Food Storage Calculator

If you're considering storing food, here's a calculator to help guide you in how much to store, and how much space it will take. Enjoy! And as always, thanks for reading.

Food Calculator

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Bugging Out. Are you REALLY ready?

Unless you have a real life Bug-Out retreat at least semi-ready, bugging out will be suicide for your average citizen. It's 50/50 for those semi-prepared (but I'll take 50/50 over staying in a riot infested city) I could write a huge rip-off post about it, but I found a YouTube video that pretty much sums it up to help you make your own educated decision.

Bugging Out Will Get You Killed...

Homemade Water Filter...

I have one of these in my B.O.B and my G.H.B.

Very simple to make, using a 20oz empty plastic water bottle. Cut off end and leave about 2 inches to add water.

Remember that depending on the condition of the water, it may need to be boiled before consuming. This will filter simple lake or running stream/river water. If you're filtering standing water; BOIL IT as well.



Bug-Out-Bags For Children...

Every child needs a B.O.B.

Not every child needs to know why they have one.

After watching yet another episode of Domesday Preppers, and seeing the borderline abuse by some of these parents in the way they project their fear of the future upon their innocent children, I can't stress enough; DON'T FUCKING DO THAT.

You can teach children basic survival skills without scaring the shit out of them until they tell all their friends, and your whole family looks like a Freak Show.

Have meeting places be the same as any other emergency situation (home, grandmas house, etc)

If you want your kid to learn basic survival, send them through the Boy Scout program. Eagle Scouts are downright ninjas. Your kid will probably be taking care of you, if he makes it to Eagle Scout. If you have a girl, or reluctant boy, take them camping and make learning to set up a campsite and secure a fire a family event. Even if they're bored or look miserable, trust me; they're learning.

What your child's B.O.B will contain, has everything to do with their age. Children as young as 5 can carry a small backpack with lightweight supplies. If you're child is 12yrs old +, make them carry all their own supplies (food and shelter).

Young Child's B.O.B.

Half a bottle of water
Emergency Mylar Sleeping Bag
2 protein bars
Two Way Radio (teach them how to use it loooong before they need it!)
Entertainment (small coloring book, crayons)
Small Flashlight
Whistle

Please do not give your child a flare gun, as they may likely shoot themselves in the face, or burn down the woods, killing all of us and destroying all the food. Use the two way radio and whistle to find your child if you get separated.

Homemade Mead (Honey Wine)

1 Gallon Water (purified)
3lbs Pure Honey
1/4 Cup Sugar (optional)
1 Pear (chopped, no rind or seed)
1 Orange Flesh (no rind, skin or white part)
1 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract or 1 Vanilla Bean
5 Pitted Dates.
1 Package Yeast.


Pour out half of water into separate container. Add all ingredients except yeast, into the jug. In a small dish of warm water, stir in yeast, then add to jug. Shake vigorously. You can use the balloon option as explained in the Homemade Wine post, or you can use a ziplock storage bag to form a deflated bubble around open lid (remove all air). Check it daily to release the gas as it ferments.

After 4 weeks, fermenting should be stabilized. Rack wine (strain through cheesecloth) into clean jug. Close tightly and allow to age 3-9 months. The longer the better.

Bug-Out-Bags For Dogs...

Do you have a dog that is a member of the family? Would you insist on taking him/her should The Grid go down and you need to leave your home? Then I'd strongly suggest a Bug-out-Bag for your pet.

This is the one I have:

Want one like it? http://www.backcountry.com/mountainsmith-dog-packs



The dogs B.O.B should contain:

3 days of food

Medications for the dog

Small lightweight treats

Chewable toy

Colllapsable water bowl http://www.backcountry.com/ruffwear-quencher-dog-bowl

Dog food has a 6 month shelf life, so remember to rotate out the food in the packs.

If you have a dog that is too small to carry a pack, it probably doesn't eat much, so you can always cram his food into your B.O.B 

Organic Gardening Concept...

This is life changing. I can't wait to own my land so I can begin this journey!

http://backtoedenfilm.com/#movie

Plotting My Garden...

This weeks 20 degrees + average temps have me thinking SPRING! Of course, March will probably dump 3 feet of (much needed) snow on top of us, putting me back into winter hibernation; but today I'm still thinking SPRING!

I'm incredibly excited to have a garden this year.

Confession: This will be my first garden

Confession #2: I used to grow marijuana, so I know what I'm doing.

My garden will be a straw bale trellis/canvas bag garden because I can't use the land, due to property restrictions.

Outline Plan:

Tomatoes
Strawberries
Bell Peppers
Green Beans
Peas
Herbs (undecided on which ones)
Wild Asparagus
Sunflowers

I think this is a good selection for my first year. I'll be growing my blueberries, peppers, cucumbers, green beans and peas in buckets, using the trellis board that is covering the deck railings, for support. My strawberries and herbs will grow in a canvas multi-shoe holder, and hang on the deck railing. My tomatoes will grow upside down in canvas bags, hanging on the opposite side of the deck railing.

I have to build some sort of metal mesh covering for my strawberries, or the birds will have their way with them.

I'm planting the Wild Asparagus on a friends property. It should come back every year.

The sunflowers will grow next to the shed that's on this property. I will attempt to harvest the seeds for the oil that is in them.

Exciting times ahead!

What's growing in your garden this year?

Walking In A Winter Wonderland....

What we wish winter was like.



Reality.



If you live in the deserts of Arizona, sunny Palm Springs or are reading this blog from the beaches of Florida; Fuck You.

Just kidding.

In all seriousness, this post is about surviving a long walk or bugging into a shelter, in sub-zero temperatures. And when I mean sub-zero, I'm not talking about 0 degrees Fahrenheit. I'm talking about -17 degrees Fahrenheit actual temperature, and -42 with the windchill. I'm talking about REAL cold. The kind of cold shit always seems to go wrong in.

You have a GHB, you have a BOB. What you now need, is a Winter Survival Bag. Why? Because a GHB does you little good, if you freeze to death before you get your fire started or your shelter constructed.

This bag, like your GHB, goes with you EVERYWHERE. It's kept in your trunk, or trunk equivalent. If you're catching a ride to work with a friend, get the bag out of your car and put it in your friends trunk. No exceptions, ever. And please don't forget it there.

A WSB is not cheap. This is not the place where you spare pennies.

My WSB:

Cami tank top (for men, get a tank top undershirt)

2 Long sleeved Underwear top (one your size, and one that is one sized larger)

Windbreaker

Goose down or Carhartt jacket. Accept NO substitutions. SPEND the money for the real thing.

Long john underwear pants (2 pair for ladies/cross dressers, just in case you're wearing a skirt or dress when you go into distress) 

Carhartt Overalls. Again, no substitutions.

Broke in heavy duty winter boots with insoles for extra comfort.

2 ski masks

Kid gloves

Heavy duty insulated gloves

Hand/foot warmers.

(Optional) Dome windproof tent (if living in area with little to no trees)

Pint of hard liquor

4 Granola Bars

Step One:

First of all, go to the bathroom BEFORE you put all this stuff on (don't ask me how I learned THAT lesson.) Second, remember that the trick to staying warm is to dress in lighter layers, protected by a heavy duty top layer; so if it's 20 degrees F out, you may not want to put all of this on. Use discression.

Evaluate your situation. Can you walk home/to reliable help or are you going to need to find shelter? If it's very windy or a blizzard, I recommend bugging into a shelter.

Eat all your granola bars before you set out to walk, or begin to set up a shelter. You're going to burn a lot of calories working, or to stay warm while walking. Chug one of the bottles of water in your GHB. You need to stay hydrated.

Now, many people may disagree with me about the hard liquor, but if used correctly, it can save your life. The human body is capable of surviving long after your mind has convinced you that you can't. Many people who are beyond hope will lay down and die when shelter was just another mile down the road. They don't call booze 'courage in a bottle' for nothing. If you're honestly feeling like you can't go any farther, or work any harder; take a pull. You'll feel warmer and thus, go farther and work longer.

Use the wool socks and beanie from your GHB under the ski masks, and if it's very bitterly cold; put on your surgical mask. It will warm the air before going into your lungs. Try to remember to breath through your nose, it decreases dehydration.

Best of luck, and may the odds be ever in your favor.

Bug-Out-Bag...

Bug-Out-Bag (BOB): A portable kit that contains the items one would require to survive for seventy-two hours when evacuating from a disaster.



^^^

My Bug-Out-Bag

Want one like it? http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004X6JQK2/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00



I did a lot of searching before I selected a BOB. I decided on this one because it was lightweight, not overly huge, but but very efficient; and it doesn't look overly militant.

A BOB is also a 'The Shit Has Hit The Fan' bag. If you're taking your BOB out of your home, you're either traveling more than one days walk from your house, or you are leaving your home, likely never to return.

Because of the later of the two reasons, BOB's need to be the real deal. You need supplies to survive in worst case scenarios, until you can get to your Bug-Out-Location/Retreat.

My BOB has a second part.

Yep. It's a fanny-pack.



Before you laugh, or judge; consider that if I am actually wearing this (rather than having it ride shotgun in my passenger seat or trunk); the grid has gone down, my Bug-Out-Vehicle is inoperable and my only goal is to get my precious children through the chaos, to my Bug-Out-Location. Plainly speaking, I will be one dangerous fanny pack wearing bitch to be reckoned with. And for $12.90 + Shipping and Handling, you can be too! http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003Y80H44/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i00

What goes in the fanny pack? Stuff you need on the fly. Ammo. Sunscreen. Bug repellent. Two-Way Radio. Map. Did I mention Ammo? Basically anything you think you might need to grab in a moments notice, or want convenient access to. Did you notice the pack I chose has 2 zippered pockets? One is just for ammo.  Weapons are carried more on your person. That will be another post.

The Backpack.

My BOB (backpack) contains:

All the food in my Get-Home-Bag x 9.

Rain Ponchos

Small Game Snare

Sleeping Pad for ground warmth

Pop-Up Dome Tent

2 person sleeping bag

Hatchet

Sword. (Yeah, a real samurai sword, not the ones you buy at stores. I sewed the sheath to my pack)

Small sewing kit

Change of clothes

Extra pair of shoes

Antibacterial Soap/liquid

Toilet Paper

Tooth Brush/Toothpaste

Spade (smaller and more efficient than a camp shovel)

The Foragers Harvest (book)

Bug-Out-Binder (will cover in future post)

Get-Home-Bag medical kit, beefed up to include: Tourniquet, suture kit. antibiotics, melatonin (sleep herb), flu/cold medicine.

Individual packed condiments and spices.

With the items here, myself and my children could survive the trip on foot to get to our Bug-Out-Location. I'm working on expanding the bag as I learn new things. Any suggestions are always welcome!

These packs are not light. If you're reading this and you are 200+lbs of fat, you should probably think about changing that. All the survival skills in the world do you little good, if you can't maneuver on your feet for extended periods of time. And if things get really bad, you'll probably get eaten.

Later posts will cover BOB's for children and pets.

Tinder...

Tinder: Easily combustible material used to ignite fires by rudimentary methods. A small fire consisting of tinder is then used to ignite kindling.

^^^

The Goal.

There are many types of tinder, but mine is the 'egg carton/wax/dryer lint', option.

Super easy to make and because of the wax, it stays lit a bit longer than just using some lint or sawdust, giving my kindling more time to ignite and thus, giving my fire more chance of success.

How To Make:

1 egg carton

A bunch of dryer lint.

Crayons. (I obtained my crayons for free, by asking for them at restuarants I've frequented.)

Melt crayons in a double boiler (I left the paper on). Stuff dryer lint into egg compartments, pour melted wax into compartments, top with more dryer lint. Allow to dry. Keep in sealed ziplock bag until needed. You can get the wax out of your double boiler by putting it in the freezer while it's still hot, then chipping it out when it's frozen.

I also keep some kindling (dead leaves, small twigs) in the same ziplock bag with a chunk of cardboard, to absorb moisture. Several of my GHB/BOB items came in small cardboard packages, which will act as extra kindling. 

I keep 3 compartments of tinder in my Get Home Bag, and 6 in my Bug-Out-Bag.

Get-Home-Bag....

What is a Get-Home-Bag?

It's a bag you carry with you, at all times; should you meet some sort of crisis while you're out and about.

^^^

My GHB.



You can keep your GHB in your car, or on your person. I prefer to keep it with me, disguised as my 'purse'. Notice I've chosen something cute and flirty, not militant. In my opinion, your GHB should never look militant. Part of getting home is, getting home; not announcing to the world that you've prepared for the current crisis, when most have not, and promptly getting rolled for your GHB. The most successful strategy of surviving a fight, is to not be in one at all.  

GNB's for men can be simple gym bags, or what I'd prefer (if I was a man): a messenger bag.

What does a GHB contain? Answer: Enough supplies to survive outside in the current weather/elements, for 24 hours. If you're farther than a 1 day walk from home, you should probably have your Bug-Out-Bag with you. I'll talk about my BOB in a later post.

Contents of a good GHB...

Food:

After a lot of research (and completing the Lifetime Fitness Triathlon) I've made my get-home food choices based on nutrition content, storage and convenience of carry. These items are the best that I have found, to give you the most bang for your buck. None of these items are available in everyday stores, but there are items like somewhat like these, available in grocery stores, etc.

4 Protein Bars (http://www.amway.com/Shop/Product/Product.aspx/NUTRILITE-Protein-Bar-Chocolate-Delight-flavor?itemno=110536)

2 Packages Trail Mix (http://www.amway.com/Shop/Product/Product.aspx?itemno=761443)

4 Servings of Shakeology/powdered milk. (http://www.shakeology.com/web/shakeology/the-science?code=SEMB_GOOGLE_SK&s_kwcid=TC) 

All these items fit into a large ziplock bag and weigh less than 2lbs.

Water:

2 bottles drinking water

1 homemade water filter (will discuss how to make, later)

Tin can (in case water has to be boiled)
small piece of cheesecloth

You can buy water filters, but I prefer to make filters from nature because eventually, store bought filters will run their course.

Shelter:

1 pair wool socks

Beanie cap

Surgical mask

Mylar Emergency Tent

Mylar Emergency Sleeping Bag.

Ability to make shelter from items found in nature (will discuss this more at a later date)
Inflatable camping pillow. (Yes, I've included a pillow. Even in the height of a zombie apocalypse, I want to sleep semi-comfortably. This is blog IS called Survival Diva, after all.)

Fire:

Magnesium Fire Starter

Tinder (will discuss at a later date)

Protection:

Baggie of sand (carried within reach once you set out on foot, to throw in opponents eyes to buy you distraction time)

Mace (also within reach)

Sling Shot/Ammo or handgun. Or both. Whatever you prefer. If you chose a handgun, be sure to vacuum seal your extra ammo to protect it from the elements.

Knife

Medical:

Active Charcoal

Vet Wrap

Large Gauze Pads

Lightweight surgical scissors (sterile)

Rubber Gloves

Neosporin

Qtips (sterile)

Ace Bandage

Aspirin
Sunscreen

Cash:

$100 in small bills.

Map:

Map of your current area. You want knowledge of back roads, parks, etc. Do not rely on smart devices, as these may not be working in some crisis's. Have a real map.

Paracord:

This can be used for shelter or protection. I carry mine in the form of a bracelet on me at all times.

These are the contents of my GHB. All items are compartmentalized in large ziplock bags, making for easy access and long term storage.