"If You've Ever"

This was the toilet tissue aisle at our local store on
about March 12

I haven't posted for quite a while on this blog.  Right now, the world is in the middle of a crazy reaction to a virus and even crazier reactions in the panic buying and hoarding.  It just blows my mind. 

 Many times in the last few years, as I walked through a store, I got a vision of empty shelves and the "feeling" of dread that would accompany it and those who were not prepared. 
 The "panic" and irrational behavior now going on is nothing compared to what it will be in the future when there is no electricity, no internet, no truck deliveries and much worse things.  

A few years ago, an acquaintance was asked about "preparation" and what items should we stock up on, what would be good for bartering, etc.  He said something like if he had the funds he would buy a warehouse full of toilet paper.

One of my daughters reminded me that years ago I told her that feminine waste products could be wrapped in old National Enquirers (meaning any magazine or newspaper) rather than TP.  I had forgotten that. 

I have a large stash of "disposable" rags…these are made from old socks, old clothing too ragged to send to charity, old bath towels, etc.  They can be disposed of at one use, or could be washed if water is available.  I know I have been looked at with "rolled eyes" about my hoarding of "rags."

I also have a stash of cloth diapers.  I raised all my 7 children on cloth diapers.  Do people even know what a "diaper pail" is now?
 I used handkerchiefs or wash rags for nursing pads.

This was brought to mind as I read today about young mothers lamenting how they cannot buy, not only TP, but diapers, wipes and formula.  Others lamented that they would have liked to have a year's supply, but their budget prevented it.

  Here is a quote from a talk that I gave in 1976 on preparation.

  The entire talk is on another post:  June 1976 Talk "Now you are committed, you have a plan and a goal. Now all you need is money to make it happen and there isn’t enough to go around.

1. Cut Christmas Expenses by at least 50%. Buy storage items for each other. …

2. If you desire new clothes, don’t buy them. Make your wardrobe last longer.

3. Cut recreation by at least 50%. Do things that don’t require money. As a family, decide NOT to go on a vacation until you have your year’s supply.

4. If you don’t have your supply, but have luxury items such as boats, campers, snowmobiles, sell or trade them.

5. Watch for advertised specials in stores. Buy cases or in bulk when prices are good.

6. Get protein from less expensive sources than meat. Cut out store bought goodies like candy, cookies, ice cream, magazines, soda pop, etc. Set the saved money aside and buy storage items."

I found a list published many years ago (2006) called the "Top 100 Items to Disappear During a National Emergency." These were not the suggested things to store, but those that disappeared fastest.  I could find no reference source.

I have reduced the list to what I consider the top 25: (not in any particular order)

1.  Generators--gas or solar

2.  Water Filters/purifiers

3.  Honey/Sugar/Syrup

4.  Vegetable Oil

5.  Baby Supplies (diapers/formula, etc.)

6.  Feminine and basic hygiene Supplies, Toilet Tissue

7.  Canning Supplies 

8.  First Aid Kits

9.  Batteries

10.  Flour, Yeast, Salt, Vinegar, baking supplies

11.  Matches, Flashlights, Lanterns

12.  Duct Tape

13.  Liquid Laundry Detergent 

14.  Canned fruits, Veggies, Soups, Stews

15.  Water enhancers--Cocoa, Tang, Punch, Teas

16.  Sleeping bags, blankets

17.  Cleaning supplies, Bleach

18.  Firewood

19.  Lamp Oil, Wicks, Lamps, candles

20.  Water Containers, any size, Fill them up. 

21.  Cookstoves (Propane, Coleman, etc),  

22.  Aluminum Foil, Reg & Heavy duty

23.  Rice, Crackers, Trail Mix, Jerky, etc.

24.  Garbage bags/cans

25.  Insulated Ice Chests

Based on what has happened in the last few days and from posts on social media, I would make another list:
1.  Toilet tissue
2.  Cleaning and disinfecting supplies including hand sanitizer
3.  Paper Towels
4.  Wipes (baby and otherwise)
5.  Disposable Diapers
6.  Baby Formula
7.  Milk  (ok as long as there are truck deliveries)
8.  Bread/Flour/Yeast/Sugar
9.  Eggs
10.  Cheese
11.  Potatoes
12.  Rice (?), Top Ramen, Oatmeal (Go figure)
13.  Cold medicine, Pain relievers

Update:  March 16--We just got back from our local store here in Wyoming.  There was a little bit more of a crowd than a usual week day morning, but not bad.  The store was having a case lot sale.  They were sold out of TP and flour.  Sugar, Rice, Top Ramen and Oatmeal were almost gone.  Dry beans and Freeze dried storage stuff were about half gone.  Frozen pizza and ice cream were way down.  I didn't go down the laundry detergent or cold medicine aisles.  They had plenty of milk, cheese, eggs, chocolate chips, bread and fruits and vegetables.   Just a little inconvenience here and there.  Nothing like it will be when truck deliveries are curtailed or stopped.

Love to hear any comments or suggestions! 

Herbs

I did an inventory of my "herbs" used for medicinal purposes, that I have in storage.  Here is the list, with the most valuable/important ones bolded.

Blood root, Cayenne, Diatomaceous Earth, Garlic, Goldenseal, Green Tea, Kelp, Lobelia Tincture, Marshmallow Root, Slippery Elm, Aloe Vera,  Peppermint Tea, Psyllium Seed Husk powder, Chia seeds, Flax seeds, Turmeric

Bottling Your Own...

Although bottling can destroy much food value, it does provide substance and calories, as well as comfort.  Grape juice and apple juice are said to retain most of the food value when bottled.   There are some things I prefer to buy already canned (such as beans). Alot of it depends on what is available in your area and how much time you have.

I bottle/have bottled the following:

Apple Juice
Applesauce
Apricot Jelly
Blackberry Jam
Rhubarb-Ginger Jelly
Corn (occasionally, but prefer it frozen)
Elderberry Jelly and Juice
Grape Juice (White, Red and Dark)
Nectarine Jam
Peaches
Pears
Pickles
Salsa (tomato, pear and peach)
Tomatoes
Zucchini-Tomato Mix
Anaheim Peppers
Pepper Jelly
Turkey/Chicken broth
Potatoes
Carrots
Beets
Venison

(Update: September 2018) Bottling seems to be a lost art these days.  We are personally prepared with a pressure canner and steam canner and plenty of empty bottles/lids on hand in case I need to bottle items when electricity goes out for a long period.  We have a propane cooker that can be used for this.  We have a freezer full of meat, fruits, vegetables that can all be bottled and saved.  I also have directions handy.  Remember to save your canning lids.  Put them on the washed, empty bottles for storage.  Lids CAN be used multiple times.  In spite of what most people say.  They DO reseal at least as well as NEW lids.  I have many lids that have tightly sealed even after 5-7 times being re-used. Either lids seal or they don't.  If a lid doesn't seal, whether new or used, chuck it!  Don't keep trying.  Look for the "red" seals on the newer lids.  The older lids with the "gray" seals often don't work again.  Contact me if you have any questions on canning.  I have been doing it for 40 plus years.

Colloidal Silver...Antibiotic Alternative

BYU study shows colloidal silver is as good as penicillin.

http://www.silvermedicine.org/byustudy.html

Silver in various forms has been used for centuries as an antimicrobial agent.  In the 1800s and early 1900s people put silver coins in their water barrels to kill microbes and make the water potable.

Use of silver, once common, faded with the advent of antibiotics.  Recently, concerns about overuse of antibiotics has lead to a resurgence of silver's popularity.

It may be a good addition to your survival supplies.

According to the study mentioned above, the solution "exhibits an equal or broader spectrum of activity than any one antibiotic tested."  It has been shown to kill more than 600 types of harmful bacteria.  Can be combined with other antibiotics and is safe for babies and children.

It has a reasonably long shelf life.  Not indefinite, but probably a year or two.  Should be stored in brown bottles, at room temperature in a dark location.

Personally, I have been using colloidal silver for years, but not all the time. I make my own with a colloidal silver maker.   

It is stellar for external infections such as cuts, abrasions or wounds, can be sprayed on easily.  It works amazingly well on any kind of eye infection, especially "pink eye", curing it most times within one day.  Also useful for ear infections, sore throats and sinus infections.  Can be put in a diffuser to be dispersed into lungs and bronchials.  Can be taken internally for "stomach flu".  Spray into the nose at the first sign of a cold.

1.  For prevention of illnesses and infection:  Take one teaspoon per day on an empty stomach. (late night suggested).  Swish it around the mount for a minute or two before swallowing to reduce bacteria in the mouth.

2.  Sterilize food preparation surfaces. Swab cutting boards and allow to dry without wiping off.  Use a tablespoon or so on your dish cloth.

3.  Can be used as a personal deodorant.

4.  Add to cut flowers, a tablespoon or so in the vase to extend the freshness of water and flowers.

5.  To purify water, add an ounce to quart of questionable water, wait 20 minutes.

6.  For safer fruit, use the water from hint #5 and soak the fruit for 20 minutes.

7.  For foreign travel, take a tablespoon with a meal to reduce your chance of getting sick from unfamiliar bacteria.

Ten Ways to Use Colloidal Silver

Grains and Seeds

Besides wheat, there are many other grains that can be stored to add variety and nutrition.  The ones that I have chosen are:

Rolled and Quick Oats
Rice--White rice keeps better.  Brown rice can be frozen or oven canned.
Rolled and Pearled Barley
Corn Meal, Popcorn and Corn for grinding and growing
Split Peas
Quinoa
Alfalfa Seeds (for sprouting) (Old seeds don't sprout.  Use for chicken feed or mulch.)
Mung Beans  (for sprouting). Same with old beans.  
Triticale
Rye
Millet
Macaroni
Chia Seeds
Flax Seeds
Lentils
6-Grain Mix

Note that 20-60 year old wheat may not sprout.  I have wheat in cans (about 30 years old) that does not sprout.  I have many empty canning jars, so I stone ground some of it into flour and oven canned.

Oven canning instructions:  fill clean quart or 1/2 gallon jars with freshly ground flour.  Place in the oven on a cooky sheet at 200 degrees for an hour.  Heat the lids (used lids are fine) in a container in the same oven. (Not rings). Then remove the jars carefully one at a time using hot pads.  Put the hot lids on each bottle and then rings.  Tighten.  They should seal within a few hours.   If they don't, use those bottles first.  The flour will still keep a long time even if the lids don't seal.

SPICES OF LIFE

Here is a list of the spices that Mary Bergman used:  garlic salt, onion salt, pepper, chili powder, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, oregano, paprika, table salt

Here are the spices and seasonings that I store and use.  The ones I use most often and recommend to store are bolded and italicized:  All purpose season, almond flavor, basil leaf, bay leaf, caraway, celery seed, cinnamon, cloves, dill seed, garlic-herb season, garlic powder, ginger, Italian seasoning, majoram, Mexican seasoning, nutmeg, Old Bay, onion powder, oregano, paprika, parsley flakes, pepper corns, pizza season, poultry season, pumpkin pie spice, rosemary, saffron, sea salt or "Real Salt", salad sprinkle, spinach flakes, stevia, turmeric, vanilla extract (both real and imitation).

Most of these can be purchased locally or from online vendors such as Vitacost, Swanson, IHerb or similar companies.  

Ground spices don't keep their flavor after a few years.  Don't discard them, but add to potting soil.  Cut and sifted herbs keep longer.

UPDATE, June, 2024:  I now order almost all of my herbs/spices from Herbco, now Moneterey Bay  They are a wholesale company.  Shipping is free over $250, so I often find others who want to go in on an order.

Honey

We have been advised for years to store honey for many reasons.  It is a whole sweetener complete with vitamins and enzymes.

There's not too much to say except the internet is full of information.  Here is one link:
http://thesurvivalmom.com/heres-a-honey-of-a-post-17-things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-honey-but-should/

You can make candy, sweeten almost anything or use it for medicine.

It does solidify, so storing it in larger containers is cumbersome when you need to use it.  I recommend pouring into smaller containers for storage.

Survival Family used 120 lbs. for their year for a family of 8.