Saturday, November 1, 2014

Prices For Bulk Food Storage Items

These are the prices and ways I purchase dry goods in bulk for my $300/yr basic food storage (which I build on through canning, dehydrating, and buying medium and long term storage items) See my blog, How To Start A Food Storage (My Method aka The Best Method). I'm not saying these are bottom dollar prices, but they are what I can find locally. You'll also want to contact farmers markets, co-ops, any mills within 50-100 miles, etc.. When the difference is $1/lb and you need 200 lbs a  2 hr drive isn't so bad.

You can get a one year basic survival rations food storage for under $65 a month for two people. Will it be the best stuff ever? Nope. It'll be oatmeal, tortillas, rice, beans, salt, sugar, and oil... Daily. 
This is just the start anyone without allergies should be building from. A can of soup, a gravy mix, meat from hunting, veggies from gardening, canned fruits from water bathing, beef stew from pressure canning, boxed hamburger helper, etc... Can all be added to this base for a better food plan. 
Without essentials you'll be chasing calories and protein or spending $1000's too much on "freeze dried" systems. Please please learn to create a food storage yourself and mylar/oxygen absorber and maybe silica (click!) it.


RICE - Lasts 25 years *in mylar with oxygen absorber* stored in under 70° F/21° C 
OATS, PLAIN - Lasts 25 years *in mylar with oxygen absorber* stored in under 70° F/21° C 
CORNMEAL - Lasts 10 years *in mylar with oxygen absorber* stored in under 70° F/21° C 
FLOUR - Lasts 7 years *in mylar with oxygen absorber* stored in under 70° F/21° C 
HARD WHEAT - Lasts 25 years *in mylar with oxygen absorber* stored in under 70° F/21° C 
DRY BEANS - Lasts 25 years *in mylar with oxygen absorber* stored in under 70° F/21° C 
  • 5.2 lbs Pinto Beans in #10 Can *LDS Cannery* - $5.95 - $1.14/lb
  • 25 lbs White Beans *LDS Cannery* $15.00 - $.60/lb
  • 25 lbs Black Beans *LDS Cannery* $15.00 - $.60/lb
  • 20 lbs Pinto Beans, PA/MD/DE stores, $14.85 - $.74/lb
  • 20 lbs Navy Beans, PA/MD/DE stores, $19.80 - $.99/lb
  • 20 lbs Northern Beans, PA/MD/DE stores, $22.00 $1.10/lb
  • 20 lbs Black Beans, PA/MD/DE stores, $19.72 - $.99/lb
  • 20 lbs Lentils, PA/MD/DE stores, $16.80 - $.84/lb
  • 20 lbs Red Kidney Beans, PA/MD/DE stores, $22.76 - $1.14/lb
OTHER GREAT PRICES
  •  *LDS Cannery* #10 Can Dehydrated Apples - $9.75
    • flavor oats, drop in smoothies. rehydrated makes a ton!
  •  *LDS Cannery* Potato Flakes $4.50/#10 Can (1.8lbs - lasts 30 yrs)
    • if you're looking for potato flakes basically no ingredients except potatoes and preservatives. Look at this LDS label and try to match it in bulk if mylaring.
  •  *LDS Cannery* Nonfat Dry Milk - $5.40 for 1.8 lb - makes 4 gallons
    • lasts 20 years if only ingredients are milk and vitamins a/d
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Thursday, October 30, 2014

Couponing For Preps

Here's the thing. Saving money matters. Having a stockpile matters. Being prepared matters. Every penny you didn't have to spend in one section of life frees you up to spend or save elsewhere. I'm 29, debt free, with a homestead. Coupons and fiscal responsibility are how.

I am going to write out a really long, detailed post that will save you money if you let it. Hundreds to tens of thousands a year depending on your own personal lifestyle.

Read everything below & then if you want to keep burying your head in the sand, sobeit :)

Here are some examples from just one of the coupon matchup sites available.
http://www.livingrichwithcoupons.com/mypathmark http://www.livingrichwithcoupons.com/mypublix http://www.livingrichwithcoupons.com/mywinndixie http://www.livingrichwithcoupons.com/mygiant http://www.livingrichwithcoupons.com/myalbertsons

#1: Get the store card for every store in your area that has a loyalty program. Some sales are tied to a particular address or phone number and "max out", CVS is an example of one who does this so I have a few CVS cards - one from my address/my name, one for moms address/her name, one for friends address/her name, etc.. If you know people who don't coupon it is nothing for them to get an extra card and give it to you. 

For stores that don't track purchases like this you will only need one card total. Most stores you could do as many "limit 4" as you wanted over the week with one card as long as management didn't care. The only time a second card would be needed in those cases would be if there was a running total program. For instance my Shoprite has a "spend $400, get free turkey" program. It counts the pre-coupon price, so I might only pay $125 for $400 in groceries and get a free turkey! Once I earn enough points for the turkey, I'll switch to a back up card and get to $400 again, getting another free turkey. Last year I picked up so much free/almost free toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, and yakisoba bowls that I ended up spending about $45 and getting $900 in free items - including getting 2 free turkeys! 

#2 - If you have a smartphone you need to install grocery apps on your phone. NOTE - If you don't actually follow all the steps you'll pay more than intended. For awhile I'd forget to send ibotta photos of my receipt, therefore not saving $5-10 a time and sometimes that meant paying more than I would normally. Make sure you follow through. Getting the first check in the mail for $49 from an app is what sold me. You don't have to do all at once. Try one or two - don't get overwhelmed!
  • Target cartwheel might offer you $5 off $15 in frozen foods one day and you'll be able to still use coupons on the frozen foods, for one example (Target has some amazing deals, actually - I've seen extreme couponing friends walk out with $500 of cleaning supplies for under $5). Also, text "APP" to 827438 (TARGET) to receive a download link for target mobile. A separate app with totally different coupons. Combining all these store deals with manufacturers coupons is how you end up with free stuff!
  • Ibotta has a pretty cool system. You check with them first for their list of deals. It might say watch a 1 minute video for $2 off $5 apple purchase, or complete a 5 question survey for $3 off any 2 gallons milk.. Always different and some require no tasks also. Upload photo/scan barcode and your acct is credited. Once you meet threshold get a gift card in the mail or paypal deposit.
  • Checkout51 works almost exactly like ibotta, but it's a totally different set of coupons uploaded every Thursday. Whether it's $1 off any campbells soup or $3 of $30 or more chicken purchase, it's fun and easy to unlock mobile coupons. These add up fast and once you hit $20 you get a check!
  • Shopmium is free and is much like Checkout51 and Ibotta because you can get cash back on offers from many stores.
  • SavingStar is a great way to save big money on your groceries and pharmacy store purchases. They are the first and only national, fully-digital grocery eCoupon rewards service. There is nothing to clip and nothing to print. Once you are registered you will have to set up your store loyalty cards. Select the eCoupons you like and link them to your store loyalty cards. Use your loyalty card at checkout (note: The total on your receipt does not change at checkout and the savings are not printed on the receipt). Your money is automatically added to your SavingStar account within 2-30 days! Hit the threshold (very low) and you'll have cash!
  • ShopKick is an app for your phone that gives you exclusive deals to all of your favorite stores including, Best Buy, Target, Toys R Us, etc! You can earn kick points just for walking into a store and  then more “kicks” for making purchases. Kicks become gift cards!
  • The RetailMeNot Coupons app makes it easy to save in store with thousands of coupons at the places you love to shop. I have saved no less than $2000 using RTM on everything from business cards to school uniforms to the laptop I'm typing on right now.
  • Also, get yourself a barcode scanner app. So awesome to be in Target and see a lantern I wanted and then scan it and see it's $16 less a mile away. Or $20 more everywhere else so I grab it quickly.
#3 Call your local stores during the day on a weekday and ask to speak to a manager. Ask these questions: Does ______ double coupons? If so, what is the coupon policy? Does is double .50 to $1? or .75 to $1.50? or $.99 to $1.98? Does ______ limit the number of like coupons per transaction? Or total coupons per transaction? Can I split into multiple transactions or will I need multiple people? 

BEST WAY TO GET STARTED
On Saturday night look at dollar tree matchups, write down the items you want to get that use coupons you have or can print. On Sunday morning go to dollar tree and buy 4 papers $1 ea (bring someone in case its a limit of 2 per person). If you're unlucky enough to have a DT or can't get inserts this way, figure it out. Its Sunday morning. You can find inserts all over if you ask nicely. 

While at DT look for the items you wrote down and make sure they have them b4 you waste ink printing them out. When you get home look at your other stores matchups and print out the printable coupons to make the deals you liked for each store. Resist the urge to print every pretty coupon you see. Saving $3 on something that is $10 you can't afford or don't need is not saving $3, its wasting $7 and ink.

If you see a lot of deals needed paper coupons you can order them from www.couponsthingsbydede.com or www.couponfleamarket.com or something, but so you don't overwhelm yourself I suggest you only at most buy 4 of any 1 coupon this first time. Remember these coupons take time to get to you. Don't order coupons for a sale ending in 2 days, for example. Since most of my stores start new sales Saturday or Sunday and that's when livingrichwithcoupons posts their matchups, I order most coupons Sunday morning, but I have one store that posts/starts Wednesday. I rarely shop here bc of this but if theres a great sale I'll order on Tuesday night when that matchup posts too.

Also, once you come home from dollar tree (where you didn't buy anything except a newspaper), print the dollar tree coupons if the item you wanted was in your store and clip the coupons in your inserts setting aside the ones you'll need to make this weeks deals (don't see a deal, don't use a coupon - unless its about to expire theres no need to burn a hot coupon on a full priced item, it might take 2-4 weeks but you'll find a sale probably).

Go shopping as early in the week as you can, I know you might need to wait for ordered coupons, but if you are doing strictly printed coupons for first couple weeks to ease in (which I think is best to not overwhelm yourself), there's no reason not to shop by Tuesday.

Every single Saturday night/Sunday morning look at the websites. Every single Sunday get the inserts from 4 papers (until you start getting into substantial trading and don't need to). You'll soon have every coupon and will be able to do almost every deal.

My "stockpile" from couponing includes frozen food, fresh produce, boxed meals, hygiene, clothing, baking items, canned foods, medical items, BOB foods, etc.. I used to donate like $250 cash to our pantry annually, now I can donate $2000 a yr in food/supplies when nearing expiry that I paid that $250 for & it helps me by amassing a large larder in case of SHTF - I could spend the same $300 I always spent on groceries & easily bring in $12,000 of groceries a year (way more than we could eat), if I can't cycle it in time I just donate it. You can do a smaller lot & just get your bill down by $50 a month as a goal, that's $600 a yr for preps or an emergency fund. 

I decided to use the savings from couponing (some months I only need to spend $40 so I have $260 left from my $300 I always set aside) and build my long term food storage. I might buy 500 lbs of rice for $150, I might buy 12 cans of yoders bacon. Its my food storage, its my choice. Being financially free is the best preparation one could ask for. What would you do with a grocery bill cut in half? :)
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Sunday, October 26, 2014

Water Bottles In Cars Cause Cancer?


Myth: Drinking from a plastic water bottle left in a hot car can cause cancer.

Fact: This rumor falsely claims that dioxins—a group of toxic chemicals associated with an array of health problems, including breast cancer—leach from the heated plastic into the water.
Plastics do not contain dioxins, and the sun's rays are not strong enough to create them, says Michael Trush, PhD, deputy director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Urban Environmental Health. Most single-use beverage bottles sold in the United States are made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a substance tested extensively for safety. There is some evidence that heat can cause bisphenol A (BPA), a compound that's been shown to have estrogenic effects in animal studies, to leach from plastic bottles into the water. (The "estrogenic effects" are thought to impact cancer risk.) However, most single-use water bottles sold in the United States are made from BPA-free plastic. And there's no proven link to breast cancer in women anyway. To be safe, drink from a reusable plastic bottle labeled "BPA free," or choose water bottles with a "1," "2," "4," or "5" in the recycling symbol on the bottom. 
Published November 2011, Prevention
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Thursday, October 23, 2014

Barter Item: Three Cent Cigarettes

Cigarettes ~ First know that tobacco is taxed based on how "fine" it is. Cigarette tobacco is thinner and taxed $30/lb on top of the tobacco cost. If you want that thin put pipe tobacco (same thing, just slightly larger cut) in a food processor or coffee grinder and pulse once or twice.

From reading posts I realized tobacco is not to be "dry" and needs no silica/desiccant and I'm seeing some posts against o2 absorbers. I'll talk storage options below.
  • Buy 16oz bags of menthol and nonmenthol pipe tobacco at a cigarette shop at $12-15.
  • Buy 3 cartons of 200ct tubes and filter boxes per bag of tobacco $2-3 each.
    • At $15 + $9 ($3x3) you're looking at $8 a carton, $.80 a pack, or $0.04 each!
    • At $12 + $6 ($2x3) you're looking at $6 a carton, $.60 a pack, or $0.03 each!
  • Decide on either: 
    • buying cheap cigarette makers you can give out/toss if they break $2.19 on ebay.
      • tends to jam/break but priced well. 
      • you wont cry if you break it, unless you only had on
      • slow. i can make maybe 50-75 in a full hour.
    • buy a more expensive manual cigarette making machine. 
      • I suggest Powermatic I (not II) as it works with no electricity.
      • You can find cheaper by $3 on ebay, but I pd $50 @ amazon bc of easy returns. 
      • most likely won't break.
      • fast. saw a guy make 100 in 20 minutes. thats 300 in an hour.
      • can order a few replacement parts now for shtf.
  • Now that you have your items you have two options. Roll at least 1 box at once (or all 3 to empty one bag of tobacco), or wait until SHTF. Both seem like fine options the only thing I'd say is wrap the boxes of tubes with more saran wrap and keep everything in a dry, cool, dark place. I've seen people do both without issue.
  • My favorite storage options...
    • Ask friends who smoke to save you their empty boxes. Once you have 15 boxes you have enough for one "carton" of tubes and filters, and 50 boxes should cover one "bag" of tobacco. In this case, if friends mainly smoke kings (shorter, 84mm) you should purchase kings tubes instead of 100s. Once you put the filled RYO cigarettes in packs (16-18 should fit okay), wrap the pack in saran wrap well. You can even do a layer of foil under the saran wrap if you like. You can place packs in a bin, put in a cabinet, try vac sealing (stop before crushed), or even place the wrapped packs in mylar, pushing as much air out as possible before sealing (use o2 absorbers at your own risk, i heard they dry out cigarettes).
    • Open everything, roll everything, put filled cigarettes back in carton box, wrap in aluminum foil then saran wrap the box really well. You can place cartons in a bin, put in a cabinet, try vac sealing (stop before crushed), or even place the wrapped cartons in mylar, pushing as much air out as possible before sealing (use o2 absorbers at your own risk, i heard they dry out cigarettes).
    • Mason Jar loose tobacco or cigarettes if you'd like to do so. I know pints hold cigarettes perfectly though I can't remember how many. I saw a woman on youtube who had 1000s of jars I guess, because she used about 100 for RYO cigarettes. She used the jar attachment to suck out air. I don't know if this dries everything out though, and I personally wouldn't give out mason jars in a shtf... I think these were for her personal use.
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Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Bugging Out/Extended Camping Items

 <3 Join my new facebook group:Prepping Foods for tips and to post any questions!
Yes - you'll probably need a vehicle, cart, OR to cache some things at your BOL before SHTF. My blog on caches will help you (click!). I adore caches! Anyway, here's my list...

*Batteries - All Devices Same Size If Possible
*Collapsible Lantern
*Flashlight
*Headlamp
Air Freshener
Baby Items: Bottle, Pacifier, Sippy Cups, Skinny Spoon, Cloth Diapers, etc
Bar Soap Slivers
Bathroom/Kitchen Cleansers
Bear Spray (Multi Uses)
Bug Out Bag Foods
Camp Stove
Candles
Carabiners (Assorted)
Compass and Local Maps
Compression Sack(s)
Cookset
Crank Radio
Dental Floss
Duct Tape and Gorilla Glue
Esbit Fuel Tabs
Esbit Pocket Stove
Extra Socks (Wicking)
Extra Underwear (Wicking)
Fuels
Gallon Ziplock bags
Generators
Glow Sticks (asst - low light & long burn, high intensity, infared)
Gortex Sock Liners
Hand Sanitizer (Place Liquids In Gallon Ziplocks)
Hat, Bandana, Work Gloves, Sunglasses
Heirloom Seeds (light/small/lifesaving)
Hiking Shoes and Sandals For At Camp
If Needed, Climbing Gear
If Needed, Climbing Harness (under 1lb)
Individual First Aid Kit
Kerosene Lanterns
Knives - Multitool, etc
Light bulbs
Lightweight, Durable Bags - GHB, BOB, IFAK
Lightweight, Durable Towel
Lightweight, Durable Walking Stick
Long Handled Spork
Loud Hiking Whistle
Mini Fishing Kit
Money (For Personal SHTFs)
Non-leather Belt
Oil Lamps/fuel
Paracord Items
Poncho
Sawyer Mini
Sewing Kit/Safety Pins
Shelter of your choice
Sleeping Bag
Solar Charger (best you can fit/afford - battery bank = epic)
SOS Pads/Pot Scrubber
Spare Parts and Equipment
Swimsuit
Tarp (Ground Sheet)
Toilet Paper/Dried Baby Wipes
Trapping Wire
Trash Bags
Travel Size Bug Spray/Sunscreen
Travel Size Hygiene Kit
Two way radios
VAS Fire Kit / Extras
Water and Collapsible Water Jug/Bag
Water Bottle (fits Sawyer Mini)
Water Purification Tablets
Waterproof Watch
Zip Ties (several)
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Idea Dump: Supplies



This is a list I made and never did anything with but if even one item is something you overlooked or have forgotten I feel I'd be remiss if not posting it. Sorry so sloppy! <3 Join my new facebook group:Prepping Foods for tips and to post any questions!



Books, Animal and human medicine
Books, Blacksmith/Welding/Construction
Books, Electrical/mechanical repairs
Books, farming/gardening/homesteading
Books, hunting/fishing/trapping
Books, weapons/security and self-defense
Bug in equipment, hour LED candles
bug out equipment, bug out bags
bug out equipment, climbing gear
bug out equipment, cookstoves
bug out equipment, glow sticks/ hour LED
bug out equipment, glow sticks/infrared
bug out equipment, glow sticks/ultrabright
bug out equipment, topography maps
Children, baby bottles/sippy cups/cleaning gear
Children, baby wipes/diaper rash cream
Children, cloth diapers and covers
Children, homeschooling supplies
Children, manual pump/food/formula
Children, waterproof mattress covers/pads
Clothing, baby and child
Clothing, belts/jeans/thermals/boots
Clothing, rain coat/wading gear/rain boots
Clothing, undershirts/underwear/socks
Family, board/card/dice/handheld/trivia/puzzles
Family, craft and sewing equipment
Family, musical instruments
Food storage, buckets and containers
Food storage, canning supplies
Food storage, Dog and cat food (never take out of orig bag!)
Food storage, mylar bags
Fuel, Coleman camp stove liquid
Fuel, diesel and equipment
Fuel, firewood and chopping equipment
Fuel, gas and equipment
Fuel, propane and equipment
Fuel, rechargeable batteries and equipment
Garden, assorted planters
Garden, equipment and tools
Garden, heirloom seeds
Garden, pesticides/compost starter
Garden, rain catchment systems
Garden, wagons and wheelbarrels
Kitchen equipment, 7+ day coolers
Kitchen equipment, aluminum trays
Kitchen equipment, cast-iron pots/pans
Kitchen equipment, Dutch oven
Kitchen equipment, hand operated kitchen tools
Kitchen equipment, heavy duty aluminum foil
Kitchen equipment, kitchenaid mixer w/ attachments
Kitchen equipment, meat slicer/grinder
Kitchen equipment, nonstick pots and pans
Kitchen equipment, paper plates and bowls
Kitchen equipment, paper towels and toilet paper
Kitchen equipment, plastic containers with lids
Kitchen equipment, plastic cups and utensils
Kitchen equipment, polaroid and digital cameras
Kitchen equipment, scrub sponges
Kitchen equipment, silicone liners
Kitchen equipment, solar dehydrator
Livestock, breeding equipment
Livestock, butchering tools
Livestock, Chicken feed/vitamins/meds
Livestock, goat feed/vitamins/meds
Livestock, goat pen and equipment
Livestock, hen houses and equipment
Livestock, rabbit feed/vitamins/meds
Livestock, rabbit hutches and equipment
Livestock, roosters/hens/goats/rabbits
Safety, CB and ham radios
Safety, CO/Fire Alarms and extinguisher
Skills, Building Supplies/Extra Parts/Manual Tools
Storage equipment, 55 gallon drums /5 gallon buckets
Storage equipment, HD plastic totes
Survival, bear/pepper spray
Survival, body armor/gas masks
Survival, firestarters and multitools
Survival, geiger counters
Survival, hazmat suit
Survival, hunting/trapping/fishing supplies
Survival, knives and machetes
Survival, sleeping bags and tarps
Survival, slingshots
Survival, tasers
Survival, tents
Survival, walkie-talkies
Survival, water filter
Survival, water tanks
Vehicles, bicycles and spare parts
Vehicles, four wheelers
Vehicles, motorcycles
Vehicles, wagons/carts
Waste (Shovel, etc)
Waste, Extra Gel/Poo Powder/Trashcan liners (mini)
Waste, Toilet, Bags, Poo Powder, Gel
Waste, Trashcans, Trashcan liners (xl)
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Kitchen/Pantry/Linen Closet Items For Bugging In

I'm sure there's other items but this will help you think up things you've missed. PLEASE comment things I've missed - you might save my life <3 Join my new facebook group:Prepping Foods for tips and to post any questions!

KITCHEN/PANTRY IDEAS
*Baggies, Assorted
*Boxes Of Aluminum Foil
*Boxes Of Cling Wrap
*Boxes Of Long Kitchen Matches
*Boxes Of Parchment Paper
*Boxes Of Wax Paper
*Brooms and Extra Broom Heads
*Buckets and Shovels
*Can Opener
*Canned Bar Keeper Friend
*Cast Iron Cookware
*Clamp Base Food Processor w/Cones 
*Coffee Grinder
*Corers
*Cutting Boards
*Dish Bins
*Dish Clothes and Towels
*Dish Rags
*Dish Sponges
*Dishwashing Liquid
*French Press
*Garlic Press
*Glass Measuring Cups
*Hand Beater
*Hand Grain Mill
*Hand Meat Grinder
*HD Paper Bowls
*HD Paper Cups
*HD Paper Plates
*Heavy Duty Black Trash Bags
*Manual Graters
*Meat Tenderizing Mallet
*Metal Utensils
*Mop and Extra Mop Heads
*Napkins
*Open Flame Tripod
*Paper Towels
*Pest Control Products
*Plastic Utensils
*Professional Style Meat Saw
*Red Solo Cups
*Rolling Trash Cans
*Slicers
*Small Liners For Office Trashcans/Bucket Pottys
*Solar Oven
*Stackable Trash Cans & Lids
*Swiffers & Supplies
*Tea Kettle
*White Kitchen Trash Bags
*Wooden Rolling Pins


LINEN/BATHROOM CLOSET IDEAS

**Baby Wipes/Toilet Paper/Paper Towels
**Bars Of Dr. Bronners/Fels Naptha/Zote (acc to your detergent recipe)
**Body Lotions
**Body/Foot Powders
**Body Wash
**Bottles Of Ammonia
**Bottles Of Bleach
**Boxes Of Arm & Hammer Washing Soda
**Boxes Of Essential Oils
**Conditioners
**Cotton Balls/Pads/Swabs
**Deodorant
**Facial Cleansers/Creams/Moisturizers
**Feminine Products
**Floss Picks
**Foot Powders/Sprays/Creams
**Hairbrushes and Combs
**Lip Balms
**Mouth Rinses
**Shampoos
**Soaps: Bar and Liquid
**Sunscreen
**Tiolet Paper
**Toothbrushes
**Toothpastes
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NO Long-Term Storing Food In Buckets Without Mylar Bags

Join my new facebook group: Prepping Foods for tips and to post any questions!
Basically, if you're doing this you cannot expect moisture or oxygen to be kept out, even with *11* extra oxygen absorbers. BYU did a study (here). The conclusion is below.

Results and Discussion
Measurements were taken of food grade buckets (gasketed and not) of wheat for two and a half weeks on days 1, 5, 9, 13, and 17. The results for the control stayed near the expected 20.9% oxygen content.

Conclusion
The O2 levels in the buckets over time were inconsistent. It is evident that considerable O2 infiltrated the buckets. Those buckets containing 8 packets with a capacity to absorb more O2 than was sealed in the bucket both failed by day 9. Failure of buckets containing even more packets was sporadic and inconsistent. If permeation through the HDPE were the only means of O2 infiltration, the results of duplicate buckets would have been consistent. The failure of one bucket in each replicate indicates that the seals were imperfect. A second experiment was carried out with less expensive gasketed lids with even a higher rate of failure (data not shown).

These results indicate that it is possible to reduce the O2 level to < 1% and hold it for 12 days to accomplish disinfestation. It would require the use of 11 or more O2 absorber packets in each bucket. However, the frequency of failure was unacceptably high. It would be difficult for a consumer to know if conditions required for disinfestations had been achieved because of the unpredictability of the seals. Therefore, it is not recommend that consumers use O2 absorbing packets in 5-gal HDPE buckets to disinfest wheat or other grains. For the same reasons it is not recommended to store products sensitive to oxidation in 5-gal HDPE buckets unless the product is to be used before oxidative degradation occurs.

Now here is my mylar and oyxgen absorber and silica info preptips101.blogspot.com/2014/10/my-mylar-tutorial-why-i-recommend.html!
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First Aid Ideas

I wrote a blog on first aid items you can get at Dollar Tree (here), and this blog goes above and beyond that list. It is of course incomplete, but you can always comment more ideas! Join my new facebook group: Prepping Foods for tips and to post any questions!


Firstly, I pack my IFAK (Individual First Aid Kit) differently than a lot of people. Because I bought in bulk and gifted ifak starters to friends I was able to make my ifak almost a dream one. I not only carry gauze, sutures, iv items, and bandages singly, I also used a foodsaver to make “kits” so I have packets with a notecard facing out with like “ankle injury” on it and it holds ace bandages, antipseptic wipes, gauze, bandages, and other things, all in one easy to grab package. I have these for many types of illnesses and injuries and my ifak is in two large identical duffels one in car and one at home, I’m not bugging out and if I would I’d have to downsize.


You’ll also see I sort my preps. This is by compartment and level of triage.


MED, antibiotics/antiseptics/antivirals

MED, Bactricin/Monistat/Midol

MED, cold/flu/allergy/multvitamins/dramamine

MED, Sudafed/EpiPen/Insomnia

MED, hemorrhoidal/enemas/gas-x

MED, ibuprofen/tylenol/aleve/aspirin

MED, muscle relaxers/pain/numbing

MED, Pepto/Imodium AD/Laxitives/Rolaids

M-EMT, ace bandages

M-EMT, Band-Aids

M-EMT, gauze

M-EMT, liquid bandages

M-EMT, sutures

M-EMT, alcohol pads

M-EMT, antiseptic ointment

M-EMT, antiseptic spray/wipes

M-EMT, assorted gloves

M-EMT, blood pressure cuff/stethoscope

M-EMT, body warmers

M-EMT, burn gel

M-EMT, casts/splints

M-EMT, cold compress

M-EMT, CPR kit

M-EMT, emergency airway

M-EMT, eye pads

M-EMT, eye shields

M-EMT, glucose monitoring kit

M-EMT, hand sanitizer

M-EMT, hot compress

M-EMT, hydrocortisone

M-EMT, hydrocortisone cream

M-EMT, insect repellent

M-EMT, iodine pads

M-EMT, lidocaine

M-EMT, liquid bandages

M-EMT, new skin patches

M-EMT, nonstick gauze/tape

M-EMT, petroleum jelly

M-EMT, Q-tips

M-EMT, safety pins

M-EMT, saline

M-EMT, smelling salts

M-EMT, sunblock

M-EMT, toenail clippers

M-EMT, travel size iodine

M-EMT, travel size isopropyl alcohol

M-EMT, travel size peroxide

M-EMT, wet naps

M-EMT, whistles


MD-ER, bedsore wound dressings

MD-ER, birth control

MD-ER, condoms

MD-ER, CPR kit

MD-ER, disposable shoe covers

MD-ER, emergency airway

MD-ER, emergency contraception


MD-ER, glucose monitoring kit

MD-ER, IV Equipment & Meds

MD-ER, magnifying glasses

MD-ER, medical logs

MD-ER, neck stabilization kit

MD-ER, postmortem kit

MD-ER, scissors

MD-ER, splatter masks

MD-ER, stethoscope/BP cuff

MD-ER, suture removal kit

MD-ER, syringes

MD-ER, tool sterilization kit

MD-OR, biohazard bags

MD-OR, bloodsoak sheets

MD-OR, sterile scrub brushes

MD-OR, thoracotomy kit

MD/GYN, gynecological instruments/meds

Additions from comments
Christy Van Drunen:
Add Kerlix, Israeli bandages, tourniquet (unless I missed that), BP cuff is listed under EMT for triage, but the stethoscope is under ER. I'd keep them together. 
I'm always pretty specific about tape. Micropore and transpore suck in the field. Durapore is my favorite. Have it in varying sizes. 1-3" widths. A sharpie is nice...you can write on some tape put on the patient if you can't do paper.

William Beard:
One thing I would also do is get some medihoney gauze specifically for dealing with burns.
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Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Apple Pie Moonshine Recipe

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Okay, not exactly prepping related, but barter maybe? Whatever, my blog, my post choices, lol.

This going to be a weekend project for me. I found it on Mason Jars and Mixing Bowls and it looks delicious! Go here for the recipe: Apple Pie Moonshine!



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Monday, October 20, 2014

Understanding Home Dehydrating Fruits & Vegetables

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When you home dehydrated fruits and vegetables you are applying a very very low, slow bake to them until they reach a low enough oxygen level to store for long periods of time. The less moisture the better without burning them. Every machine is different so what works for mine may not work identically in yours but the main dehydrators of today do tend to try and stay on equal footing.

I am *not* here to give you specifics like temps & times you need for a recipe. There are 1000s of books and blogs & I'm not an expert. I just study well and used my knowledge to write this post about proper storage and shelf life of your fruits and veggies.

MY REASONS TO DEHYDRATE:
        • SPACE: 10 lbs of frozen mixed veggies = 1/2 gallon
      • No Freezer Worries: Electric out? No prob when your food is in jars!
      • Lightweight: 2 lbs of apples becomes 4 oz! 100 lbs apples = 6.25 lbs!
      • Portable: You're reducing 95% of the water content in your veggies. That's a lot less space in your BOB, camping pack, RV, or cellar.
      • Great As Snacks: I love tomato wheels, sliced cucumbers, apple chips, fruit leather, etc... <3
      • Easy Meal Prep: Dehydrated egg powder, onions, garlic, a tsp of milk powder, and some salt in a baggy = easy scrambled eggs. Make 10 bags at once. OR boil pasta, dehydrated tomato powder, and spices, then add a $2 shelf stable beef crumbles packet. Spaghetti as good in 2 yrs as it is now. 
      • Save Money: This month a local gardener was selling his last few bushels of tomatoes in bulk - $90 for 100lbs. Canning would have been great but that is a LOT of jars - instead dehydrate into tomato powder using 10% of the jars. Makes enough sauce for 50 meals for 4 probably.


Using a lot of info from the web including Modern Survival Blog and Barefoot In The Kitchen, I have come up with a few key notes you should adhere to, if you want the longest shelf life for your fruits and veggies. The inspiration for my writing this post came from Mandy and her blog, littlesuburbanhomemaker!

You should have:
  • 1/2 Gallon or Quart Sanitized Mason Jars
  • Drying System
    • Foodsaver or equivalent and jar sealer attachment with correct "mouth"
      • OR 300cc Oxygen Absorber
      • These absorbers go on the TOP of your jars, after you add food.
    • 1 Gram Silica Gel Packet 
      • you could get 200 for $10 on amazon
      • use 1 in quart jars
      • use 2 in half gallon jars
      • 1 gram per quart is the maximum, or your o2 absorber will fail
      • these desiccants go on the BOTTOM of your jars, before you add food.
  • Home dehydrator system
    • having spare drying sheets (excalibur), or solid trays (nesco), etc will prevent your liquids from dripping. Although excalibur is the best machine for home use, nesco round lipped solid trays are easier for liquids, so I use my round trays in my square excalibur, losing some space but saving myself a headache
You can see with this egg powder batch how the nesco's lip is awesome, compared to the excalibur's flat tray.
Read more »
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Sunday, October 19, 2014

Simply Awesome Hacks - Food Edition

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Here's an article (click!) I adore plus below are my favorite videos!

apples/pears/etc
potatoes!
corn :)
corn #2
others
and heres 99 general ones -- some are so great (i love the soda one)
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Easy Excel Document For 12 Month Food Storage

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Here's an easy long term food storage for 12 month use.
How it works:
Live off food storage for EVERY MEAL & SNACK for a week, 10 days, or 30. Come up with a week/10 day/30 day total for all items. For week multiply by 4 and 10 day by 3. You now have a 30 day ingredient list. Enter into chart. Then you'll have your years long total.

Download here: Alicia's Food Storage Made Easy!
Alternate Google Document Link HERE!

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Saturday, October 18, 2014

Charts: Updated Whenever I See One

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This is just a dumping ground for charts I come across online that could be helpful in explaining something to someone, someday.

Lifestraw Is Overrated!

Don't water bath or oven can meats! #PetPeeve

My personal weekly food storage menu. I bought and store everything needed to make this one week menu 13 times, and have a total of eight menus like this for a two year food storage. Most of the items can be stored decades and everything can be at least 3 years. It's so easy to cycle by just eating food storage menu items (not counting long term rice, beans, wheat, etc) 2 of 7 days per week.

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Canning Meats At Home: 23 Qt Presto

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photo from prepared-housewives.com
Pressure Canning Meats With 23 Qt Presto Canner

Canning your own meats at home allows you to stock up on sales and put food up without worrying that about a power outage or freezer failure. Whether you can the meats by themselves or with other items for soups, stews, etc the steps are roughly the same and the end result will be delicious with a texture and flavor similar to preparing the dish in a crock pot.

These are my recommendations to purchase based on price and quality:
12 Pack Quart Jars (Several, Wide or Regular Mouth). Look For $10/less.
Presto Canning Rack. Approx $10. Not Needed Unless Stacking Pints and Half pints.

Presto Regulator For Canner. Approx $10. Not Needed Right Away/Backup.
Canner Ring. Approx $8. Not Needed Right Away/Backup.

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Thursday, October 16, 2014

Sample One Year Menu ~ For Canners

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Note - this isn't a menu suggestion, it's to get the ball rolling for your own food storage. Save time and money by canning now & have a bountiful life in SHTF. 

 Note - By Planning a 52 Week Menu you will save money by being able to buy in bulk. For instance if you need 52 qts chili you know how many oz total needed of tomatoes and can buy by the bushel or #10 cans. 

 Note - If you can then oven dehydrating isn't going to freak you. So I have included dehydrated egg powder as an ingredient in some of these. Egg powder is pretty shelf stable & you can put in quart size mason jars with 2 gram silica gel packet on bottom & 2 *working* 300cc o2 absorbers on top for 3-5 years in a cool, dark environment.
Sample Home Canned Soup by Farm Girl Tails

 Breakfasts
52x - Canned Pears, Oatmeal, Canned Jam, Homemade Cornbread, Powdered Milk.
52x - Canned Apple Pie Filling, Homemade Angel Food Cake, Shelf Stable Whipped Cream Powder.
52x - Canned Jam, Toast, Dehydrated Eggs, Powdered Milk, Can (store bought) Corned Beef Hash.
52x - Homemade Rolls, Canned Sausage Crumbles, Flour (for gravy), Dehydrated Hash Browns.
52x - Canned Peaches, Oatmeal, Powdered Milk, Homemade Tortillas, Jam.
52x - "Leftovers Day"
52x - Canned Fruit Cocktail, Homemade Muffins, Dehydrated Eggs (scrambled), Powdered Milk.

 Lunches
52x - Homemade Bread, Waxed Cheddar, Home Canned Tomato Soup.
52x - Dehydrated Hash Browns, Home Canned Chicken Soup Starter, Pasta.
52x - Homemade Pretzel Buns, Navy Beans (for soup), Dak Ham (for soup), Home Canned Corn.
52x - Homemade Bread, Peanut Butter, Marshmallow Fluff, Homemade Oatmeal Cookies.
52x - Homemade Cornbread, Honey, Home Canned Baked Beans With No Filler/Nitrate Hot Dog Chunks.
52x - Rice, Beans, Home Canned Chili with Chunks Of Kielbasa, Green Beans. 
52x - "Leftovers Day"

 Dinners
52x - Homemade Rolls, Home Canned Beef (as pot roast), Mashed Potato Flakes, Corn, Green Beans.
52x - Tortillas, White Rice, Pinto Beans (refried beans), Home Canned Chicken, Fajita Spices.
52x - "Leftovers Day"
52x - Tortillas, Red Beans, Rice, Canned Sausage, Jambalaya Spices, Homemade Salsa.
52x - Pinto Beans (refried), Homemade Chili, Cheese Powder, Elbow Macaroni, Home Canned Corn.
52x - Spaghetti, Home Canned Spaghetti Sauce, Baguette, Home Canned Mixed Veggies.
52x - Homemade Rolls, Home Canned Beef Stew, Dehydrated Hash Browns, Dehydrated Peppers.

 ------------------------------------------------
Then all I have to do is make these items for one week straight. I'd write down exactly how many ounces or teaspoons of every item from garlic granules and flour, to raw beef roast, then multiply by 52. Then I could purchase accordingly and have my 1 year food storage. I don't have to eat this daily *now*. I can cycle most of the canned items over 2 or 4 years and many of the grains can stay in mylar for 20 yrs. This way I can still have fresh foods when I want. The goal is just to have at least a year of food. This is an excellent way to build up to that - first by buying all your grains and beans, then by getting your year of staple basics (oil, peanut butter, spices, etc), then lastly by canning project at a time. Build up in order. Grains first since cheapest/most calories, then spices/staples for monotony, then canned yummies. Once you have those down you can look into the "Freeze dried" extras that don't can well, etc but wait on these.. They're overpriced for content amounts and best only as "extras once done prepping".
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