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The Record Heat Waves

With the record heat waves and drought across the nation, the American Preppers Network hopes that you have been prepared.  Disasters of any type can and do happen anywhere, at anytime, and without warning.  We are now witnessing and will continue to witness a prime example of how one disaster can cause a chain reaction leading to other disasters.  Here are some potential disasters to be aware of as a result of the drought and heat waves.


1) Water shortages.  Water is the number 1 most important necessity to survival.  The average human can only survive 3 days without water, and even less in a heat wave.  I hope you've stored some.  If the water system shuts down or does not have enough, you could turn on the tap only to have a few drips.  If you run into a situation where there is not enough municipal water supply to your home, start looking for other sources of stored water.

• Your hot water tank may have 30 - 50 gallons of water stored. 
• The top supply tank to your toilette is typically clean water that you can use.
• Your plumbing in your house could have a few gallons.  Open a higher faucet in your house as in a shower, sink, or upstairs source to relieve pressure, then open a lower outside faucet to retrieve water from your plumbing system.

Don't short change yourself on water!  Make sure you have plenty for personal consumption.  If you stop sweating, that means you are dehydrated!   

Got Water?

2) Heat.  Heat poses many risks, including but not limited to:

• Heat Stroke.  Watch family members closely, especially the elderly, watch for slurred speech and disorientation.  When in doubt, call for help.  Time lost is brain lost.  Never leave pets or children in a vehicle, and keep them out of the direct sun.  Drink lots of water.
• Fire.  Fires are much more common in the heat.  Things dry out and become more flammable.  Keep dry brush and trash picked up.  Do not store fuel in or around your house, and keep well ventilated in a cool area out of the sun.  Keep grass cut short, especially if your city is rationing water and not allowing watering of lawns.  Do not store any flammables in the direct sun or in your attic.  
• Vehicle breakdowns. Avoid driving unless it's absolutely necessary, or drive at nite. Check your fluid levels and make sure your oil and coolant are topped off.  Bring extra oil and coolant with you in case you need it.  DO NOT top off your fuel tank!  Make sure your tires are property inflated and not over or under inflated.  Bring extra water with you in case you do break down.  Drive with the A/C off when going uphill.  Watch your vehicles tempature when climbing grades.  If your car starts to overheat when going uphill, pull over at a safe location to let it cool.  Check to make sure your thermostat is working before you make your trip.

3) Blackouts.   The nations grids are maxed out.  With everyone using A/C, expect rolling blackouts.  If you are in a blackout, you can wrap sleeping bags around your refrigerator or freezer to help insulate it.  To conserve power, only use what you absolutely need.  Keep lights turned off and keep your A/C set to the warmest temperature that you can safely stand.  Do you have a generator?  Be prepared to use it.  Do you have plenty of non-perishable food stored?  If there is an extended blackout, you may need it.  Stores and gas stations will be shut down in a blackout.  Do you have an emergency battery powered radio and flashlights?

4) Food Prices   Expect food prices to increase.  Especially meat.  Many ranchers are butchering all of there livestock as there is not enough food and water to care for them, this means shortages in the future.  Produce crops are drying up. Prices of corn, wheat and other grains will increase.  Even produce grown in unaffected areas may increase in price as well due to demand.  If the blackouts are too severe, stores, gas stations and truck stops may close down temporarily disrupting the supply chain and preventing food from making it to the stores.

Stay safe during this heat wave and dought.  This is a serious and potentially devastating national disaster.


If you have tips, ideas, news, videos or pictures that you wish to share regarding this heat wave you can submit your article to americanprepper@yahoo.com.  If your article is chosen we will post it on your states preppers network blog.  Top articles will get posted on APN.  The top article of the week will win a free flashlantern valued at $49.95 (made in the USA).  Articles must be submitted before 7/29.

Feel free to copy and repost this article in it's entirety.  Credit source as AmericanPreppersNetwork.com

Here are some free helpful pdf files to download

Fire and Heat Waves
- ARC - Are You Ready - Fire

- ARC - Are You Ready - Heat Wave

- ARC - Are You Ready - Wildfires

- Fact Sheet: Fires

- Fact Sheet: Fire Safe

- WildFires

Water
- ARC - Food and Water in Emergency

- Emergency Disinfection of Drinking Water 

- How To Make A Solar Still (Plastic Cover)

- Purification Of Water On A Small Scale 

- Simple Solar Still For The Production Of Distilled Water

- Slow Sand Filters

- Water Purification

- Water Treatment

Fire Safety 

- Fighting Fire 

- Fire Safety

Get More Free Downloads here:
http://preppers.info/Free_Downloads.html

Buttering my bread in a time of crisis

Buttering my bread in a time of crisis

By Shenandoah

So here we are..I have stored up a few hundred pounds so far of wheat and
learning how to bake bread (and looking for an old fashion wood stove) but
how about good ol fashion butter on a slice of bread and some home jam
just to make the world feel right again.

Our dependence on refrigeration has kept us from learning how to store
foods without it. Here is a great little morsel in learning how to store
butter without the need for refrigeration.

First off, you are going to need Mason or Ball type canning jars or some
tight sealing containers. I have decided on the ½ pint wide mouth jar for
this project. These little jars are great for either jams or butter. The
advantage is small containers for once you open up any sealed container in
an off the grid situation, the clock starts ticking for how long it will
stay good. Also, smaller containers provide insurance from product loss
due to a broken seal or cracked glass.

Now you might be wondering if butter is something you need to store? The
answer is YES!!! In a “back to basics” diet in a post TEOTWAWKI world we
will all be finding ourselves eating foods with a greatly reduced amount
of fats. Yes, we will all look a lot better, and obesity will not be a
problem, we will soon find that our bodies do require a small quantity of
fats. Butter can supply essential fats in small quantities on a daily
basis. Lards can be rendered from animal fats but wild game like deer
have little fat on them to begin with.

Butter, when properly canned and stored enjoys a reportedly long life span
of three to five years plus before going rancid.

There are two ways to can butter. The first is using a pressure cooker
and the second is canning without the pressure cooker.

If you can with a pressure cooker the life span should store indefinitely.
Although canned butter has not been practiced all that long but over 6
years has been established in commercial canned butter.

A quick method that I use is this. I melt the butter in a large pot and
bring it to a boil. At the same time I prepare my jars by first washing
them and then place them into the oven at 300 degrees to make sure they
are completely sanitized.

Next I carefully pour the butter into the jars making sure not to get any
on the rims and then seal with the lid (waiting in boiling water to
sanitize and soften the seal) and then screw down the band.

The lids will go plink plink just like they do out of a pressure cooker as
the vacuum inside the jars happens with cooling.

To pressure cook these jars you do all the steps as above but rather than
letting the jars cool on the counter you would place them into the
pressure cooker and go through a proper cycle. If you use these ½ pint
jars and the liquid is already hot then it should not take long.

I skip the pressure canning side of this for two reasons. First is that
you have boiled the butter and really sanitized the jars and lids so these
are going to be pretty free of contamination. Secondly, butter is one of
those things God gave us that does not grow bacteria all that well and
lastly if you use salted butter as I do the salt gives it an added level
of protection.

Either way pressure cooker or not you will need to allow these to cool and
shaking them often to reduce separation. I would recommend putting them
into the refrigerator after they have cooled enough to hold in your hand
so they will solidify quicker and again continue the shaking. As soon as
they have cooled they will have the familiar yellow solid butter look.

Store this butter in the coolest place as you would all of your canned
goods for maximum shelf life….and enjoy!

Again, the steps are.

1. Bring the butter to a low boil, stirring often.
2. Place the washed jars in the oven at 300 degrees for 20 Min.
3. Place the lids in boiling water to be ready to use.
4. Ladle the butter into the jars through a funnel leaving ½ to ¾
inch headroom.
5. Place the lids on the jars and the bands tightly.
6. Shake frequently as the butter cools to avoid settling and
separation.
7. Enjoy!

Shenandoah

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Editors note:  Many people have been canning butter for years without any problems.  Even I have  known people who can butter and swear by their methods.  However, there are many who feel that it is an unsafe practice.  Do the research and educate yourself before attempting any home canning method that you are unfamiliar with.  Here is a link regarding the warnings of canning butter: http://www.uga.edu/nchfp/questions/FAQ_canning.html#33
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Virginia Preppers Roll Call - All Preppers Please Check In

The American Preppers Network is conducting a network-wide roll call.  Whether you are a member or not please check in and let us know what you are doing to prepare.

This is a good opportunity to network with other preppers near you.

Virginia Preppers, to respond to the roll call please follow this link:
 http://americanpreppersnetwork.net/viewtopic.php?f=455&t=9288

• Reply to the Roll Call and let us know what you have been doing to prepare.

If you are not yet a member of the forum you can register here for free:
http://americanpreppersnetwork.net/ucp.php?mode=register

A Man, a Vacuum Sealer and a Year of Food

A Man, a vacuum sealer and a year of food

If you’re like me, understanding the times we live in are just about
impossible! Getting a grasp on our current situation feels more like
treading water on a stormy sea and gasping for air when one can. In that
situation the one thing that makes the difference is a life vest to keep
you afloat.

OK, that said to frame what I want to talk about. I live in a small city
of around 20K people. I live around farms but they don’t grow anything
but hay and corn to feel horses and cattle. We owned a small restaurant
here in the Shenandoah Valley and I quickly learned that I had to make
sure that my produce was stocked to match shipments being trucked in from
California and Mexico! You see, almost a complete absence of commercial
greenhouses around Virginia and the sad part is I do live in what is
considered to be farm country.

We know that the “Just in Time” supply model has become the standard for
industry suppliers including food distributors. When I was a kid, I
worked in a grocery store and the back wall was stacked to the rafters
with boxes of canned goods. Now the new stores are just designed to have
a receiving staging area. All that is ordered is enough to “front” the
shelves. No longer are full cases ordered but at times restocking is just
one at a time so the shelves are now the stock room…in a real crisis we
all know just how fast the grocery stores will be emptied.

What is one to do?

Food supply:
Food is relatively cheap right now so this is the best time to start
stocking up for your own supply that can carry you through the first
year…you, your children, and their children if they are grown. One can
purchase 50 pounds of wheat for around 40 cents per pound so you can see
that one can quickly you can build up serious stock, but don’t forget to
buy a grinder!

What kinds of foods you need to inventory are the ones that seal up nicely
and have inherent long term storage built into them. Seeds by design,
when kept whole, like wheat, corn, oats, rice and beans (for example) have
excellent storage capability built right in so it makes sense to major on
these types of foods. I have managed to put away quite a few buckets of
food of these types and a whole lot more to go but here is what I do but
there are lots of ways to get the job done.

I like to put up food in smaller vacuum bags. There are really nice
commercial vacuum machines that run around $350 and up but that was not in
my budget so I spent about $30 on a Foodsaver brand (or whatever) sealer.
Although this will only draw around a 10 to 15 inches of vacuum I add two
items into the bag just before sealing. One is an oxygen absorber and the
other a moisture absorber. Between these two I figure I am getting just
about all the moisture and oxygen out of the bag and as the air we breathe
is about 80% Nitrogen that leaves my future food bathed in an inert gas
that is excellent for long term storage. Even if you had buggies that you
could not see in with your grains, they simply cannot live without oxygen.

On eBay I found out you could order six gallon (food grade) Mylar bags
with a huge oxygen absorber for just over a Dollar. At Home Depot they
have nice orange, five gallon buckets with rubber gasket in the lids for
under $5.00. So I place the Mylar bag into the bucket, then put the
smaller bags say quart sized and perhaps one or two ½ gallon sixed vacuum
sealed bags into the Mylar bag along with the large oxygen absorber and
with practice you can seal the large Mylar bag with your vacuum sealer and
remove the oxygen from that larger Mylar bag. To do this after loading
the Mylar Bag take a small board (or any nicely flat and sturdy object)
and fold the Mylar over the board and take the wife’s nice iron (a lot of
guys might consider getting a used iron from the thrift store) and seal it
up except for enough space to stick a small vacuum hose into your bag.

I purchased a Mason jar sealer that attaches to my vacuum sealer and
nicely seals up canning jars with dry packed stuff like bulk spices. It
has a PVC hose that connects to the vacuum sealer. I take that hose and
stick it into the Mylar bag and then finish sealing the Mylar bag with the
iron right up to the hose. With a little pinch I then get a seal so I can
now pull a vacuum inside the Mylar bag as well providing your food with
triple sealed storage, bucket, Mylar and small vacuum bag. You have just
created five gallons of food for the future for around $5.00, plus the
food cost, for a small fraction of the “emergency” foods you can buy over
the Internet. When it comes to bulk wheat you might want to forgo the
individual bags and put it right into the six gallon Mylar bag and seal it
up properly. You can get a lot more food into each bucket that way and
that is important when space is critical. These smaller bags then need
protection from everything from rodents to accidental tears and punctures.
One can purchase 55 gallon Mylar bags if you are seriously sheltering
in…and space is critical.

This kind of food storage is critical if we do have a TEOTWAWKI (we all
know that stands for The End Of The World As We Know It, right?) event.
Most of what I read about looks more like a slow and painful death of the
Dollar through contortions of hyper inflation/stagflation and deflation.
In my really stupid years I once drank a whole bottle of Tequila and that
is a lot what we will have when a financial system is completely out of
control, our coming financial collapse is going to be like that on an
experiential level…complete loss of voluntary control, and it is going to
be messy.

This food you can easily set aside can help you make it through the first
year of your life should the unthinkable happen and you have to become
self sufficient overnight. Google phrases like “food storage per person”
and see what the calculations look like. It might take thousands of
pounds of food for a medium size family but this can be done. I looked
for a local semi-independent supermarket that orders food in bulk and then
breaks that down into smaller bags for retail and asked if I could add
bulk orders onto their regular weekly shipments. They said yes and now I
order 50 or so pounds of bulk foods from wheat to beans and I also get a
10% to 15% discount rather than buying off the shelf. Best of all is no
shipping charges! You can also order off the Internet but you will have
to pay for Mr. UPS to come deliver it typically doubling the cost of the
food.

This week I just ordered another 50 Lbs of Raw Sugar as Sugar prices are
expected to be sharply on the rise due to crop failures and Wall Street
commodity investors. Items like sugars and honey have practically
unlimited shelf life and if you package them as I described you will
eliminate caking due to moisture. You will get some packing together,
especially with raw sugar, due to the compacting typical with the
vacuuming but it busts apart easily.

Adding in a nice variety of freeze dried foods for flavor and simplicity
gives you a great selection so that meals can be different and interesting
in a crisis situation. The only thing I can imagine worse than eating the
same thing day after day is eating nothing day after day.

To start taking advantage of your new supplies, start making prepared
meals out of them now. Think of a meal you would typically make. In my
house Black Beans & Rice are a typical dinner. Beans typically need to be
soaked overnight before cooking and that is so easy to forget. Try this
idea for quick emergency or not so emergency meals. Take a canning jar
and fill it with the beans like Black Beans. Add in spices along with
garlic & onion or what you might typically use and then fill the jar with
boiling water and seal it just as you would when canning with a hot lid.
Place your jars into a pressure cooker and pasteurize the contents. When
you open it back up you will have a bean dinner already seasoned and ready
to heat up and serve.

In addition to canning veggies you can also can meats and butter but you
have to do some reading on that temperature you need to reach for 100%
food safety.

If a TEOTWAWKI hits in winter then you might not need a full year’s supply
till you have food coming in from the garden but you have to have seeds
and good soil…more about that next time.

Bruce


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FREE Fire Rescue TV Vehicle Decal for First Responders

Drop by the Virginia Fire Chiefs Mid Atlantic Expo this weekend, February 24-27, 2011 at the Virginia Beach VA Convention Center and stop by our booth and pick up a FREE vehicle decal. You can also REGISTER on our website, www.firerescuetv.com and we will send you one for FREE!


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A few thoughts on gun control…..

I don’t often talk a tremendous amount about politics or common political “talking points”. Gun control is one issue that I certainly have opinions on and you may or not agree with me.

The recent shootings in Arizona have spurred talk on gun control all across the country. Often when a mass shooting gets a lot of press – “gun control” will be mentioned as something that could have prevented what occurred and what should be put in place to prevent future occurrences.

Let me start off by stating for the record – I support the 2nd Amendment to the Constitution. Period. I believe that our forefathers placed the right to bear arms into the Constitution for a reason – and it was not for the creation of out military and police forces.

“A well regulated Militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.”

The Minute Man statue - Concord, Mass.

Knowing the history of how the United States came to be I firmly believe that the above statement refers to the ability of the people to possess firearms – not just the government.

The mass shooting in Arizona was a tragedy for all involved and their families. It is an unfortunately reality that there are sick, crazy, malicious and evil people in this world with an intent that is no better than they are. The argument that decent, law-abiding citizens should have their rights effected due to those that are not decent, law-abiding citizens is unjust, unfair and against our Constitutional rights. Whether it be the Virginia Tech massacre or the Arizona shooting – those physco’s that perpetrated these acts would do so regardless of any law.

The bottom line is that gun control laws only effect those that will obey them – law abiding citizens. Criminals are termed that for a reason – they break the law. How many drug dealers and gang-bangers are purchasing their firearms at local gun shops following laws?

Now – here is where I may stir a response from you. Some gun control and regualtion is responsible and I feel required. I have no problem with a background check. I have no problem with a 24-hour waiting period. I do not have a problem with certain age requirements. I do not have a problem with any Dick or Harry walking into their local gun shop and NOT walking out with a fully automatic M60 machine gun. There has to be some common sense involved in gun regulations. This problem is - what is common sense to me may be different than to you. The other problem is most that are in favor of gun control is that if you give them an inch – they will take a mile. What I mean by this is every regulation, every law is one step towards their eventual desired goal – the banning of guns altogether. Not all gun control advocates want this – but a very large majority.

Being able to defend myself, my family, and my property goes beyond “God given” – it is built into the genetic make up of the human species to protect that which is nurtured and cared for. For some political group, “cause” or politician to suggest that I am not allowed to possess a pistol that can shoot 17 shots or a semi-automatic rifle because I can affix a bayonet to it is not just pathetic – it is idiotic.

There are 40,000 people killed every year in automobile accidents. 40,000!! I don’t hear anyone suggesting cars should be banned. Hmmmmm…….

One final thought. What if someone with a Concealed Weapons Permit was present at Virginia Tech or in Arizona for either one of those shootings?

Rourke modernsurvivalonline.com

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The Food Crisis Of 2011

Every month, JPMorgan Chase dispatches a researcher to several supermarkets in Virginia. The task is to comparison shop for 31 items.

In July, the firm’s personal shopper came back with: To read more follow link below:

http://blogs.forbes.com/greatspeculations/2010/10/27/the-food-crisis-of-2011/?boxes

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You've Got To Fight For Your Rights

Here in Virginia, we are not cursed with too many onerous gun laws. Gun rights actually made progress last year with allowing concealed carry permit holders to carry in restaurants that serve alcohol (as long as they don't drink) and allowing people without permits to carry concealed in the car. We really have to give most of the credit to the Virginia Citizens Defense League. Every year, legions of law abiding gun owners descend upon our Jefferson-designed state capitol building to meet thier legislators (at least the ones who do not run and hide) and press for a return of the right to keep and bear arms, all while carrying weapons and wearing orange "Guns Save Lives" stickers. After a couple hours of that, everyone gathers on the Capitol lawn for a rally with advocates, politicians, and the occasional celebrity. I've been twice, and it is really an amazing event. This year's Lobby Day is Monday, January 17th. If you are in Virginia, I encourage you to come. I'll be there for the rally. Details can be found HERE. If you don't live in Virginia, I encourage you to become involved with whatever advocacy group is active in your state. If you don't support gun rights, well, I promise not to infringe upon your right to not have a firearm if you promise not to infringe upon my right to have one.

This article borrowed from If It Hits The Fan

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A members reply

A reply to a letter I sent

Hi Glen,
My name is Jeff "CAVSCOUT" it was good for you to contact me. It has been a while since I have been able to get on the APN. Just wanted to drop a line to say that I am still here, even though where I live went from a dry clear place to live to planet Hoth fron Star Wars in like 36 hours. We managed to get over 18 inches of snow and I figured, well my fiance' figured, it would be a good idea to test all of the things we have prepared for. We made it out to be, a massive storm (there was no imagining that), no power (we had that), all stores and gas stations closed (that was true), and we were on our own. Well everything worked out perfect, we were actually comfortable for 3 days. In otherwords we had an After Action Report (AAR). Everything that I had and most of what I learned about how to be self reliant and what to have in a survival situation I got for American Preppers. And thanks to all of the members we managed to survive the Blizzard of 2010 here in Virginia with no problems even though we went overboard with our simulation. So thank you. SCOUT OUT!

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We’re Going to Experience Apocalyptic Pain, and It’s Going to Be Out of Our Control

The US Treasury Department tells us that our federal debt is currently sitting at $13.8 trillion. On its most basic level the federal deficit is the difference between current government spending (including interest payments) and total current revenue from all types of taxes.

In 2001, when President George Bush took office, our debt was around $6.5 trillion. Combined with President Obama’s spending packages and commitments, our public and gross debt over the last 10 years has more than doubled.

But that’s not the scary part. What’s scary is how much money we owe when we look at current and future liabilities over the course of the next three decades. Officially, this figure is estimated to be around $150 trillion. Unofficially, according to Boston University economist Laurence Kotlikoff, our future liabilities exceed some $200 trillion. Considering that the tax revenue of the United States is around $4 trillion per year, anyone who’s ever held a balance and made a credit card payment can understand the near impossibility of paying off such a debt.

Senator Tom Coburn is one of many who warns of dire consequences if we can’t get our finances under control:

I think you’ll see a 15 to 18 percent unemployment rate . I think you will see an 8 to 9 percent decline in GDP. I think you’ll see the middle class just destroyed if we don’t do this. And the people that it will harm the most will be the poorest of the poor, because we’ll print money to try to debase our currency and get out of it and what you will see is hyperinflation.

If we don’t take some pain now, we’re going to experience apocalyptic pain, and it’s going to be out of our control. The idea should be that we control it.

We share Senator Coburn’s sentiment. Unfortunately, we’re not as optimistic as he is that any of Congress’ placations will be sufficient enough to help us get out of this hole.

With $4 trillion in annual tax revenue, at today’s debt levels it would literally take 50 years just to pay off the debt that we’ve already committed to - that’s if we stopped all additional spending right now - today. The odds of that are zero - thus our debt liability will continue to grow, as will the interest payments required to service our debt.

The end result of our pulling forward 25 - 50 years of debt is not going to be pretty. As we’ve outlined before, we are on the brink of a catastrophic collapse in the credit of the United States of America. This means that at some point our national credit card is going to be maxed out.

When that will be is difficult to predict. According to Senator Coburn, we’re looking at about 3 - 4 years - which sounds like a viable time line. Really, it all depends on China, because they are the largest buyer of US debt.

But the Chinese are not going to stand by while their US currency reserves become worthless. They are already taking action to counter the effects of a soon-to-be suicided US dollar.

We recently learned that the Chinese have signed agreements with the Russians to drop the dollar as a settlement vehicle, essentially replacing the world’s reserve currency with the Yuan when dealing with each other. We’ve heard many people suggest that this is just a drop in the bucket because of the widespread use of the US dollar - and we agree. However, China is working with other trade partners to do the same thing. And eventually all of those drops in the bucket will fill it up.

Once the Chinese pull the plug there will be only one entity left to support the US dollar - The Federal Reserve. They’ll digitally print trillions of dollars for as long as they can, but sooner rather than later the US dollar will collapse.

And when it does, the end result can only be described as an economic apocalypse.

If the dollar gets to the point it is equivalent to Monopoly money it will be impossible for holders of the bills, as well as our government, to settle transactions with the currency. This means that commerce on a global scale, for all of those expecting to fulfill transactions in US dollars, will come to a standstill.

How will individuals and governments buy food, gas, and other essential goods when the very currency being used to settle the transaction is no longer a viable trade instrument?

Really, it can get that bad. We have no confidence that Congress, the President, the Federal Reserve or US Treasury can fix this problem.

Over the course of the next decade we will see a new US monetary system introduced - just like we saw in 1971, 1944, 1913 and 1785.

This time it will be very disorderly. We can expect trillions in wealth to be wiped out and the many complications that come along with such an event - violence, protests, riots, breakdown in the rule of law and potentially even large-scale war.

If you haven’t done so already, take action to protect your wealth and preserve your well being now, before it hits the fan. Follow the investment strategies of the Chinese and you might have a chance of coming out with something when the chickens come home to roost.

Take possession of hard assets whenever you can, including precious metals, long-term food stores, tools & equipment, and anything else that will retain value when the US dollar loses it.

Author: Mac Slavo
Date: December 27th, 2010
Visit the Author's Website: http://www.SHTFplan.com/

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Sing the health praises of parsley and sage

Those of us who go back a few years likely remember the line about parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme in the huge Simon and Garfunkel hit song about two ill-fated lovers, "Are You Going to Scarborough Fair". Many have speculated that the reference to the four popular herbs was due to their use in Medieval Europe to help cleanse the air and ward off the infamous black plague. Others have thought that the reference to the four herbs was because the combination may have been used as a love potion. Whatever the reason for their inclusion in the popular song, the many health benefits of parsley and sage are worth loving and singing praises about in their own rights.

PARSLEY

Parsley is an amazing medicinal herb with a world of health benefits. The root contains calcium, B-complex vitamins, and iron, which nourish the glands that help regulate the uptake of calcium. It is a source of magnesium, calcium, potassium, vitamin A, beta-carotene, vitamin C and vitamin K.

Among the many benefits reported for parsley are:

*It is a diuretic which helps the body produce more urine to keep the urinary system operating smoothly and which helps prevent problems such as kidney stones and bladder infections.

*It is wonderful for removing toxins from the body, such as heavy metals.

*It is an effective breath freshener. It is believed that the practice of including parsley on a dinner plate began due to its breath freshening abilities and not merely for its decorative effect.

*The root and leaves are good for the liver and spleen.

*It helps relieve bloating during menstruation.

*It provides relief for edema, often helping when other remedies have failed

*Parsley root and seeds help relax stiff joints, often making stiff and unmanageable fingers work again.

*It helps remove gallstones when used properly by taking a pint of the tea daily.

*It is beneficial for the adrenal glands.

*It is a powerful therapeutic aid for the optic nerves, brain and sympathetic nervous system.

*Parsley juice is an excellent tonic for the blood vessels.

Note: It is best to avoid large amounts of parsley if you are pregnant, especially the use of the volatile essential oil.

SAGE

Like rosemary, its sister herb in the mint (Labiatae) family, sage contains a variety of volatile oils, flavonoids and phenolic acids, including rosmarinic acid. The oils found in sage are both antiseptic and antibiotic, helping it fight infections.

Besides the antioxidant and other properties shared with Rosemary, sage`s other health benefits include:

*It is effective for symptoms of menopause, night sweats and hot flashes because of its estrogenic action and because its tannins help dry up perspiration.

*Sage helps provide better brain function and has been used in the treatment of cerebrovascular disease for over a thousand years. It helps provide better recall and research has suggested that it may be an effective option to help treat Alzheimer`s.

*There`s also compelling evidence that sage may be of value to people with diabetes for whom the hormone insulin does not work as efficiently as it should. Lab studies indicate that sage may boost insulin`s action.

* The ability of sage to protect oils from oxidation has also led some companies to experiment with sage as a natural antioxidant additive for cooking oils that can extend shelf life and help avoid rancidity.

In an upcoming article, we will also sing the praises of the other two herbs mentioned in the popular song - rosemary and thyme.

Sources included:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scarbo...
http://www.healthy-holistic-living....
http://www.greenmuze.com/blogs/natu...
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/pars...

About the author

Tony Isaacs, is a natural health author, advocate and researcher who hosts The Best Years in Life website for baby boomers and others wishing to avoid prescription drugs and mainstream managed illness and live longer, healthier and happier lives naturally. Mr. Isaacs is the author of books and articles about natural health, longevity and beating cancer including "Cancer's Natural Enemy" and is working on a major book project due to be published later this year.
Mr. Isaacs is currently residing in scenic East Texas and frequently commutes to the even more scenic Texas hill country near San Antonio and Austin to give lectures in health seminars. He also hosts the CureZone "Ask Tony Isaacs - featuring Luella May" forum as well as the Yahoo Health Group "Oleander Soup" and he serves as a consultant to the "Utopia Silver Supplement Company".

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/030824_parsley_sage.html#ixzz199SxLky2

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SHTF scenario ?

Original post by: Bullfrog

A friend and I were having a discussion the other day. He doesnt really "get it" in reference to my prepping activities. Now, I live in a very secluded area of the state, Just a short drive from a town of around 700. Anyhow, back to my story.
He was kidding me about needing to buy a BOL, but I replied that I was already bugged out, any further out and I would be on the moon. He brought up an interesting point that made me think. He said being that secluded and still functioning during a societal breakdown would actually make me a target to all of the city dwellers looking for refuge in the boonies.
He made me think. Now, rest assured, I don't throw up any red flags, and my place is not what one would call "manicured". With that said, I have been thinking about it alot since then and am looking for a few thoughts or insight from others.

Thanks,
Dave

To respond to this post follow the link below:
http://www.americanpreppersnetwork.net/viewtopic.php?f=326&t=6661&sid=88093acfd

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Response to Castle Doctrine Laws by State

Original post "Castle Doctrine Laws by State" was written by Seeker2012

This is only one response by member okie B to an original post. I highly recommend that after reading this reply you follow the link below and read the entire string. It is very informative in what you can and can not do in protecting your home against intruders.

Posted by: okie B

Almost every state goes one of those two directions -- duty to retreat, or right to stand your ground. Here in Oklahoma, they recognized the right to stand your ground in your own house quite a while ago with the Make-My-Day law, but they have since expanded it to include your place of business and vehicle as well.

It never hurts to remind people though -- just because your state's castle laws include a right to stand your ground, that does not mean you have the right to shoot just anyone on your property. Even if that particular statute for your state says that there is a presumption that you are acting in self-defense (like Oklahoma's law does), presumptions can be overcome or negated by a stronger presumption. And the word presumption does not mean quite the same thing in law that it means in everyday usage. It has specific legal connatations and implications, but the overall meaning is similar to regular use. As a general rule, even if your state has pro-homeowner castle laws, you must believe that you are in immediate danger in your home from an intruder who is not legally supposed to be there. That is a very loaded sentence, and if all of those factors are not in place, you run the risk of a murder charge or a manslaughter charge instead of protection under the castle laws. If you shoot a government agent who is allowed to come on your property, you're in trouble. If you shoot a police officer serving a warrant, you're in trouble. If someone breaks in, you tell him to halt, he does, and you ask him questions before you shoot him, you're in trouble. If a four-year old is crawling in your window and you shoot him, you're most likely in trouble (although not for certain). If someone breaks into your shed, and you go out and confront him and shoot him, you're in trouble. If someone climbs your fence and crosses your yard, but does not try to break into your house, and you shoot him, you're in trouble. If you set up a booby trap to kill or injure someone who tries to break into your house while you are gone, you're in trouble.

These laws are meant for self-defense protection only. They are not meant to protect property. They are not meant to be self-help solutions in any instance except a him-or-me situation brought on by someone else's wrongdoing. PLEASE do not think these laws are a permission to start shooting people.

Please follow the link below to read and respond to original post and all of the replies:
http://www.americanpreppersnetwork.net/viewtopic.php?f=188&t=6353&sid=7a2da0


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Virginia Preppers Roll Call

The Virginia Preppers Network is conducting a Roll Call on our forum.  If you are a prepper please check in.

* Here is a link to the Roll Call:
http://americanpreppersnetwork.net/viewtopic.php?f=455&t=6172


You have to be registered to check in.  If you aren't registered please join here:
http://americanpreppersnetwork.net/ucp.php?mode=register


* If you are a HAM Radio Operator check in here:
http://americanpreppersnetwork.net/viewtopic.php?f=143&t=6219


* If you are an A.N.T.S. member please check in here:
http://americanpreppersnetwork.net/viewtopic.php?f=618&t=6220

First Blog
This is my first attempt at bloging, need some input from all you preppers in VA.
Submit your ideas on the VA home page by following the links below
thanks simpleman
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New Virginia Members

The Virginia Preppers Network Welcomes our Newest Members:

Kali

Hello....Newbie here from VA

To post your welcome please follow this link:
http://www.americanpreppersnetwork.net/viewtopic.php?f=563&t=6622&sid=517c9b60

Bucking_Monkey

Greets all,

New and checking in. I'm in Virginia Beach and started getting into the prepping lifestyle early this year, feel like I'm a bit behind the eight-ball but researching hard and fast to play catch-up. My plans for SHTF are to bunker down and thats what I'm prepping for.

I hope to chat with you all and perhaps meet ya'll at a meet sometime.

To post your welcome please follow this link:
http://www.americanpreppersnetwork.net/viewtopic.php?f=455&t=2814&p=55797


GWG

Hi everyone. I'm located in Central/North Virginia.


To post your welcome please follow this link:
http://www.americanpreppersnetwork.net/viewtopic.php?f=563&t=5802

DC Josh

Hi everyone. I have been lurking for a while and have found a lot of information from Survivalblog.org and thought it would be a good idea to register here at APN. I have been 'prepping' for a little while now, mostly just stocking up on camping gear and extra food for the pantry. I have enough emergeny water for my wife and I and I also have a rain barrel and a camp filter incase we really need to use it.

This is an interesting lifestyle and there is a lot to learn, I'm looking forward to it.

Cheers,
Josh

To post your welcome please follow this link:
http://www.americanpreppersnetwork.net/viewtopic.php?f=563&t=5618

Scott_C


Hello everyone, My name is Scott and I live in central Virginia. I've been reading about disaster preparedness and survival in "SHTF" or "TEOTWAWKI" scenarios for the past year. I've always been one to store extra water and food, but after reading several books and researching on the web, I have come to realize that I need to prepare even more, so I guess you can say I'm a beginner in prepping.

Prepping is more about knowledge and skills than gadgets. I hope to collaborate with other preppers to learn more about survival so that I can take care of my family when the SHTF.

Thanks for putting this site together and I am looking forward to contributing and learning from other preppers.

Scott

To post your welcome please follow this link:
http://www.americanpreppersnetwork.net/viewtopic.php?f=563&t=5413


Wardhouse

Greetings from Virginia. My dad started me on the prepper track while in my teens and, being a typical teen, I let much of that slip away. Interesting how now that I am older, I want that knowledge back!
Thank you for the opportunity.

To post your welcome please follow this link:
http://www.americanpreppersnetwork.net/viewtopic.php?f=563&t=184&p=50803

66ragtop
This site was recommended by a friend. Wish I'd found it a year ago. Been prepping for about a year, though have always been a 'ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure' type person. Aside from 'meeting' many more like minded folks, this site would have samed me a shload of research time. Live & learn, I guess. Anyway, it appears that there is a TON of info on here and and real world experiences. I look forward to learning and listening (at least to begin with.)


to post your welcome please follow this link:
http://americanpreppersnetwork.net/viewtopic.php?f=563&t=4963

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How To Join The Virginia Preppers Network

Come learn survival, preparedness and sustainable living with us!

The Preppers networks are all about volunteering our knowledge and skills with each other. We share ideas, tips and basically network with each other to survive any type of disaster whether natural, man made, or economic. Information that you learn and share with others will help everyone learn how to find "Freedom Through Teaching Others Self Reliance."

Joining the Virginia Preppers Network is simple, and most of all, it's Free! To join, just follow these few steps.

1) Register to become a member of the American Preppers Network www.AmericanPreppersNetwork.net The registration page is here: http://americanpreppersnetwork.net/ucp.php?mode=register


2) Once you have your account, go to the index page of the forum and do your first post by introducing yourself in the new members area. http://americanpreppersnetwork.net/index.php


3) Once you know how to do posts, visit the Virginia forum and introduce yourself. The Virginia forum can be found by scrolling to the lower section of the index page where you will find a list of states, or you can go directly by following this URL: www.VirginiaPreppersNetwork.net

4) After you've visited the Virginia forum, follow this link to learn how to join the Virginia Preppers Network group:
http://americanpreppersnetwork.net/viewtopic.php?f=564&t=2738


APN's success depends on your contributions. If you would like to donate to our organization by becoming a Gold Member you can join the APN Gold Members club by following this link:
http://www.americanpreppersnetwork.net/page.php?p=apn-gold-membership&sid=5b241e92a767cdfbe7a345c54dd55127
Gold Membership is only $5 per month. For a list of Gold Member benefits go here

Thank you for your support!

Personal Protection Alternative Tip

According to advice from a local Police Department to an office worker in a high-risk neighborhood, wasp spray is a great alternative to Pepper spray. It can project about twenty feet (much farther than pepper spray). It temporarily blinds an attacker until they can get to a hospital for an antidote. Wasp spray doesn’t attract attention from people like a can of pepper spray does. You could keep a can close-by at home and even keep one in your car. The disadvantage is size.

Disaster Alert: Floods in Virginia , West Virginia , North Carolina , and New York

The APN- Disaster Reporting Service thanks D_Loki for providing us with the following updated

January 26, 2010

Disaster Alert

Virginia – Heavy rains caused flash flooding in Augusta , Rockbridge and Albemarle Counties on Monday that prompted the evacuation of residents in low-lying areas. The Central Virginia Chapter deployed a Disaster Action Team (DAT), opened a shelter, placed an Emergency Response Vehicle on standby and provided Mass Care (MC) for shelter residents. The Shenandoah Chapter deployed DAT and opened a shelter for affected-area residents.
West Virginia – Storms caused river flooding that affected the residents of Greenbrier, Monroe and Pocahontas Counties on Monday. The Governor declared a stat of emergency for Greenbrier County and the surrounding areas. The Chapter deployed a DAT Team, opened 4 shelters and provided Mass Care to local residents.
North Carolina – River flooding in Surry County destroyed homes, damaged others and prompted the evacuation of dozens of local residents in the affected area on Monday. The Surry County Chapter deployed a DAT Team, opened a shelter, and provided MC services for the evacuees. The Northwest North Carolina Chapter deployed DAT and provided individual assistance to affected-area residents.
New York – A rainstorm that filled rivers and streams in the northeast portion of the state delayed flights and blew debris from buildings on Monday. The ARC of Northeastern New York Chapter deployed DAT and opened a precautionary shelter for local residents.