Category Archives: Emergency Preparedness

Money Saving Monday: “Prepping” on a Dime

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Being prepared is something we try to do in a gradual but effective way.  I have seen many sites and articles which talk about being fully prepared for emergencies and what you need to keep on hand.  If you look at those huge lists, it can seem overwhelming.  Then one day I received a list someone made of $5.00 “preps.”  This was a list of items that you could purchase for only $5.00 – something you can do over the course of several weeks or months to be more prepared.  Here are a few ideas to jump start your own ideas.

  • 5 pounds of beans
  • 5 pounds of rice
  • 1 flashlight
  • 10 cans of vegetables on sale
  • Package of batteries
  • 5 gallons of water.
  • Water purifying kit
  • Bag of dehydrated fruit
  • Package of jerky
  • Vitamins
  • Cooking fuel
  • Several packages of seeds
  • Water treatment tablets

What other $5.00 items can you add to your weekly shopping list?  Just adding one or two things per week is affordable for most families. If you watch for special sales or coupons, you can stretch your money even further!

Malia Russell is the blessed wife to Duncan, thankful mother to five children, ages 2 to 21 and an author, conference speaker and director of www.homemaking911.com and www.wheat-n-things.com. Visit her site for inspiration, encouragement and practical help in your roles as a godly wife, mother, homemaker or home educator.

 

Quick Tip Tuesday: Trying to Prepare?

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If you are interested in being more prepared for life’s emergencies, but find yourself overwhelmed or discouraged by all the doom and gloom out there, you might want to check out this free digital subscription offer for Prepare magazine.  Their intro site explains that they seek to “assist families in preparation”, minus the usual media scare tactics.  

As American Virtue readers know, we highly value individual and community preparedness, so our team is looking forward to checking out the first issue of Prepare and hopefully gleaning some further insight and encouragement from them.  If we really enjoy it, you’ll hear more about it here!

Planting Potatoes in a Bucket

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Years ago I found a project in a child’s gardening book for growing your potatoes in a bucket. This makes an easy, quick, not-too-messy project for growing your own potatoes that are as easy as child’s play.
You will need:
  • a large bucket. I use a 6 gallon bucket. You can use a larger or smaller one, but this size is manageable for me.
  • seed potatoes – you can get these from a gardening center

1. Drill some holes on the sides of the bucket, about two inches from the bottom. You may do this ahead if your children are too young to help with this part.
2. Add about 3 inches of rocks (you can make good use of those you are pulling out of your garden as you are preparing it).
3. Add potting soil or loose, healthy soil from your garden. Your bucket should be about 6 inches full.
4. Add the seed potatoes and cover with about 3 inches of loose soil.
5. Water to moisten.
6. Place bucket in a sunny spot.
7. As the potatoes start to sprout and reach the top of the soil, keep adding more soil, only leaving the top few leaves exposed to light. You will continue adding soil daily until the bucket is full. it will be heavy, so be sure to put it in a place you want it to stay.
8. Check daily for moist soil.
9. When the plant starts to die (yellow), it is time to harvest the potatoes. You can turn the bucket to it’s side and pull the potatoes loose.
Malia Russell is the blessed wife to Duncan, thankful mother to five children, ages newborn to 20 and an author, conference speaker and director of www.homemaking911.com and www.wheat-n-things.com. Visit her site for inspiration, encouragement and practical help in your roles as a godly wife, mother, homemaker or home educator.

Emergency Preparedness

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Have you ever called 9-1-1? The question they ask is: What is your emergency?
Recently, here in Louisville, Kentucky, we have had power outages due to storms. Some homes were completely leveled in our community, leaving people without homes or access to any of their possessions. We had a water main break and have had part of the city on a “water boiling” requirement. Highways have been completely blocked by wrecks leaving motorists stranded on the highway for hours. Several of my family members are out of work, and have been for quite a long time.
Simple emergencies happen all the time around here. The other day, my daughter, Anne Mary asked me if I am a “prepper.” Owning wheat-n-things.com has put us in contact with lots of folks who are “survivalists” or “preppers” who are basically folks who try to store, train, and prepare themselves and their families to be prepared for any emergency situation, long or short-term. Some of these people believe a total collapse of the economy and government is coming at any moment. Others believe that our country is one natural disaster away from complete anarchy.
Yet, we also know others who have no desire to prepare whatsoever.

So when my daughter asked me if we are “preppers”, I had to admit that I am somewhat prepared and somewhat not.
There are minor emergencies that happen all the time and for which I hope to be prepared:

  • Short-term loss of electricity (Generators/gas/batteries/flashlights/cooking source)
  • Short-term loss of water (stored water and water purification system)
  • Short-term food shortage (stored food)
  • Car breakdown on the side of the road (Bag in car with first aid, snacks, water, spare diapers, sunblock)
  • Loss of my husband’s job (savings, alternative income sources)
  • Minor every-day injuries (first aid, training)
I am better prepared than I was a couple of years ago, but I still see lots of areas for improvement. Recently I went to a website where you can calculate how much food you are suggested to have in storage and realized that I am dismally below the mark on many of the food areas. I am prayerfully considering how much of my family’s time and resources should be dedicated to storing some things for emergencies and how much we must simply walk in faith.
I also realize that as food costs continue to climb higher that if I have food that has a stable shelf-life, I am better off buying it sooner rather than later- that is just smart budgeting. For that reason, I plan to store more rice, beans, wheat, honey, oil (1 year shelf life on oil), sugar, salt, and some canned items.
What are you doing for emergency preparedness? Where do you fall in the spectrum? What emergencies are common in your area?

[Note from the Editor: We would LOVE to have you comment here on Malia's post - your comment may even be featured in our Individual & Community Preparedness issue later this year!]

Malia Russell is the blessed wife to Duncan, thankful mother to five children, ages newborn to 20 and an author, conference speaker and director of www.homemaking911.com and www.wheat-n-things.com. Visit her site for inspiration, encouragement and practical help in your roles as a godly wife, mother, homemaker or home educator.

Frugal Preparedness for your BOB

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I am always trying to think of frugal ways to get the things we need into our emergency backpacks!
Sooo, as I was clearing out some herb and vitamin bottles awhile back, I couldn’t bring myself to toss them. There just HAS TO BE some good use for these waterproof, great little plastic bottles!

Dad has the children currently working on their fire lighting skills….and then a light bulb went off! MATCHES!
These little vitamin bottles are PERFECT for housing ‘strike anywhere’ matches in a dry, compact location; not only that but I can fit some cottonballs (tinder) in them as well! Yeehaw! Great use and a great item for everyone to have tucked in their bags!
~Lisa

American Virtue Magazine is pleased to partner with Lisa Barthuly of Homestead Originals to present a Frugal Living series here on our “Taking the Hill” blog. Mrs. Barthuly is the author of Homestead Simplicity: Natural Clean and the creator of the Homestead Originals line of all-natural, handcrafted candles.
Each week we will feature recipes Mrs. Barthuly has created for use on her family’s homestead. Whether your homestead is rural, urban, or somewhere in between, we trust that you will glean something of interest from these offerings. We invite you to leave comments here on Taking the Hill, on our Facebook page, and to visit the Barthuly family’s web site to learn more about her company’s offerings.

Canning Applesauce…in Winter?

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You bet! We live in Apple Country and in December and January, one of the many local orchards marked the last of what they have in their cold storage down to 25 cents a pound!! We have bumped most of our apple canning and preserving to WINTER, rather than fall, at that price! In our effort to stock our pantry on the cheap (and healthy!) this was an excellent deal– our children LOVE applesauce and my husband will even take pints in his lunchpail to work for his meals!
We recently drove out to the orchard and picked up about 125 pounds of a few different varieties: Granny Smith for pie filling, Red Delicious for just plain eating, and the variety of Golden Delicious that our favorite orchard grows is THE family favorite for applesauce!

All I do is peel, core and toss the pieces in my big 18 quart roaster, along with 2 C of water; set the oven on about 325 degrees and just let them cook down for a few hours, stirring every half hour or so and using a potato masher as well to get all chunks out. That’s IT. SIMPLE.
I have one child that loves a bit of cinnamon, so I add about 2 teaspoons into some batches. I can mine up in quart jars in our water bath canner at 20 minutes–it doesn’t get any easier, healthier or cheaper (’til we have more than one tree producing here at the ranch)!

When you find a local source of excellent produce or an amazing deal at your local store, think about how you can take advantage of a killer price and stock your pantry! In this economy we’ve taken to trying to buy ONLY the best deals, in bulk and thru local farmers. We’re finding it really helps the grocery budget…because as I am sure you’ve noticed, walking through the store with a traditional weekly grocery list is getting far too expensive!
Applesauce is so easy ( and frugal!) to put up in the pantry– ENJOY!
~Lisa
American Virtue Magazine is pleased to partner with Lisa Barthuly of Homestead Originals to present a Frugal Living series here on our “Taking the Hill” blog. Mrs. Barthuly is the author of Homestead Simplicity: Natural Clean and the creator of the Homestead Originals line of all-natural, handcrafted candles.
Each week we will feature recipes Mrs. Barthuly has created for use on her family’s homestead. Whether your homestead is rural, urban, or somewhere in between, we trust that you will glean something of interest from these offerings. We invite you to leave comments here on Taking the Hill, on our Facebook page, and to visit the Barthuly family’s web site to learn more about her company’s offerings.

Northwest Storms

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The governor of Washington state has declared a state of emergency due to winter storms that blew in this week.  (Read more here.)

A large portion of the staff of American Virtue is located in the Northwest and several are in areas of Washington currently without power due to snow and ice storms.  Thankfully the team members affected by the storms were well prepared for the incoming weather and are safe.  However, this will limit our internet access and may cause a slight delay in replies if you contact us over the next few days.  Thank you for your patience and understanding.

We appreciate your thoughts and prayers; we do ask that you keep the spouses of our staff members in mind as they travel to and from work as necessary.  We hope that all of our readers are safe and sound, wherever you are located, during the winter weather nationwide. 

~ Melonie Kennedy for American Virtue (American Virtue Magazine & Apps-School.com) ~

Wednesday Wit & Wisdom: 1/11/12

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“Should we be confronted with Peak Oil tomorrow, the majority of people would not be resilient.  What’s more, for our communities to operate in a progressive way, which could prepare us for the threats of the future, we need to engage everyone, and well-developed practical skills are one way to do that. … As Rob Hopkins says, ‘If you leave school not knowing how to build or garden or sew or repair anything, it does you a great disservice.  The generation that learns how to use more its hands than just its two thumbs will undertake a real journey of discovery and empowerment.’  May we look forward then to a more skilful, self-sufficient, united and resilient future — for the next generation.”

~ Georgina-Kate Adams, Reskilling for the Future, Permaculture magazine, No. 70 (Winter 2011), pg. 19 ~

Giveaway at Surviving the Suburbs

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Wendy Brown, author of Surviving the Apocalypse in the Suburbs, is hosting a giveaway.  One lucky commenter will receive a copy of her book, which we highly recommend.  If you’ve been concerned about the state of the economy and the world in general, but are tired of all the gloom and doom, you’ll really enjoy Wendy’s “Thrivalist” tone.  She’ll make you think, but gives you steps you can take, rather than leaving you to throw your hands up in the air if you can’t (or don’t want to!) blow a million bucks on a zombie-proof compound.  So head on over and enter at Wendy’s blog – and if you’re the winner, be sure to let us know so we can celebrate with you!

Quick Tip Tuesday: Winter Warmth

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Winter weather can mean hazardous roads – while making your list of things to pack in the car for holiday travel, make sure you include at least one blanket.  Youngsters can snuggle up in a cozy quilt when they get tired; parents can cover a seat to keep pet hair or spills off upholstery; and most importantly, a blanket or two can provide necessary layers of warmth if you are stuck in a snow drift or run out of gas.  Having a blanket to lay on the ground before changing a tire can help keep holiday outfits cleaner as well.

Check with your local mechanic or auto parts store about roadside emergency kits before hitting the road – they contain items that can be handy any time of the year, but especially during the winter.