Random Thoughts

From the Desk of John Rourke – April 27th, 2017

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Protein is often an expensive component in food storage programs. Freeze dried meat can be upwards of $30 – $50 for a #10 can. Canned meat like ham is a good option and they will keep for many years. While rice and beans combined may make a complete dietary protein  – it’s not the same.

Local grocery store had some canned chicken on sale. Good price. Picked up the limited and will be going back tomorrow.

chicken, canned, food storage, preparedness, sale, budget, survival

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COMMUNITY INTELLIGENCE:  Big subject for the little amount of space here. A topic I rarely see discussed and I’m no expert but certainly have given it a lot of thought. Civil unrest for whatever reason breaks out in your community or nearby area. What do you really know about your area?

How many gangs are present?

Where are they typically located?

How many break-ins have occurred within a 10 mile radius of your home in the last year? Five years? Is there an upward trend? How about within 1 mile?

How many police officers – city and county – are employed? How many are on duty at any given time?

Where is the nearest National Guard unit to your area?

Is the local Sheriff a Republican or Democrat? Where do they stand on gun control?

What is the ratio of white, black, and latino in your area? It matters.

Do you have a scanner – or at least a scanner app – that will pick up local police, fire and rescue activities?

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Might not be the manliest drink out there but Henry’s Hard Grape Soda is phenomenal.

There are many reasons why so many love their Kindle and Amazon Fire tablets. One huge advantage is you could literally go years without every buying a book to read as there are tons of free eBooks available. Don’t have a Kindle or Fire? No problem. There are apps that can be installed on most any cell phone or computer for free. No excuses!

Today’s Freebies

DIY Solar Heating

Go Off Grid and Go Green With Micro Hydro System

Backyard Homesteading

Survival Mistakes to Avoid

Trading Commodities for Survival

NOTE: If you see a free preparedness eBook that you’re interested in get it now. Prices change often and there is no way to tell how long the book will remain free. Before purchasing a free Kindle book on Amazon make certain the book is still free by making sure the price is $0.00. If it lists a price or says “read for free” or has a price for prime members the book is not free anymore.

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14 Comments

  3. Oren says:

    I home canned chicken thighs 3 years ago. In the quart jar, they look terrible. But, they taste great…a lot better than the canned variety out of the grocer. Not sure how long they will last as far as longevity goes, but I still have about 10 quarts. I put up about 10 pounds out of a 20 pound box.

    Reply
  4. Firehawk says:

    Where I live in central Marxachussetts city, nobody, but nobody talks to anybody. I tried once and the person just turned and walked away. That’s why I am moving to SC next year, if the doo-doo hasn’t hit the oscillating device.

    Reply
  5. Capt.Michael says:

    Good point JR. SDR, (Software Defined Radio) for the win? Cheap, easy to use. SDR Software = free. SDR Dongle = $20. SDR can only receive, not transmit.

    I can provide links if needed JR. Just hit me up. This video is only about 6 mins. The person in this video describes how it works and then he demonstrates it. Including one use as a scanner.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fow9lOCuv0k

    Reply
    1. Patriot Believer says:

      CM,

      Great advice. Those things can monitor from 500KHz up to just about 2 GHz. And, you can add an antenna to them. Poor mans radio receiver shack.

      PB

      Reply
  6. goingray58 says:

    I catch those sales like you show here and buy a flat or two and take the box. They have season ground beef and lemon pepper chicken.. Turkey…. Ham.. and of course there is the whatever is on sale tunas in water (can’t stand oil packed.. just me).
    A can of the meat or two in a big pot of rise .. juice and all is decent. I buy spices on sale as well.. and just put em back.
    You guys have read me talking about raising my birds .. someday I’ll talk the wife into a goat or three …. Both turn trash and forage into meat and fertilizer for garden.. And fresh meat is just better than the other. I’ve tried putting two cans together and leaving them alone.. you still have two cans… goats and birds are better at that whole making more thing.:)
    Of course .. freeze dried has some real advantages if you have to travel or at a BOL.. or if you Bug in (lock down). It lasts longer than I will… it is very lite and travels well, and would be good to offset winter stores if not enough of the other before spring.

    You can go will-call to the LDS stores and get a break on price over some brands like Mountain House. Seems like it depends on the are of the country and availability.

    Consider the big tubs of peanut butter .. not really a complete protein, but better than nothing.

    We were just talking about canning meat today.. We found a local cannery that will let you help cann for one price or do it for you for another. Will all the birds I have now and the ones coming as well as the 2nd year layers slowing down… it might be a good idea for not to much money and learn a bunch… maybe develop a friend or two. Plus we doubled the garden.. so that too.

    Someday I may buy a freeze drier todo meat and eggs. Good griedf they aree expensive though.

    Not everyone has a place with enough dirt and out of the way location.. I understand.
    Just sharing… Raised beds on grass cloth you can do on a patio… there are several examples on youtube.

    Also don’t forget … while nears end of planting season, but before the good seeds are gone.. I’m seeing 4 for 1 sales etc… buy em up.. and go heavy on greens.. for vitamins to offset that protein.
    done rambling
    GG58

    Reply
  7. 3rdMan says:

    “Might not be the manliest drink out there but Henry’s Hard Grape Soda is phenomenal.”

    Yep, this Sh!# is good!!!! Bought it for my wife, but I’ve drank most of them.

    Reply
  8. Jim says:

    Dollar General is the best place I have found for “end of year” seed sales. I have purchased for as little as 1 cent a pack…. usually 90% off though.

    Reply
    1. SingleMom says:

      Darn. I thought I did good getting mine for 25 cents. Gotta love the daughter, though. I was grabbing them off the first rack I saw, and she says “Mum, the heirloom seeds are over there.” So, I had to put them all back and get the “right” ones.

      Reply
  9. theoakman says:

    Jeanie bought some canned beef……from Brazil. I would say I wouldn’t give that to my dog….but she (Maggie) loves it, so she gets a little each day……but Jean and I still would not eat it……unless we were really, really hungry!

    Reply
  10. Patriot Believer says:

    My wife and a few other ladies get together here a several times a year and crank up two of the American cannner’s biggest (30 quart plus) and have a canning party. Last time we canned 240 pounds of chicken just for us. Others did similar amounts. My buddies and I are the “kettle watchers” outside on our camp stove with the giant burners.

    Good times.

    PB

    Reply
  11. SingleMom says:

    I just can’t get into the taste of freeze-dried meat. I know it’s better than nothing, and I love the shelf life, but it always leaves a nasty aftertaste. The kids love it, though. My personal favorite is Keystone Meats, which may only be available online in your area. Unlike Wal-Mart’s canned meats that are mostly liquid or gristle and not much good for anything but some flavor, the Keystone cans are packed full of meat with just enough juice to keep it moist.

    Reply

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