Storing My Beans

I buy my beans in 20 pound bags and had been wondering how to store them. I went to Dollar Tree and got some of these big canisters to put them in. 3 of them is just enough to put the whole 20 pound bag. They are plastic, but I think since we go thru the beans so fast it shouldn't be too bad.

Backup Food Storage

I have been getting some cases of MREs for a backup for my food storage. Yeah, I said backup to food storage. I have normal food stockpile, but what happens if the power is out for longer than you thought it would be and you can't get out to get more food. MRE's are a easy way to have food that is quick to prepare and easy to carry. Keep a case in your car. Just keeping a couple of cases put back, you never know when you might need it.

Have To Keep Adding To The Food Storage!

To keep a food storage going you have to add to it more than you use it. I buy something each week , sometimes just a can , like , Mountain House #10 Can Beef Stroganoff with Noodles (10 -1 cup servings) . Or a few cans of peanut butter. It really doesn't matter what it is that you buy - as long as your adding to the food storage!! When you need it - it will be there!!

I have been adding to mine weekly. Some weeks I add more than others. Depends on other bills and such. You don't want to go homeless or not pay your bills to have a food storage. That would be no good.

An Off-Grid Washing Machine

I had to get a new off-grid washing machine and I found this one online for a really great and low price. The North Gear Non-Electric Portable Compact Mini Washing Machine - Eco Laundry Manual Wash - Great for Dorms, RVs, Camping is perfect! It will wash 5 pounds of clothing and wash them quick and with very little soap.

High-density polyethylene chamber

Wash up to 5lbs of clothing

5 minutes per wash

Capacity: 3 Gallon

Product dimension: 16 x 12 x 11in

 

 

Don't let the need for electricity or plumbed-in water pipes stop you from clean clothes.

In the space of just five minutes with nothing more than power from your arm, this hand-cranked unit washes a 5lb load in just a few minutes.

The high-density polyethylene chamber will let you store up to 5lbs of clothing. This can wash 15 pairs of socks, five t-shirts, three shirts, or a pair of jeans pre load. That is impressive performance from this compact washer.

The clever design creates a high pressure wash to lift stains and dirt from your clothes for a fast and efficient wash that uses far less water than even hand washing (and obviously no electricity). 

Know What You Are Trying To Avoid - Zika Virus

Doctors in New York have released photos from a patient infected with Zika virus so that people know what to look for if Zika starts spreading in the U.S.

Common symptoms to look out for include fatigue, headaches, joint pain, bloodshot eyes and a red rash.

Click Here For Full Story - from WTHR Indiana's News Leader.

The more that you know the better things will be and the easier to avoid it or to know when someone has it.

Gear for Camping and Survival

As the Boy Scouts have always said: "Be Prepared!".  That holds true whether there is a local disaster, a short term emergency, an enjoyable overnight camping trip, or any situation that demands keeping your family comfortable, prepared, and safe.

There are many examples of “must have” outdoor gear, and we can’t go into all of it, but here are some suggestions when you go to put together your gear for camping or survival or as a “grab bag“ in an emergency.

Bags, duffles, coolers, pouches and holders

Choose from a wide variety that will keep your supplies and fresh food and water dry, wet, cool, hot, and secure until they are needed. One is a lightweight daypack for hiking or day trips.

Aquapac Noatak Wet and Drybag

This coated waterproof and stormproof Ripstop Nylon adaptable bag with internal wet and dry sections is one idea which could also be used for hiking, biking, sailing, kayaking, canoeing, or paddling. Ripstop’s woven fabric has an extra thread in the weave that stops a rip or tear from continuing to travel down or across the fabric. Two adjustable shoulder straps make it usable as a shoulder bag or backpack.

A clean and dry place to sleep

Tents in a variety of styles and sizes fit the needs of any size family. Add cozy and warm sleeping bags, cots, and a tarp, and you’ll be well prepared for any type of weather.

Knives, tools, cords and ropes

These are helpful to chop down small trees and shrubs to make a clearing for your tent and to provide firewood.

For warmth and heating

Emergency space blankets, warming pads, and fire starters are some of the items to include.

General Purpose First Aid Kit

Certified Kits have practical first aid products with single-use packaging that ensures uncontaminated contents for treating injuries. Metal kits are moisture and dust resistant, and there are complete economical refills available for each kit.

Prepared and Secure is an example of a company that is happy to provide the functional and comfortable camping and survival gear that you would need.

Store This, Not That!

With so many different food storage products and companies to choose from, trying to find reliable foods that will last the test of time and your pocketbook can be a serious challenge for the time-strained shopper.
Store This, Not That!: The Quick and Easy Food Storage Guide changes all of that! Food storage experts Crystal Godfrey and Debbie Kent will help you quickly decipher what you should and should not be storing, empowering you with the savvy tricks and insider information it takes to store the correct food, get the best prices, and in the end, how to make something your family would actually eat. Take control of your future! You deserve the peace preparedness brings and the comfort of knowing you will have enough food to provide for your family no matter what happens.

Prepping is A lot of Work!

It has been a while since I have written on this blog. I hate that so much. When my laptop died on me I had thought that I could then use my tablet or my son's computer, but things happen and problem with my eye made it to where I can barely be on my tablet for more than 5 minutes at a time. Just has been a bad few months. BUT, I am still prepping and stocking up on items. Really in full-speed mode. Have a feeling it might all be needed soon. With all that is happening the world and even in this household.

I have gotten to where I have been buying my freeze-dried foods by the case , like this Mountain House Rice & Chicken #10 Can Freeze Dried Food - 6 Cans Per Case NEW!. I have new water filtration coming here in a few days. Bought a cheap older mini-van to convert the backend into a living space. Prepping takes so much work. I have even been selling anything that we don't use on ebay and on local facebook groups. Then using that money to buy more preps. That has helped a lot. You can sell a lot on local groups. Make a bit of money to go towards items that you need to survive. Every little bit helps.

Got my garden started last week. It is a lot bigger this time and growing a lot more. I can always share what we don't use or freeze it. Most likely some of it will be dehydrated.

But, I will try to get on this blog more and share some of the process of converting the min-van and sharing how the garden is going.

I just wanted all of you to know that I hadn't abandoned this blog. Just have been busy and such.

KEEP PREPPING!!

A Cabin Full Of Food

This is a huge book that every prepper or self-sufficient person should have. This book is free for the kindle for a limited time. Make sure to check the pricing before you click buy it now. Get A Cabin Full of Food: (Mostly a cookbook) now for your kindle, this would make a great gift in bound copy also.

Almost a thousand recipes, cooking ideas and information on cooking "homestead style" - simple, basic, home-grown ingredients, simple tools and old-fashioned recipes. For several years, I have gathered recipes and information from my friends, including many in the Old Order Mennonite community. A lot of these recipes are ones I use daily on our off-grid homestead - with limited electricity and no refrigerator or freezer, I focus on recipes that can be made without electric appliances. No microwave recipes in here! In fact, with a cooler and some ice to keep things cool, and a way to cook, many of these recipes work well for camping or traveling. This is not an "ultimate" cookbook, but a way to show you how I fill my pantry and cook great meals from what I store. Recipes are written in paragraph style with bolded ingredients for easy reading. Just imagine I'm talking to you on the phone and telling you how to make my friend's amazing pickle recipe or my Mom's every day White Bread. I truly hope you enjoy. Love, Marie

Spring Time!

Now I can hang the clothes and towels out to dry! Will not use dryer until it gets cold again or it rains! Save energy!