"Prepping" as a hobbie

ActionJ · May 4, 2013

BlueLioness said:
You sound just like my dad. He's a survivalist, he's been buying us cans of food to live off of in case a disaster strikes.

Good for him. I hope it rubs off on you and your family. If you're interested there are several places where you can buy canned, freeze-dried foods that have very long shelf lives (20 to 30 years in some cases):

Emergency Essentials: http://beprepared.com/?siteID=4NPkA2yG6ac-R265c_qSkdrXntphAtbM6A#default

Honeyville Farms: Freeze Dried Food & Baking Ingredients | #1 Emergency Food Storage Provider | Honeyvillegrain.com

eFoods Direct: Emergency Food Supply Food Storage : Freeze dried food MRES

Mountain House: Mountain House Foods

ActionJ · May 4, 2013

hopeful321 said:
I have read the posts which are good and insightful. I m curious about long term survival and planting crops or having to move. I only have 1/3 of an acre. How many people can that support? Any thoughts?

Howdy. You might be surprised when you find out how much food you can produce in small spaces. Here's a situation that might interest you:

This family has turned growing crops into a highly efficient art form. They live in a small house in the city of Pasadena, California -

The Urban Homestead® - A City Farm, Sustainable Living & Resource Center, A Path to Freedom towards Self-Sufficiency

MrJim · May 4, 2013

ActionJ said:
Good for him. I hope it rubs off on you and your family. If you're interested there are several places where you can buy canned, freeze-dried foods that have very long shelf lives (20 to 30 years in some cases):

Emergency Essentials: Emergency Essentials - Food Storage Emergency Preparedness Emergency Kits

Honeyville Farms: Freeze Dried Food & Baking Ingredients | #1 Emergency Food Storage Provider | Honeyvillegrain.com

eFoods Direct: Emergency Food Supply Food Storage : Freeze dried food MRES

Mountain House: Mountain House Foods

Also simply stock more of what you normally eat~~"eat what you store; store what you eat" as they say at Survival Podcast~~the MRE/Survival food type of stuff stores great, but be sure to simply have plenty of "off the shelf" stuff you normally buy on-hand too...costs less and you already know what you like which is less stressful during a stressful event anyhow.

And if/when you lay in long-term survival foods do use it and know how to prepare it and learn what is good and what to get and not to get next time.

MrJim · May 4, 2013

ActionJ said:
Howdy. You might be surprised when you find out how much food you can produce in small spaces. Here's a situation that might interest you:

This family has turned growing crops into a highly efficient art form. They live in a small house in the city of Pasadena, California -

The Urban Homestead® - A City Farm, Sustainable Living & Resource Center, A Path to Freedom towards Self-Sufficiency

A facebook page on a related topic~some really clever ideas for small lot gardening "Grow Food Not Lawns" :

https://www.facebook.com/GrowFoodNotLawns?hc_location=stream

ActionJ · May 4, 2013

MrJim said:
Also simply stock more of what you normally eat~~"eat what you store; store what you eat" as they say at Survival Podcast~~the MRE/Survival food type of stuff stores great, but be sure to simply have plenty of "off the shelf" stuff you normally buy on-hand too...costs less and you already know what you like which is less stressful during a stressful event anyhow.

And if/when you lay in long-term survival foods do use it and know how to prepare it and learn what is good and what to get and not to get next time.

I agree! My wife and I plan on mixing foods we normally eat with the freeze dried stuff to make it go farther but without compromising our tastes (too much).

If Not For Grace · May 4, 2013

hopeful321 said:
I have read the posts which are good and insightful. I m curious about long term survival and planting crops or having to move. I only have 1/3 of an acre. How many people can that support? Any thoughts?

Others may feel differently but for me just knowing how is important..Then learn to store some seeds and if you do even have to move you'll have a start to more than jerky.

Even 1/3 of an acre will produce more than you think and is more than enough for the average & even extended family, particularly if you have a good lengthy growing season. Start with foods your family likes and have a plan to extend your season and at least basic protection for your crops.

Squash, eggplant, okra are easy. Maybe beans (field peas or green beans) Onions, & peppers placed on ends or corners help with pest control in small gardens. Tomato is a popular fruit and very versatile in uses after canning. At this point how much you plant depends on your needs and how much time you can devote to the project. Just start, you'll be hooked in no time.

If Not For Grace · May 4, 2013

Maybe a bit off topic, but preserving memories is important too; I love this idea

If Not For Grace · May 5, 2013

Stove made from Ammo Can/box (those things are really versatile)

If Not For Grace · May 5, 2013

it's a houseboat..Propane, Solar Panels, Rain Water Collection & even a wood stove from a 1968 Cabin Cruiser

If Not For Grace · May 5, 2013

Lint from the dryer vent inside a toilet paper roll-great for the firepits or camping starter

ActionJ · May 5, 2013

If Not For Grace said:
Others may feel differently but for me just knowing how is important..Then learn to store some seeds and if you do even have to move you'll have a start to more than jerky.

Even 1/3 of an acre will produce more than you think and is more than enough for the average & even extended family, particularly if you have a good lengthy growing season. Start with foods your family likes and have a plan to extend your season and at least basic protection for your crops.

Squash, eggplant, okra are easy. Maybe beans (field peas or green beans) Onions, & peppers placed on ends or corners help with pest control in small gardens. Tomato is a popular fruit and very versatile in uses after canning. At this point how much you plant depends on your needs and how much time you can devote to the project. Just start, you'll be hooked in no time.

Great points and good advice! Some areas of the country are more arid than others or experience exceptionally heavy rainfall. Buying seeds or crops tailored for ones geographical area is something to consider as well.

Here in Colorado, a lot of different crops can thrive but the elevation is high and the climate is cooler and drier than other areas so the farmers take that into consideration. We're currently in one of the worst droughts in the State's history so many farmer are planting crops that require less water. One farmer mentioned growing Cantaloupe this year.

Here's a good article concerning crops that require less water than normal:

Some vegetables require less water than others | Oregon State University Extension Service | Gardening

ActionJ · May 5, 2013

If Not For Grace said:
Maybe a bit off topic, but preserving memories is important too; I love this idea

Great idea. I need to show this to my wife. If our lives drastically changed and we found ourselves in an "off-the-grid" situation we would need to keep our minds occupied. I like the idea of having hobbies or other, positive things to do. A deck of cards; some board games; knitting material & equipment; erector set; etc.

Another thing to consider are simple pleasures like hard candy. It can be purchased in bulk and it stores for a long time. I have a couple of bags on the shelf along with my freeze dried foods.

MrJim · May 5, 2013

ActionJ said:
Great idea. I need to show this to my wife. If our lives drastically changed and we found ourselves in an "off-the-grid" situation we would need to keep our minds occupied. I like the idea of having hobbies or other, positive things to do. A deck of cards; some board games; knitting material & equipment; erector set; etc.

Another thing to consider are simple pleasures like hard candy. It can be purchased in bulk and it stores for a long time. I have a couple of bags on the shelf along with my freeze dried foods.

Especially helpful with children..

ActionJ · May 5, 2013

Another thing I like to stock up on is a good multivitamin/mineral product. Shelf life is always a concern so I did some research. Most multivitamin products have a shelf life of 1 year. However, Nature's Plus "Source of Life" Multi-Vitamin & Mineral Supplement "With Whole Food Concentrates" has a 5 year shelf life and they're very potent. As a male, I buy the 180 tablet jar with "no iron." Women should buy the one "with iron."

Of course, nothing is better than good, wholesome fruits and vegetables grown organically but a good supplement helps keep an overall balance of nutrition (especially if good food is scarce).

MrJim · May 5, 2013

I take Solgar VM75, one every few days, agree with storing vitamin/mineral supplements, just have to cycle through the inventory to keep them from getting old.

MrJim · May 12, 2013

Guns~have guns come up yet on this thread I don't remember...

ActionJ · May 12, 2013

MrJim said:
Guns~have guns come up yet on this thread I don't remember...

Good morning. I'd be surprised if I hadn't mentioned guns and ammo by now but if not ... thanks for the reminder. Guns are an extremely useful and necessary tool. They're not only good as a deterrent against crime and criminals (including tyrannical governments) but also a good source for hunting and gathering.

Where home protection is concerned, I'm a big fan of the pump, 12 Gauge Shotgun. I load mine with 00 Buckshot.

MrJim · May 12, 2013

ActionJ said:
Good morning. I'd be surprised if I hadn't mentioned guns and ammo by now but if not ... thanks for the reminder. Guns are an extremely useful and necessary tool. They're not only good as a deterrent against crime and criminals (including tyrannical governments) but also a good source for hunting and gathering.

Where home protection is concerned, I'm a big fan of the pump, 12 Gauge Shotgun. I load mine with 00 Buckshot.

Shotgun is the only thing I lack~I've got .22 covered and several centerfire handguns and a centerfire rifle though not a tacticool AR15 but a .44 mag lever action Marlin...would like to add a 12 or 20 ga to the mix..

Don't get much range time anymore, especially with the ammo shortage but I still have a pretty good stock from Y2K

ActionJ · May 12, 2013

MrJim said:
Shotgun is the only thing I lack~I've got .22 covered and several centerfire handguns and a centerfire rifle though not a tacticool AR15 but a .44 mag lever action Marlin...would like to add a 12 or 20 ga to the mix..

Don't get much range time anymore, especially with the ammo shortage but I still have a pretty good stock from Y2K

I keep a nice, comfortable stock of ammo but, like you, am currently hoarding it due to the shortage. I used to love target shooting but the shortage and the high cost have thwarted that pleasure.

I like shotguns for a couple of reasons.

1) Ammo is plentiful and accessible (Walmart, etc.).
2) Ammo is relatively inexpensive.
3) Shotguns are versatile. You can buy bird shot, buck shot, or slugs (and all sizes in between). Therefore, it can be used to bring down ducks, squirrels, or deer.
4) The sound of a pump shotgun while cycling a round is a great deterrent for any would-be criminal(s) within earshot.
5) If a person must use a shotgun for self protection within the confines of his or her home the chance that bird-shot, buck-shot, or a slug will pass through a wall and into a neighbor's home is slim (versus a powerful, high caliber pistol or rifle bullet).

MrJim · May 18, 2013

ActionJ said:
I keep a nice, comfortable stock of ammo but, like you, am currently hoarding it due to the shortage. I used to love target shooting but the shortage and the high cost have thwarted that pleasure.

I like shotguns for a couple of reasons.

1) Ammo is plentiful and accessible (Walmart, etc.).
2) Ammo is relatively inexpensive.
3) Shotguns are versatile. You can buy bird shot, buck shot, or slugs (and all sizes in between). Therefore, it can be used to bring down ducks, squirrels, or deer.
4) The sound of a pump shotgun while cycling a round is a great deterrent for any would-be criminal(s) within earshot.
5) If a person must use a shotgun for self protection within the confines of his or her home the chance that bird-shot, buck-shot, or a slug will pass through a wall and into a neighbor's home is slim (versus a powerful, high caliber pistol or rifle bullet).

These are all great points~but they are not exactly compact and easy to carry in any situation like a handgun and the ammo is large and bulky. Different tools for different uses..I gotta get my hands on one soon though.

..and another benefit, a good shotgun is relatively inexpensive.

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