survival – Page 6 – Pat’s Answers Blog

War?

It is planned, it will happen, it will be the worst war ever, and that’s saying a lot more than most imagine. The only question is when it pops off.

“We are “at war” with an unseen enemy.” –Donald J Trump

Today the calendars of nations are punctuated by holidays to celebrate wars won and to perform memorial services for those who died waging them. Public support is best fired up by appeal to the emotions of deadly combat, over which the amygdala—a center for primary emotion in the brain—is grandmaster. We find ourselves in the “battle” to stem an oil spill, the “fight” to tame inflation, the “war” against cancer. Wherever there is an enemy, animate or inanimate, there must be a victory. You must prevail at the front, no matter how high the cost at home.

Any excuse for a real war will do, so long as it is seen as necessary to protect the tribe. The remembrance of past horrors has no effect.

Yes. . . Sadly War IS Inevitable. So long as it is within human nature to resort to violence from time to time, Then war is indeed inevitable. It really just boils down to how long it will be until the next conflict brews up, Whether it is a regional conflict or another world war.
Things that lead to war; financial crisis, food crisis, epidemic crisis… guess what kiddies, we are there.

In which direction?

-War with China? They’re not going to take being a pariah nation lightly. They’ve lost more face than a clumsy plastic surgeon.
-Civil war? That’s been brewing for years.
-War with Iran? Well, we helped them with ventilators on one hand and got set up to shoot boats on the other.

It is planned, it will happen, it will be the worst war ever, and that’s saying a lot more than most imagine. The only question is when it pops off.

The problem IS as it has ALWAYS BEEN – those who sit in the seats of power on this earth – those who pull the strings for THEIR personal benefit at the expanse of humanity as a whole . . . be that financial – ego – power – control. the “WHY” of it really does not matter.
“We see, therefore, that War is not merely a political act, but also a real political instrument, a continuation of political commerce, a carrying out of the same by other means.” –Carl von Clausewicz

Some words to the wise

Imagine breakfast without toast, a grilled cheese sandwich without the bread or a burger without the bun, even simple soups taste better with a slice of bread or dinner roll.

Some of us were lucky enough to be taught “old-time” skills from parents and grand parents who lived through the Depression. “Use it up, wear it out, make it over or do without” was their mantra and it served them, (and us), well.

I believe that our society has lost its’ way.

We have become dependent upon handouts from the government; junk food full of chemicals and “entertainment” that should make decent folks want to vomit.

It wasn’t always this way. Not too long ago, our grandparents and their fore-bearers knew how to grow things; how to make things; how to preserve the harvest. They knew how to not only survive, but to thrive, through good times and lean times.

There was a time when all folks knew these skills and tricks, but over the past 70 years or so, many skills and much of the knowledge that was commonplace became rare and in some cases was lost.

This next series of posts will be an attempt to provide a resource where those who are interested in becoming more self-reliant and self-sufficient can find some answers, (and, perhaps, share some of their own knowledge).

The next few days will be devoted to feeding your family.

WELCOME TO GRANDPAS’ OLD-TIME RECIPES.

Some of them come from my parents and grandparents; some from friends and family and some from some of my favorite chefs and restaurants.

I have tested all of them and they are delicious!

BASIC WHITE BREAD

If you can’t bake bread you will not survive! You can’t stock-up on bread because it is perishable, so you must bake it yourself. For a well balanced self-sufficient meal plan you must bake it every week.

Imagine breakfast without toast, a grilled cheese sandwich without the bread or a burger without the bun, even simple soups taste better with a slice of bread or dinner roll.

(Total time 3 hours) Makes one loaf

INGREDIENTS
3 cups All-Purpose Flour, (grind you own from wheat berries or use a good quality like King Arthur)
1/4 cup Sugar
1/3 cup Oil (or Melted Crisco Shortening)
1 tsp Salt
1 cup 110-120 degree water
1 pkg (1 tsp) “Active Dry Yeast” or “Rapid Rise Yeast”

Proofing, (blooming), the Yeast:
For guaranteed rising results when using “Active Dry Yeast” or “Rapid Rise Dry Yeast”
I proof the yeast in warmed water 100-110 degrees checked with a thermometer and combine the sugar and yeast into a small bowl or measuring cup and stir until dissolved, let froth for about 5-10 minutes.

Combining:
In another bowl combine and whisk together all the dry ingredients.
Then add the bloomed yeast, oil and blend for 2-5 minutes with a stiff handle rubber spatula. Now just blend the ingredients into a ball but do not knead. Should take 1-2 minutes.

1st Rise:
Now remove from the bowl and knead aggressively for 1-2 minutes. Place the dough back into the bowl. (This can be as long as overnight)

2nd Rise:
Punch the dough down, knead for 1-2 minutes and then shape to fit in a greased bread baking pan. Let it rise again in the pan, in a warm place, until about double is size, about 60 minutes.

Bake:
Now after the dough has risen the second time put it in the oven, middle rack and bakes at 325 degrees F for 45-55 minutes or until golden brown.

Cool for 30 minutes and enjoy.

Tips:
• Oven temperature is critical for success. Use an oven thermometer on the shelf you’re baking on for accurate temperature.
• To prevent the bread sides and bottom from burning or becoming overdone place a pizza stone on the shelf you’re baking on (to deflect the heat rising from below) then place the bread pan on the pizza stone.
• Avoid dead bread: The yeast must be kept warm through out the preparation to give the results you want.

Most cases of bread rising failure goes right back to the time you add your ingredients. The flour, sugar and oil must be warm also (room temp) If these items are stored in a refrigerator or a cold pantry they will draw the heat out of the yeast and water. The result is stalled yeast and little on no rising will occur = Dead Bread. The ideal temperature for letting bread dough rise is 80 degrees f. This holds true for all yeast recipes.

Plandemic

One of the many side effects of the COVID-19 virus pandemic has little, if anything to do with medical issues or sickness. Crops rotting in fields. Dairy farmers incentivized to quit for good. Beef/pork processors shutting down.

We have often said that not all conspiracies are theories. Some forward-looking warnings are very real and worth consideration.

It is in your interest to check this out, digest the information and then make up your own mind.

The position here is that this is not by accident, but all by design.

Spread the word and make sure everyone starts growing food, no matter how small scale — every bit helps.

So you’re late to the party

* My first tip* if your local Costco/Sam’s club is a zoo, try Dollar Tree. Ours have special Covid displays with things like hand sanitizer, disinfectant spray, lysol concentrate, and shelf stable food.

This is a repost from one of my friends.

So you’re late to the party!

Good thing you’re here!

I’m hoping that our expert longtime preppers will put some basic ideas here for Covid19 preps for the ultimate beginner, keeping in mind that most people don’t have lots of experience or money to burn.

* My first tip* if your local Costco/Sam’s club is a zoo, try Dollar Tree. Ours have special Covid displays with things like hand sanitizer, disinfectant spray, lysol concentrate, and shelf stable food.

I’ve been pleased to find that a lot of their food products (generic spam, canned clams, shelf-stable milk that tastes good) are actually made in the USA!

If you want, you can order by the case online and pick up at your local store for free or ship to home for a cost.

***TOP 10 TIPS***

1. STOP and BREATHE. Prep don’t panic. Panic makes people do stupid, dangerous things.
Stop. Breathe. Think. Plan. Prepare.

2. Practice good hygiene.

Out and about? Cover your cough. Don’t touch your face.

Can’t find hand sanitizer? That’s okay! Be sure to have soap on hand. You can even try a recipe from a reliable source. (D)

Wash your hands WELL with soap and water. (A) This works better than hand sanitizer! No running water? No problem! (B)

3. No mask? Practice social distancing. CDC recommends staying 1-3 feet away from others. Wave instead of handshakes.

4. Remember kids, pets, and any seniors who rely upon you when planning. Medicines, special foods, litter, diapers etc.

5. WATER
Chances are you’ll get a little warning before losing municipal water supply if it does happen.

Before losing water:
-Wash out and fill old bottles (soda pop, juice, etc.) with tap water.
-Look into buying a filter if you have a pool or hot tub, and be sure it’s topped off.
-Look into buying a Water Bob. It’s basically a water bladder with hand pump for tubs.
-Most homes have 50 gallons of fresh water in the hot water tank.

If you’re going to be losing water service soon:
-Fill EVERYTHING with water: sinks, tubs, coolers, pitchers, pots, pans, buckets.
Remember that bleach and boiling can be used to kill germs in water (C)

6. FOOD

If possible, buy extra of what you and your family normally eat and rotate stock like at the store.

7. Don’t forget basic household safety like batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. First responders and medical personnel may be stretched thin.

8. If you choose to use a mask, understand it’s limitations. Don’t allow it to give you a false sense of security. Be sure you’re wearing and fitting it correctly. If you choose to use gloves, practice taking them off without touching the contaminated outside.

9. Personal hygiene

No TP?
*Try looking into a bidet or even a “peri bottle” like they give to new moms.
*If you choose to use other paper products: Kleenex, paper towels, IRS tax code book, etc. be sure to put a plastic bag or lidded trash can nearby so you don’t ruin your plumbing.
*Another option may be family cloth. (E)

No baby wipes?
DIY with paper towels and baby bath. (F)

(A)https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/fact-sheets.html

(B)https://www.cdc.gov/safewater/public…/tippy-tap.pdf

(C)
https://www.fema.gov/news-release/20…ter-safe-drink

(D)
https://www.who.int/gpsc/5may/Guide_…Production.pdf

(E)
https://redandhoney.com/how-to-get-s…ually-love-it/

(F)Complicated version in video link. Just take the basic idea and use watered down baby bath instead.
https://youtu.be/jTjQVx9qN9Q

***Helpful Printable Online Books***

1) Hesperian Health Guides “Where There Is No Doctor”, “Where There Is No Dentist”, “Sanitation and Cleanliness” and many many more. Starting at 95 cents for a PDF.

https://store.hesperian.org/SFNT.html

2)Food Storage for Emergencies from University of Utah Extension Office. How to safely store foods at home, nutrition of shelf stable foods, etc. FREE!

https://extension.usu.edu/foodstorag…e_Booklet2.pdf

Pine Needle Tea

If you are coughing, pine needles can help to make the cough more productive. They relieve congestion. They also support the immune system to do it’s job recovering from viruses and infections. Pine is high in antioxidant flavonoids including anthocyanins

Pine needle tea has significant amounts of vitamin C, vitamin A, and flavoniods that make it a citrus-y flavored tonic drink to forage in winter.

Pine needle tea has a citrus-y flavor with a hint of resin. The flavor depends upon the pine or confer tree you harvest the needles from. Nibble on a few needles from several pine trees before you harvest and pick the tastiest for your tea. Save the more resinous flavored needles for making pine infused cleaning products.

Health benefits of pine needle tea

How to Make Pine Needle Tea

Prep Time: 5 minutes.
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 1 cup 1x

Description

Pine needle tea is a vitamin C and antioxidant rich tissane that is tonic and restorative in winter, with 4 times the vitamin C of fresh squeezed orange juice. It should be avoided, however by pregnant mothers and those who plan to become pregnant.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons fresh pine needles
1 cup boiled, hot water
Honey to taste

Instructions

Remove the fresh, unblemished pine needles from the pine branches. Rinse the needles in cold water.
Using herb scissors or a sharp knife, cut the pine needles into smaller pieces. Discard the brown scale that joins the needles to the brand.
Place the pine needles in a tea strainer. Place the tea strainer in a mug. Pour boiled water into the mug, over the pine needles. Cover to inhibit the volatile oil from escaping in the steam. Steep for 5 minutes.
Remove the strainer from the mug. Add honey to sweeten the pine needle tea.
Drink while warm.

Notes

The needles of some species of pine can cause abortion in pregnant animals, including humans. Avoid drinking or eating pine needles if you are pregnant.

Be cautious drinking pine needle tea:

Some species of pine have been known to cause abortion in pregnant cattle, so if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant soon, avoid using pine needle tea.

The diuretic actions of pine needle tea can be irritating to the bladder. If you are taking other medication check with your health professional before drinking pine needle tea regularly.

Some conifers can be toxic so make a positive identification of the specific species before using it in this recipe. Avoid yew, cypress, and Norfolk pine as they are reported to be toxic.

Easy Navajo Fry Bread

Easy Navajo Fry Bread is made from a very simple dough. I’ll bet you already have everything you need to make it.

No need to worry about the frying either. No deep fryer or gallons of oil are necessary. You can make Easy Navajo Fry Bread in a skillet with only an inch of oil, or less.

Ingredients

2 cups bread flour
2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
¼ cup powdered milk
1 cup hot water
Oil for frying

Instructions

Mix dry ingredients in a bowl. Slowly add in hot water a little at a time, mixing with fingers until it forms a ball that pulls away from sides of the bowl.
Add more flour or water as needed to form a dough that is not too sticky. Cover and let the dough rest for 10 minutes. Pour 1/2-1 inch oil in a large skillet. Set a thermometer on the edge of the skillet and heat to 375 degrees F.
Meanwhile, pinch off golf ball sized pieces of dough. Flatten the balls and gentle stretch out the edges while turning to form a 5-6 inch disks, 1/4-inch thick. (You could also roll them out on a lightly floured board, but pulling the dough is more fun.)
Make a small hole in the middle of each disk, so the dough doesn’t balloon up. Lay them out in a single layer so they don’t stick together.
Gently lay dough disks in the hot oil pressing down with tongs so the oil goes over the top of the dough. Fry until golden brown around edges, then turn over and cook until the color matches. This only takes a few seconds. Place on paper towels to drain. Repeat until all the dough disks are cooked.

Top it with Cinnamon sugar, honey, butter, fruit, eggs, taco fixings and more. Easy Navajo Fry Bread is so simple and inexpensive to make you will want to try it with many different toppings!

Psalm 91

1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

²I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

³Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

⁴He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

⁵Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

⁶Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

⁷A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

⁸Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

⁹Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

¹⁰There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

¹¹For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

¹²They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

¹³Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

¹⁴Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

¹⁵He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

¹⁶With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

Japan approves first human-animal embryo experiments

Human–animal hybrid embryos have been made in countries such as the United States, but never brought to term. Although the country allows this kind of research, the National Institutes of Health has had a moratorium on funding such work since 2015.

Until March, Japan explicitly forbade the growth of animal embryos containing human cells beyond 14 days or the transplant of such embryos into a surrogate uterus. That month, Japan’s education and science ministry issued new guidelines allowing the creation of human–animal embryos that can be transplanted into surrogate animals and brought to term.

The ultimate aim of the research is to use animals, such as pigs, to grow organs that can be transplanted into humans. The relaxed regulations would allow Hiromitsu Nakauchi, a stem-cell biologist at Stanford University in California and the University of Tokyo, to pursue experiments in Japan that he has planned for more than a decade, pending ethical approval. Nakauchi has created pig embryos that are genetically altered so that they cannot produce a pancreas, and he plans to insert induced pluripotent stem cells into the embryos. These cells are obtained by reprogramming human cells so that they revert to an embryonic-like state from which they can form other cell types. The hope is that the stem cells will develop into a pancreas composed mainly of human cells as the embryo develops.

Hiromitsu Nakauchi, who leads teams at the University of Tokyo and Stanford University in California, also plans to grow human cells in mouse and rat embryos and then transplant those embryos into surrogate animals. Nakauchi’s ultimate goal is to produce animals with organs made of human cells that can, eventually, be transplanted into people.

A team led by developmental biologist Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte of the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, California, used CRISPR gene-editing technology to create mouse embryos without the genes that cause organs to form. The scientists then injected rat stem cells into the mouse embryos and implanted the embryos into a mouse’s uterus.

Now for a little history lesson.

Unit 731 was set up in 1938 in Japanese-occupied China with the aim of developing biological weapons. It also operated a secret research and experimental school in Shinjuku, central Tokyo. Its head was Lieutenant Shiro Ishii.

The unit was supported by Japanese universities and medical schools which supplied doctors and research staff.

For 40 years, the horrific activities of “Unit 731” remained one the most closely guarded secrets of World War II. It was not until 1984 that Japan acknowledged what it had long denied – vile experiments on humans conducted by the unit in preparation for germ warfare.

Deliberately infected with plague, anthrax, cholera and other pathogens, an estimated 3,000 of enemy soldiers and civilians were used as guinea pigs. Some of the more horrific experiments included vivisection without anesthesia and pressure chambers to see how much a human could take before his eyes popped out.

It is said that those who refuse to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. It is possible that there are enough safeguards in place to prevent unethical practices in this research, but two questions remain; “Unit 731 has been active for the last 75 years do they now have legitimacy” and; “I wonder where they are going to get the “surrogate uterus”?

It seems as though the only lessons we have learned from history is that we have not learned any lessons from history.

What if?

Our currently dysfunctional medical system is woefully unprepared to face a situation of this magnitude before there are even that many people looking for help.

We are now between a rock and a hard place regarding the COVID-19 virus.

Most likely this scare is just mostly about the media and the Democrats working hard to discredit President Trump. Hopefully things will turn out to be another molehill instead of a mountain.

I would be willing to bet that all of the media hype is selling a lot of newspapers, and a lot of airtime. Those that are involved with it probably have seen advertising rates go up. Viewership is probably up as people want to get the latest news. Panic and fear are great for business.

I am not taking it lightly. I just want an honest, and unbiased analysis. Buzz words for me are “May” and “Could”. As the media parade all their “experts” in front of you how many times do they say “this may happen” “this could cause”. It is an opinion just like any other.Hopefully this virus is just one more flavor of an upper respiratory infection that’s a bit nastier that your average head cold. The key word here is HOPEFULLY.

But, what if it’s not?

Simply look at China for an example. Long lines, people not getting treated, people in makeshift hospitals in sports arenas, locking people in buildings and feeding them by bucket and rope, etc., etc.

Some 328 immigrants from China have been caught crossing the border illegally so far this year, according to Homeland Security data that raises the prospect a coronavirus carrier could sneak into the country via the U.S.-Mexico border.

Three other people from South Korea — another country with rapidly spreading cases — have also been arrested at the border, as have 122 people from the Dominican Republican, where the coronavirus has now been detected.

All told, more than 1,000 migrants a day are caught attempting to sneak in illegally from Mexico, which detected its first case last week, and since has identified five others.

The International Housewares Association on Monday, March 2, 2020, announced the decision to cancel the annual trade-only event, The Inspired Home Show, which was scheduled for March 14-17 and was expected to attract 2,200 exhibitors from 45 countries. The show was expected to bring $77 million in spending to Chicago, including on hotels, restaurants, transportation and entertainment.

Natural Products Expo West, a food show set to start last week in Anaheim, Calif., announced that it would be postponed, with a new date announced by mid-April, after dozens of companies including Kraft Heinz, which is co-headquartered in Chicago and Pittsburgh, pulled out.

Is everything hunky-dory or is the sky falling? The information we are getting is muddled, at best.

Consider the situation in the large metropolitan areas of California that have been inundated with illegals and homeless. They have little if any sanitation. There is garbage and human fecal material piled up on the streets. People are living in temporary shelters in hobo jungle like conditions reminiscent of third world countries.

On Thursday, March 5, 2020, the Grand Princess cruise ship carrying some 2,500 passengers who may have been exposed to the coronavirus was scheduled to dock. What will happen to those aboard when the Grand Princess arrives remains unclear.

Our currently dysfunctional medical system is woefully unprepared to face a situation of this magnitude before there are even that many people looking for help.

Here’s the thing. Even if 100% of all medical personnel stay put, the hospitals will probably not be able to treat you unless you’re really sick. Even then maybe not. If you have something else like a heart attack, or car accident, you may die due to lack of medical care that may have saved you prior to this event. Assume the medical community may not get to you.

It would be just plain dumb to go running to a hospital in a pandemic, you will be exposing yourself to a huge dose of the primary disease, plus gobs of other stuff. What you will get is VERY poor care. How long could a hospital even be able to feed a massive number of sick, when the trucks quit running, maybe the water stops flowing, and sewers back up because ALL workers are either sick or just staying home looking after their own.

So listen to the everything is fine crowd or look at what’s actually happening. It’s probably somewhere in between.

Expect to be locked down in your home for a month and expect them to ignore you if you say you are sick until symptoms are bad enough that you require specialized hospital care. Then hope there is someone there to give it and the beds aren’t full. You’ll get to wait in the ER or hospital hallways with the other really sick.

We all saw this in China. Since 80% of people who catch it don’t get a bad version of it, expect to be stuck at home while you have it and the government to ignore you and not test for it while you rest and get over it on your own.

In short, prepare.

Some say that it’s mucus, but it’s snot!

Disclaimer: I am not advising anyone on how to treat their problems. This is purely an FYI on how to treat some people with these issues.

Postural drainage is done by positioning your body so that your head is lower than your chest. This allows mucus to drain better from the bottom of your lungs. Postural drainage is one way to help treat breathing problems due to swelling and too much mucus in the airways of the lungs. Chest physical therapy or postural drainage and percussion, uses gravity and percussion (clapping on the chest and/or back) to loosen the thick, sticky mucus in the lungs so it can be removed by coughing. Unclogging the airways is key to keeping your lungs healthy.

With ongoing flu and emerging virus, most deaths are from infected mucous filling lungs. Nearly a hundred years ago, physical therapists began using gravity to help clear lungs, saving lives from flu & pneumonia, and helping other COPD issues. Simply position yourself to orient bronchial tubes to gravity-drain. Pic above shows simplified method…

During this, perform a few pursed-lip blows: inhale only to just half-fill lungs, then purse lips as if blowing out a candle and exhale. As long as you can to totally empty lungs.

Do three of these. Spend 2-3 minutes in each position. Junk will gravity-flow high enough to cough up… and it can be a mess (you want that).

For more “in-depth” information click this link to Jade Health