Preparedness

[Finduilas495]

Does anyone have a particular brand of jars to recommend?

I use Weck jars. They are only kept closed by the vacuum (there's a rubber ring between the jar and the glass lid). Since they're not mechanically forced to stay closed, one can immediately see if the content is off, then the lid opens.

Do you pressure can? I've read on a few canning forums that Weck's aren't recommended for pressure canning, would be nice if they are though since they are the cheapest where I am.

So far I use a Weck waterbath canner, last time I canned 12 quart jars and it wasn't full. On the Weck homepage they state that a pressure cooker has certain disadvantages, but give directions as to how to can with their jars in a pressure cooker. So I think it should be possible. I was worried about the same thing when I was thinking of buying a pressure canner, but from what Weck says, it should work.

 

[cubbex]

I don't know, my mom really feels that something is going to happen, I told her about saving some supplies but she just watched me with a blank face and said: ok.

And I don't seem to find someone who wants to save food for the moment when chips are down. At least I can work on myself xD

 

[Gonzo]

Hi Away With The Fairys,

I think I understand where you are coming, as I sometimes get a defeatest why-bother? attitude. But it's important we realize those thoughts are selfish, as if we are only here for our own benefit. The reality is, that everything we do has an effect on others in some form. We are more connect to each other, I think, than we will ever realize. We have but two choices, to contribute to, and align with, entropy or creation. Surely, the act of suicide, of giving up life, is not aligned with creation and is, in fact the opposite.

While we may have been programmed to be selfish and only think about what life has of value to offer us, this illusion blinds us to the greater reality of how living our lives to their fullest potential, no matter what may come, and helping others do the same when asked of us, is the ultimate expression of the creative force within us.

By living through difficult times when weaker members may benefit from your strength, skills, knowledge, etc., you are creating the value in your life and adding to the value of others.

I don't judge those who have chosen to kill themselves, as I know how hard and tiring the fight for life can be, and I certainly have had my suicidal moments, but I do feel bad for them knowing the lessons will continue, be it in this life or the next, and the next might not be as ideal as the current one. I feel even worse for those who have given up before they learn that their life is not given to them strictly for their own pleasure and benefit, but is part of a greater system, where each has a part to play and if one player doesn't play their part, the burden shifts to those who continue in their absence.

Fwiw,
Gonzo

 

[Oxajil]

This sounds rather strange to me. It's not impossible to make realistic preparations for highly probable futures--learn and do.

As well, suicide, to me, is one of those ultimate STS acts. Why are you contemplating that?

I agree. And what about your child(ren)? If times get tough and you're still breathing, and you have prepared yourself atleast to a certain extent, you would atleast be able to feed your child, and be there for him/her.
If you can observe the signs, why not act on them? That doesn't mean you should start canning and all that right now, when you know you can't for example afford it. It could mean that you can look in different directions or start putting aside a certain amount of money so you may afford it at some point. Just some things you could think about.

It's one thing to base decisions on assumptions such as ''what's the point, I'll be experiencing a horrible death anyway'', and another thing to base decisions on signs that you're seeing: f.e. ''foods are becoming more expensive etc. so why not start preparing'', and even if it turns out that the situation isn't getting as bad as you thought you still have delicious food, and if things indeed do get rough, you will be prepared. And if you die of a horrible death (God forbid!) you would still know that you did all you could in order to provide for your loved ones. As Laura wrote:

"The future IS open, but the likelihood of certain things happening in that future still exist. The story of Noah is still instructive. He had a "warning" and he undertook to "build an Ark" and he and his family survived a global cataclysm. With knowledge, we can prepare for the worst, hope for the best, and take what comes."

 

[The rabbit]

Hi to all , thanks for your responses on taking ones own life. This is of course not what one desires, but still has to be considered. I think one has to be able to have that choice in the moment should the alternative be a gang of nasty folk kicking down your door to murder you for anything you may have , to rape your wife , and other such scenarios that could arise in upcoming times.

If this kind of situation arises , and it certainly could ,then i think one has the right to be able to have that choice.


We have put what time and energy we have had into getting this house sorted. Maybe in the end to sell it on , but we still have a way to go.

We lost our handyman for 2 months over the summer which put us back. We don't go out and spend money on anything other than what is vital to getting by day to day , week to week , month to month , because we simply don't have it.

No cinema , no dining out etc. We eat Paleo which is not cheap by any means , meat can be quite expensive. Then all the other supplements etc.

Because of my illness i have not been able to work to bring in an income and i get no income , nor am i entitled to any from the state what so ever.There is only one income coming into the house from the Hammer and thats it.

Any music i ever made has never raised more than about 30 dollars in over 7 years so I don't put very much time into that any more

This is not a moan as our quality of life is fine. We have the luxury of the internet and being able to read this forum , and from time to time buy and read suggested important books.

We now have a completed roof over our heads (completed yesterday), wood for the coming winter . All that is needed if life was to continue as "normal"

We also have our own well

We are not sitting here dreading any particular scenario every second of the day , but we do give it serious thought.

I hope this explains things a little more clearly.

 

[anart]

Hi to all , thanks for your responses on taking ones own life. This is of course not what one desires, but still has to be considered. I think one has to be able to have that choice in the moment should the alternative be a gang of nasty folk kicking down your door to murder you for anything you may have , to rape your wife , and other such scenarios that could arise in upcoming times.

AWTF, what's going on with you that you've decided that this is what's in store in your future? It sounds like you're letting your emotions run your thinking a bit and they've taken you down a really dark alley.

We are not sitting here dreading any particular scenario every second of the day , but we do give it serious thought.

I think the issue is that you give it "serious" thought - and it sounds like maybe you're indulging some negative emotions and fear a bit more than necessary? All of the above is pretty much normal life stuff, nothing horrible compared to the vast majority of people on this planet, so just wondering what else might be going on that has you worked up a bit?

 

[The rabbit]

AWTF, what's going on with you that you've decided that this is what's in store in your future? It sounds like you're letting your emotions run your thinking a bit and they've taken you down a really dark alley.

I say it is one potential , and possible future. I would say emotionally speaking the horses are a lot less wild than they once where , and again all potential possibilities need to be looked at as well as preparing food rations and such , which of course is also being looked at.

I/we have not given up as some one suggested I/we may have done .

I think the issue is that you give it "serious" thought - and it sounds like maybe you're indulging some negative emotions and fear a bit more than necessary? All of the above is pretty much normal life stuff, nothing horrible compared to the vast majority of people on this planet, so just wondering what else might be going on that has you worked up a bit?

I agree 100%.. Presently its one feather mattress for westerners compared to the horrors that are continually happening on a daily basis around this planet , this i do contemplate daily. Regarding fear , I cant say I fear death and shedding this mortal coil, a few years ago i would have been terrified , I would guess regarding personal fear it is more than some and less than others. The natural disasters and cleansing I look forward to , the possibility , and it is a possibility that fellow beings will take me or my families life when times get dire I think has to be given some thought. To not do so would be denial , or so I think.

I cant envisage a scenario where i could take another persons life , but again these are things that are not worth spending much time thinking about , because one will only know if that moment arises.

I am not feeling suicidal or depressed , I have obviously raised this thought in others and I apologise for not making myself very clear.

 

[Gonzo]

I've been going through a lot of the survival material on the web and the level of fear is considerable. It seems a lot of preparation is defensive, to protect against roving gangs and starving refugees. The same fear that is used to justify having firearms is now being applied to specific survival skills.

Incidentally, I came across A way to start a fire using the bottom of a soda can. Since the bottom of the can is concave, it can be polished to a mirror finish using a bit of chocolate or toothpaste as the polish. Then, once a mirror finish is obtained, the sun's beam can be focused onto wood shavings, dried moss, etc., which would eventually ignite. There should be a YouTube video available if you search for "How to create a fire from a soda can".

I also saw an interesting way to make a lens from ice that could act as a means to magnify the sun's rays and start a fire (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thbSSuo1Z00).

Gonzo

 

[aragorn]

Does anyone have a particular brand of jars to recommend?

I use Weck jars. They are only kept closed by the vacuum (there's a rubber ring between the jar and the glass lid). Since they're not mechanically forced to stay closed, one can immediately see if the content is off, then the lid opens.

Do you pressure can? I've read on a few canning forums that Weck's aren't recommended for pressure canning, would be nice if they are though since they are the cheapest where I am.

So far I use a Weck waterbath canner, last time I canned 12 quart jars and it wasn't full. On the Weck homepage they state that a pressure cooker has certain disadvantages, but give directions as to how to can with their jars in a pressure cooker. So I think it should be possible. I was worried about the same thing when I was thinking of buying a pressure canner, but from what Weck says, it should work.

Finduilas495, you may be aware of this already, but I'm posting this just in case you don't. I'm not sure what you're canning, but if you're canning meat in any form waterbath canning isn't recommended for safety issues. I know that some say it's propably okay - if you boil the jars like 5-6 hours, but if you want to stay on the safe side of botulism poisoning, please use a proper pressure canner (not cooker!). Botulism spores are known to be killed only at 116C (yes, the "live" botulism bacteria are killed at lower temperatures but not the spores), and that temperature you can't reach with normal boiling. This is stated in every reliable source on canning that I've read. The pressure cookers are not recommended either, because they heat up and cool down too fast, making the time of processing shorter.

I'm also pretty sure that using jars with a rubber ring and glass lid for canning (meat) poses a risk: since the lid isn't visually depressed because of the vacuum, it's harder to tell if the jar has remained sealed. If in doubt, throw it out - as they say. It's also good to boil the canned food for 10-15min before eating.

For mor info, see:

-The Ball Book on Home Preserving: _http://www.scribd.com/doc/53643541/The-Ball-Book-of-Home-Preserving
-How do I can meats? (National center for food preservation): _http://nchfp.uga.edu/how/can5_meat.html
-Canning / Sterlization of meat products: _http://www.fao.org/docrep/010/ai407e/AI407E22.htm

 

[paralleloscope]

So far I use a Weck waterbath canner, last time I canned 12 quart jars and it wasn't full. On the Weck homepage they state that a pressure cooker has certain disadvantages, but give directions as to how to can with their jars in a pressure cooker. So I think it should be possible. I was worried about the same thing when I was thinking of buying a pressure canner, but from what Weck says, it should work.

I saw that on their page but was a bit sceptical since canner forum people were claiming the Wecks glasses hadn't been through the right pressure canning tests. But I may just have to get them as they are the safest option of the ones available, as amazonUS won't send here.

I'm also pretty sure that using jars with a rubber ring and glass lid for canning (meat) poses a risk: since the lid isn't visually depressed because of the vacuum, it's harder to tell if the jar has remained sealed.

Actually in that regard the Weck seems quite easy to tell if it's sealed, the rubber seal 'handle' or tip will point downwards if sealed, otherwise one can just try lifting the glass by the lid and if it sticks, it's sealed- or so the claim goes.

 

[paralleloscope]

AWTF, what's going on with you that you've decided that this is what's in store in your future? It sounds like you're letting your emotions run your thinking a bit and they've taken you down a really dark alley.

I say it is one potential , and possible future. I would say emotionally speaking the horses are a lot less wild than they once where , and again all potential possibilities need to be looked at as well as preparing food rations and such , which of course is also being looked at.

I/we have not given up as some one suggested I/we may have done .

All potentials can not be weighed, there are far too many, OSIT. I would think it much more productive to focus or give 'serious thought' on how one can expand ones life (FRV), creativity and ability to love. And as you say :"these are things that are not worth spending much time thinking about , because one will only know if that moment arises.", so it's really a non issue unless the situation arises. These last resort thoughts remind me of hollywood programming (can't recall the movie where the same dilemma was brought up) which seem to cater for a world without faith.

To me it seems you could be walking around a potential issue here, the gloomy perspective could have have root's in your outlook, perhaps because of your illness and perhaps better discussed elsewhere on the forum. If it was my quote that suggested to you a reading of you giving up, I only meant the focus (that which you give serious thougth) and it's connected programs.

If you're really low on funds, maybe consider making some Pemmican which can be done with cheaper (ground) meats in a dehydrator built from bits and bobs as well as maybe doing some water bathed lard preservation.

 

[Finduilas495]

[quote author=Aragorn]
Finduilas495, you may be aware of this already, but I'm posting this just in case you don't. I'm not sure what you're canning, but if you're canning meat in any form waterbath canning isn't recommended for safety issues. I know that some say it's propably okay - if you boil the jars like 5-6 hours, but if you want to stay on the safe side of botulism poisoning, please use a proper pressure canner (not cooker!). Botulism spores are known to be killed only at 116C (yes, the "live" botulism bacteria are killed at lower temperatures but not the spores), and that temperature you can't reach with normal boiling. This is stated in every reliable source on canning that I've read. The pressure cookers are not recommended either, because they heat up and cool down too fast, making the time of processing shorter.

I'm also pretty sure that using jars with a rubber ring and glass lid for canning (meat) poses a risk: since the lid isn't visually depressed because of the vacuum, it's harder to tell if the jar has remained sealed. If in doubt, throw it out - as they say. It's also good to boil the canned food for 10-15min before eating.

For mor info, see:

-The Ball Book on Home Preserving: _http://www.scribd.com/doc/53643541/The-Ball-Book-of-Home-Preserving
-How do I can meats? (National center for food preservation): _http://nchfp.uga.edu/how/can5_meat.html
-Canning / Sterlization of meat products: _http://www.fao.org/docrep/010/ai407e/AI407E22.htm
[/quote]

Thank you for the information, Aragorn

I am aware that the temperatures in a waterbath canner are too low for raw meat, but according to the canning recipes I found in some German cookbooks, it is supposedly safe if the meat is pre-cooked. I chop the meat up, add salt and pepper, fry it in lard, simmer it with some added water until thoroughly cooked, and then fill it in the glasses. Then the glasses go in the canner. The glasses I use open if the food is off, i.e. there is no vacuum in the glass. I check the glasses right after they come out of the canner, if the lid comes lose (very rarely), we eat the contents the same day.

I agree that if a glass out of storage opens, I would throw the contents out, that hasn't happened so far though. We tried a glass that's about a year old recently and it was delicious.

That said, I do intend to invest in a pressure canner in order to speed the process up.

 

[Ca.]

I don't know, my mom really feels that something is going to happen, I told her about saving some supplies but she just watched me with a blank face and said: ok.

And I don't seem to find someone who wants to save food for the moment when chips are down. At least I can work on myself xD

While talking to a previous colleague in the states recently, (diver operator of a fire engine) he expressed dismay, and concern to the general public's lack of coherent response when he was driving code 3 to an emergency call.

While in operation with lights, and siren, he would have other driver's pass him (as to pull over, and head the way), to allow the unit to move to the call unobstructed. People crossing an intersections, and jay walking (in a very busy part of the highway) with there face glued to a phone scrolling, (totally oblivious to the world around them). Even as he approached the intersection with lights, and siren blaring, they were totally immersed in a synthetic environment, as if disconnected from the danger around them.

This seems to be a kind of reaction, of disassociation from reality at this time, or a lack of knowledge from a solid news source to understand what is possibly about to happen.

Just keep stacking.

 

[Gwenllian]

This may seem odd, but we have had a very good summer over here. Lots of rain and lots of sunshine in between. Our farmers must be very pleased. Trees and shrubs have done really well. Also, a lot of wild roses have started popping up in our garden. The rosehips are still smallish, but I will collect some of them and dry them.

Fruits (hips) are gathered in the autumn, halved and allowed to dry out. Source of vitamin C, in which plant it was first discovered. Contains also A, B1, B2, in the pulp.
Action: anti-gall and kidney stone; diuretic, astringent, laxative (mild).
...
As a fitness tea Rose Hips helps maintain a healthy collagen - ...

I have another book which is called 'The post-petroleum survival guide and cookbook' when I still thought peak oil was an issue. :P
It is not that good, but there are some gems to be found in the book, like first aid. What to do when a woman goes into labour and there is no doctor around, how to act when people are in shock, bleed heavily and so on.
FWIW.

 

[Regulattor]

Do any of forum member know decent site where I can order pressure canner with shipment to SE Europe? I've try to order from both UK and US Amazon, but my order was rejected due delivery destination (Croatia).