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7 Quick Tips for Storing Spices and Herbs

March 20, 2024 by Seasoned Citizen Prepper

Many of you have read by now my experience with VacuCraft canisters.

I did want to share another little “thing” I do to try and keep my spices, herbs & other foods as fresh as I can whether it’s for dry pantry storage or in my refrigerator since I just finished jarring up about 7 jars.

  1. I determine which size of jar I’ll be needing to hold the food.
  2. I grab one of my “used” canning lids (I do NOT throw them away!) and a ring.
  3. Using my canning funnel, I put the herb, the spice, or the food, into the jar.
  4. I use a small “awl” and puncture a tiny hole in the lid.
  5. I cut a small piece of black electrical tape (about ¾ inch long) and place it over the hole.
  6. I then use my manual hand pump (either one of those that came with my VacuCraft or one of those that I’ve purchased with the Ziplock system).
  7. Place it over the taped up hole and vacuum until it’s very hard to pull your pump up. At this time, your lid should be sealed.
  8. Put the ring on it, and put it where you want to store it.

I use this same method when I’ve opened olive jars, pickle jars, and various other jars… just puncture a hole in the lid, tape it, vacuum it and put it back in your refrigerator!

I hate throwing out foods!

Filed Under: Survival Food

Silver Coins Are An Awesome Gift (Especially for Rich Kids!)

March 20, 2024 by Seasoned Citizen Prepper

Recently I found out that I am going to be a first time Grandma, to a little baby girl. Her parents are professionals, and the child will want for nothing. For that matter, it is almost impossible to buy gifts for them, so I have gotten stuck just giving them gift cards which seem so impersonal and just promotes consumerism.

What do you give a child that has everything they need and most of what they want? I’ve thought about this and decided that a troy ounce of silver in the form of a coin on birthdays and appropriate holidays will probably be the best thing that I can give both my children and my soon to be grandchild.

Silver Prepper for Children and GrandchildrenWhy? There are a few reasons:

  1. Inflationary Hedge Savings: Back when my kids were born, silver could be bought for $4-$5 an ounce. When they graduated from high school it was going for around $20 an ounce – not a bad inflationary hedge. Imagine the start they would have had moving out and going to college with a collection of 2 to 3 silver coins a year collected for 18 years.
  2. Savings that are Hard to Spend: When I was young I had a silver coin collection that I just loved and added to regularly. Guess what, one of my sisters took to stealing from my silver coin collection and spending it at the local burger stand for ice cream. I was devastated by the loss of years of collecting. She just brushed it off as if it were just dimes and quarters. A troy ounce of silver is not too spendable. Most, maybe not all, retailers will question an uncirculated silver coin.
  3. Presents with a Learning Experience: Because I collected coins as a young person, I do understand some of the research and fascination that can go into coin collecting. There is a living history with many coins. Who knows if I don’t come up with silver coins from other countries that the child can turn over and over, not only look at, but perhaps even learn something.
  4. Prepping the Family: Lastly it is an effort to prep the family. The parents will not take those coins. BUT, what if something horrible does happen – We pray not, but we all know it could happen.  My son and daughter-in-law do not believe that anything can ever happen to our current society – end of conversation.  Those “dumb coins that Grandma sends…” could someday put food in the belly of their family.

 

Filed Under: Finances

Should Preppers Consider Kevlar Body Armor?

March 20, 2024 by Seasoned Citizen Prepper

When the power goes out in a community for an extended period of time, there are many people who find themselves feeling very vulnerable. Without power, the lights will not work, most security systems only work for a short period of time, and there are numerous breaking and enterings that occur because of the lack of power. This can create a very scary situation for a family that is not properly prepared for such an event.

Preparing your family doesn’t have to be overly difficult. Having modern body armor for everyone to wear can help to give you and your family peace of mind. There are many people who wonder about the modern body armor effectiveness, but over the years, much advancement has been made to ensure that the armor is as safe as it can possibly be.

In order for a vest to be as effective as possible, you first need to be sure that you choose a vest that fits each person properly. Vests are not one size fits all. Depending upon the person that you are planning to have worn the vest, you may need one that is made for a man or one that is made for a woman.

A vest that is made for a female is made differently than the vest that is made for a male because the vest needs to sit differently to provide maximum protection. If a woman wears a vest that is intended to be worn by a male, there is a chance that it will not be as effective as a female vest would be.

Next, you need to be sure to take the time to choose the plates that will go into each vest. There are many families that choose Kevlar panels because they are affordable and lightweight. They provide protection from most firearms that someone would use during a home invasion.

The Kevlar panels need to be maintained properly to ensure that there are as effective as they can possibly be. Someone needs to keep them out of direct sunlight and ensure that they do not get wet, if at all possible. This will help to ensure that they stay as strong as possible.

If money is of no worry to you, you may want to opt for the polyethylene plates that are now on the market. These plates are even more lightweight than the Kevlar panels and even more protective. They cost a bit more, but are worth the protection, if they are able to save a loved one’s life.

Once you have chosen the plates that you plan to use in the vests and have ensured that the vest fit well, you may want to consider putting steel plates in the side pockets of the vests. If an intruder breaks in with a knife, the steel plates will protect your stomach from being stabbed with the knife and give you a better chance of being able to protect your family. Most vests have pockets that are large enough to fit thick pieces of steel.

Filed Under: Security

9 Best Vegan Emergency Food Supply Options

March 17, 2024 by danecarp

Putting together a vegan emergency food supply is a unique undertaking. For starters, emergencies are something that many of us don’t like to think about. And if you are somebody that eats a vegan or plant-based diet, food storage can be even more difficult. Even so we’ve had people reach out to us about vegan options for emergency food storage.

Even if you’re not a vegan, you might become one by necessity. In many areas, prepared meat products like steak and chicken breast virtually disappear in an emergency. In those cases, grains, beans, seeds, and other plant-based products then replace prepared meat products.

For example, when Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, many refugees were forced to sustain themselves with plant products until help arrived. Luckily, there are some outstanding vegan food supply options.

The Short Answer:

1. Food Storage Guys Vegan 6-Month Food Supply

What Makes It Great:

  • The best vegan option for long-term emergencies
  • Provides one adult 2,000 calories for 180 days
  • 25-year shelf life
  • Fantastic variety
  • Re-sealable lids on the #10 cans
Check Latest Price
6 Month Vegan Emergency Food Supply

The Food Storage Guys produced a diverse array of meals that will last the average adult 180 days. This vegan food supply is an excellent option that boasts a 25-year shelf life. As long as you keep the #10 cans at room temperature, the meals will be there when you need them most.

In terms of the meal options this vegan emergency food supply includes dried dehydrated and freeze-dried foods. Fruits, vegetables, pasta, beans, rolled grains, seeds, and more.

It’s also important to remember that many long-term food storage products can start to taste really similar, and get dull after a couple of weeks. Because of this, the Food Storage guys include seasonings, baking, and cooking supplies. They also include cooking supplies like baking powder, sugar, and salt. You should also supplement this purchase, which comes out to $1,100, with cooking gear and oil.

The meals are a truly high-value option for anyone living in urban areas since food deserts often form during emergencies.

Other Great Vegan Emergency Food Supply Options

2. Ready Hour Beans Trio With Rice (100 servings, 14 pk.)

What Makes It Great:

  • Bucket includes six pouches of beans, six pouches of white rice, two pouches of Southwest Rice
  • These meals are easy to prepare, full of essential protein and fiber
  • Comes in a durable, waterproof bucket
  • 30-year shelf life
Check Latest Price

Ready Hour’s Bean and Rice kit is a vital addition to your vegan emergency food supply. The 30-year shelf life means you can store these buckets away for easy storage. The entire bucket includes black beans, red beans, pinto beans, long-grain white rice, and southwest rice. Altogether, the 14 pouches have 100 servings for average adults.

These Ready Hour food buckets don’t require much work to prepare, since you only need low heat for rehydration. Another benefit of this rehydration method is that it keeps in the flavor and nutrients. Regarding nutritional value, all the food included in this bucket is low in fat and high in fiber (a category that many mainstream emergency food supplies lack in).

As we already mentioned with the Food Storage Guys/ product, as long as you store this food bucket in a dry, cool place, you can expect this bucket to last you at least 30 years. However, in the event of a flood, the bucket’s waterproof design will keep your food fresh and secure.

3. Augason Farms Fruit Variety Pail

What Makes It Great:

  • 86 servings
  • Shelf-life of up to 30 years
  • Short-term emergency option
Check Latest Price

Another great supplement is Augason Farm’s fruit pail. The pouches include strawberries, apples, raspberries, blueberries, bananas, and 113 servings of Spiff-E-Whip Dessert Topping. Augason Farms conveniently packages their food individually. 

Another reason Augason’s fruit pail is an excellent option for when water is scarce because you don’t need to wash, peel, slice, or dice the contents. While this shouldn’t be the only food you store for an emergency, they’re an affordable addition at only $157. As long as you keep these products in a cool and dry place, you can count on this product for 30 years.

Vegan Emergency Food Testimonial
Augason’s Fruit Pail garners several positive reviews like the one above on Amazon and other retail sites.

In total, this pail boasts just under 6,000 calories. It weighs under 3 pounds, meaning it won’t take too much effort to carry, while still containing a load of essential nutrients.

Luckily, with this vegan emergency food supply is ready to eat right out of the packages. The fruit pouches also make great additions to oatmeal, cereal, and yogurt, a great way to add variety during any emergency.

4. Food Storage Guys Vegan 1-Year Food Supply (2,000 calories per day)

What Makes It Great:

  • Provides one adult 2,000 calories for 180 days
  • 25-year shelf life
  • Re-sealable lids on the #10 cans
Check Latest Price
1 Year Vegan Food Storage

The Food Storage Guys also provide an incredible 1 year vegan food supply. Like their half-year choice, this one year supply of dried, freeze-dried, and dehydrated plant products provide 2,000 calories a day for at least a year. You’ll want to supplement this product with a makeshift water supply, such as the WaterBob bathtub bladder or emergency water barrels.

In these uncertain times, it’s always ideal for you to have a well-balanced diet. With an abundant supply of fruits, vegetables, pasta, beans, rolled grains, and seasonings, you won’t grow bored with the meal options during a long-term crisis.

Nice praise from a satisfied customer purchasing the 1 year vegan food supply from Food Storage Brothers.

You also won’t spend the days hungry and rationing food, since the Food Storage Guys allotted nine total servings a day for a single adult. If you’re expecting to take care of another person, this supply will last you for half a year. And for four people, this supply lasts for about three months.

The single problem with this vegan emergency food supply is the price. At $2,100, the FSG vegan emergency supply is not exactly budget-friendly. If you’re able to make this much of an investment, you should consider the one year or the half-year vegan options from FSG. However, if this price doesn’t work for you, we have more budget-friendly options below in the product list.

5. Augason Farms Freeze Dried Fruit & Veggie Variety Combo

What Makes It Great:

  • At least a 30-year shelf life
  • Best deal with this company
  • A diverse selection of fruits and vegetables
  • 522 total servings that come out to approximately 12,500 calories
  • Two pails with 26 pouches of fruits and vegetables
Check Latest Price

If you’re not satisfied with only the fruit pail, Auguson Farms offers fruit and vegetable buckets as one item. This deal is excellent for anyone looking for the most affordable way to stock up on essential foods, but with a vegan bent.

Many gluten-free fruits and vegetables are an excellent option for snacks since you can eat the fruit right out of the package. One reason this feature is so valuable is it helps conserve water, which is an ideal feature because most MRE’s require warm or boiling water. Boiling water also wastes vital resources besides water, such as gas and cooking oil.

Finally, like all the products we’ve listed in this article, this fruit and vegetable emergency food will last you throughout the years. Both pails boast a shelf-life of up to 30 years, so long as you store them in a dry and cool place. What’s more, is that all the food includes is loaded with vitamins and antioxidants. Even while you’re surviving a crisis, you’ll have the energy and strength to persist through the harshest conditions.

6. Food Storage Guys 16-Day Vegan Organic Food Storage

What Makes It Great:

  • Certified 100% organic and vegan
  • High vitamin, minerals and antioxidant content
  • 10 to 15-year shelf life
Check Latest Price

Here’s the Food Storage Guy’s short term vegan food solution to emergency. For 16-days, you’ll have the fuel to keep you going until you’re safe. This product is excellent for areas where hurricanes frequent since chances are you’ll reach help before your vegan emergency supply runs out.

The contents are rolled oats, white rice, millet, garbanzo beans, green lentils, black beans, pinto beans, quinoa, green superfood powder, chia seeds, fermented miso powder, and cajun spice mix. All of these ingredients have high vitamin, mineral, and antioxidant content. On average, this will provide the average adult with at least 1,000 calories a day.

This supply is also an excellent option for anyone operating within a budget since the total cost comes out to $289 per food supply shipment. Averaged out, this will cost you $6 per day, and you’ll thank yourself when you need this supply most. In terms of daily nutrition, this FSG product provides 13 grams of fat and 43 grams of protein every day. In totality, this provides just under 32,300 calories for any crisis you might encounter.

Every shipment with the food storage guys is free for orders over $100. 

Here Are Some Other Great “A La Carte” Vegan Food Storage Options

7. Augason Farms #10 Can Tomato Powder Emergency Food Storage

What Makes It Great:

  • 137 Servings totaling 4,795 Calories
  • 25-year shelf life
  • Great for campers and hikers, as well as preppers
  • Use as a base for pasta sauce and tomato soup
  • Gluten-free
Check Latest Price

The tomato powder from Augason Farms is a great, all-around tool to keep with your long-term food supply. You can make delicious tomato soup from just warm water, adding in your grains like crackers, or use it as a base for your pasta sauce.

It’s a great way to change up your food options whenever you find yourself in an emergency. Whether that crisis is a food shortage, hurricane, or anything else nature can throw in our direction this year. All you need to do is add water, and you’re ready.

8. Augason Farms #10 Can Dehydrated Potato Slices

What Makes It Great:

  • 28 servings totaling 1,960 calories
  • Helpful recipes included in the labeling
  • Certified gluten-free
  • At least a 25-year shelf life
Check Latest Price

This #10 can of dehydrated potato slices holds 28 total servings, equal to just under 2,000 total calories. This product is listed here as supplementary because you can use potato slices in various meals to make your extended vacation from civilization a little more comfortable.

You can store this product with the rest of your emergency food supply and forget about it. Augason guarantees at least a lifetime of 25 years. Also, if you’re not a great cook, Augason Farms included a couple of recipes that might come in handy, especially for vegan meals.

9. Augason Farms Freeze Dried Sliced Strawberries

What Makes It Great:

  • 30-year shelf life
  • Ready to eat right out of the can
  • 18 servings totaling 630 calories
Check Latest Price

Augason Farm’s #10 Can provides a fantastic boost to your vegan emergency food supply. While this shouldn’t be your sole option for any food crisis, the freeze-dried strawberries make for a great on-the-go snack, as well as an excellent addition to meals such as breakfast and oatmeal.

And, like most emergency meal supplies, as long as you keep your storage in a cool and dry place, each shipment comes with a 30-year guarantee. Part of this has to do with their #10 cans, which Augason Farms produces with high-quality stainless steel. As a result, the cans are water-resistant and keep out any oxygen that would hurt their contents’ quality.

Here’s a quick account in the wild:

Like this review points out, these strawberries are awesome in cereal, granola, breakfast bars, protein shakes, breads, cakes, yogurt, and a whole host of other foods.

What to Look for in Your Vegan Emergency Food Supply

Certified Vegan & Plant-Based Ingredients

The products we’ve listed here are certified vegan, created with 100% plant-based products. For most vegan emergency food supply options, animal-based products weren’t even in the same building.

However, there are countless other options out there, and you must check to see if they’re certified vegan. Many companies will try to pass off ingredients, hoping you won’t notice. So always make sure to do your research, especially if you’re buying something that didn’t make our list.

Shoot for A 15 -30 Year Shelf-Life

Most of the products we’ve listed in this review boast a shelf-life of 15-30+ years. However, these time forecasts rely on the fact that your store your vegan emergency food supply in a cool and dry place.

Many companies will make their containers––whether they’re #10 cans or pails––water-resistant. So in the event of a flood, your food will stay safe, but these measures are baseline. You should also ensure that they are stored somewhere cool and dry, like a basement or garage, to maximize lifespan.

Amount of Food Included

The products we’ve listed in this article range from a supply that sustains you for about a month to an entire year.

Deciding which product to invest in depends on a couple of factors, such as how long you expect to live without fresh food access. For example, suppose you live in an area prone to hurricanes. In that case, you might only need approximately a month’s worth of a vegan emergency food supply.

Another factor is your budget since some of the products listed here cost upwards of $1,000. However, you also have the advantage of buying products over time, since most emergency food supplies last upwards of 15 years.

Nutrients

The transition from a typical diet to a vegan lifestyle, you’ll need to supplement nutrients previously derived from animal products. When you’re putting together your vegan emergency food supply, you’ll need to make sure the products have enough protein, calcium, iron, zinc, and antioxidants.

Most emergency food supply companies list these out in their advertising, so it shouldn’t be too hard to find the nutrient content. However, if you’d like some additional ideas for incorporating certain nutrients into your diet, here’s some starters:

  • protein
  • calcium
  • iron
  • zinc
  • vitamin A
  • omega-3 fats
  • vitamin B12
  • vitamin D
  • iodine

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a Vegan Emergency Food Supply Cost Less?

Overall, meat products will cost you more than plant-based foods. While individual products will fluctuate, following a couple of simple steps so your wallet is the only thing that isn’t losing weight.

For example, make sure you buy the raw materials in bulk because this will save you both time and money since you won’t need to keep stopping by the produce section.

Another tip is to buy seasonally since something like apples or watermelons will cost more when purchased out of season. Many grocery stores, especially places like Whole Foods, advertise which of their fruits, vegetables, and plant-based products are in season.

What are the best options for water storage?

When it comes to storing water in an emergency, a reliable and sanitary method is vital. Recent events like Hurricane Laura or Hurricane Maria testify to this fact. Some options, such as bathtub storage systems, have a good track record with hurricane victims. You can also take advantage of water bricks or just straight barrels of water.

What are the best fruits & vegetables to store long-term?

According to Peta, some great fruits you can store long term are pretty much anything you can find canned in juice. There are also some dry fruit options with raisins, mandarins, mangoes, and pineapples. You can also store canned green beans and spinach, carrots, corn, tomatoes, peas, and mushrooms.

What is a #10 Can?

Large, No. 10 cans are an incredibly useful container for storing stable shelf food. Not only are they made from high-grade steel, but they are also airtight and made to survive just about any emergency or disaster. They are pest-proof and will keep their contents safe from the elements and any external contamination. And, unopened cans will even float.

#10 Cans are particularly useful because many preppers use them as bases to start their crop grows. The size, capacity, and steel components make them perfect for growing herbs, storing water, and valuables.

Bottom Line

At the end of the day, the Food Storage Guys’ 6-month vegan food supply is the best option out there (full details here). Unlike the company’s year-long supply, this is the most budget friendly vegan option available right now. 

With a 25-year shelf-life, you can store this vegan food supply and forget about it. Meanwhile, the bounty of nutrients––such as fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, seeds, seasonings, baking & cooking stables––will keep you healthy and energized while you survive whatever nature throws our way.

Filed Under: Food Storage

Camouflaging Your Car Packs

March 17, 2024 by Seasoned Citizen Prepper

I would like to note here that all the emergency backpacks and car emergency kits that I have been seeing lately are either bright red or have “EMERGENCY KIT”, sewn on or painted in huge letters across them in an obvious place.

Now, I know we who bought or prepared them should know what they are and what is in them, but we do not need to broadcast to everyone that walks by our car or heaven forbid, is out walking the interstate with us… that we have a pack full of things that they may want or need desperately.

We need to put our supplies in a nondescript pack or bag, cut off patches that identify our carefully thought out contents, or camouflage them in some way that makes them unattractive to a thief or worse.

I have had my car broken into twice and both times they took my red, plainly marked “EMERGENCY ROAD KIT” purchased from Sam’s Club. So they stole both my original and my replacement kit until I got smart and put the newest of the three into a PINK kid’s backpack from the dollar store.

Moral of this story is…. don’t make yourself or your preps a target!  Make sure that you have them (or can keep them) when you need them.

When we had bad weather here in Atlanta a few weeks back, people were shoving people down in grocery store parking lots and stealing their newly purchased supplies.  One person even got shot when he refused to give up his legally purchased supplies.  It doesn’t take long for scared people to turn violent and take what they need.

Protect your preps!

Filed Under: Survival Kits

Are Preppers Crazy to Believe In a Collapse?

March 17, 2024 by Seasoned Citizen Prepper

I recently read an article on a prepping blog entitled “Are You Crazy To Continue Believing In Collapse?”  which made me realize that my ideas and purposes in ‘prepping’ may be a bit different than mainstream.

I am first a homesteader.  From a young age I had a homesteading spirit, and enjoyed working with my hands, gardening, landscaping, raising horses, chickens, ducks, turkeys and rabbits.  I’ve also always liked organization and order, and that serves me well in my efforts.

I can’t imagine ever ‘bugging out’ to another location.  I’ve been in our home since 1981 developing these 3 acres to suit our purposes and I feel safer here than anywhere else.  Our home is in as perfect a location as I could hope for, with low population density, no chance of hurricane, flood, forest fire, earthquake, tornado, tsunami, major inclement weather events and virtually no likelihood of nuclear or chemical event.

Economic events are, however, another story.

As a homesteader and a ‘bug-inner’, my infrastructure is of primary importance to me.  We heat with wood (although we do have electric ‘backup’), have a good well with a windmill as well as a submersible pump, two 3,000 gallon above ground water storage tanks, a generator and a significant quantity of propane to run it, facilities for chickens and goats , a small tractor and several garden areas.  This requires more than a little work to maintain and upgrade, which suits me perfectly.  Water filtration is accomplished using Sawyer Mini Water Filters along with several Sawyer Water Filter Bucket Kits.  Home is my favorite place to be.

Having a functioning and hardy infrastructure that you can depend on will literally be a lifesaver if (when) times get difficult.

Although our region has little very cold or sustained wet weather, it seems that when you most need firewood is when it is most likely to be wet. Having a dry place to store at least weeks’ worth, to me, is a luxury, because I’ve had to make do with tarps or scrap plywood or anything to keep it covered and dry.

Making sure my animal pens are predator proof is another consideration. This has been a recent and continuing project.  A 6 foot adobe wall around the house, gardens and animal pens is another ongoing project on which we have made very good progress over the past few years, with part of it always under construction as time allows.

We enjoy a wonderful and comfortable lifestyle, but many things threaten that.  Trying to be too specific can be over-thinking the situation, because preparation for inflation, weather related disaster, extended illness, loss of jobs, a Walmart truckers’ strike, viral pandemic or total economic collapse may have the same or nearly the same consequences affecting your life style, short or long term.  My greatest concern is loss of electrical power for an extended time.  I know that I can never hope to replace the cheap and abundant electrical power I now use, primarily for pumping water.

My entire ‘prepping’ mindset is ‘What will I need for the next five years?’ and to that end I try to prepare.  I know that in time I will need a new water heater, so that is on my list to have on hand, along with the fittings to connect it.

Whether in stockpiling food and supplies, or upgrading buildings and systems on the homestead to try to achieve a greater degree of independence, I try to think five years ahead.

When I find great sales on groceries or other items that are on our survival food list, I don’t hesitate to buy cases of it.  Surprisingly, the clerks rarely ask you why you’re buying so much.  Expiration dates don’t bother us much, and we use what we buy and we buy what we use and if you make a trip to the supermarket only to buy 6 cans of beans when they’re on sale, you haven’t saved very much.  Expiration dates don’t matter with shampoo, conditioner, soap, detergent, toilet paper, plastic forks and spoons.

Although it’s a bit more costly, we’ve begun buying our cornmeal, beans, rice, wheat and several other items in #10 cans, because, with just Karen and me eating it, the larger containers may not stay as fresh. We do have a supply of wheat and beans in 5 gallon buckets since we’ll likely have to feed our kids and grandkids plus some friends if it comes to that.

We have some experience with this.  We were ‘prepping’ before Y2K. Remember that?  We are still grinding wheat we purchased prior to the year 2000, and it still makes wonderful bread.  We did ‘repurpose’ some soy flour that we just didn’t like and gave the last of our hulled sunflower seeds to the chickens after they turned rancid, but all in all, it was a good investment.  And on a homestead, not much goes to waste.

If nothing ever happens, we’ll eat this food anyway, and will have saved money because of inflation and not making such frequent trips to the supermarket.  I’ll use that spare water heater and plumbing parts and the rope and twine and extra work gloves and duct tape and dog food and lay pellets, toothpaste, shampoo and Band-Aids.  At least, if I live long enough, which I expect to.

It’s an investment, unlike homeowner’s or auto insurance, which is a gamble that I usually lose.

Are we crazy?  My kids mostly think so.  But, when they’re running short of something and don’t want to stop at the store on the way home because the grandkids are fussy they don’t mind asking if I have an extra bottle of this, a package of that or a spare full propane tank.  (And they know I always do.)

Complete self-sufficiency is a pipe dream, unless you want to live under a bush and kill your food with a rock.  We are too dependent on each other, civilization and sharing the work load to go back to prehistoric times.  Even early explorers and settlers of this continent had tools, weapons, clothing and equipment purchased or bartered from others. They hunted and gathered much of their food and lived in crude shelters made with their own hands, but their lives were not easy, nor did they enjoy a level of comfort that the poorest among us enjoy today.

Most of us want more than mere survival. Most of us want to preserve a life style that we have come to enjoy.  And many of us have begun to modify a lifestyle that may be considered ‘excessive’ into one that is more sustainable, more self-reliant.  And that’s an important prep to consider.

We can anticipate our needs for 3 months, 6 months, a year or five years.  Maybe we won’t think of everything and maybe we can’t afford to implement everything that completes our ‘ideal’ list of preparations, but what you are able to do will be better than doing nothing.

And that’s not crazy.

Filed Under: Disasters

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