JWR’s Recommendations of the Week:

Here are JWR’s Recommendations of the Week for various media and tools of interest to SurvivalBlog readers. The focus is usually on emergency communications gear, bug out bag gear, books and movies–often with a tie-in to disaster preparedness, and links to “how to” self-sufficiency videos. There are also links to sources for both storage food and storage containers. You will also note an emphasis on history books and historical movies. This week the focus is on winter backpacking and other aspects of winter travel. (See the Gear & Grub section.) Books: Ultralight Winter Travel: The Ultimate Guide to Lightweight Winter …







Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — October 1, 2019

Happy birthday to singer and actress Julie Andrews (born 1935.) Her name is always associated with The Sound of Music. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we are announcing writing contest winners for Round 84, and the first entry for Round 85 We are also pleased to announce a new prize that will be included in teh Secod Prize package, satrting with Round 85. This is a $300 purchase credit for any of the products from EMPShield.com. This fine company is also a SurvivalBlog banner advertiser. Be sure to check our their growing line of ultra-fast EMP protection products for homes, …




Writing Contest Prize Winners: Round 84

Today we are announcing the prize-winning writers for Round 84 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. First Prize: First prize goes to T.R. for Build the Plan vs. Test the Plan, which was posted in five parts from August 20 to August 24, 2019.  She will receive the following prizes: A $3,000 gift certificate towards a Sol-Ark Solar Generator from Veteran owned Portable Solar LLC. The only EMP Hardened Solar Generator System available to the public. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any one, two, or three day course (a $1,095 value), A course …




SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt

This weekly column features news stories and event announcements from around the American Redoubt region. (Idaho, Montana, eastern Oregon, eastern Washington, and Wyoming.) Much of the region is also more commonly known as The Inland Northwest. We also mention companies of interest to preppers and survivalists that are located in the American Redoubt region. Today, we focus on Boise State’s leftists. (See the Idaho section.) Idaho I just heard about a fairly new gun maker called Genesis Arms, in Coeur d’Alene. They are producing a great 12 gauge semi-auto shotgun called the GEN-12, using a standard off-the shelf AR-10 lower …







Preparedness Notes for Monday — September 30, 2019

B-Day! Today, September 30th, 2019, is “B Day”: Baofeng Day. The U.S. sales ban on multi-band Baofeng UV-5R handie-talkies takes effect at midnight tonight. As of October 1st, 2019, it will be illegal to advertise or sell them. But they will still be legal to operate. Only licensed amateurs can operate on their ham bands. However, unlicensed folks can operate with them on their FRS, and MURS bands, if set to low power. Stock up! I recommend getting at least a six pack, ASAP! If those cases of six radios are sold out, then look for other UV-5R variants from …




Recipe of the Week: L.M.’s Sweet Potato Soup

Reader L.M. kindly sent us her Sweet Potato Soup recipe, one of her fall favorites. Ingredients 1 1/2 cups chopped yellow onion 1 cup roughly chopped carrots 1 tablespoon chopped garlic 3 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes 2 pounds yellow potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 1/2 teaspoons salt (can be reduced for low-salt diets) 1 teaspoon black pepper (or less, to taste) 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or less, to taste) 7 cups chicken stock 2 tablespoons salted butter Toppings 1 cup …




Economics & Investing For Preppers

Here are the latest news items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. And it bears mention that most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor, JWR. Today, we look at investing in Japanese swords. (See the Tangibles Investing section. Precious Metals: Niels Christensen: Gold’s summer rally is just the start – UBS o  o  o About 30 Killed in Landslide at Chad Gold Mine Economy & Finance: At Zero Hedge: The Collapse In Germany …










The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods:

SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods— a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper from “JWR”.  Our goal is to educate our readers, to help them to recognize emerging threats and to be better prepared for both disasters and negative societal trends. You can’t mitigate a risk if you haven’t first identified a risk. Today, we look at the Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus. Zimbabwe’s Capitol City Cuts Off Water Supply Reader Tim J. spotted this: Zimbabwe’s capital city cuts off water supply, 2M residents affected. New Oxygen-Tight Food …




The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and …




Preparedness Notes for Saturday — September 28, 2019

On September 28, 1066, William The Conqueror invaded England, landing at Pevensey Bay, Sussex. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 84  of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The more than $12,000 worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: A $3,000 gift certificate towards a Sol-Ark Solar Generator from Veteran owned Portable Solar LLC. The only EMP Hardened Solar Generator System available to the public. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any one, two, or three day course (a $1,095 value), A course certificate from onPoint Tactical for …




Editors’ Prepping Progress

To be prepared for a crisis, every Prepper must establish goals and make long-term and short-term plans. In this column, the SurvivalBlog editors review their week’s prep activities and planned prep activities for the coming week. These range from healthcare and gear purchases to gardening, ranch improvements, bug out bag fine-tuning, and food storage. This is something akin to our Retreat Owner Profiles, but written incrementally and in detail, throughout the year. We always welcome you to share your own successes and wisdom in the Comments. Let’s keep busy and be ready! Jim Reports: This week I’ve been traveling out …