PreparednessMom's Adventures Into Prepping

Four Tips on a Wednesday

2012-06-06T13:23:00.001-04:00

Taking care of yourself, practice, and your lifestyle are big parts of preparedness and survivalism. If you have a 20-30lb bug-out-bag but never carry it out into the woods and use it, how will you be able to carry it and use it properly to survive in the wild? Why would have food storage that contains food you'll never want to eat? Here are a few tips to be a "better" prepper/survivalist:

#1 : use your BoB in non emergency situations
I take mine camping every chance we get. It gets me away from conveniences of everyday life and makes me use only the supplies and tools I have specifically packed. Ideally, I'd like to have mine stocked to where my husband or I could say "Let's go camping- right now!" and I could grab my BoB, sleeping bag, tent and run out the door. Bam! There's everything I need, and way more! I'm getting there...you can, too!

#2 : exercise regularly, eat a little better - make a small lifestyle change to begin with
You don't have to run five miles a day... (but I commend you if you do!) You can walk around your neighborhood a few times. You can bike into town. Any amount of exercise is better than none. I could go on and on about exercise, but you are old enough to know WHY it is good for you. Take some time and commit to it! While your committing to exercising more often, how about you put down that processed "happy meal" that is chocked full of fat, grease, and sodium and learn how to cook at home? I was completely intimidated by my cookbooks at first, especially the ones with pictures. "They've made it look so good, there is NO WAY I can make that." Whatever. I got over my fear; you can, too! Pick simple dishes, ones where you have the ingredients readily available. Start easy and work your way toward the more difficult dishes. You can do it! Use your food storage and begin a rotation cycle. Redefine "convenience"!

#3 : get your whole family involved
There is no need to exclude or scare your children. Kids can easily be taught that we prepare for disasters...use weather as an example. Explain to your child(ren) what to do in case of: a fire, a tornado, a hurricane, an earthquake, or any other weather-related scenario. Help them build a small kit and teach them to use it. Take them camping and begin to teach them basic skills. You don't need to go into details about nuclear war or a zombie apocalypse.
Talk to your friends who are leery about your prepping...invite them on a camping trip. You don't have to shove your ways down their throat, if they haven't packed properly, they'll start taking notes and tips from you, conqueror of wilderness survival! Okay, maybe not conqueror, but I bet they will be impressed and inspired by your knowledge and willingness to teach them.

#4: buy QUALITY first, quantity second

It's great to have a lot of something, for example food and water. But what about that crappy gear you just purchased? You bought five cheap backpacks, awesome...What are you going to do when they all fall apart? You bought a cheap gun and didn't read the reviews or ask anyone and it jams 90% of the time? Do your research! Take time, read about it, ask opinions of people you trust, go to the store, try it out yourself. Price does NOT matter, I know we all like getting deals and things at good prices, but make sure the quality is good.

I hope I've inspired you a smidge, and I hope you'll share some tips for me and other readers!

- The PreparednessMom

Earth Homes

2012-06-06T13:17:00.002-04:00

So, what are YOUR thoughts and/ir experiences on inground, earth sheltered or earth bermed homes? I'll attach a few links so you can check it out.

Hub & I have been talking about buying a big piece of land and bit by bit building our "dream retreat" home primarily by ourselves with the help of some greatly appreciate family members and friends. It will take several years (and lots of $$$) to completely finish, but, we'd like to agree on some sort of plan. Ideally, we want our house and property to reflect a self-reliant, self-sufficient lifestyle.

I would love to hear your thoughts, opinions, experiences, or two cents on earth homes!

Please share below

- The PreparednessMom

72 Hour Kit Guideline

2012-03-21T19:28:00.002-04:00

So... 72 hr kits, bug-out-bags, emergency kit - whatever you want to call it - WHAT do you put in it?! What do you need to survive? How can one bag hold everything you need for three days?! This post isn't going to give you a checklist of exact items to go out and spends $$$$ on. I'm going to give you a generalized list of things you need.

WATER

You need at least a gallon of water per person per day. Sp, simple math - a three day supply of water for one person is three gallons. I also recommend keeping a few items in your kit to sanitize/purify water...be it a metal can & fire, water purifying tabs, or even a SteriPen.

FOOD

Store things you like to eat, plain & simple. If you don't like rice with normal every day conveniences, like me, what in the world makes you think you'll like it in an emergency? I didn't say I wouldn't eat rice, you may eat it to survive, but it would sure boost your morale by storing your favorite, shelf-stable foods. Don't forget condiments that will make intolerable foods a little more bearable and utensils to eat with! High-energy foods like power/protein bars are great to throw in your kit. Iodized salt packets are another great staple...and you can get a few extra at any fast-food restaurant and begin to save up on them. I don't encourage being greedy, though! ;)

SHELTER

You may not need shelter if you are bugging-in, but what happens if your home is no longer safe to occupy? Cars are a good option, but can only travel on roads. You will need materials to be able to survive the conditions. Tarps, plastic sheeting, heavy-duty garbage bags, and duct tape are good items to consider. You'll need something on the ground if it's wet...and you'll need something over your head.

FIRE

It is a NECESSITY. You need various forms of fire-starting: matches (waterproof, preferably), a lighter, magnesium fire starter and trioxane fire starters are a few choices. Also, you may want to carry paper, dryer lint, or something similar that is dry to be able to start your fire.

MEDICAL

A small first aid kit with bandages, sanitizer, tweezers, ointments, tape, scissors, and a 3 day supply of medications would be sufficient. If there is someone in your household that has a special medical need, make sure you include their needs in your preparedness.

MISC

A NOAA weather radio is a great thing to have in your kit. Don't forget a whistle, compass, maps of your local area & connecting areas, cash in small bills and coins, personal hygiene items, a change of clean, warm clothes, a set of tools (shovel, hammer, pliers, wrenches, etc...), flashlights, N95 or similar masks, a note book, paper and pens.

Don't forget special items for the children, elderly and pets. It's a good idea that if your child is able, let them carry their own bag. They can pack necessities and also a few fun items for entertainment. You can use backpacks, storage bins with or without wheels, waterproof containers, duffle bag, or whatever will be easiest for you to transport if needed. One of these days, I will take apart my "Mommy & Baby BoB" and my son's "BoB" , which consists of entertainment, sanity items, to show you an example how I have customized ours for our specific needs. My son has epilepsy and my husband & I have learned to pack accordingly. But, that's another article :)

- The PreparednessMom

Back with TWO gear reviews!

2012-03-17T10:46:00.000-04:00

I’m ba-a-a-a-ck! I couldn’t stay away forever! Our son is doing much better, still having a few seizures here & there, but he is overall improving! Thanks for all your support, thoughts & prayers!

My first post back is a gear review…actually, two. I bought a bag for my EDC.

The Maxpedition Fatboy Versipack in Pink-Foliage

Visit www.maxpedition.com for more awesome items!

Before you start griping at me that pink is too bright of a color…Let me remind you that I am a mom (& wife!) on the go! This blends into everyday situations and is great for outdoor adventures. I haven’t taken it on a day-hike yet (school, work, mom/wife-stuff, you know!) but it is in the plans. I can successfully store my EDC Altoids tins (two 1.76oz (50g) Altoids tins taped back to back with a supply of duct tape, then wrapped in electrical tape. Contents include: 4 antibiotic ointment Band-Aids, 2 alcohol prep pads, 4 220mg Aleve tablets, 2 prenatal multi vitamins, 2 women’s multivitamins, 2 cough drops, 1 tea bag, 1 beef bouillon cube, 1 chicken, bouillon cube, 4 large bobby pins, 4 large & 4 small safety pins, 2 fishing hooks and 5 sinkers taped to a cut index card, 1 sewing bobbin of fishing line, 1 sewing bobbin of snare wire, 1 sewing bobbin of thread, small tube of super glue, 2 tabs of striking paper and matches, 12” of aluminum foil folded as compactly as I could, a tiny zippered bag of dryer lint… I’m always looking to add to it, as there is room for much more. I have a few items I need to pick up & add to it, but if you have any suggestions, feel free to comment!), an LED mini flashlight with extra batteries bound with extra electrical tape, a multi-tool (pink, of course), pepper spray (again, pink), a few pens, SPF 15 lip balm, medicated lip balm, a protein bar, pack of tissues, feminine hygiene, glow stick, 6ft of paracord, water flavoring pouches, my wallet (which needs down sized!), a plastic grocery bag, and a simple ID pouch on a lanyard with a copy of my driver’s license & emergency contact info. That is all I have currently in my pack, I have additional items I would like to add, but it is fairly new & I’m still “feeling it out”. It also has a wonderful concealed carry pocket. I’m anxious to take my CCW class with my hubby so I can try it out.

So far, this bag is great. Like I said, I haven’t had it for too long, but it seems very durable. It is well crafted, lightweight (only weighs 17.6oz when empty!), has plenty of pockets for storage. One of my favorite features is a water-resistant storm collar for the internal main compartment. It’s a locking drawstring that will keep your contents dry. I’m sure you’ll be hearing more about my great bag as spring & warmer weather roll into town.

My next review is of:
The Voodoo Tactical EMT Pouch Medical Team Series

Visit www.voodootactical.net for more great products

I was looking for a pouch I could use for basic medical supplies to add to my BoB… Ideally, I wanted one that opened like a book and was about 5x7. While my hubby was buying his awesome new Glock 36, I was wandering around the shop, looking for something that I needed, err…wanted. They just got a new shipment of things in & the Voodoo Tactical EMT Pouch was one of them. It measures 5"L x 2½"W x 7"H, just what I was looking for. Unfortunately, they do NOT open like a book, just the opposite, but that’s okay. It’s MOLLE compatible, has silent cord zipper pulls, elastic hold down web, and plenty of storage for my basic needs: Band Aids, triple antibiotic ointment, gauze pads/rolls, ACE bandages, a 3 day supply of my son’s medication, medical tape, small bottle of OTC pain relievers, small packets of burn gel, hydrocortisone cream packets, small scissors, etc… It seems sturdy & durable. I’ve heard good things about Voodoo Tactical, so we will see.

There you have it…two great products! I’m looking forward to blogging again & getting your comments, feel free to leave some below!

- The PreparednessMom

Dutch Oven Favorites

2011-10-13T13:24:00.006-04:00

While researching some easy, simple Dutch oven recipes, I figured it’d be easier to link YOU to a few great sites I found. So, I’ll tell you a little about them:

Byron’s Dutch Oven Cooking Page: (Click Here)
This is my FAVORITE Dutch oven recipe site, so far! Written by Byron Bills from Salt Lake City, Utah, it gives a variety of recipes. He has the site prepared with “Easy” markers for the easiest recipes, “New” markers for the newly added, a blue ribbon that symbolizes the recipes has been used in cooking competitions, and a little star-like symbol marker for his family’s favorite recipes.

Dutch Oven Cooking by DutchOvenDude: (Click Here)
All different kinds of recipes here; from breakfast, to lunch, to dinner, he’s really listed them all. You’ll also want to check out the DO Care on the left side bar. He’s got some great advice!

Camping Food & Dutch Oven Recipes: (Click Here)
There are a little more than 500 recipes on this site! It’s not just DO recipes which is why I love this site. It gives you great ideas and the website as a whole has some really great information.

Lastly, I stumbled upon this looking for something COMPLETELY different but it sounds AMAZING and I plan on trying it ASAP! YUM! (Click Here)
Feel free to add your fav sites and/or recipes in the comments!

-PrepMom

Women: Menstruation, Sex, Birth Control, Pregnancy & Childbirth

2011-10-10T10:22:00.003-04:00

As unfair as it may seem, the reality of it is that women face different struggles than men. When a SHTF scenario happens, we will not only be focusing on the necessary things that need to be done, but in the back of our mind, we’ll be constantly thinking, “What if I start menstruating soon?”, “What if I run out of birth control pills?”, “I can’t become pregnant in a situation like this” and other not-so-crazy thoughts.

I want to start by talking about menstruation. If you are between the ages of 12-45, give or take a few years younger & older, you probably have a menstrual cycle and have to deal with “that time of the month”. No, it isn’t pleasant, but we’ve all learned to cope one way or another. Here are my personal thoughts: Up until a few months ago, I was an avid tampon wearer. I loved the convenience of it. Cardboard tampons were more discreet because you can *usually* flush the wrapper, cardboard, and tampon. Not until recently have I had problems with them. They seem to “dry me out”. I constantly itch and, while I would definitely use them while camping, on the move, etc... I don’t use them regularly anymore. Cardboard are the best option, though. We all know it’s biodegradable but it the paper wrapper and cardboard applicator can also be used as tinder for starting a fire, if you have nothing else available. Pads are always a good choice. You can choose from a variety at your local supermarket and find your best fit. At the moment, I’m experimenting with making my own reusable pads, kind of like the same material cloth diapers are made from, but in the shape of a comfortable pad. You don’t have to worry about your vagina drying out with pads, store bought or homemade, because menstruation is naturally cleansing. An option I personally have not explored is a Diva cup or similar. It is an “internal option”, it can be washed out and reused. I’ve heard great reviews and do plan on trying one, eventually.

Even in a SHTF situation, you’ll probably be having sex. Sex is known to be a natural stress reliever, so it may even help you. But, what if you’re worried about pregnancy? Here are a few tips: If you are on the pill, if there is any way you can quit taking it for a few months, you can stockpile a supply then practice rotating your supply by taking the oldest pills first. You can also ask your doctor for samples. They usually hand out a 1-3 month sample supply. Stockpiling condoms and rotating your supply by using the oldest ones first is also a great idea. An IUD isn’t for everyone, but if it’s something you’re interested in, talk to your doctor. They are usually good for 5-10 years. I have never used a diaphragm, but, it’s a suggestion. If you are 100% sure, you may want to consider having your tubes tied or a vasectomy. I don’t recommend this option until you have discussed it with your partner. Remember, NO form of birth control is 100% effective. The only way to NOT get pregnant is to abstain.

So, you’re now pregnant and don’t have to worry about birth control or menstruation, but in a SHTF situation, you’re going to have SO much more on your mind. Right now, you should be considering getting first aid/CPR training. Then, take a class on first-responders guide to childbirth. Do some research on child birthing kits, (I may post one) and assemble them to keep in your storage. Consider stocking up on prenatal vitamins. They aren’t JUST for pregnant women. In a pinch, you could take them as a supplement to get your vitamins. Consider buying an emergency child birthing, or a mid-wife book.

These have just been a few of the women specific struggles. If you’d like information on a certain female-issue, please leave a comment below and I’ll try to get more information on it for you. I hope this has opened your eyes a little. I completely forgot I would have to deal with these things, and I figure a lot of women haven’t sat down and put this on the top of their list. Feel free to share any of your own opinions, experiences, or just comments!

National Preparedness Month

2011-09-14T22:47:00.002-04:00

September is National Preparedness Month.

In honor of National Preparedness Month, I'm taking a survey of the readers: What would YOU like to read articles about? I will do my best to research & provide accurate information on any preparedness-related topic you're interested in!

- PreparednessMom

Storage in Tight Places

2011-09-06T23:14:00.002-04:00

As preppers, some of us are faced with the common problem of not enough storage space. Many people overlook great storage spots that are usually right in front of their faces. Whether you rent an apartment, own a small home, live with other people, or live in any other circumstance where your storage space may be affected, I’ll give you some clever ways to conceal your prized preps. After all, we don’t want to advertise it to everyone who enters our homes, do we?

We’ve personally lived in 3 different apartments, none of which were as big as our current home. My husband, especially, has grown used to making the most of the storage space. I cannot stress to you how important organization is. We’ve crammed numerous things into Rubbermaid brand containers and it gives you SO much more room. Just adding shelving, getting some boxes or totes, and organizing can be a major help with storage.

Take advantage of your bedroom. I take it you don’t have too many guests in your bedroom, correct? You can store SO much inconspicuously, even if someone walks into your room, they’ll never know. You know that space under your bed just collecting dust? Stick some 2 liter pop bottles full of drinking water, throw a few boxes of canned goods, stash your ammo, keep clean linens in a rolling tote, put some medical supplies under there, anything that will fit- stash it. Buy a bed skirt, if you don’t already have one, to keep everything concealed. Use the space behind your headboard to stack packages of toilet paper, diapers, tissues, paper towels, anything you can keep hidden that will fit.

Also, if you want to take advantage of your kid’s rooms…I don’t suggest putting too much in there that they can tear out. Food & water should be fine, store seasonal clothes under their beds, but be smart- keep your guns & ammo out of your child’s reach until you’ve properly taught them everything they need to know.

If you have an open underneath of your stairs, or are able to make it open, take full advantage of that space. If it’s in a basement, make sure it isn’t going to be damp. If dampness is a problem for you like it was for us, try a dehumidifier and use waterproof totes/boxes/bins.

Instead of buying a coffee table, try finding (or building if you’re good at it) a chest that is the same height as a coffee table. Try “Googling” the phrase “coffee table chest” to get an idea of what I’m talking about. Not only could it be used as a coffee table, but you could use that for additional storage.

Take a look around your home, where you could add shelving? If you live in an apartment, you might consider buying stand-alone shelves to sit things on, if you have the room. If you have a laundry room, could you add more shelving in there? Use it to keep cleaning products, soaps, shampoos, feminine products, whatever you’d like.

Don’t forget about your vehicle! In addition to you GHB, you could store some extra water, blankets, food, knives, matches, clothes in your vehicle. It’s all about organization. Keep the trash out of your vehicle. Use your center console for medical supplies, some water, and maybe a few protein bars. Keep a change of clothes in the little pockets on the door. Use the underneath of the backseat for even more storage. If you use some creative thinking, you’ll find a way to store an amazing amount of things just in your vehicle alone.

This is only a fraction of ideas for storage. Please feel free to share your storage solutions in comments below. I hope this has opened some eyes and helped you find a few extra places to store things! I’m sure I’ll be posting more & more ideas as my husband and I continue to tear out and reorganize our things!

I am a woman, living a prepper lifestyle, hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst.

- PreparednessMom

Always Something

2011-08-24T00:30:00.002-04:00

I've fallen victim to the virus spreading around this region: high temperature, body aches, sore throat. I will be posting more articles as soon as I can sit at the computer long enough. My phone is only good for social networking sites.

Take Care,

- PreparednessMom

Why?

2011-08-18T12:06:00.003-04:00

A little on my beliefs: what I do, why I do it, etc. . .

Why Food Storage?
And to this I'd like to say, "Why not?!" Let's think of the simpliest reason: it's the middle of winter and I don't necessarily feel like braving the cold to go out and get spaghetti sauce. I go down stairs, BAM, right there in my pantry. (Did I mention it's HEALTHIER?!) Now let's explore a different senario. Let's say my husband is out of a job for 6 months, and we're running out of money trying to keep up with the bills. How are we going to afford groceries? If I have a supply of shelf-stable foods, I can rely on that. It just makes sense. Canned foods, dried foods, flour, sugar, salt...What if those things are unavailable one day? Or what if our crazy economy crashes? Think about it, the world isn't as happy-go-lucky as we'd like to believe.

Why BoB and BoV Kits?
I mostly use my BoB(bug-out-bag) for camping. Everything I need to "rough-it" is right there. But if a true TSHTF senario ever went down, I know I could leave my house with my BoB and make it THREE DAYS with water, food, shelter & fire. So, why a BoV(bug-out-vehicle) kit? I'll probably refer to my "BoVK" as my "GHB", or get-home-bag. It's a kit I keep in the trunk of my vehicle to get me home. I have water, food, shelter, and fire-starting methods in there, also. But I always keep a stroller, since I'm the mother of a two-year old, and a carrier with me. If I'm gonna have to hoof-it, you better believe I'm not just carrying my kid on my hip! As my husband once told me, think of it as "insurance". Remember the old saying, "Better to be safe, than sorry"? I pretty much try to live by that.

Common Questions:

Aren't all you preppers getting ready for the end of the world? That makes you crazy!
Okay, let's clear that one up RIGHT NOW. NO. Not all preppers think the world is going to end, zombies are going to attack, or any other conspiracy theory. Yes, there are some like that, but the majority of us are preparing for the unknown. The day you're out of a job, can't find work, and can hardly feed your family...If you are a prepper, you KNOW you'll be able to reply on your food storage. The day a jug of milk costs $20 and you just can't afford that; you'll be thanking yourself for stocking up on dehydrated milk. Job loss and inflation are the most common reasons for prepping. But if a true TSHTF senario ever happens, you'll also be able to take care of yourself in that situation.

Isn't prepping expensive?
It can be. But it's also "insurance" if you need it. Besides, I'm most fond of the local Dollar Store deals, anyway! You can't beat Clorox brand bleach @ $1/gal! There are plenty of ways to find deals on good, reliable preparedness items.

I hope this has given you an idea of MY take of prepping, on why it's imporant to ME. Feel free to leave questions & I'll be glad to answer.

I am a woman, living a prepper lifestyle, hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst.

- PreparednessMom

Just Starting

2011-08-17T17:07:00.002-04:00

Alright, I'm getting into the blogging aspect before I launch a website...gives me time to write, learn about web design & etc...

So, a little about PreparednessMom: I'm just a wife, mother, and down-home country girl who's recently converted to the lifestyle of prepping. I'm not a "hardcore" prepper/survivalist, but with the help of my husband, I'm learning a lot! I decided to write about my adventures while I'm still learning so that maybe someone else can learn something, too. I'm located in the north central region of West Virginia. I have a husband of almost 3 years, and a two-year old who is absolutely incredible! Throughout these posts, you'll notice I tend to speak to a particular audience: females. There are very few websites that are "woman-friendly" and my goal is to help some woman, some where, learn a little more about prepping without throwing all TSHTF & TEOTWAWKI drama into it.

I am a woman, living a prepper lifestyle, hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst.

- PreparednessMom