Thirty Minutes. Do You Feel Lucky Today?

By Kellene Bishop

If there ever is a cause for a run on the grocery stores, the supplies will be depleted in thirty minutes. That’s it. One half hour warning is all you will have to get more food, more water, more produce, more seeds, more medical supplies, etc.—you and the rest of your community. Yet in that thirty minutes, your local stores will only be able to supply less than 1% of your community with the goods they would need or hoard. Do you really want to risk that you’ll be a part of that lucky 1% and that you’re fast enough to get all of your necessary goods available in that one half hour?

- Wheat shortages
- Threat of Global War
- Escalating oil prices
- A trillion dollar national deficit
- Constitutional freedoms being shredded
- Threat of banking collapse
- High rate of home foreclosures
- Threat of H1N1 Flu epidemic
- Unprecedented inflation of the dollar
- Foreign hackers successfully tapping into the power grid
- Skyrocketing unemployment

These are all sound reasons and even warnings why many Americans are beginning to wake up and take steps towards emergency preparedness today. Thank goodness many are beginning to notice some signs which cause them to take such actions. My greatest concerns are for those who still ignore the inevitable. Grocery stores aren’t stocked for any kind of a panic. They are orchestrated solely for a consistent replenishing of cupboards throughout America.

Gas stations will last approximately one and a half hours depending on the day a rush to hoard comes into play. Again, are you willing to risk that you’re a part of the select few who will have access to gasoline in a crisis?

No one has to play Russian Roulette with the security, safety and survival of their family today. Everyone has been sufficiently warned that the need will exist in which you will need your own emergency preparedness supplies. Whether you’re a reader of the scriptures, or simply a viewer of the broadcast news, evidence is mounting just how vulnerable our current way of life truly is, and as such we must be prepared.

Stocking up for the future is not only wise preparation, but it’s very therapeutic one as well as it exerts a proactive control in an uncertain world. The choice is ultimately yours. Will you prepare or perish, suffering needlessly?

Copyright 2009 Kellene Bishop. All rights reserved.
You are welcome to repost this information so long as it is credited to Kellene Bishop.

Beans Under Pressure

By Kellene Bishop

Since I know that anyone who is serious about having an emergency preparedness supply of food is bound to have beans, I thought that this would be a vital article today.
Besides, I was craving yummy beans today, so I decided to share with you yet another e-z p-z pressure cooker recipe.

The great thing about a pressure cooker is that you do NOT have to soak your beans ahead of time. By all means, you can, but it is not required. Yet one more way to save time and energy in an emergency. The following recipe is super simple. The key to cooking beans in a pressure cooker is to cook at the low heat level in order to avoid the foaming. However, with a Kuhn-Rikon pressure cooker, you don’t have much problem with this either so long as you do not exceed, by even a millimeter, the 2/3 full mark.

In my storage we have dried pinto beans, kidney beans, butter beans, lima beans, garbanzo beans, and more. This recipe is actually a GREAT start for each of those types of beans. (Although you don’t need to “smash” them unless you’re making “refried beans.” Also, keep in mind that adding the salt in the beans will also help to avoid any “foaming” when you release the pressure. Feel free to season the beans additionally with liquid smoke, or Tabasco sauce, and other great spices.

Pinto Beans

2 c. dry pinto beans

½ cup of minced onion

2 lg. garlic cloves (or 2 heaping tablespoons of minced garlic)

1 tsp. oregano

4 sprigs fresh cilantro or 1 tsp. dry cilantro herb

1/4 tsp. cumin

1/4 tsp. pepper (or more to taste)

½ Tbsp salt

6 1/2 c. water

6 qt. pressure cooker

(Optional: Soak pinto in hot water in a covered medium saucepan for 1 hour.) At the very least you need to rinse the beans in warm water. Drain beans, then put them in the pressure cooker. Add the remainder of your ingredients. Seal lid of pressure cooker. Cook over medium-high heat for 50-60 minutes depending on desired tenderness. Release pressure simply by taking the cooker off of the heat. Let the pressure come down naturally. Mash cooked beans. Serve with your favorite compliments such as warm tortillas.

Additional options: Throw in some canned diced SPAM, ground beef, or leftover ham.

Copyright 2009 Kellene Bishop. All rights reserved.
You are welcome to repost this information so long as it is credited to Kellene Bishop.

Emergency Water Sense

By Kellene Bishop

Get the most from your water in an emergency by observing the following tips:

1. A Vegetable Water Bin: When you open a can of vegetables, (peas, corn, etc), instead of draining the liquid and throwing it out, drain it into a large bin, covered with a lid. Drain all of your vegetables in the same bin. Then when you make a soup, rice, or pasta, you can use this water to cook with instead of having to use fresh water. The same holds true for any water that you use to cook vegetables in on the stove. Suppose you use just a tad bit of water to steam your cabbage in, for example. Rather than discarding the water, put it in your vegetable water bin instead.
   
2. Save Your Canned Syrups: The same goes for canned fruits, however, the water in these cans tends to be thicker, and certainly sweeter. You can use this “syrup water” to sweeten grain dishes for breakfast such as oatmeal, cracked wheat, etc. It’s also a great substitute for water in many baked good recipes. You can also use this liquid to make a “sweet milk” with your powdered milk and have a very pleasant taste. It’s yet one more way to ensure your children get their nutrients from powdered milk.
   
3. Re-Use Your Bath Water: In the “olden days” it was not uncommon for multiple family members to reuse bath water. While a bit of hot water may need to be added, a couple of baths does not constitute needing to throw it out. You can reuse your bath water to wash laundry in. If you use biodegradable bath soap, then you can also use your bath water to water your garden with as well.
   
4. Washing Dishes to the Two-Step: When you wash your dishes, have two bins of water, one for washing, and one for rinsing. When you need to dispose of your wash water, then use your previous rinse water to wash in. Yes, you will need to add some more hot water, but it’s obviously a lot less than starting with a new bin of water. Also, the biodegradable soap is a good idea in this case as well. (As stated previously, I highly recommend using the Shaklee products in this case as they take up much less of your storage space, have multiple uses, and are complete environmentally friendly. For more info go to www.shaklee.net/earlene)
   
5. Use Paper Goods When Possible: Instead of using dishes for everything, be sure you have paper goods on hand so that you can conserve the amount of water needed for cleaning. The paper goods also serve as good kindling when you’re making a fire to cook with.
   
6. Catch Rain Water: Unless you live in Colorado which forbids its citizens from catching rain water, you should indeed set yourself up to do so. Simply place an open bucket (I recommend a 55 gallon one) at the base of your roof’s run off. You will be shocked at just how fast you can fill up a 55 gallon container with just a couple of mild rain storms. This water can be used for drinking once it’s pasteurized, and it certainly can be used for watering your garden, cleaning, bathing, etc. Don’t overlook what the good Lord can provide you. Capture it.
   
7. Catch Bath Water: My husband and I have procured a “solar shower” so that we can enjoy a shower in times of “roughing it” rather than using a tub. However, we’ve also purchased a large, shallow, plastic bin about the size of a mini-shower floor. We’ve done so in an effort to capture even the shower water in order to be able to reuse it.
   
8. Alternative Bathing Method: I lived on a very rustic farm periodically as a kid. We didn’t have the luxury of a bath tub or a shower. Instead, when we needed to bath, we simply filled up a plastic bin with hot water. We then used a washcloth and soap to clean ourselves up. Nothing fancy. But it works just fine, and is a valuable approach to bathing when water is a scarce commodity. We grew up calling this a “spit bath.”
   
9. Save Your Pasta Water: In addition to having a veggie water bin, and a fruit water bin, I would indeed recommend having a pasta water bin to store the water in which you cook your pasta, rice, and other starches in. This water is ideal for thickening sauces, soups, and casseroles.
   
10. Avoid Running Water Actions: Most brush their teeth with running water. You’ll have to get over that habit real quick in a time of emergency. Out of necessity while living in the Philippines, I discovered, lo and behold, that I didn’t need to wet my toothbrush prior to brushing my teeth. And I can simply use a cup of water to rinse my mouth and my toothbrush with. The same holds true for hand washing. If you wash your hands first in a more communal bin for the tough stuff and then just rinse them off with fresh water, you’ll conserve a lot of water.

Overall, before discarding a liquid, ask yourself what else you can possible use the water for? As you may recall, it is recommended that you store 1 gallon, per person, per day for whatever time period you’re preparing for. (I plan on a year.) This gallon of water is intended for drinking, cooking, bathing, and cleaning. However, is it a MINIMUM recommended amount. Putting these conservations tips into practice will help you stretch that gallon to its maximum capacity.

Copyright 2009 Kellene Bishop. All rights reserved.
You are welcome to repost this information so long as it is credited to Kellene Bishop.

Why You Should Store Food NOW

There are many who I share my expertise with who inevitably ask me, “Come on, Kellene. Your practices are good in the event that there’s a cataclysmic event, but what’s to say that all of your food storage won’t just be destroyed with the catastrophe?”

And so, in appreciation of those who require me to work harder and speak clearer, I dedicate today’s article.

First of all, it’s a myth for you to believe that your food storage is solely for the purpose of surviving a catastrophic event in nature. Emergency preparedness of food stores is indeed useful for such an event, but it is not isolated to such. I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s heard stories of individuals who lived off of their food storage as the result of the loss of a job in their family or other hard financial times. While this is a common occurrence I hear in today’s economic climate, it is still not the primary reason why foods should be stored. It’s merely a scratching of the surface. And besides, even that isn’t reason enough for many because hundreds of thousands may rely on food stamps or help from their church in the event of a job loss anyway. So such motivation may not be enough to actually initiate food storage action. Let’s see if the following considerations do the trick for you.

Chemical Tainting or Recall: If you have ample supply of food, then in the event a food has been recalled suddenly or is known to have chemical impairment, you won’t have to do without.

Rationing: Recently big warehouses and grocery stores were rationing the purchase of wheat and rice. Such a ration has not been implemented in our country since the days of the Depression. This is in part because many foreigners have been buying up our supplies in order to feed their struggling nations as well as the fact that we have been exporting a significant portion of our wheat and other staples due to the famines which have affected 3rd world countries. If you have a years supply of food, then you are impervious to the effects of such rationing actions.

Diminishing U.S. Food Production: Over the last 5 years we have lost over 90% of our farmers to exorbitant costs of farming, farming regulations, bankruptcy, bad seed crops, and many more who have stopped growing food and instead are growing “fuel.” Fewer members of our population even know how to garden for themselves, let alone the number who actually do. The small farmers are now under threat with a new intrusion on their way of life, bill HR 875. This bill threatens to eliminate over 90% of the small farmers and to heavily regulate where they can sell their goods and how. Again, if you have a years supply as well as some accompanying knowledge of sprouting, then your dinner table will be unaffected by these awful intrusions.

Devaluation of the Dollar: In addition to the cost of food increasing in the nation, (due to the diminishing supply of it) the money we use to buy the food is becoming worth less. It boils down to supply and demand. Since the Federal Reserve is mindlessly printing up trillions and trillions of dollars without any accounting to the public just how much currency is in circulation at one time, the value of the dollar is taking a nose dive. In fact, thanks to the inflation rate which has been controlled by the Federal Reserve since 1913, the value of the 1913 dollar has now been diminished to a mere four cents today. So, if you purchase your food now, then when there is finally an economic reckoning in the future, your family will still survive.

Food for thought, folks. (Yes. Pun intended)





Copyright 2009 Kellene Bishop. All rights reserved. You are welcome to repost this information so long as it is credited to Kellene Bishop.

Preparedness Pro Note: If you would like Kellene Bishop to present an Emergency Preparedness message for your community or church group, please contact us at 801-788-4133. Ms. Bishop is an experienced speaker on Emergency Preparedness topics and also has created a great “Preparedness Party” platform which makes the learning of such a topic more enjoyable for all.

“Meet My Friends, Mr. Smith and Mr. Wesson”

You’ve Got it All—Now How Do You Keep It?

After years of concerted efforts, budgeting, canning, lifting, organizing and educating, you feel reasonably confident that you finally have enough food, water, and other emergency supplies to last you one year. But here’s the real question. Now that you have it all, how are you going to ensure that you’ll get to use it when all heck actually does break lose?

I’ve posed this question to many and I’m dismayed to hear many of their responses.

Some say that they will willingly share their supplies with others. Guess what? So will I, if necessary. But don’t you want to be able to decide who you will share your goods with? Unfortunately, that’s not likely to happen with any reasonable regularity.

Here’s why.

Suppose that an earthquake hits your area. (Where I live in the Wasatch Front of Utah, we’re right on a fault line and scientists say we’re due for a doozey of an earthquake. If you live in the Midwest near or in the states of Missouri, Tennessee, (comprising the Mississippi Valley) you are squarely on the New Madrid fault which is expected to have a 6.7 magnitude earthquake any time now. So I think this is a reasonable scenario for many, if not all of our readers.) Suppose that your home was somehow miraculously spared any severe damage to the point that you aren’t forced to flee elsewhere for shelter. What are the ramifications that you will still have to concern yourself with?

First, ask yourself how many prisons or jails are within a 60 mile radius of you. Are their walls built to sufficiently withstand an earthquake? If they are, will there be sufficient security available in the midst of a catastrophic earthquake to keep the prisoners confined inside? In the event of structural damage, do you really think that the criminals who are suddenly released from their prison walls, with no family or friends nearby, aren’t going to be on the prowl for survival supplies? Do you think they would just stroll into their local grocery store and purchase what they need?

How many violent gangs do you have in your area? There are over 21,500 active gangs in the U.S. at present. According to the FBI, there are estimated to be over 1,000,000 gang members in the U.S. who commit 80% of the crimes in our country. Are you aware that MS-13 is the most violent gang of them all and has permeated at least 42 states in the U.S.? One has to commit murder to get in the gang, and die to get out. (see http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-01-29-ms13_N.htm) Do you really think that in a time of chaos that they won’t be in search of appropriate supplies to sustain their group at all costs? Think they are going to ring your doorbell and ask you nicely for some rice and water?

Now let’s consider the abundance of drug addicts who live among us. There are currently over 7 million regular illicit drug users in America. Of course some of them will perish in such a catastrophic event, but the statistic of drug addicts comprising 2% of our current population will still hold true. Are you prepared to ward off 2% of the population suddenly unable to access their drugs? Due to the force of nature, millions of drug users will be unable to obtain their “fix” and will do whatever they need to do in order to obtain more drugs. (http://www.policyalmanac.org/crime/archive/drug_abuse.shtml)

What if it’s not something so sinister? What if a desperate mother or father finds themselves in need of vital food, water, and medical supplies for their children? Can we rely on all of society, including desperate parents, to behave rationally as they watch their loved ones struggle? How long could you watch your children suffer before you’re desperately inclined to press the borders of honesty and decency to get what you need for them?

Let’s not forget the overall lawlessness and rampant looting which has consistently erupted in the event of chaos and panic (Can you say New Orleans or Los Angeles anyone?). Then there are the issues of actual law enforcement making an appearance, but attempting to infringe unconstitutional requests on the survivors. (See http://tinyurl.com/cpb7m9)

Do any of these issues potentially expose your family to the risk of being subjected to violence? Do these instances compromise your security or survival in the event of a catastrophe? So, don’t you think it’s just a bit naïve to believe that you’ll be fully permitted to go along your merry way and freely use your emergency preparedness supplies as you see fit? I think so. And yet so many I discuss preparedness with fail to recognize this important aspect of truly being prepared.

Let’s leave the motivation for food and supplies for a moment. Being subjected by irrational people with a sense of entitlement to your wares is not the only reason why lawlessness may come into your life. What about the paranoid, desperate individuals who are only capable of dealing with stress and chaos by taking virtue and life from others? This isn’t just about whether or not you’d be willing to share your food and water with complete strangers. This is also about protecting the health and well-being of your loved ones in a time of chaos.

Please don’t be misguided into believing that the streets will be patrolled by the U.S. National Guard or your local law enforcement. The local law enforcement doesn’t show up in record time now, and not until the crime has already been committed. Do you think you’d get any kind of a worthwhile response time when the streets are littered with all manner of huge debris? In all likelihood, as we saw from Hurricane Katrina, the law enforcement personnel will either be taking care of their own families or they will be answering the call of their Commander in Chief to what he sees as a priority. A rape here, a robbery there, and a shooting there are not going to mean much to a military leader when he’s dealing with other emergencies such chaos can unleash. Yep. You’re on your own folks. FEMA government officials have announced repeatedly that it could be days, if not weeks before they would be present in a disaster zone.

So, the next time you decide who you’re going to share you emergency supplies with, you may want to consider your friends Glock, Winchester, and Smith & Wesson as a part of those decisions, along with enough ammo and SKILL to properly defend.











Copyright 2009 Kellene Bishop. All rights reserved. You are welcome to repost this information so long as it is credited to Kellene Bishop.


Preparedness Pro Note: If you would like Kellene Bishop to present an Emergency Preparedness message for your community or church group, please contact us at 801-788-4133. Ms. Bishop is an experienced speaker on Emergency Preparedness topics and also has created a great “Preparedness Party” platform which makes the learning of such a topic more enjoyable for all.

Bird Flu: Panasonic Thinks It’s Serious Enough to Request an Evacuation

In December 2008 Panasonic Corp. asked that several of its overseas employees send their families home to Japan due to the threat of pandemic influenza. Panasonic even gave a September, 2009 deadline for completion of the moves. While some analysts claim this unusual request is simply a cover-up for controlling costs on the part of Panasonic, it certainly is credible enough to give pause for emergency preparedness evaluation in our personal lives. Bloomberg analysts have claimed that bringing the employee families home from certain areas wasn't a viable cost-cutting measure.

If such a pandemic were to threaten our borders, are we prepared financially, physically, and emotionally for the consequences?

This news not only affects our citizens living abroad, as China and Egypt have also reported human H5N1 cases. Adding credence to this instance, a senior US government official who asked to remain anonymous said that the pandemic threat persists and the need for preparations is critical.

Is Panasonic’s move significant? You decide.

Copyright 2009 Kellene Bishop. All rights reserved. You are welcome to repost this information so long as it is credited to Kellene Bishop.


Preparedness Pro Note: If you would like Kellene Bishop to present an Emergency Preparedness message for your community or church group, please contact us at 801-788-4133. Ms. Bishop is an experienced speaker on Emergency Preparedness topics and also has created a great “Preparedness Party” platform which makes the learning of such a topic more enjoyable for all.

In Case of Emergency - ICE

We all carry our mobile phones with names & numbers stored in its memory but nobody, other than ourselves, knows which of these numbers belong to our closest family or friends.

If we were to be involved in an accident or were taken ill, the people attending us would have our mobile phone but wouldn’t know who to call. Yes, there are hundreds of numbers stored but which one is the contact person in case of an emergency? Hence this ‘ICE’ (In Case of Emergency) Campaign

The concept of ‘ICE’ is catching on quickly. It is a method of contact during emergency situations. As cell phones are carried by the majority of the population, all you need to do is store the number of a contact person or persons who should be contacted during emergency under the name ‘ICE’ ( In Case Of Emergency).

The idea was thought up by a paramedic who found that when he went to the scenes of accidents, there were always mobile phones with patients, but they didn’t know which number to call. He therefore thought that it would be a good idea if there was a nationally recognized name for this purpose. In an emergency situation, Emergency Service personnel and hospital Staff would be able to quickly contact the right person by simply dialing the number you have stored as ‘ICE.’

For more than one contact name simply enter ICE1, ICE2 and ICE3 etc. A great idea that will make a difference!

Let’s spread the concept of ICE by storing an ICE number in our Mobile phones today!

Please Spread this. It won’t take too many ‘words’ before everybody will know about this It really could save your life, or put a loved one’s mind at rest .

ICE will speak for you...

Copyright 2009 Kellene Bishop. All rights reserved. You are welcome to repost this information so long as it is credited to Kellene Bishop.

Preparedness Pro Note: If you would like Kellene Bishop to present an Emergency Preparedness message for your community or church group, please contact us at 801-788-4133. Ms. Bishop is an experienced speaker on Emergency Preparedness topics and also has created a great “Preparedness Party” platform which makes the learning of such a topic more enjoyable for all.

Emergency Nachos

Can you have amazingly yummy nachos during an emergency? You bet! And I’m going to show you how!

The first recipe shows you how you can simply make your own wonton skins. This is a heck of lot easier than attempting to make corn or flour tortillas from scratch and requires less physical energy and ingredients.

2 c. of all purpose flour
½ t. of salt
½ c. warm water
Cornstarch as needed

In a mixing bowl stir together the flour and salt then slowly stir in the warm water. Turn the dough into a lightly dusted floured surface. Knead for 10 to 15 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. Cover and let rest for about 10 minutes.

Divide dough into fourths. Roll each fourth into a 12 inch square. This should provide you with a thin square layer. With a sharp knife cut the dough into 3 inch squares. Sprinkle cornstarch on them and stack and store in a zip loc bag. This should make 64 won tons.

Now it’s time for the AMAZING NACHOS

Start with 1 recipe of wonton skins, with the skins cut in half to form triangle shapes
Oil for deep frying
Put 2 inches of oil in large deep skillet and heat to 300 degrees. Add wonton skin strips in batches, separating them as they’re added and begin to fry until crispy (should be barely light brown). Remove batches from oil and drain on paper towel. When finished with all skins, set aside to cool.

Now combine 1 10 oz jar of Alfredo sauce with whatever 2 cups of shredded white cheese you have on hand. I recommend Pepper Jack or Monterey Jack. * If mixture is too thick to pour, then add a little milk.
Drain a can of diced Mexican flavored tomatoes.
Chop a can of drained black olives
Open a small can of drained chicken.
Drain a small can of jalapenos. (I prefer mild, but I have sissy tastebuds)

In a warm Dutch oven, spread the cheese mixture generously over the fried wonton skins. Then top with the tomatoes, chicken, black olives, and jalapenos.
Heat at approximately 350 degrees for 4 to 7 minutes.

Enjoy a taste you simply won’t believe!

If you’re wanting to make these in an everyday situation, add some chopped green onions too!

*Remember, you can treat your large blocks of cheese with cheese wax and they will keep good for as much as 20 years! So there’s no need to suffer through life without cheese, even when the stores are closed down!

pkg (12 oz.) wonton skins, cut skins in half
Oil for deep frying
1 (10 oz.) jar Alfredo Sauce
1 cup shredded Pepper Jack
Chopped or shredded cooked chicken (option fried hamburger or chorizo)
1 large tomato, seeded and chopped
¼ cup thinly sliced green onion
Chopped black olives
Additional shredded cheese and chopped jalapenos

Copyright 2009 Kellene Bishop. All rights reserved. You are welcome to repost this information so long as it is credited to Kellene Bishop.


Preparedness Pro Note: If you would like Kellene Bishop to present an Emergency Preparedness message for your community or church group, please contact us at 801-788-4133. Ms. Bishop is an experienced speaker on Emergency Preparedness topics and also has created a great “Preparedness Party” platform which makes the learning of such a topic more enjoyable for all.

Comfort or Chaos—It’s Your Choice

You’ve no doubt read of the extreme number of homes and business in the Midwest which are without power for at least two weeks due to extreme weather conditions. With over 1.3 million homes and business in the dark and cold until mid February, this translates into nearly 5 million individuals in a crisis situation. With the electricity out, heating will cease, microwave or oven cooking is eliminated, the days will be subject to minimal light in the midst of this hard winter, water pipes will freeze, and so much of a normal life for these millions of people will be hijacked for an involuntary 14 day minimum. Electricity affects your water supply, your food supply, your heat, your light, your medical access, your traffic flow and your security. It even affects your access to gasoline and other regular supplies which you may take for granted. Clearly, an electric outage of this nature is not just about finding things to do that don’t require electricity. It’s about completely altering your way of living, and even survival.

In a previous article I wrote an appropriate warning about the occurrence of such a plausible situation. I shared some relevant research in terms of the shocking numbers of employees available to restore common utilities in the event of an outage. In most states, the numbers of employees per numbers of households is 10,000 to 1. However, the economic crisis has forced layoffs so that the ratio in some areas may be as high as 13,000 to 1. This ratio accelerates even higher in concentrated populations as well.

Even with the assistance of the National Guard, this recent storm strike has manifested the reality of what I shared in my previous post. Many are just a bit too naïve when they lightly think of the “what if” scenarios of their ability to survive an emergency. They underestimate their sustainability due to a lack of sound information. Keep in mind that in the event of a terrorist attack on our nation, the luxury of the assistance of the Guard will not be present, as they will be engaged elsewhere by mandate.

So the question is, are you ready for such an occurrence in your life? Whether you’re affected by it or not this trial can serve as a generous reminder to get prepared now before the same stakes face you. Think of how much more bearable this particular situation would be if alternative cooking skills and supplies were available to those affected by the storm. What if some water was stored away? What if a small amount of fuel for a heater were on hand? There have been over 24 deaths reported so far as a result of this natural disaster—all as a result of the failure to appropriately plan for a real “what if.”

I have a lifelong friend who’s braving this exact storm in KY. Not only is she subjected to the standard trials of a power outage and all the problems that brings, but the storm also caused the large tree in her front yard to come crashing through her roof in the main portion of her home. Fortunately, this dear friend of mine is happily prepared for just such a situation with ample food, water, medical, and heating supplies stored for just such an occasion—oh, and accessible. She was even able to make use of her bounty to others who were not so fortunate to possess such mental preparation. I don’t know about you, but I’d much rather be in a position of helping others in such a situation than to be in dire need of it.

In closing I want to share with you a brief thought I posted on my Facebook page. “You can learn in comfort or in chaos. But I’d much rather learn in comfort.” Of course there is still much to learn about truly being prepared for a mere 2 weeks, let alone a full year. But the people who are affected by this storm are having to learn their lessons in a time of chaos, thus bringing upon themselves additional suffering and stress. Since you have the opportunity now, wouldn’t you rather learn and prepare while you still have the luxury of light, transportation, and a chipper disposition? Obviously how you learn and implement is your choice. When you will be required to use your knowledge is unfortunately beyond your control.

Copyright 2009 Kellene Bishop. All rights reserved. You are welcome to repost this information so long as it is credited to Kellene Bishop.


Preparedness Pro Note: If you would like Kellene Bishop to present an Emergency Preparedness message for your community or church group, please contact us at 801-788-4133. Ms. Bishop is an experienced speaker on Emergency Preparedness topics and also has created a great “Preparedness Party” platform which makes the learning of such a topic more enjoyable for all.

US Airways Flight 1549 Crashes in the Hudson River

Today’s catastrophic US Airways flight 1549 plane crash, an airbus A-320, is the perfect example of what can go RIGHT if you prepare. Certainly the passengers are horrified having had to experience an emergency landing in the freezing Hudson River waters. But their exit time from the plane happened exactly according to the rehearsed plan. Airplanes of this nature are inspected and certified based on it’s ability to exit all passengers within 90 seconds. Even with the real exits obstructed by the river, passengers were able to exit the plane and stand on the wings, in accordance to standard operating procedures.

In order for this ideal outcome in the midst of the disastrous circumstances to happen so expeditiously, the flight attendants had to be very well practiced in getting the passengers prepared with the life vests, bracing themselves for the landing, and quickly exiting the plane prior to it’s immersion in the below freezing waters. Likewise, the passengers had to listen and comply with the instructions delivered on behalf of their safety.

Just to recap, US Airways flight 1549 hit a large flock of geese. While the pilots are warned from traffic control about potential bird/flock problems, there’s not a lot you can do to eliminate them altogether. When you’re moving at 150 miles per hour, there’s not a lot of evasive action you can take to avoid a flock of birds such as this. So avoiding the crisis altogether is not likely. This holds true regarding your own emergency preparedness as well. Just like you won’t be able to avoid a lot of disasters that may come your way, the key is to be mentally prepared for such unpleasant occasions beforehand. Conduct rehearsals in your mind and to back up such rehearsals with the actions you have within your power to address the disaster in a prepared and competent manner when it does enter your life.

This plane went over very heavily populated areas. Based on the map view, the Hudson River was the best place for the pilot to land. Once he hit the large flock of geese, sufficient to disable both engines, he had less than 2 minutes to fully determine AND execute the landing of the plane. As such, the pilot is worthy of accolades for an “SOP picture perfect” emergency landing.

Pilots are continually trained to always be on the look out for a “what if” landing. In other words, “If something were to happen right now, where would you land?” The pilot handled this emergency perfectly landing in the river, and as such ALL of the passengers and staff members were rescued. Initial reports reveal that there were only minor injuries—to be expected in such a landing – another nod to the competence of the pilot under such stressful circumstances.

In such a horrible crisis, there will be unfathomable distress. There will be grief and emotional trauma. But the difference between whether or not you have a future, and sufficient time to recover from such an experience will be determined by your appropriate planning for such a crisis.

Let’s cheer for Something Done Right in a Crisis and use this example as a warning for our own lives and the challenges we may encounter.

Kellene

Copyright 2009 Kellene Bishop. All rights reserved. You are welcome to repost this information so long as it is credited to Kellene Bishop.


Preparedness Pro Note: If you would like Kellene Bishop to present an Emergency Preparedness message for your community or church group, please contact us at 801-788-4133. Ms. Bishop is an experienced speaker on Emergency Preparedness topics and also has created a great “Preparedness Party” platform which makes the learning of such a topic more enjoyable for all.

Seeds of Preparedness

Many individuals I speak with about emergency preparedness are concerned of the cost of getting prepared and the amount of space they have to store everything. Today’s blog is just one way you can be successful at improving your state of preparedness without being paralyzed by cost or space.

In the fall, garden seeds are typically marked down dramatically. Are these safe to buy and store without immediately planting them in the ground? Well, usually, the answer is yes. I’ll clarify in a moment. Obviously, paying 70% off the original price of seeds is a bargain most can’t walk away from, and the space necessary to store seeds isn’t cumbersome even in a New York City apartment.

So how do you know when the seeds you buy off-season are going to do you any good in years to come, you ask? Ask the store supervisors how the seeds were stored. If they were displayed all summer out in the hot sun, then you’ll need to move on to another bargain. However, if they were stored in the store, or in the store greenhouse area the majority of the time, then you can be safe to purchase and store them for at least another 5 to 10 years. Even better is if you can store them individually packaged but in a larger container to prolong freshness. The key is for you to store them in a cool, dark and dry place. It was a way of life for our ancestors – they stored and traveled with seeds regularly. “Hey honey, be sure to grab the kids and the seeds. The mammoth is leaving soon.” Don’t let the modernization of a greenhouse throw you off your instincts.

Seeds are full of great nutrition as sprouts. An added bonus with this practice is if your seeds do sprout, then you know they are good and nutritious. In fact, in some cases, the sprouted seeds are MORE nutritious sprouted than as full grown plants, though perhaps not as enjoyable to eat. So, if you’re in doubt, prior to planting seeds in the typical manner, take a few and sprout them in doors. Sprouting typically involves water, some cheesecloth, and a small mason jar. Think about it – in an emergency, you’re not exactly going to have time to plant your seeds and then wait for the harvest if you’re starving and other food supplies are cut off. Some seeds take only 24 to 48 hours to sprout. As long as you have water (see my last blog) you’ll be able to survive that long without food while you’re waiting for the sprouts to develop.

And while I’m on the topic of sprouts, even though it’s a bit off topic of saving space, dried legumes and wheat grains are EXCELLENT sprouting resources. They are also quite easy to sprout and their nutritional value is dramatically compounded in this state. Additionally, wheat grains and dried legumes store for extremely long periods of time in a cool, dry, dark space, and the sprouting is virtually effortless. (In fact, my husband and I accidentally sprouted some lentils in our basement when we didn’t completely clean up a spill. Some the seeds had fallen down a drain pipe next to the water heater and sprouted soon after with nothing but moisture — no light.)

So I say take advantage of the seed sales you get at the end of the summer and in early fall. They are typically every bit as good and will store quite well. Whether you want edible vegetables and flowers, or showy foliage, go ahead and save a bundle of money! The space you save on “food storage” is great as well.

Copyright 2009 Kellene Bishop. All rights reserved. You are welcome to repost this information so long as it is credited to Kellene Bishop.


Preparedness Pro Note: If you would like Kellene Bishop to present an Emergency Preparedness message for your community or church group, please contact us at 801-788-4133. Ms. Bishop is an experienced speaker on Emergency Preparedness topics and also has created a great “Preparedness Party” platform which makes the learning of such a topic more enjoyable for all.

Water Blogged

Recently I’ve been inundated with requests from readers to know how I’ve personally prepared for the future. These requests have come about as a result of my blog post of Gerald Celente’s economic forecasts (see link here). In fact, I’ve even create an entirely new blog called Preparedness Pro, devoted exclusively to emergency preparedness in the categories of food (including cooking), water, first aid, self-defense, finances, and emotional preparedness. Be sure to add this one to your blogroll and check back often!

What makes me a pro? I’ve been practicing personal preparedness doggedly for over 9 years. Our house has 3 full rooms of necessary emergency supplies. Usually, instead of going to the store, I just go downstairs to our food storage room, grab what I need, and replenish about every 6 months or so. It will be up to you to decide whether or not what I share with you has merit.

First Things First—WATER!

If you have not started preparing for an emergency, do not start with food. Start with WATER! If you’ve already started a sufficient emergency supply food storage, you are probably like the majority of individuals and have put off storing water. “Where am I going to store those ugly barrels?” you ask? Believe me, that’s the last thing you’re going to care about when you need water.

How much water should I store?
You can go without food a heck of a lot longer than you can water. I know this may sound a bit overwhelming, but you really need to store enough water to provide you and your family with 1 gallon per day—minimum—for at least 3 months. Allow me to restate this. 1 gallon per person is MINIMUM. That’s a lot. But you don’t need to go back too far in history to realize that such a need could exist. Think of the hurricanes our nation has had in recent history. Is your area ripe for an earthquake? What if some moron crashes their chemical truck into your water supply?

eep in mind that that one gallon of water is not just for drinking. It’s for hygiene, (and don’t even think that you’ll avoid bathing all together…this will foster serious illnesses, among other things) cooking, toilet use, laundry, and cleaning.

How do I store my water?
Store your water in NEW barrels. Please don’t store water you intend to use for drinking and cooking in barrels that have been used for something else. You will suffer, indeed. (It’s fine to use those kinds of barrels for water you will use exclusively for cleaning, etc.)

Please, please, please do not store your water in empty milk or soda pop bottles. They deteriorate. (Although is you have to choose one of them, pick the soda pop bottles instead. They last a bit longer)

Should I store purified water?
Don’t treat your water before storing it. Chance are very good that it’s already been sufficiently treated by your municipality. Besides, I would recommend treating your water prior to using it for drinking or cooking anyway. To do this you want to use 8 drops of pure Chlorox per gallon of water.

You can fill your water barrels through the garden hose. As long as you let the water run through the hose a bit and there aren’t any bugs sitting in it, you’re fine. Surely you drank out of a hose when you were little and you’re no worse for wear, right?

If you’re a purist, you can purchase a marine hose that is lined with an anti-bacterial coating. Those are readily available at your local hardware store. Keep in mind that the water in your water heater, water bed, and toilet tanks is usable as well.

Iodine tablets, colloidal silver, and quality camping water filters are also a good preparedness step in the event you’re required to use water from sources you’re not familiar with. One of the things that I stock up on as well are the little Xooma water sachets. These small, tea bag like sachets contain minerals and such that can bring your water to a good non-alkaline levels and infuse minerals in them. I personally believe that doing so helps for better hydration to the body. So I keep stocked up on these for an emergency as well. You can check them out at http://www.xoomaworldwide.com/WaterDiva/

How often do I replace the water?
We empty and refill our water barrels every two years. You don’t need to do it that often, but we’re a bit fanatical about things. You’re fine to go out 5 years prior to refilling them as long as it’s good water to begin with. You will want to aerate your water though prior to drinking it. Doing this is as simple as pouring it a few times from one container to another, such as a couple of pitchers.

Where am I supposed to store all this water?
If you’re in a small apartment, you will be pleasantly surprised how easily you can disguise a water barrel as an end table with a small round piece of plywood and a classy decorative tablecloth. We are fortunate enough to have enough space in our basement and have several of them lined up and then have plywood stacked on top of them to begin shelving for our food storage.

Note to wives: If your overzealous husband convinces you to store “an extra” eight 50-gallon barrels under one of the guest beds, you may want to think twice. It’s a family joke now when folks come to stay with us and sleep in the “water bed.”

Don’t buy into the myth that you can’t store your water barrels on cement. Clarification is that you should not store your water on cement that gets heated by the sun. So if you’re storing it outside, the sun will heat the cement, which will then heat your water. This makes water taste nasty. If you’re storing them outside, place the barrels on top of 2 x 4s.

You can store your water barrels outside in freezing weather, but you run the risk of them freezing and cracking. At the very least, you should not fill them up to maximum capacity to allow for the freezing expansion.

Conserving Water
Consider ways to conserve water in an emergency as well. Storing paper goods such as paper plates and cups will eliminate cleaning, and learning to cook with a pressure cooker which uses a minimum amount of water for cooking is also a good idea. (more on pressure cooking in a future blog.)

Copyright 2009 Kellene Bishop. All rights reserved. You are welcome to repost this information so long as it is credited to Kellene Bishop.

Preparedness Pro Note: If you would like Kellene Bishop to present an Emergency Preparedness message for your community or church group, please contact us at 801-788-4133. Ms. Bishop is an experienced speaker on Emergency Preparedness topics and also has created a great “Preparedness Party” platform which makes the learning of such a topic more enjoyable for all.