Odds ‘n Sods:

We’re All Criminals and Outlaws in the Eyes of the American Police State. – H.L.

o o o

Open Carry Activist Takes a Bold Stand Against County Ordinance… and Wins. – JBG

While The Blaze declares the activist a winner, I’m not so sure. The officer still escalated immediately with no consequences for his actions. At a minimum, the officer deserves a reprimand for such severe escalation right up front. That’s part of the police state mentality problem and how innocent people get killed.

o o o

Armed Liberians ‘Poison’ Wells Killing Villagers under Pretext of Epidemic. – T.P.

o o o

BLM, local law enforcement tensions near breaking point in the West. – B.B.

o o o

Pastors to defy IRS snoops by daring them to place them under arrest. – B.B.

Why wait for an “annual” day. Every day should be a “first amendment” day! This is nothing more than an attempt, by those who are deep in sin, to silence God.

Hugh’s Quote of the Day:

“In all our associations; in all our agreements let us never lose sight of this fundamental maxim – that all power was originally lodged in, and consequently is derived from, the people.” – George Mason.

Notes for Wednesday – August 06, 2014

SurvivalBlog picked up another sponsor for the non-fiction writing contest. Montie Gear is donating a Y-Shot Slingshot and a Locking Rifle Rack (a $379 value), bringing the grand total of Round 54 prizes to over $12,400!

Make sure you get your entry to us, so you can be eligible for these fantastic prizes!

o o o

Today we present another entry for Round 54 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $12,000+ worth of prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate, good for any one, two, or three course (a $1,195 value),
  2. 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,
  3. DRD Tactical is providing a 5.56 NATO QD Billet upper with a hammer forged, chromlined barrel and a hardcase to go with your own AR lower. It will allow any standard AR type rifle to have quick change barrel which can be assembled in less then 1 minute without the use of any tools and a compact carry capability in a hard case or 3-day pack (an $1,100 value),
  4. Gun Mag Warehouseis providing 30 DMPS AR-15 .223/5.56 30 Round Gray Mil Spec w/ Magpul Follower Magazines (a value of $448.95) and a Gun Mag Warehouse T-Shirt. An equivalent prize will be awarded for residents in states with magazine restrictions.
  5. Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  6. A $300 gift certificate from CJL Enterprize, for any of their military surplus gear,
  7. A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $300 value),
  8. A $300 gift certificate from Freeze Dry Guy,
  9. A $250 gift certificate from Sunflower Ammo,
  10. A roll of $10 face value in pre-1965 U.S. 90% silver quarters, courtesy of GoldAndSilverOnline.com, (currently valued at around $180 postpaid),
  11. Both VPN tunnel and DigitalSafe annual subscriptions from Privacy Abroad (a combined value of $195),
  12. KellyKettleUSA.com is donating both an AquaBrick water filtration kit and a Stainless Medium Scout Kelly Kettle Complete Kit with a combined retail value of $304,
  13. TexasgiBrass.com is providing a $300 gift certificate.

Second Prize:

  1. A Glock form factor SIRT laser training pistol and a SIRT AR-15/M4 Laser Training Bolt, courtesy of Next Level Training, which have a combined retail value of $589,
  2. A FloJak EarthStraw “Code Red” 100-foot well pump system (a $500 value), courtesy of FloJak.com,
  3. Acorn Supplies is donating a Deluxe Food Storage Survival Kit with a retail value of $350,
  4. The Ark Instituteis donating a non-GMO, non-hybrid vegetable seed package–enough for two families of four, seed storage materials, a CD-ROM of Geri Guidetti’s book “Build Your Ark! How to Prepare for Self Reliance in Uncertain Times”, and two bottles of Potassium Iodate– a $325 retail value,
  5. $300 worth of ammo from Patriot Firearms and Munitions. (They also offer a 10% discount for all SurvivalBlog readers with coupon code SVB10P),
  6. A $250 gift card from Emergency Essentials,
  7. Twenty Five books, of the winners choice, of any books published by PrepperPress.com (a $270 value),
  8. Two cases of meals, Ready to Eat (MREs), courtesy of CampingSurvival.com (a $180 value),
  9. Dri-Harvestfoods.com in Bozeman, Montana is providing a prize bundle with Beans, Buttermilk Powder, Montana Hard Red Wheat, Drink Mixes, and White Rice, valued at $333,
  10. TexasgiBrass.com is providing a $150 gift certificate,
  11. Organized Prepper is providing a $500 gift certificate, and
  12. RepackBoxis providing a $300 gift certificate to their site.

Third Prize:

  1. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  2. A large handmade clothes drying rack, a washboard, and a Homesteading for Beginners DVD, all courtesy of The Homestead Store, with a combined value of $206,
  3. Expanded sets of both washable feminine pads and liners, donated by Naturally Cozy (a $185 retail value),
  4. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security,
  5. Mayflower Trading is donating a $200 gift certificate for homesteading appliances,
  6. Ambra Le Roy Medical Products in North Carolina is donating a bundle of their traditional wound care and first aid supplies, with a value of $208, and
  7. APEX Gun Parts is donating a $250 purchase credit, and
  8. SurvivalBased.com is donating a $500 gift certificate to their store.
  9. Montie Gearis donating a Y-Shot Slingshot and a Locking Rifle Rack. (a $379 value).

Round 54 ends on September 30st, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.

Food Less Fortified: Vitamins in a Time of Grid-Down Existence – Part II, by PA Jes

Today, we’ll conclude the article reviewing the vitamin situation in a SHTF scenario and how to provide our body with necessary vitamins without bottled vitamins or vitamin-enriched foods. Vitamins D, vitamin C, vitamin A, and vitamin E are reviewed in Part 1, so go back and read it if you missed it yesterday.

Vitamin K

Vitamin K is necessary for the body to produce blood clots. Blood clots are the body’s method to control bleeding. Without enough vitamin K, people could easily bleed to death. Worldwide, vitamin K deficiency is a major cause of death in newborns, a result of uncontrollable bleeding. In adults, vitamin K deficiency is uncommon because it is both present in green leafy vegetables and in our own guts, as our microbes actually synthesize a type of vitamin K.

In a SHTF scenario, the biggest risk for vitamin K deficiency is in babies who are exclusively breast fed, as human milk lacks adequate vitamin K. In developed countries, newborns are given vitamin K soon after birth. Infant formula also contains vitamin K. There are no clear guidelines for giving babies vitamin K via dietary means, in the absence of infant vitamin K supplements. In theory, a combination of human milk with an occasional bottle of infant formula (if available) would certainly help maintain healthy vitamin K levels (as well as vitamin D). A review of published literature revealed a report of babies being given some cow’s milk within the first few days of life for its vitamin K content; however, there are known risks with cow’s milk, such as the inability for babies to digest it and the resultant stress on the GI tract, liver, and kidneys. Parents and health care providers would need to weigh the risks versus benefits on a case by case basis. Preppers who plan to procreate, or who will barter with people with babies, may consider storing infant formula. The powdered variety takes less space and may have a longer shelf life than the liquid.

Thiamin (vitamin B1)

Thiamin may be the most important nutrient to consider in a long-term SHTF scenario. Thiamin is widely available in many foods and aids our metabolism process. It is found in almost every living thing. It can be found in:

  • Whole-grain foods,
  • Meat/fish/poultry/eggs,
  • Milk (animal and human),
  • Vegetables (green, leafy vegetables; beets; and potatoes),
  • Legumes (lentils, soybeans, nuts, and seeds), and
  • Orange and tomato juices.

Thiamin deficiency, called beriberi, is commonly due to a diet of highly-refined carbohydrates (such as white rice, white flour, white sugar) in developing countries, especially in Asia. In the U.S., it is sometimes seen in severe alcoholism. Symptoms include neuropathy in the feet and hands, leg swelling, heart failure, acute dementia, and sudden death. Early thiamin deficiency (low levels in the body without frank symptoms of beriberi) is sometimes seen in people who consume excessive amounts of carbonated drinks and refined sugars without a varied diet. Historically, it was also seen in epidemic proportions in populations with rations of refined flour, such as sailors and prisoners. Even today, beriberi is seen in refugee camps with populations dependent on international food aid. Infantile beriberi is the most significant deadly form of malnutrition for babies who are breastfed. It is directly related to the thiamin content of the mother, and is prevented by adequate thiamine intake by the mom. Beriberi has very high death rates, but if it is recognized, it can be treated by eating thiamine-rich foods.

In TEOTWAWKI, having a varied diet that is not fully reliant upon refined rice or refined wheat will prevent beriberi. Preppers who have stored primarily white rice and white flour may find themselves at risk. If the SHTF leads to refugee camps in the U.S., beriberi can become epidemic to those survivors.

Some cooking techniques to prevent thiamin losses during food preparation include:

  • Use the minimum amount of water for the preparation of vegetables.
  • Cook for the minimum amount of time possible; a high temperature for a short time is preferable. Cover the pot with a lid to shorten cooking time.
  • Wash vegetables before cutting them.
  • If possible, rice should not be washed before cooking. If necessary, only rinse once with a little cold water.
  • Do not cook rice with excess water that needs to be discarded.
  • Use parboiled rice, where available.

Niacin (Vitamin B3)

Niacin is vital in cell metabolism. Because tryptophan can be metabolized to niacin, foods rich in tryptophan (dairy products) can compensate for inadequate dietary niacin. Breads, cereals, and pastas have been enriched with niacin in the U.S. for many years. Natural food sources include red meat, fish, poultry, and peanuts. It is recommended that adults ingest 14-16 mg of niacin per day.

Dietary niacin deficiency leads to a condition called pellagra. Currently, pellagra occurs in countries, such as India, where maize (Indian corn) is a primary staple in the diet (although the niacin in maize becomes absorbable, if it is first treated with an alkali). In the 1800s, pellagra was common among poor Americans, whose diets consisted mostly of corn, molasses, and salt pork, which are poor sources of niacin. Symptoms of pellagra include “the three Ds”– dermatitis (rash-especially in sun-exposed skin); diarrhea; and dementia (as well as other widespread neurologic problems). If diagnosed, the condition can be treated by adding niacin to the diet. It should be noted that high doses of niacin supplements can be toxic. In a SHTF scenario, a varied diet that includes red meats, poultry, or dairy should provide adequate niacin.

Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6 is involved with hundreds of types on enzyme activities, especially protein metabolism. It is found in a wide variety of foods, such as beef liver and other organ meats, beef, poultry, starchy vegetables, and some non-citrus fruits. Given the wide variety of dietary sources, it is unlikely the B6 deficiency would be problematic when SHTF in the absence of an underlying medical cause of deficiency, such as malabsorption syndromes.

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is a nutrient that is found in animal products but not plant products. It is necessary for healthy red blood cells and nerve tissue. Deficiency can cause a type of anemia, rendering the person very weak and fatigued, or nerve tissue damage, such as numbness, movement problems, and dementia, which can be irreversible, if the deficiency is not corrected. B12 deficiency is a component of pernicious anemia (a medical condition where the gut cannot absorb B12), and post-surgical malabsorption. These medical conditions are beyond the scope of this article.

Healthy intake for kids is 0.4 to 1.8 mcg, depending on the age of the child. Adults should take 2.4 mcg daily. Pregnant or breastfeeding mothers, however, need 2.8 mcg so that an adequate amount is passed to the baby. Vitamin deficiency in babies can cause permanent nerve damage and death. Common natural sources of vitamin B12 include:

  • Beef liver and clams (best sources of vitamin B12)
  • Fish, meat, poultry, eggs, and milk

Some breakfast cereals are fortified with vitamin B12, which is one way that many vegetarians are able to consume adequate B12 amounts. However, strict vegetarians and vegans are otherwise unable to obtain B12, unless they take supplements. When SHTF and the bottles of vitamins run out, listen to your body: use your canine teeth (eat meat).

Folate

Folate or folic acid (a form of folate found in supplements and enriched cereals and grains) is a water soluble B-vitamin that is important for DNA synthesis. It has been proven that deficiency just before and during early pregnancy can cause brain and spinal cord birth defects in the baby. As a result, the U.S. began a cereal and grain fortification program in 1998, which was a success in reducing folate deficiencies in the U.S. Adults should take 400 mcg per day.

Folate comes naturally from a variety of foods, such as vegetables (especially dark green leafy vegetables), fruits, nuts, beans, peas, dairy products, poultry and meat, eggs, seafood, and grains (see Table 3). Prolonged cooking destroys folate.

Table 3.Folate Content in Selected Foods (Recommendation is 400 mcg daily for adults)

Food

Mcg of Folate

Beef liver, braised, 3 oz

215

Spinach, boiled, ½ cup

131

Rice, white, medium-grain, cooked, ½ cup

90

Tomato juice, canned, ¾ cup

36

Chicken breast, roasted, ½ breast

3

Folate deficiency in expectant mothers can lead to spinal cord defects. It can also cause anemia, skin changes, and mouth ulcers. The groups most at risk for deficiency are young women and alcoholics. In a SHTF scenario, folate deficiencies could re-emerge as the fortified grains and cereals become scarce. A varied diet, however, may be all that is needed to maintain adequate folate levels. In the meantime, “eat your Wheaties.”

Iodine

Iodine deficiency is the single biggest cause of mental retardation in the world. Iodine deficiency is not currently a problem in North America, although it once was (and it could be again). Recent reports suggest that in the U.S., many young women have levels that are considered borderline iodine-deficient. For maintenance of normal thyroid function, the recommended daily intake of iodine for adult women is 150–300 µg; for men, it is somewhat less at 150 µg. Pregnant and lactating women must maintain healthy iodine levels, as iodine is passed into breast milk.

The body uses iodine to make thyroid hormones, which are critical for metabolism and many normal functions. In fetuses and infants, deficiency causes mental retardation, growth stunting, and delayed sexual maturation. In adults, deficiency can lead to thyroid goiters—swollen thyroids—that may lead to hypothyroidism. It can also contribute to cystic breasts in women, and possibly breast cancer.

Iodine is a mineral, typically found in the soil and water of coastal areas. Seaweed is one of the best food sources of iodine. Iodine deficiency is most problematic in extreme inland regions without access to seafood (mountainous or desert regions). In the U.S., the proclaimed “goiter belt” includes the great lakes region, Appalachia, and Northwestern states, which are particularly notorious for having poor iodine levels in the soil.

The iodine levels in plants is determined by the iodine content of the soil. The iodine content in meat is thereby determined by the iodine content in the animal feed, and the content in the feed is determined by the content in the soil in which it grows. Iodine deficiency in the U.S. was mostly corrected in the early 1900s with iodized salt (table salt). Many American’s eat processed foods that contain excessive amounts of salt, and it should be noted that this salt is typically NOT iodized.

Dairy and grain products are the major contributors of iodine to the American diet. Iodine is present in cow’s milk, primarily because of iodine in the sanitation agents used in dairies, and iodine in the feed. In a world without those sanitation practices, cow milk will cease to be a good source of iodine. Fruits and vegetables contain iodine, but the amount varies depending on the iodine content of the soil and fertilizer. Furthermore, not all table salt is iodized, and not all multivitamins contain iodine (or list kelp); therefore, labels should be read to determine content.

So what happens when the trucks stop rolling? Once the supplies run out, one could theorize that we will slowly return to the state of iodine regionalization that was present pre-1920s, with the resurgence of the goiter belt in the U.S. Iodized salt, when stored properly, can last indefinitely. One solution for goiter belt inhabitants is to store plenty of iodized salt and simply sprinkle a dash of iodized table salt on dinner. Of note, a few health conditions have specific warnings about excessive salt intake, most notably is congestive heart failure.

Summary

Malnutrition is clearly a risk for even the most carefully prepared individuals, largely due to regionalization of available foods. Appropriate preparations can be taken simply with awareness of the risks inherent to one’s location. To conclude this somewhat complicated topic, below is a list of the “Top Ten Food for Thought when SHTF” (with a dash of tongue in cheek):

10. Don’t get burned; get a tan for vitamin D.

9. People living in cold-winter regions or who decide to become pirates, will need a source of fruit and vegetables year ’round (particularly to prevent scurvy).

8. Popeye had it right: eat spinach, which contains folate, vitamin C, and other good treats.

7. In the absence of vitamin supplements, people will need to use both their canine teeth and their molars. (Eat both meat and plants, ensuring vitamin B12 and other goodies in the diet.)

6. Less is more. Don’t overdo fat-soluble vitamin supplements, as they may be toxic when overdosed.

5. As your mother told you, eat your carrots for maintaining quality eyesight (and vitamin A).

4. A diet of white flour and white rice is not as good as it tastes. Beriberi is not fun… and don’t be a refugee.

3. Goiter belt residents can go pound salt—check your salt stores, and make sure you have plenty of the iodized variety.

2. Breastfeeding is the best food for babies, hands down, but an occasional bottle of formula for junior is a good idea for reproducing preppers.

1. TEOTWAWKI is not a place for gender equality: If propagation of future generations is a priority, give the young women, particularly pregnant and breastfeeding women, a larger portion of the vitamin stock.

Sources:

  • Wagner CL, Hulsey TC, Fanning D, Ebeling M, Hollis BW. “High-dose vitamin D3 supplementation in a cohort of breastfeeding mothers and their infants: a 6-month follow-up pilot study” Breastfeed Med. 2006 Summer;1(2):59-70.
  • U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service.2011. USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 24. Nutrient Data Laboratory Home Page, http://www.ars.usda.gov/ba/bhnrc/ndlexternal link icon. Accessed June 13, 2014. National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements.http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/. Accessed June 20-July 26, 2014. CDC Online Newsroom.http://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2012/p0402_vitamins_nutrients.html. Accessed July 16, 2014
  • Winkler, Sarah.  “Are carrots really good for your eyesight?”  19 August 2009.  HowStuffWorks.com. <http://health.howstuffworks.com/human-body/systems/eye/carrots-eyesight.htm>  17 July 2014.
  • Leung, A, Braverman, and Pearce, E. “History of U.S. Iodine Fortification and Supplementation”Nutrients.Nov 2012; 4(11): 1740–1746.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3509517/. Accessed July 23, 2014.
  • The Merck Manual for Health Care Professionals. “Vitamin K.” http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/nutritional_disorders/. Accessed July 26, 2014.
  • Victora, C and Van Haecke, P. “Vitamin K prophylaxis in less developed countries: policy issues and relevance to breastfeeding promotion.” Am J Public Health. 1998 February; 88(2): 203–209.
  • Prinzo, Z. “Thiamine deficiencyand its prevention and control in major emergencies.” World Health Organization, 1999. http://www.who.int/nutrition/publications/en/thiamine_in_emergencies_eng.pdf. Accessed July 25, 2014.

Letter Re: Killing, Death, and Dying

HJL,

The article speaks to human nature. Being tough in a vaguely dangerous situation is easy, being tough in a moderately dangerous combat situation, like Fallujah, is a bit harder, but being tough as the first dude onto the beaches of Normandy would be truly tough. I can only imagine that level of violence. Don’t kid yourself thinking that sitting in a leather recliner watching Tom Hanks in Saving Private Ryan makes you understand. Nevertheless, can you or I prepare ourselves to the best of our individual ability for that type of event? Yes, as previously discussed.

Regardless of mental and physical training and preparation, some people are not meant for battle, in my opinion. What if you know you are not a fighter? The sight of blood makes you pass out, you react to being scared by curling up into the fetal position, loud noises frighten you, or your simply too old or injured. I would say try to train yourself out of those weaknesses to the largest degree possible, so that in the event you are confronted with said fear, you can be somewhat useful, even if you cannot teach yourself to embrace the fear and turn it into drive that propels you into the fight. If you cannot develop a combat mindset, it does not make you worthless; you just need to find another purpose. Perhaps you can hack into computers like mad? Perhaps you can hide things/people? Perhaps you can make hydro power plants? If you are a fighter and have a potentially MORE useful purpose, maybe that should be your primary? A good ER doc would be more useful in that role then standing post, right? That is not at all to say he should not be somewhat capable of standing post; he most definitely should, as well as he should have a combat mindset so when somebody comes into his house to take him away, he goes out with a fight of some sort.

My first deployment as a Marine grunt was pretty boring: the occasional mortar attack, shooting, or IED attack was all we had until we started Phantom Fury. Those small events do not truly bring out the best or the worst in most. Why not? Because the level of violence being sent your way is really minimal, when you think about it. Combat is 99% sitting around waiting for something. Such wait times have a great way of making people very complacent. The general attitude of the U.S. is complacency– nothing will ever happen to the U.S. because we have been doing well for so long. Bring that down to an individual level, with you standing watch for hours on end in a cold little OP. You may never see a thing! In regards to standing post, besides self-discipline, shorter watch times can mitigate some of the laziness that will result from not seeing anything besides birds and trees on every shift. Keep that in mind, please. – Anonymous

Odds ‘n Sods:

Video & Text: Obama’s FBI to hire firm to rate ‘positive’ and ‘negative’ stories about the agency – T.P.

o o o

Camping Survival is offering free shipping on Wise Food through August 6. Don’t miss it!

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The Drought Apocalypse Approaches as the Colorado River Basin Dries Up. – P.M.

o o o

Connecticut Supreme Court Says State Cops Can Detain You Simply For Being In The Vicinity Of Someone They’re Arresting. – B.B.

o o o

This shot reminded me of the boat chase scene in JWR’s novel “Survivors”. It described how one of the characters practiced long-range pistol shooting such as this. Jerry Miculek 1000 yard 9mm revolver shot

Hugh’s Quote of the Day:

“Of Law there can be no less acknowledged than that her seat is the bosom of God, her voice the harmony of the world. All things in heaven and earth do her homage,—the very least as feeling her care, and the greatest as not exempted from her power.” – Richard Hooker

Notes for Tuesday – August 05, 2014

August 5th is the sad anniversary of the Mann Gulch Fire in Montana that took the lives of 13 firefighters, including 12 smokejumpers and one former smokejumper, in 1949. The intense, fast-moving forest fire took place in what later became the Gates of the Mountains Wilderness. The events of that fire were chronicled in the book Young Men and Fire by Norman Maclean and immortalized in the haunting lyrics of the ballad Cold Missouri Waters by James Keelaghan.

o o o

Today, we present another entry for Round 54 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $12,000+ worth of prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate, good for any one, two, or three course (a $1,195 value),
  2. 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,
  3. DRD Tactical is providing a 5.56 NATO QD Billet upper with a hammer forged, chromlined barrel and a hardcase to go with your own AR lower. It will allow any standard AR type rifle to have quick change barrel which can be assembled in less then 1 minute without the use of any tools and a compact carry capability in a hard case or 3-day pack (an $1,100 value),
  4. Gun Mag Warehouseis providing 30 DMPS AR-15 .223/5.56 30 Round Gray Mil Spec w/ Magpul Follower Magazines (a value of $448.95) and a Gun Mag Warehouse T-Shirt. An equivalent prize will be awarded for residents in states with magazine restrictions.
  5. Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  6. A $300 gift certificate from CJL Enterprize, for any of their military surplus gear,
  7. A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $300 value),
  8. A $300 gift certificate from Freeze Dry Guy,
  9. A $250 gift certificate from Sunflower Ammo,
  10. A roll of $10 face value in pre-1965 U.S. 90% silver quarters, courtesy of GoldAndSilverOnline.com, (currently valued at around $180 postpaid),
  11. Both VPN tunnel and DigitalSafe annual subscriptions from Privacy Abroad (a combined value of $195),
  12. KellyKettleUSA.com is donating both an AquaBrick water filtration kit and a Stainless Medium Scout Kelly Kettle Complete Kit with a combined retail value of $304,
  13. TexasgiBrass.com is providing a $300 gift certificate.

Second Prize:

  1. A Glock form factor SIRT laser training pistol and a SIRT AR-15/M4 Laser Training Bolt, courtesy of Next Level Training, which have a combined retail value of $589,
  2. A FloJak EarthStraw “Code Red” 100-foot well pump system (a $500 value), courtesy of FloJak.com,
  3. Acorn Supplies is donating a Deluxe Food Storage Survival Kit with a retail value of $350,
  4. The Ark Instituteis donating a non-GMO, non-hybrid vegetable seed package–enough for two families of four, seed storage materials, a CD-ROM of Geri Guidetti’s book “Build Your Ark! How to Prepare for Self Reliance in Uncertain Times”, and two bottles of Potassium Iodate– a $325 retail value,
  5. $300 worth of ammo from Patriot Firearms and Munitions. (They also offer a 10% discount for all SurvivalBlog readers with coupon code SVB10P),
  6. A $250 gift card from Emergency Essentials,
  7. Twenty Five books, of the winners choice, of any books published by PrepperPress.com (a $270 value),
  8. Two cases of meals, Ready to Eat (MREs), courtesy of CampingSurvival.com (a $180 value),
  9. Dri-Harvestfoods.com in Bozeman, Montana is providing a prize bundle with Beans, Buttermilk Powder, Montana Hard Red Wheat, Drink Mixes, and White Rice, valued at $333,
  10. TexasgiBrass.com is providing a $150 gift certificate,
  11. Organized Prepper is providing a $500 gift certificate, and
  12. RepackBoxis providing a $300 gift certificate to their site.

Third Prize:

  1. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  2. A large handmade clothes drying rack, a washboard, and a Homesteading for Beginners DVD, all courtesy of The Homestead Store, with a combined value of $206,
  3. Expanded sets of both washable feminine pads and liners, donated by Naturally Cozy (a $185 retail value),
  4. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security,
  5. Mayflower Trading is donating a $200 gift certificate for homesteading appliances,
  6. Ambra Le Roy Medical Products in North Carolina is donating a bundle of their traditional wound care and first aid supplies, with a value of $208, and
  7. APEX Gun Parts is donating a $250 purchase credit, and
  8. SurvivalBased.com is donating a $500 gift certificate to their store.

Round 54 ends on September 30st, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.

Food Less Fortified: Vitamins in a Time of Grid-Down Existence Part I, by PA Jes

TEOTWAWKI can take on many forms. This article is directed towards those who will transition (or already have transitioned) to locally-grown, seasonal, and non-processed (non-vitamin-fortified) food. This includes food produced as a result of homesteading, self-sufficient living, or surviving in a situation where trucks stop stocking supermarkets with vitamin-fortified food, multivitamins, Florida oranges, ocean tuna, and so on. Will America regress to a level of malnutrition typically seen in a third world county? This article is written to be a practical guide to surviving in a vitamin-deficient world, describing some of the key vitamins and their respective government-directed fortification in our foods, and what would happen if those fortification programs, including the delivery of such foods, were to become compromised.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that will be hard to come by after the bottled variety runs out. It is found naturally in only a few foods, such as fish-liver oils, fatty fishes like tuna and salmon, some mushrooms, beef liver, and egg yolks (in small amounts). Vitamin D is also synthesized by the skin during exposure to ultraviolet light. Research suggests it would take 15-30 minutes of sun exposure, twice a week, to the arms and legs or back to synthesize sufficient amounts of vitamin D. Also, people with darker skin pigments tend to synthesize less vitamin D.

Vitamin D is essential for good bone health, and it may help strengthen muscles and protect against cancer and diabetes. Furthermore, calcium absorption in the gut requires adequate vitamin D levels. In the 1930s, a milk fortification program was initiated in the U.S. to help combat rickets, which was a major public health problem at the time. Today, the program has helped ensure that rickets is now quite uncommon in the U.S. and Canada. What happens when fortification programs like these cease to exist in our diets?

Low levels of vitamin D can also lead to osteomalacia (the weakening of bones) in adults. Despite the success of milk fortification in children, many U.S. adults are currently vitamin D deficient to some degree. The current recommendation is that all individuals should receive 400IU of vitamin D per day.

So what happens when TEOTWAWKI and the multivitamin bottles run out? Humans will eventually readjust to getting our vitamin D from sunlight and unfortified foods. Listed in the table below is the vitamin D content in some of the better food sources of the vitamin. As food sources of vitamin D are scarce, access to these dietary staples will be critical, particularly in a situation where sunlight exposure must be limited.

Table 1. Vitamin D content in food: (400IU of Vitamin D is recommended for adults daily)

Food

IUs per Serving

Cod liver oil, 1 tablespoon

1,360

Swordfish, cooked, 3 oz

566

Salmon, cooked 3 oz

447

Tuna, canned in water, drained, 3 oz

154

Sardines, canned in oil, drained, 2 sardines

46

Egg yolk

46

Beef liver, 3 oz

11

In the SHTF scenario, breastfeeding will likely become a staple once again, once infant formula runs out. Despite the plethora of benefits, human milk is usually inadequate to supply the infant with adequate amounts of vitamin D. Current recommendations include giving exclusively breastfed infants supplements of vitamin D, although this liquid formulation may be difficult to attain in a grid-down scenario. The degree of vitamin D in breast milk is largely dependent upon the serum concentrations in the mother. Actively supplementing the mother with the right foods and sunlight will certainly help with this endeavor. Studies have shown that maternal intake of 400IU per day was grossly inadequate to produce effective vitamin D in breast milk. However, mothers who take high doses of vitamin D during breastfeeding (6000IU) were successful in maintaining their own vitamin D stores and producing adequate levels in breast milk. Campaigns to reduce skin cancer have lead to mothers either avoiding sun exposure or using sunblock and clothing to greatly reduce it. In a prolonged grid-down scenario, mothers will need to re-evaluate the risks and benefits of short duration sun exposure (15-30 min per day, without getting sunburn) when dietary sources of vitamin D are hard to attain.

Prepper literature has often mentioned the risk of toxicity in some fat-soluble vitamins. Vitamin D toxicity is highly unlikely from dietary consumption, even with fortification programs. Sunlight will not lead to toxicity, as the body naturally reduces synthesis as adequate levels are achieved. However, excessive supplement usage certainly can lead to toxicity. Toxic levels are possible in infants taking greater than 1000IU per day, kids taking greater than 2500IU per day, and adults taking more than 4000IU daily on a chronic basis. In adults, 10,000 IU daily markedly increases toxicity risk.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that is naturally present in some foods. Humans cannot synthesize vitamin C, so it must be consumed. It is required for the synthesis of collagen (making it critical for wound healing) and is an essential component of connective tissue. Also, it is an important antioxidant, as vitamin C plays an important role in immune function. Most adults and teens should consume 50-90 mg per day, although women who are breastfeeding need approximately 120 mg per day, since vitamin C is passed through to breast milk.

A lack of vitamin C causes scurvy, which is historically associated with pirates. This disease was problematic for centuries, particularly for campaigning soldiers and for sailors who would go several months at sea, eating exclusively salted meats and grains (sound familiar to some preppers out there?) as opposed to foods containing vitamin C. In the 18th century, more British solders died from scurvy than from enemy engagement.

Scurvy usually begins within one month of vitamin C deficiency and progresses so quickly that death can occur just a few months later. Scurvy symptoms begin with extreme fatigue. Next, spots appear on the legs and the gums begin to bleed. As the disease advances, open wounds develop, teeth fall out, extreme muscle weakness occurs, and ultimately, it results in death.

Most vitamin C is available in the American diet through fruits and vegetables, especially citrus fruits, tomatoes, peppers, and potatoes (see table 2). Breakfast cereals are sometimes fortified with vitamin C, although grains do not naturally contain vitamin C. Prolonged storage and cooking reduces the vitamin C content of food. Steaming may lessen cooking losses. Cow’s milk has very small amounts of Vitamin C, and this amount becomes negligible during the heating involved in pasteurization.

Table 2. Vitamin C Content in Foods: (most adults require 50-90 mg daily)

Food

Mg per serving

Sweet red pepper, ½ cup

95

Orange juice, ¾ cup

93

Orange, 1

70

Broccoli, cooked, 1 cup

51

Tomato juice, ¾ cup

34

Baked potato, 1 medium

17

Spinach, cooked, ½ cup

9

In a TEOTWAWKI, canned fruits and vegetables, as well as supplements, can provide necessary vitamin C for quite some time. However, as one transitions to a local food commerce, regional variations will emerge. Oranges and orange juice will become a rare commodity for northern inhabitants. Colder-climate winters without canned fruits or vegetables will likely result in regional scurvy symptoms. The prepared family would learn about the fruits and vegetables that can be harvested in their local region and develop a way to harvest and store these items over the winter season. When prepping for a prolonged grid-down scenario, pantry items to consider stocking include both canned tomatoes and potatoes. In warmer months, dandelions are also a great source of Vitamin C. Be sure to remember that breastfeeding will provide infants with adequate vitamin C (if the mother consumes enough herself); evaporated milk and cows milk, however, lack vitamin C and would not serve as an effective substitute for human breastmilk.

Vitamin A

Are carrots really good for eyesight? During WWII, British propaganda indicated that fighter pilot John “Cats’ Eyes” Cunningham thanked a steady diet of carrots for his nighttime flying prowess. (In reality, the propaganda was meant to conceal the use of radar.) Carrots won’t help to make one’s vision better, but the lack of vitamin A is certainly harmful for eye health. Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that is important for maintaining normal vision, balancing the immune system, reproducing, and preserving healthy organ function.

Vitamin A is found in meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, fruits, vegetables, and other plant-based products. The most common type of vitamin A in foods and dietary supplements is beta-carotene. The FDA has established a vitamin A Daily Value (DV) of 5,000 IU from a varied diet of both plant and animal foods. Vitamin A is added to some foods, such as milk and cereal. Common sources of vitamin A include:

  • Beef liver and other organ meats,
  • Some types of fish, such as salmon,
  • Green leafy vegetables and other green, orange, and yellow vegetables, such as broccoli, carrots, and squash,
  • Tomato products,
  • Fruits, including cantaloupe, apricots, and mangos, and
  • Dairy products (cow’s milk has some vitamin A, but it is also fortified).

Vitamin A deficiency is currently rare in the U.S., although it is quite common in third-world countries. The most common symptom of vitamin A deficiency is an eye condition called xerophthalmia, which begins as night blindness and can cause complete blindness if untreated. Moreover, a vitamin A deficiency is the leading cause of blindness in kids.

What happens in a prolonged TEOTWAWKI? In the absence of fortified foods (primarily fortified milk and cereals), a vitamin A deficiency would be rare, if there is still access to meat, diary, and vegetables. A deficiency is most likely to occur in people who use grains as their diet’s staple. People at highest risk for deficiency are infants, children, breastfeeding moms, and anyone with chronic diarrhea. Therefore, preppers should ensure their preps contain more than just grains.

As a fat-soluble vitamin, vitamin A is harmful if taken in excess, although it is dependent upon the quantity and rapidity of the intake. Overdose typically occurs in the setting of excessive vitamin A supplements. It has also been reported following sudden, yet excessive intakes of the natural vitamin, as with Arctic explorers who ate polar bear liver. Chronic intakes of excess vitamin A lead to increased intracranial pressure, liver damage, dizziness, nausea, headaches, skin irritation, pain in joints and bones, coma, and even death. Therefore, when you slay the neighborhood polar bear, leave the liver for the birds.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that is an important antioxidant found in many types of food. As such, deficiencies are very rare. Most deficiencies occur in people with digestive tract diseases where they are unable to absorb fats. Many advocate that vitamin E supplements are good for heart disease, immune system, cancer prevention, and dementia. Research studies have largely debunked the heart disease claim, and the other conditions have variable results with inconclusive data.

Vegetable oils, like wheat germ and sunflower oils, and nuts and seeds are among the best sources of vitamin E. Corn and soybean oils also provide some vitamin E. Green vegetables, such as spinach and broccoli, provide some vitamin E. Many of our processed foods are fortified with vitamin E, but vitamin E deficiency is not as likely in a SHTF scenario, when compared to other vitamin deficiencies.

In Part 2 of this article, I’ll continue to go over the essential vitamins and their sources and wrap it up with a summary that includes the “Top Ten Food for Thought”.

Letter Re: Disinfecting Your Drinking Water

2

Hugh,

I have noticed over the years that when I read about water purification during bad times that Calcium Hypochlorite is mentioned as the way to go for storage and use. Typically, it is suggested to buy an abundance of the material so one can be charitable and pass out small plastic bags of the chemical with instructions for its use to purify water. I’ve never before seen simple and concise instructions that ANYONE could understand for treating drinking water with Calcium Hypochlorite.

Using what I’ve gleaned from the Internet, with numerous revisions, I believe I have the information that one would need to properly use the Calcium Hypochlorite for water purification all here. “Calcium Hypochlorite” is one of the best chemical disinfectants for water, much better than household bleach. It destroys a variety of disease-causing organisms, including bacteria, yeast, fungus, spores, and viruses and is much more stable than liquid chlorine.

How to Disinfect Water Using “Calcium Hypochlorite”

Using granular Calcium Hypochlorite to disinfect water is a two-step process. “Mix only in a Plastic or Glass container, NOT METAL!!”

  • To make a stock of liquid chlorine solution: dissolve 1 heaping teaspoon (about one-quarter of an ounce) of high-test (70%) granular calcium hypochlorite for each two gallons (eight liters) of water. (This liquid mixture is the stock that you will use to treat your drinking water.)
  • To disinfect water, add one part of the liquid chlorine solution to 100 parts water to be treated; stir thoroughly with clean wooden or plastic spoon until hypochlorite crystals dissolve.
  • Example: 6 oz of liquid solution treats about 4.75 gallons of water in a five gallon bucket. (4.75 gal = 608 oz. of water)
  • Let the mixture sit at least 30 minutes or more before use.

Be sure to ration the dry granular calcium hypochlorite, since once it is made into a liquid solution, it will begin to degrade and eventually become useless as a disinfectant. This means you should make your liquid chlorine solution in small batches, enough for just a few weeks at a time.

An advantage of using calcium hypochlorite to disinfect water is that a little goes a very long way. A 1-pound bag of calcium hypochlorite in granular form will treat up to 10,000 gallons of drinking water.

Just remember:

  • 1 cup or 1/2 pint=8oz;
  • 1 pint=16oz;
  • 1 quart=32oz;
  • ½ gal=64oz;
  • 1 gal=128oz;
  • 12.5 gal=1600oz

– Yukon Jon

News From The American Redoubt:

Any qualified church pastors who are considering relocating to the American Redoubt should do some searching at ChurchJobFinder and similar web sites.

For example, some churches in the Redoubt that are looking for full-time pastors include:

River of Life Christian Center, Payette, Idaho (Youth Pastor)

Cody Bible Church, Cody Wyoming (Associate Pastor)

Three Lakes Community Bible Church, Troy Montana (Pastor)

First Baptist Church, Boardman, Oregon (Worship Arts Pastor)

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Community paramedic program helps reduce 911 calls. – RBS

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Man charged after police see YouTube video

Odds ‘n Sods:

Change you can believe in: More Companies Closing Than Opening in USA… Why It’s Worrying That U.S. Companies Are Getting Older. – G.P.

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Video and text: Former Border Patrol agent warns what’s coming– UPDATED – D.A.

An interesting premise that the Ebola outbreak in Africa is being used to distract the U.S. populace from what is going on at the U.S. border and something far more dangerous entering our country, including other infectious diseases and criminals and why our government is helping and hiding these dangers.

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Man admits he stuck needles in fresh meat at Belleville supermarket. – T.P.

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An interesting concept on planting a garden: The Secret to Building a Salad Keyhole Garden. – G.C.

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Southwest Fresno leaders criticize hiring of white teacher for Gaston school’s cultural studies. – P.M.