Category: Survival Knowledge
Storing Food for Long Term Use
Inclement weather and emergency situations are occurring daily worldwide. The economic downturn is causing the cost of food to increase steadily. The uncertainty of our economy coupled with the strange weather patterns makes storing a small stockpile of food a very good idea in our present reality. Inclement weather events, power outages, and other disasters could make finding food outside of your home nearly impossible. Having something to fall back on is a smart and safe plan.
The Long-Term Food Supply
Consider this very realistic scenario: What if you were caught in a long-term power outage due to a severe storm that caused flooding and major damage to roadways? This type of situation could leave you stuck in your home for weeks.
Events such as this, and a long list of other possibilities, has already happened to many who were unprepared. Don‘t let this happen to you. Having a plan to survive and thrive in any situation, includes having enough food and water to fall back on. Being proactive will keep you and your family safe and healthy despite a drastic situation.
How Much Food Do You Need?
Every home should have a minimum of three days’ worth of food and water appropriate for their family size, but having at least two weeks’ worth is preferred. The rule of thumb for water is one gallon of water per person per day and do not forget to count children and pets at up to a full gallon of water each as well. The amount of food will depend on your family, but there should be enough to provide enough calories and nutrition to keep you healthy. At the very minimum, each family member should be able to have at least one full meal per day.
What Kinds of Food Should You Store?
Nutrition is key to your survival. You will want to stock food that has a minimum of a 3-6 month shelf life and keep that stock rotated so that nothing is spoiled should an emergency occur. Look for canned goods and other non-perishable foods that your family will eat. It will not benefit you to only stock canned foods that your family does not like because then it will be less likely that everyone will consume enough food and get the proper nutrition. Dehydrated fruits and vegetables, cereals, and bars will come in handy as well.
Make sure that you store various super-food powders like wheat grass, spirulina, and maca powders. We offer these and many other types of nutritional supplements in our online store. These super-food powders can provide you with a massive amount of nutrients in a small portion size, enabling your food to last for a longer amount of time.
Ready to eat canned goods that do not require cooking before consumption, granola bars, dried milk, peanut butter, nuts, and protein bars are all examples of good items to store. Crackers, bread, and similar products are good to keep as well – as long as you keep the stock rotated and keep in mind that they will not last as long as non-perishable items.
How to Store Food Items Long Term
Have a shelf, closet, pantry, or cellar dedicated to your emergency food storage. Everything in your emergency food supply should be stored in airtight containers and you will want to have extra storage containers and/or zip lock bags to keep opened items in. Keep a list or clearly mark all boxes, cans, and bags with expiration dates and “opened on” dates and keep your stock rotated and free of expired items.
Keeping a stockpile of food and water for your family to fall back on in times of need is a responsible part of emergency preparedness. Should a large storm or other disaster occur in your area, you are more likely to be able to survive comfortably for a longer amount of time.
Learn to Live off Nature
In addition to purchasing pre-packaged items, take the time to familiarize yourself with the edible plants that are all around you in nature. There are many plants that can provide you with more nutrients and energy than you can purchase in a food product that is sold in grocery stores. Nature grows year-round, so regardless of how long it takes for things to go back to normal, you can survive with an endless supply of nutrition for you and your family. From various grasses to berries, you can eat like a king for free when you learn how to live off nature.
We offer an Herbalism course in our Mystery school that teaches you how to identify plants that can be used as food sources and as medicine to heal your body. Learning how to work with nature is an important life skill to have.
Budgeting for Emergency Preparedness
Recently, the American government has been advocating family preparedness ready. Although I hate to concentrate on the worst-case scenario, it is wise to have some necessary supplies on hand during these unstable times. If you find yourself in an emergency situation, you want to have a number of supplies that you can fall back on to ensure your survival, health, and safety. This requires collecting and maintaining a decent amount of personal items even though you may never need them. Altogether, these supplies – including food and water stockpiles, first aid supplies, and even the most basic survival kits, can become quite costly.
Do Your Research
Starting from scratch? Do some research on emergency preparedness. There are numerous websites set up to assist you such as The American Red Cross and CDC Emergency Preparedness. These two sites have lists and ideas of what items you need to build a survival “kit” and items to stockpile for emergencies. Groupon is another site that offers local deals that can provide you discounts on survival training. During the Golden Race monthly webinars, we will begin doing some basic training on what you need to survive during the collapse of the beastly system as well. These meetings are free for our members. If you are not a member, I highly recommend that you become one.
Once you have an idea of the items you need, research those too. Some items, like food and water, are pretty fool proof. However, other items such as shelter building supplies, weather clothing and gear, and first aid supplies, are not created equal. Knowing what to look for can save you money while also guaranteeing that you have the best products on hand.
Make a List
Before you start shopping, make a detailed list of what items you need for your emergency preparedness or survival kit. Break the list up into sections based on their categories such as sustenance, shelter, first aid, etc…
Shop around to find the lowest prices so that you can save money. Start buying your items in bulk. For several years now, people have been benefiting from couponing, and are able to get many items for free by shopping on certain days and doubling the value of the coupons. For home stockpiles, most experts recommend that you have a minimum of three days’ worth of supplies, but at least two weeks’ worth is preferred.
Start Small
Especially if you are starting from scratch, buying all the items you need at once is not budget friendly. You might have to get one or two items at a time and build up to the full number of items needed. Check dollar stores for items such as matches, rubbing alcohol, and medical supplies. You will be surprised how much you can save and purchase for a small amount of money.
Know what Items to Purchase First
Prioritize the list you make based on items that are the most important and most useful. The top three items that I recommend are:
* Water:
Having enough water stockpiled is one of the most important survival tips. Keep bottled water both in your car and your home. For your home stockpile, the best rule of thumb is to have one gallon of water per person per day.
* First aid:
A good emergency first aid kit and basic first aid knowledge is another must have item. The American Red Cross has a detailed list of items that should be in any first aid kit. You will need to add or make changes to that list based on your family size and specific medical needs. If you do not have first aid training, I highly recommend that you invest in a short course as this knowledge may save your life.
* Food:
The most likely disaster situation involves a severe weather event where you could be stuck in your home for several days without electricity or water. Having a decent stockpile of non-perishable foods to keep you and your family nourished is very wise.
Maintenance
Basic maintenance will help save you money and keep your survival supplies up to date. Keep your food and water supplies rotating as they come near their expiration dates. That way things can be used rather than thrown out and your items are kept fresh in case of an emergency. Proper maintenance of any tools and other equipment will keep them from needing to be replaced, which will also save you money.
Although I believe that a positive mind can prevent many bad situations from manifesting in your reality, emergency preparedness is a responsible and potentially life-saving skill to have. However, purchasing the necessary supplies isn’t always cheap unless you know how and when to shop. You can ensure the safety of your family and your budget with these tips.
Keep These Items in Your Car at All Times
Our planet is in the process of remodeling itself. Storms and emergency situations for her inhabitants are a byproduct of this process. To ensure the safety of both you and your loved ones, I encourage everyone to keep a car survival kit with them at all times, especially if you are driving in remote areas. Even if you are simply planning a short drive across town, it is wise to have your survival kit with you in case of an accident or emergency. If you never use it for personal use, who knows when another citizen may need your assistance.
Creating a survival kit at home is simple to do. There are also many kits available for purchase in outdoor stores and online. Personally, I recommend creating your own so that you can match the kit to suit your own individual needs and your specific geographical location. If you decide to purchase the pre-made kits, you can always add a few items to personalize it for your own individual use.
Don’t just buy a survival kit and toss it in the trunk of the car. Take the time to look over the items in it. Also, make sure that you research the items so that you know how to properly use them. It is important that you become familiar with the items before you really need them. An item that you can’t use effectively is not going to prolong your life in an emergency.
Items that I Highly Recommend:
Always have a flashlight and batteries in your kit. An extra outfit is also a good idea to keep on hand. Waterproof matches and candles will come in handy. Keep a small can in your survival kit to use for collecting drinking water. Road flares, jumper cables, and a small shovel are valuable tools to have as well. Keep a small stash of tools handy, such as a hammer, screwdriver, and an adjustable wrench.
A pocket knife or survival knife can be one of the most versatile items to keep with you at all times in your pocket. Again, learn to use all the features in this particular tool.
Keep a small supply of dried foods, energy bars, and bottled water in your vehicle. These food items will provide valuable nourishment to prolong survival until you can get the help you need.
Snow storms are increasing worldwide, even in areas where snow is not prevalent. Traveling in cold weather can be extremely dangerous. Always keep an extra blanket in the car with you at all times. Spare hats and gloves can help keep you warm and dry in an emergency. A bag of kitty litter can be helpful during snowy months. This item can help you to get the traction you need on the snow and ice.
Having a form of communication is key. The problem with cell phones is that they must be charged. Consider keeping a crank-style cell phone charger in your car emergency survival kit. This item may make it possible to charge your cell phone and call for help in the event of an emergency.
No one ever wants to use a car emergency survival kit, but it can save your life. Check your kit often to make sure all items are in place. Replace any items that have been used or removed. Consider practicing a mock emergency to refresh your memory on how to use some of the items in the kit. Taking the time to adequately prepare for an emergency can help you to survive in a serious situation
Filtering Water in Nature
Everything on this planet (including our bodies) is mostly composed of water. Nature is overflowing with this divine life-giving nectar. As we return to our natural states of being, it is important to learn how to utilize it to nourish our temples. Finding a water source is easy but making it drinkable takes just a little know-how.
Filtering water is not the same as purifying water which makes it safe for consumption, however, in an emergency, this outdoor survival skill can be extremely useful.
Since Mankind has taken over our planet, most of the water sources have become muddy and unclean to drink, especially in America. Before you can drink it, a filter is necessary to cleanse the impurities from the water. By filtering water, it removes all visible dirt particles which makes it safer to drink. Filtering alone does not remove microbes and bacteria from the water, but often it can make the water more tolerable to your taste buds.
There are several ways that you can filter water in the wilderness. The first method requires a container. You can use a bottle. You can turn the bottle into a funnel by cutting the bottom off it. If all you have is a can, it can work as well. Instead of removing the bottom, just poke several holes in the bottom with a pocket knife. The can will work as a strainer as you let the water fall through the holes and into a separate clean container.
If you find yourself in the wilderness without a bottle or a container you can use cloth. Strain the water through a cloth or piece of clothing over a container. This will remove much of the heavy dirt particles from the water.
You could also create a natural filter using rocks and sand; two things that nature provides for free. Take the rocks and sand and alternate these in layers to make a filter. The more layers you have, the better. Once you have a nice amount, simply pour the water through the natural filter.
If you do not have a container, you can use tree bark. Make a cone from bark. Layer the rocks and sand inside the cone. Tie the bottom of the cone together with string; placing small rocks on the bottom of the cone as the last layer will help hold the bark together.
Use both fine and coarse layers in the filter, alternating between the two. At the bottom of the cone, you will need to stop the sand from pouring through. This isn’t difficult. Use grass that is not poisonous, several pebbles, or a piece of cotton material.
Pour collected water through the filter. Catch the water in a container after it has gone through the filter. If the water is not clear, pass it through the filter again. Repeat until the water runs clear.
Again, it is important to know that just because the water is clear, it does not make the water completely safe to drink. The water still needs to be purified, as it may contain tiny bacteria that can pass through the filter.
Knowing how to filter water is a necessary life skill to have. Keeping yourself alive by making sure water is safe for consumption while staying hydrated is something that our ancestors knew how to do. Even though water filtering isn’t as healthy as purification, it is a step closer to water that is safer for drinking. Practicing this valuable skill could save your life and those that you love in an emergency situation.
Metaphysical Wisdom 