Prepping...in sickness or in health?

How important is health to a prepper? "In health there is freedom. Health is the first of all liberties." -- Henri Frederic Amiel This Week's Sponsor: The Prepper Shaker: TV or not TV? Television is one of the greatest inventions of all time. Yet, in its current state, TV produces more problems than blessings. What effect does TV really have on our physical and mental health, and why? This article by Chuck Gallozzi is a "must-read" for every prepper! TV or not TV? That is the question... From the Funny Farm: Go Figure! Prep Talk: Health or Wealth? Are you in business for your health? If you aren't, maybe you should be. Yeah, I know the old saying: "I'm not in business for my health. I need to make money." What good is money, though, if you don't have the health to enjoy it? How effective can you really be without good health? How much money can you really make? In most cases what we call "lack of ambition" or "lack of motivation" stems directly from poor health. How many people will you contact; how many sales will you make today if you barely have enough ambition to get out of bed? If the business or line of work you're in doesn't improve your health in some way (meaning your physical health, your mental health, your emotional health and/or your spiritual health), then maybe it's time for a change. Simple, huh? It's a matter of putting first things first. Best Regards, Sharon Iezzi Your Hoppy-Go-Lucky Editor Parting Shot: Prep-Posal! Keep on...preppin'! * * * * * The Prepper-Upper is published weekly by James Talmage Stevens, Publisher Author of Making the Best of Basics: the all-new and updated 11th edition. Editor: Sharon Iezzi Subscribe to The Prepper-Upper by Email More free info at doctorprepper.com * * * * * If you find this information valuable, please pass it on to a friend. Your comments are always welcome! © 2010 All Rights Reserved Worldwide. You may NOT copy and distribute any portion of this blog for commercial purposes without written permission. Mail requests to: prepperupper @ gmail.com

Chicken In..or Going Whole-Hog?

How committed are you to prepping? Are you just "chicken in" or going "whole-hog?" In a bacon and eggs breakfast, the chicken is involved, but the pig is totally committed! This Week's Sponsor: The Prepper Shaker: Spring Chickens! Which came first: the chicken or the egg? That puzzle may never be solved but if you are thinking about raising chickens the brooder and the chicken coop should probably come before your chicks do! I have raised many chickens from chicks and it is a very enjoyable hobby and a great way to become more self-reliant. I have had white leghorns, wyandotes, buff orpingtons, and finally settled on rhode island reds because they handle our cold weather better. Here is a chart to help you pick chickens that will work best for your location: Main Chicken Breeds Chart Here are some videos on building brooders and coops: Table-Top Chicken Brooder: Fun and Easy! My Chicken Coop Chickens for Eggs on Small Homesteads Build a Basic Low-Cost Chicken Coop I use a round kiddie swimming pool for my brooder covered in some garden mesh and a red or blue bulb brood lamp. Pine or aspen shavings are recommended but I just use newspaper and have never had a problem. Chick crumbles (chick starter) and fresh water are all they need for two weeks then add some scratch. I buy my chicks through the local feed store for $2 each but you can order chicks right through the mail. They are available now most places so go get you a flock! --LaMar Alexander http://simplesolarhomesteading.com/ From the Funny Farm: An Egg-Sighting Breakfast! Prep Talk: If You Marry a Fisherman, Beware! If you marry a fisherman (or ~woman), beware: At some point you're gonna get "up close and personal" with some mighty strange critters. Take nightcrawlers, for example... For those of you non-fishin' folk, nightcrawlers are those big, fat, juicy earthworms used for fish bait. Here's a picture: Best time to catch 'em is at night just after a good soaking rain. You go out with a flashlight, a container with a lid, a pair of sharp eyes and some fast, nimble fingers to grab those critters and hang on when the light hits 'em so they can't escape back into their holes. My adopted dad taught me how to catch nightcrawlers. Our favorite way of keeping them alive and fresh for the fish was to store them in the 'fridge in a plastic sour cream or cottage cheese container with a piece of moist burlap in the bottom for them to munch on. They'd stay good for 2-4 weeks that way. In my first year at college I shared a dormitory apartment with 5 other women. One evening some guys came over and announced they were going fishing the next day. I offered to catch them some nightcrawlers in exchange for some of the fish. They agreed, and out I went. I caught a big bunch of nightcrawlers and put them in a container in the 'fridge just like my adopted dad and I used to do. Then it happened... Valerie, one of my roommates, got home quite late. The rest of us were already in bed when she arrived. She walked into the kitchen and grabbed a leftover baked potato from the 'fridge along with (what she thought was) a full container of sour cream. She warmed the potato in the microwave, picked up the container of "sour cream," lifted the lid and started to pour... Then--you guessed it: she got "up close and personal" with my nightcrawlers! You wouldn't believe how she screamed... The guys by came the next morning for (what was left of) the nightcrawlers and had a great day fishing. They brought us some really nice fish to eat, which all of us (even Valerie) enjoyed. But nightcrawlers were banned forever from our 'fridge. So--what are YOU eating for supper tonight? If you're married to a fisherman, beware! Bon Appetit! Best Regards, Sharon Iezzi Your Hoppy-Go-Lucky Editor Parting Shot: Fowl Line A farmer with lots of chickens posted the following sign: "Free Chickens. Our Coop Runneth Over." Keep on...preppin'! * * * * * The Prepper-Upper is published weekly by James Talmage Stevens, Publisher Author of Making the Best of Basics: the all-new and updated 11th edition. Editor: Sharon Iezzi Subscribe to The Prepper-Upper by Email More free info at familypreparednessguide.com * * * * * If you find this information valuable, please pass it on to a friend. Your comments are always welcome! © 2010 All Rights Reserved Worldwide. You may NOT copy and distribute any portion of this blog for commercial purposes without written permission. Mail requests to: prepperupper @ gmail.com

Weighing in on...preparedness!

What's holding YOU back from prepping? So loaded down you think you'll drown? Time to tip the scales in your favor! This Week's Sponsor: The Prepper Shaker: Survival Fitness Prepping for the future without prepping your body is like buying the paddles without buying the canoe...Hello? Whatever method you choose to improve your physical fitness will be an expression of you and your interests. You might be surprised at how beneficial and empowering this can actually be! Your survival fitness program could spill over into other areas of your life and improve your overall quality of living in general. Is it worth the risk? You bet! You'll feel better and be better prepared for what life throws your way. It's simply a matter of getting back to basics! Read the rest here: Survival Fitness From the Funny Farm: Widdle Wabbits A precious little girl walks into a PetSmart shop and asks, in the sweetest little lisp, between two missing teeth: "Excuthe me, mithter, do you keep widdle wabbits?" As the shopkeeper's heart melts, he gets down on his knees so that he's on her level and asks: "Do you want a widdle white wabbit, or a thoft and fuwwy, bwack wabbit, or maybe one like that cute widdle bwown wabbit over there?" She, in turn, blushes, rocks on her heels, puts her hands on her knees, leans forward and says, in a tiny quiet voice: "Weally, I don't think my python gives a thit." Prep Talk: "Rapid" Development! Do you like white water rafting? I do! Take a large inflatable raft that holds 8-10 people, a skilled river guide to keep the raft moving on a safe course, a fast moving river with some challenging rapids, and scenery on both sides that takes your breath away ... and you have the recipe for an incredibly wonderful time, or for disaster. What makes the difference? Preparation. This means that you: Write down exactly where you're going and when you expect to arrive so that people know where to find you if you need help. Have a clear plan of how you'll get there plus the right tools and equipment for the journey. Understand and obey the rules of safe travel, wear your life jacket at all times and follow the instructions of your guide. Carry along survival supplies and a first aid kit for emergencies. Have the good sense to stay away from known hazards! Doesn't this sound a lot like life? Let me tell you a story: Several years ago on a white water rafting trip with some friends down the Flathead River in Montana, I experienced the unexpected. We hit what is called a "hole": a short, steep drop-off caused by a large rock underneath the surface. A big hole not seen in time can easily flip a raft. That's exactly what happened. One minute I was rockin' and rollin', having the time of my life. The next I was flailing in the Flathead in water the temperature of just-melted snow. Did I have a moment of close communion with my Creator? You bet I did! It's hard to imagine until we're in situations like this just how powerless we really are against the forces of nature. I was, to say the least, extremely humbled by the experience. Fortunately, because of good preparation, neither I nor anyone else in the group suffered serious injury or loss of life in this mishap. I remember oh so well the final words of instruction we received before starting our journey: "In the very unlikely event that you and the raft should ever become separated, keep your feet pointed downstream so you can push off from the rocks, and go with the flow until you are rescued." Sometimes "going with the flow" of life may mean running a few rapids on your backside. Are you prepared for the ride? Best Regards, Sharon Iezzi Your Hoppy-Go-Lucky Editor Parting Shot: Scuby-Doo-Too! Keep on...preppin'! * * * * * The Prepper-Upper is published weekly by James Talmage Stevens, Publisher Author of Making the Best of Basics: the all-new and updated 11th edition. Editor: Sharon Iezzi Subscribe to The Prepper-Upper by Email More free info at familypreparednessguide.com * * * * * If you find this information valuable, please pass it on to a friend. Your comments are always welcome! © 2010 All Rights Reserved Worldwide. You may NOT copy and distribute any portion of this blog for commercial purposes without written permission. Mail requests to: prepperupper @ gmail.com

Stinkin' thinkin'...or gardens of laughter?

A prepper's not a doom-and-gloomer. Time to grow a sense of humor! Ready for a laugh? This one will push your funny button: ...and turn up your speakers! This Week's Sponsor: The Prepper Shaker: A "Growing" Epidemic Will you be one of the "vital few" or the "trivial many?". We've got an epidemic of our own we need to spread, and it has nothing to do with swine flu! Growing a sustainable family garden can and should become as common and important again as the family car. Why? Find out in this compelling and timely article by Master Gardener Jim Kennard: A "Growing" Epidemic From the Funny Farm: Tater Tots When it comes to prepping, some people are like potatoes: Some watch while others do the work. They're the Speck-Taters. Some talk about what others are doing. They're the Common-Taters. Some cause problems and get under your skin. They're the Aggie-Taters. Some make plans and never do anything. They're the Hessie-Taters. Some sit for hours and stare at their food storage. They're the Medi-Taters. And some steal other's work and call it their own. They're the Imi-Taters. Fortunately, some people really DO get prepared, and do everything they can to help others do the same. They're the Facili-Taters. So what kind of 'Tater' are you? Now there's some food for 'Tot."   Prep Talk: Weed 'Em and Reap! I love this little piece by Bruno Gideon:    Even the most casual of gardeners knows that weeds, if unpicked, will eventually destroy a beautiful garden. It’s the same with our thoughts. If we don’t weed out the negative ones, they will choke whatever is beautiful in our lives and trap us in a bitterness from which there is almost no escape. "Give weeds an inch and they’ll take your yard." -- Anonymous "And so it criticized each flower, This supercilious seed; Until it woke one summer hour, And found itself a weed." –- Mildred Howells The trick is to be like a good gardener and weed out negative thoughts before they take control of our health and our charisma. Be on the watch for them each and every day. As soon as you detect one, ask yourself, “Is it really worth letting this take over my life?” and get rid of it as soon as you can. Is a negative thought threatening your garden right now? Pull it out! Best Regards, Sharon Iezzi Your Hoppy-Go-Lucky Editor Parting Shot: Messages From God Keep on...preppin'! * * * * * The Prepper-Upper is published weekly by James Talmage Stevens, Publisher Author of Making the Best of Basics: the all-new and updated 11th edition. Editor: Sharon Iezzi Subscribe to The Prepper-Upper by Email More free info at familypreparednessguide.com * * * * * If you find this information valuable, please pass it on to a friend. Your comments are always welcome! © 2010 All Rights Reserved Worldwide. You may NOT copy and distribute any portion of this blog for commercial purposes without written permission. Mail requests to: ready2prepare @ gmail.com

Stressed with the rest...or at your best?

When the you-know-what hits a rotating nut, will you be stressed with the rest, or at your best? If you're a prepper, you're already one step ahead of the rest. Why stress, when all you have to do to outrun the bear is stay one step ahead of the slowest camper? This Week's Sponsor: The Prepper Shaker: Keep It Super Simple! If you are overwhelmed by the magnitude of what it would take to sustain you for a year, then think more in terms of what it would take to keep you alive for a few days, weeks, or months in case you didn't have anything else to eat except what's on hand. There are only three things to remember about building your in-home storage program with the Basic concept: Store what you eat! Eat what you store! Use it or lose it! The biggest challenge in procuring an in-home storage supply is financing its acquisition. Creative use of current household items, wise budgeting in accordance with the family's income, and smarter shopping will help maximize your ability to accomplish your goal. But until the in-home storage program is established as a primary financial priority--after planning the repayment of current debt, of course--it will not become a reality. You don't have to do it all at once; just tell yourself, "I just have to begin, and then I can continue from there." It's as simple as that! James Talmage Stevens, Making the Best of Basics, 11th Edition, 2009, Chapter 8-2 From the Funny Farm: Dolphin Stress Test Please stop, take a deep breath, and look at the picture below of two identical dolphins jumping in tandem out of the water. Intensive psychological research has shown that the more differences you spot in the two dolphins, the more stressed you are. Extreme stress affects your ability to concentrate and see things clearly. Be assured that the two dolphins are completely similar. If you can spot any sort of difference without looking too hard, you are definitely stressed and should pack up work and go home immediately.    Prep Talk: Taking Care of Y-O-U Did you remember to take care of Y-O-U today? Y-O-U (Your Own Upkeep) can't be neglected just because there are other (seemingly) more important things to do. If you neglect Y-O-U, then you'll be doing the same as M-E right now (Mending Everything)! The body, the mind, the spirit, and our relationships all need regular upkeep to stay in good condition. Imagine for a moment that you (physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually) are like a typical American home with a kitchen, living room, dining room, den, bedrooms, one or more bathrooms, and a yard. In this imaginary home the kitchen, bedroom(s) and bathroom(s) take care of you physically. The den takes care of feeding your mind and entertaining your brain. In the living room you cultivate relationships; and in the dining room you feast upon spiritual things. Which rooms in your imaginary home get the most use? Which ones are gathering dust? Which rooms get cleaned most often? Least often? Why? Is the dining room any less important than the kitchen? The kitchen lets you prepare and eat quick meals on the run but the dining room lets you serve others and enjoy what you're eating on a much deeper level. How about the living room? Is yours just for show or do family, friends and guests gather here frequently to discuss and do things together that really matter? Your living room is a place to live. Are you using it to its full potential? What goes on in the den? Is it a place of learning or mindless entertainment? Do the kids have educational toys to play with? Does the library include good books, audio tapes, videos and dvds that stretch the mind and inspire you to improve? Do the music you listen to, the pictures on the walls, and the knick-knacks on the shelves stimulate greater, nobler, richer thinking or keep you mentally in the slums? And then there's the yard. Are you letting the grass grow under your feet? Time to get moving! Without regular upkeep a house quickly falls into disrepair. Without regular upkeep a life, too, quickly fall into disrepair. Health starts to fail. Minds turn to decadence and decay. Relationships break apart with tragic results. Spiritual neglect leads to despair, depression, addiction, even suicide. It's a lot easier and less costly to take care of Y-O-U (your own upkeep) in at least some small way every day than it is to stop and take care of M-E (mending everything) when things start to fall apart. You can pay Y-O-U now or you can pay M-E later. The choice is yours. Best Regards, Sharon Iezzi Your Hoppy-Go-Lucky Editor Parting Shot: Now That's Respect! A man and a friend are playing golf one day at their local golf course. One of the guys is about to chip onto the green when he sees a long funeral procession on the road next to the course. He stops in mid-swing, takes off his golf cap, closes his eyes, and bows down in prayer. His friend says, "Wow," that is the most thoughtful and touching thing I have ever seen. You truly are a kind man." The man then replies, "Yeah, well we were married 35 years." Keep on...preppin'! * * * * * The Prepper-Upper is published weekly by James Talmage Stevens, Publisher Author of Making the Best of Basics: the all-new and updated 11th edition. Editor: Sharon Iezzi Subscribe to The Prepper-Upper by Email More free info at familypreparednessguide.com * * * * * If you find this information valuable, please pass it on to a friend. Your comments are always welcome! © 2010 All Rights Reserved Worldwide. You may NOT copy and distribute any portion of this blog for commercial purposes without written permission. Mail requests to: ready2prepare @ gmail.com

Tomorrow has come...

A classic old song says, "tomorrow never comes." Well, tomorrow HAS come. Are you ready for it? A foolish old uncle named Sam got himself in one heck of a jam; borrowed all he could get to spend his way out of debt, and now Uncle Sam's on the lam. This Week's Sponsor: The Prepper Shaker: Got Plastic? In 2004, motivational speaker and author Joe Tye presented some sobering facts about America's addiction to credit and its consequences for the next generation. But take heart! There IS a way out, and it starts right where you live. Go here to get your "prep pill." From the Funny Farm: School 1958 vs. School Today Scenario #1: Johnny goes quail hunting before school, pulls into school parking lot with shotgun in gun rack. 1958: Vice principal comes over, looks at Johnny's shotgun, goes to his car, and gets his own shotgun to show Johnny. Today: School goes into lockdown, the FBI is called, Johnny is hauled off to jail, and never sees his truck or gun again. Counselors are called in to assist traumatized students and teachers. Scenario #2: Johnny gets a headache and takes some aspirin to school. 1958: Johnny shares aspirin with the school principal out on the smoking dock. Today: Police are called and Johnny is expelled from school for drug violations. His car is searched for drugs and weapons. Scenario #3: Johnny takes apart leftover Independence Day firecrackers, puts them in a model airplane paint bottle, and blows up an anthill. 1958: Ants die. Today: Homeland Security and the FBI are called and Johnny is charged with domestic terrorism. Teams investigate parents, siblings are removed from the home, computers are confiscated, and Johnny's dad goes on a terror watch list and is never allowed to fly again. Prep Talk: Initiative or Excuses? Do you know what crucial quality distinguishes a go-getter with lots of initiative from a couch potato with lots of excuses? HINT: It's a five letter word which causes Fearless Action Instigated Through Hope. That's right: FAITH is where true initiative comes from. It doesn't matter which church you go to, or whether you go to church at all. It's something anyone can develop with practice. And faith works just as effectively for growing your food storage as it does for growing corn, growing a family, or growing closer to God. Faith, therefore, is a "working" word ... not a "sitting around" word. Something to think about... Best Regards, Sharon Iezzi Your Hoppy-Go-Lucky Editor Parting Shot: Secret African Weight Loss Formula Keep on...preppin'! * * * * * The Prepper-Upper is published weekly by James Talmage Stevens, Publisher Author of Making the Best of Basics: the all-new and updated 11th edition. Editor: Sharon Iezzi Subscribe to The Prepper-Upper by Email More free info at familypreparednessguide.com * * * * * If you find this information valuable, please pass it on to a friend. Your comments are always welcome! © 2010 All Rights Reserved Worldwide. You may NOT copy and distribute any portion of this blog for commercial purposes without written permission. Mail requests to: ready2prepare @ gmail.com

Ready...(Mind)Set...Go!

When your heart tells you, "Prepare!" but your mind is still elsewhere, all you need to settle on a plan is a certain way of thinking, "Yes I can!" This certain way of thinking about preparedness requires focus, discipline and faith, but it works. Are you up to the challenge? Is this the year you will prepare--all the way? Wherever you are on the path, we're here to help! This Week's Sponsor: The Prepper Shaker: Paradigm Time! From the Funny Farm: Lesson for the Day Prep Talk: Seeds of Dreams Do you know what the single greatest source of light and energy for growing things planted on earth (the sun) has in common with the single greatest source of light and energy for growing things planted in your mind? The answer is simple. Both operate by faith. Would a farmer bother planting seeds in the ground if he didn't believe they would grow and produce something he wanted? Of course not. Would all the sunshine in the world grow a seed that wasn't planted? Of course not. A farmer must have faith that his work of plowing, planting, nourishing and cultivating will, when combined in proper balance with the light and energy of the sun, produce the desired result (a good crop). It is that faith which keeps him working day by day, month by month, until the crop is harvested and sold. So it is with our dreams of success in whatever form they may take. We must first believe that the seeds we are planting in our minds (our ideas) will grow and produce something we want. Then we must have faith to keep doing the work necessary to ensure that our efforts will, when combined in proper balance with the light and energy of divine providence, produce the desired results (the realization of our dreams) in their proper time and season. Best Regards, Sharon Iezzi Your Hoppy-Go-Lucky Editor Parting Shot: End-of-the-World Headlines When the end of the world arrives how will the media report it? USA Today: WE'RE DEAD The Wall Street Journal: DOW JONES PLUMMETS AS WORLD ENDS National Enquirer: O.J. AND NICOLE, TOGETHER AGAIN Microsoft Systems Journal: APPLE LOSES MARKET SHARE Victoria's Secret Catalog: OUR FINAL SALE Sports Illustrated: GAME OVER Wired: THE LAST NEW THING Readers Digest: 'BYE Discover Magazine: HOW WILL THE EXTINCTION OF ALL LIFE AS WE KNOW IT AFFECT THE WAY WE VIEW THE COSMOS? Lady's Home Journal: LOSE 10 LBS BY JUDGMENT DAY WITH OUR NEW "ARMAGEDDON" DIET! Forbes magazine: TEN WAYS YOU CAN PROFIT FROM THE APOCALYPSE TIME magazine: RENEW YOUR SUBSCRIPTION FOR ETERNITY Keep on...preppin'! * * * * * The Prepper-Upper is published weekly by James Talmage Stevens, Publisher Author of Making the Best of Basics: the all-new and updated 11th edition. Editor: Sharon Iezzi Subscribe to The Prepper-Upper by Email More free info at familypreparednessguide.com * * * * * If you find this information valuable, please pass it on to a friend. Your comments are always welcome! © 2010 All Rights Reserved Worldwide. You may NOT copy and distribute any portion of this blog for commercial purposes without written permission. Mail requests to: ready2prepare @ gmail.com