agenda 21

he who controls the food, has the power. Watch this video on agenda 21.W

mountain house review.

Have you ever tried a mountain house meal? I was so busy today getting ready for a birthday party tomorrow that I forgot about lunch. I hope I am not the only person who forgets momentarily to feed her kids. Luckily my kids know how to whine, and so I grabbed this off the shelf thinking it would be fast, and a good chance to try it out.
It was easy- 2 cups boiling water in the bag and let it set for 9 minutes. My kids liked it, and it was good. Not the best mack and cheese I have ever had, but good. I could have added more cooked noodles- there was not an equal cheese to noodle ratio.
I have stocked my BOB's with MRE's just because of the convenience of the size and the fact that you don't need water. If I had to use my BOB's who is to say I would have access to boil water? For some serious camping, or food storage.... or days when you forget to feed your kids- I am liking the mountain house meals. I bought some more, and next time I crack one open I will let you know how it is.

WRONG!!! Seth Fiegerman

After taking my kids and dog to hell ...I mean the vet. I came home emotionally exhausted and needed a laugh, and I get one with this article. Then my laughter turned to anger as I questioned who writes this crap??
To: Seth Fiegerman 
I seriously hope no one believes this crap. Honey will last FOREVER!! you freakin' idiot. Why am I not getting paid to write this? You freakin' idiot!

"Honey
Honey can take years to expire, but according to Gans, one can conservatively hold onto it for about a year before its consistency begins to change, hardening and losing its sweet taste. Interestingly, Gans says that honey stays good for 12 months whether it's opened or unopened, making it one of the only foods where that is the case." Here is the full article, but please don't believe it.

Here is something else that caught my attention today. This article about New Zealand banning a baby name. Apparently Lucifer has been banned. Really?
Now- Stupidity is not illegal, and either is poor taste but if someone wants to name their baby
Lucifer Hitler Esquire then that is there damn right to do it. If the child does not become a serial killer it can change it's name at legal age and get some counseling.
It really pisses me off when a government agency tries to tell me what I can or can not do with my children. (here comes the libertarian) Where does this end? Mandatory vaccinations? No home schooling? What about the name Will- is that going to be offensive to someone and will be banned also? Then what? All kids will be called Jill if a girl or Jack if a boy? How about a number? Seriously. Where are we going with this.

back to school preparedness.

So the kids got new shoes and some clothes for school.... maybe a new haircut? Those are fabulous things but I like to focus on the chicken little aspects of life!
A witch doctor friend of mine that I love dearly gave me this idea. Like an emergency car kit, or a bug out bag at home these kits go in your child's backpack. Make sure and tape them up to keep fingers out of them, and let the child know what is in there. Depending on the age and maturity level explain what the kit is for, and when it will be used. You can put water, juice, snack, extra house key, flashlight, or a glow stick in the kit -packed up in a plastic pencil box. Do not forget emergency contact information like how/where to contact you if something happens. Remember: your child might get separated from the group- do not think the teacher will always be right there with the kids.
If that were to happen you would want someone to have all the numbers and places that you might be or your child could be taken.
You could even put a reminder for the child of what to do/where to go or where to meet (if you have an emergency meeting place)
Just like a bug out bag these will be personal and tailored to fit your child.

A few months ago I was in a CERT class, and we started to discuss emergency protocol for school children. The room broke out into a discussion and I quickly realized all schools are so different.  I would advise finding out what your school would do in case of an emergency. Ask about shootings, bomb threat, natural disasters, etc. If the principle looks at you like you are crazy- you might want to find a different school, OR be an Erin Brockovich type- research and implement one yourself.
Good luck!

Ron Swanson the ultiamte lebertarian.

We do not have t.v. and have been with out it for maybe a year or so? It first started as a financial sacrifice. I could not understand why I was paying to watch vile crap, and so we turned it off. There is one show my husband and I like to watch and on his lap top we watch Parks and Recreation on the weekends. Ron Swanson is my favorite character of all time, and here is a clip of him explaining how government  and taxes work to a 4th grader.

Last night on KTAR one of the radio hosts was talking about a recent story where two young boys sent 2 dollars to the white house in a letter. They came up with a way to fix the debt crisis, and said if all the kids in the world sent in 1 dollar that would fix it.
The host went on to say something that I completely agree with and that is we raise kids to be little socialists. And we do!
" Share, don't embarrass me, do not say no, please everyone.... blah blah." It is a everyone gets a trophy, everyone is as special as the next one kind of society.
This is walking a tight line because I know it is important to be nice, but there is a difference between being a push-over and being kind. I hope I can help my kids find that, but I am totally going to explain taxes the way Ron Swanson does- it is happening. I should probably home school.

21 ways to stay cool with out A/C

21. Place a frozen milk jug or water bottles infront of a fan.

root cellars/coolers

       The most remarkable thing about my mother is that for thirty years she served the family nothing but leftovers. The original meal has never been found.  

  -Calvin Trillin

              A few years ago I wanted to learn what Christ ate and how food was preserved back then. I was on a mission to improve my diet and overall health. Knowing full well the way we eat food, make food, and preserve food has evolved but our bodies have not. I was interested in the method of food preservation that He would have used, and since I grew up with a refrigerator…. boy did I learn allot. Fermentation was a big method of food preservation, and fermented foods are REALLY good for you. They contain so many beneficial bacteria that will keep you healthy, ward off disease and keep you pooping great! (Good thing we just made some to-go toilets) If you are not sure what fermented foods are a few examples is yogurt, sour kraut or kiefer; although some brands are better for you than others. Drying, smoking and pickling are other methods. Since we refrigerate everything now a days, I would like to tell there are a few items that do not need to be kept in there. Mayonnaise, peanut butter and most condiments will be just fine on the shelf and eggs. Yes! Real eggs! When hens lay the eggs there is a protective coating that is naturally placed on the egg that will preserve it. Eggs from the store have been sterilized, so to simulate the natural coating rub warm mineral oil on the shell and place it point down in a egg carton and store it in a cool dark place and it will stay for 9-12 months.

              Before refrigeration a root cellar was a normal part of life and kept vegetables preserved through the winter.  If you visit http://www.survival-spot.com/survival-blog/build-root-cellar/  you will find many great pictures and plans for a root cellar. This link http://oldfashionedliving.com/rootcellar.html has more information on the different types of root cellars i.e. above ground or mound types. I have some great books on them if you are interested let me know.  I was depressed when I learned that root Cellars work best in colder and more humid climates, but here in AZ we can still have them, we just have to put a pan of water in the cellar or damp towels to imitate the humidity. A root cellar works by using the Earth as it is a natural temperature regulator/cooler.

              Also there is a pot in pot cooler option which was invented not too long ago. It consists of a smaller pot inside a larger one. In between the two pots is filled with sand and water. When the water evaporates it pulls the heat out of the smaller pot that is holding your fruits and veggies! Here is a link to see a picture and learn more http://other90.cooperhewitt.org/Design/pot-in-pot-cooler  

              An evaporative cooler fridge is cheap and easy to make too. It consists of a cheap plastic shelving unit with the top shelf turned upside down and burlap wrapped around the unit. Water is placed in the top shelf that is upside down and then pulled through the burlap.  The water then cools the food inside on the other shelves.  http://www.provident-living-today.com/Alternative-Refrigeration.html   There is also an explanation on how to make ice with a solar oven on this link. ….Talk about a bartering tool!

diatomacious earth

I am back, and SURVIVED GIRLS CAMP!!!!!

I was looking on YouTube one day wanting information on kefir. (kefir is awesome- so good for you and will kill a yeast infection like it was nothing, and it will also help you poop.)  I wanted to make a smoothie with kefir and I thought I would have a good chance finding it. And since everything is on YouTube- I did. The guy in the video talked about diatomaceous earth and said he always added it to his smoothies. I had NO idea what Diatomaceous earth was, and started searching that. Seriously? What did I do before YouTube?

Before I start let me say you MUST USE FOOD GRADE DIATOMACEOUS EARTH!!! NON-FOOD GRADE WILL KILL YOU.

DE looks like all purpose flour, but it is thousand year old fossilized diatoms (bugs). The main uses for DE are to kill bugs in your home, your yard and in your digestive track.  If you look at it under a microscope  DE is jagged, and that is how it kills bugs. The bugs walk through the DE and it cuts them up and dries them out.
I share my backyard with a ton of black widow spiders. They protest about once a month and claim they were here first, and I have invaded their land- it is a constant battle to the death. (I killed 9 in a 20 minute long battle.) One day I saw a big one on the underside of my house- I did not reach it in time to kill it and it snuck into a crack in the house.
I sucked up some DE in that green bulb booger sucker thing the hospital gives you when you have a baby, and I stuck the tip of it in the crack and puffed as much DE in there as I could. A few hours later the sun was setting and I went outside when I saw a big white dead spider hanging in it's web. It was the widow. Gosh, I love this stuff.
I puff it around my food storage, under my couches, around my outside doors, in my cabinets, I put it inside my food storage (grains) to kill anything that is in there too. I puff it in window sills, in light sockets.... tons of stuff. If you see weird white stuff in my house, chances are it is DE.
It is amazing for gardening, and is true organic gardening. I like to pour some on the ant hills out side too, and no worries if my kids or animals eat it.
I give it to my dogs to keep them worm free. It is awesome for any animal- cats, chickens, cows- what have you.
I take it, and I too put it in my kefir smoothie. I found some statistics of people who actually have worms, or some type of parasite and do not know it. It was astounding. So many of us have something and do not know it. When I started taking it I was extra smelly for a few days, and I think it killed something in me, and I stunk till it came out. Yuck.
DE is seriously awesome. It is easy to store, and is beneficial to have. I heard recently on the news about a new out break of bed bugs. That what used to kill them- is no longer doing it, as the bed bugs have become resistant. DE will kill them. If you don't have some, make it a goal and store it.
Remember you MUST USE FOOD GRADE DIATOMACEOUS EARTH!!! NON-FOOD GRADE WILL KILL YOU. 

Here is where I buy my DE they have a great video that explains more about it.

natural bug repellants.

There was an old lady who swallowed a fly, I don't know why she swallowed a fly....
I think I know why. She hates flies, and wanted it out of her freaking kitchen! I hate flies SO MUCH, and for some reason my back porch is a mecca for flies. They love my back door and will wait patiently until the door is opened and fly in. My mom used to tell us to close the door because we were letting all the cold air out. I tell my kids to close the door before they let all the flies in.
Bug repellents have been on my mind not just because of the flies that I hate, but I am also about to go camping with lots of mosquito's- which I hate also.
Here is a link on mosquito repellent. This one is good too.

For flies try this.  I know that mint works, as I have done that for my flies in the past. I need to plant mint around my back door. It would keep flies away, and I can use it for so many different things.
Here is an idea or two for roaches.

Root Cellars

The most remarkable thing about my mother is that for thirty years she served the family nothing but leftovers. The original meal has never been found.    -Calvin Trillin

          A few years ago I wanted to learn what Christ ate and how food was preserved back then. I was on a mission to improve my diet and overall health. Knowing full well the way we eat food, make food, and preserve food has evolved but our bodies have not. I was interested in the method of food preservation that He would have used, and since I grew up with a refrigerator…. boy did I learn allot.

      

         Fermentation was a big method of food preservation, and fermented foods are REALLY good for you. They contain so many beneficial bacteria that will keep you healthy, ward off disease and keep you pooping great! (Good thing we just made some to-go toilets) If you are not sure what fermented foods are a few examples is yogurt, sour kraut or kiefer; although some brands are better for you than others. Drying, smoking and pickling are other methods. Since we refrigerate everything now a days, I would like to tell there are a few items that do not need to be kept in there. Mayonnaise, peanut butter and most condiments will be just fine on the shelf and eggs. Yes! Real eggs! When hens lay the eggs there is a protective coating that is naturally placed on the egg that will preserve it. Eggs from the store have been sterilized, so to simulate the natural coating rub warm mineral oil on the shell and place it point down in a egg carton and store it in a cool dark place and it will stay for 9-12 months.

              Before refrigeration a root cellar was a normal part of life and kept vegetables preserved through the winter.  If you visit here  you will find lots of great pictures and plans for a root cellar. This link  here has more information on the different types of root cellars i.e. above ground or mound types. I was depressed when I learned that root Cellars work best in colder and more humid climates, but here in AZ we can still have them, we just have to put a pan of water in the cellar or damp towels to imitate the humidity. A root cellar works by using the Earth as it is a natural temperature regulator/cooler.

              Also there is a pot in pot cooler option which was invented not too long ago. It consists of a smaller pot inside a larger one. In between the two pots is filled with sand and water. When the water evaporates it pulls the heat out of the smaller pot that is holding your fruits and veggies! Here is a link to see a picture and learn more.

              An evaporative cooler fridge is cheap and easy to make too. It consists of a cheap plastic shelving unit with the top shelf turned upside down and burlap wrapped around the unit. Water is placed in the top shelf that is upside down and then pulled through the burlap.  The water then cools the food inside on the other shelves.         Here is a link for that   There is also an explanation on how to make ice with a solar oven on this link. ….Talk about a bartering tool!

              I hope you have a great Fourth of July! I am thankful to live in the greatest country in the world that has been established with divine inspiration. I am going to build….well, my husband is going to build me a root cellar (ha… ha) I will let you know the progress. Let me know if you want more information on food preservation like smoking etc. Thanks to all who came and made showers and toilets and talked about what to do with your poop! I have not had that much fun in a long time.  God bless America.

GOD BLESS AMERICA

this video is awesome. please watch as he tells the true story behind the national anthem.

my hygiene kit

Hygiene is a big issue after a catastrophe. So much disease is spread through poor sanitary conditions. After the poop hits the fan..... it keeps coming, so what are you going to do with it?
People have asked me when I would use these kits. The answer can very. Gas goes up- trucks stop delivering and I cant get toilet paper. Hyper inflation and I need to buy food, pay water bill... not buy toilet paper or tampons. My house is leveled in an earthquake. I have to evacuate and I would rather go ruff it in the wilderness then go to a FEMA camp.... the list is endless.

Here are the toilet ideas.
The first toilet is a 5 gallon bucket with a noodle from the dollar store that has been cut up one side and slid over the top of the bucket. I have secured it with zip ties after two small holes were drilled in the bucket.
The second toilet is a seat I got from emergency essentials for about 9 dollars. It snaps on and off the top of a 5 gallon bucket.
The third is the same idea as the noodle, but it is pipe insulation.
With the noodle toilet, and the insulation toilet you would probably need to put a bag over the top just to make sure that you keep the noodle/insulation clean.

These are buckets I put together for each member of my family. They each contain a shower curtain- for privacy. A Peri bottle to help spray off their bottom.... you would be surprised how well these work. Also, I have included re-usable toilet paper. (wash cloths)
You can cut and serge the cloths so they are cute and little squares if you want. I figured that would be a waste of time. I am okay with having a big wash cloth to use as I like the idea of extra surface area!

 There are two buckets. One bucket ( white one) fits inside the other one (diamond design). The smaller bucket has a hinged lid, and will hold all the dry items. Toilet paper etc. Then once an item is used it will be placed in the bottom bucket to soak in a little water/soap/bleach solution. (what ever you want to use)
Then when you are ready to wash the used items they will be easier to clean since they have not become dried and crusted. YAY!

This is my solar shower. I looked around and found some bladder types, but I thought they looked cheap and I would be worried that the bladder would get a hole in it... and then what? Full on monkey butt- that's what. I got a 2 1/2 gallon bucket and spray painted in matte black. Matte (not shine) so that it would absorbs the heat. Then I drilled one hole in the side towards the bottom.

 The rest of the hard wear I got from home depot in the plumbing section.

 Here is the gasket that goes on the inside of the bucket (with the rubber red ring) and then the other piece is on the outside.

 Here is the on/off valve so that you can wet down. Turn off the water, soap up, and then turn the water back on to wash off.

These are re-usable maxi pads. The first one pictured is a for lighter flow days, or just a panty liner.

This one has inserts so that you can control the coverage you have. More inserts for nigh time, or a heavier flow.

I also want to get a menstrual cup. There are many different brands if you do a search for them. This is what they look like

It is flexible and you can not feel it. It sits inside and catches everything, then you pull it out and empty it. I found a good price on amazon. Do not forget to store for your daughters- even if they are little, and you think it is crazy! do it.

Now that we have this, we need to think about what to do with our poo. Short term, or long term ideas.
For short term- maybe a week or two. You can bag it, and bury the bag. There are bags specifically sold for this purpose. ...like these.

tragic news

i received some tragic news today.
i work with the young women at my church, and today one of them passed away. she was 13.
my heart goes out to her family. my heart goes out the the other girls at church. they are so young, their faith and testimonies still growing.
they are adorable but hormonal and awkward like we all were at that age, and trying to deal with this reality that just hit them in the face.
i am sure the Lord needed her. i can't blame Him- i love her so much. i would want her home too.
i fell more mortal today then i did yesterday. with a re-newed feeling of patience and love for my family.
remembering that this life is but for a short time. i need to appreciate those around me MORE.
maybe we all need to?
i talk so much about temporal preparedness, but spiritual preparedness is just as if not more important.
preparing ourselves to meet our Savior- because as i am reminded today He might need us at any moment.
i will always love her, and i look forward to the day when i can wrap my arms around her again.
i am sure she will have found all the cute boys. she always had an eye out for them.