Year: 2010

Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 30 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 between $500 and $600, 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 …


Practical and Affordable Prepping, by Steve G.

The purpose of this submission is to establish that we all have real lives to lead while we remain vigilant about all possibilities, most of which others choose to pretend away.  Money is not unlimited, and we have families and a life to lead.   These things should not be sacrificed or squandered  because we’re too captivated by a single, or favorite, survival scenario.  We need to be building happy lives and memories with our families, children, and their children, even as we remain ready for what we hope won’t happen, and may not happen. The rank and file among us …


Letter Re: Wheat Germ: Forgotten Super Food for GOOD and Long-Term Storage

Dear Editor, I am writing because I am also a beloved fan of wheat germ. Kitchen Maven already mentioned the longevity of such a food, but also the cost. I would suggest buying in bulk online. Sites like http://www.bulkfoods.com/ sell massive quantities of…well…bulk foods. A prepper can stock up on large portions of wheat germ. And for thirty-two dollars you can get twenty-five pounds of the good stuff. That translates out to a hair over 8.5 cents per serving. Sure beats out the seventy cent servings you can get from the store. The one and five pound bags are packed …


Economics and Investing:

AmEx sent this: Debts Rise, and Go Unpaid, as Bust Erodes Home Equity item: TARP Billions Shipped Overseas Can’t Halt Global Slowdown David B. suggested this article: Judge orders Wells Fargo to pay back $203 Million in fees Taleb Says Government Bonds to Collapse, Avoid Stocks. (Thanks to G.G., SurvivalBlog’s Poet Laureate, for the link.) Items from The Economatrix: Stocks Fall After Cisco Earnings, Jobless Data Jobs Picture Dims as Unemployment Claims Rise Mortgage Rates Hit 4.44% as Economy Sours Oil Price Slide Continues on Grim Economic Data Markets Dive As Depression Fears Grow Stock Market “Perfect Storm” Cuts Pension …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Sergio suggested this one: U.S. warned of threat worse than Katrina, plague, WWII; Millions could die: ‘This is clearly not something you ever want to experience’    o o o Andrew R. spotted this: Car hacks could turn commutes into a scene from Speed.    o o o Sheryl N. sent this news item: Quarter of Russian crops lost in drought, Medvedev says    o o o M.O.B. forwarded this piece from The New York Times: Judges Divided Over Rising GPS Surveillance


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“Now there was no food in all the land; for the famine was very severe, so that the land of Egypt and the land of Canaan languished by reason of the famine. And Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan, for the grain which they bought; and Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh’s house. And when the money was all spent in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came to Joseph, and said, “Give us food; why should we die …


Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 30 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 between $500 and $600, 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 …


Wheat Germ: Forgotten Super Food for GOOD and Long-Term Storage, by Kitchen Maven

2

Wheat germ is an excellent G.O.O.D. food, as well as superb for long-term prepper storage. It’s feather light, loaded with protein and healthy fats, high calorie, nutrient dense, contains a wide variety of vitamins and trace minerals, and is very filling. Wheat germ is genuinely the most nutritious cereal in the world. And per meal, it’s fairly cheap. Throw a cup of it into a Zip-Loc bag perhaps with some nuts and dried fruit. When you want to eat, add a cup of milk (or water if necessary), let it sit a minute or two, and you have a substantial …


Letter Re: Wife Rescue–Another Tale of GPS Over-Reliance in the Backcountry

Dear Editor: I am writing this hoping to let others learn from my families’ ordeal. Our summer camping trip almost became a search and rescue operation. From July 8th to the 18th, several friends and I ventured into the mountains of Arizona for a leisurely cooler [high country] camping trip. During the first half of this trip I had my three daughters with me, while my wife had stayed home near Phoenix. She planned to come up the last weekend of the camping trip as she is not a big fan of camping. I had planned ahead for her and …


Letter Re: Advice on G.O.O.D. Bags

Sir: I have a bad back and knew I would have to have more than a small back pack. So I found a game cart on eBay that will haul up to 800 lbs. It has a steel frame and two hard rubber tires (no air) on each side, a canvas sling for packing items, and only cost around $100. I can pack a lot on it in waterproof bags, cover with a tarp and bungee it down and it works great. Goes right over rocks, logs, etc with just a little help. I can push it or pull it, …


Economics and Investing:

G.G. flagged this: Californians’ income falls for first time since WWII. Also from G.G.: US Federal Reserve starts ‘QE-lite’ to placate markets. Don W. sent us this: Mexico’s Crashing Oil Industry Items from The Economatrix: Stocks Fall for Fourth Day After Retail Sales Report In a Sluggish Economic Summer, No Easy Fix Ahead Auto Sales Boost Otherwise Weak Retail Sector Aid Helps States Avoid Layoffs, But or How Long? Jobs Picture Dims as Unemployment Claims Rise Mortgage Rates Hit 4.44% As Economy Sours Oil Price Slide Continues on Grim Economic Data Markets Dive as Depression Fears Grow Stock Market “Perfect …


Odds ‘n Sods:

“Dr1” suggested an interesting instructional video on how to do evaporative cooling.    o o o Stew sent this from The Mother Earth News: How to Build a Grain Bin House.    o o o Reader R.F.J. highlighted this one: HEADS 2nd Generation Smart Concussion Sensor For Soldiers Helmets Unveiled



Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 30 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 between $500 and $600, 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 …


Effective Partner and Small Team Tactics, by Officer Tackleberry

Please consider the following scenarios: You are sitting at a table in a local restaurant with your family, significant other, and/or friend when a person enters the business and starts shooting. You are shopping with your family at Christmas time and several subjects enter the mall and start shooting. The “Crunch” has happened and it’s now full-blown TEOTWAWKI.   Looters are present and have forced their way into one of the buildings on your homestead.  The 911 system doesn’t work and the area police force is non-existent.   It’s up to you and one other person from your homestead to find the …