Health Benefits of Freeze Drying Food [Infographic]

 

 

Click on the image for an enlarged view

Courtesy of http://www.foodinsurance.com

Implementing Long Term Food Storage Ideas for Apocalypse Survival

Learning how to store food for an apocalyptic or other emergency situation can mean the difference in whether or not you and your family are able to survive. Many respected experts recommend that you have at least a three-day supply of food and water on hand in order to help you survive the first few days of an emergency; however, with the threat of terrorism, economic problems around the world and even natural disasters that have shown it can take weeks to restore power and provide necessary provisions, taking measures to prepare for a disaster of longer duration is certainly important.

The first step in starting your own food storage program is to determine exactly what situations you want to be prepared to survive. If a natural disaster, such as a hurricane is your biggest concern, a week or two worth of food might be adequate; however, if you are preparing for an apocalyptic event such as a total collapse of society as we know it, you should be thinking about your long-term food storage options.

In order to implement long term food storage ideas, it is important to consider where you will keep your supplies. Most experts recommend dividing your food storage supplies into two or more locations to help increase your chances of being able to access your food when you need it. Additionally, protecting your food from insects, moisture and other elements that could render it useless is extremely important.

You can purchase air-tight food-grade containers that are perfect for storing grains, cereals and other food products that need protection. However, many canned goods and jarred foods can be stored in their original containers. Additionally, if you have access to a garden or you live near a "you-pick" farm, you might want to consider learning how to can some of your own produce. This can certainly help reduce the costs of acquiring an adequate long-term supply of food for your family.

Another easy way to start accumulating a supply of food is to simply pick up a few extra things every time you go to the grocery store. If you see pasta sauce or canned vegetables on sale, purchase a few extra cans and add them to your food storage supply. Most canned goods will last for many years; however, in order to keep your food not only as fresh as possible, but something your family will actually enjoy, it is important to also use it.

On a regular basis, use items from your food storage pantry. This will ensure that you keep your stock rotated. It will also help you stay familiar with the foods you have on hand and will give you an opportunity to experiment and develop tasty recipes your family will enjoy. After all, surviving an apocalyptic event by having enough food is certainly important; however, it would be nice if the food you have is also something your family will enjoy eating.

About the Guest Author

Agnes Jimenez is a professional blogger and writer. She writes for many online establishments and supports those ones that offer alternative lifestyles to consumers.  As a frugal living and self-sufficiency advocate, she recommends FoodInsurance.com for those budget conscious individuals who want to get big savings in shopping for freeze-dried foods and food storage.  You may connect with Food Insurance in Facebook.

 

Prepper Profile Part 2

So here's a low-tech version of a mind mapper tool I often use for sorting out ideas.


You can watch part 1 here that way it makes more sense to you:
http://www.apocalypsehub.com/2012/02/whats-your-prepper-profile-check-out.html

This system helps me visualize my thought process for many things so I wanted to share how it relates to my preparedness efforts.

One of the challenges of being a city prepper is the lack of square footage available that can be dedicated for storage in general. So we have to put in a lot of consideration to what enters our home as far as supplies go. Every little inch of space matters and we have to be smart and creative about our approach.

I solve this issue by minimizing and using virtual space/cloud storage for documents and books.

Minimizing
Get rid of stuff you don't use or need. It's that simple. It's a very liberating thing to do, to have less stuff. When it comes to preparedness gear, generally I like to acquire multipurpose items that don't take up too much space. The pros of minimizing: sell items you don't need or use for extra cash and free up valuable space for things that you do need.

Virtual space
What I mean by this is using portable storage devices for ebooks (great for a digital library) as well as documents. This paperless method is great for when you're a bookworm like me or if you have a lot of files. There's no reason why you can't digitize your most important documents and store them in a an SD card, flash drive, or external hard drive which you can then store in a safe or a similar device. Those things are dirt cheap these days especially the SD cards and flash drives, you just have to know where to look.

The pros of virtual storage: Space saver. Just make sure that you have a back up file for your back ups. Don't place everything in one SD card for example. Ensure that if something happens to that then you'll still have those files stashed elsewhere.

This is great for your digital library as well. Especially in conjunction with a dropbox account. My PC also came with cloud storage access which I use all the time.

You can sign up for a Dropbox account here - http://db.tt/j4WzE4i   (It's FREE)



So I encourage you to use this flow chart type of organizing your projects. It's helped me quite a bit in sorting out my often scattered thoughts.

As always, happy prepping.

Food Preservation in the Event of the Zombie Apocalypse

Note: This is a guest post by Empress of Drac

You just got home from work and turn on the news only to hear the impossible - the zombie apocalypse is upon us and everyone must be ready for the worse. Cities are in despair, and citizens are banding together in order to increase their chances of survival. There is a massive shortage of food as the days go by, and these groups of survivors are looking for anyone who has a steady supply of nourishment. You sit and wait, hoping to see a group of nomads you can join, because you have exactly what they need.

            Thanks to a change in the way you chose to purchase your groceries, you are sitting on a large supply of freeze dried food. Thanks to the research you did; you know that the best food storage is the easiest food storage. Buying freeze dried foods is a great idea to both save money and have a healthy supply of food that will last a long time in an emergency.

While the world reels from the spoiling of huge amounts of food, you and other like-minded individuals have freeze dried foods can last up to 20 years while sealed and for up to 18 months when opened. Once the power went out, you had nourishment that would sustain you for a long time without the need for electricity to prepare it. This made freeze dried better than any other food alternatives. 

You also know that it only takes a little bit of water to reconstitute the freeze dried foods, so it won’t put too much of a dent in the ration of water you have. The foods are also packaged in the prime of their nutritional value, so once they are ready to eat; you are still getting all the vitamins and minerals that the foods would offer if they were fresh. Stocking up on freeze dried foods instead of store bought gives you a much better option to save money and provide comfort in the event of an emergency. Now that the zombie apocalypse has hit, it’s a good thing you made the switch; you can trade access to your food supply for the safety from the roving bands of humans.

Freeze dried foods can provide a healthy, cheaper alternative to purchasing foods in the grocery store. They can also provide the needed currency to save your life in the event of the zombie apocalypse. Either way, freeze dried foods are a good investment.

     

 

Book review: When All Hell Breaks Loose by Cody Lundin

With topics such as starting fires, purifying water, finding/catching/preparing food, first-aid, shelter, hygiene, proper burial among many other covered. It’s a very thorough book, topic-wise. It was almost too overwhelming for a noob to read. It’s my own fault for trying to read it from beginning to end as it were fiction. This is more of a reference book really and should be read as such.

I love that it’s written in a straight-forward manner that any average civilian could understand – you don’t have to be a hard-core survivalist to comprehend any of its content. His overall tone is pretty laid-back and fun which made it a quick and easy read for the most part. It’s peppered with humorous illustrations throughout as well (which was sometimes distracting). The best part about this guide is how it’s not focused on buying cool camping and survival gear. The projects he mentions are usually low-budget or no-budget at all (you may already have the materials in your home).

I came across Cody Lundin’s name after scanning for books to review for this site – he has a survival show (available on Netflix) which I’ve been meaning to watch. If I’m going to learn from someone, it might as well be from an expert who lives, breathes, and teaches this way of life.

Tons of info here for those seeking out a starting point. I actually read the e-book version of this which is perfectly fine, but I think this is one of those books that would be better off sitting in your shelf as a reference.

You’d probably get more enjoyment and use out of this if your preparedness and survivalist skillset is in the beginner or intermediate. Also good for the casual read.

Definitely a great addition to any prepper library. 4 out of 5 stars.

Reasons Why Everybody Needs a First-Aid Kit

Note: This entry is a guest post by one of the cool people from GuestPostU.

First aid kits are important for everyone to have. Whether you are going camping, going on long bike rides, or just having one in your house or car. Being prepared for whatever strikes is so important, no matter your age or activities. First aid kits can help with burns, cuts, poisoning, and even broken limbs. When buying a first aid kit, it would be best to open it up, and get an idea of what it has. If there are items missing that may be handy for you, it would be best to add them. Also, if need be, put the first aid kit into a container that protects it from water.

Isolation
Having a first aid kit is important for anyone that goes on long trips far from civilization. This is because it may be difficult to find a doctor, or a store that has the items you need. Sometimes while camping it may be difficult to find aspirin or splints for an injury. Any camper or backpacker should certainly have a first aid kit.

Money
Having a first aid kit can be a large money saver, this is because a first aid kit can help avoid visits to doctors. Many small injuries and ailments can simply be fixed if you have the necessary medicine or first aid item. Emergency room visits can be expensive especially when hospitals or doctors are out of your insurance network. Having the necessary equipment will save you a lot of money.

Kids
If you have kids, or watch kids, they are going to get into trouble. Kids are always getting cut up, or getting into things they should not. Having a kit available can help fix the small problems they get into. Of course, large injuries may need a doctor to fix. But any small scrape or cut can be fixed by a first aid kit.

Liability
In this day and age, it is a good idea to of course, avoid liability. Having a first aid kid can help save lives. If people are injured at your house, having a first aid kit can fix them up. Sadly, in this day in age, many people sue homeowners when they get hurt at someones house.

Acts of Nature
Sometimes hurricanes or tornadoes or other natural disasters will hit. It is important to have some kind of kit to help in case of injury. This is because during a natural disaster, local and state government agencies may not be able to assist quickly. Not only that, but fixing small problems on your own can free them up so they can help people in life and death situations.

A first aid kit can be a life saver, the great thing is you can buy one or make your own. It is very important to make sure it has all you need for your specific needs. Many people who hike out in the wilderness may put more anti venom items in their kit. People with kids may want to look at putting more band-aids in their kit. It is important to open it up every few months to make sure nothing has expired. A first aid kid may truly be a life saver. Or at least get you out of an uncomfortable situation.



Retta Gilbert writes about safety, privacy & the importance of a criminal background check.
--
Guest Post U
The University of Great Content

What's Your Prepper Profile? (Check out this method I use)

Latest vid in which I use mind-mapping software to organize my thoughts on projects. It's applicable to pretty much everything including prepping. Feel free to use this method - if you want to share your results with me that's cool too.

This is a rather rudimentary version, something I just put together in a couple of minutes...but it works. I plan on expanding on each component to further drill down into a more focused area.

As I've mentioned in the screencast this rather simplistic analysis method has actually helped me figure out a more concrete goal as far as preparedness efforts.

Without revealing too much, the one main component that dictates what I can or can't do currently is location:

We are city / urban, apartment dwellers (for now).

Which means unless there's mandatory evacuation in a major emergency situation we're pretty much gonna be holed in and hunkered down right here.

The need for an evac bag is still there but I need to devote some time with the "Get Home Bag / Kit"

It also poses a challenge to storage space availability.

Current goals in a nutshell:
1. To acquire skills, knowledge
2. Experiment with storage solutions
3. To acquire multifunctional, versatile gear

Will keep informal updates as I go forward with this.

Deconstructing a Safe Room (infographic)

Hello again ApocalypseHub-bers - hope your holidays and New Year's celebrations went well, Happy 2012 by the way. Back to the swing of things up here.

Here's a cool infographic on deconstructing safe rooms created by the good folks at Allstate. (Thanks for the tip Brittney!)

This has some really good general tips on location and supplies. If you already have a binder where you keep your checklists and additional resources, this image might be a good one to print out and keep especially if you have younger children in the home - visuals work best when teaching them about emergency preparedness.
 


Very important safety issue: There is one thing I want to point out - it says that you should have a generator in your safe room. We don't have a generator (yet) but you really shouldn't be running that indoors (carbon monoxide poisoning, fire hazard, among other things).

Storage in safe room: yes. Usage of generator in safe room: NO

So please don't take this as the ultimate guide, do educate yourselves of proper usage and maintenance of equipment and such.





Created by Allstate Extreme Conditions

We have a fully finished basement that would serve this purpose. We don't walk around calling it a "safe room" but it can certainly function as one. There are additional areas in the building that can be used in this manner as well depending on the type of emergency.

If you already have a safe room/s set up or in the process of getting one together, I'd love to hear from you.

Newbie Prepper Progress Report

Switching it up a bit and trying out something new here in which I go over what I've done so far as a newbie prepper. 


I'm starting a new Twitter hashtag for it for those who want to follow and join in.

#newprepper

Even with the last two weeks being more hectic than usual I've managed to get some things sorted out.

Being new to prepping, I had to set some short term goals (6 months). Here's pretty much how I broke it down.

1) Acquire new skills
   - read
   - learn
   - then put into practical application

2) Put together an emergency medical kit (we already have a rudimentary kit put together, which definitely needs to be improved upon)

3) Customize my EDC (everyday carry), BOB (bug out bag), BOV (Bug Out Vehicle), and our bug-in supplies.


I currently have a very basic EDC. Also a bugging-in emergency kit/supply is already in place. I just need to expand on it.

Food and water supply is not too bad, we tend to be always well-stocked, I just need to see if it's well-balanced supply.

Some things I have to keep in mind as I go about this:
storage space, budget allocation, and time constraints - I'll try to address each one in a future post.

What I've done so far in the last couple of weeks:

• Created a reading list related to this site and uploaded it to my Kindle app. I'll post reviews of it here as I finish them.
• Started decluttering one of the hallway closets. I've moved one of the supply bins down to where it's easily accessible. 
• Started putting together a binder for important documents which I'll end up digitizing for multiple backups
• Purchased a wet/dry shop vac to clean up both vehicles as well as a larger storage area in the basement.

So that's where I am right now. I think it's a good idea to track your progress for any endeavor since it helps put everything into perspective. See what works and see what doesn't as you learn from it all.



-----
As for this site, it's continuously evolving. I hope to do a major overhaul in the near future (target date is approx. 2-3 mos.)

• For now, a few small additions: A food storage calculator. 
• A Favicon (it's that little square that shows up next to the url when you bookmark a site or on the actual web browser tab - you can also see it if you add my blog to your google reader).
• Added a link exchange page: If you have a site that you think is relevant for apocalypse hub send me an email with a link to your site so I can check it out.

Survival Emergency Plan: Water Purification

Water is the most crucial element for staying alive. It's more important than food.

Everyone must have enough safe drinking water, which generally means one gallon per person per day. Needs will differ according to age, physical condition, lifestyle and climate.

This doesn't include water for cooking, bathing, washing dishes and clothes, and pets or other animals. Large dogs may need as much as a gallon a day, while cats can do well with just a pint a day. If you have other livestock your water needs obviously soar. But in that case, water taken directly from a river or stream, without purification, will probably be okay.

Untreated water straight from the tap should keep for six months when stored in clean, durable containers. However, it must be changed periodically. Bacteria-free water, which means treatment with bleach or other compounds, will keep up to several years. Heat, light, deterioration of the container and other factors can cut this figure substantially.

Water should be stored as far as possible from paint and petroleum-based products, acids or anything with strong odors such as fertilizer or common household cleaning solutions. Lower-grade containers are permeable to certain gases and should be avoided whenever possible.

You'll need to locate at least one other water source, since even several hundred gallons of stored water won't last long. Assume any water not stored or purchased is contaminated, especially in perilous or unstable times. A mountain stream could look pristine, but still be polluted.

If you can find only marginal water, first strain the debris through a paper towel, clean cloth or coffee filter, then use one of the following methods.

Boiling

Short of using a very high-quality water filter, this is the most reliable method for killing microbes and parasites. Bring water to a rolling boil and keep it simmering for at least several minutes. Add one minute of boiling to the initial 10 minutes for every 1,000 feet above sea level. Cover the pot to shorten boiling time and conserve fuel.
Liquid chlorine bleach

Use 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite that is free of soap or phosphates. To treat one gallon of water, add eight drops (1/8 teaspoon) of bleach to clear water and 16 drops (1/4 teaspoon) to cloudy water.

When purifying five gallons, add 32 drops (1/2 teaspoon) to clear water or 64 drops (one teaspoon) to cloudy water. By purifying a larger quantity of water, you will cut bleach usage 20 percent over the one gallon at a time method. After treating with chlorine, mix well and allow the water to stand for 30 minutes before using. An eye dropper can be used to measure the dosage.

Bleach that is more than a year old loses approximately half its potency. Adjust the dosage accordingly.
 

Dry chlorine

Also known as calcium hypochlorite, it is used primarily in swimming pools. Since it is a powder, it has the significant benefit of extended shelf life. Dry chlorine may be stored for up to 10 years with minimal degradation if it is kept dry, cool and in an airtight container.

This is a far better choice for quantity storage than liquid bleach. Dry chlorine is commonly available at swimming pool supply stores as well as many hardware and grocery stores.

For chlorinating water in rain tanks, the recommended dosage is seven grams dry (1/4 ounce by weight) or 40 milliliters (1.35 ounce) per 1000 liters (264 gallons). Let the water stand for 24 hours before drinking. To maintain chlorination, add one gram (.035 ounce) of dry chlorine or 4 ml (.135 ounce) weekly per 1,000 liters.
Iodine

If no instructions are provided on the bottle, use 12 drops per gallon of water. Increase the dosage if the water is of dubious quality. Mix well and allow the water to stand for 30 minutes before using. Iodine does have an unpleasant aftertaste.

Hydrogen peroxide

This is a suitable disinfectant, as it oxidizes the water. Peroxide degrades even more rapidly than chlorine, and it needs to be kept in a dark bottle that blocks out sunlight. Potency could be an issue if it has been stored for a long period.

Testing for peroxide residual levels is more difficult than testing for chlorine content. Residuals need to be measured to ensure that disinfection is thorough.

The bacteria content of your water source is a major factor to monitor. There are various methods for testing the bacteriological level, but measuring residual levels is a much simpler task.

"Residual" is what remains from the original dosage. For example, if one cup of water has 20 parts per million of impurities in it, the disinfectant dosage needs to be at least 20 PPM but no more than 25 PPM to prevent ill effects. A dosage of 23 PPM of the active chlorine content will have a 3 PPM free residual while showing a 23 PPM total chlorine level.

Peroxide would potentially have the benefit of breaking down to oxygen and water, but its use is also made more difficult by that tendency.

A common calculation for daily usage is the required dosage in parts per million times the volume treated in gallons divided by 120,000, which is a constant number. This will give you the number of pounds needed for a particular dosage.
Purification tablets

They are either iodine or chlorine based. One or two tablets will purify a quart of water depending on the contamination level and length of time allowed for treated water to stand. Follow instructions on the package. These tablets are among the more convenient and affordable ways to purify water. Not every brand of purification products (especially iodine tablets) will kill giardia.

Stabilized oxygen

People who have used this method generally prefer it to chlorine or iodine. Both treatments have shown some side effects if used for an extended period of time, and iodine and chlorine give water an off taste. Stabilized oxygen doesn't have side effects or add unpleasant flavors to water, and it also offers health benefits.

For long-term storage, treat one gallon of chlorinated water by adding 10 drops of stabilized oxygen. Add 20 drops if the water hasn't been chlorinated. Use five to 20 drops per eight-ounce cup of giardia-contaminated water.

Stabilized oxygen is the new kid on the block in water purification, so it isn't as widely known as other methods. Among the chlorine dioxide (a form of stabilized oxygen) products on the market are Aerox, Genesis 1000, Dynamo 2, Aerobic 07 and Aquagen.


 
Water purifying units

There are literally dozens of units on the market. Some are designed for campers, while others are made to be installed on household plumbing.

If you plan to rely heavily on a water filter for purification during a crisis, choosing the right one will be a vital decision. Durability, dependability and a company's track record are important factors to consider. "Test drive" the unit to see how easy or strenuous it is to pump. Ease of use should be a high priority for anyone with limited strength or physical ailments.

What is the average water output? This is especially important for families or groups. Will this filter eliminate giardia and bacteria? Don't assume that the filter you choose will be 100 percent effective.

Can the filter handle the really nasty stuff - stagnant, muddy, even brackish water? Are replacement elements and parts easy to locate?

How often does the filter have to be replaced? Sporting goods and camping stores as well as a number of discount stores and mail-order firms offer water filters.

One model to consider is the Swiss-made Katadyn. Although it isn't cheap, the Katadyn is popular with serious outdoorsmen, Third World travelers and others who frequently deal with polluted water. To improve the taste of treated and stored water, pour the liquid from one clean container to another several times. This will help re-oxygenate the water and remove some of the "blah" effect that comes with long-term storage.

Click image to see large version

Bugging In Idea for Preppers - Infographic: How to Build A Panic Room

I was looking through various infographics (because they're an excellent way of presenting new ideas and data), and I happen to stumble upon this.

It's by ADT (home security company). 

Emergency Kit for Winter Power Outage

With the early winter peeking its head here in the northeast, we're already getting some supplies stocked up as well as replenishing our emergency kit. With the possibility of extreme weather conditions, you just never know when a power outage will happen.

I still remember the record breaking snow accumulations from last year. The roads were completely impassable - hell, you can barely walk a few houses down. People were running out of places to dump the shoveled snow. Pipes were freezing and when the snow did start to melt the basement would flood. Fun times.

As for the emergency plan, of course, this'll vary depending on your situation as well as location. Either way here are some useful things to keep handy for the winter season with a power outage specifically in mind

• A battery or hand cranked powered radio (to keep track of weather reports, emergency information,) flashlights, and plenty of batteries.
• Plenty of extra blankets and towels (you can use the towels to seal up any drafts from windows and doors to keep heat in)
• Paper plates, plastic utensils - you won't have to use up stored water for cleanup
• Fill spare containers with water for washing, and plenty of bottled water – one gallon per person per day (Most emergency preparedness experts recommend having at least a three-day supply on hand.)
• non-perishable food items, along with a manual hand opener for canned food.
• first aid kit - always keep in mind any special medical & dietary needs of those in your household. 
• If you have a fireplace, be sure to have enough wood stocked up someplace safe from the elements
• a firestarter - you'd be surprised how easily you can forget the little things such as matches and lighters.
• a pack of cards / boardgame for entertainment (esp. if you have kids)
• Shovels and plenty of sidewalk salt (ice melter)
• Don't forget about supplies for your pets as well.

You can pretty much place most of these in a centralized location and the smaller items can be kept in a footlocker or a plastic bin where it's easily accessible.

During outage:

Dress for the season, wearing several layers of loose fitting, lightweight, warm clothing, rather than one layer of heavy clothing. The outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent

 

Avoid drinking coffee and/or alcohol - will promote dehydration & chills

Wear a hat since most body heat is lost through the top of the head

 

You can always use the snow as an extra temporary water source or to keep items from your fridge cold (place in ice chest/cooler)

Before an outage:

It's always good to anticipate potential problems so in addition to stocking up you might also want to

prepare one or two rooms to be your hub. By that I mean setting it up in a way that it's the most insulated spot in the house prior to any major snow storms. You can do this by hanging up thick drapes in front of the windows. You can even add additional weather stripping. Keep the area/s clutter free - easier to move furniture around and set up sleeping arrangements.

 

Know where your primary and secondary water valves are in case you have to shut it off. It's always a good idea to shut off the pipes that are leading out to external fixtures (back yard or side of the house). 

If your water supply could be affected (a well-water pump system), fill your bathtub and spare containers with water. Water in the bathtub should be used for sanitation purposes only, not as drinking water. Pouring a pail of water from the tub directly into the bowl can flush a toilet.

 

Set your refrigerator and freezer to their coldest settings (remember to reset them back to normal once power is restored). During an outage, do not open the refrigerator or freezer door. Food can stay cold in a full refrigerator for up to 24 hours, and in a well-packed freezer for 48 hours (24 hours if it is half-packed).

 

If you have medication that requires refrigeration (such as insulin), check with your pharmacist for guidance on proper storage during an extended outage.

 

Review the process for manually operating an electric garage door. (Not that you'll be able to pull the car out but it's still good to know how to do this.)

To prevent water pipes from freezing, keep faucets turned on slightly so that water drips from the tap

 

**********

Our experience with a winter power outage: Rural setting

Middle of a harsh winter in the hill country of Texas - it's not so much the accumulation of snow that was hazardous, it was the fact that everything outside had iced over.  Thankfully we had a wood-burning fireplace then and we stocked up on a lot of wood. 

You can never have enough firewood and kindling. 

The pipes didn't freeze but we were pretty much homebound for several days.

We ended up filling up some bins with water in case the pipes freeze. 

We had plenty of food so that wasn't an issue. 

The main issue was keeping warm. The house wasn't well insulated so keeping the heat in and the cold out was the challenge. We turned the family room as the main hub since the fireplace was there.

 

It took maybe 3-4 days until power was back on. 

So this year, since we're now in a metropolitan urban setting with no fireplace, our current emergency kit / plan reflects that. 

Hope that helps and be safe.