Post by KG on Apr 22, 2012 2:39:22 GMT -5
I don't often mention preparedness, but some people are very poorly prepared for simple and minor situations that shouldn't be a big deal. I want to emphasize that I don't expect the world to just blow up all of a sudden, but I do think we need to get ready in a few basic ways, simply because most people are very ill prepared now days.
The thing is that our societal system is changing, and when something is in a state of change, it is usually better to become less reliant on it, and to expect less help from it.
In addition with inflation like it is, we are paying more for necessities while luxuries are still cheap. I mean electricity, gas, food and medicine are unbelievably expensive, while clothing, toys, electronics and even tools can be bought cheaply. In addition foods are being changed and contaminated. The most affordable foods are fattening, non nutritious, and were it not for added sugar, fat and MSG... they would not even taste good. Monsanto is even messing up our raw fruits and vegetables.
Food Storage
It's a good idea to keep at least a month's supply of some sort of food around. You never know when one might not be able to get out... or when stores might be closed or whatever else might come up... storms, power outages, situations in which it would be easier not to go to the store. Our ancestors kept food on hand. It's only sensible.
Food and Aquaponics
In the last crisis prediction period people were storing food. This is not a bad idea, but in the current situation growing food seems smarter. I know what you are thinking... not everyone has the space or the time to farm, or garden. I know that I personally cannot stand gardening... the heat, the bugs, the boredom... but there is something new I have been reading about and plan to try. It is called Aquaponics. With Aquaponics one can raise fish and grow plants in a small space without soil. It's a mix between hydroponics and aquaculture. Materials are inexpensive, depending on your ability to collect large used containers it might be close to free. Your main expense is a pump to keep the water cycling. There are tons of videos on You Tube about it.
With Aquaponics it's possible to grow some sort of food year around, and it is even possible to breed some types of fish... others are too shy to breed in a container. Cat fish are especially shy. They prefer a 30 foot by 30 foot pond, but Tillipia don't mind doing it in an aquarium while you watch. LOL
Keeping Emergency Supplies Handy
One of the most important aspects of being prepared is keeping supplies where you are likely to need them. How many times have you experienced a power outage and had to rummage around in the dark for a flashlight... and those things are never where you put them last. LOL It's a good idea to keep a flashlight, a blanket medical supplies, rubber gloves and a bit of food and water in your car in case you are stranded or injured while out. It is also a good idea to keep a stash of emergency items in your home and in a back pack or other bag that you can carry with you.
It's a good idea to have contingencies. Contingencies are plans that will work if your usual plan fails. For example, plan alternate routes to get to work, several different ways to drive each of your friend's and family's homes. Have a spare of various absolute necessities in case one breaks.
Solar and Alternative Energy
Solar energy is also a very good idea. If you have any input at all in your place of residence, consider some sort of solar energy, even if it is simply an emergency back up system to run absolutely necessary items. There are other forms of alternative energy, including wind and methane, but unless you have the space that might be harder, and in most cases not as easy and economical to obtain.
Your teams
You should surround yourself with people you can depend on. Network with closer and more distant people... family, friends and acquaintances who are reliable. In most cases your core team is your family, or a very tight knit group of friends. I am not saying these folks have to all be survivalists, or all be psychic or all have some special talent, but you should encourage your closest people to be sensibly prepared. I don't mean going nuts on keeping seven years supply of food or anything like that but they should be in some way equipped to deal with things being different than usual.
Fitness
I know I need to get into shape and plan to work on it this summer. I have gotten physically lazy because I type all the time, and don't really move around a lot. I think fitness might be important increasingly over the next few years so try to work on it. Even a few months of regular exercise can make a world of difference in how we feel.
Anyway, I am mentioning this because there may be changes coming that impact our way of life. Even small temporary changes can be devastating if you aren't ready for them. Greater and more unexpected changes also need to be prepared for. Above all though, follow your instincts in unfamiliar situations. We all have great intuition here, so just listen to yourself a bit. Most problems people like us encounter can be dealt with well, even on the spur of the moment if we listen to our intuition.
The thing is that our societal system is changing, and when something is in a state of change, it is usually better to become less reliant on it, and to expect less help from it.
In addition with inflation like it is, we are paying more for necessities while luxuries are still cheap. I mean electricity, gas, food and medicine are unbelievably expensive, while clothing, toys, electronics and even tools can be bought cheaply. In addition foods are being changed and contaminated. The most affordable foods are fattening, non nutritious, and were it not for added sugar, fat and MSG... they would not even taste good. Monsanto is even messing up our raw fruits and vegetables.
Food Storage
It's a good idea to keep at least a month's supply of some sort of food around. You never know when one might not be able to get out... or when stores might be closed or whatever else might come up... storms, power outages, situations in which it would be easier not to go to the store. Our ancestors kept food on hand. It's only sensible.
Food and Aquaponics
In the last crisis prediction period people were storing food. This is not a bad idea, but in the current situation growing food seems smarter. I know what you are thinking... not everyone has the space or the time to farm, or garden. I know that I personally cannot stand gardening... the heat, the bugs, the boredom... but there is something new I have been reading about and plan to try. It is called Aquaponics. With Aquaponics one can raise fish and grow plants in a small space without soil. It's a mix between hydroponics and aquaculture. Materials are inexpensive, depending on your ability to collect large used containers it might be close to free. Your main expense is a pump to keep the water cycling. There are tons of videos on You Tube about it.
With Aquaponics it's possible to grow some sort of food year around, and it is even possible to breed some types of fish... others are too shy to breed in a container. Cat fish are especially shy. They prefer a 30 foot by 30 foot pond, but Tillipia don't mind doing it in an aquarium while you watch. LOL
Keeping Emergency Supplies Handy
One of the most important aspects of being prepared is keeping supplies where you are likely to need them. How many times have you experienced a power outage and had to rummage around in the dark for a flashlight... and those things are never where you put them last. LOL It's a good idea to keep a flashlight, a blanket medical supplies, rubber gloves and a bit of food and water in your car in case you are stranded or injured while out. It is also a good idea to keep a stash of emergency items in your home and in a back pack or other bag that you can carry with you.
It's a good idea to have contingencies. Contingencies are plans that will work if your usual plan fails. For example, plan alternate routes to get to work, several different ways to drive each of your friend's and family's homes. Have a spare of various absolute necessities in case one breaks.
Solar and Alternative Energy
Solar energy is also a very good idea. If you have any input at all in your place of residence, consider some sort of solar energy, even if it is simply an emergency back up system to run absolutely necessary items. There are other forms of alternative energy, including wind and methane, but unless you have the space that might be harder, and in most cases not as easy and economical to obtain.
Your teams
You should surround yourself with people you can depend on. Network with closer and more distant people... family, friends and acquaintances who are reliable. In most cases your core team is your family, or a very tight knit group of friends. I am not saying these folks have to all be survivalists, or all be psychic or all have some special talent, but you should encourage your closest people to be sensibly prepared. I don't mean going nuts on keeping seven years supply of food or anything like that but they should be in some way equipped to deal with things being different than usual.
Fitness
I know I need to get into shape and plan to work on it this summer. I have gotten physically lazy because I type all the time, and don't really move around a lot. I think fitness might be important increasingly over the next few years so try to work on it. Even a few months of regular exercise can make a world of difference in how we feel.
Anyway, I am mentioning this because there may be changes coming that impact our way of life. Even small temporary changes can be devastating if you aren't ready for them. Greater and more unexpected changes also need to be prepared for. Above all though, follow your instincts in unfamiliar situations. We all have great intuition here, so just listen to yourself a bit. Most problems people like us encounter can be dealt with well, even on the spur of the moment if we listen to our intuition.