The Positive Act Of Being Prepared
By Victor Alfieri, editor woodlotfarms.com
Revised 11/2012

We have insurance for many things, for our homes, cars, boats, personal health, and even at the time of our death, but there is no insurance offered that can guarantee healthy food on your table, electricity, clean drinking water, or gas for cooking and heating. 

You may have the means (money) to purchase these things, but there is no guarantee they will be available for purchase. Our vast interdependent complex system we depend on could breakdown at the drop of a hat.  A crisis could result from a wide variety of events, both natural and man made. In the last few years in parts of our country and around the world we are seeing some familiar and unfamiliar scenarios unfold.


Many years ago thinking and talking about some of these scenarios would be preposterous.  
These scenarios unfolding in our current times are all to real. Just because it's not happening on your front lawn doesn't mean it's not happening.  A disaster half way around the world can have a
direct effect on your survival.

When a storm hits or disaster warnings go out, the time to prepare is over. It would be like trying to buy fire insurance when your house is on fire.  It's better to be prepared way too early, than just one second too late.

Most people find it difficult to accept the fact that we live in a chaotic violent world. Thinking about the possibilities of a crisis is too disturbing for most people to consider. It's human nature to avoid the unpleasant. The warning signs are ignored and the consequences are rejected.

People feel secure in the assumption that everything will go on working tomorrow just like it did today and someone will always be there to help them.  This type of thinking is wrong.  Basing your families survival on assuming and hoping, someone or some organization is going to help you in a crisis is childish and irresponsible.

If you get help in a crisis that’s absolutely wonderful, but what happens if you don’t? 
What is your plan B? Are you just going to wait for the calvary to arrive?  The bottom line is In
a time of crisis the only one you can rely on is you. Being prepared is not about negative gloom and doom. The act of being prepared is a positive action. Having something when you need it is positive. I'm sure we all have experienced the consequences of not being prepared at some time in our lives.
 
Supper markets can empty within hours, first to go is the bread, milk, eggs, and water. Leading people within hours to be inpatient, have anxiety, short fusses, panic and chaos. Panic leads to making poor decisions.  In a time of crisis the most important thing is your mental state. Being prepared mentally enables you to focus and concentrate on more important things like your family and home. 

Realizing you are not prepared is what leads to panic. If you need something you don't have, you will have to go out and get it, maybe fight for it. This action will most likely put you in the chaos. Being prepared keeps you out of panic and chaos. Once you are in the chaos anything can happen.
Your responablity is to be home with your family, and not running around trying to gather up the important things your family needs.

A relatively minor incident could interrupt the flow of financials, food, power, and other essential goods and services. The reality is that the majority are unprepared.  People don't realize how vulnerable they are and fail to recognize the true nature of their condition until it's too late.

As New York City has grown and swallowed the suburbs, our homes have become part of this huge enormous metropolis, we now live in the city with everything is at our finger tips. Urban city dwellers have forgotten the basic survival skills of our ancestors. Being prepared is inherently in all of us.

Our world is changing and it’s time we go back to the basics and embrace some urban homesteading skills that have been working for hundreds of years, and that maybe someday will save your life.   Once a crisis occurs, the time to learn and prepare is gone.  
 
It's time to start preparing for the ever-changing world we now live in. Creating peace of mind by eliminating fear through the positive act of being prepared.

Y-Tube Video: Just a water main break in Boston

What To Always Keep In Your Pantry
These items have lengthy expiration dates, so you can stash them away for long periods of time. Make a list of everything in your stockpile and check expiration dates every 6 to 12 months.
When stocking your pantry read product labels, try to stay away from High-fructose corn syrup,
high sodium, and sugar. Use and rotate pantry to keep things fresh.

Peanut Butter - A great source of energy, peanut butter is chock-full of healthful fats and protein. Peanut butter does not have to be refrigerated after opening.

Crackers - Crackers are a good replacement for bread and make a fine substitute when making sandwiches. Due to their higher fat content, whole-wheat or whole-grain crackers have a shorter shelf life than their plain counterparts. Consider vacuum-packing your crackers to prolong their freshness.

Nuts & Trail Mixes - Stock up on these high-energy foods—they’re healthful and convenient for snacking. Look for vacuum-packed containers, which prevent the nuts from oxidizing and losing their freshness.

Granola & Power Bars - Healthy and filling, these portable snacks usually stay fresh for at least six months. Plus, they’re an excellent source of carbohydrates.

Dried Fruits - In the absence of fresh fruit, hese healthy snacks offer potassium and dietary fiber. Dried fruits provide you with a significant amount of nutrients and calories. Apricots and raisins.

Canned Meat Protein - Canned tuna, salmon, chicken, and turkey. Generally lasting at least two years in the pantry, canned meats provide essential protein. Vacuum-packed pouches have a shorter shelf life but will last at least six months.

Canned Vegetables - When the real deal isn’t an option, canned varieties can provide you with essential nutrients. Green beans, carrots, and peas.

Canned Soups - Soups can be eaten straight out of the can and provide a variety of nutrients.
Look for low-sodium options.

Water - Try to stock at least a one month supply. Each person in your household will need one gallon of water per day. One half gallon of water each day for drinking. The other half gallon is for adding to food and washing.

Powdered Milk - Almost all dairy products require refrigeration, so stock this substitute for an excellent source of calcium and vitamin D when fresh milk isn’t an option. After mixing with water you would not know the difference.

Sugar, Salt, & Pepper - If you have access to a propane or charcoal stove, you may be doing some cooking. A basic supply of seasonings and sweeteners will improve the flavor of your food, both fresh and packaged.

Vitamins - Supplements will help replace the nutrients you would have consumed on a normal diet. We recommend Vitamin D3 & C and lots of it. These vitamins with boost your immune system and keep you alert and healthy.

Have To Love The Barter
Some Items to Barter in a Post-Collapse World
In no particular order, consider accumulating some of the following items for barter purposes. And keep in mind that in a post-collapse world, the items do not necessarily have to be new, but simply serviceable.

 

Water purification supplies including purification tabs and filters
Hand tools including hatchets, saws, machetes and general fix-it tools
Fire making supplies, including lighters, matches, flint fire steel
Sanitary supplies including toilet paper, feminine products and diapers
Toothpaste, Shampoo, Disposable razors, and razor blades
Fuel, any and all kinds (gas, diesel, propane, kerosene)
Prescription drugs, painkillers, and antibiotics
First aid remedies such as cough syrup, cortisone cream, and topical pain relievers
Spirits such as bourbon, rum, gin, and vodka
Coffee and tea (instant coffee is okay)
Solar battery charger and rechargeable batteries
Flashlights and Standard Batteries
Reading glasses
Bags, including large garbage bags as well as smaller zip-close bags
Plastic sheeting, Heavy plastic sheets and tarps
Duct tape & Tie Wraps
Fishing supplies
Knives of various types including fixed blades, kitchen knives, and box cutters
Condiments and Spices
Tobacco and cigarette rolling supplies
Garden tools and seeds
Bleach, vinegar, and baking soda
Hand pumps for both air and liquids
Mylar blankets and camping tents
Sewing and mending supplies
Knitting or crochet needles and yarn

American Red Cross
fema.gov
Federal Emergency Management Agency
nws.noaa.gov
NOAA's National Weather Service

The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not
first take from somebody else......
Adrian Rogers, 1931