Continued from here.
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The Advance Auto stores in our area are selling 5 gallon buckets for $3.97 No lids of course, but these would be nice to have for collecting grey water and moving collected water around.
Got a document safe today - went to the hardware store and had them cut a 12″ length of 1.5″ PVC pipe. Glued end cap on one end and screw collar and cap on the other. I’ve finished copying all insurance policies, pet vax records and microship numbers and will start on financial and medical next. The safe is relatively waterproof and fits in my backpack to have the info handy in case I get moved from one mass shelter to another.
Got a document safe today - went to the hardware store and had them cut a 12″ length of 1.5″ PVC pipe. Glued end cap on one end and screw collar and cap on the other. I’ve finished copying all insurance policies, pet vax records and microship numbers and will start on financial and medical next. The safe is relatively waterproof and fits in my backpack to have the info handy in case I get moved from one mass shelter to another.
dammit!
That is a really good idea!
Just a quick note for those prepping their tool box:
There are only two tools necessary---Duct Tape and WD-40.
If it sticks, but shouldn’t, use WD-40
If it doesn’t stick, but should, use Duct Tape.
Water question - I have been saving my 2 liters mainly (since learning milk jugs will keep bacteria from the milk). Anyone think it is still worth keeping the clenained out milk jugs for any type of water storage? Trying to think of what I could use water full of milk-bacteria for…..
amak – at 13:48 How about flushing the toilet?
2beans that is a great idea, thanks
Hillbilly Bill - I thought about that & that was the only use I could think of offhand. (But then that brings to the forefront again the reminder I need to find the threads talking about sewage/plumbing… cuz if the toilets aren’t flushing, electric out/pumping stations not working.. backups… should I be stuffing the toilets & drains by that point to stop backflow???) I guess there may be other uses for not the cleanest of water so it couldn’t hurt to save them too. Although after 9/11 I did save some water in milk jugs - used them about 2 years later as water for the cat. She didn’t get sick & there was nothing noticable floating around in it. (NOT THAT I AM RECOMMENDING THIS TO ANYONE!)
I’m going to be a rebel here on the milk jug water issue.
For Y2K- we filled them with water and froze them. They were in the freezer a couple of years, then when I took them out, and let them set for about another year before I FINALLY dumped them. The water looked fine. However, we didn’t test it. They would be fine for using for tiolets/laundry I think. I would even drink out of them if kept refrigerated for a month or so. I used to store a gallon in the fridge and drank out of it for months. Kept refilling it.
First I wash them out with soapy hot water, rinse, and fill with bleach water. I let that sit for about an hour and then let them dry out. I’ve got bunches stored away.
Back in the day when I worked in fast food, we had a shake machine and were very careful in cleaning it. After the machines was disassembled, we used bleach water in the tank and scrubbed it down with a brush solely for that purpose and let it air dry. Never had a problem with anyone getting sick. But that is stainless steel, not plastic.
So I am going to further my experiments. BAWHAHA (mad scientists laughter) I will fill one of my cleaned milk jugs with water, let it sit for several days, and drink it. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Also, someone else mentioned they guy extra gallons of milk and freeze them, then defrost in fridge when needed. It works great! Never have to worry about running out of milk. Thanks.
Freezing milk- That was me!! I have been doing that for years!!! Just remember to shake them often as they are thawing- the more fat content- the more shaking.
Actually my market just had a great sale on 1% and I bought 25 gallons. Took some rearranging between the 2 freezers but I fit them all, and actually now that they are frozen I could turn them on their sides and fit more if I wanted to. We’re using the older freezer for the longer storage of milk, bread (from the Arnold’s day old store- GREAT prices and much better than my homemade bread so I won’t subject my family to that if I don’t have to:) )icecream and meats, as it is not frost-free and I figure the less it’s opened the better. People kept asking me if I ran a day care and I told them about freezing milk- then I saw about 5 women with 6 or 8 gallons of milk in their carts! Hey- it’s a start you know.
The other great thing is, if you don’t have to run out to get milk - you stay out of the stores and spend less $$$ on spur of the moment things-
Glad I could help someone.
amak – at 13:48 --- If you wash them really well, you can fill them with water and freeze them for your coolers.
amak – at 14:07 Are you connected to a municipal sewer system, or do you have your own septic tank?
lohrewok – at 14:08 --- I will fill one of my cleaned milk jugs with water, let it sit for several days, and drink it. I’ll let you know how it goes.
And if we don’t hear from you?
BB checks his own insurance policy for “Death by Drinking Icky Water”…
What about using that water for watering plants? I have a lot of house plants I’d hate to lose.
I odn’t have that much freezer space and prefer to fill it with food, but have plenty of podwdered and UHT mil on hand. However, the idea of using the containers as extra ice to keep freezers cold is good. I think the leaching issue is more is you let it sit for months on end, not necessarily when it is frozen. Plus we could use the water for other things.
There will be lots of water need for cleaning and washing clothes, much more than what we will need for drinking.
Spent the last two days shopping for preps- I’m about done in! Yesterday verged on disaster. Due to a series of unfortunant events, I had to take my fifteen year old son with me, which was mostly cool-he’s great company-no wise cracks about prepping for flu, and his young muscles certainly were handy for lifting and carrying things, but he freaked out in Aldis-he has a problem with sensory overload. Krogers was ok-its kind of dim, in there, everything in neat ordarly rows, free coffee. But Aldi’s with its harsh lights, and chaotic stacking of things was too much for him-plus, I’m sad to say, the cashiers were really rude. Also it was hot and very humid-heat index of over a 100 degrees- the heat/humidity really plays havoc with our asthma, plus car fumes and weird city chemicals-we were both really fried when we got home.
But I did get some good stuff-Big Lots has huge-40lbs bags of Purina dog food for $8.00 which I though was a really great price. I’m guessing a metal trash can will hold a little over fifty pounds. (The can held all of one of these bags, plus some extra) Cleaned out the Annies Mac and Cheese, also they have a hot and sour soy noodle soup that I love and I eat when I get sick-really helps with sinus congestion, its a cup a soup, just add hot water-so got a lot of those. I filled a shopping cart full of Kleenex Anti-viral tissues. I’m not counting on the anti-virals, so much but they might help some and were only a dollar a box.
I bought several gallons of soy milk-it can be stored non-refrigerated. I stopped at a GoodWill and bought several books and puzzles for the kids. Also bought quite a few piller candles there-non-scented white- a couple were still in packages, only one or two looked like they had even been burned at all, plus an un opened bottle of lamp oil(?) I also bought, for .50 cents, a book on divination. So the next full moon, I’ll cast some runes and let you all know when and how the flu will hit. Its amazing what you can find at Good Will. I lost my head at the farmers market and tons of plants (and some produce) There was a delightful Artimsia that really really wanted to go home with me-how can I resist? My son thinks I have too many plants allready- nonsense!
So today I’m recovering from all that. Whew! Its summer soltice, so I’ll plant all the plants I bought and just enjoy the day. We used to do bon-fires, but that dosn’t seem to be such a good idea anymore what with global warming and all that. Oh well. Its too hot today anyway!
Green Mom, your description of the hot (productive!) day you had reminded me of a 90+ day teaching kindergarten. We sat on the cool linoleum floor and smoothed talcum powder on our arms and legs because we were so sticky. Maybe I’ll make a place to rest in our unfinished basement-it’s ugly but cool.
My old white wicker chair went out for trash, because I saw one that isn’t completly ready to collapse at the second hand shop for 40. Said they just picked it up at an estate sale, I hope it wasn’t the same estate sale that I sent the old farmhouse owner on the other day. I did pick up some nice large platic imitation clay pots to grown tomatoes. The neiborhood gardener was doing the lawn when my neighbor who I met at the second hand shop dropped off my chair. She has a nice roomy SUV. She slim as a read, looks just like Natalie Halloways mom and is a lovely person. Couldn’t squeeze it into my car. Nice day. Had a peice of the best apple pie at the library. Have to find out the bakery, crust and filling just wonderful. Ah the joys of rural life. Gardener doesn’t think my pine tree should be restaked, roots too shallow even though the new pine needles are lush and healthy. So rather than have it topple on the house in another storm, sadly forked over 250 to get it hauled away.
Green mom, exciting casting runes on the summer solstice. I have to look at one of those see whats what. Looks like Cabin Girl is having an unwelcome bonfire for the summer solstice. Think I’ll leave now and read up on that. Thanks for the reminder.
broncobill at 14:43
I’ll leave instruction with my post to post results here if I can’t. :0
Already lost some grey cells here.
Meant to say I’ll leave instruction w/ family to let you guys know results…
Woo-hoo, I’m in the prepping groove! I got 20# of pinto beans at the Mexican grocery store for $10, and Big Lots had canned vegetables for 50 cents each, so I bought 3 dozen … plus 200 bags of green tea, 4 bottles of shampoo, and a dozen quart Mason jars. Now that my credit card is all warmed up, I don’t want to stop!
Trust us, you won’t! It never ends. You’ve made a good start, though!
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Today I’m harvesting yarrow and elderflower to dry to make teas. Theres an old old recipie for equal blend of yarrow, elderflower and peppermint that supposed to be really good for flu. My peppermint is not quite ready for harvest-I’ll do that later and add to the mix. I have made cough syrup from honeysuckle and that works really well it just dosn’t keep very long. I bought several ginger roots on my excursion and will chop those today and put in vodka to keep. If I have any yarrow left, I will make a vodka tinture for that as well.
Cinda at 14:20 - I have a question for you, can you also freeze heavy cream and/or half and half?
For the next two weeks my prepping is going to include an all-out house cleaning, decluttering, reorganization … and whatever else I get myself into. <grin>
I’m trying to get all those little house repairs out of the way before I go too much further.
We are also looking into security measures for our alternative location. After the big break in and vandalism, we are just now beginning to get some repairs completed up there. Awful hard to do long distance. Insurance has been a pain in the backside as well.
So much to do and it feels like so little time to do it in.
Next week I’ve also got planned a major round of canning … getting all that meat out of my freezer so that I can defrost it and converting it to quarts of stew meat, ground hamburger, sausage, soups, etc.
Green Mom at 8:08, about the ginger in vodka, do you just use a clean jar, or a sterilized jar and lid, or do you pressure can it? Will you keep it on a shelf or in the fridge? Thanks for the idea - ginger is delicious. I have crystalized ginger that I use for shredded carrot salad as well as for stomach troubles.
I bought 3 sets of metal shelving to set up in the basement. The wire ones from Target can hold 350 pounds, 36″ wide. The odd thing is that they are rated for 350# for 12″ and 48″ wide also.
WIT- Wish I could help but I have never tried to freeze either - only milk- I think if I was going to try, I would try the 1/2 and 1/2 first. maybe just a small amount. a cup or so in a jar, then thaw it and see what happens- I’ll bet there’s even more shaking involved. Good excersize!!!!
And anyone else who wants to freeze milk- remember you HAVE to pour some out or the plastic containers can split and will leak out all your milk as they thaw making a mess in the fridge, or at least bubble out as the milk expands during freezing and make a mess in your freezer. Found that out the hard way!!
pssst, Kathy in FL, its been in the mid 90s in FL… and you are CANNING? I hope you have an outdoor burner for that. *fanning myself just at the thought of keeping the stove on high all day*
I’m playing with my new dehydrator. Its the nine drawer Excalibur with timer. Last night I diced 12 red peppers and set it on 125 for 6 hours. This morning about 1/3 of each drawer was still a bit moist - which the instruction booklet warned about, saying I might need to rotate the drawers about half way through the drying cycle - so I cleared off the finished peppers and consolodated the rest, put it back on for 2 more hours, and that did the trick. 12 LARGE firm peppers filled one sandwich bag after dehydration. Next time I am going to dice them smaller. 3/16 came out fine for chunky soups and stews but a bit too big to add to chili or use for pasta salads.
Although the machine and trays are fairly fragile plastic (don’t they make anything out of metal any more?) I’m really happy with my purchase. I got it off excalibur.com, which is running a sale until the end of the month. Its the perfect time to take advantage of all the seasonal summer produce, and I really like the idea of being able to store large quantities in a small space. I need to look into the best way to preserve dehydrated foods now that I’ll be making a lot of them. I wonder how the large packers can get their items to last 10 years +. My next purchase will most likely be a seal-a-meal to vacuum pack canning jars. I’m also looking for recipes for finished meals like the type campers use. GFS has powdered gravies, cheeses, and white sauce base, which I think could be utilized along with pasta, dehydrated meat and veggies, and spices, then sealed in single or family sized portions in glass jars and mylar bags.
Cinda - thanks, I think I will try it - just 1/2 pint or so to start out with. And I appreciate the info on pouring some out!
Jane- I just use any clean jar with a lid that I have, just wash it really well-I usually bleach out my lids-probably because I reuse a fair amount of tomato sauce jars and their stained a little bit with the sauce. I just peel the root, chop it up into little bits, and cover it with vodka, and stick it in the back of the fridge-I use a lot of ginger-dh LOVES it. I pressure canned little pickled onions-hmmmm! Now that herbs and produce are starting to come in, I’ll do some oils and vinegars too.
Thanks, Green Mom!
WIT, my mother-in-law freezes 1/2 pints of heavy cream when it’s on sale, then uses it on cereal. (I don’t know if the whipping capacity changes after freezing, though.)
Jane - thanks, I will try that too. I don’t really want it for whipping cream, I have gotten some Dream Whip and have Cool Whip frozen - mostly I wondered cause my husband prefers heavy cream in his coffee.
Flourbug - I have that one too and I love it. My family loves dried apples and jerky and It does a fine job with both. I also did diced onions and sliced carrots - they are great for throwing into soups
Flourbug, I need to pull out my dehydrator also. Saturday I hope to hit a couple of farmers markets/flea markets. Wish I had the time to go to Webster … their produce area is huge … but they are only open on Mondays, takes me an hour to get there, and I just don’t foresee that happening for a few more weeks.
As far as the heat goes … I won’t notice it one way or the other. I’m going to be painting a couple of rooms and will probably have to turn off the AC so I can open windows for ventilation. I’m having to Kilz my bathroom ceilings so that I can paint them and my bedroom hasn’t been painted in nearly 8 years so I will be painting in there as well.
I’m also giving all of the floors a heavy cleaning … carpets I’m steam cleaning, tile floors will be scrubbed and the grout re-sealed, etc.
I just haven’t been able to stand it anymore. After that bad bout of stomach virus we had last week I feel like I’ve got invisible monsters crawling all over my house. Yuck. Gives me the heebie jeebies … and if we do have a pandemic, at least I’ll know that I got the major house cleaning out of the way for a while.
Can’t think of anyplace to put this. Stopped at a fair in town for some italian sausage. Full of young families, small children to be taken on the rides. If anyone has contact with Lyons clubs, or the various chambers of commerce that put on these fairs, and there will be many over the summer months, they might have simple flyers from the gov. stocking up available. sitting under a rock near the napkins and utensils in the food tents. These are the families by the thousands that take their kids out for an afternoon or evening of fun. The only thing I am continuing to stock up on is fluids in glass containers on sale. Concert and fireworks tonite, fireworks on Sat.Actually saw fireflies on my car windshield when I got home late last nite. So firefly season has begun.
I have room for cream on top of my milk!! I made the mistake of making real whipped cream once and now nothing else will do!! I’d like to buy a lot of it when it’s on sale if it will still whip. I’ll get some and give it a whirl and let you know
Jane - does you MIL pour out any of the cream first? And do you know if she uses plastic or ‘cardboard’ containers?
Kathy in FL – at 12:06 - If you’re doing all that work yourself, you must be in really good shape!
Mari – at 12:13
Just used to doing things myself I guess. Hubby and I manage properties so its not like it is something new to me. I’ve helped lay tile, paint, complete punch lists of cleaning between tenants, etc.
Plus, I’m cheap. <grin> Why pay someone else to do something when I can do it myself. Not to mention I have some cheap labor that we call kids. LOL! My husband and son will be away and my 3 daughters and I (16, 10, and 7) will really be able to boogie on the indoor stuff. I’ll set the 7 year old to babysitting the 2 year old boy to keep him out of the paint … I hope.
Then when my hubby and son get back I’m hoping we can tackle the outside of the house … pressure washing, painting, fixing some of the soffit and facia, etc.
House is in good shape, its that regular maintenance that you need to do though. I also want to cut back a couple of trees and then set the limbs aside for possible firewood.
Killing two birds with one stone … prepping and keeping up with the housework. It will honestly be a load off my mind to get it done.
Kathy you are a wonder ---I get tired just reading your posts.
Kathy in Fl. Well at least your recovered. Just never stop and sit down. Your like a perpetual motion mechanism.
I thought about painting my kitchen but the thought of shutting off the a/c makes me queasy! I’ll just wait until fall-we usually have at least a couple of cooler /dryer kind of windyish weeks in October that will be good for paint drying. Its so humid here now I don’t know if paint WOULD dry! I’m thinking/hoping that if we do have flu it will be during the winter months and I’ll be able to do the kitchen. I don’t know though-sometimes I feel like we’re all racing against an invisable clock.
I do understand about the need to clean after an illness though. The energy in my house gets all flat and stale and yucky and needs to be recharged. I use a lot of lavender and rosemary to revitilise the air during/after illness.
Doesn’t a thunderstorm do that. The air always seems more vital with humidity removed. But I thought the lightning does something too.
Lily- The lightning creates free negative ions. It essentially give the air an electric charge. The most striking experience one can have along those lines is to enter a production “clean room” where electrostatic devices are used to introduce just such a charge to help in dust control. The first time you wlak into such a facility, it smells just like you are walking out into a crisp spring morning. (Its the negative ions) A good home ion generator can do the same thing.
yes you can buy negitive ion nachines-this is one of those times when “negative is possitive” I have to remeber not to get that confused if the battery in my car dies. Then negative is possitivly negative. (this is why I don’t work with machines!) A rapidly flowing creek or river gives off negative ions and supposivly evergreen trees-especially pines do the same which is why walking in a pine forrest is so pleasant. Rain water-charged with lightening is so much better than hand water a garden with flat tap water-I think so anyway, plus it gives the gardener a break! :-)
No wonder I am so positive, Always have lived surrounded by Pines, Large large pines. Hugh pines lining drive, pines by the library,pines by the kitchen. Almost without exception. have had pine groves, pine avenues and so on. Have a quick moving creek behind also, no wonder I’m loathe to move.I feel good always, but I often sit under the pines and just think, very soothing.
Kathy in FL, what/where is Webster? I usually go to the produce market in Tarpon Springs - the one up by Rt 19, but I want to try the Tampa Wholesale Market too. I hear you can buy case lots at good prices. If you have a source, I’m game to check it out.
Your story reminds me, years ago my husband and I decided to add several decks to our home. There were two large decks, about 40′ x 30′, joined by a longer, narrower deck that wrapped around one corner of our house. He and I put in the cement footings, and the upright beams and main frame. I was working on the flooring while he worked on making stairs. He decided it would be easier to just buy a premade staircase and drove off in search of one. He searched all over but finally found what he wanted. By the time he got back it was almost sunset, and my three daughters and I had finished all the floors and the railings, the only thing missing was the staircase. We were very proud of “our” deck.
Have been working out in the garden. I am on a steep learning curve. Peas seem to have a very small yield so I am not sure if they are worth planting again. Does anyone know the best variety of peas for the greatest yield?
I am hoping that the beans will do better. I will pick a lot of the herbs tomorrow, dry some and some I will put chopped into ice cube trays topped up with a little water and then after freezing transfer the cubes to ziplock bags.
I notice from this thread that it does not have the activity that it used to have. I suspect that most of us are getting pretty much prepared now.
I think that it is probably time to start seeds indoors for the fall crop too.
food storage nut – at 16:25 I have always found peas to be a low yield crop and more of a specialty than something to “put up”. If you planted enough beans, you will have more than you want to pick. My wife and I are always glad when we finally process the last batch of beans, although it is satisfying to see all of those jars on the shelf.
Food Storage Nut- It may be that something is lacking in your soil. I’ve had very good luck with Paso Peas- very small and very sweet (many don’t ever make it to the table or the freezer- they go straigt from vine to tummy!) and I think I got them from from Park’s seeds. Last year I got an “innoculant” puts back what peas and beans take out and gives them something else they need- from one of the seed houses specifically for peas and beans and I had beautiful peas. Can’t remember the name of it but if you log onto Parks or one of the big seed houses you’ll probably find it. I had some left over an didn’t order another for this year- wish I had- But I didn’t know I was going to be trying to raise all these peas- and I haven’t even planted the beans yet. I haven’t found it in any local nurserys so I’ll have to order it. This year the weather’s been so bad that the peas- which are about the easiest thing to grow- look pretty skimpy. I planted about 1000 peas and I’d be amazed if more than 60% of them came up. But it’ll still be a lot of peas!
Hillbilly Bill and Cinda
Thanks for the information. Are you going to be planting seeds indoors for fall crops, if so what will you be planting? Am I too early to start seeds indoors? I’m in Virginia
Food Storage nut-How about POd peas Like the kind you eat in Chinese stir fry, you eat pod and all. My kids love them and eat them as a snack. And since you can eat the pods too, I feel you get more yield. My faves are “Sugar Ann” They prefer cooler weather, though. Neither my pod peas or my English peas did very well this spring. I’ll plant some more, but probably wait til mid July to start them. I’m in South Central Kentucky, zone 6.I usually start fall seeds a litte later-it could just be that I’m really busy now with the first “wave” of produce coming in, I’m doing herbs, blackberries, blueberries and starting the wine batches. I’ll get all that done about the 2nd/3rd week of July and have a bit of time to start seeds before I start on tomato sauce!
Lily- Lightening also puts nitrogen in the rain water-another reason that a good rain is better than water from a hose. Still and all, I’m grateful for that hose!
food storage nut,
You are actually late to be starting seeds outdoors right now. Seeds or plant sets can go in around here at about the 15th of April.
food storage nut, melanie
Most extension agencies in all states have calendars that tell you when you can do seeds to prepare as plants. I will give a shot at Texas calendar… aggie horticulture
Also, the Square Foot Garden website has similar info, except it isn’t regional. It is actually approaching time to start seeds for fall plants here.
Melanie this is a planting in fall for fall and early winter harvest not for the summer. You can do a second planting of stuff at the end of the summer. I just don’t know when to start the seedlings off and if I should start them inside.
well, I am flunking linking on this site. It is a newsletter, horticulture update page with a calender link for several years. Each year has all the months. It disucusses a lot of issues, including planting schedules. Like I said, most extension agencies have similar info.
fsn,
Depends on which crops you are planting. What does your second harvest look like?
Regular sugar peas are cooler weather crops … black eyed peas are more suited to the southern heat and humidity.
Thanks EnoughAlready I will try and find a site for my local extension agency.
Melanie: The second harvest can have stuff like swiss chard, fava beans, spinach, cauliflower, late peas and a lot of leafy green type stuff.
Also, most peas are the type of plants … beans in general really … that the more you pick the more they yield. So as soon as pods are ready to pick, start picking. Then you save them up until you have enough to cook or process.
Just keep at it. It can be a pain. Its not like being able to go to a farmers market and get all the peas you want at one go. My grandparents and parents would pick every day … just kind of go over the kitchen garden and pull whatever was ripe enough. Then it was put away until there was enough to process. Eventually the plants would peak and then decline. At some point … never figured out, but probably had to do with who much they had gotten for the year … my grandparents (and mom) would then say leave the rest to dry on the vine. That way they had dry peas and/or seeds for the following year.
food storage nut
I have set some plants out in the shade already. Just trying to keep them alive at this point. I will be starting seeds in a couple of weeks… and varying seed planting times. I will probably have to do it inside because it is so blame hot here! The ag newsletter says it’s okay to plant outside, but I dunno. We’ve had rain lately, and that is the only thing I think has saved me from watering like a mad dog all day long. And I have drip lines set up.
You can do broccoli and brussels sprouts too-the brussel sprouts actually taste better if they are hit by a mild frost-defiantly start those inside though-way too hot for them outside. You can also plant carrots and beets for overwintering. Check out Eliot Coleman’s four season harvest. I keep some stuff going year round.
It is dreadfully hot here too. I have a small garden close in to Washington DC so not much space. I will have to wait until the stuff I have planted here has produced so that I can pull it out and then make room for my seedlings. It is all a big experiment for me since I haven’t done much of this before. But I think that I need to practise doing this so that when and if the time comes I will have the skills.
fsn,
All of the salad greens can be started indoors now—this heat would be murder on them out of doors. Fava beans are quick growers and like to be harvested at first frost, so hold back on those until mid-July.
Thank you for all the advice. There is a lot to learn and it is regional specific which makes it difficult.
fsn: I’m north of you and definitely in a different growing season. I keep planting lettuce, green onions and spinach through the season, but it is hard to get a second crop of anything in this area, we have early frosts. Gardening takes practice. By experimentation you will find out what grows well in your area and in your soil. I have learned over the years to grow what grows best and leave rest to others. In about a month I will be able to send you a truckload of zucchini if you want it.
Looks like the University of the District of Columbia Cooperative Extension Service is your ag agency. I’d call them for a planting calendar.
fsn,
The Washington Star Gardening Book (in paper) is the gold standard for gardening in the mid-Atlantic.
Cinda, my MIL buys heavy cream in cardboard half-pints and just puts them in the freezer.
I bought the $21 commode at Walmart and a 40 qt. 5-day cooler and hid them. The cooler is so big though, my DH will probably find it. The instructions say to use a pound of ice for each quart of capacity- so 40 lbs. of ice(!) to keep contents cold for 5 days. That doesn’t leave much room in the cooler for food. Not sure this is worth it. Maybe 10 pounds of ice will be good for a full day, just so long as the thing is completely filled?
Also bought some good nail clippers, extra sox and underwear for DH, a roll of plastic laminate, and some Angostura Bitters for flavoring-it contains gentian, so maybe it’s healthy too.
Jane: Freeze 2 or 3 two liter soda bottles 85% full of water until they are solid ice. Put them in your cooler and use a refrigerator/freezer thermometer to check the temperature after a few hours. I’m betting it will be in the safe zone and you willl have plenty of room for food.
Jane, that 5 day cooler will perform quite well for you. We have 2 of them at our off-grid cabin as our sole source of refrigeration. We load them up with two (10 lb?) bags of ice each, then fill with food. They are kept inside the cabin, which averages about 70–75 degrees in the summer. Those two bags of ice will last anywhere from 3–7 days… the shorter time when we first arrive and the insides of the coolers are normal room temperature, and the longer time after about a week or so and the insides of the cooler are good and chilled. I try to always pre-cool everything I put into the cooler. Leftovers are left at room temperature and frequently stirred for at least an hour before being put away, while pop, beer, etc is placed into our “double clay flowerpot cooler” for pre-chilling (we only bring in enough beverages that will be needed that particular day, to save room in the coolers. The flowerpot cooler keeps them to where they’re already drinkably cool, but sometimes we’re too lazy to walk 30 feet out the door under the trees to fetch drinks from the flowerpot. And HB is correct, block ice (such as frozen 2 liters) will last longer than cubed ice.
Kim - what’s the typical relative humidity/temperature outside when you’re using your double clay flowerpot cooler? For relative humidity in the single digits & low teens & high temps in the 90′s, a small flowerpot cooler at my house was keeping a mayo jar of water in the mid 60′s after it cooled down from ambient (outside temp down to the low 60′s at night).
My grocery just started stocking the five day coolers so I’m going to pick up a couple. I’m a camper and not having to leave my campsite to drive into town for ice every other day improves the quality of my vacation life.
I think I am officially in prepping frenzy.
My Top Ten purchases for today:
20 gallons worth of water storage (1 5-gal. jug plus 5-gal collapsibles) Six 10-gallon bins (hoping each will hold 1 month’s worth of nonperishables) A thermometer Another thermometer! A Seal-a-Meal An orange tree A lemon tree (hoping these will start producing in the spring) A grain mill!
Okay, it was only eight. But I also planned out staged prepping: 60 days by July 15, six months by Sept. 1 and so forth.
My new motto is: “Any day is a good day for prepping!”
Lots of rain lately and my garden is looking just beautiful.We are eating radishes ,lettuces ,and tiny spinach leaves.Busy canning asparagus and strawberry jam.Passed out pamphlets on “Preparing for a public health emergency”distrubuted by MI dept of community health,to parents of kids who came to our vbs at my church.I had 1 lady who wouldnt take the booklet and said she was as prepared as she would ever be.about 40 others who took it with a smile.
bumping for bill
Mari, the normal daytime summer temperature at the cabin is around 75–85 degrees, nighttime temp usually drops to about 40, humidity around 40%. The flowerpot cooler there keeps drinks icy cold. We’ll be heading to the cabin next week for a couple week stay. When we get back I’m going to try out my long-planned experiment in cooling here at home. What I want to do is dig a hole in the ground in a shady spot, line it with cinder blocks that are filled with damp sand, and see how well that works as a cooler. My thinking is that the blocks are as permeable to water vapor as clay pots and so performance should be similar or better with the earth around it acting as extra insulation. The spot I have planned for it has a clear shot of the night sky, so I may also try using a solar funnel at night for even more cooling effect. The average daytime summer temp here at home is maybe 90 degrees, with lows around 60–65. If it works well here I’ll build one at the cabin (it’s alot easier digging here in soft clay loam, than digging around the cabin where it’s all rocks).
After all the talk yesterday about rain and lighting and negative ions-we had a doozy of a thunderstorm! Stormed all night. We lost power around nine, but we had our shake flashlights and keroscene lanterns handy. We were all pretty tired though and just ended up going to bed early. The air feels sooooo good this morning!
Probably won’t do any prep/stuff today. I’m pretty far behind with stuff because of the two day prep trip and these stupid headaches.
The “concrete cooler” sounds like a great idea-Let us know how it works!
Pat in AZ – at 00:15
There’s no turning back now. You are officially infected. Welcome to your new life as a perpetual prepper!
Kim – at 03:15 - Being buried in the earth will probably provide some cooling in itself. If the soil is moist, however, you’ll lose the “forcing function” for evaporative cooling. It would be interesting see what you get for (1) cooling just from the cooler ground and insulation from the heat of the day, (2) the evaporative cooling from the cinder blocks filled with wet sand above ground, and (3) the combination of cooling effects from cinder blocks filled with wet sand below ground.
Kim – at 03:15 At the least you will have the equivalent of a nice root cellar.
Pat in AZ-at oo:15 Yes you have it bad but just smile and know you are a member of the club.
I have a living room full of preps and I have to find a place for it soon. And I have a friend that is about to have surgery I told her she could stay at my house after surgery so I can’t put in the guest room----
“Love Texas stands in living room and wonders have I gone too far, will I find a place for this stuff, or will it take over my house like a fungus—stay tuned”
As I have a hugh area of no grass from the hugh now removed douglas spruce (no sawdust, he might have rescused the whole tree to plant in his own new property and good luck to him if it is the case ) Went to Walmart and got bare spot grass seed. probably encapsulated with its own fertilizer. It intermittantly drizzling, so I’ll plant the grass seed sparingly and more each time it rains. 4 sturdy tomatoe plants to go in the “rescued pots and miracle grow potting soil) They are on sale at Walmart for 1.25. Nice and full with flowers. Might get another 4 later if I go to a movie. Nothing like a warm beefsteak tomatoe, some Hellmens mayonaisse and fresh bread. Guarenteed to dribble down your white polo shirt. Fruit at store seems outrageously high priced. Usually get my raspberries and blackberries and fruit from the salad bar for breakfast or lunch, seems they put some really nice things out if you get there early in the day. So I guess its back to the garden. Luckily not too hot and humid, comfortably warm. As far as marigolds, they look fabulous indoors if you float varied heads in water in a chartreuse flat platter. Fantastically beautiful. I’m doing that with a lot of flowers now. Just the heads floating. They last, and you don’t get that slimey stem thing.
“they look fabulous indoors if you float varied heads in water in a chartreuse flat platter”
I’m certainly glad I have a chartreuse flat platter at home. I would be devastated if I couldn’t do this.
Oh shut up.
Someone mentioned sewage backing up into the house as a risk. I am not sure how that risk would materialize in a municipal systemif power was down but it has happened to me on my own septic tank/drain field. Two years ago we had 8 inches of rain in 2 hours. My drain field was flooded and the fluid backed up into my basement. The exit point was my lowest drain - the washing machine. Thankfully only 25 gallons or so came in. I replaced the washing machine.
The solution is very simple. Install a check valve (or backwash valve or any other name). It is easy to install. Cut your main drain at the lowest point and cement the valve in - you are finished.
The check valve lets sewage flow out your home, but closes when fluid starts to come back in. It is not perfect; if sewage is coming back into the house, it has to be a high enough volume to trigger the trap door. Mine has only been triggered once - I disconnected my washing machine discharge from the main and ran a black flex hose from the washing machine trap into a 15 gallon bucket with an inch of bleach in the bottom. Only about 2–3 gallons was in there. No smell - easy to dispose of.
These can be a house-saver in a bad situation. If sewage enters your home you must evacuate because the gas is deadly. Not what you want to do if your SIP’ing.
Lily- So what’s this about heads floating in water? Is this something we need to call CSI about?
Another alternative for sewer back ups is to have a “clean out” valve. You can unscrew the cap off of the clean out and it is between the house and the septic … and it is certainly bigger than interior plumbing … and the septic will overflow outside rather than inside your house.
The downside is this is not inside and the sewer back up would be outside on the ground and still have to be dealt with somehow.
However, I’d rather have the stuff on the ground outside than in the house.
Et tu Eccles? I thought only Hillbilly Bill likes to give me a hard time. No. Passed a gas station with a couple of Sikhs who own it. One had a marigold colored turban, the other a yellow marigold turban on their heads. Take a wild guess. Will lily float real marigolds in a chartreuse bowl, or will she ask the Sikhs if their want to donate their turbans., in the interests of an artists affinity for color and so on. You practical souls do your thing and let this hoity toity, la de dah lady do hers.
Will stick to Mom 11 thread and keep out of all you big boys way.
I think I’ll stay out of YOUR way. Heads floating in water and all.
Grasshoppers and ants really don’t mix well do they.I think I’ll take my marigolds and chartreuse platter down the shore for a few days. Heads and all.
I’ve finished one week of exercising -alternate days of shoulder rehab moves with a stretchy band, and Strong Women Stay Young program. It doesn’t take long, so why haven’t I been doing this all along?! My rule, no meal, just 12oz. of water, until after exercising.
HillBilly Bill and Kim, thanks for the ideas about the 5-day cooler. I’m clearing the freezer instead of buying more frozen food so the bottles fit.
Jane – at 16:23 It’s a good idea to keep several of the bottles in your freezer. It keeps it from running as much and will keep your frozen food from going bad if you have an extended power outage.
I posted this on my other flu boards too because I get all excited when I am able to prep….oh, it will not format the same and will be a mess I am sure. Here goes…..
Today’s paycheck included 23 hours of overtime pay. Been looking forward to going to Sam’s Club for two weeks. Today we got: 25 pounds of bread flour 25 pounds of long grain white rice - I finally took the plunge. 1,000 count Splenda packets Case of paper towels Case of TP - now I have 180 double rolls Need more. Case of shells and cheese 8 pack diced tomatoes 6 pack canned chili - shoulda got two 8 pack baked beans 2 pack peanut butter 2 cartons of instant mashed potatoes Big jar instant iced tea Big cannister of Nesquick 2 cases of dog food and 2 bags of biscuits Bag of shelled pistachios 6 pack canned olives Big cannister of Hunter Mix (nuts, sesame crackers etc) won’t last a week.
20 pounds fresh ground beef - 90% lean at $1.95 a pound! 8 pack strip steaks 4 whole chickens at 78 cents a pound - big chickens too. 50 count Lays chips - Masterpeice BBQ - for barter of course 45 count variety pack Austin crackers w/cheese, p-butter and variious flavors of cookes - these things have a half life, not a shelf life. 2 lb brick of cheese to freeze 2 18 count eggs - gonna freeze some Frozen not prep: Fried rice with chicken General Tsao’s chicken - very good and I can’t make it. Chicken Marsala Country fried steaks
Not all prep stuff but I am happy and filled in some holes. Note to self - don’t go to Sam’s while hungry.
Sheesh! Sorry about that. :-)
All I bought today was silica gel. Walton Feed’s site said I could make my own canisters out of pill bottles, coffee filters, and string, so that’s what I’ll do.
I picked up a Seal-a-Meal yesterday … I’m thinking of using that with the silica gel for beans, grains, and dried fruit. That should be okay for things I’ll use within 12 months, don’t you think?
Thordawggy - I am so glad you mentioned the General Tsao’s chicken. I look at it every time I go to Sam’s, but have never talked to anyone who has tried it. I’ll plan on getting some next time I go Sam’s.
Pat in Az-Where did you get the silica Gel? Was it expensive? I asked at my local drug store-they didn’t carry it, but could order it but they warned it would be “expensive” but then didn’t give a price.
Big news (for me anyhow)! I’ve been hoping someone would come out with this. Jiff is now making 6 packs of 2.25 oz.serving cups of peanut butter. I’ve been slow at buying jars of it due to the need to refrigerate the jar after opening and removing a talbespoon or so. Problem now solved.
My central A/C died last night, turns out it is pooped out circuit breaker. Another item we might think about, circuit breakers do not die very often, think this is my third one in the last 28 or so years in this house, but might be a good idea to have a couple of spares, especially for something like A/C. Another thought along that line, had to have my sewer line to the street cleaned out 4 or 5 years back due to roots from a large tree in the front yard. Probably a good idea to do a repeat before any SIP. Time to think about doing some of those maintainence things before rather than during.
The preppers lament. No matter how many things I prep, can always think of more. We are never done it seems, many things run into money, but are things we would need to do anyway, even without SIP. Hardly a day goes by that I do not pick up an idea or two from various threads, the great fluwikie community collectively is very smart, even if as individuals we are not all rocket scientist. Oops, Eccles excepted! Thanks all.
Green Mom – at 10:07
I got the silica gel at Michael’s (craft store — they’re a chain, I think they are nationwide). It was $8.49 for 1.5 pounds. They also had 5-pound packages that would be much more economical (I’m just not ready to buy that much yet). The packages are tubes labelled “Flower Drying Art.”
This is “indicator” silica gel, so it will change color when it is “used up,” but that also means it’s toxic so can’t be allowed to spill into food.
Walton Feed’s instructions said to fill a pill bottle, cover the top with coffee filter, and tie it off with string. I don’t have that many pill bottles, so I might try making packets by sewing coffee filters into little pillows. Not sure if that will work. The granules are about the size of sugar crystals or a little finer, and I’m afraid they might leak out through the seam.
Oh thanks so much, Pat in Az. My Mom lives near a Micheals-and is allways looking for an excuse to go! I’ll get her to get some for me. I wish I could give you some of my pill bottles-we’re all on allergy meds-nothing serious, but the bottles collect after a while and I hate to throw them out because, well, they just seem like they might come in handy sometime….
2beans-I’m puzzled by your refridgerating peanut butter comment-I don’t refrigerate pb, and I by it in the big four pound jars-now, I would refrigerate organic pb, but Jif? Nahhh. I hope I’m not poisoning us somehow….
2 Beans - I have never seen regular peanut butter refrigerated after opening. I’ve been eating it for 44 years or so- no problems- nor with anyone else I’ve ever heard of. Also - it must be so hard to spread it when it’s cold. Does it say to refrigerate after opening it on the label?
I’ve never heard of anyone refrigerating peanutbutter either. I’ve had the oil separate out if a jar gets lost in the back of the cabinet, but I just stir it up and use it anyway. I think its kinda weird too. Though some folks don’t keep mayo in the fridge, and they think that’s wierd.
I’ve never heard of anyone refrigerating peanutbutter either. I’ve had the oil separate out if a jar gets lost in the back of the cabinet, but I just stir it up and use it anyway. I think its kinda weird too. Though some folks don’t keep mayo in the fridge, and they think that’s wierd.
If you keep open peanut butter around long enough, the oils go rancid.
I’ve kept fresh ground peanut butter in the refrigerator, but I don’t refrigerate the commercial stuff and have never had it go bad.
PAt in AZ which grain mill did you select?
No matter how good we prepare others will just prepare with lots of weapons and then ride around taking what they want at gun pt. from the rest of us. So be well armed and ready to defend yourself. Oh, and don’t trust that any police will be available they’ll all be either home defending themselves or part of the one’s taking at gun pt.
I shot a gun for the first time in my life the other day. We went out to BIL’s and set up a mini-range. DH has a .22 that’s been sitting around here forever, so everyone practiced with that. Now we’re talking about purchasing a shotgun.
LMWatBullRun – at 18:28
I ordered a Country Living mill. I read a bunch of reviews and that one seemed to be best, considering price. It will grind pretty much anything, has a big flywheel to make it easier to turn, and ought to last the rest of my life. They run 350 to 375 but I got a “blemished” one through the manufacturer at a discount.
I’ve been thinking about the weapon issue too. I’m considering a shotgun and possibly a handgun, for portability. I have to say though that the mere idea of having to have a gun scares the bejesus out of me. My parents used to shoot, so it’s not the idea of a gun, it’s the idea that it would become necessary.
I’ve been told, by a guy who works in military security, that a dog and a person is the best system you can have. I’ll probably get a big dog or two before I buy a firearm.
Pat in AZ at 10:50, how about sewing a flat felled seam, like the thick one on jeans legs so the silica crystals don’t leak out? Unless someone thinks this kind of silica is a bad idea anyway.
My prep for the day was to make my spreadsheet. I’ve been using Laurel’s Kitchen, the book, to develop a vegetarian eating plan, and I’ve worked out how much inventory I need of grains, legumes, etc. for different SIP times. The spreadsheet also has checklists other supplies and gear, and has a section for a BOB. It reveals that I still have a long way to go to really be ready, but at least I’m more organized now.
Jane – at 21:39
That’s a great idea, I’ll try it. I’m also thinking of making the packets with two layers — that is, a packet inside a packet. The moisture should still be able to go through both layers, but it should cut in half the chance of something leaking out. Thanks!
I went to our local thrift store today and bought a bunch of useful ‘Mergency Supplies items (as my DS age 4 calls them — he loves this idea!)
Oh and
All for $13.50. I LOVE my thrift store!
Average Concerned Mom – at 22:04
I’ve been doing the Thermos thing and I LOVE it! I have whole wheat (from wheat berries) for breakfast every morning — it’s great to wake up and breakfast is ready. (Though this would not be everyone’s cup of tea!) I’ve also made beans and steel-cut oats in it, and both worked great. I’ve heard you can even make stew, which I believe but haven’t tried yet.
I fianlly ordered dried eggs on Friday. Today I went to the flea market and bought a set of cast iron pans for $12 and then i went to the salvation army store and bought more candle holders and some big candles never used, a couple more cast iron pans at $2.00 each, a bread machine and my best buy was a big pressure canner for $15.00. Also got a doughnit maker, not realy a prep item though.
A tip for all of you thrift store and yard sale preppers, keep on the lookout for washtubs and big rubbermaid type containers. These are very handy if you are going to collect rainwater using the tarp method.
Hey Pat in AZ- I’m so glad you mentioned Laurels Kitchen. It is one of my all time faves-in fact, my much battered copy is sitting right here next to me!
Kim and Act- sounds like y’all got some great deals! I love thrift stores. I havn’t found a bread machine at one yet-I’ll keep looking- but I did get a food dehydrator for $2.00, and I use it all the time. I also like to look there for ‘70s “back to earth/homemade craft books” lots of really great ideas in those.
Green Mom - Isn’t it a great book? I bought my copy probably 20 years ago and have tended to open it when I’m looking for a recipe - I’d forgotten all the great nutritional information it has.
I’m trying to find out to what extent sprouts and wheatgrass can replace greens in my diet. Not just for prepping but all the time, because I live in the desert and it’s so hard to find good fresh greens.
My “Laurel’s Kitchen” book is one I refer to all the time too, it’s great and been with me all these years thru my many moves. Your spreadsheet idea is great; I’ve been wondering about the best way to keep an inventory. How did you set it up (I have limited spreadsheet knowledge)e.g. categories, etc. thanks!
Interesting results from a sort of practice, sort of reality exercise.
In my area, we have a stationary front bringing oodles of rain to some folks in the region. It is expected to move in the general direction of me later today. In previous years, if we get enough torrential rain for long enough, we get water incursion from one corner of the lower level. Since there is a downspout which feeds a PVC pipe which disappears into the ground at that point, my theory was to see whether I could pump on that PVC pipe to relieve some of the water in the area.
I was using a HarborFreight marine Utility pump (12V version) and some lengths of cheap cr*p chinese hose, complete with lead warning.
First finding. the cheap Cr*p chinese hose was so flimsy that it collapsed on the OUTPUT side of the pump, preventing any water flow, due to kinking. Removing that and replacing it with a better grade of chinese hose (still complete with lead warning) corrected that problem. But there was nothing pumpable down that hole presently.
So I moved to the bathroom and pumped out a bathtub using my 12V pump, a sturdy piece of food grade hose on the sucking side of the assembly and the better piece of chinese hose on the output. Power came from a 12 AH utility power pack.
This setup managed to pump reasonably quickly out the bathroom window, but I doubt it achieved the 260 GPH rating of the pump. I managed to pump out about 3/4 of the bathtub when the low batt. warning on the power pack lit up. Since I wasn’t interested in damaging the pack for this test, I shut it down.
Bottom line. You really need GOOD hoses to move water around with a utility pump. As Hillbilly Bill has pointed out, them bateries go down alot faster than they come back up. But on the other hand, I DID manage to move about 35 gallons of water over a long distance without exhausting myself by carrying buckets.
And the other 3 charged packs should still do me if pumping becomes a problem later today.
As bill and others have pointed out here on several occasions…Actually try out your emergency equipment before it is an emergency. not only will you learn stuff you never knew, but the emergency will go alot better when you have corrected the unforesen deficiencies
highdesertAZ – at 11:18
The main part of the spreadsheet is for food, and below that are all my lists for Health Care, Infection Control, Housekeeping, etc., so that all my lists are in the same place. In the Food section, there are headings for Water, Grain, Beans, Nuts, Seeds, Dairy, Veggies, Sweeteners, Oils, Baking Needs, Fruit, Tea, and Luxuries. (This is the way I eat; I hardly ever buy processed foods, and I’m trying to eliminate them completely. So my lists are pretty basic.) Under each heading I listed the specific items I am stocking, e.g. pintos, lentils, black beans, etc.
Then, going across, I have columns for amount on hand, requirements for 30, 60, 180, 365, and 550 days, and a “shortfall” column that tells me how much more I need to buy depending on the SIP length I’m currently prepping for.
Farther over to the right are calculations of daily calories and daily or weekly rations. (But I’m not really rationing myself like that, I’m not that strict, except in the sense that I’m setting up a storage bin for each month, and theoretically I should exactly use the contents of the bin during the month. The “rations” were just part of the process of working out what should go into each bin.)
Does that make sense? I’d be happy to email you the file if you want, and if we can figure out a way that protects both our privacy. I don’t really want to give out my email address to the world.
I bought two packs (sealable bags) for keeping cool foods cool and hot foods hot… just small packs since it’s just me. I figure these could be handy for storing any leftovers - if I don’t eat it all for “lunch” I’ll still have it warm for dinner. Who knows how else they might come in handy.
ricewiki-
That’s a great idea! I also have used those bags after shopping but somehow hadn’t considered them for my preps. I’ll
definitely buy some more of both sizes.
They’re usually sold at the larger supermarkets and Whole Foods and Wild Oats.
Eccles – at 12:02
If it keeps raining here I will be bailing with buckets because I have yet to buy one of those 12v pumps. Another possible shortage that struck me the other day is extension cords. I’m planning on using several and of course I was sure I had enough. However, once I got them all out a placed them where needed, guess what? Not enough. And I had no backups in case any went bad.
Practice, Practice, Practice.
HillBilly Bill - I wonder if it is possible to adapt a wet vac to a stationary bicycle in case of a power outtage. I know it would be a lot of work to pump it UP from the basement but not impossible. Make the kids do it. :-) For the time being, you might consider renting a wet vac with a hose attachment to stick out the window.
I’ve got alternate power, just not a pump. It’s down the list a ways and the list never gets any shorter. Like two theoretical lines in space, I keep approaching being fully prepared but never reach that state.
Someone on another thread described themself as being “fully prepped”. I would think you would have to be surrounded by crates with the Dharma logo on them to truthfully say that.
Watchin in Texas - If you add some steamed broccoli to the Tsao’s chicken it is just like restaurant stye. We get the fried rice, egg rolls and dumplings too. It gives us several Chinese food meals for a much cheaper price than take out. I wish they had broccoli beef. Sorry for the drift but I consider this stuff prep food for the first few days/weeks before the possible lack of electricity. We try to stock lots of ground beef, chicken and frozen veggies and some pizza/snack type stuff when on sale.
After the conversation with my friend this morning, I’m just trying to stay calm so I don’t lose what critical thinking skills I have left. Dropped off all my prescriptions at the pharmacy. Now I need to re-do my preparation lists and carefully examine all options. Everything will need to be considered, even possible relocation.
_________________________________________ One by one, the penguins steal my sanity.
This weekend I have canned 10 quarts of roast beef, 4 quarts of pork roast, 6 quarts of HB (I am not sure about this… if it turns out like HB in crockpot it’s mealy… anybody canning HB meat? or brakkfast sausage?), & 1 qt turkey legs (only thing that didn’t seal… was a tiny spec of something under seal… stuck it in the freezer).
Also, I dehydrated cottage cheese… saw it for sale on one of those websites where you can buy dehydrated/freeze dried products. It did great! Anybody else done this? I just broke it into small pieces and put it in an airtight container that light can’t get to. I am thinking about trying cheese… shredded kinds. (They sell that too.) Anybody tried this? Is there any reason it wouldn’t work in a dehydrater?
Friday I purchased a Hamilton ionizer hepa air machine at a thrift store. Says it will cover a 14′ x 16′ room. It was only $9. If nothing else, I hope it will keep air fresher. Any hope/chance this will help keep infection (of any kind… of course, hoping BF) at least down?
Thanks, in advance!
OH… WalMart has canned vegetables (corn, eng. peas, & green beans) 4 for $1!!
I wouldn’t count on a HEPA filter doing much to protect u from this thing. No offense. Cleaning your hands 5X’s a day is going to be a better bet.
No offense taken! I wanted honest input!! So, is it good for anything???
Enough,
I use them and they are good for cleaning odors out of the air and keeping dust down.
Thanks, Melanie! Seemed like a good buy on the thing, which price ranged from $89-$150 when I online researched it. Dust is a HUGE problem at my house! And, smelly kids tennis shoes & socks! ;) Was hoping it was “useful!”
Thordawgy@14:15-
I think, unfortunately, there is a mismatch between your desire and your capabilities. I suspect that at the most, you will be able to generate about 150 watts on a stationary bike/generator. Most wet vacs need between 500 and 1000 watts to run them. I think a better bet would be a utility pump such as I have been using. They will pump a few hundred gallons per hour, and pull just about the same amount of power as you can pedal. I would still suggest a battery buffer arrangement to tide you over the momentary reductions of pedaling effort so you don’t stall and damage the pump.
Lance Armstrong averages 300 watts and peaks out at 600 watts. It just isn’t like Edward G. Robinson in Soylent Green cranking away to keep the lights on—although I did see a cyclist powered margarita machine at the latest bicycle trade show . . .
Jefiner- If you want that much power, then please make your reservations now to have Lance Armstrong SIP with you when the time comes. If I tried to get 150 watts out for very long, all of the power that I managed to store would be needed for the last few futile jolts of the paddles.
And as for a blender, the one that you need for when SIP comes along would be the one shown In This link. None of that wimpy human powered stuff when only industrial strength blending will do
Eccles, ROTFLMAO
Eccles – at 19:33
Holy shit…Couldn’t they just make a 12v model that plugs into the vehicle outlet?
When you get that vehicle link, please post so I can take it camping.
HBB and Melanie- This is the “Tim the Toolman” compatible model. It allows you to puree your carcasses directly in the field without the need to tie them to the hood of the vehicle.
That is definitely tailgating one-up-manship.
Those white plastic kitchen trash can liners fit snugly over a toliet seat. Can be used for a day then disposed of (somehow) if there’s no water to flush.
I use cinnimin to help control diabetes blood sugar. Also soy flour and almond meal can be used alone or mixed with regular flour to lower carbs.
I made a solar cooker out of a car dashboard shade. Works great. Plans at www.solarcooking.org
Ken
Eccles:
all rightey, then! :-D There is a Cabela’s opening here in Phoenix soon, so we will be getting one of *those*!
and I have held 100 watts on a bicycle using the Tune/Powertap system to measure power output. I durn near passed out, and didn’t feel much better when I heard about Armstrong’s average power output.
---mere human here---
Enough Already, did you open the machine and look at and smell the filter(s)? Maybe you should get new filters before you use it.
Well, well, well….looks like we’ve stretched this one as far as it can go. A(nother) continuation of this thread can be found right here. Yep…that’s a Roman numeral 9
Thordawggy – at 14:15
Pumps - try West Marine for a 12v boat bilge pump - I think there are several sizes.
Pat in AZ - try McMaster-Carr Supply Company for silica gel - they sell a gallon paint can full of hundreds of little packets. They sell most everything else, too.