The new year is here and many people are waking up late this morning, some perhaps a bit later than others, having made resolutions during the evening's revelry that they may have already forgotten. What's yours?
If you are on this site and reading this, then I'll bet your resolutions are a bit different from the typical "lose weight," "quit smoking," or "get in better shape" variety. My resolution for 2010 is a continuation of one that I have had for more than 10 years now - to help organizations and individuals know what to do when "what if?" happens to them.
Towards that end, I've commited significant resources to spreading the word about readiness in the coming year. We've scheduled a 28-city Elevate Your Readiness North American Tour to equip thousands of organizations with the tools and knowledge needed to improve their odds of surviving a crisis. And were putting the finishing touches on the redesigned Family Preparedness Edition of The Disaster Game to help families and individuals do the same.
If you would like some tips and advice to help your own preparedness efforts, contact me for a free PDF copy of the Simple Steps Guide to Family Preparedness. It may help you jump start your readiness resolutions for 2010 and, by sharing it with you, help me continue to move mine forward as well.
Happy New Year all,
Bill
Friday, January 1, 2010
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Preppin 101 - Part 4 - The Purpose of Shelter
Re-post Courtesy of Riverwalker's Stealth Survival
All the various types of shelters serve three basic purposes. The fact that you won’t have all the comforts of home should be a part of your survival mindset. There is some psychological value to certain styles but most any type of shelter will ultimately satisfy your emotional needs. There may be a need for protection from animals, etc. but the primary purpose of a survival shelter is to protect your body from the adverse effects of the weather.
It is the effects of hypothermia, which is caused by the loss of body heat, which causes the majority of deaths in survival situations. Being able to make or build a good shelter is crucial.
A good shelter prevents this in the three following ways:
1.) It creates a space to shelter your body from the adverse effects of weather.
2.) It creates a space that can be heated by your body or an alternate source of heat.
3.) It creates a sense of security by making you feel more secure and protected.
People with no skills have sometimes survived in circumstances where others with a great deal of survival knowledge have died. A lack of creativity and the inability to improvise may be the real culprits. Sometimes a little understanding of the principles involved and a willingness to think and observe your surroundings can be just as important as specific skills.
Look at what is available, and consider how you can use it. The ability to improvise will help you to survive. In a survival situation, a shelter that can keep you warm and dry and imparts a sense of security becomes crucial. Check your surroundings carefully. Is there anything which can be used to create a shelter? Consider the available materials around you in terms of how you can use them for the purpose of making or building a shelter.
Creativity, an ability to improvise, and good powers of observation can be your keys to survival, no matter what your circumstances. Being able to create a shelter out of what is available can make a world of difference in your chances for survival. The best survival shelter is the one that works for your situation!
Staying above the water line!
Riverwalker
All the various types of shelters serve three basic purposes. The fact that you won’t have all the comforts of home should be a part of your survival mindset. There is some psychological value to certain styles but most any type of shelter will ultimately satisfy your emotional needs. There may be a need for protection from animals, etc. but the primary purpose of a survival shelter is to protect your body from the adverse effects of the weather.
It is the effects of hypothermia, which is caused by the loss of body heat, which causes the majority of deaths in survival situations. Being able to make or build a good shelter is crucial.
A good shelter prevents this in the three following ways:
1.) It creates a space to shelter your body from the adverse effects of weather.
2.) It creates a space that can be heated by your body or an alternate source of heat.
3.) It creates a sense of security by making you feel more secure and protected.
People with no skills have sometimes survived in circumstances where others with a great deal of survival knowledge have died. A lack of creativity and the inability to improvise may be the real culprits. Sometimes a little understanding of the principles involved and a willingness to think and observe your surroundings can be just as important as specific skills.
Look at what is available, and consider how you can use it. The ability to improvise will help you to survive. In a survival situation, a shelter that can keep you warm and dry and imparts a sense of security becomes crucial. Check your surroundings carefully. Is there anything which can be used to create a shelter? Consider the available materials around you in terms of how you can use them for the purpose of making or building a shelter.
Creativity, an ability to improvise, and good powers of observation can be your keys to survival, no matter what your circumstances. Being able to create a shelter out of what is available can make a world of difference in your chances for survival. The best survival shelter is the one that works for your situation!
Staying above the water line!
Riverwalker
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Preppin’ 101 - Part 3 - Health - Eating the Rainbow
Re-post Courtesy of Riverwalker's Stealth Survival
Have you ever tried eating the rainbow? It is not an actual diet, but refers to choosing foods that are the colors of the rainbow. By including fruits and vegetables that are the colors of the rainbow in your daily diet, you can assure yourself of the proper servings of fruits and vegetables in order to maintain good health. Fruits and vegetables come in different colors and each of the different colors gives us different types of vitamins and nutrients. Eating the full rainbow of foods on a daily basis helps give your body the essential nutrients that it needs. These nutrients help strengthen your immune system and help to prevent or lessen the risk of certain diseases. What color is your food?
The Color Red
Red fruits and vegetables improve your memory, help to maintain a healthy heart, and lower the risks of some types of cancers.
Sources include red apples, cranberries, red grapes, pomegranates, raspberries, strawberries, watermelon, grapefruit, tomatoes, radishes, red peppers and red onions.
The Color Blue
Blue fruits and vegetables help fight the effects of aging, help to improve urinary tract function, and can also reduce the risk of some types of cancers.
Sources include raisins, blackberries, plums, purple grapes, eggplant and purple cabbage.
The Color White
White fruits and vegetables help lower cholesterol levels and improve the health of your heart.
Sources include bananas, white nectarines, white peaches, garlic, cauliflower, mushrooms, onions and potatoes.
The Color Green
Green fruits and vegetables help maintain good vision, work to build strong bones and teeth and are good sources of antioxidants.
Sources include green apples, green grapes, kiwi fruit, honeydew melon, avocado, broccoli, spinach, zucchini, lettuce, celery and asparagus.
The Color Yellow / Orange
Yellow or orange fruits and vegetables help strengthen your immune system.
Sources include yellow apples, apricots, cantaloupe, oranges, peaches, nectarines, mangoes, pineapple, yellow peppers, pumpkin, sweet corn, lemons and sweet potatoes.
Along with regular exercise, eating properly is one of the best ways to maintain your health. Eating the rainbow will help create a healthier lifestyle. It is something you can do on a regular basis without a lot of extra effort.
Staying above the water line!
Riverwalker
The Color Red
Red fruits and vegetables improve your memory, help to maintain a healthy heart, and lower the risks of some types of cancers.
Sources include red apples, cranberries, red grapes, pomegranates, raspberries, strawberries, watermelon, grapefruit, tomatoes, radishes, red peppers and red onions.
The Color Blue
Blue fruits and vegetables help fight the effects of aging, help to improve urinary tract function, and can also reduce the risk of some types of cancers.
Sources include raisins, blackberries, plums, purple grapes, eggplant and purple cabbage.
The Color White
White fruits and vegetables help lower cholesterol levels and improve the health of your heart.
Sources include bananas, white nectarines, white peaches, garlic, cauliflower, mushrooms, onions and potatoes.
The Color Green
Green fruits and vegetables help maintain good vision, work to build strong bones and teeth and are good sources of antioxidants.
Sources include green apples, green grapes, kiwi fruit, honeydew melon, avocado, broccoli, spinach, zucchini, lettuce, celery and asparagus.
The Color Yellow / Orange
Yellow or orange fruits and vegetables help strengthen your immune system.
Sources include yellow apples, apricots, cantaloupe, oranges, peaches, nectarines, mangoes, pineapple, yellow peppers, pumpkin, sweet corn, lemons and sweet potatoes.
Along with regular exercise, eating properly is one of the best ways to maintain your health. Eating the rainbow will help create a healthier lifestyle. It is something you can do on a regular basis without a lot of extra effort.
Staying above the water line!
Riverwalker
Monday, November 30, 2009
Food Safety - Part 2 - Shigella
Re-post Courtesy of Riverwalker's Stealth Survival
There are many different ways for food to become contaminated. Once contaminated it should be disposed of properly. Avoid food poisoning and therefore its sometimes deadly effects by knowing the proper means of handling and preparing your food. Learn to recognize the different symptoms of the various kinds of food poisoning and its effects.
Food Poisoning Type - Shigella
This bacteria is generally associated with raw sewage or contaminated water. Food poisoning of this type is caused by direct contact of food with raw sewage, contaminated water or by indirect contact with improperly cleaned cooking or eating utensils. Improper hand washing techniques can also be a cause of this type of food poisoning
Signs and Symptoms - Shigella
The most common symptoms are diarrhea, fever and nausea. These symptoms can appear whithin as short a time span of six to seven hours to as long as a week after eating contaminated food. The symptoms may last for a week or slightly longer but in most cases are rarely fatal.
Sources of Shigella Poisoning
Any type of food that requires manual preparation is a potential source of shigella.
Prevention Tips - Shigella
1.) Maintain good personal hygiene at all times.
2.) Always use proper water treatment methods to insure purity.
3.) Use proper hygiene in all food preparation and cooking areas.
A little safety goes a long way in keeping you and your family safe. In an emergency or crisis situation, the last thing you will need is a case of food poisoning added to your list of problems.
Staying above the water line!
Riverwalker
There are many different ways for food to become contaminated. Once contaminated it should be disposed of properly. Avoid food poisoning and therefore its sometimes deadly effects by knowing the proper means of handling and preparing your food. Learn to recognize the different symptoms of the various kinds of food poisoning and its effects.
Food Poisoning Type - Shigella
This bacteria is generally associated with raw sewage or contaminated water. Food poisoning of this type is caused by direct contact of food with raw sewage, contaminated water or by indirect contact with improperly cleaned cooking or eating utensils. Improper hand washing techniques can also be a cause of this type of food poisoning
Signs and Symptoms - Shigella
The most common symptoms are diarrhea, fever and nausea. These symptoms can appear whithin as short a time span of six to seven hours to as long as a week after eating contaminated food. The symptoms may last for a week or slightly longer but in most cases are rarely fatal.
Sources of Shigella Poisoning
Any type of food that requires manual preparation is a potential source of shigella.
Prevention Tips - Shigella
1.) Maintain good personal hygiene at all times.
2.) Always use proper water treatment methods to insure purity.
3.) Use proper hygiene in all food preparation and cooking areas.
A little safety goes a long way in keeping you and your family safe. In an emergency or crisis situation, the last thing you will need is a case of food poisoning added to your list of problems.
Staying above the water line!
Riverwalker
A comment from one of our readers
A tiny bit of advice i could offer is that if anyone wanted to buy a used freezer, they should be sure it's running !!
I bought a nice-looking chest freezer from someone nearby for $75 and it fit perfectly in my unheated mud room - I knew the fellow hadn't been using it for awhile, but I didn't need it right away, didn't have an outlet in mudroom (yeah, yeah, I know), so didn't even try the thing until it got cold & I wanted to butcher. All it did was heat up the room !
Finally contacted fellow I bought from & he will give me $50 back & I will have a $25 secure chest for grains, etc.... Buyer beware !!!R.F. in Western Mtns. of Maine
Thanks for the comment!
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Simple Food Storage Items - Beverages - Part 3 - Distilled Spirits
Re-post Courtesy of Riverwalker's Stealth Survival
Shelf life is a major factor when considering long term storage of beverage items. The shelf life of most distilled liquors is almost indefinite when unopened. While some variations, such as liqueurs, have a very short shelf life. Under the proper storage conditions, distilled spirits can last a very substantial period of time once they are opened.
Distilled Spirits
Most distilled spirits do not age or mature in the bottle. This means that your 20 year old, unopened bottle of bourbon or whiskey will taste relatively the same as first day it was bottled. However, like beer certain liquors can "go bad" after a few months in an opened bottle. This may cause your liquor to loose some of its character or flavor.
Base Liquors
Brandy, gin, rum, tequila, vodka and whiskey are typically the most stable distilled spirits. These can be stored for a long time. These liquors have an indefinite shelf life and once opened may begin to lose certain flavor qualities over a period of time. Depending upon your storage methods, this can be anywhere from several months to several years.
Liqueurs
The shelf life of liqueurs is less than the plain distilled spirits because they contain sugar, sweeteners or other ingredients that can spoil or go bad. Most opened liqueurs should last for several months or longer depending on their percentage of alcohol content and the type and amount of preservatives. Opened bottles will lose some of their characteristics due to exposure to the air. If there are any signs of sugar crystallizing on the bottom, discoloration, curdling or other similar changes you will need to discard it. Cream liqueurs that contain dairy, cream or egg products should be consumed by their expiration date. Cheaper versions of cream liqueurs will deteriorate even quicker.
Fortified Wines
Vermouths and other fortified wines have a much longer opened shelf life than regular wines. Vermouth can be stored in an open bottle for at least a few months. It will lose most of its flavor if stored too long after opening.
Mixers:
Follow the manufacturer’s recommended expiration date on the labels of all juices and bottled mixers. It is usually best to refrigerate mixers after opening. Club soda, ginger ale and tonic water should be consumed when opened or shortly afterwards.
Liquor Storage Tips
1.) Keep opened bottles sealed tightly. Use the original cap or a replacement cork.
2.) Never store liquor bottles with speed pourers attached unless they are in use.
3.) Avoid exposure to extreme hot or cold temperatures.
4.) Store your liquor away from exterior walls.
5.) Avoid exposing your liquor to any type of sunlight or bright lighting.
Distilled spirits offer extremely long shelf for your alcoholic beverage storage options.
Staying above the "watered-down liquor" line!
Riverwalker
Shelf life is a major factor when considering long term storage of beverage items. The shelf life of most distilled liquors is almost indefinite when unopened. While some variations, such as liqueurs, have a very short shelf life. Under the proper storage conditions, distilled spirits can last a very substantial period of time once they are opened.
Distilled Spirits
Most distilled spirits do not age or mature in the bottle. This means that your 20 year old, unopened bottle of bourbon or whiskey will taste relatively the same as first day it was bottled. However, like beer certain liquors can "go bad" after a few months in an opened bottle. This may cause your liquor to loose some of its character or flavor.
Base Liquors
Brandy, gin, rum, tequila, vodka and whiskey are typically the most stable distilled spirits. These can be stored for a long time. These liquors have an indefinite shelf life and once opened may begin to lose certain flavor qualities over a period of time. Depending upon your storage methods, this can be anywhere from several months to several years.
Liqueurs
The shelf life of liqueurs is less than the plain distilled spirits because they contain sugar, sweeteners or other ingredients that can spoil or go bad. Most opened liqueurs should last for several months or longer depending on their percentage of alcohol content and the type and amount of preservatives. Opened bottles will lose some of their characteristics due to exposure to the air. If there are any signs of sugar crystallizing on the bottom, discoloration, curdling or other similar changes you will need to discard it. Cream liqueurs that contain dairy, cream or egg products should be consumed by their expiration date. Cheaper versions of cream liqueurs will deteriorate even quicker.
Fortified Wines
Vermouths and other fortified wines have a much longer opened shelf life than regular wines. Vermouth can be stored in an open bottle for at least a few months. It will lose most of its flavor if stored too long after opening.
Mixers:
Follow the manufacturer’s recommended expiration date on the labels of all juices and bottled mixers. It is usually best to refrigerate mixers after opening. Club soda, ginger ale and tonic water should be consumed when opened or shortly afterwards.
Liquor Storage Tips
1.) Keep opened bottles sealed tightly. Use the original cap or a replacement cork.
2.) Never store liquor bottles with speed pourers attached unless they are in use.
3.) Avoid exposure to extreme hot or cold temperatures.
4.) Store your liquor away from exterior walls.
5.) Avoid exposing your liquor to any type of sunlight or bright lighting.
Distilled spirits offer extremely long shelf for your alcoholic beverage storage options.
Staying above the "watered-down liquor" line!
Riverwalker
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Simple Survival Tips - Balanced Preppin'
Re-post Courtesy of Riverwalker's Stealth Survival
While it is very easy to get carried away by our emotions at time, it is important to keep a balance in your preps. There are certain things that you will always need to survive. If you fail to maintain a proper balance within these needs, you run the risk of endangering your survival.
You will need food and water. Your survival depends on it. You will also need shelter. Humans are relatively frail creatures that don't do well in harsh or extreme climates. You will also need protection. If you don't have the means to protect your food and water or your shelter, you will be endangering your survival. All of the things necessary for your survival are each a vital part of the whole package that is necessary for you and your family to survive.
Don't let yor emotions run wild. Cooler heads always prevail. Think about where you're at and where you want to be. Don't ignore one part of your preps to the detriment of the others. Leave the panic mode for the sheeple who haven't even begun to prepare. Realize that if you fail to keep a proper balance, you could suddenly find yourself in worse shape that you thought!
Staying above the water line!
Riverwalker
While it is very easy to get carried away by our emotions at time, it is important to keep a balance in your preps. There are certain things that you will always need to survive. If you fail to maintain a proper balance within these needs, you run the risk of endangering your survival.
You will need food and water. Your survival depends on it. You will also need shelter. Humans are relatively frail creatures that don't do well in harsh or extreme climates. You will also need protection. If you don't have the means to protect your food and water or your shelter, you will be endangering your survival. All of the things necessary for your survival are each a vital part of the whole package that is necessary for you and your family to survive.
Don't let yor emotions run wild. Cooler heads always prevail. Think about where you're at and where you want to be. Don't ignore one part of your preps to the detriment of the others. Leave the panic mode for the sheeple who haven't even begun to prepare. Realize that if you fail to keep a proper balance, you could suddenly find yourself in worse shape that you thought!
Staying above the water line!
Riverwalker
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