Wednesday, November 21, 2012

SURVIVE ANYTHING




How to survive anything may seem like a stretch, but here’s what I mean by survive anything:  Be totally ready for ANY major disasters, whether it’s a hurricane, tornado, flood, civil war or even terrorist attack.

Sounds like a tall order (and it is), but this is THE course that leaves nothing to chance.  Even if you’ve never dealt with a major disaster before.

Here’s what’s included:
  • The single most important thing your family needs (after a plan) in the event of a hurricane, tornado, flood, or civil war.
  •  Shortcut method to navigate your way through total chaos in half the time a normal commute takes – even if you’re in New York City!
  • Easiest way to figure out exactly how much prep work you need to do.  You’ll see that when you get organized the exact way George talks about, it’s almost as easy to prepare for a year  as it is for a month!
  • Don’t experience devastating “Survivor’s Guilt” that can hit minutes after a catastrophe, and be totally debilitating. It left people from Katrina wishing they were dead.  This is vital for your children!
  • Understand exactly what the starving mob of people is thinking, and how to remove any chance of them taking your food by force.  The best part is it involves no violence (although you’ll learn how to deal with people forcibly if need be.)
  • The first thing you need to do when you hear a tornado siren (not what the government wants!)

Is This The Disaster Preparedness Course for You?

PROS:
This publisher provides you with:
• Great lists of supplies, gear and skills you should consider
• Disaster scenarios which help Your Plan
• How to set priorities before and after a disaster

CONS:
This publisher does not adequately proofread or edit. This bothered me, but I was able to read through it. The publisher should do better in this area. Though their content is very complete and well thought out, publication is sloppy.

The Survive Anything guide is a detailed, solid survival plan available for download now … so if you are ready to act, check it out here.


The Survive Anything Table of Contents is chalk full of great criteria. Survival examples make you consider various options:

• Prepackaged Foods and Beverages
• Short Term Water
• Fire and Tools to Make Fire
• Sanitation, Prescriptions and Personal Care
• Hand Cranked Items for Various Purposes
• Various Multi-use Tools for the Belt
• Two Different Backpacks for Two Different Uses
• Maps and Directional Tools
• Signaling and Protective Devices
• Short Term Medical and Wellness Products
• Wildlife and Fishing Supplies



From Short Term Disasters to Worst Case Scenarios:
• Basic Strategies for Preparedness
• The Advanced Gear for Long Term Survival
• Basic Strategy to Have for Chaos
• Strategy for Staying Home "Bugging In"

Wake Up, People, and Begin Preparing.
Survive Anything
will open your eyes. When you understand various scenarios, you can take action steps on buying gear and supplies – from specifics like Bushcraft or Spyderco knives – out to general topics like food and water storage.

Be Forewarned.
Don’t let “survival” take over your life, but move as quickly as you can into the best position possible to give yourself a fighting chance.


Make a Good Investment.
This is an excellent set of guidelines. Your family would be wise to follow a lot of this advice and these checklists. You want to subscribe to our newsletter for updates, simple, inexpensive ideas and reviews of new products. Continue to learn.


CHECK OUT THE SURVIVE ANYTHING WEBSITE TO DOWNLOAD THE EBOOK.

FOOD 4 WEALTH





How To Make Your Garden Profitable

Did you know that your little home garden could be profitable? Yes, it can be! Especially if it's an organic garden! 

You will be saving your hard earned cash by not purchasing GMO/pesticide ridden products at the grocery store. It's sweat equity in your pocket and good nutrition in your belly. 

Ever wonder what the most profitable crops are in your garden? Well, I ran across this little list on Pinterest awhile back [scroll to bottom of post to view list], thought it was very interesting - Cilantro was a big surprise! That's the most profitable crop you could grow. Imagine!

I also ran across this little guide called FOOD 4 WEALTH which walks you through making a thriving garden with as - wait for it - LITTLE WORK AS POSSIBLE! That seems like an oxymoron for gardens! I know that Square Foot Gardening,Lasagna Gardening, and Container Gardening are all the rage and this guy has it down to perfection!

The step-by-step Food 4 Wealth program is laid out in a 60 page e-book and a series of 14 video tutorials which take you through the process of selecting your garden plot location, laying out the plot and setting up the beds, plant selection for year round crop succession, plant layout in the garden, and maintaining your garden.  All of this can be done with very little work. CHECK OUT THE FOOD 4 WEALTH WEBSITE.

What I like about this system: 

  • It's based on sound gardening principles of growing your soil to grow your plants. 
  • ANYONE can do this! Whether you live in an apartment or on a farm. 
  • Low Maintenance (no tilling!)
  • Little to no wedding, basically you're looking at lasagna gardening, no room for weeds to grow!
  • Year round food production - grow plants over the winter!!! 
  • Seed collection. Buy starting with non-GMO non-hybrid seeds, you don't ever need to buy seeds again, just harvest them from your garden crop. Savings!!
What is lacking?
  • Pest control information. Because pests vary from one region to the next, there isn't information on how to control pests naturally - including fungus and slugs, beetles, etc. 

You can find out more about the Food 4 Wealth system by clicking below. 



Now back to the most produce value per square foot - many of the leafy green vegetables/herbs (cilantro, lettuce, chives, dill, Swiss chard) next comes many of the larger vine plants (tomatoes, squash, pumpkins, peas) with many of the root plants taking up the rear.  Now much of this makes sense where many of the vine plants grow on trellises and are allowed to spread, which I guess is sort of cheating the square foot rule but I will let it slide.  Compared to the root plants whose production is entirely dependent on the space allowed in square footage they have to grow as well as these are normally inexpensive produce items to begin with.

Vegetable USD Value/SF
Cilantro $ 21.20
Arugula-Roquette $ 20.92
Green Salad Mix $ 17.55
Chives $ 16.40
Dill $ 16.40
Lettuce $ 16.20
Tomato, Cherry, small & medium $ 15.57
Turnip $ 9.90
Tomato, large $ 9.50
Squash, Winter $ 8.40
Tomatillo $ 8.00
Cucumber $ 7.74
Basil $ 6.63
Radish, Red $ 6.22
Pumpkin $ 6.20
Chard, Swiss $ 6.14
Celery $ 6.00
Squash, Summer $ 5.96
Choi $ 5.70
Peas, Snow $ 4.50
Pepper, Jalapeno $ 4.50
Squash, Summer, Zucchini $ 4.17
Onion, Bunching $ 4.14
Pepper, Bell $ 3.60
Brussels Sprouts $ 3.59
Carrots $ 3.56
Rhubarb $ 3.25
Squash, Winter, Butternut $ 3.20
Kale $ 3.07
Grass, Lemon $ 3.00
Peas, English $ 3.00
Onion, Bulb $ 2.63
Radish, White $ 2.60
Bean, Bush $ 2.51
Peas, Edible Pod $ 2.50
Artichoke, Globe $ 2.40
Cabbage, Chinese Napa $ 2.24
Squash, Winter, Delicata $ 2.10
Spinach, Spring/Fall $ 1.80
Leeks $ 1.75
Potatoes $ 1.50
Parsnips $ 1.50
Garlic $ 1.37
Squash, Summer, Yellow $ 1.34
Parsley $ 1.31
Corn $ 1.25
Squash, Winter, Acorn $ 1.20
Squash, Winter, Hubbard $ 1.20
Eggplant $ 1.10
Greens, Mustard $ 1.10
Rutabaga $ 1.00
Beet $ 0.89
Cabbage, Savoy $ 0.80
Broccoli $ 0.80
Kohlrabi $ 0.75
Cauliflower $ 0.60
Broccoli, Chinese $ 0.60
Cabbage $ 0.50
Sources: http://www.mcgoodwin.net/pages/ppatch.html for plant yield information, http://shop.safeway.com for current produce prices

THE RULE OF 20: SURVIVAL GUIDE REVIEW


e-book review

From time to time, you will have the opportunity to read reviews by various authors who fit the themes for the preparedness communities. Today we picked the popular e-book: The Rule of 20: Survival Guide. It's basically an emergency preparedness kit in written form.

I know there are many naysayers who think, "I can find all this information on the internet if I search for it." That is true. I am sure you could find this information, but it would take you days, maybe even months to build a coherent stockpile of knowledge, print it all off (because we SHOULD have hard copies of everything for those times the electricity fails and you've yet to implement your solar power scheme). So in an effort to save you time - we have this ebook. 

What is The Rule of 20: Survival Guide? It's a step-by-step plan laid out for the individual who needs just little bit more information or doesn't know where to start.  This would be a great gift to give to someone who is interested in self-reliance, but is overwhelmed by the amount of information available to them. 

If you were like me, I "woke up" so to speak about a year ago. I watched that NatGeo show "Doomsday Preppers" and realized that while some of the people were a bit crazy, there was a validity to what they were preaching. So I began to research how to make my family more self-reliant. Not survivalist - I have no desire to camp out in the wood and forage for berries, at least I hope things won't lead to that. 

The mindset of The Rule of 20: Survival Guide helps to develop the mindset of self-reliance. Not to depend on your local government or FEMA to bail you out, but to provide for your self and your family and friends. This guide is for urban survival and very realistic scenarios. Basically everything in the book is something you could implement in real life, very simple but necessary steps. 

This ebook is not a particularly advanced course. It's written for the every day average person who has maybe three days worth of food in their pantry, but that's about it. This is a ground zero guide. If you have been prepping for a long time, chances are you already know what is in this guide. This is a perfect gift for a newbie or for someone who is very overwhelmed in their research.

The old adage "Knowledge is Power" is important to remember with every ebook or printed book you purchase. To me, I like having as much knowledge in my back pocket as possible. I read constantly. I purchase ebooks for family and friends to read - as most won't read detailed books like I do.

I would highly suggest this ebook to add to your preparedness library. For more information on the book, CLICK HERE.

PS: Remember, I try to only suggest survival guides and courses that have money-back guarantees, so that my readers are protected if they aren’t satisfied with the quality of information found in the course.
The Rule of 20: Survival Guide has one of the strongest guarantees that we have seen – your purchase is protected by a full 60 days money back guarantee – no questions asked.

PPS: If there are any books (ebook/print) you are interested in and would like us to review, leave a comment and we'll add them to our list to review for you!


Tuesday, November 20, 2012

FOOD INDEPENDENCE





Aquaponics 101: Food Independence

Food independence = never having to eat terrible GMO filled foods! 
Acquaponics is really a homebased food source for the modern prepper! One caveat - if you don't like fish, this is not the best option for you - but you could trade them with your neighbors. 

What is Acquaponics? 
It is a sustainable food production system that combines a traditional aquaculture (raising aquatic animals liek fish in tanks) with hydroponics (cultivating plants in water) in a symbiotic environment. Basically, fish poo water is used to fertilize your garden, while left over garden water (drained from plants) gives the fish the nitrates they need to survive. They go hand-in-hand. Pretty nifty! 

Now that leads us to Food Independence! Imagine having your own vegetable and protein source in a small-scale system that provides for your family. The food is healthy and you know where it came from! Plus, nosy neighbors won't have a clue that you have your own fishery in your backyard! 

The best thing about acquaponics, it's very DIY! So people don't have to know what you're building and won't think too much about it if you buy and bring home a fish tank for those delicious tilapia you will be raising.  In fact, with a few grow lights for your vegetables, you can have your own fish farm in your garage or basement and be food independent in suburbia without fighting your HOA over the concoction you have in your yard.


This has to be my favorite DIY prepper self-reliant system, ever. You don't need to spend a bunch of $$ to provide for your family. This is especially good for preppers who do not have the ability to hunt for their food. Like I said, you can do this in your basement or garage with some grow lights.


URBAN SURVIVAL: SURVIVE ANY DISASTER WITHOUT LEAVING HOME


URBAN SURVIVAL
How to survive without ever leaving your home! 
 
You have most likely heard the terms "bug in" or "bug out". Staying put or getting out of Dodge when a disaster strikes. 
 
Let's talk about "bugging in" from an Urban location. I realize that not every one has the ability to up and move to a rural location pre-SHTF. Personally, I would if you had the chance. Pack up and move to a safe, low-density population area with water, hunting, food, etc. if you are able. 
 
Now for those who aren't able and are staying put and live in an URBAN area, let's talk a bit about urban survival needs. 
 
Imagine you live in Brooklyn, New York, work down in Manhattan for your day job, going to school at NYU Stern and that's life as you know it. Now, something larger than life happens in NYC. Think bigger than 9/11. Unless you have served in a military capacity in a volatile area, 9/11 is about as worst as most Americans can imagine in their minds. But let's say that 9/11 and Hurricane Sandy hit all at the same time. Oh crap! Yes, put all those disasters into one giant catastrophic event and you have what I'm thinking. 

The city is in chaos. The streets are blocked so you can't take a cab; you are on the metro and you are able to get a few blocks from home - so you truck it back home by foot. The grocery stores and street vendors are closed. People are screaming, there is looting going on, and well, the SHTF big time. 

You close yourself and lock the door behind you in your second story brownstone apartment. Praying, watching out the window, praying some more, and texting every known relative that you are home and safe and are going to wait it out. 

There is utter chaos outside. What do you do? Do you have a survival plan? Do you have compatible plans with your current living situation and easily adaptable for real life situations? Now think you are traveling for business and you need to stay put? What do you do? 




Family Survival Course





Do you have a plan for your immediate and extended family? 
Does your family know how to put the plan into action? 

One of the scariest things to consider is how do you keep your family safe when a disaster strikes? Have you thought through the scenarios? 

I'm one of those crazy people who walks around my house and constantly plays scenarios in my head - how I will protect my children and family. How do I coordinate with family when we're at our job, school or around town. What are our rendezvous points and plan of action? 

These are all things you SHOULD consider when making a plan for your family's safety during crisis time. It's a very scary thing to think of, but as law enforcement and military techniques teach officers/enlistees, your brain does not know the difference between actual and imagined scenarios. When you run these things through your head, your brain is storing this information into reactive "memory muscle" groups which allow you to react immediately without hesitation if/when the SHTF.

Keeping your family safe is of utmost importance. Making plans, teaching plans, all in advance is something you should do today! Have a game plan, have a back up plan, and have a back up for the back up plan! 

One thing I would highly suggest is a Family Survival Course. Survival classes are a great way to increase your knowledge. In a crisis moment, the biggest asset you have is YOUR BRAIN! If you have the knowledge and know how to survive, you will be better off than 99% of the people around you. Many people will panic when the SHTF, but you and your family, by running through scenarios, making plans and back up plans, and taking courses will help you to prepare yourself MENTALLY to weather the coming disaster! 

GAINING ENERGY INDEPENDENCE






Imagine a world where you have ZERO bills to the electric company. Imagine a world where the electric company PAYS YOU for producing energy for their grid? 

Sound crazy? It ain't! 


Okay, as you know, this blog is about crisis preparedness. Whatever coming disaster you are planning on, preparing for, etc...you should consider ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES! 

Unless you live under a rock, you have access to the best energy source available: The Sun. 

So let me introduce you to the idea of living in a Net-Zero home. What's a net-zero home? It's a home that is producing it's own energy and making more energy than it uses which gets funneled onto your city's electric grid for them to use your excess. 

Still not following me? Okay wiseguy, here's some great articles for you to read up on!

1) Green Building Advisor discusses an entire Net-Zero neighborhood  solar build.
2) TIME Magazine real life examples of solar energy use to create Net-Zero homes. 

Now, take a look at those price tags on those homes. OUCH! We've all been told that solar is very pricy. If you're like me, we have a budget and many times live pay-check to pay-check, we can't drop $100k on a new solar system! 

Yet, like many in the preparedness community, we strive to be independent and self reliant. One way we can do that is by attaining ENERGY INDEPENDENCE! There are several ways to do this and there's a lot of great DIY things on the WWW. Check them out! 

Solar really is one of the easiest ways to gain energy independence and getting off grid - EVEN if you live in suburbia! 

It's time to do your home work! Check out DIY sites for solar panels, wind turbines, photovoltaic panels, and solar cells for your home.