No More Games, We Must Prepare Now!
Today, I want to talk about some serious stuff concerning why we must prepare now! We have discussed it for years and had some interesting horrific situations in our country and the world continue to happen frequently! Preparedness at home should be front and center for all of us.
Here are some thoughts to contemplate: we have had hurricanes, tornadoes, school shootings, church shootings, wildfires, earthquakes, and illegal people crossing into our country and doing unimaginable crimes. Some of these people are arrested, and some disappear without being prosecuted.
We often think about necessary preparations due to these extraordinary situations, and forget that being prepared should include times when we get sick and can’t work, have a devastating accident, lose our job, and more.
New Orleans Attack
I’ve been listening to the news all day about the horrific death toll in New Orleans from a terrorist driving a truck into a New Year’s Eve celebration. Not only will some families have lost a breadwinner loved one, but others have personally been seriously injured. Who is left to take care of family members?
Las Vegas, Nevada Attack
Trump Hotel In Las Vegas, Nevada
My gut tells me that in the next 3-40 days, we may experience things we have never seen before. I hope I’m wrong. Most of us are prepared with food, water, antibiotics, OTC medications, and first aid kits. You also need a team; by this, I mean choose your neighborhood “team” wisely, if you haven’t already. We need to help look out for each other during the tough times!
This team will be your backup; your team will share and trade items with you and watch your back. You’ll need physical ways to protect your family; yes, I’m talking about protecting your family. No one else will.
The Government Will Not Deliver Food or Water
After a major disaster, the government will not deliver food, water, or first aid supplies to your home or community as quickly as you may think. We saw what happened after Hurricane Helene and all the people who are still struggling with housing and medical care. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) can only do so much.
If possible, can you divide your team? I don’t have a team; I have Mark and me. But if you have a team, get together with your team and make assignments. We must be ready. Please keep your gas tanks at least 3/4 to full during this time.
I must be honest with you; I’m not physically going to be able to evacuate, and I will be “bugging in.” Years ago, I was ready and equipped to bug out, but then I realized I had nowhere safely to do so. Everyone is different, so we must make a plan ahead of time based on our circumstances.
We Must Prepare Now
Food:
Everyone will be responsible for providing the food needed for their family. Canned Foods I Highly Recommend You Store Don’t forget a manual can opener for all those cans. Consider the needs of the older people and infants in your family. Having infant formula is critical if it applies to you.
Water:
Most government agencies and groups like the American Red Cross suggest one gallon of water per person per day. I get thirsty thinking about only one gallon a day. Please consider four gallons of water per person daily for drinking, personal hygiene, washing dishes, washing your underwear, etc.
Don’t forget the water we need for our pets. For pets, you will need one ounce (30 ml) per pound. If your dog weighs ten pounds, you will need at least 10 ounces of water each day to stay hydrated. WaterBricks
Paper Products:
As I write this, I think about the fight over toilet paper at Costco a few years ago. I have the giggles because I remember neighbors who only had one roll. Who only has one roll of toilet paper? My cute friend was delivering toilet paper to several people. I had ten cases in my garage ceiling.
I’m not a hoarder. Those days are gone, and we no longer have a large garage space to store stuff. My food storage does fit into my tiny home. Oh well, life has changed since we moved up north.
Please stock paper plates, bowls, utensils, and cups for hot and cold drinks. I don’t like waxed cups because they do not last as long as heavier paper cups. They tend to melt together in the heat as well. Straws are fantastic; trust me and get some. Paper towels, toilet paper, and baby wipes. Another excellent item is Bathing Wipes.
Cleaning Supplies:
Bleach would be number one; if you have a septic tank, you will be in better shape than the rest of us. If your sewer backups, be prepared to sanitize and disinfect the area. Dawn soap is my favorite, but you should stock up on your favorites. I have about eight bottles of Dr. Bronner soap, which is fantastic. You can add water and make a great bottle of soap. Store buckets, rags, and garbage bags, you can never have too many.
Personal Hygiene Items and Feminine Supplies
Menstrual pads, tampons, butt wipes, baby wipes, shampoo, bar soap, body wash, or whatever you use, get it in case stores are closed for weeks or months. Get extra for adult diapers, baby diapers, paper, or cloth. Fabric toilet wipes are fantastic since they can be washed and used again; my girls were raised with cloth diapers, so it’s not an issue for me in an emergency. Cloth Wipes
Cooking Devices:
If you purchased MREs that only require hot water, please remember that you’ll still need a way to boil that water and cook meals if we have a power outage from storms or our power grids are sabotaged. Please stock fuel if you can cook outside if you have lost power. Dutch Ovens are great in fire pits. How to Store Fuel. Butane stoves are reasonably priced. Butane Stoves and Butane Fuel.
What Are Some Other Items We Need to Consider?
As we’ve mentioned, every family is different and requires different preparation items, but here are a few additional items to consider for your home emergency kit:
- Blankets- a warm blanket for all family members can be a lifesaver
- Change of clothing – if you get wet or covered with mud you’ll be glad you have these
- Whistle
- Extra Batteries
- Hand Sanitizer
- Chargers for your cell phone and other devices
- Duct Tape
- Fire Extinguisher(s) – there are different kinds of fires to deal with
- Plastic Sheeting for shelter
- Prescription Medications
- Important Family Documents: could include deeds, insurance policies, bank and health records, etc.
- Basic hand tools like a hammer, screwdrivers, pliers, and wrenches
- Communication Device – NOAA weather radio, hand-crank radio, and walkie-talkies beside your cell phone
- Evacuation Plans
Final Word
This is a very short post about why we need to be prepared now, but I will be grateful if just one family thinks about stocking up tomorrow. Please pray for the families and first responders In New Orleans, Las Vegas, and other areas going through attacks. May God Bless this world.
Linda, we discussed several things yesterday. I had actually planned to do that stuff I sent anyway but the timing of the multiple events made it all the more important.
I was charging my weapons lights and my wife mentioned it and the events and I showed her that it was in my calendar and not just because of the events.
I keep telling folks the days of “over there” are done. We are no longer feared because our society has changed and weakened itself.
Prepare yourselves but also make a list of last minute stuff and distribute it between whoever you have available in the family or group. Everyone immediately fills up their vehicle at the first sign of trouble. Then split tasks like one person gets canned goods, one gets medical supplies, one gets animal food, one gets ammo and so on. Older kids perform child cares for younger so the tasks can be accomplished.
Get armed and stay armed. It’s not gonna solve everything but it’ll cure many an issue. No I can’t stop a speeding truck in a hundred feet with my Glock but he did get shut down when he stepped out to shoot everyone with handguns.
There will most likely be multiple events in the near future. If I’m wrong feel free to make fun of me later and we will all have a laugh.
Stay Safe
Hi Matt, this is why I wrote this post because of our conversation. Your idea of having a team is critical. I totally agree we will have multiple events, no one will be laughing, no one. Stay safe an we must all be ready for what’s coming. Linda
You are correct about being prepared and I did this for a number of years. As I’ve gotten older, 75, I have not kept up as well. Rotation is key, but some things I just don’t use. I have several butane stoves stored as well as butane canisters. I’m sure these canisters are past their prime. How do I dispise of them safely? We take garbage to a Convenience center. Wouldn’t these explode in their compressor?
Hi MtGrammy, call your local city waste management. I had to take mine somewhere. But there may be places you can drop them off to have them dispose of them. Linda
Totally agree that it feels like time is running out to be as prepared as possible.
Bad events do seem to be happening more and more often, so I’ve been anxiously adding to my LTS just in case. And with the promises made by the incoming administration I’m trying to be ready for chaos in the food supply chain as way too many farmers and meat processors use undocumented workers. Anything that is highly automated is probably safe, but items needing a lot of handling will be either hard to get or even more expensive.
I’ve been slowly packing as much meat as I can into my freezer and topping off my canned veggies. As well as getting more #10 cans of freeze dried meats and pre-made meals in case everyone gets sick at the same time. If everyone is ill, having the ability to boil water and add it to a couple of cups of mix to make dinner could be a life saver.
Between bad actors and crazy weather I want to be as prepared as I can be for the unexpected. As the old saying goes, hope for the best but prepare for the worst.
Thanks for all you do to spread the word about being ready for whatever comes our way. Wishing everyone the best!
I have felt for a while, I needed to finish anything not done. The whole world is off its rocker.
Hi Janet, the whole world is off its rocker, each day seems to get worse. Stay safe, stay healthy. Linda
Hi DMWalsh, I totally agree with you, hope for the best but prepare for the worst. I believe we have a rough few years coming! Thank you for your kind words, my sweet friend. Stay safe, Linda
Dearest e-friend Linda: I must say that earlier this morning, I was looking back over Mike Adams’ “Survival Nutrition” attachment that is stored in my downloads on my computer. It is a real eye-opener to why not to store some things that everyone dose and why you should store things like sprouts so you don’t get scurvy! He even said his donkeys drop a lot of “turds” around the farm, and his dogs go crazy to eat them right up! That is because the donkeys eat a lot of grass, similar to wheat grass, which is then masticated/almost blended and fermented in their stomach before coming out the other end. HOLY SMOKES! No wonder his dogs LOVE, LOVE, LOVE donkey turds!! He says it’s almost like juicing wheat grass and then fermenting it! (Well, I for one will never eat donkey turds, but it does give pause to make you think!!). Also, he talks a lot about having fruits and sprouts that create Vit. C in your stockpiled foods because a majority of the long-term storage foods that are already made up are all GMOs and filled with MSG and other chemicals (and/or plain sugar) to give you cancer and/or starve you to death!! I already knew some of this, but re-reading it has still been very impressive!! I suggest that people go to Natural News or Brighton or somewhere that Mike Adams inhabits frequently and search for his “Survival Nutrition” pdf. I am SO GLAD it is still in my computer’s downloads section! What great revelations about how to get Vit. C when there is none in the stores/i.e. not readily in foods or supplements. You cannot live without it!! WHY you MUST also add fruits to your food storage!! And there is so much more, I am nearly flabbergasted, and I have been trained in nutrition for a good no.of years, too. GREAT, LIFE-SAVING INFO.!! You can download it all free for being a Natural News subscriber, right here: https://www.survivalnutrition.com/ReaderRegistration-Downloads.asp?Subscriber=True
Joyce E. Stotts
Newark, NY 14513
Certified Natural Health Professional since 2006
& 2-year certificate in NorthEast Institute of Botanical Medicine
Hi Jess, thank goodness the long term food storage, I have stored has zero extra ingredients. I don’t buy the meals, but if that’s all people have they will need it. Food is food if or when we have a famine, and I believe we will. May God protect all of us, but stock what you can, my friends. Linda
Yeah, Linda: I think he was not saying don’t get ANYTHING but organic storable foods, but he was warning those who depend upon the cheap storage foods that they are filled with harmful ingredients and GMOs that will KILL you, by causing nutritional (vit. and mineral) deficiencies AND the poisons that can rapidly cause cancer. So, if you’re trying to save your life with cheaper storable foods, that might not work so well. Better to make up your own that has zero extra toxic ingredients in it! But, I do get what you are saying…at least for awhile, any food is better than no food, even if it is not going to keep you healthy… Mike was, I think, just giving suggestions on how to make sure you stay healthy while eating your stored food…like including canned or freeze-dried fruits and how to get Vit. C from sprouts and other ideas. AND/or INCLUDING SUFFICIENT supplements like Vit. C in your larders. He had some really surprisingly awesome ideas, though, on how to get extra water, for example. I still really recommend his pdf for extra ideas! BTW, my husband just came home from a grocery stop at Aldi’s and said that the shelves were pretty bare in some sections. We have never seen this in our area before, but I’ll bet at least partly that was caused by the bad snowstorms in our area lately…something to think about! Thank God, my monthly AZURE STANDARD order comes on Tuesday!! YAYAYAYAY!! I’m really excited about the Cosmic Crisp apples that are coming, though I did see today that Whole Foods has them on sale this week! 🙂
Hi Jess, I totally agree, I tell people compare the ounces to ounces and the shipping cost but look at the ingredients first. We haven’t seen shortage here yet, but hopefully prices will come down. I want those apples so bad, I have got to get some, thanks for the reminder. Love it! Linda
What you and Matt said, in spades. If it isn’t already taken care of on your list, do it now. Time is not on our side. Godspeed to all. May God bless everyone.
Hi Terry,, time is not on our side, we must prepare quickly. God Bless everyone, Linda
Can’t really add much to what all you above have said. Matt has the guide to start with and the rest of you have added to that. I just read an article that indicated there are most likely another 1,000 Al-Qaeda Fighters embedded In US for next attack. Seems likely based on the two recent horrible events. Everyone stay alert and practice extreme situational awareness. Stay away from crowded areas and big cities if possible.
Hi Harry, I agree, its not worth going to these parades or games. We need get this country cleaned up ASAP before those 1000+ Al-Qaeda Fighters embedded go crazy in the US. Stay away from crowds and large cities. Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Linda
those that go to houses of worship need to be armed- or have security teams, they are considered soft targets like schools and day cares.
Denise, you are quite correct. That is why I am always armed, even during regular church attendance. I do not exit my house without a sidearm.
Hi Harry, I love hearing this, thank you. Linda
Hi Denise, I totally agree with you. Linda
Happy New Year to All!!! I too am getting ready for whatever. We may be having SNOW on Monday; it depends on which the way the wind blows. I will be as ready as I can be, my DIL and I are going to BJ’S Saturday morning to get water, tissue, paper towels, laundry soap, etc. Be safe and warm and enjoy the weekend!
HI Mildred, I’m glad you’re going on Saturday, my sweet friend. Stay safe and be aware of your surroundings. Get in and get out and get home. Linda
I spent New Years Day assessing all the storage spots in my house and making sure the space is being used most efficiently. Just by rearranging and changing a few things and putting useless items out for donation I was able to add a lot of easily accessible storage to accommodate more emergency storage. Some of the less accessible spaces are still good but being “out of sight, out of mind” I’ve added notes of what’s there to the lists on the clipboards in the main areas. Having adjustable shelves means you can set them up to suit your various containers without wasted space or having to fill in with random stuff. It’s amazing what you can fit under couches and beds if you raise them up a bit (also makes them easier on old knees!)
Hi Alice, I hear you on the old knees, I have a pair as well! LOL! As you may know we moved up north and downsized big time. So we are decluttering with things we would normally hand onto but there is no room. I realize it will be a blessing to our girls after we die to just get one dumpster to empty our house instead of two! LOL! It actually feels goof. Less is best. Linda
Alice: I think you are a genius when it comes to finding more space to put storable foods! Thanks for the great ideas!!
JESS
I worked on adding more space today by moving some equipment type things like hand pumps and winches and extra small hand tools out of prime house space down into the cellar. I’ve put them in totes with moisture absorbers then sealed the totes into large plastic bags so it should all stay nice and rust proof. These things don’t need to be accessed every day so shouldn’t be taking up prime space that can be used for items that need more temperature and moisture control. Kind of an ongoing project. Extra tents and bedding need to be inside where mice and mildew won’t get them.
Hi Alice, great idea, rearrange stuff so the most important stuff is available. Mice and mildew are not fun. Great tips! Linda
On Glenn Beck’s show this morning a man said there are going to be many attacks in our country this year. He said that our military has people now that don’t agree with the American way of life as was shown in New Orleans and Las Vegas. That, in itself, scares me!
Hi Paula, yikes, I will have to go watch that show. I know a lot of people who do not agree with what is going on in the US. May God help us get through this. Linda
I’m not scared, but I am concerned for people not prepared. I’ve been preparing since 9-11. We will be bugging in as well. I do need to refill my 5 gallon water bottles. I’ve been saving my gallon plastic bottles of Hawaiian punch I buy for the grand babies and great grands. We try to keep extra paper goods on hand. We live close to a lake so we can get water. I have a small still to distill water with. We have propane fireplaces and stove. We are also planning on container gardening this spring. We have canned foods, dried foods and I do know how to can and dehydrate. Some of our Prepper children live 1/2 mile down the road from us. I’m not sure if any of the neighbors are preppers are not. I have made washable lady cloths several years ago. I’ll be using my older towels to make personal wipes with, but we also have hand held bidets. Got them from Amazon years ago. We have most of what we need. Not all I want though. Times are getting bad and won’t get better anytime soon. My moto is “prepare for the worst but hope for the best”.
Hi Deborah, I totally agree with you, prepare for the worst but hope for the best. You have the personal hygiene covered thats awesome. I hope to start a new raised bed garden this year, it all depends on the money. Things have tripled in price. Our income had not. I can only do what I can do. Stay safe and stay well, my sweet friend, Linda
We have the buckets and the seeds. Worst case, we dig dirt from the yard. I can ask our neighbor about his cow manure for fertilizer. LOL He has about 10 or so cows. We have plenty of space. We’re also talking about where to store potatoes and such. I hungry for fresh vegetables! It’s what I grew up on. Beans or peas, cornbread, potatoes, mashed or pan fried, fresh tomatoes and onions. We had meat about twice a week. Well breakfast always had bacon or sausage, eggs and homemade biscuits. I need to learn to make biscuits. I can make bread! And rolls, but not biscuits, yet. I can make scratch cornbread too, without measuring. LOL That took a while to learn.
Hi, Deborah, you can make cornbread without measuring, you are fantastic! Oh man, I wish we had bacon or sausage with eggs and homemade biscuits every morning! I grew up on that, it sounds so good! If you can bread and rolls, thats awesome! I made so many dinner rolls and cinnamon rolls over the holidays, I’m a little burned out right now! LOL! I’ve thought about those garden bags I’ve seen on amazon. I love fresh vegetables, all. kinds. Hopefully we will be able to get our gardens going in the spring. Linda
Last year, I purchased grow bags and love them. I wasn’t successful with my gardening – had to leave my place during the hottest part of the summer and no one to water them consistently. What I purchased was VIVOSUN 5-Pack 10 Gallon Grow Bags, Thick Nonwoven Fabric Pots with Strap Handles, Multi-Purpose Rings, for Low Stress Plant Training Fruits, Vegetables, and Flowers $24.95 for 5 bags!! These are HEAVY duty felted bags. They have handles as well as grommets (I thought with the really strong winds (up to 80mph gusts at times) that I might have to zip tie the bags together!! When I emptied the soil at the end of the season, I let them dry out and then I was able to brush any residual soil out of them. Now they are ready to refil and reuse!!
Hi Leanne, thanks for the heads up, I will look at those once we get closer to spring. I’m writing a post for tomorrow (updating) about Sun Ovens. Wow, they are getting hard to find. I’m glad I have mine. Whew! Linda
Deborah, please be aware if your neighbor sprays his pasture for weeds, ie uses a weed and feed formula, that manure will contain residues that will affect growth of especially night shade plants… and it will carry over in your food .
Jess from roots and refuge farm bought some compost that was supposed to be organic about 2 years ago- and it killed her tomato plants… There are ways to clear toxins from the soil, and it takes time Billy from perma pastures farm is in process of doing three different things on different plots that have serious contamination of metals and all kinds of nasties, his starts with a compost tea…you tube video’s are out…so that some info is available.a timeline for clean up is not clear and he is doing extensive testing to verify his results.
If you have no basement/ dry storage area and you have a dry hillside( clay/sand mix?) you can do Keel(s)… for potatoes, onions and turnips / each separated. they have to be dry, we used to layer the bottom of ours with sand and straw/ sage grass, and cover veggies with a thick layer of the same,then a layer of something to keep the water out- a rubberized barrier, and more hay/tin, or fiberglass cover over that… we always fixed an easy access point.. and had veggies thru til spring.- it we stored enough.
Hi Denise, great reminder on the manure. When I was growing up thats all we used. But I’m not sure it had all the bad stuff back then. Linda
Denise, he doesn’t spray anything, but I will ask first. He sells his extra cattle. He has calves every year and sells them when they’re old enough. But, that being said, thank you for reminding me to ask.
Vinegar and bleach jugs are good to use too…both are disinfectants.so jugs are safer than city water. which now many cities have gone to a chlor. derivative known to poison cats…hummm wonder if safe for children or infants.???
If you have the money to buy wipes, I would like to suggest buying the ‘HONEST’ brand toddler wipes that are non-toxic. They are septic safe and do a great job! I get them in 3 packs from Amazon and think they’re probably better than toxic baby wipes. Just started these recently to see what we could easily use in case of SHTF, and they are impressive and not that expensive, either. As a matter of fact, after hearing Pr. Dave Scarlett and Prophetess Julie Green speak today, I think I’ll go order more. Get your anyiviral meds. like Oscillococcinum and elderberry or mullein or whatever you use NOW, folks, before it’s too late to even get anything!!! I would also consider some very strong electrolytes, like the Trace Minerals Power Packs (Amazon, etc.) in case you get that HORRIBLE intestinal and stomach bug my dear friend just had…the only thing that helped her were those Power Packs because she could not take ANYTHING else for days, not even food nor water!! She is a lot younger than me and very healthy usually, but she was right on the verge of going to the hospital, it got so bad… GET YOUR SUPPLIES TODAY, PLEASE!!
I am praying that you folks are wrong about there being more attacks coming. I think we are prepared even if the one child who lives in town joins us. What worries me is all the crowds that will be in DC later this month when Trump takes office. There will be a huge celebration outside and then multiple balls and parties rest of the day.
Like many here, we will be shelting in place. Due to an injury my left leg I cannot walk far at all, I doubt I could make more than a city block. We have several ways to cook food: gas grill; single burner butane stove; gas camp stove; fire pit with cast iron. In addition we have our camper where we can cook.
I have been putting off ordering water bricks and I need to do that now. We are pretty much homebodies and I doubt that is going to change. One problem is that if we have to go somewhere to get water, I don’t know any place that is close. We’ll have to go a distance. We do have a wagon and can carry the water once we get there. I think there is a large pond on a nearby golf course. We would have to really filter it but it is water.
If we have to evacuate, we will take our camper and have to head to a warmer climate. Nebraska is not a place we want to stay in a camper in the winter.
HI Topaz, I hope we’re wrong, but all indications are we are heading into more situations. Whatever they may be in our particular city. The WaterBricks would be a good choice plus you have a camper, bingo, that’s awesome! Having some water in your camper is a blessing. Having your leg injury may be a blessing. You must shelter in place if need be. I’m on oxygen now 24/7 I have no choice. I have never smoked or vaped but I now have lung disease. Good grief, I would never have guessed this. But things could be worse, our food and preps are where we live Topaz. We can do this! Linda
Topaz, we are all praying we will all be wrong too.
Great ideas!! It’s never to late to get prepared. One type of item I didn’t see mentioned, Solar items. Anywhere from a generator, stove/heater, radio, flashlight, USB charger bank, etc. Because if things go south, batteries/propane/gas for grilling run out, but the sun is almost everyday and free.
As far as water goes if you wonder about the safety, remember you can run it thru a couple coffee filters doubled up and boil it. Bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute. At altitudes above 5,000 feet (1,000 meters), boil water for three minutes. Let water cool naturally and store it in clean containers with covers.
If you have a reverse-osmosis for your kitchen water. Run it for 2-3 minutes a week. To clean out the tank and filters. Also on the item where the water goes out take a Q-tip and stick it up the item and roll it around a few times. If dirty use a clean end and do it again until your happy.
Hi Barb, I have reverse osmosis and love it! Great reminder on solar items, boiling water tips! Thank you! Linda
Linda – this is so appropriate at this time in our lives. Fortunately, those of us who are regular readers of your blog are, for the most part, prepared at least to some degree. I know that I need a better way to store water, and I do have some water bricks but not nearly enough. I am nowhere near a water source so if the water in town is cut off, I would be in dire straits. As for food, cooking, sanitation – I feel well prepared. Unfortunately, the people who REALLY need to be reading your blog are the ones who only have a week’s worth of food on the shelf!
When this last election was over, I stated, “The election is over, good or bad. Now let the chaos begin.” Those of us who are prepared don’t have to worry as much, but we do still need to be diligent with what we have and what plans we are making.
So, worst case scenario – I will get to my daughter’s home if at all possible. They have 2 wells on their place and solar to operate their wells if needed. They also have chickens and a steer for fresh food as well as a huge garden area. I have started taking some of my LTS out to their place as they have a lot of storage room. What I want to do with my daughter earlier than later is to take a lot of the meat, fruits and veggies they have in their freezers and can, dehydrate and freeze dry as much as we can. Since she is pregnant, I am sure a lot of that work will fall on my older grandkids and me. But she wants as much shelf stable food as they can possibly have on hand in case the power is disrupted. I will be keeping my rotational foods here at my house, though. I don’t want to be stranded here in town with nothing!!!
I was at the dollar store here in town today. I was able to pick up 5 fleece blankets for $25 – they are kid sized but figure those will be for the grandkids! I might go back tomorrow, though and get 2 or 3 more for my car winter essentials or purchase one of the larger ones for $20. I have also ordered some things from Azure Standards in larger quantities than I normally would (not inexpensive but non-gmo and organic!).
One thing I didn’t see in this post is $$$ I think that while most of us have cash on hand as part of our preps, someone who is less prepared might not think of the need for cash on hand. I want at least enough to purchase gas for my vehicle if there is the ability to pump gas. If computer systems go down but there is power, cash will be king!!
Oh and don’t forget the barter items!! Necessary in my book!!
Hi Leanne, what a blessing to be so close to your daughter now. Yay! Barter items are necessary for sure! Linda
take 2 of those kid sized blankets and make it bigger for adult length getting several alike could mean 2 ft added to 2 or 3 by using one as a sacrifice…depending on need.
One last thing!! In our preps, we all probably have a number of over the counter (OTC) medications. Well, I have found an herbal preparation that I am absolutely sold on!! It is called Formula 303. You can get it on Amazon. It contains Valerian root, magnesium and passionflower extracts. I was introduced to this product by my chiropractor for muscle spasms. I took 2 doses (one after my appointment and one before bed) and NO MORE SPASMS!! This is something I will always keep in my medicine cabinet and in my preps. It is all natural and best of all: IT WORKS!! It also says: Formula 303 is a natural herbal tablet that has been providing natural relief for over 60+ years. It harnesses the medicinal properties of valerian root, passionflower, and magnesium to provide you with relaxed muscles, stress relief, and natural relief. And: Gluten Free, Non-GMO manufactured for almost 60 years in the USA, in an FDA registered and inspected facility in full compliance with current Good Manufacturing Processes.
Hi Leanne, oh this sounds awesome, I will order a bottle right now, thank you! Linda
Dear, Sweet Leanne: Thank you so MUCH for sharing about the spasms relief formula. I am also going to go order some of that for our natural medicine larder. After reading in several of Dr. Mercola’s newsletters, I decided to try DMSO for pains and cramps. So far, I have only tried the roll-ons, but they are like a miracle to my body!! Need to go back and read more about dosages and what type to use for permanent relief of chronic pain, as some people have been completely cured!! WHOO-HOO!!! That would take more than a simple roll-on, though.
ANOTHER IMPORTANT topic: Burpee just came out with some new varieties of peppers and tomatoes you can seed directly into your soil, so you don’t have to start them indoors under lights! WOW! I bought several packets of those seeds, because if we lose electricity, I don’t want to be without my plant seedlings for the garden, due to no indoor lights to start veggies under! I am very excited to try these “direct planting seeds” of solinacea crops that usually need to be started weeks ahead of time!!!!! I am also going to start more foods in buckets and bags on my back deck this year…smaller and higher up than on your knees or on the ground like usual. This is what happens when you get in your 70s, not that easy to keep up with traditional gardening!
Jess, I want you to be aware that the Formula 303 stinks like nothing else!! Well, maybe a dead body is worse, but valerian root does stink pretty bad. I just hold my breath when I take the pills!!!
Question about the direct planting seeds – what zones are they good for? are they hybrids? non-gmo? organic?
My 13-year-old grandson built me a raised bed last year. It is awesome and I have plans for it this year – will be planting of course, but I want to be able to give it shade as well as a plastic cover to extend the growing season. I am at about 4,000 ft elevation and the winters are brutal so I cannot extend that far without a bona fide greenhouse. I do want to also be able to protect the plants from the hail we can get here: I held ONE hailstone that was the size of a baseball!!! Intense. Also, sometimes the thunderstorms bring really heavy rain without hail but with rain coming down so hard and heavy, I need to protect the plants from that as well.
Dear Leanne et al.: I know lots of things, but what I don’t know is whether these new seeds are organic or not. I doubt it, since they do not list that aspect. My guess is that they just about HAVE to be cross bred in order to produce something this unusual! It sounds like you can plant them in various zones, as long as you put the seeds in the ground 1 week before your last frost date! If you can grow tomatoes in your garden, then I’d expect you could grow these from seed. https://www.burpee.com/tomato-garden-sown-rain-drops-hybrid-prod600361.html?utm_source=WeSupply&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Order%20Received
These are just cherry tomatoes, though, but they are also offering a giant tomato and 2 types of red snacking or roasting Italian peppers that can be direct sown, as well. Best to look those up on Burpee.com, as I think the pages may answer your question better than I can. Best of luck! JESS
LEANNE: I just want to thank you again for the info. on the Formula 303. It is very easy to find on Amazon. I bought the big bottle, even though it was over $40. It is possible to get a much smaller bottle for less, but I wanted the large one for all 3 of us over here!
Thank you again for anything “natural” for health! I also use several if not MANY Young Living Essential Oils and lots of homeopathic medicines for all issues! We still swear by Oscillococcinum to the point that I even gave my adult kids some “Oscillo” to put in their larders at Christmastime and they CHEERED!! ALSO, anything with Elderberry is just amazing, especially if combined with Zinc!
Jess – I am also into a lot of herbals. I make my own tinctures, salves, lotions, oxymels and now electuaries. I routinely take mullein tincture – I just add it to my coffee. It changes the taste of the coffee a little, but it is not unpleasant. My oxymels are blends of herbs for colds/flus and general immunity. I have 3 favorites: lemon/ginger; elderberry and a cough syrup. The lemon/ginger is my go-to if I get up and have the start of a sore throat. I just combine a lemon with the juice and a good-sized portion of chopped ginger in honey and ACV. I’ll take a shot of that every 2-3 hours (I have actual shot glasses for my herbal preps). The elderberry is a combo of elderberry, ginger and elecampane along with the honey and ACV; the cough syrup is a combination of hyssop, sage, thyme, honey and ACV. All three of these are oxymels: equal parts of honey and ACV with whatever herbs you want for your purpose. I am a home herbalist, so I don’t make to sell. Electuaries are powdered herbs mixed into honey until a thick paste forms – you can also make it thick enough to roll into little balls and let them dry.
If you can afford to, check out HerbMentor and LearningHerbs!! Wonderful information but there is a cost!!
Hi, Leanne: What a wealth of experience and knowledge you have! WOW! I don’t do all of that stuff you do. I just use the correct homeopathic whenever I need them, though I have made tons of tinctures over the years and even made homemade Comfrey Salve in the past. As a matter of fact, my husband had a very bad case of Lyme disease years ago. We looked into the Byron……(last name?) tincture that is supposed to make a world of difference for those struggling with Lyme. Well, at that time, like 12 years ago, it was running $100/month! I talked to my famous Botanical Medicine professor, Dr. Les Moore, and he told me how to measure out the different herbs in it and make my own tincture with the same herbs that come from around the world. What I made was enough for 2 YEARS (!) for about $100!!!! Have been doing that all of this time, and my husband does not get relapses by using my version of that tincture, THANK GOD! It is obvious to me that you have the knowledge of herbs on what to use and in what combination(s) to kick influenzas, coughs and the like out of your system! Good for you!! Great combos, from what I can see!! I’m afraid I am more of a consumer than you. I use faithfully Oscillococcinum at the slightest hint of a virus making the back of my throat feel “off”/squirmy, if you know what I mean. I am also a HUGE fan of the Boiron brand homeopathic meds. called Sinus Calm and Throat Calm (Amazon and Vitacost, etc.) ….use can also just drip a drop or two of Young Living’s Lemon Oil straight on the back of your throat to kills microbes that are attacking you. Their Thieves Mouthwash is fantastic, too. I would not want to do that latter thing (Lemon Oil) with another brand, though, cause you don’t know how non-toxic (“clean”) nor how potent their lemon essential oil is!! At our home, we swear by Gaia herbs products, too, so I’ve been known to take their Mighty Lungs supplement along with Young Living’s R.C. Oil for anything sinus, throat problems, or respiratory. We always put a drop or 2 of R.C. on the glands under the jawbone and then swipe it down (sort of in an elongated “v”) to the Adam’s Apple or lower. Great for putting a slight amt. under each nostril, too, to open up sinuses. From my aromatherapy studies, I was taught that Eucalyptus Radiata is the Essential Oil to combat viruses as they are just taking hold and E. Globulus is the best E.Oil for when it’s already become a full-blown respiratory condition. All I know is that I gave a bottle of E. Globulus to an Amish friend’s family one Christmas and they used it on their 19 y.o. daughter because she had walking pneumonia. The E. Globulus seemed to clear the pneumonia or at least help her a great deal!! Well, I use R.C. (my go-to oil, at times, along with Frankincense) for anytime I feel like I’m going under, as R. C. contains BOTH E. Radiata and E. Globulus and even MORE!
I hear that the current (new) viruses currently circulating in the U.S. (2025) are much more potent than usual, and that even Ivermectin and Hydroxychoroquine together with zinc will only sort of help you get over it. A bad cough can remain even a month later…That is why I keep homemade steamed Elderberry Juice on hand at all times. We grow the berries, actually, but you can certainly acquire the dried elderberries and make a syrup if you don’t have fresh ones to juice. We also grow our own Aronia Berries, which are very astringent and do not taste all that great until after you freeze them. However, they are tip-top for antioxidants, so we do use them. I am going to go do a search to see if they wouldn’t just help with respiratory viruses, too…want to bet they do??
Well, this is getting long. Bye for now and congrats on your vast knowledge and practical usages of herbs!! I just purchased myself a copy of Nicole Apellian’s “Forgotten Herbal Home Apothecary”, which will tell what home herbs and spices to use for almost any health issue…reducing the need to buy over the counter or prescription drugs! Am very excited about that book as I am a huge fan of Nicole’s. Hers is the first and only tincture called “heart health” that has actually quieted down significantly my aFib!! I could tell an enormous difference in only 2 days, and my aFib has mostly resolved itself after using her product only 2 times/day!!
You talk about ME having a wealth of knowledge!! LOL! So do you! I have the book “Forgotten Herbal Home Apothecary” as well and it is invaluable. I have a number of herbal remedy books and love them all – I sort of mix and match depending on what herbs I have at the time. My all-time favorites, however, is any book by Rosemary Gladstar. She has simple but effective remedies, and she explains everything so well. I trust her remedies for the simple reason that back in the late 60s – early 70s, she was developing herbal teas: she was a co-founder of Traditional Medicines and founded the California School of Herbal Studies back in the 70s. She is also considered the “godmother of modern herbalism”. I was getting into herbs a little back in the 70s and her teas were my go-to teas. Traditional Medicine teas are still in my repertoire!! That said, I am now making many of my own herbal tea blends.
I really got serious about personal herbalism about 20 years ago when I was starting to think seriously about my health and retirement (aka Medicare!). I am not trying to get off all prescription medications by incorporating herbal preparations – some of which work wonders and some that don’t work so well!! I spend a bit of time researching the traditional usage of herbs along with modern usages. I like to really delve into the modern usage especially as it relates to contraindications with prescription medications. For example, hibiscus flower tea (from the actual flowers not the powdered tea bags) reduces blood pressure BUT when used in more than an occasional cup of tea it can cause issues with the BP meds – lower the BP too much! So when I drink the herbal tea, I take my BP often!! It also helps that my PCP is all for herbals when possible!
I better sign off and get some of my chores done since my back is not giving me trouble right now!!!
No worries on the Valerian “stink”. I am used to several “stinky” oils, though I do have some important information for you about valerian. Back when I studied professional courses on Aromatherapy, I did learn that some people have less tolerance for Valerian than others. Some can take it in stride and it helps them. Others have very bad reactions to Valerian and cannot tolerate it at all! If I remember correctly (pls. don’t quote me on this…just going by a 72 year old memory), those that don’t do well with valerian, have a reaction that makes them LESS CALM!!
So….a person really needs to experiment and see if they tolerate Valerian or not. It depends upon their body’s Chemistry/make-up. Bless You!
Linda, what about one of those little machines that make oxygen and are about the size of a purse? Could that help you be a little more mobile in your home and yard? Lung disease can hit anyone and it really does limit life.
Hi Topaz, yes, I was approved for one of those and it sure helps but I’m still tethered to a machine and yes it looks like a purse but weighs about 5 pounds I think, correction 10-11 pounds. I also have the regular concentrator in the house which is the newer style and makes very little noise. Thank goodness. I can’t be any where near a gas stove or a fire pit, my oxygen tubing could become explosive. So I do as much as I without oxygen (quickly) and make dinner and Mark put it in the oven. Crazy life I have now. But life goes on. Linda
Linda, prayers for you! My sister is also on oxygen 24/7. It is what it is.
As for solar, we do have solar panels, but alas, no batteries. Someone wasn’t thinking right. That would be my husband. The panels are in the boxes in the garage. He does have good ideas, but no follow through and now isn’t able to put them up. Bargaining items? Maybe. Or could get son to install them. I’m not looking forward to what’s coming. We need to go back to the 50s or so. When Everyone had Victory gardens, and families were families and neighbors helped each other. These days we can’t always trust our neighbors.
Hi Deborah, thank you for you prayers, I need them. It is what it is for sure. What a shame about the solar panels, darn it. I don’t want Mark getting on a ladder let alone the roof. Deborah, I just read a story about a cow, yes a cow. The neighbors shared the cow, sold the cow to one another when one family was short on cash. The one cow gave milk to all the families involved. Their land was right next to each other. They had a schedule for each family to milk the cow morning and night. It ended up just being the neighborhood cow. People sharing and helping one another. I remember when I had neighbors I actually knew and loved. I haven’t been here long enough to love more than the few I have met. Victory Gardens would be a blessing, life was so good years ago. Life sure has changed. Linda
Deborah: I may be wrong, but had heard that solar panels/solar tech will get ruined by EMP STRIKES. ISN’T THAT CORRECT? Does anyone from this group know about that? All I know is that my hubby FINALLY built us a nice Faraday Cage for our newest generator, just in case. Plus, last night I double checked on our solar battery-powered flash lights and portable overhead lights. They JUST fit in our Mission Darkness EMP-proof bags that also contain an extra laptop and extra cell phones. All Mission Darkness bags were bought off Amazon. I am so grateful that 6 of the auxiliary lights fit inside the Mission Darkness bags!! YAYAYAYAYAY!!
We’re as prepared as we can afford right now. It’s not enough, I get that. However, we’ve done “something” which is better than nothing. I’m trying to stock up on supplies (thank you Costco check!) but ouch, have you seen the cost of eggs again!? $10 – $12 a carton! Living next to California, we’re affected greatly by their bird flu issues. Costco has zero eggs at all now, Walmart almost nothing! We don’t go hardly anywhere anymore, especially crowds. I get antsy and nervous anymore. I just don’t trust people. New Orleans was a big wakup call, Las Vegas has always been a crazy town. The movies are the only place we go but even that has proven dangerous in the past. Sheez, what is this country coming to?
Hi Robbie, I totally agree with you and I was raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. LOL! I have 2 sisters that still live there. I have always wanted to go to New Orleans to see the party stuff, not the alcohol, but what I’ve seen on TV. I won’t be going there now, nope. No big cities now. We have to have hope or we will be crushed. I’m counting on change in our government management and it can’t come soon enough. God Bless all of us. Linda
I feel there is not a minute to wait. I am upping our water storage. I fear the Niagara Falls/New York State Power Vista could be a attractive target. We cannot protect everyone we love, but we will do the best we can. Please everyone stay alert.
Hi Chris, I think people are realizing the need for water, I still can’t get BlueCan water for my daughter in California from Brownell’s, the cheapest place. Everyone is sold out on so many prepping items. I’ve heard power grids and military bases are on the top of the lists. But who really knows, stay safe and alert for sure. Linda
Hi Linda and Team,
We live in western NC mountains. It’s just my husband and I plus our 2 dogs. We are both in our early 70’s. We live in a heavy hit ski/tourist area with limited resources.
I have barely used the Augason #10 type dry can foods that I wholeheartedly stocked up on back during shelter-in-place days. I just keep holding out on using them..did not use them when HELL-ene blew through, it was 5+ weeks before our water was restored!! Water being the operative word here. Still learning from all of that and have the ptsd to prove it. I really dropped a lot of money during my Augason days. I have used many of my canned goods as well as donated them after all HELL-ene broke loose.
My question and rambling is… at what point do you folks say, to heck with it, I’m going to start using the spendy freeze dried foods that are collecting dust?? In what particular order… veggies, breakfast, pasta, black bean (burger?) mix, fruit, oatmeal , rice, beans, pancake mix…
We are currently snowed in, bigly, so I have had the time and mindset to catch-up on Ms. Linda’s fine posts which always get my wheels turning in my head. 🙂
Thank you in advance. Sending love and peace. -Deee
Hi Deee, I will be 75 this month and my husband will be 79 in the summer. We (me actually), decided at our age we need to eat it NOW. My kids are not going to want any of it. I have 99.99% freeze-dried compared to dehydrated cans of potatoes. The good stuff, that is freeze-dried, meats, various cheeses, fruits, and vegetables are tasty. You do have to rehydrate the vegetables before making a casserole with them. The meat is all cooked, just needs to be rehydrated. I still buy cases of the regular canned foods but we are totally stocked up. I just did my usual inventory and all I need are kidney beans. I’ve been stocking this (freeze-dried) food for 15 years. The price of groceries are ridiculous so we are eating everything that’s in our house and we are eating quite well. Would I love a steak, yes, but it’s not affordable right now. I haven’t bought meat for almost a year now. I was hopibg to purchase a 1/2 a beef but we shall see. Great question, my friend, Linda
Hello dear Linda. Boomshakalaka! What a great point,”eat it now.” Your reasoning makes perfect sense to my cluttered overthinking mind. Thank you. I am 72 and my husband will be 70 soon. I will try this strategy with the hope that it turns out well (my cooking) and deters my husband from grocery shopping. How much lead time do you find that it takes to prep a freeze dried meal? Any helpful hints,recipes, advice, things to stay clear of, look out for…do’s or don’ts while using the #10 can “miracle”? All info from you, your friend/followers is greatly appreciated.
I know you have to be a super busy lady so don’t let my questions be a burden. I will be praying for you and your health. Sending much love, prayers and peace-Deee
Hi D.May, I will make a post for tomorrow about green beans to start with, I made a green bean casserole for the holidays. Great idea, I’m on it. Linda
So far, I am getting better sleep because of the valerian, but I also nap a lot during the days!! Not getting a whole lot done though! I seem to be tolerating it well. As long as I don’t have the back spasms, I CAN get some things done. And I totally understand 72-year-old brains!!! Although I am still only 71 (for the next month!!)
I’ll check out the seeds!! Thanks.