doesn’t cost a lot and it’s one of those things you’ll be happy you have.

I’d also keep a GOOD supply of baking soda on hand. A little bit can be used as deodorant and it’s also a great de-greaser for cleaning.

[nw_arizona_granny]

I’d also like to add: scraps of fabric for the ladies’ toilet needs. TP would be precious and should only be used for #2. Homemade napkins would be most welcome.<<<

Interesting link, thanks.

And you are correct, as we have several fathers on this thread, with young daughters and granddaughters.

Or as my dad said to me on that day, “you know that old sheet in the closet, tear off some of that and use it and hurry, we have to get these tractors in the field and to work”.

We were sharecropping in Texas that year.

Old soft cotton sheets make good pads or baby diapers.

They also work to polish eyeglasses, with out scratching the lens.