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2012-02-26T10:56:00.002-08:00

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Keeping deer from eating your garden

2011-06-08T14:59:00.000-07:00

Keeping deer from eating your garden
by Hunter

Over the years I have had to deal with deer eatting my gardens and have come up with some ways of at least making it not worth their while. A few of the things that I have used are as follows.

1) Eggs and dish soap. I put three or four eggs in a blender with some dish soap once mixed I add to a watering can with the rest filled with water. Then I cover the pole beans that are growing on my fencing. If I keep up with this every week or more if heavy rains and watering I find that the deer will leave them alone. I have also used this methode in open gardens and have had simular resaults. works well on bunnies and bugs to.

2) mouse traps and peanut butter. Take a dozen or so mouse traps and drill holes to run a wire through and hand them about two feet off the ground. deer love peanut butter but are not to fond of the mouse traps hitting their nose. The same idea can be used with an electric fence by smearing the peanut butter on the wire for the deer to lick off.

3) fencing, I have used the high 6ft fence with good resaults

4) deer follow trails at least to get into your garden area, if you remove as many theings that the deer nibble on around the edges and use tactics around the boarder of your land in will help reduce the number of deer that cross your land. Trim lower limbs that deer eat on and find cover in. If you have dogs use there droppings up and down the trails the deer have been using to get onto your land. supply the deer with something they like that draws them away from your garden area. Create obsticals.

5) Motion activated lights and radio. It is nice to have the lights turn on and a radio play when you are enjoying the garden in the evening hours but with it on a motion activated system the deer will be surprised. To set this up get a two light motion activated light unit and one screw in outlet to plug in a radio ot tape player.

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Minnesota Preppers Roll Call - All Preppers Please Check In

2011-03-07T05:48:00.000-08:00

The American Preppers Network is conducting a network-wide roll call. Whether you are a member or not please check in and let us know what you are doing to prepare.

This is a good opportunity to network with other preppers near you.

Minnesota Preppers, to respond to the roll call please follow this link:
http://americanpreppersnetwork.net/viewtopic.php?f=425&t=9265

Reply to the Roll Call and let us know what you have been doing to prepare.

If you are not yet a member of the forum you can register here for free:
http://americanpreppersnetwork.net/ucp.php?mode=register

Flood Preps Part 2

2011-02-08T14:30:00.000-08:00

"How high's the water, Momma?"

"She said it's four feet high an' rising'!"

Hopefully, not in your basement or living room or attic.

But it does happen to many people every year and I always have to wonder why. Like, why would a farmer build his house on the most fertile soil he has? Never did understand that. Or why locals who know it's gonna get wet insist on building as close to the river or lake as they possibly can. But they do it, and every year pay the price. In actuality, we all pay the price in higher insurance rates and disaster repairs, so no one really wins when a flood hits. Not even the fish. But that's not what we're discussing, is it?

We want to be safe when the disaster hits- not just flooding, but it's that time of year so we prepare for it best we can.
First, about our homes and what's in them. In basements that get only minimal flooding, let's get everything off the floor. Put blocks or some form of feet under everything. If it's paper stuff inside a dresser, how about getting small plastic tubs to keep the paperwork in? Family pictures are always heirlooms, as are slides and film- don't leave them stacked in drawers or cabinets that aren't waterproof. (We won't discuss how I know this.)

How about other important papers- birth certificates, marriage licenses (no, just cuz you lose it in a flood doesn't mean you're no longer married, so don't go there!), baptismal certifications- anything that's paper and subject to moisture should be packed away long before a flood decides to turn them to basic paper mush. That house deed you have tucked in back of the drawer won't look all that impressive if it's glued to ten other pieces of meaningless paper. Get it into something dry.

While we're taking care of all the important papers, how about photocopying them now, or taking digital pictures of them? Put the digital files onto your 'puter, make a disk and flash drive copy of them and store those someplace cool, dry and not susceptible to moisture. While we have the camera out, take pictures of your valuables as well: jewelry, guns, kitchen appliances (insurance will want the info, too- so have copies of receipts for everything), and take lots of pictures of Grandma's china collection. And that 1738 Stradivarius. How about the Original Fender Electric guitar you inherited? (Getting the idea?) If you'll ever want to claim some kind of remuneration for loss, you'll need all the proof you can find beyond "the neighbors know". Get it now if you haven't already.

For some reason, people seldom think of their basement getting wet or holding water. It has a drain, right? How come the water sits in it? Well... that little hole in the floor... How about finding- now, while the cost is probably the lowest of the year- some pumps and garden hose with which you can divert the incoming flow to the outdoors? Submersible pumps are not terribly expensive for what they do and what they can save you. Consider, even if it's only your basement that gets flooded, what happens to the furnace when the night temp drops to 20 degrees and you're trying to sleep? Keep that furnace dry and it'll do its job. A sump pump or two can quite possibly keep the heat on. Too, how does the water enter your basement? Do the windows leak seriously big time? Do the wells need drain tile to below frost line? Are the tile clogged with last fall's leaves? Is it leaching through the walls? Why? Would a coat of tar and plastic help? (Summer time job, and a big one, really.) Or does the water rise through the septic drain? Is there some way to block that floor opening if necessary? (Be sure to have sump pumps handy.)

If your basement is prone to serious flooding, get everything you want to keep in plastic tubs. Best bet: don't store damage-able items in the basement.

If your home is low to the ground and water can enter the living floors... how can you prevent it? Can you start packing the sandbags now? Will sandbags work? How about retaining walls? Can you build one (another summer project, and spendy.) Now is the time to get the supplies you'll need, and maybe even have the available help of friends and neighbors. Just think of how much fun it'll be to take the teasing now so you can relax later? (And everyone comes begging you to help them now because...)

About your POV/vehicle.

Is it 'flood ready'? How're the tires? Gas tank full, or no less than half full- enough to get you out of town to a safe area? Is the oil level up to snuff? Do you have a couple of maps in the cubby with several routes color pencil marked routes and alternate routes to safety? Is there a GO bag in the trunk with three days' food and water for each family member? Sleeping bags? A tent? Some form of self defense tools? (Of course, you have your carry piece, but what about the other family/group members? What? Guns for flooding? Yes, of course: we never know what or who we may run into during any kind of calamity.) Is there some form of radio communication in the trunk- with adequate batteries and spares? Some may even want a battery operated tv for news and keeping the kids entertained. Have batteries for it as well. (Perhaps a small Honda or Coleman gas operated generator would fit above the spare tire. OK: Thinking outside the box.) Whatever your plans for evacuation, be sure it's ready to go in minutes. No one wants to forget something because they were in too big a frenzy to think clearly or because the kids were screaming and crying and wanting Fido to sit on their lap.

Speaking of Fido and Fluffy- got some grub in the trunk for them, too? And add more water for them: a dog and cat will drink as much water as you will, sometimes more. Don't neglect them. What other kind of animals do you have to prepare for? Cows? Goats? Sheep? Chickens? Rabbits? (We're preppers, remember?) Spend some time thinking of their safety, too. You won't want to return home to find your cattle eighty miles down the road in Farmer Bill's freezer. (OK, maybe his name is Herman...) Or dead in their pen.

A few links that may benefit us all:

Minnesota Homeland Security website: http://www.hsem.state.mn.us/hsem_view_article.asp?docid=655

National Flood Insurance Program website: http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/family/floodpreparation/safety.htm

National Restoration Resource website: http://www.therestorationresource.com/Flood_Damage_Flood_Preparation_Tips_to_Ready_Yourself_from_the_Dangers_of_Flood.html

Get your prep on, Folks. Be alert, be safe.

Shy III

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at 24 below...

2011-02-08T13:52:00.000-08:00

...Probably the last thing on your mind is water floating your bed- with you in it- from the bedroom to the dining room. But ya know, it's something we should begin thinking about now.

OK, I gotta admit it was the first thought I had this morning, so you can color me 'strange'.

But seriously, with all the snow we've had this year, and more on the way, it's a sure bet the state powers are thinking about their beds floating away, and we should be as well. Up north we've surpassed our yearly 'average' in snow, and March is yet to arrive, and the time we get most of our year's supply. Flooding is going to be a really hot issue in a couple of months, or less, and time for preparing is not when all this snow decides to wash downstream.

With that in mind, I'd like to gather a bit of information into one place so your fingers don't have to do all the walking. Here goes...

...Flood Preparation, Part One... Safety

There are many low-cost measures you can take to protect yourself, your home, and your property from losses.

A FLOOD can take several hours to days to develop.

A FLOOD WATCH means a flood is possible in your area.

A FLOOD WARNING means flooding is already occurring or will occur soon in your area.· Know your area's flood risk - if unsure, call your local emergency management office. (Heck, you may alert them it's time for them to prepare, too!)

· If it has been raining hard for several hours, or steadily for several days, and all this snow starts melting fast, be alert to the possibility of a flood.

· Listen to local radio or TV stations for flood information. (If you know someone who lives in a flood zone, call them and get some intelligent intelligence on the situation in their area- they'll be light years ahead of FEMA or others.)

· Refer to your Family Disaster Plan and assemble a Disaster Supply Kit. (You DO have one, don't you? I know we talked about this before... tsk tsk...)

· Identify where you could go if told to evacuate. Choose several places: a friend's home in another area, a motel or an emergency shelter. (How about your BOL? Make it a training scenario that's real.)
When a FLOOD WATCH is issued:

.· Move your furniture and valuables to higher floors of your home. (Actually, the time to do this is long before any kind of 'watch' is issued: have it done now so you can relax instead of panic and forget something.)

· Fill your car gas tank, in case an evacuation notice is issued. And don't forget, check the oil and tires.

When a FLOOD WARNING is issued:

· Listen to local radio and TV stations for information and advice. If told to evacuate, do so as soon as possible.
FLASH FLOOD waves move at incredible speeds, can roll boulders, tear out trees, destroy buildings and bridges, and scour out new channels- and while they're at it, turn your car into a drifting pile of debris. Killing walls of water can reach heights of 10 to 20 feet. You won't always have warning that these deadly, sudden floods are coming. Flash floods can take only a few minutes to a few hours to develop. When a flash flood WATCH is issued be alert to signs of flash flooding and be ready to evacuate on a moment's notice.

When a flash flood WARNING is issued for your area or the moment you first realize that a flash flood is imminent, act quickly to save yourself. You may have only seconds.

Flash flood tips...

· Go to high ground immediately- Get out of areas subject to flooding. This includes dips, low spots, canyons, washes, etc.

· Avoid already flooded and high velocity flow areas. Do not attempt to cross a flowing stream on foot where water is above your knees. (Got a walking stick/staff with you? Honestly, though: unless you are absolutely positively certain you can cross even a shallow stream safely, don't do it! Wearing a PFD may not be a bad idea, either.)

· Do not drive through flooded areas. Shallow, swiftly flowing water can wash a car from a roadway. Also, the roadbed may not be intact under the water.

· If the vehicle stalls, abandon it immediately and seek higher ground - rapidly rising water may engulf the vehicle and its occupants and sweep them away· Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood dangers.

· Do not camp or park your vehicle along streams and washes, particularly during threatening conditions.

Next up: Flooding, Part Two.

Be safe, All. Don't wanna lose you just yet, OK?

Shy III

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The skinning and gutting of an animal

2011-02-06T14:14:00.000-08:00

by founderant

The skinning and gutting of an animal is not one of the things most people like to do or even think about.

We have been so desensitized to what has to be done in order to eat meat, that some kids and adults will eat a hamburger and have no clue about the process and yes... mess, that comes with eating your favorite meal.

This page has some links to videos showing the process, so unless you are going to be a vegetarian, you might want to know how it is done.
http://sites.google.com/site/americansn ... -an-animal

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5 Simple Ways To Prepare For The Coming Food Crisis

2011-01-15T15:38:00.000-08:00

Activist Post

Recently there has been an incredible flurry of news reporting about food shortages and the pending global food crisis. Everyone who looks at the indicators would agree that this crisis is only likely to worsen. It is estimated that the Australia floods alone could cause a 30% jump in food prices. Although the average shopper already can feel the food inflation, it is difficult to recognize the severity of the looming food shortages. After all, there are still 15 types of colorfully-boxed Cheerios packing the isles, which gives us the illusion of abundance.

The truth is that we are headed for large food production shortfalls, manipulated or not, while middle-class food demand grows massively in the developing world. For decades the world's agriculture community produced more than enough food to feed the planet, yet some now believe we are reaching "Peak Food" production levels. In turn, other experts believe the "food bubble" is about to burst, and not even the biotech companies can save us.

However, there are still vast unused stretches of fertile land that can be used around the globe, and the U.S. ethanol mandates that reportedly consume at least 25% of the corn harvest could be reduced to ease the burden. Therefore, it seems that despite the extreme weather and dwindling harvests, food production still has room to increase, but not without foresight and planning.

Additionally, the current systems for growing food are fully dependent on oil to achieve high levels of production, while livestock production is running at full concentration-camp capacity; the end product must then travel thousands of miles to get to store shelves. Clearly we can see the fragile nature of this system, especially on human health and the environment. Consequently, solving the so-called "food crisis" is far more complex than simply fixing statistical supply and demand issues.

Indeed, these are turbulent times where humanity appears to be nearing Peak Everything. Ultimately, solutions to the food crisis will begin at the local level. There are cutting-edge farming techniques gaining popularity that produce a large variety of crops by mimicking nature, as well as innovative techniques for small-scale food production at home or in urban buildings. These hold promise for easing local hunger.

Personal ways to protect yourself from food shortages may seem obvious to some, but many feel the task can be insurmountable. To the contrary, here are 5 simple ways to protect yourself from the coming food crisis:

1. Create a Food Bank: Everyone should have a back-up to the everyday food pantry. In this environment, you should consider your personal food bank far more valuable than a dollar savings account. Start by picking up extra canned goods, dried foods, and other essentials for storage each time you go to the store. Also, hunt for coupons and shop for deals when they come up. Devise a plan for FIFO (first in, first out) rotation for your food bank. It is advisable to acquire food-grade bins to store your bulk dried foods, and be sure to label and date everything. Besides the obvious store-able foods like rice and beans, or canned goods, some other important items to hoard are salt, peanut butter, cooking oils, sugar, coffee, and powdered milk. If you don't believe the food crisis will be too severe, then buy items that you would eat on a normal daily basis. But if you believe the crisis will be sustained for some time, purchasing a grain mill to refine bulk wheat or corn may prove to be the most economical way to stretch your food bank. Some emergency MREs are also something to consider because they have a long shelf life.

2. Produce Your Own Food: Having some capacity to produce your own food will simply become a necessity as the food system crumbles. If you don't know much about gardening, then start small with a few garden boxes for tomatoes, herbs, or sprouting and keep expanding to the limits of your garden. And for goodness sakes, get some chickens. They are a supremely easy animal to maintain and come with endless benefits from providing eggs and meat, to eating bugs and producing rich manure. Five laying hens will ensure good cheap protein for the whole family. If you have limited growing space, there are brilliant aquaculture systems that can produce an abundance of fish and vegetables in a small area. Aquaponics is a contained organic hydroponic system where the fertilized waste water from the fish tank is pumped through the vegetable growing trays which absorb the nutrients before returning clean water to the fish tank. Set high goals for independent food production, but start with what's manageable.

3. Learn Food Preservation: Food preservation comes in many forms such as canning, pickling, and dehydrating. In every case some tools and materials are required along with a good deal of knowledge. If you can afford a dehydrator, they all usually come with a preparation guide for most foods. You can also purchase a vacuum sealer if you have the means. A good vacuum sealer should come with thorough instructions and storage tips, and will add months if not years to many food items. If you're a beginner at canning, start with tomatoes first. It's easy and very valuable when all your tomatoes ripen at the same time and you want fresh pasta sauce in the winter. A bigger ticket item that is nice to have for food preservation is a DC solar powered chest freezer. It is the ultimate treasure chest.

4. Store Seeds: The government and the elite have seed banks and so should you. Seeds have been a viable currency in many civilizations past and present. They represent food when scarcity hits. Before the rise of commercial seed giants like Monsanto, local gardeners were adept at selecting seeds from the healthiest plants, saving them, and introducing them to the harvest for the following year, thus strengthening the species. Through local adaptation to pests, genetic diversity was further ensured; it was long-term thinking at its finest. That is why it is important to find heirloom seed banks and learn to save seeds from each harvest.

5. Join or Start a Local Co-Op: Joining local cooperatives is very important, especially when food shortages occur. You may not be able to provide for yourself completely, especially in terms of variety, so having a community mechanism to spread the burden and share the spoils will be critical. If you don't know if you have a local food cooperative in your area you can search the directory at LocalHarvest.org. You may also be able to get information from your local farmers market. If your area doesn't have a co-op, then start one. These co-ops don't have to be big or elaborate. In fact, it may be more optimal to organize it with friends, neighbors, or co-workers. Whether you join or start a cooperative, work to expand the participants and products.

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Minnesota sues 3M over chemical disposal

2010-12-30T11:06:00.000-08:00

MINNEAPOLIS - The state of Minnesota is suing 3M Co. over its disposal of chemicals previously used: To read this article follow the link: http://www.startribune.com/local/112661844.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:

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2010-12-25T20:00:00.000-08:00

"...As a prepper, I have my biases towards certain political points of view and a yearning for more sustainable agricultural practices, but this is absolute paranoid drivel! You do all preppers a disservice by giving ammunition to those doubters that already consider us wackos
..."

So reads the comment by "Anonymous" about the previous post.

And I agree. Almost. OK, to a point.

"Terrorists may Poison Food Supply- the next to previous post. Don't scroll down to read it, because it does tend to be drivel. Almost. It does make a lot of sense in today's society. Actually, it doesn't go far enough.

The commenter is concerned about being considered a 'whacko' by those who doubt our sanity already.

Well, since they already doubt my sanity, I'll confirm it for them: I'm a wacko. Ain't no 'bout adoubt it. (sic)

Or am I?

What was really mainstream 'paranoia' ten years ago is now MSM news as being fact. What even many wackos would have considered tinfoil hat paranoia ten years ago is now fact. Verified fact, I may even add.

Being coerced to read Orwell in college, I thought he was an idiot, more so than most Sci-fi writers.

Guess what...

OK, now to the original post: poison in our food supplies.

I find many people concerned with this in other areas- blogs and even news/media writings and video. And well they should be. We've had the spinach scare of what- five years ago?- and the lettuce scare of -three?- years ago? And now we're being warned by MSM about salad bars- not just this blog or other Survival blogs.

But I'm here to make a comment even about this fear we're being encouraged to have.

It's foolishness.

Why does the 'fed' want us to be concerned with the poisons that can be in our salad bars? In fact, my question is: Why did they stop with salad bars? Hell, if a Moslim can put poison in a salad bar, they can sure as hell put it in the main entree'. So, draw your own conclusion: why would the MSM/fed want us to not eat the salad? Carrying this even farther: what would be the result of us not eating the salad- or the entree'?

Right.

Restaurants lose business. What happens when the establishment loses enough business?

Oh. Right: doors close.

What happens when business doors close?

OOPS... whaddaya mean 'people lose jobs'?

And whaddaya mean 'economies suffer'?

Get my point?

The fed and UN/WHO may want us to start "sweating the small stuff", but it's only as a means of more control of our lives.

So, not that I'm 'right' or even 'in the know', cuz I may well be neither, but the point- both mine and the Anony poster- is that let's not allow fear and foolishness guide our lives. Let's also not let the fed run our lives- they've done a very fine job screwing us up already, don't let them go any farther- this includes the dipshit Dayton that somehow got elected as our Gov. Dammit... nope, ain't going there.

Yet.

So, in reading the comment, the posts, and in your actions, do as you've always been told as a Prepper: Read, think/consider, investigate and make your own decisions. We're not here to hold hands or cuddle you like our Honeys,but to encourage and inform- hopefully with wisdom and understanding.

Also, I have to apologise for not posting so much the last year- not being here leads to misunderstandings as this. My apologies.

Before I leave (hopefully not for another year) allow me to make one more point that's been bugging me lately... to whit:

We, as a homogeneous group, tend to allow fear to control much of what we do and rule the manner in which we live our lives. This post is a result and example of such. It isn't just the food supply that can be poisoned- the subway Ricin poisoning in Japan (the first that comes to mind) is an example of that. The truth is, there is no way any of us can be one-hundred-percent safe in our daily lives. We can allow ourselves to be ruled and controlled by fear of illness- 'bugs' in our salad bar; or bombings- the car/vehicle that doesn't 'appear just right'; the city water supply being 'contaminated with biological agents'; the plane we're flying on- TSA missed that particular bomb!; ad infinitum... the point is, please, don't live your life in fear of what 'could' happen. Live it knowing that you're in control, not the fed/TSA/UN/WHO/police... YOU, as an American, have the ultimate control of how you live your life. Please, don't live in fear, live in harmony and hope, know Who is in control and put your trust in yourself and your personal Guide, not the fed or other people.

Carry your weapon concealed but be always vigilant, ready to defend your self, family and friends, your neighbors, at any and all times. And be prepared to share your security as you see fit and as required.

Bless God, God bless.

Shy III

Sing the health praises of parsley and sage

2010-12-25T13:03:00.000-08:00

Those of us who go back a few years likely remember the line about parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme in the huge Simon and Garfunkel hit song about two ill-fated lovers, "Are You Going to Scarborough Fair". Many have speculated that the reference to the four popular herbs was due to their use in Medieval Europe to help cleanse the air and ward off the infamous black plague. Others have thought that the reference to the four herbs was because the combination may have been used as a love potion. Whatever the reason for their inclusion in the popular song, the many health benefits of parsley and sage are worth loving and singing praises about in their own rights.

PARSLEY

Parsley is an amazing medicinal herb with a world of health benefits. The root contains calcium, B-complex vitamins, and iron, which nourish the glands that help regulate the uptake of calcium. It is a source of magnesium, calcium, potassium, vitamin A, beta-carotene, vitamin C and vitamin K.

Among the many benefits reported for parsley are:

*It is a diuretic which helps the body produce more urine to keep the urinary system operating smoothly and which helps prevent problems such as kidney stones and bladder infections.

*It is wonderful for removing toxins from the body, such as heavy metals.

*It is an effective breath freshener. It is believed that the practice of including parsley on a dinner plate began due to its breath freshening abilities and not merely for its decorative effect.

*The root and leaves are good for the liver and spleen.

*It helps relieve bloating during menstruation.

*It provides relief for edema, often helping when other remedies have failed

*Parsley root and seeds help relax stiff joints, often making stiff and unmanageable fingers work again.

*It helps remove gallstones when used properly by taking a pint of the tea daily.

*It is beneficial for the adrenal glands.

*It is a powerful therapeutic aid for the optic nerves, brain and sympathetic nervous system.

*Parsley juice is an excellent tonic for the blood vessels.

Note: It is best to avoid large amounts of parsley if you are pregnant, especially the use of the volatile essential oil.

SAGE

Like rosemary, its sister herb in the mint (Labiatae) family, sage contains a variety of volatile oils, flavonoids and phenolic acids, including rosmarinic acid. The oils found in sage are both antiseptic and antibiotic, helping it fight infections.

Besides the antioxidant and other properties shared with Rosemary, sage`s other health benefits include:

*It is effective for symptoms of menopause, night sweats and hot flashes because of its estrogenic action and because its tannins help dry up perspiration.

*Sage helps provide better brain function and has been used in the treatment of cerebrovascular disease for over a thousand years. It helps provide better recall and research has suggested that it may be an effective option to help treat Alzheimer`s.

*There`s also compelling evidence that sage may be of value to people with diabetes for whom the hormone insulin does not work as efficiently as it should. Lab studies indicate that sage may boost insulin`s action.

* The ability of sage to protect oils from oxidation has also led some companies to experiment with sage as a natural antioxidant additive for cooking oils that can extend shelf life and help avoid rancidity.

In an upcoming article, we will also sing the praises of the other two herbs mentioned in the popular song - rosemary and thyme.

Sources included:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scarbo...
http://www.healthy-holistic-living....
http://www.greenmuze.com/blogs/natu...
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/pars...

About the author

Tony Isaacs, is a natural health author, advocate and researcher who hosts The Best Years in Life website for baby boomers and others wishing to avoid prescription drugs and mainstream managed illness and live longer, healthier and happier lives naturally. Mr. Isaacs is the author of books and articles about natural health, longevity and beating cancer including "Cancer's Natural Enemy" and is working on a major book project due to be published later this year.
Mr. Isaacs is currently residing in scenic East Texas and frequently commutes to the even more scenic Texas hill country near San Antonio and Austin to give lectures in health seminars. He also hosts the CureZone "Ask Tony Isaacs - featuring Luella May" forum as well as the Yahoo Health Group "Oleander Soup" and he serves as a consultant to the "Utopia Silver Supplement Company".
Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/030811_terrorists_food_supply.html#ixzz19AJmZCNd
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Terrorist may poison the food supply (but the food companies already have)

2010-12-25T12:53:00.000-08:00

(NaturalNews) Always on the terror streak, the mainstream media is now warning Americans that terrorists may strike the food supply by dumping poison into restaurant salad bars and buffets, for example. CBS News broke the story, quoting anonymous "intelligence" sources who insist that terrorists might use ricin or cyanide to poison foods in salad bars.

I have news for CBS, the federal government, and the terrorists: If you really want to poison the U.S. food supply, just use aspartame. It causes neurological disorders and yet remains perfectly legal to dump into foods such as diet sodas and children's medicines. You don't even have to dump it into the food supply in secret, either: You can do it right out in full view of the public. Heck, you can even list this chemical right on the ingredients label!

Or get into the MSG business. MSG, which is often hidden on "natural" foods under an ingredient called yeast extract, is a potent neurotoxin that promotes obesity and even cancer, according to some experts. Feed people enough MSG and they'll probably die of cancer sooner or later, and that counts toward the goal of terrorism too, doesn't it?

If you really want to get nasty and up the body count, start a hot dog company and dump sodium nitrite into your processed meat like all the other hot dog companies do. Sodium nitrite promotes aggressive cancers -- even in children -- and yet the USDA and FDA allow its use in the food supply (http://www.naturalnews.com/007133.html).

Better yet, feed the population genetically modified corn and then wait for the mutations to kick in. GMOs might actually be called a biological weapon because they cause so much harm to humans and the environment. (http://www.naturalnews.com/GMO.html)

Why be a terrorist when you can do so much more damage as a processed food company?

If you're a terrorist looking to poison the U.S. food supply, get in line, buddy! The food companies have beat you to it!

In the U.S. food supply right now, you can find toxic mercury, BPA, acrylamides, petrochemicals, dangerous preservatives, synthetic chemicals like aspartame, pesticide residues and artificial colors that alter brain function. The FDA doesn't seem to care about any of this, of course: All these poisons in the food supply are legal!

So here's a message to Al-Qaeda and all the other terrorists trying to kill Americans: Don't bother with bombs and missiles... just get into the processed food business!

Or, heck, if you really want to kill Americans with poison, get into the cancer industry! The "Al-Qaeda Cancer Clinic" could really rack up some body bags by doing what all the other cancer clinics do: Inject patients with chemotherapy and watch them die (http://www.naturalnews.com/029996_c...).

Seriously, if you want to kill Americans, all you really need to do is keep supporting conventional medicine and the FDA with its do-nothing position on dangerous chemicals that threaten the health of Americans right now. FDA-approved drugs kill well over 100,000 Americans each year -- a statistic that dwarfs the body count of any terrorist group.

Come to think of it, how do we know the FDA isn't already being run by terrorists? Their actions, which blatantly endanger American lives, are entirely consistent with the aims of a terrorist organization. (http://www.naturalnews.com/001894.html)

By the way, this is all depicted in a CounterThink cartoon I created in 2006 called The Food Terrorists: http://www.counterthink.com/The_Foo...

This cartoon anticipated today's terror news alerts by four years. That's because when it comes to the U.S. government's rhetoric on terrorism, it's not that difficult to see where they're taking it.

Want to know what the next four years will bring us? I'll soon be publishing a list of predictions for 2011 and beyond. Watch NaturalNews.com for that announcement.

In the mean time, you might want to steer clear of FDA-approved foods and drugs, because you just never know what's really in them.

Sources for this story include:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010...

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/030811_terrorists_food_supply.html#ixzz19AJmZCNd

------------------------------------------

Join the APN Forum at www.AmericanPreppersNetwork.net
Visit the Minnesota Forum at www.MinnesotaPreppersNetwork.net

Minnesota Preppers Roll Call

2010-11-27T10:12:00.001-08:00

The Minnesota Preppers Network is conducting a Roll Call on our forum. If you are a prepper please check in.

* Here is a link to the Roll Call:
http://americanpreppersnetwork.net/viewtopic.php?f=425&t=6199

You have to be registered to check in. If you aren't registered please join here:
http://americanpreppersnetwork.net/ucp.php?mode=register

* If you are a HAM Radio Operator check in here:
http://americanpreppersnetwork.net/viewtopic.php?f=143&t=6219

* If you are an A.N.T.S. member please check in here:
http://americanpreppersnetwork.net/viewtopic.php?f=618&t=6220

New Minnesota Member

2010-09-29T05:15:00.000-07:00

The Minnesota Preppers Network Welcomes our Newest Members

lurker2k

Hey , I'm new so I thought I'd introduce myself. I have been putting this whole prepping process off for a few years now. Anyway I hope to learn some things here, and share some things I already know.

To post your welcome please follow this link:
http://www.americanpreppersnetwork.net/viewtopic.php?f=563&t=4975

D_Loki

I stumbled upon the forums as many of the new folks here have via the Newsweek article. Now that I'm here, and it appears to be free of the drama of other sites, I'd like to try to network with folks near me and try to pool resources, be it information, purchasing pools, or just simple friendships. Let me know.

To post your welcome please follow this link:
http://www.americanpreppersnetwork.net/viewtopic.php?f=425&t=135

------------------------------------------
Join the APN Forum at www.AmericanPreppersNetwork.net
Visit the Minnesota Forum at www.MinnesotaPreppersNetwork.net

How To Join The Minnesota Preppers Network

2010-09-14T14:27:00.000-07:00

Come learn survival, preparedness and sustainable living with us!

The Preppers networks are all about volunteering our knowledge and skills with each other. We share ideas, tips and basically network with each other to survive any type of disaster whether natural, man made, or economic. Information that you learn and share with others will help everyone learn how to find "Freedom Through Teaching Others Self Reliance."

Joining the Minnesota Preppers Network is simple, and most of all, it's Free! To join, just follow these few steps.

1) Register to become a member of the American Preppers Network www.AmericanPreppersNetwork.net The registration page is here: http://americanpreppersnetwork.net/ucp.php?mode=register

2) Once you have your account, go to the index page of the forum and do your first post by introducing yourself in the new members area. http://americanpreppersnetwork.net/index.php

3) Once you know how to do posts, visit the Minnesota forum and introduce yourself. The Minnesota forum can be found by scrolling to the lower section of the index page where you will find a list of states, or you can go directly by following this URL: www.MinnesotaPreppersNetwork.net

4) After you've visited the Minnesota forum, follow this link to learn how to join the Minnesota Preppers Network group:
http://americanpreppersnetwork.net/viewtopic.php?f=564&t=2738

APN's success depends on your contributions. If you would like to donate to our organization by becoming a Gold Member you can join the APN Gold Members club by following this link:
http://www.americanpreppersnetwork.net/page.php?p=apn-gold-membership&sid=5b241e92a767cdfbe7a345c54dd55127
Gold Membership is only $5 per month. For a list of Gold Member benefits go here

Thank you for your support!

Thinking on the move...

2010-05-28T20:56:00.000-07:00

FINALLY, someone who "gets" it about TEOTWAWKI...

"...The recent submission by K. in Florida left me scratching my head in disbelief. I don't know if his wife thinks shaving her legs after TEOTWAWKI will be important, but I absolutely don't intend to shave mine. Nor do I think spare car parts will be important..."
Here is someone who's actually got an understanding of what life will be like after a breakdown of this society. It won't be worrying about having a blade to shave legs because "I'm going out on the town tonite", or being concerned what the neighbors think of the table cloth. It won't be going to the corner auto mart for an oil filter or new set of seat covers for the 'Vette. And it sure won't be worrying about having a CCW before tucking that pistol behind our belt. Nor will it be having much concern about the "niceties" of not breaking the law.
There just won't be that much time to worry about it. And anyone who thinks otherwise should really take a look around them at what is truly important to live contentedly.

Read the rest here.... Letter Re: I Thought That I Had a Clue - SurvivalBlog.com

Join the APN Forum at www.AmericanPreppersNetwork.net
Visit the Minnesota Forum at www.MinnesotaPreppersNetwork.net

Wither Human Population?

2010-02-10T07:02:00.000-08:00

(This is a repost of an original essay here.)

Tue, 02/09/2010 - 06:15 — Greyzone

From the February 6, 2010 discussion at TAE, people were asking about timelines and population targets. This post is an attempt to answer that question in slightly more detail. An in-depth look at this topic could cover multiple volumes.

Ecologically, when you see an overshoot situation, the lower end of dieoff tends to be over 70% of total population. But homo sapiens is in extreme overshoot. Where we are on the curve is like a test tube full of yeast right before the crash. Extreme overshoots very typically see dieoffs in the range of 90%-99%.

Because of weapon systems, resource scarcity, arable land issues, water issues, etc., I expect the world in aggregate will experience something close to a 96% dieoff. That would leave about 300 million living worldwide, which is still pretty far over the average population of homo sapiens for most of out 200,000 years of history. Prior to agriculture global hunter-gatherer population was probably between 10-20 million.

I expect this dieoff to occur in steps over the next 100 to 120 years. If the Greater Depression persists as long as a decade, we may finally see human population stabilize and then begin to drop as early as 2020. If the Greater Depression ends sooner, we may still see total population push towards the 8 billion mark by 2040 and then begin its turn.

But population does not exist in a vacuum. This population was made possible by industrial civilization, which itself was made possible by massive resource extraction and destruction of biosphere all around the world. As infrastructure becomes too expensive to maintain, population that is dependent on that infrastructure is likely to begin dieing off.

At TAE Zander asked specifically about Scotland. Scotland historically had a population under 1 million for centuries because that is all that the land there could sustain. Sustaining 5 million is going to be hard. On the plus side, rising rates of infant mortality plus deaths of older people over the next 40 years is likely to reduce Scotland's population to under 3 million and perhaps under 2.5, which means the subsequent downturn to 1 million over the following 80-90 years should not be nearly so harsh as in the rest of the world.

In the US, for example, population is likely to continue rising even in the face of the Greater Depression, just more slowly than before. Yet the US is far more dependent on its technological systems than, say, Mexico. A large part of the US west of the Mississippi is only habitable at current densities due to a multitude of technologically based water systems. Los Angeles, for example, housed only a few thousand residents in a harsh desert landscape prior to redirecting water flows from the mountains to LA. When the systems supporting those water flows begin to fail, place like Los Angeles will become deathtraps for millions.

In fact, early migration in the US during the infrastructure collapse phase is likely to be towards the Great Lakes, one of the largest collections of freshwater in the world. Ironically, that migration is likely to result in the ecological death of those same lakes, ultimately killing even more people.

Barring climate change, some parts of the US west of the Mississippi should be able to sustain agricultural communities but population densities in those places is also still too high for the current population. Western Washington and Oregon could do better than much of the rest of the western US, but the same reasons that give those areas an advantage are likely to attract excess population, resulting in worse overshoot locally. Eastern Texas and Arkansas are not bad but in such close proximity to high population urban centers that they are likely to be destroyed as a side effect of the collapse of those same urban centers.

Regarding Africa, I expect Africa will see massive dieoff as well. Much of Africa's population density is enabled by industrial civilization, even if it's not as nice as North America or Europe. Hominid hunter-gatherer populations in central Africa over the last few million years have never amounted to more than a few million at the very best and mostly in the few hundred thousand typically. Africa's population may not fall quite that far, but it will make a good run at it.

The ecological disaster around you is an artifact of "modern" capitalist, growth-oriented, debt-centric civilization. I place that word "modern" in quotes because I tend to favor free markets myself, but on a far more local level and without resorting to debt based infinite growth systems. Historically humans have avoided debt based systems and instead financed any growth when needed from savings. And growth was not always the primary goal either.

But now we come to the crossroads where debt-based civilization can no longer sustain itself. And in reaching this crossroads, we find that not only is the financial system going down, but the effects from the financial system are going to take down large segments of the biosphere with it.

The future for human survivors is going to largely be a scavenger's future, possibly for several centuries. We will lack the infrastructure to deploy technologies to recover the last of the oil, underneath 15,000 feet of water and another 10,000-20,000 feet of undersea salt dome. Instead, survivors will be forced to get along on what they can create within their local communities and much of that will be driven by what can successfully be scavenged from the wreckage of industrial civilization.

The most typical dieoff I've seen given population curves that look as ridiculous as our own is in the 98-99% range. In choosing a 96% dieoff I admit to holding some small hope that a few humans will manage to adapt to changing circumstances faster than expected. The time frame is the same as for any dieoff within a population that is in extreme overshoot, from 1 to 4 generations total.

To put this in context, during WWII, when global population was under 2 billion and we killed over 200 million human beings, global population still rose. Now think about what a shrinking population means and the kind of world that means around you. Any single one of you who believes that you have no duty to defend your own lives by whatever means possible may as well just line up to be slaughtered when it begins. There will be no government to protect you. You will find yourselves once again in the same situation that mankind has been in for most of its entire existence - dependent on self, family, and tribe for survival. And nothing you can do is going to stop this from happening to you, your children, and/or your grandchildren.

What is a prepper?

2010-01-22T21:43:00.001-08:00

Here is an excellent post (one of my favorites) that was done by Shy wolf which posted about a year ago on a forum where people were asking what preppers are. I thought I'd go ahead and repost it here because it relates to an article that I'm about to post on APN.

Greetings, folks. Jim Shy Wolf here from the Minnesota

Preppers Network. You seem to be curious about us, so I'll

attempt to answer a few questions. Let me begin with this by

Estimated Prophet.

First- one has to define what a 'wackjob' is, since we may be

using different terminology: in my neck of the woods we spell

something similar as 'whackjob', which means 'put together in

a hurry' or 'put together by chance'. Well, we are neither.

Let me 'explain, Lucy.

The American Prepper Network was created to join all the

'preppers' out here in BlogLand, in effort to aid us all in

having a single location to gather information on 'prepping'.

I can hear your heads rattling, "What's a

'prepper'?" Simple answer is, "A 'prepper' is

someone who prepares."

Do any of you have auto insurance? That is prepping. Do you

have home insurance? That is prepping. How about medical

insurance? That is prepping. Do you have a savings account,

stocks, bonds, etc? That is prepping. Do you have a few days

food supply in your cupboard? That is prepping. So, whether

you realize it or not, you all, hopefully, are 'preppers'.

The American Prepper Network is taking these topics to a

different level.

We all are aware of what happened during hurricane Katrina.

(I hope, anyway.) Also just last fall with hurricane Ike.

Some of you may even have been involved in very personal ways

with either of those. I live in Minnesota and we get some

extreme cold and lots of snow. Just as many did in New

Orleans, I prepare for inclement weather. I have some extra

rations of food and water, durable and weather appropriate

clothing. That is called 'prepping'.

There are different levels of 'prepping'.

At the simplest form, it is having a few days or a week of

food and water in your home. No need to starve or be thirsty

if you are stuck during a storm. To not be prepared for

unfortunate circumstances is foolishness- we have families to

care for. To not do so is to not love or respect or care for

them.

Going one step beyond the week end of being

snowed/rained/tornadoed/flooded in, is the second stage of

prepping. We have more than a few days or a week of food,

water and clothing. To that, in my instance, I have added a

wood burning stove and necessary wood. I also own a chainsaw

and axe, wood splitter and storage area. I have the chainsaw

to clear roadways, as well, or whatever else a chainsaw is

good for. I am also an REMT- Registered Emergency Medical

Technician. I have a 'jump kit' filled with medical/emergency

supplies. Enough preps to deliver a baby if need be- and

sometimes here in the wilds that does happen. Babies don't

always come when you want them to. So I, and many other

'preppers', are trained medical personnel. It's just

'prepping'. Actually, it's not 'just prepping', it's 'smart'.

Any fool can let someone die or starve or go thirsty- the

smart person will aide them.

A step beyond the above prepping, is a more in-depth style.

These people, of which I am one, prepare for a more serious

'survival' situation, whatever that may be. To go without

electric power for a month, as New Orleans did- and longer-

when you can do something about it yourself is stupid. So I

have a generator. Many up here do- it's only smart. Of

course, if we KNEW when the disaster was going to hit, it'd

be easy to be ready for it. But that is not the nature of

'emergencies'. So we prepare. We also have four wheel drive

vehicles. Ever try driving your eco-friendly Hyundi through

two feet of snow in a blizzard to get to a house fire? Ain't

gonna happen. But it does happen with 4WD trucks and SUVs. So

we prepare. We do not take life lightly. Ours or anyone

else's. We prepare.

Some people think of 'preppers' or 'survivalists' as people

who are hiding in the woods waiting for the other shoe to

drop, for calamitous circumstances. That is not a 'prepper'

or 'survivalist'. That is a 'doomer'. There's a big

difference. We are not shouting doom and gloom, waiting for

the world to come crashing down on our shoulders. Quite the

opposite.

We are preparing to live. To keep our loved ones safe and

secure in difficult times.

Some preppers form from family units or groups of friends or

church groups or just neighborhoods. We have groups who

perform 'neighborhood watch' groups: only makes sense when

the police are miles away. Just as we have volunteer firemen

when the 'big city' fire departments are miles away.

Preppers come in all flavors- red, white, brown, black, green

and blue. Preppers come from all walks of life. Retirees,

teachers, students, police, firemen, lawyers, ministers,

laymen of any sort. Some are religious, some are not. Some

preppers are shoe-string preppers saving on a very tight

budget. Some are wealthy and can have the 'best' of their

prepping desires. As you can see, we 'preppers' are from a

variety of backgrounds. We don't care, we just prep to save

lives.

About the only commonality in all 'preppers' is a love of the

country in which we live, love the Constitution upon which it

is based, and the only color we are under is red, white and

blue. To sum up what a 'prepper' is, is a difficult thing.

Perhaps the best way to do it is to say, "We prepare for

living."

Jim Shy Wolf
http://www.minnesotapreppersnetwork.blogspot.com

A little civic duty info

2010-01-19T18:53:00.000-08:00

This is a heads up for anyone who has had enough of the politics we are seeing, and frustrated with who is 'representing' you do not miss out on participating in your local precinct caucuses. For more information on the caucuses you can read the info here at the MN League of Women Voters for the process, what to expect, and where to find where the caucus is convening in your precinct. Caucuses are held on Tuesday, February 2nd at 7:00 PM. Don't miss out on this opportunity.

It's that time of year......

2010-01-16T11:49:00.000-08:00

The holidays are over, hunting season is done and spring turkey season seems to be so far away. The land of 10,000 lakes has its annual change in its waterfront landscape, from crystal clear waters reflecting the clear blue skies to a white canvas dotted with huts, trailers, tents and the occasional igloo, all for the sole purpose of sitting around a 8" hole in the ice hoping for a sizable walleye will gobble up your ice jig and trip the tip-up. Something else happens at this time as well, cold water drownings.

Winter drownings happen most often as the ice first starts to thicken, and avid fishermen cannot wait, and at the beginning of ice-out, when said fish guys just cannot let the season die. Being neither of these gentlemen/ladies, as I like to fish in a pair of shorts w/o the need of a parka, I thought I would post some information on cold water safety.

Cold Water Dangers

* Cold water is any water below 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
* Cold water robs the body of heat 25-30 times faster than air.
* Safety experts estimate that half of all drowning victims die from the fatal effects of hypothermia, not from water in the lungs.

What is Hypothermia?[1]

Hypothermia is severe lowering of the body’s internal temperature. This occurs when the body loses more heat that it can produce, which as a result, prevents the heart and lungs from functioning properly. Hypothermia is caused when the body is exposed to cold, chilling winds or by getting wet. Hypothermia can happen on land or in water and progresses quickly.

Symptoms of Hypothermia:

* Absentmindedness or confusion
* Lack of coordination and weakness
* Difficulty speaking or slurred speech
* Uncontrollable shivering
* Semi-consciousness or unconsciousness

To Prevent Hypothermia:

* Wear layers of warm clothing.
* Protect your head and hands from the elements by wearing winter hats and gloves/mittens.
* Keep as dry as possible.
* Always wear a personal floatation device (PFD) when around cold water.
* Carry matches in a waterproof container.

How to Help Someone with Hypothermia:

* First call for medical help immediately!
* If the situation is safe for you to do so, remove the person from the cold water or cold air.
* Remove wet clothing.
* Keep the victim as dry as possible.
* Wrap the victim in blankets or in a sleeping bag.
* Build a fire to warm the victim.
* Give the victim warm fluids to drink (no alcohol or caffeinated drinks).
* Seat the victim in a warm shower or warm bath with the arms and legs of the victim out of the water. This allows the core of the body to warm first.

How thick is "safe" ice?

Ice on moving water in rivers, streams and brooks is never safe. The thickness of ice on ponds and lakes depends upon water currents or springs, depth and natural objects such as tree stumps or rocks. Daily changes in temperature cause the ice to expand and contract, which affects its strength. Because of these factors, no one can declare the ice to be absolutely “safe”.

Ice Safety Tips

* Never go onto the ice alone. A friend may be able to rescue you or go for help if you fall through the ice.
* Always keep your pets on a leash. If a pet falls through the ice do not attempt to rescue your pet, go for help.
* New ice is usually stronger than old ice. As the ice ages, the bond between the crystals decays, making it weaker, even if melting has not occurred.
* Beware of ice covered with snow. Snow can insulate ice and keep it strong, but can also insulate it to keep it from freezing. Snow can also hide cracks, weaken and open ice.
* Slush is a danger sign, indicating that ice is no longer freezing from the bottom and can be weak or deteriorating.
* Ice formed over flowing water (rivers or lakes containing a large number of springs) is generally 15% weaker.
* Ice seldom freezes or thaws at a uniform rate. It can be one foot thick in one spot and be only one inch thick 10 feet away.

What To Do If Someone Falls Through Ice

* Reach-Throw-Go. If a companion falls through the ice and you are unable to reach that person from shore, throw them something (rope, jumper cables, tree branch, etc.). If this does not work, go for help before you also become a victim. Get medical assistance for the victim immediately.
* If you fall in, try not to panic. Turn toward the direction you came from. Place your hands and arms on the unbroken surface, working forward by kicking your feet. Once out, remain lying on the ice (do not stand) and roll away from the hole. Crawl back to your tracks, keeping your weight distributed until you return to solid ice.

[1]American Red Cross’ Whale Tales Water Safety Education

As a little keeper, here is a download for you to keep in your ice houses and tackle boxes:

Ice Safety Tips

Have a safe ice fishing season!!!

D_Loki

Humor

2010-01-07T22:28:00.000-08:00

“Humor is just another defense against the universe.”
Mel Brooks

“A person without a sense of humor is like a wagon without springs. It's jolted by every pebble on the road.”
Henry Ward Beecher

“You can turn painful situations around through laughter. If you can find humor in anything, even poverty, you can survive it.”
Bill Cosby

I have always been of a belief that no matter how bad a situation is, a little humor can lighten the load and it lends strength that you never knew you had. Even though I tend to rant angrily at politics, or get serious about our prepping plans, there is always a sense of humor waiting in the wings eager to leap to the forefront. In that spirit, I give a small rant, and a slice of humor to lighten your load.

Well its almost 1 AM and I wasn’t ready for bed and after driving home tonight through the nasty-ass winter slush on the ground I wanted to lay down a lil rant about winter driving in Minnesota. What is it about winter driving that makes the average human think they are invincible? I watch people in their “invincible” SUVs panic if there is a bit of rain, because they might hydro-plane off the road. Yet let six inches of snow fall upon a good inch of ice, and those same people will drive like the highway is a NASCAR track and they are 2 pts away from taking the Nextel Cup. They tail-gate, cut you off, make their own driving lane, and fish-tail down the road like they are the only thing on the winter covered asphalt. Then, they have the nerve to be enraged when you reduce speed, increase the cushion between yourself and the car in front of you, and try to maintain control of your car in hazardous driving conditions. I'm beginning to think these are the same idiots who, at three A.M., make the donuts in the vacant parking lots. (Yes it’s true, it is a man and his car that make those mysterious circles, not an alien mother ship fresh from turning crop circles in the English countryside).

It gets worse as winter is dying down in March. At this time of the year our semi-fearless Dale Jrs are totally confused. We have days of 15 degrees and 3 inches of snow, followed by temps in the 40s and slushy streets, mottled with mini-reservoirs over still frozen manhole covers. OH NOOOOOOOOOO! "Do I drive like a blue-haired grandma with my nose an inch above the steering wheel, or try to break the land speed record in my family-friendly assault vehicle????" Poor souls just don’t know how to drive until they hear from the trusty weatherman and his technologically advanced Doppler radar.

Anyway, as I said, in March and like sporadic days in January & February (when the temperature rises above 25), the streets do get a tad damp from a slight thaw. For those of you who don’t live in the snow-belt, rock salt generally won’t melt ice and snow when the temperature is below 20 degrees, hence the use of sand and brine mixtures. Now with the thaw, comes a lovely incarnation of mid-winter driving, ROAD-PISS. That wonderful concoction of salt and dirt and sand and water and antifreeze and oil and grease, all loosened from the frigid pavement by running water and Michelin tires turning at 55 MPH. This divine winter shower turns black cars white, and windshields into wonderful sunscreens. What’s a driver to do? Why use windshield washer solvent of course!!! That lovely blue liquid that saves our vision and help us to see the car in front of us (or the occasional small child crossing the street) before we hit them. But the magical blue stuff does more than clean glass (and I don’t mean to drink, although some stupid people do need the warning label. More on the idiots of the world another time). It is yet another item in this world that is meant to drive us all insane.

This necessary solvent is part of a grand conspiracy. One, it cost twice as much as a gallon of gas during the winter. I know, supply and demand. Lord knows that during the rest of the year the window wash producers don’t want to deplete the natural solvent mines and refine the super juice year round. AND they like to pull out the SUPER-DUPER purple version that will clean your windshield in temperatures down to 40 below zero for the extra cold season (the cost of which is about 30% more than the blue).

Part two of the conspiracy involves the automotive industry. You see, the pretty blue stuff comes in gallons, windshield washer reservoirs will stop pumping the vision juice when there is room for 13 cups of liquid, leaving 3 cups in the jug (well not 3 because they made the hole small enough in the reservoir that you are sure to spill a cup on the pavement, more if it is windy). Now, if we paid $6 for this gallon of manna, we surely won’t toss the rest in the trash. So into the trunk it goes, only to roll around like a decapitated head, causing anxiety whenever it thumps the quarter-panel making us think we've been hit, or hit something. Just what one needs when dealing with the rest of the pathetic drivers on the road. Ahhhhh I can't wait for construction season, (the OTHER half of the year in Minnesota)

Well I do think I have gone on enough on this. It really is kind of a silly thing to rant on about, but I don’t care it’s my blog entry; I can type what I want. And for those of you who live where the snow never blows, you can get termites so I guess we're even.

Starve the Beast: Low intensity Revolution

2010-01-06T14:03:00.000-08:00

"...Fighting a revolution does not mean that you have to take up arms and head off to engage in combat with the forces sent to assure your continued servitude. Not all of us can take another human being's life. Some of us, for reasons of conscience, will not engage in violence. Not all of us are physically capable of taking the punishment of a life of privation, and asperity.

But we all must do something to impede the progress of the enemy.

It is my belief that most of us are engaged in an epic struggle against the forces who would extinguish the light of Liberty forever. To turn this world into a vast feudal state where most are serfs, doomed to toil for the few at the top. Some of us may not even realize that we have joined the struggle. The thought that many of us are fighting a low intensity revolution has not come to the minds of people everywhere.

We must foster this idea, low intensity revolution, and spread it. It will give hope to those who feel hopeless. It will give direction to those who know not what to do. It will give those who want to fight a purpose, a mission. A way to strike back without exposing themselves to undue risk..."

Catman is onto something here. Something ot only do-able, but something we should all be doing already, but aren't. It's much more easy to whine than act. Now, act, and go read the rest of what he has to say...

Catman's Litterbox: Low Intensity Revolution: What You Can Do

Tell him Shy sent you.

Happy New Year and ......... an Introduction

2010-01-04T11:06:00.000-08:00

Allow me to introduce myself; I am a new contributor to the Minnesota Peppers Blog.I go by “Loki” and if we connect on a personal level I will be more than happy to give my Christian name. A little about myself; I have been actively prepping for 5 years now, mostly do to realizing that no one is going to ensure the protection of my family better than I. I believe in the premise of “Beans, Bullets & Band Aids” as a necessary start to your prepping plans. Please don’t get me wrong, it is only a phrase, and NOT the sum of my inventory. During the course of time that I contribute here, I will bring to the page as much reliable information, ideas, direction as I can (mixed in with a healthy dose of sarcasm, a smattering of humor, and the occasional blood pressure lowering rant). I love feedback, never shy from dissenting opinion, and welcome questions or requests for help. I will never be one of those “holier then thou” writers who believes their keyboard spews the gospel of preparedness. I’ll never tell you what you MUST have or do. I’ll never claim “my way or the highway”. What I will do is pass on as many frugal, smart, or best suggested ways to bring about the one thing we all are striving for, independence and security for ourselves and our families.

For those of you that have ventured over through a web search, word of mouth, or via the recent Newsweek article, please do not miss the treasure trove of information on the APN forums. I may from time to time direct you to something there, and you can always find me posting there. For all of you who are new to this idea of prepping please check out my post on where to start. Do not let the massive amount of information at your fingertips and the know-it-alls who tell you what to do if you want to survive (and if you don’t follow their paradigm, you will die). Keep an open mind, but a sound conviction to you morals and principles. The two most important rules to prepping are; be calm, yet diligent and be organized.

The old saying goes, “Those who keep their heads, when all about them are losing theirs, are the ones to survive”. This is never truer than for the preparedness mindset. Organization will make keeping calm “easy breezy”. Organization will make known where everything you prep is where it is to be when you need it. Organization will have your plans laid out along with back-ups for your back-up plans. Organization will allow for simpler budget making. Organization will make the whole process smooth. With organization on your side, you’ll be able to remain calm knowing you have what you have, the definition your needs, and leave room to pick up on some of the wants. Keeping calm will help your family even more than the plans you make by allowing them to see that you are, not in control of the situation, but confident enough to deal with it and help get you all through it. Well know panic leads to panic. The same holds true for confidence and preparedness.

So again, I want to thank Shy Wolf and the rest of the APN family for allowing me to be apart of this organization and group of like-minded thinkers. Feel free to contact me with questions or suggestion. I wish all of you a safe and productive New Year and may all of your plans come to fruition as easily as they came to mind.

D_Loki

Observations of a Prepper - Are the Homeless Bugging Out of the Big Cities?

2009-12-02T09:02:00.000-08:00

Re-post courtesy of Riverwalker's Stealth Survival

You can read about all kinds of things that are going on right now. A very bad economy with politicians offering solutions that even the least intelligent of persons out there realize won’t work. Perhaps you just need to take a little time and observe what’s happening right where you are. When was the last time you actually stopped and took a really good look at what’s happening in your own little part of the universe? Are the homeless people in your area bugging out?

One of the most frightening things I’m seeing is the very real possibility that the homeless are leaving the big city and heading to more rural areas. About 9% of all homeless people live in rural areas according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness in a survey in 2007. As times get tougher, the homeless are going to be moving out of the big cities and heading for the hills, literally.

I’m currently seeing more and more homeless people in the rural areas in my “neck of the woods”. Most of the homeless I’ve seen are on bikes loaded with their sleeping bags, clothes and other items. I live in a basically rural area of the state and I’m pretty familiar with most of our “regular” homeless types that hang around here. I’ve even had to deal with a few who were causing minor problems. But when I start to see more homeless people traveling the roads and highways in my county that I don’t recognize, my level of concern starts to go up. Why is this happening now? Will it get worse? If homeless people are starting to have problems surviving in the city, how will regular people living there make it?

I consider most homeless people experts at what I like to call “Urban Bushcraft”. Those more experienced at “bushcraft” techniques will be the first to tell you that surviving in a wilderness setting takes a lot of skill and fortitude. It takes similar skills to survive in the big city. With only simple and basic means of transportation, limited possessions, and with little or no money they live a life where survival is a daily struggle. They are real survivors in a real world.

They don’t have B.O.B.’s because they use shopping carts and bikes. They’ve already learned it’s a lot easier to push your gear in a basket than pack it on your back. They know bikes don’t need gas to get them where they’re going. They know where to find free food. They know which restaurants throw out the best scraps. They know how to scavenge items from dumpsters to sell and make money when thrown out by people smarter than they are. They know how to find every clothing donation box in town to keep there “wardrobe” up to date. They know the best areas to avoid the rain and the cold and can make some of the best “expedient type” shelters ever conceived.

I seriously doubt that you could leave the average person in an unfamiliar part of town with no I.D., no money, no food, no shelter and no transportation without them having serious difficulties surviving the night.

According to the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty, there are an estimated 5 million homeless people in the United States. Rural homeless people only account for about 9% of this total. That leaves approximately 4.5 million people who may be looking for greener pastures. Those greener pastures may be in your area.

This is probably just another sign of the times and how many things are going to change. The best thing is to observe what’s happening where you are at. It will probably give you a better perspective than the national news media about what’s really happening in your area. I just hate to think about the effects of a few million homeless people deciding that city life may not be right for them anymore.

You can check some statistics on homeless people here:

http://www.nationalhomeless.org/publications/facts/Whois.pdf

Coming soon to an area near you...a few million homeless people?

(*Edit*) Here's a link provided by a reader in the comments section:

Survival Guide to Homelessness

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Tuesday’s Tips for Preppers - Non-Toxic Pest Control

2009-12-01T08:55:00.000-08:00

Re-post courtesy of Riverwalker's Stealth Survival

Pest control is sometimes an area where people may compromise their safety for a little convenience. The effectiveness of chemicals, while not the safest, causes us to abandon safety because they are efficient killers of those tiny pests that plague our everyday lives. Here are some suggestions for non-toxic pest control that may allow you to stick to your principles of safety and still rid your home of pests that can affect your food storage and your daily lives.

Cleanliness is the best way to begin a non-toxic pest control system. This is especially important in the kitchen, dining areas, bedrooms and bathrooms.

1.) Make sure there are no open food sources. Dirty dishes and open cans of food are an invitation to pests of all types.

2.) Make sure there are no readily available sources of water. Dripping faucets, leaky valves and dishes soaking in the sink can all cause pest problems.

3.) Try not to eat in areas where there is carpet. Those little crumbs on the carpet are a bug magnet. Eating in bed should also be avoided as it also can create even bigger problems.

4.) Vacuum all areas of your house thoroughly and regularly.

5.) Always wash your bedding in hot water.

6.) Bathe and shampoo and comb your pets regularly.

7.) If you’re saving aluminum cans, keep them stored outside and away from any food storage areas.

8.) Always take the garbage out regularly. An over-flowing trash can be like a dinner bell for pests.

9.) Keep your house organized and free of clutter. Old newspapers and magazines can create real problems. They create an ideal source of nesting materials for rats and mice. The fewer hiding places you give pests, the better off you will be.

For more specific approaches to getting rid of certain pests, try these following remedies.

Mice and Rats

1.) Place dried peppermint leaves behind and under the stove and refrigerator to get rid of mice in the home.

2.) Don’t forget to use the proverbial mouse or rat trap. They are very efficient mechanical type killers of mice and rats, especially when loaded with a little peanut butter.

Ants:

1.) Place cucumber peels or slices in areas where ants are active as a deterrent.

2.) A small line of cayenne pepper or coffee grounds, or even a piece of string soaked in lemon juice and placed at the point of entry will keep ants from crossing.

Cockroaches:

1.) Make catnip sachets and leave in strategic places around the house or simmer some catnip in water and use to make a spray which can be applied to baseboards, etc.

2.) Put a couple of slices of beer-soaked bread (stale bread and stale beer are OK for this purpose) into an empty 1lb coffee can, and yes you can use the plastic ones that are so prevalent nowadays. Leave it out where roaches congregate as this can be an effective deterrent for roaches. Cut small openings or holes in the plastic lid.

Fleas:

1.) Pour a cup boiling water over a sliced lemon and let it soak overnight before sponging on your pet. Lemon scented dishwashing liquid also works great as a flea shampoo.

2.) Add a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar (plain white distilled vinegar works also) to your pet’s drinking water on a daily basis.

Outdoors you can try these tips:

Mosquitoes

1.) Mix 1 part garlic juice to 5 parts water for a natural mosquito spray. Soak strips of cotton cloth in the mixture and hang in outside areas as a localized repellant.

2.) Use citronella candles or “tiki” torches with citronella oil.

Flies

1.) Hang cheesecloth squares filled with bay leaves or cloves in windows.

2.) Fill plastic bags with water and hang in doorways and around patios.

3.) Plain old fly strips are also quite effective.

Inside the house and in the garden - Use Diatomaceous Earth (food grade)
Diatomaceous earth is a non-toxic, chalky dust that can be used both indoors and out to control many household and garden pests. Made from the fossilized remains of diatoms, which are hard-shelled algae, the small, sharp particles are harmful only to the exoskeletons of insects. A mechanical, not chemical killer, it clings to their bodies as they walk or crawl over it, cutting the waxy coating and causing them to dry out. The insect will dehydrate and usually dies within a couple of days.

The use of dangerous and toxic pesticides can also endanger the safety of your water sources through groundwater contamination.

There are numerous ways to avoid toxic and harmful pesticides that could create a problem for your safety and the safety of your family and pets. Using non-toxic means of pest control will benefit everyone.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Preparedness - Sharing the Burden

2009-11-30T09:01:00.000-08:00

Re-post courtesy of Riverwalker's Stealth Survival

Too many times in our lives we attempt to do everything on our own. Our fierce sense of independence won’t allow us to accept the simple fact that there are times in our lives when we all need help in some form. From the time we are born , we all need assistance in some form in our lives to survive. The sooner you realize this the more prepared you will become.

Learning to share the burdens of preparedness will make it an easier lifestyle to accomplish. Preparedness can be a lifestyle that will leave you free to live your life without the need for incessant worrying about what can or will go wrong. Attempting to be all things for all situations will soon leave you with a stark sense of realization that many times situations are going to require help or assistance from someone else, regardless of your skills and abilities.

Teaching others your skills will help reaffirm your own abilities while increasing the skills and abilities of someone else. Teaching others is a great way to realize how good your skills really are and where they may be lacking in practical use and knowledge.

In contrast, learning new skills will alleviate some of your own burdens and make a state of preparedness second nature to your everyday lifestyle. You will find increased confidence follows learning new things. A confidence that will help you survive even the most difficult times.

Sharing the burden of preparedness doesn’t stop with simply teaching and learning new skills. It must be followed with the practical application of those new skills. It is in the "doing" that we become proficient and with increased proficiency comes the benefit of being able to solve more and increasing difficult problems. Problems which may have previously been a burden have now become an opportunity, instead of a roadblock, to achieve your goals.

Just as you wouldn’t hesitate to use a needed tool or a particular item of gear to help you eliminate a crisis or to handle an emergency, don’t hesitate to use the skills and knowledge of others as well. Family and friends can be valuable tools when the need arises. You only need realize that they are quite often more than willing to help, if you will only give them the chance.

Once you realize that no man (or woman) is an island you will be well on your way to a better state of preparedness. Being prepared is a lot easier if you simply learn to share the burden.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker