Pat’s Product Review: Family Grain Mill

I learned to cook out of necessity – I was raised by my grandmother, and she was one of the worse cooks, ever! However, she managed to raise 9 children and myself, but her cooking ability was lacking. So when I was quite young I started experimenting in the kitchen and learned to cook on my own. Of course, over the years, I learned a lot from other folks along the way. And, being from Chicago, and being Sicilian, I learned to cook some great Sicilian style Italian meals. My pasta sauce is next to none. Now, with that said, …


R.J.’s Book Review: Rhodes: The Race for Africa

Rhodes: The Race for Africa, by Anthony Thomas Copyright: 1996 St. Martin’s Press ISBN 0-312-16982-5 (This book was the basis for a Masterpiece Theater mini-series.) Cecil John Rhodes may be the most important man you never heard about if you were educated in the United States of America. His death in 1902 at the age of 48 was followed by the largest memorial every recorded on the continent of Africa. He expanded the British Empire more than any other man; adding almost 1 million square miles (2.6 million square kilometers). His achievement was so great a country larger than most …


A PrepperNurse Book Review: Emergency Preparedness the Right Way

Emergency Preparedness The Right Way, by Howard Godfrey ISBN:  1-4392-4478-2 When the author set out to write this book on emergency preparedness skills, he wanted it to be “not overly complicated”.  He has had many years experience in fire skills, law enforcement and the military, has taught preparedness skills and helped organize preparedness shows. With this background, he found that many of the books available were either incomplete, or attempted to be too comprehensive. He elected not to write about firearms, self-defense, nuclear, biological or chemical warfare, or medical care in detail—not because these were not valid and important subjects, …


Letter Re: Dan Fong Vindicated: The Toyota 4×4 That Wouldn’t Die

JWR, I know that you advocate American made cars and trucks for BOV purposes based on availability of parts, but I would like to share with you a three-part video series demonstrating the abuse that a Toyota 4×4 pickup truck can take and still be driven. All with only a mechanic using no specialty tools and no replacement parts. This truck was driven down stairs, lost in the Bristol Channel at high tide, driven through a shed, had a camping trailer dropped on it, hit with a wrecking ball, set on fire, and put on the top of a high …


Letter Re: Shipping Containers — A Retreat on the Cheap

James, to follow up on the recent article, here is some additional info your readers might find valuable on shipping containers for storage and housing….  We have over a dozen at our ranch that we use for storage, so I’ll share a bit about that use for containers.  These containers are the cheapest space you can “build”.  They are weatherproof, earthquake proof, will probably make it through tornados and hurricanes, in short, they are excellent all around space. If you can afford them, you should stick to the “one trip” containers because they will be in near perfect condition — …


Recipe of the Week:

Jackie and Brenda’s Venison Chili 1 ½ pounds ground venison 2 cans light red kidney beans, drained 1 Six ounce can tomato paste 1 Twenty eight ounce can crushed tomatoes 1 onion, diced Chili powder and ground red pepper, to taste.   Brown venison and onion together in large pot or Dutch oven. Add all other ingredients and cook on low heat for 1 to 1½ hours or 1½ to 2 hours if using dried beans. Chef’s Notes: Dried kidney beans can also be used but be aware that red kidney beans require longer soaking than other beans to reduce …


Economics and Investing:

Reader R.B.S. sent this: Schools Pass Debt to the Next Generation M.E.W. web-wandered into this: California Doesn’t Exist—It’s Now Two States Debt bubble amnesia – 40 percent increase of Americans with accounts in collection in the last decade. System still heavily reliant on extreme consumption. Items from The Economatrix: 2012 Gas Prices Head For Record Factory Output In U.S. Climbs As Prices Remain Tame 22 Stats That Show How The Emerging One World Economy Is Absolutely Killing American Workers The Portuguese Run Out Of Gold To Sell


Odds ‘n Sods:

In keeping with our well-entrenched philosophy of redundancy, we now have five ways to cut firewood at the Rawles Ranch: 1.) A reliable (but noisy) Stihl 024 gas engine chainsaw with a 20″ bar, 2.) An assortment of felling axes and mauls, 3.) an early-1900s vintage 1-1/2 man saw, 4.) A Makita electric chainsaw that can be powered by quiet a Yamaha 2.8 KW inverter genset carried in the back of our utility ATV, and 5.) An even smaller Black & Decker 18-Volt cordless electric chainsaw. (The latter lacks the muscle for anything more than cutting saplings or for limb …



Note from JWR:

Today we present another two entries for Round 42 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) A gift certificate worth $1,000, courtesy of Spec Ops Brand, B.) 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 C.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $350 value.) D.) a $300 gift certificate from CJL Enterprize, for …


Technology Today, by KCLO4

Let me premise this by saying I am no expert in the material I will provide. I, like most everyone on this site, is an avid hobbyist in these matters. For some background on me though, I am a Mathematics and Computer Science Major in my fourth year of college, a phone and computer enthusiast, I enjoy white hat hacking and build computers for fun. Maybe not the average prepper, but I get by. I am writing this article as I have found almost nothing on modern technology in the several blogs that I visit on a daily basis, even …


Getting On The Bandwagon — 30 Steps For Mainstream Preppers, by Boreal C.

People who are interested in preparedness seem to love lists.   So, I have compiled a list of 30 steps that may be useful for average families who don’t necessarily have a hideout in the mountains (yet).  This list is by no means all-inclusive and it presumes a basic background in preparedness.  In other words, I hope you have been reading this blog for a long time already!  I am a proud military wife and mother of two grade school students.  I have a master’s degree in chemistry.  We are just an average family trying to get by in uncertain times. …


Letter Re: Armoring an SUV?

Hello, I’m wondering what the best method is to bulletproof my inherited Jeep Grand Cherokee. I’m 16 years old and I have inherited a Jeep Grand Cherokee and I’m planning on bulletproofing it for the coming apocalypse. I was wondering what the best materials and method would be to do so and approximately how much it would cost to do so if you have any guesses. Sincerely,  – Noland JWR Replies: The proper term is “bullet resistant.” The cost of effectively armoring a car is fairly high. To have it be effective, it is not a do-it-yourself job. Either  you have …


Economics and Investing:

The Telegraph reports: Finland prepares for break-up of eurozone. (Thanks to Pierre M. for the link.) Tyler Durden: Why QE Is Not Working Also at Zero Hedge: US Treasury Admits It Conducted A Circular Ponzi Scheme For Years Wall Street’s Teflon Don Jon: Jon Corzine avoids charges Items from The Economatrix: A Surprise Economic Indicator That’s Looking Up Mish:  Syracuse, NY, Headed For Bankruptcy, 100% Certain Prepare For US and Euro Collapse:  The Next One Will Be The Big One