The Sunday Survival Buzz Volume 108

Welcome to this week’s Sunday Survival Buzz – a roundup of preparedness news, tips, articles and recommendations from around the web. But first, an update on my own preps.

Before hitting the road, Shelly spent about 30 minutes putting together my HERCules (Home Emergency Radiant Cooking) Oven. The exciting part of all of this is that we got to play a role in formulating the user-documentation of the oven.

I did not have an opportunity cook anything yet (a pan of brownies anyone?), but am thrilled to get the first production unit.  Can you imagine cooking indoors using only tea lights?  Stay tuned as a put the HERC through its passes with an ETA of March 28th for a complete review.  I just might have to come up with a new version of survival casserole.

By the time you read this, I will be close to home and can resume my prepping activities in earnest.  My number one priority is to finish testing the soil in my garden and pots and get more seeds started indoors.  And seriously, I need to reorganize and inventory my bug out bags since at the moment, I feel like the cobbler with worn out shoes!

Okay, enough about me.  Let’s get on to the Sunday Survival Buzz.

SURVIVAL NEWS & ARTICLES FROM AROUND THE WEB

Note:  Because I have been traveling, today I bring you some articles from around the web that are evergreen and timeless.  I hope you enjoy them.

No One Survives on Prepper Island:  An interesting article on the importance of neighbors and community with some examples and tips on how to get started.

Honey as Medicine – Prevent Infection, Kill Bacteria, Promote Healing:  This is a really good article on using honey as medicine. I personally do not like the taste of honey but keep plenty around for its healing benefits.  Do you know of some uncommon uses for honey?

How To Identify Nutrient Deficiencies In Your Garden Soil:  I will be testing my soil next week.  Here is hint – test the soil in various locations around your yard and even in your pots.  It is not unusual for there to be significant variances from place-to-place, planting bed to planting bed.

How to Grow Carrots:  Speaking if gardening, I have never been able to grow carrots successfully so maybe by using his advice (and using DEEP, friable soil), I will have better luck.

How to pickle anything (no canning necessary):  Pickling is cinch and is something I used to do with my Mom when I was a kid. Her “Shang’s Pickles” are amazing.

DIY Preparedness: The 5 Minute Tin Olive Oil Lamp: Here is how to make an emergency lamp out of a breath mint tin, wick, and olive oil.  It took Todd 4:41 minutes but he thinks you can make it in less time than that.

BACKDOOR SURVIVAL MAIL BAG & READER TIPS

A BDS reader recently tried some freeze dried meals and found them not to his liking.  No problem, it happens.  The advice, from “G”, was this:

Please advise people to buy a small package to try before spending money on the #10 cans.

I could not agree more.  If you are new to freeze dried meals, try a small amount (such as a sample can or a pouch) before stocking up on any one item.  Tastes differ and what one person likes, another will not. I do not like the MH desserts, for example, but I know some people love them.  Trying something before you buy a huge stockpile of any one items just makes sense.

In response to the article 20 Tips for Soldiering Through an Economic Meltdown, “Claire” said:

We were forced to downsize (business loss) and gave up the McMansion for a small house. Sold or donated half of our stuff to fit into it. Now our bills are so much lower! Utility bills are 50% less, property tax is 1/3 of what we used to pay (moved to a cheaper area), and our stress level is SO much lower. I highly recommend “taking it down a notch”.

A while back “Jeff” shared this tip for stockpiling prescription drugs.  What a great idea!

“If you have meds that you have to take regularly, start “banking” them. Take a couple pills from each prescription and put them in your bug out bag.”

This is similar in concept to taking some loose change and putting it into a jar each night.  Stashing meds a few tablets at a time should not affect you ability to order refills; I love this tip!

The last one for today is from “Soupbone”:

“Shoe Goo” – it’s kind of like duck tape in a tube. Sure, you can fix shoes with it, but you can also use it anywhere you need a flexible or waterproof joint. Last thing I used it for was to fix my eyeglasses – the tensioner in the earpiece decided to give up the ghost, leaving me with no effective glasses. I filled the socket with shoe goo, jammed the two pieces together and smeared a light layer over the whole joint. It held together until I could get them replaced.

Note:  You can purchase Shoe GOO at Amazon.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

For the past few months, my husband, Shelly aka the Survival Hubby, has been working in the background, helping me with photos and also serving as my part time news reporter.  Needless to say, I am thrilled to have an extra set of hands and also his company as we put together five articles a week.

It is not that this is a really important announcement but I did want to acknowledge him for is assistance (and his unending support devotion, too).

THE FINAL WORD

As nice as it is to get away and take a break from routine, it is also nice to come home.  More than nice, actually.  My HERC oven awaits as do my tomato seedlings and ugh! my taxes.  Thanks for staying with me while I was on vacation and for keeping things going in the comments and on Facebook.

So tell me, what did you do to prep this week?

Enjoy your next adventure through common sense and thoughtful preparation!
Gaye

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From the Bargain Bin:  When it comes to protection from radiation, a few things should be on hand. Here are some ideas to get you started.  For more information, see Using Potassium Iodide Following a Nuclear Incident.

Home Health Physics:  Health Physics is the applied science of radiation exposure control, radioactive contamination control and environmental monitoring.  This little eBook offers methods of keeping your home safe during those times when radioactive fallout or contamination might be threatening your neighborhood. It written by Joy and and Randall Thompson and David Bear and is a free download.

iOSAT Potassium Iodide Tablets, 130 mg (14 Tablets):  These were backordered for weeks and highly inflated price-wise after Fukushima.  Be sure to get a package now for each family member.  The way these tabs work is that they fill the thyroid gland with potassium iodide, thus reducing the chance that harmful radioactive iodine will enter and cause sickness or cancer.

NukAlert: Radiation Detector/Monitor:The NukAlert is a personal radiation meter, monitor and alarm that will promptly warn you of the presence of dangerous levels of radiation.  It is designed to be attached to a key chain so that you can keep it with you at all times.

Ambient Weather WR-089 Compact Emergency Solar Hand Crank AM/FM/NOAA Weather Radio, Flashlight, Smart Phone Charger with Cables: This reasonably priced radio is popular with Backdoor Survival readers.

N100 Respirator Masks: You want the N100 respirator masks and not the less effective N95 masks.  These two were in great demand after Fukushima so if you did not pick up a pack or two then, get them now.  This Moldex 2730 is NIOSH certified to have a filter efficiency of 99.97% or greater against particulate aerosols free of oil.

RADSticker nuclear radiation exposure determining dosimeter:  The purpose of these stickers is to provide timely personal radiation exposure information in an event of an accident at a nuclear power plant or a nuclear or dirty bomb explosion. Low in cost, the RADSticker will help you determine whether you will need for medical treatment.

3M Duct Tape: Duct tape is an absolute necessity when sealing off a space to shelter in place.  For this purpose you want something better than the cheap stuff you get at the dollar store.

Emergency Air for Shelter-In-Place Preppers and Home Built Bunkers: Sheltering in place by sealing in a room is problematic at best since your supply of breathable air is limited. The system detailed in this book allows anyone to breathe safely while under threat and while following FEMA guidelines for sheltering-in-place.

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Shop the Emergency Essentials Monthly Specials: The monthly specials at Emergency Essentials feature discounts of up to 35% off sometimes a bit more.

I frequently forget to mention that Emergency Essentials sells a huge selection if preparedness gear.  This month, the Kaito Voyager is on sale for $39.99.  If you have been procrastinating on purchasing an emergency radio – or, do not have a spare – this would be a great item to add to your food storage order.

This is just one of the items on sale this month.  Click on this link for more:  Shop the Emergency Essentials Monthly Specials.

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My eBook, The Prepper’s Guide to Food Storage will provide you with everything you need to create an affordable food storage plan, including what to buy and how to store it. Nothing scary and nothing overwhelming – you really can do this!