Norovirus: How to Stay Safe

Norovirus: How to Stay Safe (Health Matters) was a free kindle book when this post was written. Norovirus is commonly called 'food poisoning' or 'stomach flu'. It causes over 21 million cases of stomach upset (gastroenteritis) every year in the United States and more than 800 deaths. As of January 2013, however, a whole new strain of Norovirus began sweeping throughout the globe and spreading from coast to coast in the United States, and is continuing to spread and even mutate in 2014.

In this report, popular health writer Carolyn Stone gives you the essentials on Norovirus: what it is, where it comes from, how people become infected, and how to prevent it, in order to keep you and your family safe. Learn the symptoms of norovirus infection and the best ways to stop it from spreading to the rest of your family, work colleagues and the general public if you do catch it.

Learn the best ways to deal with the main symptoms of norovirus, including dehydration. Find out how to deal safely with contaminated laundry to stop the spread of the disease.

Learn more about the major 'hot spots' in your home where the virus cold easily spread if you are not careful, and the best ways to keep all of the members of your family as safe as possible if one of you does become ill.

Discover valuable health resources, important research and findings related to norovirus, the best sources of the latest news on the virus, and much more.

Norovirus on its own is bad enough. It can also come at the same time as flu season, leading to even more misery. Foodborne outbreaks of norovirus happen all year round. It also spreads like wildfire from person to person in social settings, from schools, hospitals and nursing homes, to summer camps and cruise ships. Don't let norovirus threaten the health of the younger and older members of your family, or ruin your vacation. Take steps today to avoid norovirus. Even if you do catch it, learn all you can about how to stop it from spreading, to keep safe all those you care about.
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You will also receive regular updates of this title while these severe outbreaks continue.
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Norovirus: How to Stay Safe

TABLE OF CONTENTS

WHAT'S IN THIS GUIDE
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 1-Norovirus: What is It?
CHAPTER 2-How is Norovirus Spread?
CHAPTER 3-What are the Symptoms if You Have Contracted Norovirus?
CHAPTER 4-What are the Best Ways to Prevent You or Your Family from Becoming Ill with Norovirus?
CHAPTER 5-When is it Time to See a Doctor?
CHAPTER 6-Household Hot Spots
CHAPTER 7-Hot Spots Outside the Home

CONCLUSION

FURTHER READING

NOROVIRUS IN THE NEWS

NOROVIRUS OUTBREAK REPORTS

SUMMARY OF STEPS TO TAKE TO PREVENT ILLNESS AND THE SPREAD OF NOROVIRUS

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Carolyn Stone is a freelance journalist and health writer who has worked in consumer health publishing and continuing medical education. She is the author of over 70 health and self-help guides designed to empower readers to live better lives.

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Water Self Sufficiency for Survival Preparedness

WATER IS LIFE
I don't need to tell you why your family needs safe potable water as well as long term food storage, first aid kits, and other survival gear to survive the aftermath of an emergency or disaster.
People can live for days or even weeks without food but no one survives past 4 or 5 days without water. Living on very short rations an "average" person can survive on a minimum of one gallon of water for replacement of normal activities loss, per day. At that drastically minimal rate a family of four will need 120 gallons of potable water to survive for 30 days.
"...Drinking, sanitation and hygiene constitute the basic human survival needs for water. These minimum needs total about 50 liters (13.2 gallons) per person per day. In comparison, the average American uses well over ten times that amount...(1)"
Including drinking, sanitation and hygiene that same family of four would need 1560 gallons of potable water to survive for 30 days. Storing 120 gallons of water to meet subsistence-level needs is easily done, if that's how you visualize your family surviving. Storing 1560 gallons, while making your family's survival experience more pleasant, is problematic if you do not have the ability to replenish your water supply while off of the National Electric Power Grid.
WATER AVAILABILITY IS NOT GUARANTEED
What if one day after an emergency or disaster you turn on the tap and either nothing comes out, or what comes out is unsafe to drink? Water distribution systems require energy and what comes out of your faucet is there because the fragile and vulnerable Grid energized a pump.
The National Electric Power Grid is obsolescent and vulnerable to blackouts due to equipment failure, unintentional human error or recently and most frighteningly, malicious foreign cyber attack.(2) Water self-sufficiency off the grid, and independent of the weather, will ensure that your family has enough water to survive no matter how bad the situation becomes.
RAIN WATER HARVESTING
The basic component of water self-sufficiency is rain water harvesting and storage. This component requires storage tanks of sufficient capacity with connections to your home's rain gutter system. This component is weather dependent but based upon annual rainfall amounts and seasonal rains distribution in your area, rain water harvesting may well satisfy your un-purified water requirements if you plan properly.
In most parts of continental USA, with the exception of the Southwest, rainfall is fairly regular, reliable and predictably sufficient to be the primary source for your family's survival water self sufficiency. You will have to make a judgment call and decide how much storage capacity you will need to bridge dry spells.
Because we have become so dependent on the grid and the water distribution systems it enables, houses no longer have cisterns to store water for dry spells. Chances are your home doesn't have a cistern either, so you will need to acquire water storage capacity. Water can be stored in almost anything: one gallon water jugs you buy at the supermarket, hard-side metal or plastic tanks, or the much more convenient and less expensive collapsible "pillow" tanks.
We can safely discard the idea of buying, storing and then refilling 1500+ one gallon jugs as impractical. Hard-side tanks are more practical but are always the same size, full or empty, are difficult to handle, expensive and require permanent installation above ground or below.
A much better solution is collapsible "bladder" tanks which are constructed of polymer alloy coated polyester fabrics which meet FDA standards for potable water storage. Bladder tanks are relatively inexpensive and can be stored folded within their shipping boxes until you decide to deploy them.
PURIFYING STORED RAINWATER
The water stored in your tanks, while it may appear clear, is not safe to drink. The rain which fell on your roof and ran down your gutters became contaminated with bird feces, insect waste, decayed organic matter, chemicals and other pollutants. To make this water safe to drink it must first be treated or preferably purified.
Treatment involves adding proportionately large amounts of chlorine iodine. This method should be reserved for emergency or occasional use only, because ingestion of too much iodine may be harmful.(3)
The optimum solution is a water purifier which removes sediment and chemicals, kills pathogens and removes pathogenic detritus. An efficient water purifier would use both pre and post-filters and a high-intensity ultraviolet germicidal lamp. Such a device must be proven to have a bacterial kill rate up to 99.99+% including cysts (Giardia and Cryptosporidium), and microorganisms including viruses, bacteria, fungi, algae, and protozoa.(4)
This water purifier should be operable off the Electric Power Grid and capable of converting water from any available source into potable water.
NOW YOU NEED TO BECOME WATER SELF SUFFICIENT
You have acquired long term bulk food storage, first aid kits, tools, defensive weapons and other survival gear. Now you need to become water self-sufficient or all your other preparations are meaningless and your family will perish. WATER IS LIFE.
(1) Basic survival needs were stressed at the Mar del Plata conference, a major international effort to address world water problems organized by the United Nations... The minimum water requirement for replacement for an "average" person has been estimated to be approximately 3 liters (3.2 quarts) per day, given average temperate climate conditions...
(2) The Washington Post, "Checkpoint Washington" Blog, 11/18/2011
Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/checkpoint-washington/post/foreign-hackers-broke-into-illinois-water-plant-control-system-industry-expert-says/2011/11/18/gIQAgmTZYN_blog.html
(3) Heath Canada. Read more: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/pubs/water-eau/disinfect-desinfection-eng.php
(4) University of Arizona, Department of Soil, Water and Environmental Science, Tucson, AZ Copy of report available upon request.

For complete survival preparedness planning, and to purchase the best survival gear: long term bulk food storage and mobility survival kits, SURVIVAL H2O Tanks™, the SURVIVAL H2O Partner™ and the SURVIVAL STOVE™, tools, light and communication gear, non-firearm weapons and supplies as well as plans, strategies and tactics visit: http://www.mybestsurvivalproducts.com

Death of Money: The Preppers Guide to Economic Collapse, the Loss of Paper Wealth, and What to Do When Money Dies

Death of Money: The Preppers Guide to Economic Collapse, the Loss of Paper Wealth, and What to Do When Money Dies (Survival Family Basics - Preppers Survival Handbook Series) was a free kindle book when this post was written. **** #1 Best Seller in Inflation ****

Just to say Thank You for checking out this Book I want to give you a copy of my upcoming special report "The Prepper's Supplies Guide for When Disaster Strikes".

Go to www.SurvivalFamilyBasics.com to reserve your FREE copy now.

The threat of economic collapse is real and growing every day. The complexity and interconnected nature of the global economy means any economic catastrophe will send ripples around the world. For families, it can be challenging to prep for this kind of threat because there are so many possibilities, variables, and factors at play.

Much of the discussion around economic collapse centers on mistrust of the government and the national debt, but these are not the only potential problems that plague our nation’s economy. Rather than focus on the politics or the people, this volume from the "Survival Family Basics – Prepper's Survival Handbook Series" dives into the sources of economic strife in order to provide an in-depth understanding of what an economic collapse would mean for your family.

In “The Death of Money: The Prepper’s Guide to Economic Collapse, the Loss of Paper Wealth, and What to Do When Money Dies” #1 Best Selling author Macenzie Guiver, will introduce you to the possible causes of an economic collapse and outline the kinds of impacts you can expect from each.

It will walk you through the five stages of economic collapse and show you what you can do from a preparedness perspective to be ready to weather each stage.

After reading this guide, you have a basic understanding of:

• The common causes of economic collapse and what they can mean for you and your family from a preparedness perspective

• The five stages of economic collapse, and what you can expect at each of one

• What economic assets you will need to have to survive and thrive, even in the event of another crash like in 2007/08

• What you can do now so you family is prepared to weather any economic storm that comes your way

• And much more

From explaining the difference between hyperinflation and deflation to outlining what happens when the government can’t borrow more money, this guide provides you with the information you need, to understand the different aspects of an economic collapse and to take action now so your family is ready to weather whatever economic storm rolls in.

Scroll up and get your copy of “The Death of Money: The Prepper’s Guide to Economic Collapse, the Loss of Paper Wealth, and What to Do When Money Dies” before it’s too late….

Food Storage Recipe - Southwestern Burgers

We had planned on having a cookout this afternoon, but it started storming so we had to make the Southwestern Burgers inside. They still turned out great!

NEED:

1 pound of lean ground beef

2 tablespoon of taco seasoning mix

6 tablespoon of a thick and chunky salsa

pepper jack cheese - sliced. 

hamburger buns

Heat your grill or get the pan ready for the stove.

While that prepping mix the ingredients well in a bowl. Shape into patties.

Place the patties on the grill or pan. Cook them until they are done through. Place the cheese on the patties. Serve. add toppings you like and some more of the salsa.

Can I Safely Cook Chicken in a Solar Oven? And Other Useful Tips and Information on Solar Cooking

Can meat be cooked safely in a solar oven?
How does the sun cook your food?
These are just a couple of many questions that come up in my classes when people are first introduced to the concept of solar cooking.
In fact they are probably two of the most frequently asked questions due to concerns related to food illnesses that are an inherent risk in food preparation, more particularly when it comes to meat.
Nevertheless, if traditional food handling and cooking safety guidelines are followed and if suggestions and guidelines for using a solar cooker are followed, then it is possible to cook any variety of meat safely and deliciously.
Most all professionally manufactured solar cookers are capable of reaching and sustaining the requisite temperatures needed for cooking meats and all other types of foods.
And most, well built, home made solar cookers can perform the same task just as well or better than a commercially manufactured cooker.
So, just how does the sun cook the food inside of a solar cooker?
Solar cooking is done by means of the suns UV rays, it is not the sun's heat that cooks the food, nor is it the outside ambient temperature, though this can somewhat affect the rate or time required to cook, but rather it is the suns rays that are converted to heat energy and this heat energy is then retained by the pot and the food by means of a covering. In much the same way that a greenhouse retains heat or a car with its windows rolled up. An effective solar cooker will use the energy of the sun to heat a cooking vessel and efficiently retain the energy (heat) for maximum cooking effectiveness.
This is best explained with a mental diagramming of the process.

• First, you would need a darkened or blackened pot with a lid. This can be a pot such as a cast iron Dutch oven, a black enameled roasting pan such as a chicken or turkey roaster or any pot that you might blacken on the outside with a non-toxic, weatherproof paint. Dark surfaces become very hot; they heat up more quickly than shiny surfaces which reflect the suns rays away.
• Then you will need to obtain a clear transparent covering such as a large glass bowl or a durable plastic oven cooking bag. This will be used for retention of heat and will also allow the rays of the sun to be able to penetrate to the darkened cooking pot and food, thus raising the cooking temperatures and preventing the heat from escaping.
• Next you will need a material that will reflect extra sunlight towards the cooking apparatus so as to concentrate the suns rays. This is usually accomplished in the form of some type of reflecting surface such as mirrors, aluminum foil and buffed tin or sheet metal. With the help of a reflecting surface you will be able to increase the temperatures and to cook the food more rapidly.

For more information on solar cooking tips, techniques and information please visit our on our website.

Become proficient in solar cooking and find out how easy it is to help your own budget by using tried and tested techniques for effective solar cooking. Solar cooker-at-cantinawest.com

How to Clean Fish

Step 1:

The first step in how to cook a fish is to gather all the necessary materials. You will need a good filet knife, sharpened, and a flat surface such as a kitchen counter or table. Be sure to have a waste can nearby to dispose of the innards and the bones. Before starting in with your knife, wash the fish in cool running water to remove any slime. Then, cut off the pectoral fins on both sides of the fish. Remove the scales by scraping the fish with the dull edge of a knife. Using short strokes, run the knife from head to tail. Skip this step you plan to skin the fish first.

Step 2: Gutting the fish

Hold the fish flat against your cutting board and make a slit from the under the anal fin near the tail up to the jaw. Cut through the belly, reaching the gills. Remove the guts with your fingers or a spoon. Scoop out the reddish-brown kidney line along the backbone. Cut out all of the gills. Rinse out the cavity with cool water.

Step 3: Removing the head and tail

The next few steps in how to clean a fish involve cutting off the tail and head. You should cut the head just below the gills. The tail should be removed where it joins the body.

Step 4: Cutting along the backbone

Lay the fish flat and cut across the body. Follow the backbone, but be careful not to cut through it. Once that's done, cut down along the rib bones all the way to the bottom of the fish. Continue by cutting along the bottom of the fish to remove the fillet. Turn the fish over and repeat this step.

Step 5: Removing the skins

Grasp the skin with your fingernails and cut down to the skin. Peel it away from the meat as you move the knife down. After you have removed the skin, you may want to cut out the ribs, so you end up with a boneless, skinless filet.

To store your filets, fill a zip lock bag or plastic container with some salt and water and place in the refrigerator. Or freeze them. Once you've mastered how to clean a fish, you'll be able to enjoy fresh fish hassle-free.

There are plenty of different ways to prepare Alaskan seafood. The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute has great recipes to help you create the perfect dish.

Food storage recipe - country gravy mix

This makes a lot. Make sure that you have something big to store this make ahead mix in. This is like the country gravy mix in the packages.

Need:

5 cups of all purpose flour

2 cups powdered milk

1/4 cup of coarse black pepper and salt

1/2 cup of cornstarch

Mix it up well. Store in an air tight container.

When wanting to use take a couple of tablespoons of bacon drippings and heat it up. Sprinkle 3 - 4 heaping tablespoon fulls of the mix over the bacon grease. Use a fork and whisk it together. Blend it very well. Until there are no lumps.

Add 1 1/2 cup of water. Whisk it well. Stir it and cook it until thickened. Stir very often and don't let it scorch.

Serve over biscuits or toast. Also good with meat and potatoes.

How to Stay Cool Without AC | The ReadyBlog

How to Stay Cool Without AC | The ReadyBlog 





Great tips for keeping cool without power.

Get prepared for an epidemic or pandemic

Anyone that watches the news knows that there are some nasty diseases out there that could easily turn into a pandemic or epidemic. Being prepared for one is the best insurance for your family. Have a plan. And buy Survival Kits so that your family is prepared. It would also be a good thing to have a room in your house that could be used for quarantine and for keeping all of the stuff away from the rest of the household.  Have emergency disaster and first aid kits handy. Keep them easily accessible and store them in places you spend the most time -- such as your home, car, and office.

Basic items that should be included in your kits are:
- First aid kit (bandages, non--latex gloves, towelettes, etc.)



Disaster first aid supplies:
Wound Care:
Sterile 4×4 gauze-1 package per family
Sterile 2×2 gauze-1 package per family
Clean 4×4 gauze-1 package per person
Clean 2×2 gauze-1 package per person
Large safety pins
Roller gauze-6-8 various sizes
Chemical ice packs
Band-aid style dressings
Butterfly bandages
Elastic bandages various sizes
Spray bottle of saline
Wound tape- paper, surgical tape, plaster
Sterile cotton swabs- 200
Sterilize and ointments:
Neosporin cream-1 per person
Hydrogen peroxide-2 bottles
Isopropyl alcohol- 2 bottles
Topical anti-infective agent) 2 bottles
Topical cream for insect bites etc. (Benadryl)
Tools:
Needle nose
Tweezers
Hemostat
Magnify Glass for removing splinters etc.
Glass thermometer rectal & oral
Paramedic shears
B.S.I. (Body Substance Isolation)
Vinyl medical gloves -2 boxes
N95 or similar masks- 2 boxes
Plain sanitary napkins- 1 package per person
OTC (over the counter) Medicines
Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
Aspirin
Advil
Stomach Medicines-Pepto Bismol, Prilosec, Imodium AD
Ipecac syrup
Allergy Medicines- Benadryl, Claritin
Hydration:
Pedialyte is great for the entire family.
Prescription Medications:
Every family has their own individual medications or specialty items; be sure to include those in your kit as well. One example is the "Epi-Pen" for a person with severe allergies or asthma. Always keep 30 days of prescription medications you use on an ongoing basis, in your home; don't wait until you run out to refill them.
Include these items in your disaster first aid kit and placed them in a durable container or bag. Check your disaster first aid kit supplies monthly for damage and expiration dates. A lot of first aid supplies like band-aids have a sterile date.

- Bottled water (1 gallon per day, per person is recommended. Stock up enough for at least 3 days)
- Non-perishable snacks and food
- Flashlight w/ batteries
- Portable AM/FM radio w/ batteries
- Whistle
- Emergency ponchos or thermal blankets
- Candles
- Dust masks
- Toiletries (tooth brushes, toilet paper, etc.)
- Plastic bags/trash bags
- Personal medication
- Emergency out-of-state contacts

Emergency response systems may be overwhelmed and unable to provide the community with immediate assistance when disaster strikes. Taking all the necessary steps mentioned above and being prepared with first aid and emergency disaster kits, will keep you and your family comfortable and safe in any unfortunate event. Survival Kits

Grow It, Build It, Save It! How one family saves over $11,000 each year, and you can too!

Grow It, Build It, Save It! How one family saves over $11,000 each year, and you can too! Was a free kindle book when this post was written. Do you find yourself living paycheck to paycheck? Do you wonder where your money went at the end of each month?You are not alone! Grow It, Build It, Save It! explains how one family changed their terrible behaviors with money and now save over $11,000 each year! Each chapter offers adetailed explanation of asaving strategy that the author and her family have implemented in their journey to financial security. Don't let money stress you out! Take the tips and tricks outlined in this book and start making progress today!

Food Storage Recipe - Oatmeal Banana Waffle

Oatmeal Banana Waffle

Ingredients

2 cups oatmeal

2 cups water

1/2 banana

2 tablespoons powdered milk

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:

Turn waffle iron on high

Put ingredients in the blender and blend on high until the contents are smooth

Let the mixture sit for a few minutes to thicken

Spray the waffle iron with a non-toxic non-stick spray

Pour the mix on to the waffle iron

Cook for about 10 minutes

Repeat until you are out of batter

Survival Techniques: Prepper's Guide To Surviving When Disaster Strikes

Survival Techniques: Prepper's Guide To Surviving When Disaster Strikes was a free kindle book at the time of the posting.

 Disasters are often unpredictable. Science enables us to understand how a natural disaster or accident happens and shows us ways deal with them in a more effective manner. While we cannot predict a catastrophic event, we can learn how to be prepared for them in order to survive them. This eBook provides comprehensive survival skills for the following unanticipated incidents:
1) Earthquake
2) Tornados
3) Hurricanes
4) Volcanic Eruptions
5) Fire
6) Tsunamis
7) Electric Grid Shuts Down
8) Nuclear Power Plant Threat
The most important survival skill is to stay in control of your mind. In any emergency situation, do not panic or lose control. Understanding the situation quickly and acting accordingly is the best way to go. The survival skills present in this eBook are an attempt to equip you for tough situations and come out as a survivor!

Homeschool Minute - Parts of Plants

We have had fun today. We have a heat index of about 107 degrees out so we stayed in and worked on the parts of a plant. I even went out and grabbed a weed real quick and Little Man was able to look at it while he was labeling the worksheet. He also went on to draw his own plant and we talked about plants and how important they are. A very fun day that actually taught him a lot.

Truckpocalypse | www.truckerclassifieds.com

Truckpocalypse | www.truckerclassifieds.com



WOW This is scary! Keep scrolling on the page to read everything on it. Share this with everyone !! With my hubby being a truck driver I know that this stuff is true. It is pretty scary stuff to read, but just reenforces that you have to get prepared and ready.

Keeping Important Paperwork Safe...

I was sent some really great items to review last week. The SlimMate Storage Clipboard really caught my eye when I opened the box because of its awesome bright pink and the fact that it is a storage clipboard. It has a closure on it that really holds tight and there is no way that it will come open. Perfect for keeping paperwork in so that it won't get lost or tore up. It has a Slim design that minimizes bulk and fits easily into a backpack, briefcase or other tight space yet offers plenty of storage. Perfect for someone who is mobile. You can use it as a desk with its smooth surface. My hubby grabbed this when he came home last night for his sleeping break. I was in shock because it is so bright pink, but he said that he didn't care about the color of it , that it was perfect for him to use in his truck for his logs and tickets.

I kept the Recycled Clipboard that I also got. It is smaller, but still has a strong clip to it. But don'[t let the memo size scare you off. It will securely hold up to 1/2 and inch of paper. I love that it is Assembled in Mississippi by Adults with Disabilities. Proudly made in the USA!I love the smaller size of this one, it fits perfectly in my handbag. When I was at the park with my son the other day, I had it out and was figuring out bills. I love it. a neat little take along clipboard for everyday use.

We have gotten a lot of use out of the Glue Stic and the Glue Style Pen that I was also sent. Being a homeschooling family we use a lot of glue and love these glue stics. The one is colored so my little man can see where it is and gets the stuff stuck onto the project where it needs to go. Very good idea to make it colored like that. The glue pen has a very precise tip to it that makes it very useful for smaller details. It goes where you want it to go and dries quickly. It has a ergonomic shape that fits perfectly in young hands. Washes easily with cold water. The quick 'n clean paper glue for school and home!

Shoplet is the place to go for all of your Office Supplies. Very good prices. They also have all of the Promotional Products that your business an use no matter how small or big it is. Office Stationary can be found here also. Anything that you can think of needing for your office, even Medical Supplies.

Perfect for a Get Home Bag

I received our 3rd one of these LifeStraw Personal Water Filter today!I am working on a Get Home Bag for hubby to keep in his big rig.

Having clean water is VERY important and will help him in trying to get home.

Will post later other items to have in a Get Home Bag! We should all have one in our vehicles. 

Food Storage Recipe - Campground Nachos

Get out your Cast Iron Skillet!

Easy recipe for on a grill or over campfire.

Need:

1 bag tortilla chips

Diced tomato

Shredded cheese 

optional jalapeno peppers

Salsa

In your Cast Iron Skillet start layering all Ingredients until all used. Cover with foil put over fire or grill and cook about 15 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Eat.

Powdered Milk is Versatile and Frugal

There is beauty to cooking with and using powdered milk. It is far more than just a powdering substance that sits on the shelf for years at time waiting for some major catastrophe to be removed and used. So what is it about powered milk that is so great?
Powdered milk is a powder made from dried (dehydrated) milk solids. Due to its low moisture content, powdered milk has a far longer shelf life than its liquid counterpart and does require refrigeration. At one time people shunned at the thought of powdered milk but today more and more people are embracing the wonders of milk solids.
Using powdered milk is economically friendly being that is not only cheaper, but, as mentioned earlier, it last longer than liquid milk. It is also good for stockpiling in cases of emergency. Using powdered milk is also economical because in the event that you run out of liquid milk, you can just run over to your pantry, instead of the store, and grab that box of milk solids. Imagine what you save in gas.
As far as cooking with powdered milk, it is definitely something you want to consider. And don't limit yourself with what you can do with it.
You can use powder milk to make macaroni and cheese. Think about it if you buy boxed mac and cheese, they use dried cheese which is what? Dairy, just like powdered milk and with the right ingredients you can create your own recipe using milk solids instead of liquid milk.
Powdered milk is frequently used in baking; in recipes where adding liquid milk would render the product too thin to be used. It is also a common in wherever fresh milk is not a viable option. You can also use it to make your own fat free cream soup base. And I would be remiss if I did not mention that you can also make sweetened condense milk and even sour cream with this handy and useful powder.
If your kids are chocolate or flavored milk fans, then powdered milk is a great way to provide them with all the healthy benefits of liquid milk while saving a few dollars by utilizing the powdered version for drinks that required milk. You can also use powdered milk to whipping cream, yogurt and other dairy items.
If your mother used powdered milk and you remember a watered down version of your favorite creamy white drink, don't let it stop you from trying it again. The taste has gotten better over the years and you really can't beat the economical value of powdered milk.

The Hillbilly Housewife has quite a few powdered milk recipes you may find useful. While you are there be sure to sign up for the Hillbilly Housewife Newsletter.

Camping Preparations 101 For Beginner's - A Starter Guide

Are you wanting to try your hand at hiking and camping? Does the sound of the great outdoors, the smell of fresh air, the smell and sound of a campfire under the stars sound appealing to you? Will this be your first camping trip? Well then maybe this article can be of some useful information.
First of all, one of the most important things to do before planning your camping or hiking trip is to let someone know at home or at work details of where you plan to camp or hike, how long you will be gone and any other details about your trip that you can leave that will be helpful in the event of an emergency or you fail to return when you said you would.
So now plan your trip. Where will you go? How do you learn about the area you plan to hike and camp into? Where can I get a map? Make sure you get a map for the area you plan to hike or camp in. Most U.S. Forestry Centers carry free maps of wilderness areas. You can also find maps online and at most outdoor stores. You will also want to check the weather of your camping location and plan accordingly.
So what will I need? What kind of equipment will you need?
Camping requires equipment, and the basic equipment is the same for seasoned experts or those just starting out. While there is plenty of high-quality camping equipment to make your stay outdoors a lot more comfortable, most of these items aren't necessary, especially for beginners. Choose good quality equipment, but don't blow your budget buying the most expensive gear. Remember that costly doesn't always mean top quality.
Here is some basic gear you'll need for your trip:
Tents: Decide how many people will be sleeping in one tent. You may want to have one tent for adults and one for children if you will be camping with the whole family. For a more comfortable arrangement, purchase a tent that will hold two more people than the number you expect to have sleeping inside. See my Article on camping tents for more information.
Sleeping Bags: Sleeping bags are graded for temperature and come in different shapes and sizes. Choose sleeping bags that are appropriate for the season and that have a comfortable size. See my Article on tents and sleeping bags for more information on these pieces of camping gear.
Cooking and meal equipment: A small, portable propane stove is very handy and makes mealtime as easy as if you were cooking in your own kitchen. You can also purchase a barbecue or find a stove that has both burners and grill. Choose washable dishes and utensils to be environmentally conscious. Don't forget two plastic bins for washing up!
Coolers and food storage: Choose coolers big enough to allow for blocks of ice. It's a good idea to have two separate coolers in different sizes as well, one for frozen foods and one for refrigerated foods. Select coolers with a snap-lock lid and handles. Purchase plastic bins to hold food that doesn't require refrigeration.
Luggage: The best luggage for camping is a cloth bag like as a hockey bag. Stiff-sided luggage doesn't hold as much clothing and takes up space.
Extras: Buy two tarps - one to use as a ground sheet underneath your tent and one to shelter the tent in the case of rain. Bring some rope for a makeshift clothesline. A nighttime lantern is always handy, especially for trips to the bathroom. You'll also need a basic survival kit, a cell phone, and a flashlight in case of emergencies. If you're going on a trip that lasts more than two nights and three days, bring biodegradable soap and shampoo.
When considering extra items to bring, try to think of functional items that fit your lifestyle like as sunscreen, bug spray, a pair of extra sandals, and a doormat for entry to your tent. Browse the aisles of the sporting goods section to determine what other items would be good to bring along.
Don't get caught up with gadgets and unnecessary items. They'll just take up space and probably won't be used more than once, if at all.
Clothing and Packing
Determine how many days you are going camping, determine how many sets of clothes you will need for that period, and then cut that number in half. Pack only the necessities, minimal lgear is key to a great camping trip experience. Hauling, packing, storing, and trying to fit everything in the car before you leave for your trip and when it's time to come home and unload it all is no fun at all. When you pack, fold each piece of clothing - and then roll it up. Rolled clothing takes up less space than stacked, folded clothing.
Food
Camping involves plenty of planning, and that goes for food planning too. Prepare your menu ahead of time, and have a menu for each meal that includes every item you'll need. The more detail you have on your menu, the better prepared you'll be to shop for exactly what you require, no more and no less.
Choose supper meals that you can prepare ahead of time and freeze, and freeze as much as you can in plastic bags to save space. The advantage of freezing food is that you will have "ice" ready for your cooler and not have to buy as many blocks of ice, and the food can safely defrost in the cooler. If it's frozen tight and you're planning on eating it that night, transfer the food from your frozen food cooler to the fresh produce cooler. Alternatively, thaw it out by placing the plastic bag in a bucket of cold water.
It's a good idea to prepare food you can freeze a couple of weeks ahead of time and the rest of the food the day before you leave. Remember, the more you can prepare at home, the less time you'll have to put into cooking while you camp.
There are tons of other camping tips for beginners, but most camping trips involve common sense, creativity, and keeping calm when things get stressful. Camping is experience you have to try at least once. If all goes well, you will probably want do to it year after year!
A camping trip can be a fun and educational vacation for the whole family. However, for that to be a reality, it's essential for every family member to be aware of some general and useful rules to follow. Camping tips can keep you from getting frustrated and will make the experience more fun for everyone, especially if you have smaller children. Here are some camping tips you need to consider before you leave:
1. Choose your tent wisely
When choosing a tent the most important things to keep in mind are size, weight and weather rating.
2. Consider pitch position.
When you pitch a Tent, one of the best tips to remember is to choose the location very wisely. If you can, try not to sleep on a slope. Think about where the sun comes up, and goes down. Think about some shelter in the day, it's often useful to have trees on one side of you to provide some natural protection from the heat, or any foraging animals that may decide your tent looks interesting enough to explore. If you plan to have an open fire, be sure that the flames won't reach any overhanging canopy of branches that could trigger a fire. Take note and follow any posted warning signs and look for animal tracks on the ground. Do not disrupt mother nature.
3. Read the instructions!
An obvious but often overlooked camping tip is to read the instructions to learn how to put your tent up before you even go off on your camping trip. If you have a new tent, which you haven't used yet, and are unfamiliar with how to put it up, it's a good idea to pitch the tent in your back yard for practice. When you do this see if each pole is marked and if not, take some masking tape and label each piece in a manner that it is foolproof. Mark pole 1 a-b, pole 2 b-c, pole 3 c-d and so on. Also if you return from your trip and your tent is wet, it is a good idea to set it up in the back yard and let it dry out before storing for your next trip.
5. Deal with your food needs appropriately.
You may not know the area you will be camping in very well and therefore not know what shops if any are in the local vicinity. If this is the case, try to take some basic food items with you, so that if you are unable to obtain any extra food, no one will go hungry. If you are planning on cooking all your own meals, make sure the gas cylinders are full, and you have packed everything you need to make meals from scratch. Don't forget the matches and remember to keep them dry! When you leave your campsite, make sure that all food is out of reach of wildlife. They will rip open boxes and climb trees to reach food if they really want it! It's a good idea to carry your food in a plastic container so that it will be kept safe, especially if you'll be camping in areas where there are larger animals, like bears. Keeping the food out of site (and smell) will prevent these dangerous creatures from being lured to your campsite. If you are camping in a location where there are bears it is imperative to use bear boxes. Bears can rip a car apart looking for food and can easily open a cooler and eat its contents if left out overnight.
6. Stay organized.
Be neat, tidy and organized inside of your tent and outside on the campgrounds. Although too much of a routine can be bothersome, having a few general rules is one of those camping tips which prove invaluable in the long term. Simple things such as not allowing dirty shoes inside the tent will not only make the camping trip a cleaner and more enjoyable experience, but also protect the tent's material making it last longer than it otherwise might. Assign everything a place inside the tent. Also have specific places where things that are often needed can be found so that you aren't fumbling in the dark and waking others looking for a flashlight or spending hours hunting for the matches.
7. Leave no trace.
Once your camping trip is at an end, make sure you tidy up after yourself, leaving no trace you were even there. If using a private or public campsite, this is essential, since people arriving will be arrive to use the same spot after you've left.
8. Prepare for next time.
You should be preparing for your next camping trip from the moment you end the current one. This means packing away all your equipment, including the Tents in a way that makes it easy and simple to start the next camping trip. Make sure the tent goes away dry (if it's raining as you pack up, air the tent out once you get home) and clean so that it's suitable to use without any fuss in future. As you pack away, make a note of any equipment you may need to buy, such as new pegs or a replacement gas bottle. Also make a note as to items that need to be repaired.
Camping Code of Ethics
While traveling to your favorite camping spot, stay on designated roads and trails. It is a good idea to follow best practices for negotiating terrain for your type of travel. Don't disturb the natural habitat by creating new routes or expanding on an existing trail. When you come to a stream, only cross at fords where the road or trail crosses the stream. When you come to a posted sign, comply with all the signs and barriers, they are there for a reason. It is always a good idea to go camping with two or three campers. Traveling solo can leave you vulnerable just in case you have an accident or breakdown. Always leave details with someone at home before leaving as to; where you are planning to go camping, how long you plan to be gone, and any other details that could be helpful in the event of an emergency or if you do not return when you planned. Respect the rights of others including private property owners and all recreational trail users, campers and others to allow them to enjoy their recreational activities undisturbed. Be considerate of others on the road, trail, or campground.
Keep noise to a minimum especially in the early morning and evening hours. Be considerate of other campers' privacy, keep your distance and avoid traveling through their campsites. Camping supplies in natural colors blend with natural surroundings and are less intrusive to other campers' experiences.
Leave gates as you find them.
If crossing private property, be sure to ask permission from the landowner. When driving yield to horses, hikers, and bikers.
Educate yourself by obtaining travel maps and regulations from public agencies, planning for your trip, taking recreation skills classes, and knowing how to use and operate your equipment safely.
Obtain a map of your destination and determine which areas are open to your type of travel. Make a realistic plan, and stick to it. Always tell someone of your travel plans. Contact the land manager for area restrictions, closures, and permit requirements. Check the weather forecast for your destination. Plan clothing, equipment, and supplies accordingly. Carry a compass or a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit and know how to use them. Prepare for the unexpected by packing emergency items. Avoid sensitive areas such as meadows, lake shores, wetlands and streams, unless on designated routes. This protects wildlife habitat and sensitive soils from damage.
Other sensitive habitats to avoid unless on designated routes include cryptobiotic soils of the desert, tundra, and seasonal nesting or breeding areas. Avoid disturbing historical, archaeological, and paleontological sites. Avoid "spooking" livestock and wildlife you encounter and keep your distance. Motorized and mechanized vehicles are not allowed in areas designated Wilderness. Do your part by leaving the area better than you found it, properly disposing of waste, minimizing the use of fire, avoiding the spread of invasive species, restoring degraded areas, and joining a local enthusiast organization. Pack out what you pack in.
Carry a trash bag and pick up litter left by others.
Repackage snacks and food in baggies. This reduces weight and amount of trash to carry out. Whenever possible, use existing campsites. Camp on durable surfaces and place tents on a non-vegetated area. Do not dig trenches around tents. Camp a least 200 feet from water, trails, and other campsites. For cooking, use a camp stove. They are always preferable to a campfire in terms of impact on the land. Observe all fire restrictions. If you must build a fire use existing fire rings, build a mound fire or use a fire pan. For campfires, use only fallen timber. Gather firewood well away from your camp. Do not cut standing trees. Let your fire burn down to a fine ash. Ensure your fire is completely extinguished. Do not wash in steams and lakes. Detergents, toothpaste and soap harm fish and other aquatic life. Wash 200 feet away from streams and lakes. Scatter gray water so it filters through the soil. In areas without toilets, use a portable latrine if possible and pack out your waste, otherwise it's necessary to bury your waste. Human waste should be disposed of in a shallow hole (6"-8" deep) at least 200 feet from water sources, campsites, or trails. Cover and disguise the hole with natural materials. It is recommended to pack out your toilet paper. High use areas may have other restrictions so check with a land manager.
Hopefully this was useful camping information. Enjoy the great outdoors and please leave it the great outdoors when you pack up and go home.
You can read more on camping and also visit my "Your Summer Ideas" site below.
[http://www.summerfunandtravel.com]

My $30.00 a Week For Prepping...

 Hubby set the limit that I could spend on food prepping to $30.00 a week. So my purchase this week was Mountain House #10 Can Beef Stroganoff with Noodles (10 -1 cup servings). We have had the small pouches of this and liked it. Next week I want to get the beef stew.

What other ones should we try? Which ones do you like? 

I had also went to a yard sale and got some nice thick blankets for $2.00 each and a real nice flashlight for 50 cents. 

Charcoal Grilling

Charcoal grilling can be a lot of fun and provide a host of tasty foods for a wide range of occasions, including major holidays. Unfortunately, each year many people are injured or become ill by not following the proper basics of charcoal grilling. Charcoal grilling need not be difficult, but there are a few basic steps that should be taken into consideration in order to ensure that food turns out tasty as well as safe to eat. In addition, there are some basics of charcoal grilling safety steps that should be considered in order to prevent accidents and injuries.

One of the first basic steps when you are grilling with charcoal is to make sure that you arrange the charcoal on the grill in a pyramid shape. The pyramid shape will allow air to flow properly, providing the ventilation that is critical for coals to burn properly. Simply spread the coals out will not provide good ventilation.

Another of the basic principles of charcoal grilling, which many people overlook, is that the coals should be started at least 20 minutes before starting to cook. Do not wait to start the coals at the same time as when you put the food on to start cooking.

Other important basics of charcoal grilling include making sure that you use lighter fluid to soak the coals. Use approximately half of a cup and then wait a minute or so for the lighter fluid to soak into the coals. Next, light the coals with a match.

NEVER, ever, use anything like gasoline or kerosene to start your charcoal fire. This can cause an explosion and result in serious injury. Every year, people who ignore this basic rule are seriously injured.

Be sure that you have a reliable meat thermometer nearby When you are grilling food. You should check the temperature of the meat as it cooks and never serve meat that is done under the minimum temperature guidelines for the type of meat that you are cooking. Eating meat that is not cooked well enough can lead to serious illness.

Keep in mind that an outdoor grill should only be used outside. You should never use an outdoor grill inside or any place where there is not proper ventilation. This can result in serious illness and injury and potentially lead to death.

When the proper steps for charcoal grilling are followed, the result can be delicious and moist food that will win rave reviews without running the risk of illness or injury.

Larry Roach is considered by many to have a lot of good advice regarding grill cooking. You can find more of his tips, including answers to questions about good grilling you may not even know you have, at http://www.grillcooking.info/grilling.

Mom's N Babe's Sewing Patterns & Cloth Diaper Store

Mom's N Babe's Sewing Patterns & Cloth Diaper Store 



Sewing patterns for every age and even for men and boys!



FREE SHIPPING!!



Also starting to add some cloth diapers and they also have free shipping.



Great way to save money. Sew your own clothes and use cloth diapers!

Living Off- The - Grid!!

Here’s what we cover in this brand new DVD that is sold exclusively here:

• How I set up my solar power system using this "simple little trick" for maximum efficiency
• How we wired our affordable and easy-to-use solar panels, and how you can do this too...
• We go over the inverter, the controller and the batteries and what they do to maximize your power output.
• Our backup system in case the weather doesn’t cooperate!
• Our affordable but powerful wind power system and how it works – it’s so simple you’ll laugh when you see it…
• I go through every room of the house and show you our power efficiency tricks so that we need a small, easy-on-the-wallet power system!
• I’ll show you how we use the sun to heat AND COOL our house for FREE
• I’ll go through all the little tricks and tips you can do that can slash your power bill BEFORE you ever spend a dime on solar!
• Why anyone can do this with a little bit of elbow grease and desire for independence.

And its all FREE in the Off Grid Solar DVD. FREE Off Grid Solar DVD

The Nerdy Survivalist

The Nerdy Survivalist: How to Protect and Care For Your Family in the Direst of Circumstances Was a free book for kindle when this post was written.
Preparing for the Zombie Apocalypse might not be your cup of tea,but preparing for natural disasters SHOULD be.
If you've been wondering how you could prepare for adisaster when you don't even feel like you can prepare for dinnertime, this is the book for you.
THE NERDY SURVIVALIST is a book for the rest of us.
You aren't going to learn how to build a fire with your mind or how to survive living off berries in the woods.
Instead, you're going to hear from a mom who's seen it all and lived through most of it,and you're going to discover what you need to know to make
surviving a reality.
Find out how you can start building a food storage even when you're on a budget, what steps you need to take BEFORE a disaster strikes, and what
mistakes you should avoid right before a storm in this book by Penelope Hoyt.

How To Make A Dollar Store Solar Cooker

How To Make A Dollar Store Solar Cooker - SHTF Preparedness



Today is a good day to try this out. My little man is going to cook up some hot dogs in ours to see how well it works.

Sew & Sell cloth Diapers

Medium Girl Fitted Cloth Diaper 





Sewing cloth diapers for my little man when he was a baby was a great way to save money that actually went into a home based business of selling cloth diapers.

The Blackout

The Blackout was a free book for the kindle when this post was written. This would make for a great read at the beach or the park while the kids play.

The world is thrust into darkness and silence, but no one knows why. Molly is an English professor at a local liberal arts college when the world suddenly goes dark. Her husband, Gary, is a corporate pilot on the other side of the country. Grounded by what appears to be a catastrophic power outage, he has no way to communicate with his wife, let alone get home to her. Not knowing whether her husband is alive or dead, Molly struggles to adapt to her new environment: without power, running water, transportation, a stable food supply, or any long-distance means of communication. Without knowing the cause of the outage, Gary must decide whether to wait for things to go back to normal, or to make the long and dangerous journey home on foot. Both must learn to survive after the Blackout.

Home Based Business Idea - Alter and Re-do Furniture

My brother started doing this about October of last year and he is really making some good money doing it. Enough that he quit his "real" job at a local department store. He finds old furniture at yard sales , dumpster diving, etc and redoes it. Sometimes he just cleans it and paints it, but sometimes he actually alters the items into other things. He is real good and sells more of the benches that he makes out of old footboards and headboard. They are so cute. He get the headboards and footboards for next to nothing at yard sales and turns them into a bench and sells them all day long for $75.00! He had to get a booth at the local indoor flea market because he was running out of room at his house.

Just an idea to throw out there if you have the tools and a truck than you can do this.

When he post pictures of the items on Facebook to a local sale group he deletes them the second they sell. I am going to start saving his pictures. He has really made some great looking items. They sell fast!

Teach Your Kids What to do in an Emergency - Kids Activities Blog

Teach Your Kids What to do in an Emergency - Kids Activities Blog



I just had to share this. Great ideas on teaching your kids what to do in an emergency.

Money-Saving Tips to Lower Your Food Budget

As food prices continue to rise, consumers find it a challenge to stay on a budget. We are spending more money on food this year than we did last year. People are looking for ways to save money on food. As an experiment, for one month, I spent only twenty dollars a week on food. I ate healthy, delicious meals and all of my meals cost under a dollar. This article will explain the foods I ate, the stores I shopped in and other information that will help you lower your food budget.

Everyone can save money on food if they would eat vegetarian foods two or three days a day. You can substitute beans for meat or chicken in most recipes. Bean stew, bean curry, bean burritos are a few examples of bean meals. When you combine beans with a grain you get the same protein as you find in meat, chicken and fish. Beans are high in fiber and easier to digest than meat. For this experiment I ate only vegetarian food, because I am a vegetarian. You can substitute chicken thighs or chicken drum sticks, canned tuna and eggs with some of the items on my list and still stay with the twenty dollars a week budget.
Create a meal plan for a week. Use the meal plan as a guide when you make your grocery list. Buy only the items on your grocery list. Always eat a meal before you go grocery shopping. Eating before you shop will help you buy only the items on yourlist. Wednesdays is the best day to grocery shop. Most stores will honor the previous sales items from the past week and you can get the new sales items for the new week on a Wednesday. Shop in the evening and you maybe able to get additional discounts on produce, bakery items and meat.

I shop for food in a dollar store and a grocery store. Dollar stores have a lot of food items and household products. In the grocery store I buy store brand products or products that are on sale. In the dollar store I buy dry beans, rice, pasta and oatmeal. In the grocery store I buy bananas, carrots, celery, lettuce, frozen mixed vegetables, bread and cheese. With these food items I can create meals that cost under a dollar.
The following menu is an example of some of the meals you can make on a twenty dollar a week budget.

BREAKFAST
Banana
Oatmeal
Toast with melted cheese

LUNCH
Pasta Salad
Marinated bean salad
Grilled cheese sandwich
Curry beans and rice
Carrots and celery

DINNER
SALAD
Stir-fried vegetables and beans on rice
Bean Chili on rice
Bake pasta and cheese
Vegetable and bean casserole

Eat vegetarian food two or three days a week. Shop in a dollar store and only buy store brand products and products that are on sale in the grocery store. Shop in the evening on a Wednesday to get the most sales items and discounted products.

Follow my suggestions and you can create meals that cost under a dollar and you
can lower your monthly food budget.

Eat 6 meals a day and lose weight. For more information on a fast and permanent weight loss plan, visit http://www.loseweightandfatloss.com