The Sunday Survival Buzz Volume 118

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.

Today is my 39th wedding anniversary so I thought I would share a little personal tidbit with you.

My husband, Shelly, and I met in late 1974 and were engaged two days later. He lived in San Francisco and I was in Seattle. We saw each other three times before getting married in 1975.

Our personalities are very different. He is an easy going type of guy and for lack of a better description, I am a driven perfectionist. He is a MacGyver type who spent his career in sales. Me? I come from the software industry – an antique going back to the early 80s when I was a Cobol programmer and systems analyst.

So there you go. Thanks for letting me talk about myself. I don’t get to do that often.

Photo taken in Alaska in 2013

Now that we have that business out of the way, let’s get going with the Sunday Survival Buzz.

SURVIVAL NEWS & ARTICLES FROM AROUND THE WEB

Here is this week’s reading list.  There is a lot of diversity here; grab a cup of coffee and start reading.

Why Most Of The Western Half Of The U.S. Is Completely Unsuitable For Strategic Relocation

If there is one thing that you cannot live without, it is fresh water.  Just try it some time.  Seriously – try to live for 24 hours without using a single drop of fresh water.  You will quickly learn how indispensable it is.  Unfortunately, a lot of people that are “strategically relocating” to another part of the United States are not taking the availability of fresh water seriously when making the decision about where to move.

What are the Fastest-Growing Classes of Millionaires in America?

“This should not come as a surprise for a country that continues to experience an expanding government role in the daily lives of its citizens. According to Forbes columnist Rich Karlgaard the answer to the question above is: Police officers, firefighters, teachers and federal bureaucrats. Here’s why.”

Why Own a Gun? Protection and Self Defense

“It seems there is a never ending debate about who should be able to own firearms, some people feel like the fewer firearms there are available, the less shooting deaths there will be. Some people (like me) believe that “Gun free zones” and firearm restrictions only make it easier for the bad guys to do what they want. So as to the question “Why own a gun? At the very least it should be for personal protection and self defense, but there are many reasons other than those.”

Bugging Out: Can You Will You and Should You?

“Bug-out, to withdraw rapidly from a position that is about to be overrun by hostile forces to another more defensible position. In most cases, hostile forces could mean any catastrophe. One major point is that to bug-out, you must know that you need to bug-out, this means you will have some type of warning, so paying attention is crucial. To consider bugging-out you have to be expecting something to happen. Those caught unaware will not be able to bug-out.”

USDA to Purchase Submachine Guns

“The United States Department of Agriculture is set to purchase an unknown quantity of submachine guns, leading to questions about where the weapons will be heading and for what purpose they will be used.”

The 5 Best Home Remedies for Joint Inflammation

“Inflammation is an immune response, but it can become a problem itself when it becomes continuous. With inflammation, you can experience redness, pain, swelling and other sensations that are uncomfortable and can greatly affect your quality of life. Our 5 best home remedies, including lifestyle changes, will help you combat inflammation and its uncomfortable symptoms without the use of drugs.”

Honey for Healing Cuts and Burns

I’m often amazed at things that our generation thinks we’ve discovered, only to find out that our grandmothers and great-grandmothers had been using them for years.  Case in point: Honey for wound healing.

Privacy Versus Security Is a FALSE Choice

NSA Dumped Automatic Privacy-Protecting System … Instead Adopting Program of Mass Surveillance On All Americans.  The entire “privacy versus security” argument for spying by the NSA is hogwash. Top security experts – including the highest-level government officials and the top university experts – say that mass surveillance increases terrorism and hurts security.

BACKDOOR SURVIVAL MAIL BAG & READER TIPS

You already know that I can be a shameless self-promoter.  Today, from the mailbag, I offer up a testimonial from “Michelle” who is blathering good things about the DIY Miracle Healing Salve.

My husband found your recipe on the internet and brought it home to me because he knows I like to make my own stuff that is healthier and better (most times) than what you can get in the stores.

Four years ago I was breaking a wild burns mustang I had acquired. Unfortunately, while I was working with him on April 12, 2010, he spooked, threw me, and when I landed, my left knee was completely blown out! I lost my ACL, MCL, and my meniscus.

This happened in a very hard time in my life when insurance was not available to me. I fought for 6 months to find a doctor to help get me walking again. I had to be taken care of by my mother for almost a year! 6 months waiting for a surgery, then 6 months almost for recovery.

Since the surgery was just to reconnect my MCL, just so I could walk on my own again, I experience severe and excruciating pain in my left knee/leg on a daily basis.

GOD BLESS you and all your hard work and time, finding the right mix to invent this salve recipe!

I made my first batch two months ago. It came out perfectly. I made a double batch with desperate hope that it would really be a “miracle”. I have to say I was not disappointed!! Not one bit! I made 16, 2oz jars. My husband and I share the salve and I have given 10+ jars to people I care about who complain about aches and pain. I am now gearing up to make more because very one loves it!

I have even added tea tree oil to help with my moms skin issues. Since I moved her to the desert with my husband and I her skin got worse so I hooked her up with her own jars with the tea tree oil! So the first time I tried the salve, my knee was killing me!!! I could not sleep, it hurt to walk,… And after I got the salve applied, I laid down to wait to see what was going to happen,.. And I woke up the next day, pain free. It worked so well, I cried. I mean I flat out sobbed!!

I have lived with this sickening pain for almost 4 years, and here it feels like your slave has saved my life! I carry a jar everywhere! In my purse, my car, my husband even carries one in his work truck!

You have got me so excited over the healing properties, of natural things, I want to figure out how to add shea butter and maybe even jojoba oil. We do live in the desert! Thank you again from the bottom of my heart!

So what the heck are the rest of you waiting for?  You just have to try it!  Here, once more, is the link:  DIY Miracle Healing Salve.

CURRENT GIVEAWAYS

Did you miss these giveaways?  It is not to late to enter!

Spring 2014 Book Festival: Leaving the Trees + Giveaway
Mountain House Responds to Reader Questions + Giveaway

Also, I want to remind you that the winners of these giveaways will not be announced until the Sunday Buzz on June 8th, although winners might be notified by email sooner.

ANNOUNCEMENTS – FREE WEBINAR SERIES – THE SUMMER OF SURVIVAL 2014

As I mentioned last week, a few months ago I was asked to become a presenter in a free webinar series, Summer of Survival 2014 – Online Survival Skills Education.

The the timing was not right for me and so, for this year I had to decline BUT I am happy to announce that the folks putting the series together are HUGE fans of Backdoor Survival and will be back again with a request for next year.

In the meantime, the way the webinar series will work is that every Tuesday and Thursday evening starting June 3rd you’ll hear from a  survival expert on various topics.  After each session, there will be a live Q&A.

Advanced registration for this 100% free series is now open and I encourage you to look for topics that interest you so that you can sign up to attend.  Here is the exclusive registration link for Backdoor Survival readers:  Summer of Survival 2014 – Online Survival Skills Education.

THE FINAL WORD

One of my favorite places in the entire world (and I have been a lot of places) is Alaska. There is something awesome about the bigness of it all.  The quiet beauty, the glaciers, the wildlife  . . . it all makes me feel like I am an important piece of something so much bigger.

We all can become so overcome with just getting by each day – you know, making it through – that we wear blinders to the awesomeness of our planet.  I feel blessed that I am able to take some time to step away from the drudgery of chores and the routine of daily living to stop and breathe in the sweet smell of life.

Enjoying life will help me stay grounded so I can better cope with an uncertain future.

What about you – what did you do to prep this week?  Until, next time, remember to make every day a prep day!

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

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FROM THE ALMOST FREE DEPARTMENT

Portable Extra-Large Head Windproof Waterproof Matches

I was browsing around on Amazon and saw these waterproof matches for $1.23.  Mostly I was looking for a waterproof case but if I can get some matches too, all the better.  They have not arrived yet but I will put them through their paces when they do.  It will be good to see how well they stand up against these Coghlans Waterproof Matches 10-pack I purchased in January.

Bargain Bin: For your discernment, here are some personal and BDS reader favorites and items from the current Amazon Top 10.

One Second After:  For many, the novel “One Second After” was a game changer that convinced them of the need to be prepared.  I did not realize until now that the price for the Kindle version was only $2.99.  If you have not read this book, you really should.

FordEx Group 300lm Mini Cree Led Flashlight Torch Adjustable Focus Zoom Light Lamp:  FAVORITE! Here we go with another flashlight.  At the time of this writing, this one is only $3.80 with free shipping.  It is super mini sized, bright and waterproof.  Plus, it uses a single, standard AA sized battery.  NEW! Did you know these came in colors for the same low price?

Morakniv Craftline Q Allround Fixed Blade Utility Knife: FAVORITE! Also known as the Mora 511, this is now my favorite knife. It is made of Swedish steel and is super sharp.  Many Backdoor Survival have emailed me indicating this is now their favorite knife too. I paid $12 for this knife; it was worth $12 and of course is a steal at $8.77. New:

Coghlans Waterproof Matches 10-pack: There are 10 boxes of 40 matches each for about $7.  That is a good deal for 400 waterproof matches.

Gorilla Clear Repair Tape and Gorilla Tape 35-Yard Roll:  Enough of you have told me I need to try Gorilla Tape so okay, I have just purchased some and will put it through its tests.

BaoFeng UV-5R  Dual-Band Ham Radio: The Baofeng UV-5R is a compact hand held transceiver providing 4 watts in the frequency range of 136-174 MHz and 400-480 MHz. It is a compact, economical HT that includes a special VHF receive band from 65 – 108 MHz which includes the regular FM broadcast band. Dual watch and dual reception is supported.  Here is the antenna I ordered along with the programming cable: NAGOYA Antenna for BAOFENG UV-5R and USB Programming Cable for Baofeng UV-5R UV-3R+.

Blocklite Ultra Bright 9V LED Flashlight: I now own six of these little gems. There is a similar flashlight called the Pak-Lite (which is more expensive) but it does not have a high-low switch like this one. Less than $10. These little flashlights just go and go, plus, they make good use of those re-purposed 9V alkaline batteries that you have recharged with your Maximal Power FC999 Universal Battery Charger.

LifeStraw Personal Water Filter:  The LifeStraw is considered the most advanced, compact, ultra light personal water filter available. It contains no chemicals or iodinated resin, no batteries and no moving parts to break or wear out.  It weighs only 2oz. making it perfect for the prepper.

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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.

The 3-day Lite Emergency Kit is a great collection of basic necessities you will need when disaster strikes. This kit provides food, water, warmth, light, communication, and first aid supplies, all nicely packed neatly inside the included medium backpack.

Don’t let the price $29.99 price fool you.  This is a great, lightweight kit that is perfect for children or others who cannot carry a heavy load and also for those who are just starting out, those who are adding on or updating an old kit, and even those needing a great gift for a friend or family member.

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Are You Interested in Essential Oils?

If you are just getting started in using essential oils for wellness purposes, I recommend the Health and Wellness Kit which includes all of my favorites or the Essential 4 Pack which includes Lavender, Lemon, Melaleuca (Tea Tree) and Peppermint.

Spark Naturals Health & Wellness Kit

Be sure to use the discount code “BACKDOORSURVIVAL” to receive a 10% discount.