By Daisy Luther

I used to have that idyllic country lifestyle that most preppers dream about. Chickens, goats, acreage, a creek running through the backyard, and most of all, seclusion. It was wonderful. I learned so much about raising animals, keeping hungry deer out of my garden, and being self-reliant to a much larger degree.

But then life happened and that wasn’t going to work for us anymore. My precocious kid graduated homeschool at 16 and wasn’t able to follow her dreams in the state and location where we lived. Obviously, at that age, I wasn’t about to turn her loose to go to school in a different state, so we relocated.

We moved to a suburban area in southern Virginia.  Gone was the acreage and the privacy, but that didn’t mean that I gave up on prepping. No way! I firmly believe that no matter where you live, you can be prepared. You may not be able to have a whole farm but you can still be self-reliant and prepped.

However, city prepping and country prepping are two different animals. Here are some of the ways that it’s different.

#1) You have to rein in the redneck when you’re in town.

When I lived out in the boondocks, nobody cared when there was a faint odor of livestock, mud in the mudroom, and hay in the back of the Jeep. In the city, things are a little different. If I set up an ugly, makeshift greenhouse using a clear plastic tarp and zip ties over a swing set in the front yard, the neighbors would 100% complain. In the country, lots of people have redneck things set up and nobody really cares.

That doesn’t mean you can’t have a greenhouse. It just can’t be in the front yard and it has to be one that looks a little nicer. Heck, you can even have a teeny one on a patio or balcony.

#2) In the city, OPSEC is even more important.

When you live within city limits, you’re bound to have neighbors. That means that OPerational SECurity is even more important than it is in the country, where you have a privacy buffer between yourself and other people.

In the city, you don’t want to be seen lugging in buckets and buckets of emergency food. People will comment something along the lines of “You got a bunker down there?”  It’s a joke now, but if they’re going hungry later, they’ll remember it.

In the city, everything you do outdoors has the capacity to be seen from by a person outside the family. Even if your back yard is fenced, a person on the second floor of another home will be able to see inside. So, your garden and your urban chickens? Everybody will know about them.

#3) In the city, you can’t go whole-hog (literally) on self-reliance.

There are a lot of things you can do in the city to be more self-reliant, but it should more look like a quirky hobby than an effort to set up a full-on homestead.

Your livestock will be limited to chickens and rabbits (if that – check your municipal website to find out what your local laws are.)  You aren’t going to be able to raise pigs or goats, and there will be no backyard butchering station in most cities.

There’s only so much of a garden you can have because there’s only so many places in your city yard with good sunlight where it’s also socially acceptable to plant vegetables. (But if you’re creative, there are quite a few things you can sneak in.)

#4) In the city, there are fewer 4-legged predators and foragers.

When I lived in the country, it was a constant battle to keep things (besides us) from eating our chickens and getting into our gardens. Between the bears, the mountain lions, the foxes, the coyotes, and the deer, raising food in the boondocks isn’t as easy as people expect it will be.

In the city, you are unlikely to have to worry about any of these things. The only trouble we’ve had have been from skunks, raccoons, and groundhogs. I’m sure there is no place completely free of varmints that want what you’re raising, but it really is easier to protect hens and veggies within city limits.

#5) In the city, you have access to a lot of stuff nearby.

This would most likely change if times were really bad, but within walking distance of our home, we have a co-op, a huge weekly farmer’s market, a community garden, and a meat market that sells only local products.

Throughout the growing season, we hit the market right before it closes and cart home tons more produce than we could ever grow, even in the country.  Then, in my nice big city kitchen, I dehydrate, can, and freeze all day Sunday. Sure, I did this in the country, too, but I had to drive more than an hour round trip to do it.

And the shopping is great, too. We have every possible big box store within 30 minutes of us, as well as many grocery stores within that same circle of convenience. Shopping the sales has never been easier. When we lived in the country, we just hit one store that regularly had the best prices, but here I can purchase the loss leaders from 4-5 different stores within an hour or two. It’s made a massive difference in our budget.

There’s a lot of convenience to living in a place where you can get things that you’d normally have to drive an hour to purchase.

#6) In the city, you have neighbors that can help you quickly.

We have been fortunate to have wonderful neighbors, although I know from experience this isn’t always the case. When I was recently recovering from surgery, our next-door neighbors were great about asking if we needed anything from the store, taking our trash to the curb and bringing it back in, and offering rides to appointments. If my daughter had needed help, it would have been right there, seconds away.

When another neighbor’s husband had a heart attack in the back yard, we heard a commotion and were over there helping out immediately while awaiting the ambulance. We took care of their dog and cat while he was in the hospital and left meals in the refrigerator that could be heated up when our neighbor returned home to get some rest after a long day at the hospital.

I know for a fact that country neighbors are great, too. In the city, however, you get to have a network close by.

Also, while I’m not recommending that 911 be your official home defense plan, you generally get a much faster response from police, fire, and ambulances in town. Where I lived before, it took a minimum of 45 minutes for the aid to arrive.

#7) In the city, a lot of your preps look environmentally friendly.

City folks are big into the environment and you can use that to your advantage when prepping. You can compost, you can have rain barrels, in many towns you can keep chickens, and you can do all sorts of things that preppers do while looking like another city hipster.

There is even a massive community garden just a couple of blocks from my house. I have a tiny little plot there, mostly so I can get to know other self-reliant souls.

You can be self-reliant in the city.

City life is very different from country life, but it’s certainly not impossible to be self-reliant. We’ve had fantastic luck with our gardens, we’re allowed to have up to 5 hens, and we can access more stuff much easier than we could when we lived in the boonies. Having neighbors has been a really nice change, and we’ve enjoyed this experience.

To the people who walk past my house to go to the park down the street (with walnut trees and a river, by the way) I just look like a city gal who has some flowering vines and a couple of big dogs. To my neighbors, I’m the friend who swaps my tomatoes for their mulberries (and brings them a jar of homemade jam.)  I have 48 different grocery stores to choose from within 45 minutes of my home, as well as 4 farmers markets and farms with produce stands. (No patterns of buying tons of stuff with all that variety!)

I still can and dehydrate, I still cook from scratch, and I still raise and forage for some of my own food. I have supplies, nearby water sources, and great neighbors. I have a plan for a wide variety of emergencies. (You can check out my new workbook to create your own plan.)

I firmly believe that you can be prepped anywhere. Life doesn’t always plant you in the “ideal” location, but it doesn’t mean that you can’t be prepared.  I’m not saying that city prepping is necessarily better than country prepping but it sure does have some nice benefits.

There will be variables, of course, in any setting, but you can prep anywhere. Don’t let anyone tell you that it can’t be done.

What about you?

I started out in the city and to the city, I returned.  I loved living in the country, but there are also many things I enjoy about city life. And in either place, I am prepared.

Has anyone ever turned up their nose at your location? What do you see as the pros and cons of prepping in different environments? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Daisy Luther is a coffee-swigging, gun-toting blogger who writes about current events, preparedness, frugality, voluntaryism, and the pursuit of liberty on her website, The Organic Prepper, where this article first appeared. She is widely republished across alternative media and she curates all the most important news links on her aggregate site, PreppersDailyNews.com. Daisy is the best-selling author of 4 books and lives in the mountains of Virginia with her two daughters and an ever-growing menagerie. You can find her on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter.

When SHTF, do you have enough food and supplies to keep your family comfortable? If the answer is “no,” check out the lists below and start preparing the items that you still need. Don’t wait until it’s too late before you stock up your pantry and pack bug-out bags for your loved ones. (h/t to FoodStorageMoms.com)

Items you will need before SHTF

The list below includes various items that you may need before the next survival scenario comes your way. If you have these supplies you can survive for several days during or after the disaster, depending on the amount of water and food that you have stored. (Related: A list of medical supplies you need to be stockpiling NOW before SHTF.)

If you need to stay within a budget for your daily needs, start with clean water and survival food. Buys several cans of food at a time so you can gradually add to your emergency stash.

Survival supplies for the next disaster

1. Bug-out bags (BOBs) for your whole family, along with your children and pets.
2. Chargers for your cell phones and laptops – You’ll need these devices to monitor what’s going on around you and in other areas of the state and country.
3. Compass.
4. Contact names, phone numbers, or email addresses of people that you need to contact when SHTF.
5. DIY emergency washing machine.
6. Emergency kitchen items – Dishwasher soap, knives, bottle openers, can openers, etc.
7. Emergency stove and fuel.
8. Emergency toilet, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, kitty litter, and lots of garbage bags.
9. First aid kit.
10. Flashlights – Solar flashlights, if possible.
11. Food – Suggestions include staples like beans, canned fruits/meats/veggies, honey, oatmeal, rice, salt, seasoning/spices, etc. Don’t forget to stockpile food and treats for your pets.
12. Important documents in a sturdy zippered binder.
13. Pictures of your family and pets – Keep at least two of each; one to post on the evacuation or lost wall and one to keep.
14. Portable camping stove.
15. Prescription medication.
16. Radio – Preferably one with the NOAA weather station available.
17. Small bills – Use one and five dollar bills so you can still buy groceries, gas, and other items.
18. Sun oven – With a sun oven, you can cook almost anything just like with a conventional oven, as long as the pan fits and is not shiny.
19. Water – Set aside at least four gallons of water per person per day.
20. Water filter.
21. Shelter – You need something sturdy that can protect you and your family from extreme heat and cold.

Items for your Everyday Carry kit

Unlike a BOB, Everyday Carry (EDC) kits are more inconspicuous. These small kits usually include items that you may find useful during small emergencies like repairing clothing or equipment.

Always bring your EDC kit wherever you go. If you’re unsure what to include in your EDC kit, start with the items in this list.

• Compass
• Duct tape (Get small rolls or make a DIY roll using a small stick and a length of duct tape.)
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Mirror (for signaling)
• Multi-tool knife
• Pepper spray
• Seat belt cutter
• Small bills and coins (For emergency cash if the power goes down.)
• Small first aid kit
• Small notepad and a pen
• USB charger for phones and tablets
• Water bottle with a filter
• Whistle

The list above may change, especially if you’re preparing an EDC kit for your car or bicycle. Below are other items that you can include in your EDC kit.

• A battery- or crank-powered portable radio and extra batteries
• A can of motor oil
• Fire extinguisher (the five-pound ABC type)
• Flares and orange cones
• Jumper cables
• Names and phone numbers of people you need to contact in an emergency.
• Tire gauge
• Toolbox
• Window scraper for ice

This final list includes various items that you may need to complement your BOB, EDC kit, or survival stockpile at home.

1. Blankets
2. Emergency cash (about $50 in small bills)
3. Emergency snack food and MRE meals (These items need to be replaced if you store them in extreme heat conditions.)
4. Extra blankets
5. Hand warmers
6. Jackets and sweaters
7. Water (for drinking and cleaning)
8. Whistles (for signaling)
9. Umbrellas

Always prepare for the unexpected and pack your BOBS and EDC kits so you can survive when SHTF.

Sources include:

FoodStorageMoms.com

ThePrepperJournal.com

A gun is useless without its ammo. When SHTF, you need to take every precaution that you won’t run out of it. However, given our current political climate, it may become harder to stockpile ammo, so it is crucial that you know how to find them during emergencies. Here are a few suggestions.

Barter

It is likely that during a crisis, our economy would revert to the bartering system. People would trade items that they have for things that they need, including ammo. All preppers understand the importance of knowing how to barter when SHTF, and may use this form of economy to get the ammo they require.

That said, there is a lot of discussion on whether it’s a smart idea to barter ammo in the first place. Some survivalists argue that doing so increases potential danger (more bullets being distributed to unknown hands) while others say that it is not about what is being bartered, but how.

We recommend that you maintain common sense when bartering. Make sure to set up your trade in a fair, safe way to ensure that aren’t being taken advantage of. If you have any spare supplies, you need to guard them even if you aren’t planning on using them for barter. It is also a safe idea to never go into any transaction without some sort of backup. Try, as much as possible, to have someone with you while you are making a trade. (Related: Prepping to barter when SHTF: What skills to learn and items to stockpile.)

Make your own

It is important to remember that the terms bullet, ammo, and cartridge are not the same, despite them being interchanged quite frequently. When people say bullet, they often really mean cartridge.

A cartridge consists of four parts: the bullet, powder, primer, and casing. When you pull the trigger, the primer is expended and sets off the powder which causes the bullet to come out of the barrel. Every time you fire your gun, you would need to replace the primer, powder, and bullet.

It is possible to make your own ammo; though we won’t be getting into that here. There are online tutorials you can find, but we caution against using those as they are not regulated nor verified to be accurate or safe. Wherever you decide to research, make sure that you go to a trusted source.

Be creative

Yes, the brown stuff may have hit the fan but that doesn’t necessarily mean that all things are lost. There is still a probability that there will be some stores out there that are selling ammo legitimately. You may want to get a little creative with this, though. Finding cheap yet reliable ammo for a SHTF scenario is difficult, but doable. You may want to try looking at different gun forums or looking for online sellers. Keep in mind that in gun forums, you may have to bid for your ammo within a time limit. When dealing with these sites, make sure that you only trade with reputable sources. We also have to stress that when using online sites, you would need to consider shipping costs. Some sites may offer “cheap” ammo, but compensate for the cost by having you shoulder the shipping.

Lastly, we never recommend that you try to steal ammo, even when SHTF. You would be targeting someone who has ammo, which probably means you would be stealing from a gun owner. Do not make yourself into a potential target by targeting a fellow prepper.

Sources include:

PrepperBits.com

ThePrepperJournal.com

TheTruthAboutGuns.com

PrimalSurvivor.net

AskAPrepper.com

One basic way to keep your home protected against intruders is to install motion-activated lights around your property. The two main reasons for this are convenience and security. Not only can they function as practical sources of light that you can use around your home, but they can also serve as a means of early deterrence for any would-be intruders. Thieves often operate in a state of heightened alertness. Anything that can suddenly startle them is likely to foil their plans and send them running. Sometimes, motion-sensing lights can even stop a thief in his tracks just as easily as a loud alarm can. Maximize your home security plan by finding out the best areas to install your motion-sensing lights. (h/t to ModernSurvivalBlog.com)

Ideally, you should install motion-activated lights around your perimeter and at every point of entry into your house, but if you want to take your home defense plan a step further, you can set up two perimeters, one installed farther out and one based around the home itself. The outer perimeter can consist of solar-powered lights to save on electricity bills, while the inner perimeter can utilize a permanently installed 120-volt system. If you want to learn the best places to put up your lights, you should first put yourself in an intruder’s point of view. Walk your perimeter and find any potential weak spots that could allow someone to reach your home undetected. Cover these areas with motion-activated lights installed at a height of around six to 10 feet from the ground for maximum coverage.

Above and within your garage

You probably have a lot of valuable items stored in your garage, including tools, bikes, and especially your car. Give your belongings an added layer of protection by bathing them in light. The areas in and around your garage are practical places to install your motion lights since they can illuminate the area when you need to work in your garage, but also they can quickly expose anyone who shouldn’t be there.

Property walkways

If you don’t want to find yourself walking in darkness during nighttime, you might as well brighten up those walkways with a few motion-sensing lights. It also makes sense that the main entrance to your house should be well-lit. Not only will you be safe from intruders, you will also be safe from accidents that may result from stumbling around in the dark. (Related: Simple strategies you can implement NOW to significantly improve your home security.)

Back door

Now that you’ve got your main entrances covered, what about your back door? It is highly recommended that all your home entrances should have motion lights installed, so why should your back door be any different? The rear part of your home should be just as protected as the front. In fact, it should be even more secured precisely because it is a less expected entry point. Regardless of how unlikely an entry point it might be, you still shouldn’t take your chances.

Each side of the house

Even if the side areas of your home don’t have any doors, it would still be wise to bathe each side in light. The last thing you want to do is to give would-be intruders the advantage of blind spots, no matter how limited their cover of darkness may be. If you place motion-activated lighting on each side of your house, then you practically have all-around protection for your home. This is especially important if you only plan on having one perimeter.

Open areas

Gardens, pools, yards, patios, and other open areas are excellent places to install your outer (or secondary) perimeter of lights, in case you plan on having two. Additionally, you should keep your outdoor open areas free from any obstructions that thieves can potentially hide behind.

Keep your home prepared for anything by going to Preparedness.news.

Sources include: 

ModernSurvivalBlog.com

CommandOne.com

As a prepper, one of the first things that you need to learn is the importance of financial preparedness. Don’t wait until an economic collapse before you start settling your debts or saving money. (h/t to TimGamble.com)

The basics of financial preparedness

Personal, business, or government debt is bad. It will stress you out, and it makes you more vulnerable to economic downturns.

To become financially prepared, you must first eliminate consumer debt. This includes credit cards, car loans, payday loans, personal loan, and installment plans.

To clear your debts, you may need to make sacrifices, such as:

• Putting off major purchases.
• Avoiding impulse purchases (e.g. luxury items, etc).
• Bringing your own lunch to school or work.
• Having a major yard sale to raise some money.
• Starting a second job.

Making these sacrifices may seem hard, but keep in mind that in the end, the benefits will be more than worth it. (Related: 7 obvious warning signs we are heading for an economic meltdown.)

Second, you need to have emergency savings. Start by holding yard sales or getting a second job. Put the money somewhere safe, such as an insured certificate of deposit (CD). A CD is a type of federally insured savings account with a fixed interest rate and fixed date of withdrawal or maturity date. CDs don’t usually have monthly fees and they are different from traditional savings accounts in several ways. Savings accounts let you deposit and withdraw funds rather freely.

However, with a CD you agree to leave your money in the bank for a set amount of time (know as the “term length”). If you do access the money in a CD, you will need to pay a penalty. Term lengths can range from several days to a decade. The standard range of options for CDs is between three months and five years.

Do your research and compare several companies that offer ratings on the soundness and safety of different financial institutions. Don’t focus on getting interest. Safety and liquidity is your goal for your emergency savings, not growth.

Third, start saving for long-range goals like the purchase of a new car, a new home, or retirement. Use your common sense, don’t settle for risky investments and ask someone you can trust for professional advice.

No investment is 100 percent safe, but the best thing to do is use reason and common sense. Be vigilant and take responsibility for ensuring your own future. You can survive almost any kind of disaster scenario by being responsible for your own life.

Reasons to settle debt

Even if the country is headed toward high inflation, you need to pay off debt because this lets you protect your assets now while you’re still employed.

Debt may cause stress, especially in difficult times. This can negatively affect your health and your ability to make rational decisions during uncertain times.

Debt can shackle you to your current job and circumstances when you need freedom and flexibility during hard times.

Finally, you may not realize it, but interest, late fees, and other penalties can add up quickly.

Tips to save money and stick to the family budget

These tips can help your family save money:

• Live within your means.
• Avoid taking on any new debt and don’t use credit cards, payday loans, or installment payment plans.
• Set up emergency savings.
• Follow your budget or spending plan.
• Get the best bargains using comparison shopping, having shopping lists, and using coupons.
• Use a cheaper, regular phone. Calling and texting are necessary, but the latest smartphone has features that you can live without.
• Get a basic TV package.
• If you can, do away with TV altogether.

Minimize your entertainment expenses. Entertainment is a purely optional budget expense, and you can eliminate it if you want to. You can easily have a good time for free or without spending too much. Have a regular family game night, or play with your kids in the backyard.

Instead of spending money on movie tickets, spend the night reading a book you borrowed from the library. Aside from books, you can borrow audiobooks, board games, magazines, or music CDs from the library. Other libraries may also offer free story times for young children and lecture series for adults.

Don’t go on a trip this year. Stay at home instead of spending money and going to the beach or amusement parks. Visit local botanical gardens, historical sites, museums, parks, wildlife refuges, or zoos. Alternatively, you can go on a picnic, a nature hike, or go fishing at a local lake.

Reduce your home energy use. Turn off the lights and electronics in a room when you’re not using them. Set the thermostat to conserve energy. Replace old appliances with newer energy-efficient models.

Financial preparedness is an important aspect of prepping, and being frugal today can help you get through an economic collapse tomorrow.

Sources include:

TimGamble.com

NerdWallet.com

You probably have a well-stocked bug-out bag (BOB) stowed away at home in case SHTF, but what about your car? Emergencies can also happen while you’re on the road, which is why you should have a BOB for your vehicle as well. Here are the top 20 items you need to pack in your car BOB. (h/t to FoodStorageMoms.com)

It is ideal to use a durable canvas bag to store all your emergency supplies. Keep in mind that while these items can be useful during emergencies on the road, this list is not meant to be a definitive list of all the prepping items you will ever need in your vehicle’s BOB. Different geographical locations and different roadside conditions will require you to adjust your BOB’s contents to suit your own personal needs. Remember to take into account your local weather and climate. (Related: A basic list of winter survival items you should carry in your car.)

First aid kit

A basic first aid kit should include bandages, gauze pads, tweezers, ointments, disinfectants, and medication for car sickness and minor ailments.

Emergency drinking water

Stay hydrated while on the road by packing reusable plastic bottles filled with clean, drinking water.

Emergency food supply

Some ideal options for emergency rations include granola bars, high-protein dried fruits, nuts, trail mix, and other non-perishable snacks.

Emergency toilet

After eating all those emergency rations, you might find yourself in need of an emergency toilet. You can use disposable 4-gallon bags to cleanly contain your bodily waste. For sanitation purposes, be sure to use bags equipped with deodorant chemicals and not just regular plastic bags. You should also have a roll of toilet paper or two.

Hygiene items

Good hygiene is very important to prevent the spread of bacteria when you’re on the road. Keep your hands clean by packing the necessary personal hygiene items, such as baby wipes, hand soap, and hand sanitizer.

Emergency road flares

In case your car breaks down, you need to keep yourself visible to make sure rescuers can find you, especially during cases of severe weather. Emergency road flares are a great way to make your presence known.

Flashlights with extra batteries

You can use flashlights to signal for help or make vehicle repairs in the dark. Be sure to have an extra pair of batteries in case your flashlights run out of power.

Portable radio with extra batteries

Your car might have its own radio but you can bring a portable radio with you if you have to walk somewhere on foot. It can be useful for learning about weather updates and local current events.

Names and phone numbers of people to contact in an emergency

In case something happens to you, a list of emergency contacts can make it easy for emergency responders to know whom to notify.

Compass

You can reduce your chances of getting lost with a trusty compass.

Maps

GPS technology requires battery power, but a map does not.

Blanket

Blankets provide an extra layer of warmth during cold weather.

Matches or lighters

If you suddenly need to start a fire, having either one of these can save you a lot of trouble.

Pocket knife

A decent pocket knife can cut anything open in an emergency.

Tire gauge

It is important to check your tire pressure on a regular basis.

Toolbox

This will allow you to make quick repairs, should the need arise.

Change of clothes

You might need an emergency change of clothes if you’ve been on the road for a while. Make sure to pack a pair of comfortable walk shoes in case you have to go somewhere on foot.

Emergency cash

It is recommended to have around 50 dollars in small bills for emergency use.

Pen and paper

You can write down small notes to remind yourself of things you might otherwise forget.

Paracord

You never know when you might need to tie your prepping equipment together.

Sources include:

FoodStorageMoms.com

BugOutBagAcademy.com

As their name suggests, “forever foods” are items that are meant for long-term survival. All preppers understand that having access to clean food and water is a priority during a crisis, but the question of how to store food for the long-term inevitably comes up. While many survival foods are made to be stored for a few months (or years), perhaps all of them do come with expiration dates.

Luckily there are many foods that never expire. We’ve listed 12 of them below. Take note that a lot of the foods we’ll be talking about will not be enough to prepare a complete meal, but they can add flavor and some calories to typical survival fare.

1. Apple cider vinegar (ACV) — As long as you keep it sealed, ACV will last forever when stored in a cool, dry pantry. You can use ACV as a dressing for salad, as a marinade for meat, or even as a non-toxic cleaning product for your home. ACV also boasts a number of health benefits, from being a great natural hair cleanser to an ideal natural weight loss supplement.
2. Salt — Just make sure to buy the pure kind. Seasoned salt does expire. Pure salt, however, can last indefinitely. You can use salt to also extend the shelf life of other foods like meat or even fruit.
3. Soy sauce — Soy sauce is mostly made of salt, which explains its long shelf life. As long as you leave it unopened, soy sauce can last forever. The condiment is a great way to add some flavor to your meal.
4. Pemmican — Created by Native Americans, pemmican is a concentrated blend of fat and protein from lean and dried meat. Traditionally, pemmican was made from bison, moose, deer, or elk.
5. Raw honey — It is true that honey will crystallize over time, but it is still safe to eat after you heat it for a little bit to get it back to the right consistency. You can combine this with soy sauce to make a simple but delicious glaze to your meats.
6. Corn starch — When kept dry, corn starch can stay good indefinitely. You can use it to thicken stews or gravies.
7. Dried lentils — Lentils are some of the best survival foods because they are easy to cook, have a high nutritional value, and are excellent sources of protein. There is also evidence to suggest that legumes can help regulate blood sugar levels in people with Type 2 diabetes.
8. Alcohol — Distilled liquor serves two purposes. The first is to help uplift spirits when SHTF. While dangerous when taken in excess, alcohol can help people in crisis feel less stressed. During a SHTF scenario, alcohol can also be used as a barter item, or a disinfectant.
9. White rice — Stored in the right conditions, white rice can last forever. Just be sure to store yours in an airtight container to keep bugs out.
10. Powdered milk — This can serve as a good alternative source of calcium and vitamin D during emergencies.
11. Hardtack — Hardtack was a favorite during the Great Depression. It is a mixture of water and flour that is formed into a hard cracker. While the taste may be bland for some, hardtack can provide long-lasting sustenance during an emergency.
12. Ghee — Ghee is butter that has been boiled until all the moisture has evaporated. This helps lengthen its shelf life.

These “forever foods” are important additions to any pantry, and any prepper worth his or her salt should have a least a few of them in their bug-out location.

Sources include:

MDCreekmore.com

Blog.SurvivalFrog.com

MedicalDaily.com

OffTheGridNews.com

Before refrigerators, eggs were preserved using different methods to prolong their shelf life. (h/t to PracticalSelfReliance.com)

If you keep chickens in your homestead, you can preserve their eggs so you can cook with eggs even during winter, when chickens ease up on their laying habits. Knowing how to preserve eggs ensures that you have a year-round supply of homegrown eggs.

The simplest way to preserve eggs is by keeping them cool. Eggs have a natural outer coating that preserves the egg inside. If this coating is washed off, refrigerate the eggs.

Store unwashed eggs in a cool closet or back room for weeks. Keep temperature below 50 F and humidity at about 75 percent.

Fermented or salt-cured eggs

Fermentation is an old preservation technique that involves creating the right conditions so natural lactic acid bacteria can thrive while preventing spoilage bacteria from taking hold.

1. Fermented eggs

Salt-cured eggs are a form of a fermented egg. To make whole salt-cured eggs, hard boil the eggs then ferment them as a natural probiotic pickle. Use a salt brine with a bit of starter like sauerkraut juice or whey.

Allow fermented eggs to culture on the counter in a jar of brine and starter for about three days before refrigerating. While the cooler temperatures in the refrigerator slow the lactic acid bacteria considerably, they’ll still be slowly culturing under cold temperatures. Salt-cured eggs must be consumed within two weeks.

To save some time, you can cure eggs directly in a jar of sauerkraut.

2. Salt-preserved egg yolks

Try preserving just the yolk if you want to make a delicious cured product that can be used as an alternative to Parmesan cheese. Grate a bit of cured egg yolk over pasta for an umami boost of flavor.

Freeze the egg whites so you don’t waste anything.

Freezing

Here are several ways to freeze eggs.

3. Freezing raw eggs

Eggs are easy to freeze and they can be stored for several months. When freezing eggs, you have several different options: you can either freeze whole eggs, or you can store the yolks and whites separately.

If you’re freezing eggs, it’s better to store them scrambled. After they’re thawed, use three tablespoons of scrambled egg mix if the recipe calls for one fresh egg.

4. Freezing cooked eggs

To freeze cooked eggs, fry an egg or bake it in a muffin pan, then freeze it. Frozen cooked eggs will keep for several months.

5. Freezing eggs in baked goods

For this method, you need to make an egg-heavy baked good, then freeze it. Try baking brownies or pound cakes. (Related: Knowledge is power: 31 Crucial skills for every homesteader.)

Pickling or canning

Pickling and canning eggs can extend their shelf life by at least four months.

6. Pickled eggs

Eggs pickled in vinegar should be kept in the refrigerator.

To make pickled eggs, hard boil and peel whole eggs. Pack the eggs into a jar, then cover them with a brine. Use a ratio of one cup of vinegar to one teaspoon of salt. Add spices (optional), then let the flavors infuse for about one to two weeks before eating.

You can keep pickled eggs for at least four months in your fridge.

Old-fashioned egg preservation methods

When SHTF and you lose electricity, try some of these methods that don’t require refrigeration.

7. Preserving eggs in wood ash

Wood ash (the ash that you clean out of a wood stove) can be used to preserve eggs.

Eggs stored in wood ash have loss rates of about 20 percent after six months, with only 40 percent spoilage after eight months. Do take note that eggs preserved in wood ash may have a stale taste.

8. Preserving eggs in oats or bran

Oats or oat bran can cushion eggs to keep them from breaking. However, this method won’t preserve high-quality eggs.

The quality of these eggs may degrade over time, but most eggs preserved in oats are still edible. Try coating eggs in beeswax before packing them in oats to prevent dehydration.

9. Wax-preserved eggs (paraffin or beeswax)

Similar to the methods listed above, coating eggs in wax aims to seal the pores in eggshells to prevent spoiling. While wax can seal pores a bit more thoroughly than other oil-based substances, it requires more work than the other methods.

Dip fresh eggs one at a time in hot, melted paraffin. Cover the whole egg, then take it out immediately with wire tongs. Let the paraffin harden then quickly dip it again, but reverse the egg. Let the wax cool.

Carefully wrap each egg separately in waxed or paraffin paper. Avoid scratching or breaking the coating. Pack the eggs in tin cans, then seal with paraffin to keep the air out. Canned waxed eggs will keep for several months when stored in a cool place.

10. Preserving whole eggs in salt

Packing whole eggs in salt is just as effective as using ashes or oats. The eggs won’t spoil, but they lose moisture because of evaporation.

Whole eggs preserved in salt will last longer than eggs left on the counter, but their quality may also degrade. Use this method as a last resort.

Keep these egg preservation methods in mind if you want to make fresh eggs last the whole year round.

Sources include:

PracticalSelfReliance.com

FoodRepublic.com

We have never seen anything like this before.  According to satellite data that was just released by Reuters, “at least 1 million acres of U.S. farmland” were covered by water for at least seven days this month.  That is an agricultural disaster without equal in modern American history, and yet the mainstream media is treating this like it is some sort of second class story.  It isn’t.  This is the biggest news story of 2019 so far, and people want to know what is going on.  A few days ago, I posted a story entitled ‘“As Many As A Million Calves Lost In Nebraska” – Beef Prices In The U.S. To Escalate Dramatically In The Coming Months’, and it has already been shared on social media more than 145,000 times.  Farming communities all over the central part of the nation now look like war zones as a result of all this flooding, but the media elites on the east and west coasts don’t want to write about it.  And with more flooding on the way for the next two months, this crisis is only going to get worse.

This is the time of year when farmers are gearing up to plant wheat, corn and soybeans, and now a substantial portion of our farmland will not be able to be used at all this year.  According to Reuters, at least a million acres of farmland were covered by floodwaters for at least seven days this month, and that “will likely reduce corn, wheat and soy production this year”…

At least 1 million acres (405,000 hectares) of U.S. farmland were flooded after the “bomb cyclone” storm left wide swaths of nine major grain producing states under water this month, satellite data analyzed by Gro Intelligence for Reuters showed.

Farms from the Dakotas to Missouri and beyond have been under water for a week or more, possibly impeding planting and damaging soil. The floods, which came just weeks before planting season starts in the Midwest, will likely reduce corn, wheat and soy production this year.

And with “as many as a million calves” lost to the flooding, a lot less food than anticipated is going to be produced in the United States for the foreseeable future.

Between March 8th and March 21st, almost 1.1 million acres of cropland and over 84,000 acres of pastureland were covered by water for at least a week.  With more rain on the way, it is essentially going to be impossible for most of those acres to be usable this year.

In Iowa, 474,271 acres were covered by floodwaters for at least seven days in March, and Iowa farmers are facing some very tough deadlines.  Corn must be planted by May 31st and soybeans must be planted by June 15th in order to qualify for flood insurance.  For most Iowa farms that were covered by floodwaters, that is going to be impossible.

Overall, the recent flooding caused “at least $3 billion” in economic damage according to authorities, but many believe that the final number will be far higher.

Thousands upon thousands of farms have been completely destroyed, and thousands upon thousands of farmers will not plant any crops at all this year.

In addition to the vast agricultural devastation that we have witnessed, thousands upon thousands of homes have been destroyed as well, and now the National Ground Water Association is warning that “the safety of more than a million private water wells” could be compromised…

Record flooding in the Midwest is now threatening the safety of more than a million private water wells. The National Ground Water Association estimates that people living in more than 300 counties across 10 states have their groundwater threatened from bacterial and industrial contamination carried by flood waters.

If you live in the middle of the country and there is a chance that your well may have been compromised, please don’t take any unnecessary chances.  Contaminated water can be really, really bad news.

Unfortunately, this is just the beginning.  According to the NOAA, we are entering an “unprecedented flood season” that could potentially “impact an even bigger area of cropland”…

Spring floods could yet impact an even bigger area of cropland. The U.S. government’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has warned of what could be an “unprecedented flood season” as it forecasts heavy spring rains. Rivers may swell further as a deep snow pack in northern growing areas melts.

In my previous article entitled ‘”200 Million People At Risk: National Weather Service Warns Apocalyptic Midwest Floods Are “A Preview Of What We Expect Throughout The Rest Of The Spring”’, I included a map from the NOAA which shows which areas of the central part of the country are projected to receive unusually high levels of rainfall over the next few months.

Unfortunately, there is a tremendous amount of overlap with areas that have already been devastated by flooding.

On Friday and Saturday, there will be “more heavy rains” in the Midwest, and Nebraska is in “the direct path” of the center of the storm…

From the Central Plains to the Midwest, it has been a disastrous spring for river flooding. A weather system slated to bring more heavy rains Friday into Saturday could aggravate the situation along and near the Missouri and Mississippi rivers.

It’s a one-two punch that combines additional rainwater with fresh runoff from snowmelt. Perhaps worst off is Nebraska, in the direct path of Friday’s quick burst of moisture. Barely a week has passed since Gov. Pete Ricketts estimated the cost of ongoing flooding in that state at more than $1 billion.

This is it.  America is being hammered by one storm after another, and I very much encourage you to get prepared for a very rough ride ahead.

There is going to be a lot more flooding.  Prices for beef, dairy, wheat, corn and soy products are going to rise significantly, and just when you think they are way too high they are going to keep on rising.

This is already the worst agricultural disaster in modern American history, and federal authorities are telling us that we should expect things to continue to get worse for at least two more months.

Perhaps the mainstream media will eventually decide to take this story seriously, but until they do those of us in the alternative media will do our best to keep you updated.

About the author: Michael Snyder is a nationally-syndicated writer, media personality and political activist. He is the author of four books including Get Prepared Now, The Beginning Of The End and Living A Life That Really Matters. His articles are originally published on The Economic Collapse Blog, End Of The American Dream and The Most Important News. From there, his articles are republished on dozens of other prominent websites. If you would like to republish his articles, please feel free to do so. The more people that see this information the better, and we need to wake more people up while there is still time.

In movies and TV shows, burglars are sometimes portrayed as comedic and ineffective. However, preppers take threats like burglars seriously, especially since thieves can be sneakier and craftier in real life. (h/t to ThePrepperJournal.com.)

Why is home security important?

Whether you live in an apartment in the city or in a homestead near the woods, you shouldn’t let yourself be lulled into a false sense of security. Consider this: Over two million burglaries are reported annually in the US. Is your home safe from thieves?

Secure your property by getting a home alarm system so you’ll be alerted if anyone attempts to break in to your house. After you notify the authorities, it wouldn’t hurt to have self-defense weapons so you can protect your family if things escalate.

Follow the three tips listed below to improve home security.

1. Check your property for possible hiding spots

After you see any possible hiding spots, make sure that no one can use these areas to sneak into your house. For example, if you have bushes or trees around your property, especially near windows, keep them trimmed so they can’t be used as a hiding spot.

You should also trim shrubbery that is high enough to block the windows in your house. Otherwise, burglars may try to hide behind them to break in to your home without anyone noticing.

Finally, install outdoor lighting in your property. Areas around your house that get very dark at night are potential hiding spots for burglars, and installing motion-detecting lights around your property can help deter thieves. (Related: Simple strategies you can implement NOW to significantly improve your home security.)

2. Fortify your windows

Think about the last time you had to leave your house in a hurry because you were already late for school or work. Did you sometimes leave your window unlocked because you didn’t want to waste another minute securing your home?

Before you leave your house, make it a habit to check not only the front, side, and garage doors, but also your windows. There’s no point in locking your doors if you forget the windows. An unlocked window is an invitation for burglars to break in. Tell everyone in your family to keep all doors and windows locked if they’re leaving the house.

You can also take things a step further by getting shatterproof glass for your windows. This kind of glass is designed to withstand heavy blows from strangers attempting to break in to your home.

3. Keep your private life private

This may seem redundant, but in the age of social media, almost everyone knows everything about their neighbors because people love discussing all sorts of things on Facebook. If you’re planning a vacation, don’t announce it on your social media. You never know who’s keeping tabs on your activities so they can break in to your home and steal your valuables.

Do you really want to let complete strangers know when your house is going to be left empty? You also need to stop checking in at places on Facebook or Instagram because you’re just letting thieves know that you’re not at home.

As a prepper, you’re responsible for keeping yourself and your loved ones safe. You need to be vigilant so you can also protect your property from burglars.

Additional home security tips

Below are more tips that you can follow to ensure that your home is protected against thieves or potential attackers.

• Don’t use cheap locks. Invest in high-quality locks to keep your home safe.
• Never leave ladders in your yard. Once you’re done maintaining your home or yard, put the ladder in the garage and keep it under lock and key.
• Stop hiding keys around your house. Thieves will find a way to retrieve that “hidden” key, so leave your spare key with a trusted neighbor instead.

If you go on vacation, you can rest easy knowing that your home is secure because you have taken all the necessary precaution to keep it safe.

Sources include:

ThePrepperJournal.com

AskAPrepper.com