Home » Posts tagged 'ready nutrition' (Page 2)

Tag Archives: ready nutrition

Olduvai
Click on image to purchase

Olduvai III: Catacylsm
Click on image to purchase

Post categories

Post Archives by Category

The Current Supply Chain Crisis Could Throw The Global Economy Off Course!

The Current Supply Chain Crisis Could Throw The Global Economy Off Course!

Be ready! The current supply chain crisis is becoming noticeable to most at this point and it could toss the entire global economy off course.  With just the right problem, we could all be facing shortages that would make the toilet paper incident of 2020 look like a daydream.

Be ready! The current supply chain crisis is becoming noticeable to most at this point and it could toss the entire global economy off course.  With just the right problem, we could all be facing shortages that would make the toilet paper incident of 2020 look like a daydream.

The Guardian has explained that all of the problems with the supply chain, including shortages, are in one way or another tangled up in the surge of post-pandemic consumer demand. Of course, when all of the problems are taken together, they threaten what one leading economist calls a “stagflationary wind” that could blow the global economy off course. The supply chain problems are also bigger than we are currently being told according to many who work in the transportation and manufacturing industries.

“The supply chain problems are much more persistent than most policymakers expected, although companies are less surprised,” Mohamed El-Erian, and adviser to the insurance giant Allianz and president of Queens’ College, Cambridge, said. “Governments are having to rethink quickly because the three elements – supply side, transport, labor – are coming together to blow a stagflationary wind through the global economy.”

Instead of waiting on the government’s response, which will more than likely only include the printing of more money and the push of the inflation rate higher, we should be preparing

…click on the above link to read the rest of the article…

Eight Pre-Hurricane Season Preparations You Need To Make

This past weekend Texas experienced its first tropical weather event for the 2021 season, and the season doesn’t officially begin until June 1st. Each year the tropics have been becoming active earlier than expected, and at this time they are unofficially starting the season in mid-May. Now is the time for the coastal United States to start preparing for what will inevitably be another active hurricane season.

2021 has proven that we need to be prepared for anything. The CDC recommends that each family have enough food and water on hand for a disaster that will last up to three days. Personally, I think two weeks of food and water on hand is a better goal especially since it could be weeks before the power infrastructure is fully operational. The following 8 items are what I personally recommend completing before the start of hurricane season.

1. Food

The best foods to have on hand during a hurricane are non-perishable food items that can serve many purposes. We recommend these 25 foods for your emergency food pantry. Be sure to include multiple can openers that do not require electricity to use.

If you have family members who have special needs, be sure to accommodate for those needs. For example, my daughter has epilepsy and is on a ketogenic diet. She must have plenty of fats, protein, and green vegetables. Meanwhile, my son is autistic and gluten sensitive, and he needs to stay away from gluten-rich foods, so pastas, cereals, crackers, and some of the canned soups will not work for him. As well, make preparations ahead of time for those that are dependent on medical equipment. Oftentimes, those who are dependent on medical equipment to always be powered can feel the most vulnerable in the aftermath of an emergency or when the electrical grid is unpredictable…

…click on the above link to read the rest of the article…

How To Start a Pallet Garden and What Vegetables Grow Best With It?

Have you ever been searching through Pinterest and found a project you know you wanted to do? Of course, you have! Last Fall I was looking for ways to expand my garden, and I came across an article on pallet gardens. I just knew that I could add one or two to my garden area and grow winter vegetables in it.

A pallet garden is an easy and frugal way to grow compact vegetables and herbs like salad greens, baby kale, dwarf peas, bush beans, cabbage, and herbs such as parsley, thyme, basil, and rosemary. Another consideration is growing edible flowers like pansies and calendula. Concentrate your efforts on finding vegetable crops and varieties that have shallow rooting systems and grow in compact, bush, dwarf, or miniature form.

But before you get your pallet garden started, here are a few important facts I discovered.

Pallet Gardening in 5 Easy Steps

  1. Locate a pallet – Pallets are quite easy to obtain. I was at our local hardware store buying some vegetables, and I noticed when we drove up, they had a stack of pallets off to the side of the building. When I was checking out, I asked the owner if I could purchase one. She offered to give me as many as I wanted. Score! Later that week, I learned that a lot of businesses that have items shipped to them have available pallets; however, it is important to find out if the pallets have been treated with chemicals because that will contaminate your organic vegetable garden.

…click on the above link to read the rest of the article…

Don’t Lose What You Store: 6 Tips To Protect Your Prepper Pantry

I don’t know about you, but sometimes it is difficult to use all the food I have stored. This year I have been placing a lot of emphasis on organizing my food storage and acquiring more food because I am concerned with the economy. When you have food stashed literally all over your house, it is sometimes hard to remember what you have and what you still need to purchase.

Tip 1: Record What You Have

I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to know what you have and where it is located. I have built a simple spreadsheet that lets me know how many canned items I have in the pantry, when they expire, where the items are located, and what I need to restock. My long-term storage is under a different tab, but it contains the same information. Certain items I run out of faster than others, i.e., chicken stock, canned tomatoes, green chilis, and having a spreadsheet helps me to replenish. I tend to prefer to cook with frozen foods, so the green beans, corn, and carrots end up expiring around the same time.

Tip 2: Don’t Be Afraid to Move Long-term Storage Items to Short-term Storage

A few years ago, I stocked up heavily on long-term storage items, such as beans, rice, pasta, flour, and oats. For a couple of years, I didn’t use them. I wanted to keep them untouched in case of a serious emergency. Last year I realized that was silly. Because I track what I have, I can rotate some long-term storage items into the short-term, and this has saved my family grocery money because I kept buying pasta, rice, and beans…

…click on the above link to read the rest of the article…

Four Reasons Why You Should Stash the Cash!

With inflation and gas and food shortages on the rise, it is an excellent idea to have some cash stashed for emergencies. I know we live in a world that believes that there is an ATM around the corner and keeping cash in your wallet or in your home is obsolete, but there are some events that will prove it is good to have some loose cash around.

1. Stolen Credit and Debit Cards

A few years ago, I used to run at a local park after I got off work. My workout sessions were only 35 minutes to an hour, so I was never particularly worried that my car would be broken into. However, one Friday when I returned to my vehicle, my windows were busted out, and my bag, which was hidden, was missing. I should have known better than to leave a bag in the car, but I never thought it could happen to me. (How many times have we heard that phrase and shook our heads?) There is nothing worse than having your wallet stolen and having to contact the credit card companies and the banks to tell them. Immediately, all purchasing power is put on stop. In my case, it was on a Friday, and I couldn’t get my debit card reissued until the following Monday. At that time, I did not have a stash of cash, and I had to borrow money from my family. This one event is what led me to having a stash of cash.

2. Limits on Large Purchases

Many families are experiencing financial difficulties because of Covid, and since people have been unable to pay their card debt, the banks have reduced the limits that they offer…

…click on the above link to read the rest of the article…

Don’t Lose What You Store: 6 Tips To Protect Your Prepper Pantry

Don’t Lose What You Store: 6 Tips To Protect Your Prepper Pantry

I don’t know about you, but sometimes it is difficult to use all the food I have stored. This year I have been placing a lot of emphasis on organizing my food storage and acquiring more food because I am concerned with the economy. When you have food stashed literally all over your house, it is sometimes hard to remember what you have and what you still need to purchase.

Tip 1: Record What You Have

I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to know what you have and where it is located. I have built a simple spreadsheet that lets me know how many canned items I have in the pantry, when they expire, where the items are located, and what I need to restock. My long-term storage is under a different tab, but it contains the same information. Certain items I run out of faster than others, i.e., chicken stock, canned tomatoes, green chilis, and having a spreadsheet helps me to replenish. I tend to prefer to cook with frozen foods, so the green beans, corn, and carrots end up expiring around the same time.

Tip 2: Don’t Be Afraid to Move Long-term Storage Items to Short-term Storage

A few years ago, I stocked up heavily on long-term storage items, such as beans, rice, pasta, flour, and oats. For a couple of years, I didn’t use them. I wanted to keep them untouched in case of a serious emergency. Last year I realized that was silly. Because I track what I have, I can rotate some long-term storage items into the short-term, and this has saved my family grocery money because I kept buying pasta, rice, and beans…

…click on the above link to read the rest of the article…

Why This Necessary Prepper Skill Is a Must To Learn

Why This Necessary Prepper Skill Is a Must To Learn

Knowing how to sew is a vital skill for preppers. We all know the basics: tear your pants after the SHTF and you can repair them if there’s no way to buy more. But, it goes beyond that!

Knowing how to sew is a vital skill for preppers. We all know the basics: tear your pants after the SHTF and you can repair them if there’s no way to buy more. But, it goes beyond that!

Let’s say you tear your pants beyond repair.  Should you just throw them away? Maybe right now.  But not if you are in a situation that’s requiring you to use what you have (grid down, low or no income, etc.). Not to mention, sewing can be fun and it’s a hobby for so many. I know my mom would make quilts all day if she could!

Something to consider is the ease of sewing if the power goes out. Sewing machines are nice, but won’t work well if there is no electricity. For this, get a treadle sewing machine like this one. This is a machine that is powered by the users’ foot. A foot pedal is pushed back and forth by the operator’s foot to move the needle up and down.  They are not necessarily affordable or easy to find. BUT, I was able to find an article by Mother Earth News detailing how to make your own treadle sewing machine.  To read that article, please click here! Alternatively, you can look for antique Singer sewing machines that can be operated off the grid when at estate sales, on Craigslist, or Etsy.

…click on the above link to read the rest of the article…

The Basics Of Dry Canning

Dry canning is the storage of dry foods such as rice or beans in canning jars. This process is popular for long-term food storage in your prepper pantry.

If you are new to canning, dry canning is a great way to start not only a prepper pantry but a canning habit.

A great way to start is by using oxygen absorbers in dry canning (jars). Oxygen absorbers are made of a chemical compound, the active ingredient of which is a powdered iron oxide.  While they are not edible, they are not toxic. No harmful gases are created and the oxygen does not remove the fresh smell and taste of your food.

Dry goods paired in a jar with oxygen absorbers make for an easy way to get started canning. The oxygen absorber has two purposes. It will remove oxygen so little critters don’t live in your food reserve, and it will help your food stay fresh.

Dry canning in jars does not require heat to seal the lid. The job of sealing the lid takes place with the help of the appropriate oxygen absorbers. To get started, you’ll need oxygen absorbers, canning jars with rings and lids, and food to dry can. We started dry canning with beans because we like them, they are fairly inexpensive and easy to come by at any store.  Start with clean canning jars by boiling them and allowing them to dry thoroughly. Add your dry food and add the appropriate oxygen absorber inside the can and seal. The absorber does the job of sealing the can properly. You’ll hear a pop when the absorber has sealed the lid.

…click on the above link to read the rest of the article…

How To Do Your Laundry Off Grid If The Power Goes Out

One thing most of us rely on is our washing machine and dryer. During emergencies where the power grid is affected, it is important to know how to know basic off-grid strategies to manage your everyday home duties. This was highlighted in the preparedness manual, The Prepper’s Blueprint as a must-know skill. So how do you do your laundry if there’s no power?

Four loads of laundry per week is normally what we do for our family of four people. We also do sheets every week and blankets once a month. So what would happen if the power goes out, especially in the winter.  It’s not like you could wash your clothes in the frozen lake, right? And if you can, more power to you, but most of us will need to have a plan in place if there’s a long-term (month-long or longer) power outage or grid failure. So why not look at what those who live off-grid already do?

Washtub & Wringer

A galvanized washtub and wringer are a great option for your off-grid laundry. This is the most practical way for preppers to do their laundry by hand off-grid in large quantities. Plain and simply, this is just an old-fashioned washer and wringer. For around $240 you can grab a galvanized tub that will include 2 sturdy galvanized laundry sinks with drain and double stand. Next, you’ll to affix to it a laundry wringer, such as the Calliger Hand Crank Clothes Wringer. It will run you around $140 but will be worth its weight and cost if the power goes out and you need it. Wringing wet laundry by hand can be quite tiring and hard on your hands and wrists…

…click on the above link to read the rest of the article…

sara tipton, ready nutrition, clothes washing, off grid,

Prepper Pantry Recipe: Creamy Bean Soup

Beans are great to stock up on for a future SHTF event. Most soups are creamy thanks to the addition of dairy, but that’s not exactly the best food to store for the long haul, so instead, try this dairy-free bean soup!

This bean soup contains healthy vegetables and potatoes which are also packed with many nutrients, minerals, and fiber. This is kid-friendly and filling without being overly heavy. If you have some meat (elk, deer, beef, etc..) throw some in! Many preppers have mastered the skill of hunting or raising their own meat, so you likely have some. But, if you don’t, this is still a great way to use some of those stockpiled beans.

Beans contain several vital nutrients, including folate. Folate can help prevent neural tube defects in a fetus during pregnancy. Other important nutrients found in beans include zinc, iron, magnesium, and fiber. Beans are also rich in a type of antioxidant called polyphenols. Antioxidants fight the effects of free radicals, which are chemicals that affect a wide range of processes in the body, from physical aging to cancer and inflammation.

15 Shelf Stable Foods To Stock Up On Now

Why not try it? You never know when you may need to eat some of your prepper beans.

*The reason so many of the ingredients are optional is that this recipe’s final outcome will depend on what you have stored as far as spices, herbs, and veggies.

INGREDIENTS

  • 1/2 tbsp olive oil 
  • 2 medium potatoes diced
  • 1 medium carrot chopped (optional)
  • 2  celery stalks with greens, chopped (optional)
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 3/4 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp dried marjoram
  • 1/3 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 4-5 cups vegetable broth or water
  • 2 bay leaves (optional)
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • Three 14 oz cans white beans (about 4 cups), rinsed and drained
  • 1/4 cup coconut milk canned
  • 1/2 to 1 cup kale chopped (optional)
  • Fresh herbs to garnish (optional)

…click on the above link to read the rest of the article…

5 Ways To Store Meat Without A Refrigerator

Those on homesteads have mastered the art of preserving that meat too so it won’t go to waste without a refrigerator!

We live in a world where it has become extremely important to prepare your family for disasters. It would be unfortunate to have all of that leftover Thanksgiving turkey go to waste in the event that the power grid goes down or an ice storm knocks out your electricity.

To prepare for these situations, many people are beginning to realize the importance of not wasting food and keeping stored food on hand.

Curing – Salt curing is personally my favorite way to preserve and store meat without a refrigerator. It involves quite a bit of time and effort but it’s not too bad once you’ve done it a few times. Traditional favorites like sausage, bacon, and pastrami were preserved by salt curing. It’s also a cheap and easy process to master perfect for the new homesteader. You will need a cool area and a place where meats can be hung out of the way. Some curing recipes are used in combination with smoking for flavor. Be sure to stock up on a lot of salt for your prepper pantry if you find you enjoy this! Check out this method if you want to give it a try!

2. Smoking – This is also a favorite way to preserve meat. This is common in areas with too much humidity to dry meat (jerky). Smoking fish is also another way to preserve your catches. Please keep in mind that modern recommendations are to consume smoked meat sparingly as smoke may contain carcinogens. That being said, it may still be a good choice for some of your harvest or an emergency situation. Smokers can be purchased or made at home. Obviously, this method is better suited to those with access to a backyard.

…click on the above link to read the rest of the article…

5 Winter Homestead Tips To Help You Prepare

5 Winter Homestead Tips To Help You Prepare

It’s easy to decide to create a homestead, however, the ways in which we go about it can be difficult. But here are a few tips to help you as winter approaches if you want to live on a homestead or improve your self-reliance.

Even though things slow down on the homestead during winter, there is still work that needs to be done! Having some winter chores prepped will keep you ahead of the game so you can stay inside more. Below are some winter chores to keep in mind when tending to a homestead.

It’s easy to decide to create a homestead, however, the ways in which we go about it can be difficult. But here are a few tips to help you as winter approaches if you want to live on a homestead or improve your self-reliance.

1.Have Backup Heat – A wood-burning stove is a great option especially if you live near a wooded area with a lot of dead trees ready to be harvested. Back up heat will come in handy if the power is knocked out and the heat is incredibly soothing. It also offers that added security of being more self-reliant.

2. Store Enough Water for Animals – You will need to take into account all of your animals when storing water. Plan at least a gallon per day per person, and dog.  Cats need less but should be counted too.  Make sure you plan for your ducks, chickens, goats, horses, rabbits, etc. Be sure to plan enough water storage for livestock, cooking and cleanliness, house pets, and your family’s daily consumption. Also, prepare for your worst-case water outage scenario.

…click on the above link to read the rest of the article…

Staying Hydrated During The Winter Months Is A Key To Good Health

Staying Hydrated During The Winter Months Is A Key To Good Health

Did you know that drinking more water during winter is crucial to your health and your survival?

Did you know that drinking more water during winter is crucial to your survival? This fact is especially important when you are spending more time outdoors.

Hydration is imperative to achieve proper gut functions, healthy skin and hair, and lubricated joints. With winter right around the corner, many of us are chucking the ice-cold drinks for hot teas or coffees. That’s great, but make sure you are still getting adequate hydration this winter.

Drinking enough water each day is crucial for many reasons: to regulate body temperature, keep joints lubricated, prevent infections, deliver nutrients to cells, and keep organs functioning properly. Being well-hydrated also improves sleep quality, cognition, and mood.

While dehydration is often associated with those blazing hot summer months, winter should be of concern as well. During the winter, we tend to go for longer periods without water, not realizing that breathing cold and dry air causes the body to lose significant amounts of fluid, which would lead to dehydration. People often feel about 40 percent less thirsty in the winter, even though the body’s need for water is unchanged year-round. Because we don’t feel thirst as acutely as well do in summer, we’re less likely to keep a bottle of water handy during cold-weather months.

Here a few ways to make sure that even as the temperatures dip and snow starts to fall, that you get enough water to stay healthy:

…click on the above link to read the rest of the article…

Grocery Stores Have Started Limiting Toilet Paper and Wipes Purchases

Grocery Stores Have Started Limiting Toilet Paper and Wipes Purchases

Amid an ongoing surge in COVID-19 cases, grocery stores have begun to limit the amount of toilet paper and disinfecting wipes once again. News reports say this new policy to prevent “hoarding.”

Amid an ongoing surge in COVID-19 cases, grocery stores have begun to limit the amount of toilet paper and disinfecting wipes once again. News reports say this new policy to prevent “hoarding.”

In the last few weeks, we have seen (firsthand in some cases) what happens when an unprepared public prepares all at once. The frenzied rush to grab as many supplies as possible created an unprecedented strain on our “just in time” food system. Basic supplies like water, pasta, bread, milk, meat and cleaning supplies were snatched up as soon as they were restocked. But this initial run on food is just the beginning.

Things are likely to get worse especially if there is any word of another potential lockdown. People will panic buy things once again wiping out entire sections of the grocery store. Luckily (or sadly) in my area, frozen foods are about the only things not in stock. There’s still plenty of fresh fruits, veggies, and canned foods…for now.

But as grocers reinstate these limits, they may understand that the food supply chain is once again breaking, and this time, it might get to the point of chaotic. Since the supply chain “remains challenged” from the first lockdown, stores began putting a limit of one on purchases of larger toilet paper and paper towel sizes and four on smaller toilet paper and paper towel sizes.

At least three companies say supply chains for securing these items are still strained. Around 19% of paper products such as toilet paper and paper towels and 16% of household cleaning products were out of stock during the week ending November 1, according to data from market research firm IRI.

…click on the above link to read the rest of the article…

5 Things To Consider Before Going Off Grid

5 Things To Consider Before Going Off Grid

In light of the pandemic sweeping the lobe, many people are considering going off the grid. But here are five things you would consider before buying that piece of land and living a self-reliant lifestyle.

In light of the pandemic sweeping the globe, and the overwhelming stress it has caused, many people are considering going off the grid.

The thought of cutting ties with the city, being your own boss, and living off the land is appealing. Imagine building a simple home powered (or not) by the sun, and heating it with wood chopped by you. A lot of us have thought about it recently for sure, but make certain you know what you are getting into.

5 Things To Consider Before Going Off-Grid

Here are five considerations you should contemplate before buying that piece of land and living a self-reliant lifestyle.

1. Money –  Many think living off the grid is free, and honestly, it should be! But you will need to buy a piece of land to build a little house on and that will require some funding. Make sure you prepare for the financial costs of going off-grid.

2. Power – You will need to research ways to heat and power your home without electricity. Wood burning stoves are great for heat, but what about when it’s really hot, and how are you going to get water? Solar and wind are great ways to power your home and having a generator is almost a necessity.

…click on the above link to read the rest of the article…

Olduvai IV: Courage
Click on image to read excerpts

Olduvai II: Exodus
Click on image to purchase

Click on image to purchase @ FriesenPress