home medical kit

2 aspirators
eyedroppers
2 enema buckets
6-8 rubber receiving blankets (about 3'x3')
12 dark-colored towels
tops of old socks
2 dozen thick washclothes (or more)
4 2-liter bottles (for ice packs or hot bottles)
stainless steel diaper pins
lg. rice bag
2 sm. rice bags
cotton twine (can soak in isopropyl alcohol or sterilize in the sunshine)
fracture pan (like a bed pan, angled on one side)
sterilized sheets in a brown paper bag
suture kit (cotton-wrapped thread for suturing)
cayenne (store cool, dark, airtight)
ginger
garlic (powder or dried)
comfrey
mustard (powder)
apple cider vinegar (must be organic- not just colored)
white distilled vinegar
epson salt
regular salt
hydrogen peroxide
cornstarch
baking soda
eucalyptus
lg. plastic-lined sheet (i had to wonder if a blanket coupled with a vinyl tablecloth would work in a pinch)
stethoscope
blood pressure cuff (just an inexpensive one)
ear light
other items necessary for your personal situation
...and a first aid manual

homemade fridge

LaVay's dad built a wooden box, covered with burlap on which a washdish was placed and yet another layer of burlap. the kid's were commissioned to keep the wash dish full of water. through condensation, the food inside the box (under a tree) was kept nice and cold.

home nursing basics

when assisting the sick, remember these basics:
1- do not feed the patient (eating takes energy needed for healing)
2- cleanse the bowels
3- touch is healing (warm hands)
4- administer a stimulant and relaxant simultaneously (ie.: lobelia & cayenne)

two survival buckets for two people

1st bucket:
5 c. jasmine rice
4 c. quinoa
4 c. millet
5 c. buckwheat
5 bags- 4 c. each: 1*barley, 2*rye, 3*oats, 4*kamut
real salt
wash cloth/bag for sprouting
yerba mate' with stevia
2- 1# bag beans
1- 1# bag lentils
5 c. life sprouts
2- 4 c. flax seeds
5 c. sesame seeds
5 c. sunflower seeds or pumpkin
4 c. mixed nuts
olive oil or coconut oil
honey
5 c. oatmeal
postum
seasoning for pulse
ion
castile toothpaste
lotion
lip salve
shampoo
cream rinse
floss & 2 toothbrushes


2nd bucket:
sweetened walnuts
2 c. tomato powder
2 c. barley green
2 c. carrot powder
2 c. beet powder
5 bags dried fruit
banana chips
for soup mix-5 c. mixed veggies and 5 c. garden veggies
recipes

seasonings-
1. spike 3/4 c.
2. dill 1 Tbsp.
3. oregano 2 Tbsp.
4. marjoram 1 Tbsp.
5. parsley 3/4 c.
6. cumin 1 Tbsp.
7. chili powder 3/4 c.
8. bay leaves 10
9. thyme 2 Tbsp.
10. peppercorn 1 Tbsp.
11. garlic 3/4 c.
12. basil 3/4 c.
13. onions 2 c.
14. ? anti-plague
15. ? masks
16. ? gloves

pulse- swedish limpa

1 c. oats
1 c. barley
1 c. rye
*soak 16 hours all together, rinse and drain a couple of times. sprout at least 24 hours or two days.

1 c. sunflower seeds
*soak 8 hours.

3 c. dried fruit (example: raisins always, dates, apples, wlofberries, cherries)
1 tsp. fennel- *soak 4 to 8 hours; save soak water.
1 tsp. carraway seed
zest of 1 lemon or orange
2 Tbsp. carob powder
1 Tbsp. cinnamon

1 c. coconut

after soaking and sprouting, mix all together. store extra in refrigerator.

you can use any mixture of grains.
also you can add any kind of seasoning like: banana, walnut, cinnamon.

fruit balls

8 dates (pitted)
3 dried pineapple rings
3 spears of dried papaya
4 dried mangoes
2 handfuls of macadamia nuts
2 handfuls of brazil nuts

pulse/blend in food processor until dough starts to form balls. roll into bite-sized balls and roll in coconut.

carob cream pie

crust (fake cake crust)
2 c. almonds
2 c. dates
on a cutting board, chop the almonds and dates thoroughly. knead the nuts and date together and then form into a 9" pie plate or you can mix in a food processor.

pie filling (ez pudding)
1 c. maple syrup or 1 1/2 c. dates (soaked)
2 medium avocados
1/2 c. carob powder
blend ingredients well. you may have to stop the blender and scrape down sides. if you use dates, rather than maple syrup, add a little orange juice to the blender or soak the dates in orange juice before using.
pour into pie crust.

cream
1 c. pecans or cashews soaked 30 minutes
1 c. dates soaked 1 hour
1 tsp. vanilla
blend until creamy. spread evenly or just dollop on top of pie.

grain preparation

grain- brown rice
*mix 1 part grain to 2 1/4 parts liquid for 45 minutes

grain- white rice
*mix 1 part rice to 2 parts liquid for 35 minutes

grain- millet
*mix 1 part millet to 2 parts liquid for 20 minutes

grain- p. barley
*mix 1 part p. barley to 3 parts liquid for 35-45 minutes

grain- quinoa
*mix 1 part quinoa to 2 parts liquid for 12-15 minutes

(there's a note here: 'must be rinsed well')


grain- wheat
*mix 1 part wheat to 6 parts liquid for 50-90 minutes

grain- wild rice
*mix 1 part wild rice to 3 1/2 parts liquid for 45-50 minutes

gardening indoors

i have a grow-light for starting plants... but just recently learned that it has to be within a couple inches of the plants to prevent them from being stringy. it also helps to have an oscillating fan near-by to simulate wind and make the plants stronger.

as a reminder, the best seeds -in our opinion- are open-pollinated, non-hybrid seeds. reason: they can be harvested and re-planted. (something about retaining the integrity of the original seed and not cross-pollinating to make cantaloupe looking zucchini).

radiation pills

if you're interested in anti-radiation information... look up potassium iodate.

potty or not potty

alright- i guess we have to tackle the dirty stuff too. we've mentioned sanitation kits that gather all the cleaning supplies into a bucket with a potty-seat lid. we've found them at cost (for info, e-mail me at rogneva@cut.net)

however... if you're stuck in a superdome without adequate toilet facilities or your handy dandy porta-potty - here are a few survival tips for the prepared at heart: builder's lime (also for dead bodies) is a great anti-odor perfume. just sprinkle liberally. if you don't want this to spread all over your backpack, you can double-bag it first. or option #2: dirt. okay, who wants to carry a zippy bag of dirt in a survival pack? not me. so... maybe just look for a nice spot to bury it (no non-biodegradable items, please.)

dehydrated garden food

dry fruit/vegetables for 24 hours - leave in plastic bags (open for thorough drying). hint: for oranges/lemons, slice very thin with rind on.

can toss into the blender to make powder. (why would we want to have carrot powder?)

taking care of dead bodies

what to do with a dead body (possibly toxic from contagious disease)...

rule #1 - do NOT touch.

1) put VICKS VAPORUB in nostrils to protect from odor.
2) wrap shoes in plastic.
3) suit up! wear medical/kitchen gloves (we like nitrile gloves from costco), plastic apron, hat, goggles, mask (filter to 2 micron- find in pharmacy by sanitation gloves or at Peterson Medical).
4) put plastic down to protect the floor.
5) collect and write as much personal information about the deceased.
6) make a body bag- NOT PLASTIC BAG- *black 6 ml plastic, seal with duct tape, then tie. *do not cremate, bury if possible.
7) take everything off: gloves last.. bury with the body.
8) strip off your clothes and disinfect with clorox or vinegar/hydrogen peroxide.

extreme cold weather

what would you do in the case of extreme cold, no utilities and a bad storm?

some suggestions:
1) turn water off (to protect the pipes from freezing and bursting)
2) drain all faucets - store the water
3) remember, if you turn off the gas.. the utility company has to turn it back on again.
4) ventilate if cooking inside.
5) conserve heat inside the house.

window warmth
*sandwich the following materials: cardboard, quilt batting and mylar (emergency blankets) for each window opening.
*using firring strips (thin strips of wood), staple thick plastic into the window opening.
*other suggestions- fiberglass insulation in a wood frame, styrofoam insulation cut to fit each window, blankets...

cold weather clothing (made with dense foam batting) - instructions in the Boy Scout field book.
*wear next to the skin (like long john's); then normal clothes over the top.
*synthetic fabric inner layer (tricot works great), then 1/2" soft foam (indoors) or 1" soft foam (outdoors), outside fabric/shell should be breathable, wind-tight, not waterproof.
*bring paper next week if you would like the pattern for wrap 'n stuff.

galoshes made from canvas and connected to the sole of an old boot with a sewing awl and heavy-weight thread (several sizes too big to accomodate 1 1/2" medium weight foam boot liners).

water purification

please submit your suggestions regarding water purification. i'm most interested in reviews for THINGS THAT WORKED.

for really bad water, it has been suggested to run it through a coffee filter first.

send your responses to: rogneva@cut.net

thanks!

foot reflexology chart

i recently discovered the meaning of "catastrophic health insurance." essentially it means that i don't dare go to the doctor for anything not life-threatening. therefore, i've become instantly more interested in the art of healing.

"Reflexology is a very efficient healing modality for addressing a number of stress related ailments like:

Migraines
Infertility
Arthritis
Sleep Disorders
Hormonal Imbalances
Sports Injuries
Digestive Disorders
Back Pain
Stress-Related Conditions"
(from http://www.circlesoflight.com/alternative/reflexology-chart.html)

besides, who doesn't want to have a foot massage?

upcoming ham radio operator class

if you are interested in taking the class, please e-mail your name and contact information to: rogneva@cut.net

the minimal cost includes a manual- i'm guessing $30? don't quote me.

recommended books

marlene's magic with food storage
po box 802,
american fork, ut 84003
http://waltonfeed.com/marlene.html


there's a cow in the kitchen: powdered milk recipes
ok, i didn't find this one... but there was an interesting website:
http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/powderedmilk.htm

the complete book of essential oils & aroma therapy
(janet's favorite)


cindy's favorite food storage cookbook:
mix-a-meal (available through the same website as marlene's magic)
http://waltonfeed.com/mix-a.html

red worms

while visiting the topic of garbage disposal, richard mentioned RED WORMS. since i'm very curious... i decided to look it up. not only can you feed these little guys to your chickens, you can also put them to work composting!

this is one of the sites that i found about getting started:
http://www.cityfarmer.org/wormcomp61.html

homemade outhouses

for this one you'll probably want a more descriptive or technical guide in order to implement your own toilet. since we plan for everything... this made the list to keep us from drowning in- well, you know.

the public sewer system relies heavily upon water to move the "stuff" through the cleaning process. if water is in short supply, the system is useless. therefore we needed a more efficient option: i like to call it "the hole in the ground" method.

we specifically explored two plans.
a: go outside (full facility outhouse) and
b: go inside and carry the stuff to the hole in the ground.

you choose!

for plan a, the dimensions were as follows: (reminder- this is just basic)
main floor -
6'6" high in front, 5'6" in back.
roof: 5'8" wide and 6' deep.
bench: 4' wide and 2' deep, 15" high (fit toilet seat on it)
floor in front of bench: same size as bench- 4' wide and 2' deep.
door: 30" wide, 6'3" tall, and has a quarter moon cut into it. (the quarter moon is the privacy icon, also provides light, some suggested it be covered with glass or netting to keep the flies out)
garden apartment - use your imagination...
dig this one 3'6" square and 4'11" deep (any deeper and you might not be able to get out, jk)

for plan b,
dig a big hole.
how big?
enough room to fit a 55-gallon water barrel (metal or plastic) with 2-feet below and some room on the sides to fit gravel for drainage.
next, fill bottom of big hole with 2-feet of gravel.
put in big barrel (with holes drilled in side).
**top of barrel should protrude enough to allow the lid to be lifted**
backfill with gravel.
disguise as desired.
**you may want to devise a method of keeping this unit accessible during freezing season.... gazebo, fake water well thing, a tarp or whatever.**
i was thinking that i'd add a lid-lifter like the dutch oven things so i wouldn't have to touch the lid ever.
also, somebody said you can attach a piece of 2"x4" under the lid so it won't get stuck shut.

k. that was fun... now when do you dig this?

the correct answer is in the spring when the ground is soft. unless you live in fairview and the terrain is all rocks... then it might not matter.

so... happy digging!