Month: November 2010

The Boy Scouts and You, by Eagle Scout

What’s a great program that’s been around for 100 years and teaches self-reliance, outdoor skills and citizenship? The Boy Scouts of America of course! I joined the Cub Scouts in the 2nd grade. In 5th grade I graduated to the Boy Scouts. I was no longer a “cubby”. I had joined the big boys. I then spent the next 7 years in the Scouting program before achieving the rank of Eagle Scout and turning 18 years old. A little history into the Scouting program… Founded in England in 1907 by Robert Baden-Powell, Scouting sprang from Baden-Powell’s time in the Boer …


David in Israel: Off The Grid Cooking

David in Israel Re: Off The Grid Cooking James: Since storage food for us is just our daily staples bought and stored in bulk we use pressure cookers for most stovetop cooking instead of a regular pot to save time and fuel. There is no reason to waste hours of fuel simmering or stewing and evaporating that heat into steam when you can keep that thermal energy in your pressure cooker and also be done in under an hour by raising the cooking temp to around 250F. I have had the chance to use a Fagor brand pressure cooker and …


Letter Re: Shelf Reliance Storage Foods at Costco

Dear Editor, I know that some preppers are not all that excited about this concept but here goes anyway: Costco has a “deal” right now for a four year supply of food for one person – or one year for four people, divide it as you want – for $3,000 delivered. This is only $2.05 per day to feed each adult. The food itself is all sealed inside #10 (gallon sized) cans and has a shelf life of at least 10 years – maybe 20 years. The variety in the food package is good.  Shelf Reliance in Utah is the source. …


Letter Re: Constructing an Aboveground “Root Cellar” in Florida

Jim: In regards to running a small “window” air conditioning unit off of a solar powered system, I can convey some of my experiences. I have a total of 3,160 watts of solar panel power on the roof; about 1,700 watts feeds my 24 volt DC “house” system (mostly lights, computer, entertainment system, ½ of the kitchen outlets, and the fridge) while the remaining panels are wired for a totally separate 48 volt DC water heater system. Two 2,500/5,000 (peak) watt inverters are used for each system, each “slaved” to the other of the same voltage to synchronize the alternating …


Economics and Investing:

G.G. sent this: List of Problem Banks Grows Despite Solid Net Income Is the gold market setting up ETFs for chaos? China, Russia Quit Dollar The Fed QE2 Saga Continues Items from The Economatrix: Silver Shortages Accelerate as Wholesale Supplies Plunge   October New Home Sales Drop 8.1%, Prices Fall   Caterpillar Issues First Note in Chinese Currency   Corporations Show Largest Profits In History Amidst Jobs Crisis  


Odds ‘n Sods:

What separates humans from lemmings? Not much, evidently: Fear of bridge collapse set off Cambodia stampede. The death toll was more than 350. This, by the way, isn’t an isolated incident. For example, see this article from 2006, and this one from 2004.    o o o John B. spotted this: Obama’s Jeffersonian Muslim Revisionist Lie.    o o o It is not preparedness related, but watching the Gray Eagles P-51 Mustang video put a lump in my throat. (Thanks to Steve S. for sending the link.) I would have loved to have seen some details on how the wrecked …



Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 31 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round will include: First Prize: A.) A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses. (Excluding those restricted for military or government teams.) Three day onPoint courses normally cost $795, and B.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees, in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $392 value.) C.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $275 value), D.) A 500 round case of Fiocchi 9mm Parabellum …


An Adequate Bug Out Vehicle (BOV), by Ed in Kentucky

A really tough Bug Out Vehicle (BOV) can be quite expensive, and possibly beyond most people’s ability to acquire and prepare. One also needs to ask how “serious” of a BOV can he/she actually afford to buy, maintain, and insure ? BOVs can be viewed as being on a scale of 1 to 10 .. a Yugo being perhaps a 1, and a specially designed “escape” vehicle being perhaps a 10. It’s probably true that situations most likely to happen, can be handled by a BOV in the 4 – 6 range on that scale. These would be some things …


Letter Re: Question on Low Oxygen Food Storage Packing

Mr. Rawles,   I have been looking around and have found sites for procuring nitrogen packed foods as well as read your books on how to do the same. One question keeps popping into mind is this: By using five gallon [HDPE plastic] buckets, once opened how long before the food stuffs go bad? Would it be wiser or more advantageous to pack in smaller containers to as not to risk spoilage?   I have searched your blog but have not been able to find the answer.   Thank you in advance, – James M. JWR Replies: Your question is …


Letter Re: Square Foot Gardening

Hello James,   I have not tried to start a vegetable garden yet, but am planning to this coming spring.  I’m not known for having a green thumb.  So much to read and research. But winter has officially arrived, so it looks like I’ve got some time before things thaw out!    That said, I found an interesting article that explains the benefits of Square Foot Gardening.  Looks like a great way to maximize the usable space for growing, as well as making the plants  more accessible for care and harvesting.  Plus it looks easy; on the wallet and to build.    …



Economics and Investing:

Fierce Finance reports: Private-label MBS debt looms as huge risk Ireland’s unfolding crisis may be followed soon by Portugal, and then Spain and Italy. That many sovereign debt failures would spell the end of the Euro. If the Euro collapses it might cause a temporary jump in the value of the US Dollar, and a corresponding drop in precious metals (at least in Dollar terms.) That dip may be the last chance to buy silver before it vaults into $50+ territory. Robert Rubin: “US In Terribly Dangerous Territory,” Bond Market May Be Headed For “Implosion” Meredith Whitney sees 5,000 bank …


Inflation Watch:

Record-High Turkey Prices Are Just the Beginning. “Currently, wholesale prices are hovering around $1.09 per pound, the highest they’ve ever reached. This represents a 28% increase over 2009’s prices and a 37% increase over 2008’s. The BHO Administration still claims that inflation is low. Yeah, right. The 2010 list price shows that a standard blue steel Colt M1911 .45 automatic is now $919. (Or $950 for stainless steel.) I can only wonder what the 2011 prices will be. Certainly not lower. For comparison, in the early 1960s a standard blue steel Colt M1911 sold for around $60. But by the …


Odds ‘n Sods:

JRH Enterprises is extending their annual Black Friday sale through Saturday, with sale prices on many items including new Third Generation AN/PVS-14 night vision units as low as $2,895. I can attest from my own experience that you will not be disappointed with these scopes, when used either hand-held or mounted on a rifle.    o o o Cheryl N. (a.k.a. The Economatrix) sent this: Survival, Evasion…Vacation?      o o o Emergency Essentials has announced a big one-day “Black Friday” sale with bargain prices on storage foods, wheat grinders, and more.    o o o In The Daily Bell: …