Year: 2016

“So Tell Me Again…”- Part 3, by M.P.

What Dehydrated Foods Can Be Stored in a Single Half-Gallon Jar Below I’ve listed some of the quantities of dehydrated foods you can expect to store in a single half-gallon jar. Some may really surprise you, as it did me. Also, I don’t use Mylar for any dehydrated items, because I want to extract the most air possible for the longest shelf-life. With only a couple of exceptions, I use one-half gallon jars exclusively. So here we go: Mixed Veggies— Frozen from the store, 10 lbs. That’s ten packages of the old 16-ounce bags! Carrots— Frozen from the store or …


Letter Re: Christian Health Care

JWR: I am not a spokesman for any health care provider, but I have had experience with one! Regarding the postings on Christian Health Care sharing programs, I have to weigh in. My wife is a member of the Christian Health Care Ministries program and has been for about three years. She selected a mid-level program and we just bite the bullet and make the monthly payments without fail, as hard as it sometimes is. Living in the Pacific Northwest/American Redoubt, we were not sure of available providers that would accept CHM, but we were in for a surprise! About …


Economics and Investing:

Marc Faber Issues A Stunning Warning That A Gigantic 50 Percent Stock Market Crash Could Be Coming – B.B. o o o BOJ review likely to defend massive stimulus program – sources o o o In recovering housing market, the starter home remains elusive o o o Venezuela Has But One Choice: Capitalism or Chaos o o o China Food Inflation Looms As Ag Output Set To Plunge Most In 50 Years Amid Historic ‘La Nina’ – H.L. o o o SurvivalBlog and its editors are not paid investment counselors or advisers. Please see our Provisos page for details.


Odds ‘n Sods:

These Gun Owners Are Least Likely Criminals, Report Finds. Comparing crimes committed by CCW permit holders, cops, and the general public – R. o o o Here’s How A US-China War Could Play Out – H.L. o o o Hacker demonstrates how voting machines can be compromised – B.B. o o o While the EEOC is considering that the Gadsen Flag is racist, The Navy says it’s OK on their uniforms: “popular “Don’t Tread on Me” and reverse U.S. flag patches are now authorized, at the discretion of the commander, on NWU Type II and III uniforms” – Perhaps the …



Notes for Wednesday – August 10, 2016

On October 10th, 1984, Red Dawn, the first PG-13 rated movie, starring Patrick Swayze was released. The movie (the 1984 original, not the 2012 remake) is a favorite of both JWR and HJL, and the characters that the movie is about embody the independent, indomitable spirit that created this country. o o o Today, we present another entry for Round 66 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The nearly $12,000 worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: A Tactical Self-Contained 2-Series Solar Power Generator system from Always Empowered. This compact starter power system is packaged in a wheeled …


“So Tell Me Again…”- Part 2, by M.P.

After a year-and-a-half using the mason jars and oxygen absorbers I did another test. In every category it was like I had dehydrated yesterday. The food had good flavor, nice texture, and little to no recognizable difference between fresh, so the system was clearly working. Take-away #4. Another valuable lesson was in the rehydrating process. I found that none of the typical recommendations of two, three, or four hours soaking was sufficient to bring vegetables back up to full hydration. Twelve to twenty–four hours gave an almost undetectable difference to their original state. Broccoli oddly enough took the longest, coming …


Letter Re: Christian Medical Sharing Ministries

Hugh: In response to a recent contributor’s comments on health care sharing ministries, I want to add my biased take. (Full disclosure, I am a member sponsor for Liberty HealthShare, meaning I make some money by referring people to their programs. However, I do recommend any of the various major health sharing ministries– Liberty, Samaritan, Medi-Share, and Christian Healthcare Ministries. I think most people will have a good experience with any of them, so long as they are properly informed and know what to expect.) The big concern raised in the recent post was that it might be difficult to …


Economics and Investing:

The worst place in the world to bank o o o Social Security’s looming $32 trillion shortfall – B.B. o o o 30 Years After The Disaster: Ukraine Plans Huge Solar Farm In Chernobyl – Perhaps the most well-known site of a nuclear disaster in the world, Chernobyl is now the location for an ambitious solar project. o o o The Minimum Wage: Taking Away the Right to Work o o o SurvivalBlog and its editors are not paid investment counselors or advisers. Please see our Provisos page for details.


Readers’ Recommendations of the Week:

Reader T.J. recommended these books for your prepping library: ARRL’s Low Power Communications: The Art and Science of QRP, by Richard H. Arland, ARRL’s Wire Antenna Classics, by ARRL Inc., US Marines’ Field Antenna Handbook, MCRP 6-22D, Antenna Handbook, by US Marine Corps, o o o G.W. suggested The Unthinkable: Who Survives When Disaster Strikes – and Why


Odds ‘n Sods:

Over at Sipsey Street Irregulars: The venerable Woobie and GI Poncho JWR Adds: If you can afford a few extra bucks, the Wiggy’s Improved Poncho Liner is pretty close to perfection. And it is American made. (In Colorado.) o o o Harvard Study: 6 Million Americans’ Drinking Water Contaminated With Toxins – K.C. o o o Lobbying arm for refugee resettlement contractors wants US to take 200,000 refugees in FY2017 – B.B. o o o FBI Agent Goaded Garland Shooter To “Tear Up Texas,” Raising New Alarms About Bureau’s Methods – B.F. o o o Turkey: Headless Military, Confused Foreign …



Notes for Tuesday – August 09, 2016

August 9th, 1831was the birthday of James Paris Lee (August 9, 1831 – February 24, 1904). He was a Scottish-Canadian and later American inventor and arms designer, best known for inventing the bolt action that led to the Lee-Metford and Lee-Enfield series of rifles. o o o Today, we present another entry for Round 65 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The nearly $12,000 worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: A Tactical Self-Contained 2-Series Solar Power Generator system from Always Empowered. This compact starter power system is packaged in a wheeled O.D. green EMP-shielded Pelican hard case …


“So Tell Me Again…”- Part 1, by M.P.

During the course of arising out of my slumber these past seven years to the fact that our country has taken a historic and possibly terminal change for the worse, I’ve noticed there seems to be stages of awaking from that long-winters-nap, for those of us fortunate enough to have had such an experience. Personally, as I look back I consider it to be a God thing– where I was, where I am now, and how the journey has transpired. And when I finally started moving on my new-found convictions, I, like most others, felt one of my first priorities …


Letter: Christian Medical Sharing Ministries

Hello Hugh, Some time ago I read about Christian medical sharing ministries on SurvivalBlog. (My Experience in Expatriating to Panama, by Chuck Holton) I am retiring early at 61 due to a medical condition, and not wanting to use Obamacare I thought I had found my solution. I joined Liberty Health Share after researching them. They tell you they will help you establish a connection between them and your doctor. You fill out a form detailing your doctor’s office and send it back to Liberty. They then send correspondence to your doctor’s office. If your doctor does not respond to …