What do you use for your every day stovetop cooking?  Chances are, you’re like a lot of us who own fairly nice cookware.  My set is nice, but I’d never want to use it over a gas grill, campfire or campstove.  One major reason is that it isn’t safe to use non-stick cookware over a fire.

image by INeedCoffee

Last year when I began lurking around garage and estate sales, I started picking up used, and cheap, pots, pans, and an old-fashioned coffeepot.  They are all pieces I wouldn’t mind putting over an open flame.  In fact, a couple of them look like they’ve already done some hard time over campfires!

If your culinary skills are ever put to the test in less than ideal conditions, you’ll be glad to have a few of these pots and pans for your cooking, and they are so easy to find in thrift stores and at garage sales.  While you’re at it, keep a sharp eye out for cast iron cookware as well.  Purchased new, it can be a bit pricey.

Hey, if your cookware is already old and crummy, this is one prepping step you don’t have to worry about!

© 2012, thesurvivalmom. All rights reserved.

A few weeks ago I read a comment that asked, “What if you came across a bucket of old silver quarters that your grandma or grandpa had collected?  What would that mean to you and your family right now?” (paraphrased)

Well, that would mean my family had several pounds of silver!  Silver we could either sell or, at some point in the future, use as currency.  In other words, grandma or grandpa would have blessed us with a real form of wealth.

I’ve decided to be that grandma.  Granted, my kids are only 10 and 12, but someday, a bucket of real silver coins could make all the difference in the world to their lifestyle and future plans.  It’s so easy to start collecting these 90% silver coins.

• Go to a coin store and ask to see a pre-1965 quarter.  Look at it carefully and compare it with a newer quarter.  Quarters and dimes minted in 1964 and earlier contain 90% silver.  Anything minted in 1965 and later does not.
• Keep track of the current value of silver at this website.  It’s updated frequently throughout the day.  When you see a nice little dip, head to the coin store with a few dollars or more.
• You will pay the “spot price” of the silver, which is the value as tracked by Kitco and other websites plus a “premium”.  The premium is the profit charged by the coin dealer.  Not all premiums are the same, so shop around to find the dealer who charges the lowest premium.
• Check jars (or buckets!) of coins you might have around the house.  You might get lucky and find some of these coins right under  your roof!
• Keep your silver in a safe place.  Consider splitting it up into 2 or more hiding locations.  Don’t store it in a bank safety deposit box.

To give you an idea of the value of silver, in the spring of 2011, it was selling at $27/ounce or so.  In the spring of 2010, it was selling for less than $18 an ounce, and a year before that, $13. A key concept is that it’s not silver itself that is gaining in value but, in fact, our dollar is losing value!

Remind yourself that you are not buying quarters with a value of 25 cents!  You are buying silver.  The first time I bought pre-1965 quarters, I couldn’t believe I was giving the clerk $20 for a handful of quarters.

By the way, if you’re Canadian, you’ll want to pick up silver coins dated 1966 or earlier.  These are 80% silver.

In a post-SHTF world, there’s no telling how much value a handful of pre-1965 silver coins will have, but I would love to be the grandma who blesses her children’s children with something that has real wealth.

© 2012, thesurvivalmom. All rights reserved.

image by CarbonNYC

I teach about the importance of the Rule of 3 in my webinar class, “Survival Rules You Can’t Afford to Ignore,” and recently applied the rule to identifying the most likely scenarios for prepping.  It’s so simple, I don’t know why it hadn’t occurred to me before!

If you’re wondering what to prepare for first, answer these 3 questions:

1. What is the most likely natural disaster that might occur in your area?
2. What is the most likely extreme weather event that might affect you?
3. What is the most likely personal or man-made disaster that might occur?

Once you answer these three questions, you have 3 events to plan for.  To refine your decisions and actions even further, order these 3 events from most urgent to least urgent.  For example, if you consider a blizzard to be the most likely weather event but summer is right around the corner, perhaps the natural or man-made disaster on your list should be given the highest priority for now.

Is your list finished?  Well, get busy!

© 2012, thesurvivalmom. All rights reserved.

By John A. Heatherly, Author of The Survival Template and The Cave and The Sea

photo by AFR 64-4 Figure 19-3 Page 279

 The following two-part article considers the use of a “Beach Well” to procure water.  First is an excerpt from THE CAVE AND THE SEA, A NOVEL, by John A. Heatherly, followed by the most outstanding resource information we could find.  Enjoy the story and please do not miss the reference material at the end!

CHAPTER 96: SALTWATER

     A flat layer of fluffy clouds floated just above the southern horizon, contrasting blue sky and stone mountains with the darker shades of the sea.  Hawk looked stoic and calculating, while Kele and Coe were awestruck.

“This is indescribable,” she said softly, slowly scanning the horizon from east to west.

“Look, away from the river,” Coe agreed, “the desert and the sea meet … it is like a vast pool in the sand.”

Hawk finally spoke.  “In many ways it may as well be one big desert.”  He pointed to the water.  “That saltwater is not drinkable though the weather is still warm down here.  It brings back bad memories … though I did learn to survive it.”

Kele put her arm around him.  “We are with you this time, Hawk, and we have a home to return to.  Things will be better.”

They found the walking near the coastline to be easy, much easier, in fact, than any other part of the journey.

“The sea provides food, does it not, Hawk?” Kele asked.

“Yes, I suppose it does, though I rarely took advantage of it on my trip to the north.”

“I have some ideas when we stop,” she said, cheerfully looking over her left shoulder to the water.

“There is one trick I learned, though. Watch this.”  Hawk led them behind a wall of dune and rock, surveying the ground beneath his feet as he went.  He smiled when he discovered a low point in the sand, and dropped to vigorously dig into the depression with his hands.

In only a few minutes he had created a large hole; soon after the sand he was removing began to look dark and moist.  He sat back to rest, then leaned against a tall rock while keeping his eyes on the hole he had dug.

“Water is seeping into it!” Coe exclaimed.  “Is it fresh?”

“Yes, it is drinkable right out of the hole.  It takes time though, because the sand needs to settle to the bottom.”

Kele looked into the water hole.  “How did you learn of this, Hawk?”

He stared into the water as he answered.  These were truly bad memories for him.  “After I escaped, I moved through the dunes in an attempt to hide.  One morning I just happened upon a hole like this, though it had been improved with wood and the top was covered.  I was thirsty … I drank my fill then kept going.”

“I suppose the dunes and the sandy ground make the sea water drinkable,” Coe said.

“Yes – once I dug a hole in the sand on the other side of the dunes and the water was terrible.  What a waste of time!”

Kele laughed at him.  “Hawk, you are funny even when you are trying to be serious!”

Coe prodded him.  “Yes, isn’t Aayoni lucky?”

Their friendly jokes broke his momentary funk.  The rest of the day was spent hiding from the sun and replenishing their canteens from the unexpected water source.

 Reference

 Please see AFR 64-4, Page 279 http://www.scribd.com/doc/4442666/AF-Manual-644-Survival-USAF-July-1985 for more outstanding information on the use of Beach Wells like the one described above, as well as many other sources of fresh water.

© 2012, John A. Heatherly. All rights reserved.

By John A. Heatherly, Author of The Survival Template

photo by marksontok

Coined by Jim Collins in his book, Good to Great, the term “The Stockdale Paradox” has come to describe then mentality of one of the toughest survivors to be studied, Vice Admiral James Bond Stockdale.

Admiral Stockdale spent seven years in the Hoa Lo Prison in Vietnam, where he endured and survived unspeakable conditions.  Years later he was asked how he coped during such dark, tortuous times.  His answer:  “I never doubted not only that I would get out, but also that I would prevail in the end and turn the experience into the defining event of my life, which, in retrospect, I would not trade.”  It is interesting that he CHOSE to make captivity “the defining event” of his life.  His disciplined mind was able to frame the experience to his advantage.

When asked, “Who did not survive?” he responded,  “They were the ones who said, ‘We’re going to be out by Christmas.’ And Christmas would come, and Christmas would go. Then they’d say, ‘We’re going to be out by Easter.’ And Easter would come, and Easter would go. And then Thanksgiving, and then it would be Christmas again. And they died of a broken heart … This is a very important lesson. You must never confuse faith that you will prevail in the end—which you can never afford to lose—with the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be.”

The Stockdale Paradox (faith that you will prevail + discipline to confront the most brutal facts of current reality) can be practiced and developed BEFORE times get dark.  It is a mental perspective that can be powerfully effective, and is a gift from Admiral Stockdale that we all can make use of.

© 2012, John A. Heatherly. All rights reserved.

By John A. Heatherly, Author of The Survival Template

photo from AFR 64-4, Figure 19-15, page 189

A variety of events can contaminate ordinary, working sources of water.  For example, rainstorms, or even worse, hurricanes, can pollute tap-water that is normally clean.  In other cases, a pond or puddle may be used as a water source.  With a little improvisation these problems can be remedied, allowing for better-tasting, better-smelling water.  NOTE:  This type of filter will NOT purify water, but is meant to be used in conjunction with a purification method (boiling, iodine, bleach, etc ….)

The figure above illustrates a three-stage water filter built out of a tripod and porous cloth.  This simple device is highly effective in cleansing drinking water.  I have seen a version of this constructed out of a plastic milk jug that washed up on the beach (a large, plastic soda bottle would work as well.)  In this case, the bottom of jug was removed with a knife and a piece of cloth was placed over the jug’s mouth.  The inner layers of the filter were the same as in the image: charcoal, sand, and grass.

Projects such as this water filter can also make for great fun on family outings and camping trips.  Again, ensure that the water is PURIFIED before drinking it, and experiment with filters such as this one to improve the look and taste.

Anyone have experience with filters similar to this one?

© 2012, John A. Heatherly. All rights reserved.

By John A. Heatherly, Author of The Survival Template

photo by jennaddenda

Early Spring can bring spectactular Family time!  The following tricks for finding and gathering dry firewood are extraordinarily practical and work great when approached as “games” that children and parents can play together.

1. “Squaw Wood” – Though the term Squaw Wood is sometimes in question, generally this refers to dry branches that can be found at the bases of evergreen trees.  The boughs and uppers branches of the trees tend to protect the Squaw Wood from rain, making it an excellent choice for kindling.  One game, that works especially well in a predominately deciduous forest, is to have children scan the hillsides for evergreen trees.  From a distance they stand out really well.  Dry Squaw Wood can normally be found there.

2. Pitch Stumps – Pine stumps often consist of hardened sap, called Pitch or Fatlighter, which is highly flammable.  Any easy way to find the Pitchwood is to simply kick a stump.  Once the rotten wood falls away, the Pitchwood normally remains, as it is much stronger.  I like to make shavings from the Pitchwood to use as tinder.  Often it can be split into kindling as well. Once children start to look for these stumps as a game, they will start to notice them everyone, even when they are not looking for Pitch specifically.  *Of course, supervision is necessary if children are using cutting tools as part of the game.

3. Cedar Stumps – These are sought for ease of use.  Cedar is very easy to split into kindling, and long pieces work well for making shavings for tinder.

4. “Standing Dead” – The split wood of standing-but-dead trees is a great place to find dry firewood (assuming the top of the tree is not broken and hollow to allow water to seep in.)  This technique is more advanced, as a saw, ax, or large knife is often needed to split into the wood.  Again, fine shavings can be used for tinder, with long, thin pieces being used for kindling.

The ability to find firewood is a valuable skill, and the “games” listed above will help you and your children to hone the skill.  The warm fire at the end of the game is the best reward!

© 2012, John A. Heatherly. All rights reserved.

image by buyalex

Recently I was trying to figure out a better way to carry water in my purse.  I didn’t like the huge water bottles because they weigh so much, and the smaller containers are made of plastic that is easily dented and cracked.  Well, I think I found the solution in the form of the old-fashioned flask.

I purchased a Coleman flask at Target to give my idea a try.  It holds 8 ounces.  While it’s heavier than a flimsy plastic bottle, it’s also far more sturdy, and it’s nearly flat and doesn’t take up as much room in my small purse.  Plastic caps on water bottles can leak, but so far, this flask is water-tight.  And, heck, it just looks cool!

R.E.I. has a good variety of flasks on their website and I found a couple of really cute ones here and here.

© 2012, thesurvivalmom. All rights reserved.

By John A. Heatherly, Author of The Survival Template

photo by MSBarrows

Birch trees are both elegant and useful, especially in the Springtime, and can be utilized in the following ways:

1.  Treatment for Poison Ivy – With the arrival of warm weather, families are spending time outdoors, and poison ivy could be a problem.  Small twigs of birch can be boiled into a tea, cooled slightly, then applied to affected areas.  This little known treatment can work wonders when other medications fail!

2.  Tree taps – In the Spring, Birch trees can be tapped to procure liquid for drinking or to be boiled into delicious sap syrup.  After placing a small (approximately 1 inch) wooden peg or “tap” into the inner bark, sap can easily be gathered.  If trying this, please research the tap process a bit to ensure that you properly repair the tree when finished, as tapping can be harmful if done improperly.

3.  Fire-starter – Strips of birch bark are one of nature’s best tinders.  They are highly flammable and burn with a black smoke.  Caution: I do not recommend extracting birch bark from the decorative trees outside of restaurants for a fire-craft demonstration in the parking lot.  Once I dazzled my friends with the trick but no one else in the area seemed impressed.

4.  Tea – Mild tea can be made from a palmful of leaves (one palmful per cup of water) or a stronger tea from the boiled twigs (1-2 palmfuls of twigs per cup.)  The tea has a diuretic effect, and strong birch teas act as a sedative in times of stress (1/2 cup per day.)

5.  Edible inner-bark – The inner bark can be dried in the sun then ground into flour.

Have you used birch in these or other ways?

*Sources: Personal experience; Tom Brown’s Guide to Wild Edible and Medicinal Plans

© 2012, John A. Heatherly. All rights reserved.

 By John A. Heatherly, Author of The Survival Template

 photo by spentrails

Many, when storing food for times of need in the future, stock up on wheat, flour, rice, corn, sugar, etc …, and they do it for good reason.  All of these, when stored properly, have a long shelf-life and can provide carbohydrates for sustenance when needed.  So what about sources of fat (canned butter, oils)?

For me, personal experience, as well as outside research, confirms the importance, dare I say the SUPERIORITY, of a diet that emphasizes fats above carbohydrates.

Here is a scenario: Something horrific happens (for example a natural disaster, disruption of food supply chain, or war) and groups of people are forced to live off of food stores.  A number of studies indicate that a high-fat diet promotes physical and mental health far better than a high-carb diet, even when daily caloric intake is the same when comparing the two.

In my case, I am happier, leaner, and more physically fit with a diet that is high in fat and protein, and limits carbohydrates (especially flour, sugar, and rice.)

In closing: This TIP recommends the storage of high-carbohydrate food sources, for the reasons listed above.  It is more important, however, to have sources of fat available, as it is my belief that in a time of crisis, fats offer “more bang for the buck.”

What are your experiences and thoughts on the fat vs. carb debate, as it relates to food storage?

© 2012, John A. Heatherly. All rights reserved.