Are you prepared?

hunter s thompson said:
OK I don't know what plumpy nut is, if you dont mind could you please explain.
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In a large bowl mix 2 parts peanut butter, 1 part powdered milk (dry) and 1 part honey (or substitute maple syrup, corn syrup, molasses, or sourgum).
Once it's mixed up your done. Spoon it into bags or containers.

I also like to add a few pinches of Quaker oats, don't worry, they'll soak up the moisture from peanut oils and syrup with a little time. If your mixture ends up to dry, add honey or PB. If it's to wet add more powdered milk, oats, or a touch of flour.

When it's the right consistency, it won't stick to the bowl anymore.

Tastes good also. :thumbup:
 
OK, that makes sense for obtaining your water from the water-heater's drain. I have never done it that way. Every time we've lost power here (for up to a couple of days), I've always just used the hot-water tap at the faucet,and I've not run out. I guess because our water-heater is up over the garage, so it is can always gravity-feed through the regular pipes. I've never had any trouble that way. But obviously that won't work if your heater is, say, in the basement. :o
 
Just a few thoughts on all of this:

Survival of this type can be broken down into two major categories: 1) short/medium-term-lights-go-out-chaos-in-the-streets survival (Katrina) and 2) sustainable living. Store-bought food storage is a good thing for scenario 1 but NEVER let your neighbors/friends/sorry-ass relatives/etc. know what you're doing. You will be sorry when another Katrina or worse disaster hits. Take care of your OWN, and by that I mean don't be feeding starving kids in the street because you feel sorry for them. If you do, then the sorry-ass parents will be at your door next and they may have bigger and more guns than you. Option 2 is a better plan: for those that have the ground to do it on, it's wiser to start working on sustainable living such as growing a garden, canning, etc., practicing the "old ways, etc. (think of how folks lives 50 or 60 years ago). Along with supplemental store-bought food also be thinking about hand tools and learning how to use them. Forget about Gold and Silver for the most part. It's a survival myth for the most part brought about by those who profit from such things (and yes, I understand gold holds it's value and always has). If gold is such a great survival commodity then why do companies hire G Gordon Liddy to sell it with 100,000 dollar ads on TV. I think if I was those companies I would keep it all for myself and not tell anyone. Back in the day, even our ancestors relied more on what their hands could produce, and their network, than what their coinage would buy. Nor do you need a whole house full of various guns. A few RELIABLE weapons, ammo to feed them and practicewith them is sufficient. Simplicity is often looked over when it comes to this, simply because we all think we need those high-tech war gadgets to fend off the invading masses. Bullshit. The ability to think, stay low-keyed and be good with a few tools/weapons is much better than the gun-of-the-day club I often see. Remember the old saying, be careful of the man who only own one gun because he probably knows how to use it.

I always find it funny when someone claims they are going to wait until chaos hits then go raid walmart with their guns. Maybe they didn't see what happened with Katrina? The smart man will always be the unassuming, low-keyed, "gray man". Without going into details I know of an operation that is putting sustainable living in play, but they're doing it under the guise of being a commercial operation. In other words, if a neighbor comes by and sees all these groceries in the ground they might think these people would be preparing for end-times, so, by making the appearance of it being a commercial operation it keeps the neighbors thinking they're not some paranoid end-times people hoarding food and ammo. Meanwhile they're quietly canning, building, arming and making a low-keyed, full-scale sustainable living operation that no one even knows about. There is no visible measures of security, but the place is like Fort Knox in it's underbelly. No need to make an appearance of being tough because it attracts people and there is always someone tougher than yourself. If the day comes (and that's a HUGE "if" in my mind since I've heard this shit all my life and it hasn't happened yet), then any thieves or moochers who may show up will be silently taken care of. No fanfare, no Rambo shit.

Survival is a cold-hearted game. What typically gets most prepared folks is being soft-hearted and looking out for the crying kid in the street or wanting to help their neighbor. Screw that. Survival should be about your own family/network jointly putting sweat equity into building something. It also has to remain low-keyed. In the end, survivalism is a way of every day life, not just something practiced on a whim. It encompasses MUCH more than storing food or water. It means being self-sufficient when it comes to fixing things with your hands, being innovative in the way you live your life, it means living conservatively, it means learning new things. In the end it means thinking every day.

As a side note: survival, to me, is short term staying alive. Sustainable living is not survival. It's a way of life.
 
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R.A.T. said:
Just a few thoughts on all of this:

Survival of this type can be broken down into two major categories: 1) short/medium-term-lights-go-out-chaos-in-the-streets survival (Katrina) and 2) sustainable living. ......

As a side note: survival, to me, is short term staying alive. Sustainable living is not survival. It's a way of life.
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Dang it Jeff! Here you come in and tear down our playhouse with reality. :mad:
:thumbup: :D

BTW... EXCELLENT post.
 
Probably one of the biggest misconceptions about survival in a sense of society breaking down is the "I'll hunt for food" train of thought. A good book is "One Second After". Pretty realistic in my opinion. Within a matter of a couple of weeks the area had been hunted dry.

I'll stake more of my bets into putting seeds in the ground.
 
adaman04 said:
Probably one of the biggest misconceptions about survival in a sense of society breaking down is the "I'll hunt for food" train of thought. A good book is "One Second After". Pretty realistic in my opinion. Within a matter of a couple of weeks the area had been hunted dry.

I'll stake more of my bets into putting seeds in the ground.
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When was that book written? Nowadays, I'd bet there aren't 1 in 10 who even have the means to hunt in large areas of the country. Mine, for example. Maybe, MAYBE, 2 in 10 where i am. So who would be hunting all the game?

But anyway, I'm convinced in a scenario like that one sounds, there is going to be a re-structuring of society in general within a short period of time. Not the same as before, but a re-structuring.
 
rockspyder said:
When was that book written? Nowadays, I'd bet there aren't 1 in 10 who even have the means to hunt in large areas of the country. Mine, for example. Maybe, MAYBE, 2 in 10 where i am. So who would be hunting all the game?

But anyway, I'm convinced in a scenario like that one sounds, there is going to be a re-structuring of society in general within a short period of time. Not the same as before, but a re-structuring.
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2009, Good Thought Provoking Book:

http://www.amazon.com/One-Second-Af...=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1289153653&sr=1-1
 
Jeff, what a great post!!! There's so many misconceptions people have about surviving, you really hit the nail on the head. Like Adam said in a lot of areas the game will be hunted out in a couple weeks, your gonna have to know how to work the land.
 
How about a survive on a budget thread? Lol, really what about all the people who live in an apartment? Or the only gun they have is a crappy .22 and likely can't drop a grand on a good whatever and ammo for it?
 
imaginefj said:
How about a survive on a budget thread? Lol, really what about all the people who live in an apartment? Or the only gun they have is a crappy .22 and likely can't drop a grand on a good whatever and ammo for it?
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1) You can start ANYWHERE along the preparedness spectrum
2) Tons of gear and preps will not help you if you can't keep it/carry it/or know how to use it
3) A crappy .22 is much better than the absence of a firearm many, many people have

Preparedness is not simply amassing/hoarding food, ammo, and tactical gear... get in shape and build resiliency financially, physically, mentally, and spiritually.
If any calamity strikes, being emotionally and mentally well-grounded will be key factors to improving the likelihood that you outlive the circumstances.

Financial preparedness = reduce/eliminate debt. It makes NO sense to spend lots of money for preps if it's going on credit cards that are carrying balances.
Physical preparedness = material preparation, sure, but improve your level of physical fitness. The BEST preparedness exercise = walking. Just simply walking... Drink lots of water and walk. Lather, rinse, repeat.
Mental preparedness = learn skills and tune your mind. Get out of tunnel vision, read books, try new skills. Practice, practice, practice. Stay mentally agile.
Spiritual preparedness = whatever your faith, get comfortable. Pray or meditate - calm your inner self. Seek comfort in your place in the world and the greater cosmos. We are all mortal beings, in bad situations, that mortality is presented to us in the most grisly and shocking manners. Come to grips with who you are and what you are willing to do to keep alive. To some, it is "I will do anything to survive", others focus on preserving their family, others would rather perish than force further suffering on a fellow human - wherever your belief system falls, get comfortable with it. Survivors guilt can be fatal, and no matter what happens, you will have to live with yourself the rest of your days.
 
adaman04 said:
Probably one of the biggest misconceptions about survival in a sense of society breaking down is the "I'll hunt for food" train of thought. A good book is "One Second After". Pretty realistic in my opinion. Within a matter of a couple of weeks the area had been hunted dry.

I'll stake more of my bets into putting seeds in the ground.
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I've had many discussions with people who were convinced that they would just hunt for food. They never realize the impracticality of their words.

Thanks for point that out here, it is gratifying to read that bit of common sense here on BladeForums.
 
TheLastDaze said:
loves me some rice.. wheres the beans??

our reserves have dwindled as well, next sam's trip we'll get some rice.. and beans

as far as prepared, I like to consider my self 'fairly ready' for practically anything short of a global catastrophe..

we have 10 meat chickens (12lbs ea.) in deep freeze, at least a quarter cow, and pig..

also have about 28 layers so eggs are never a problem, and if it all dwindled away, I have a nearby fully (over) stocked pond where you throw your line in and WHAM instant fish..

and if it was life and death for my family there's always neighboring animals I can pilfer:eek:

we processed our chickens at the beginning of the year.. good eaten..
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Are you not worried about freezer burn? What if the power goes out and all that meat thaws then rots?
 
Most people on a limited budget around here could start by ceasing to buy every new ESEE knife that comes out. :D You don't need them. In all seriousness if you have a couple of good blades (anyone's brand) then maybe spend any excess money on good hand tools such as wrenches and other tools that can be used to fix things when they break down. Many people don't even own a simple air compressor and a tire plug kit. Spend your money on learning and studying to be more self-sufficient. Gear queers will be the first to be consumed in hard times. If you have excess cash then think about doing some alternative energy sources to take care of those times you may not have power. Man, I can think of a thousand things much more beneficial than guns and knives when it comes to Katrina type (or worse) disasters. If you live in an apartment then make it your goal to network with someone who has a place that yall can develop jointly. Network, network, network! Surely all of us can find a friend who wants to learn to grow a garden, can food, etc. even if we live downtown. Maybe you have a skill that you can barter with someone else's skills. Did you know that many areas have a Master Gardener program by the county AG extensions and MANY of them offer free plots of ground to push up groceries as long as you are willing to work and share the food? It all comes down to people actually making a lifestyle change and being willing to put some sweat and effort into something before things go sour.
 
I just wanted to say thanks to all who have posted in this thread. My wife has been reading this, making notes, & setting up lists "to get" & "to delete". Most of the items we have on hand, have used, tried, tested, etc. but there were some ideas of food items & some of storage we had not thought about.
I would post some of ours, but they have already been mentioned throughtout the thread & did not just want to repeat what someone else had already wrote. Thanks again.
Be safe.
 
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R.A.T. said:
it's wiser to start working on sustainable living such as growing a garden, canning, etc., practicing the "old ways, etc. (think of how folks lives 50 or 60 years ago). Along with supplemental store-bought food also be thinking about hand tools and learning how to use them. Forget about Gold and Silver for the most part.

Sustaining is the key element, gold and jewels would only be trade able in short term as they would be WORTHLESS long term..


Nor do you need a whole house full of various guns. A few RELIABLE weapons, ammo to feed them and practicewith them is sufficient.

Ditto, large caliber rifle, handgun, shotgun and of course .22's for days... for the ultimate in sustainability..


Survival is a cold-hearted game. What typically gets most prepared folks is being soft-hearted and looking out for the crying kid in the street or wanting to help their neighbor. Screw that. Survival should be about your own family/network jointly putting sweat equity into building something. It also has to remain low-keyed. In the end, survivalism is a way of every day life, not just something practiced on a whim. It encompasses MUCH more than storing food or water. It means being self-sufficient when it comes to fixing things with your hands, being innovative in the way you live your life, it means living conservatively, it means learning new things. In the end it means thinking every day.

As a side note: survival, to me, is short term staying alive. Sustainable living is not survival. It's a way of life.

Thanks, all within a nut shell:D...
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.....
 
hoopster said:
In a large bowl mix 2 parts peanut butter, 1 part powdered milk (dry) and 1 part honey (or substitute maple syrup, corn syrup, molasses, or sourgum).
Once it's mixed up your done. Spoon it into bags or containers.

I also like to add a few pinches of Quaker oats, don't worry, they'll soak up the moisture from peanut oils and syrup with a little time. If your mixture ends up to dry, add honey or PB. If it's to wet add more powdered milk, oats, or a touch of flour.

When it's the right consistency, it won't stick to the bowl anymore.

Tastes good also. :thumbup:
Click to expand...

Thanks Hoopster mixed some up with molasses. It was great the kids loved it.
 
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I like to keep protein powder on hand. I lift weights and run quite a bit to keep my stamina and functional strength up for if the SHTF, and whey protein powder is a natural part of my lifestyle, but I also keep it on hand for if things ever go to hell in a handbasket.

Protein keeps you fuller for longer than carbohydrates. 10 pounds of whey protein isolate will give you over 155 servings of 120 calories and 24 grams of protein, which should keep your body going for quite some time. Several weight gainers on the market also feature over 2600 calories when properly mixed, per serving. They taste acceptable when mixed with water.

These ready-to-mix protein powders and meal replacements are a staple of my foodstuffs that keep me prepared, along with everything else in the pantry. I feel that these high-protein mixtures will also help you reduce soreness and recover better should you have to push your body moving from an area.

They also have a relatively long shelf life when properly stored.

Just wanted to throw that out there.
 
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