Surviving the Plagues of the Last Days...

Recently I have heard of some latter-day saints who have said things to the effect of "I believe that the plagues of the last days aren't going to be sickness related...but like the plague of pornography". Another woman I was speaking with regarding plagues in the last days made a comment lightheartedly belittling how severe the plagues of the last days would be. In her mind it was as if the sickness would just be a passing flu. I mentioned the words of the prophets regarding the severity of the plagues to come and she stopped laughing and we shared an awkward moment of silence.

While I could agree that pornography is a "plague" and has been referred by the prophets as being such...and I can also agree that there will be passing sicknesses without substantial severity...it is a doctrinal fallacy to believe that there will not be physical plagues to come and in a severity not yet experienced by man. A casual study of the topic reveals that this is the truth.

An easy place to point to where this doctrine is made plain is in the Doctrine and Covenants 45:31 where the words of the Lord tell us speaking of last days events to come...

31 And there shall be men standing in that generation, that shall not pass until they shall see an overflowing scourge; for a desolating sickness shall cover the land.

So there will be a sickness or sicknesses...that make desolate. We don't often use that word...desolate. In this context it means uninhabited...deserted. Some would point to AIDS as being fulfillment of the prophecy...but I would ask..."Has AIDs made geographic areas without inhabitants?!!" The answer is of course a resounding NO.

Bruce R. McConkie stated...

“We can rest assured that if we have done all in our power to prepare for whatever lies ahead, he will then help us with whatever else we need.”
We do not say that all of the Saints will be spared and saved from the coming day of desolation. But we do say there is no promise of safety and no promise of security except for those who love the Lord and who are seeking to do all that he commands.” (Bruce R. McConkie “Stand Independent above All Other Creatures,” Ensign, May 1979, 92)

So what has the Lord commanded that we need to be obedient to...so that we can be worthy of his safety with regards to the coming plagues?

While I do not know for certain all of the answers...here are a few to consider.

Get Prepared

The Lord commands us to "prepare every needful thing" (D&C 109:8). A great place to start your education on what things you need to be prepared can be found by visiting the churches information on pandemic preparedness. There you can learn the basics on the "stuff" to have on hand...and the knowledge on what to do. We must prepare as if it all depends on us. We must not fall into the trap of expecting the Lord to save us from illness if we aren't doing all in our power to avoid it. For example...allowing someone with swine flu to sneeze into your face and saying "The Lord will protect me" is not a good idea. The Lord may dispatch you home early to give you a lesson on how we must make use of the means He has provided and that we "reap what we sow".

Stand in Holy Places

In the Doctrine and Covenants 45:31 the Lord first tells us of a sickness that makes desolate and then in verse 32 let's us know where his disciples will be while the wicked are dying...

32 But my disciples shall stand in holy places, and shall not be moved; but among the wicked, men shall lift up their voices and curse God and die.

Holy places may mean temple worship...it may mean your home...it could mean a place consecrated for safety...or something else.

Sabbath Observance

James E. Faust said...

"In this day of increasing access to and preoccupation with materialism, there is a sure protection for ourselves and our children against the plagues of our day. The key to that sure protection surprisingly can be found in Sabbath observance: “And that thou mayest more fully keep thyself unspotted from the world, thou shalt go to the house of prayer and offer up thy sacraments upon my holy day.” (D&C 59:9.)(James E. Faust, “The Lord’s Day,” Ensign, Nov 1991, 33)

While one could make the case that he was referring to only materialism as a plague...it is of interest that he used the word plague. This could have multiple meanings in this instance.
True sabbath observance could be a key...a commandment that if kept faithfully could serve as a protection from physical plague.

The Word of Wisdom

If you were to sit in a gospel doctrine class and discuss the word of wisdom. It is inevitably a can of worms...as the saints have all kinds of ideas with regards to what it's true observance means. Without getting into it...I will say that I believe that there is a big difference between how what I will call the "Mormon culture" practices the word of wisdom and how it is written and has been taught by the prophets.

In the final 4 verses of section 89 are some wonderful blessings for those that keep the law of health. I think many of us could rattle some of them off..."Run and not be weary...walk and not faint"..."wisdom and great treasures of knowledge"...etc. Then there is this final line...

21 "And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen."

I don't think that I have ever...in my life...had someone try to explain what that means! It is usually breezed over in our classes for a lack of knowledge.

Roger K. Young in a book called "Behold the Fig Tree" (pg. 116) states...

"The destroying angel is a reference to the angel that was sent by the Lord to kill the first born of the Egyptians and all of their beasts and even Israelites, who were not obedient to the counsel of the current living prophet, Moses."

That is merely a summary of Exodus of major points from chapters 11 and 12.

In Exodus 12:13 those that are obedient are promised that if they put the lambs blood over their doorway...that the destroying angel will pass them by...that the plague will not destroy them.

13 "And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt."

Brigham Young corroborated this doctrine that the observance of the law of health would serve as an antidote to last days plagues when he said...

"Every son and daughter in Israel should say, we will keep the "Word of Wisdom" independent of father, mother, or any elder of the church; we know what is right and we will do it. By so doing this people will increase in health in their systems, and the destroying angel, when he comes along, will pass them by. Will you take this course?" (JD, Vol.13, p. 2-3, April 7, 1869)

and this one...

"The Word of Wisdom...shadows to me that a time will come in the midst of this people when a desolating scourge will pass through through our ranks, and the destroying angel will be in our midst as he was in Egypt when he slew all the firstborn of the Egyptians. God says "The destroying angel shall pass by" and shall not harm you if you observe to do these things." (Brigham Young, Jr., JD Vol. 15, p. 193-195)

Cleansed from Iniquity Every Whit

3 Nephi 8:1 states...

1 "And now it came to pass that according to our record, and we know our record to be true, for behold, it was a just man who did keep the record—for he truly did many miracles in the name of Jesus; and there was not any man who could do a miracle in the name of Jesus save he were cleansed every whit from his iniquity—"

If one is to expect great miracles to happen...healings...deliverance...etc...we must be cleansed from iniquity every whit. Priesthood holders should ensure that their priesthood is in "good working order".

Lines of Communication Open

There has been a great stress these last few conferences on the importance of being able to receive revelation to get through the last days. Are you in tune enough with the spirit to be told "Don't go into that crowd of people without a face mask and eye shield"...and obey...even if people think you are a nut?! Will you listen if told to not let your child go to school? We need to turn off the noise of Babylon to listen to the Lord and receive His voice of safety. We need to study the words of the prophets to hear His words as well.

Now...while I do not know if this Swine flu will be one that will be one to turn out severe or not...I will say that it should serve as a wake up call to do all within our power to be prepared in the methods that the Lord has commanded. Do we really know how to protect ourselves from disease and are we ready to do so? Are we really standing in holy places?...Are we really observing the Sabbath? Are we really observing the Word of Wisdom as the Lord has commanded and not as our culture would persuade us to? Truthful answers to those questions will help you to know how prepared you are for the coming plagues.

Now...don't feel bad for too long if you aren't doing well in those areas...repent! Get to work to be prepared in these matters. Oh...and one more thing...I would really hesitate before I went out and got a flu shot of any kind. Make sure you know what is being injected into you and why!

Swine Flu Escalates...

Right now the news is a-buzz with the talk of the swine flu that is currently spreading in Mexico. Every day the death count has risen...and every day the measures taken to control it have become more severe. Currently, forced government quarantines are taking place.

The nations are no longer islands to themselves. International travel of people and products takes place daily that could carry such pestilence and spread it to unsuspecting victims. It is a danger that although not seen with the naked eye...is all too real. Mexico having such an outbreak is especially of alarm to the US who shares a common border and whose government does not enforce illegal immigration effectively.

Now may be a good time to review the churches information regarding pandemic preparedness and to gain the knowledge and supplies that may one day keep you and those you love from getting seriously ill or perhaps dying.

Since I typed this this morning...it apparently has spread to the US. Be prepared to baton down the hatches...

Schnitzer Flaker

Here is a product that you may not have heard of. It's called a "Schnitzer Flaker".

It is a durable little contraption made of wood and metal that pretty effortlessly "flakes" your whole grains into a width that you determine.

My family buys the whole oat groats in the bulk from various suppliers and then I put the groats into a bucket I buy for a dollar from a donut shop. A lid goes on the top until we are ready for our morning oatmeal or to add oats to our bread...I scoop a cup into the hopper on top of the flaker and we turn the crank and magically rolled oats drop out into our bowl. I say "magically" because many or most people have never seen the oat groat grain...and put together the fact that a rolled oat is merely a squished grain. I rarely have to roll my own as the kids love to do it. In fact...I have 3-5 year olds that will stay entertained rolling oats for as long as I will let them! If a child that young can do it...you certainly can and not break a sweat.

The value of having such a tool is that you can store a whole grain...that flaked fresh is healthier than eating stored rolled grains that have been processed. I believe that the flavor will be retained better as well over the long term.

Oatmeal flaked fresh has almost a milky quality to it and doesn't seem so dry and stale. Once you have supped on fresh oatmeal you may turn into an oatmeal snob...as there is no comparison between store bought rolled oats and homemade!

Schnitzer flakers are pricey. I got lucky and put "craigslist schnitzer" into a search engine and found a guy in New York willing to ship it to me! I was able to buy one for less than $100...I think he sold it to me for $70.

There are other products I know on the market (even made by Schnitzer) that combine both a grain mill and a flaker into one tool. Perhaps the one you currently have can flake?! There are also less expensive options out there if you look. The others I can't vouch for...but...if you go with the Schnitzer flaker...I expect it will outlast your mortal probation and increase the quality of your flaked grains experience!

New Food Crisis Looms...

Here is an article that I cut and pasted below. It is not some abstract speculative piece that points to potential events that could cause worldwide food shortages...but instead shows how economic, weather, and other conditions have already set in motion what could truly be a "food crisis" in the worlds near future. Such reports can serve to aid to motivate us to work harder with regards to our home storage and home production!

By MARTIN WALKER UPI Editor Emeritus WASHINGTON, April 6 (UPI) --

We tend to forget that the worldwide plunge into recession last year was the result of three separate phenomena that combined to breed disaster. The financial crisis was joined by a food crisis and a fuel crisis as the prices of food and energy soared, triggering food riots across the world.

And now there are ominous signs of another food crisis in the making this year, spurred in part by the ongoing credit crunch that has made it difficult for farmers to get loans.

"I think the world would like to focus on one crisis at a time, but we really can't afford to," warned Josette Sheeran, executive director of the U.N. World Food Program. Food supplies are tight and prices still high, she said, and more people in poor countries are unable to afford what they need because of the recession.

"These are not separate crises. The food crisis and the financial one are linking and compounding," she noted, adding that food shortages often trigger political instability. "I'm really putting out the warning that we're in an era now where supplies are still very tight, very low and very expensive."

Alarm bells are starting to ring about another food crisis this summer. Last week's acreage report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture found that 7 million fewer acres were being planted for all crops. This came after the USDA's January report that noted that winter wheat acreage was down 7 percent.

This means lower output from the United States, the world's top food producer, at a time when world stocks are already low, and farmers are blaming the difficulty in getting credit and the high costs of key inputs like fertilizer.

Mother Nature is making things worse, with the worst drought in almost 70 years hitting northern China and devastating the winter wheat crop. More than 200 million acres in China's top six grain-producing provinces have been hit, and yields are down by as much as 40 percent.

The problem is not just hitting grains. With world soybean stocks 9 percent lower than they were this time last year, a further drought in Latin America is a new concern. Yields in southern Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina are also running at 40 percent of last year's levels. All this is triggering concern in the markets, where analysts are warning that price hikes are looming, and the speculators coming into the market could drive prices even higher.

"It's my opinion that producers feeding livestock need to protect against a possible sharp rise in corn prices," said Dennis Smith, a food-price specialist at Archer Financial Services. "This trade idea would also apply to a speculator looking to profit from a sharp move upward in the corn prices as well."

Smith also factors in the prospect of biofuels distorting the markets again, as they did last year when high oil prices triggered a demand for biofuels like ethanol, which sent crop prices higher. "What happens if crude oil prices continue to move higher and ethanol margins expand?" Smith asked.

Sheeran, whose World Food Program stands between the world's poor and starvation, said she will need about $6 billion this year for food aid, which feeds about 100 million of the world's poorest people in 77 countries. That is slightly more than she raised last year, when food riots erupted across Asia and the Middle East. As of March, donor countries had pledged less than 10 percent of the sums required, or $453 million, mostly thanks to $172 million from the United States and $129 million from Japan.

The one relatively bright spot is in rice, where stocks are relatively high. But concern is rising across Asia. Arthur Yap, agriculture secretary for the Philippines, has warned the United Nations that he fears his country will not be able to secure enough food this year. And Ralph Hautman, the Asia Pacific marketing and global finance officer for the Food and Agriculture Organization, warned last week that the credit crunch is pressuring farmers to reduce the amount of land they cultivate.

"If farmers or agriculture producers have less access to credit, they are less likely to buy a lot of new seeds and fertilizers, and they're also less likely to expand their production areas," Hautman said. "Then there would be less agriculture production. This is the concern. The lower production of food crops caused by the lower availability of credit may lead to lower food stocks and shortages."

This is precisely what has happened in Brazil, where farmers encouraged by last year's high food prices borrowed money to put more acreage under cultivation and buy new farming equipment, only to face bankruptcy when the squeezed banks called in the loans and foreclosed on their farms and tractors.

Part of the problem is underproduction in some parts of the world, where for various reasons of national planning and priorities, farmers are not free to respond to market signals. This is particularly acute in Russia; analysts at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development noted that 16 percent of the world's arable land is in Russia, but it produces only 6 percent of the world's food because of a shortage of both public and private investment.

Cheese Wax Will Save Us All...

As I have put together my families food storage I have wondered how to fill what would be a HUGE gap in our everyday diet. That product that if lost that would greatly be mourned is...CHEESE!! We consume a lot of cheese. Grilled cheese, cheese cubes on chili, cheese and crackers, burritoes...etc...etc... The thought of cheesy enchiladas...steaming warm...and dripping with cheddar cheese...ahhhh...heaven on earth! I would go through withdrawals like a drug addict...if cheese were no longer available to me.

I have looked into the cheese powder...but...it just isn't the same. Who wants to put a slobber of macaroni and cheese powder on a piece of bread?!! I have investigated canned cheese...but it is expensive...and I have heard some really bad reviews...saying it can taste like fish. Spray cheese is hardly cheese at all in my opinion...and could probably embalm a dead person with all of the weird chemicals that are in it. Having a milk cow or a goat requires work, room, money, and time. So what then!!?

I was just introduced to a blog called preparedness pro. I share many beliefs with the person who puts that blog together. On that blog there is an article called "Cheese Wax Will Save Us All". The article outlines how you can take most any cheese...and put wax on it to store it for years...or even decades!!!! I am sooo excited to try this!! Preparedness minded real cheese lovers can sleep easy tonight.

Know that if your supply of stored cheese runs out...you can also make cheese from powdered milk.

5 Methods of Heat Loss...

When I say my prayers at night...I often say "I am thankful for this warm...dry bed". It is never a vain repetition because I say it with complete sincerity every time. All it takes to get my mind to that place of gratitude is a moment of thinking back to a snow campout I went on as a Boy Scout in my youth.

The short story is...I went on a snow campout with the only camping gear I had...which was rated for the summer. We played in the snow until we were cold and wet and then made our snow shelter when it got dark. I slept in a summer sleeping bag directly on the snow...in the entrance to the shelter where the cold air spilled in. I didn't sleep all night...I just shook...and prayed for the morning. Now...if half conscious delirium counts for sleep...I did do that.

When morning finally came...my hands were so frozen that I couldn't grab the tab on a cup-a-soup to open it. I'm sure that I was on the cusp of hypothermia. When we left...I found some relief in the comfort of the cab of a van with the heater on.

Then when I arrived at my home...I had never been so grateful for a warm shower (that was painful)...and then a warm...dry bed.

Looking back at that experience...knowing what I know now...I didn't have to be that miserable. I was losing body heat through all 5 methods that one can!! By limiting the ways that I was losing the heat...I could have had a much more bearable night.

Ron Hood is a survival educator that I follow. I have watched many of his videos and have learned much. In this video he educates on the 5 methods of heat loss. One might say..."But I don't really go camping much so it doesn't apply to me"...but this isn't just for camping...it's for staying warm anytime. This is a great thing to know if you are driven from your home because of a disaster. People in crisis situations often think that the first thing to do is to look for food....but you can die a whole lot faster from exposure (hot or cold) than going without food.

I sometimes quiz my children on these 5 methods while they eat their breakfast in the morning! That may sound nuts...but hey...maybe it will one day save their lives...or lessen their suffering...or the suffering of someone they teach it to. Heck...I sure would have appreciated this info from a Scout leader...or someone!! Take the time to learn the 5 heat loss methods...it may save your life. (The next step is to learn how to make an emergency shelter)

The 5000 Year Leap

Recently I saw where political talk show host Glenn Beck had been recommending the book "The 5,000 Year Leap" by Cleon Skousen. I can't begin to tell you how pleased I am to hear that at least in part...his recommendation has made that book a bestseller on Amazon.

I consider that book a must read for every American. It is a book that in very easy to understand language...paints a picture of what constitutional government is supposed to look like. It takes volumes of constitutional law...and the often easily misunderstood language of our founders and breaks it down to the understanding of the common man. One really comes to catch a glimpse of the greatness of those founders as you read their words and see how timeless their wisdom can be.

The 5,000 Year Leap is a book that if studied, understood, and remembered will serve as a tool to help the possessor of that knowledge to see through the sophistry of the scheming leaders of our day. When a sharp dressed and well spoken politician stands at a podium and delivers a deceitful speech that tears at every ones heart strings...and they cheer in excitement....you will stand like an alien in their midst...mourning that Americans are destroying America...because you know something that most don't...what the principles of government are that are required to retain the freedoms we still enjoy and to reclaim the many we have lost...and that they with enthusiasm...are applauding the the ruin of our country.

As Marion G. Romney said in General Conference, October 1960...

"It is not enough for us to be sincere in what we support. We must be right"

In the book you will come to understand to some degree why the founders supported a non-interventionist foreign policy, why a new world order is a really bad idea, how the US is supposed to be a Republic and not a Democracy...and so on. All topics of education that are sorely needed by our public.

If you really want an in depth education...above and beyond just reading the book...you may want to do as I did years back. I purchased part one and two of a constitutional study course from the from the National Center for Constitutional Studies years ago...and I think it was like $400 for the course!!! It is now $150 for the two courses!! (DVD's don't cost as much now?!) Those courses are superb. It covers "the 5,000 Year Leap" and "The Making of America; The Substance and Meaning of the Constitution". The latter title breaks down just as the title suggests...the "subtance and meaning of the constitution"...and is a great next step after studying the 5,000 year leap.

Now...let me tell you...it is a lecture in a classroom...with a workbook. If you require lots of singing and dancing to keep you awake...this is not for you. Let me tell you though...he BRINGS IT TO LIFE!...and gives a lot of ancillary information that fleshes out more of the history surrounding the topics covered in the books. Actually I take that back. Even if you require singing and dancing...understand that the DVD's are broken up into a series of classes that cover sections at a time. You can watch what you can handle in a sitting and then come back later for more...after you watch your singing show.

That great and wise American, Thomas Jefferson, warned us of the danger of conferring unwarranted power upon our government administrators in these sobering words:

". . . Our Constitution has accordingly fixed the limits to which, and no further, our confidence may go. . . . In questions of power, then, let not more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution." ("A Race Against Time" 5; also in TL 65)

Let's be wise and be PREPARED to do bind our political officers down by "the chains of the constitution".

Why Whole Wheat Flour?

I have wanted for some time to do an article on the doctrinal importance of the grain wheat. The prophets have long specifically named wheat as a grain of high importance. While I won't get into it too deeply now...here are a few quotes that prove that point...

In a talk called "Prepare Ye" by Ezra Taft Benson...he touched on some of the doctrinal importance of wheat. The following 3 quotes are from that talk...

"“There is more salvation and security in wheat, than in all the political schemes of the world. …” (Elder Orson Hyde, JD, vol. 2, p. 207.)

"As to the foodstuffs which should be stored, the Church has left that decision primarily to the individual members. Some excellent suggestions are available from the Church Welfare Committee. “All grain is good for the food of man …” (D&C 89:16) the Lord states, but he particularly singles out wheat. Dry, whole, hard grains, when stored properly, can last indefinitely, and their nutritional value can be enhanced through sprouting, if desired."

"From the standpoint of food production, storage, handling, and the Lord’s counsel, wheat should have high priority."

Here is a prophecy of a time when wheat will be of great value...(more than what it currently sells for at the family canning center!)

“The time will come that gold will hold no comparison in value to a bushel of wheat.” (Brigham Young, in Journal of Discourses, vol. 1, p. 250, 1943 ed., p. 29

He did not say "The time will come that gold will hold no comparison in value to a bushel of grain." No...he specifically named wheat. If you go back and read the prophets words regarding storing food...take note how often they specifically name wheat.

I have heard people say things like "I don't store wheat...it's too hard on your stomach"....or "Some people are allergic to wheat...so I just store rice". While there may be actual medical reasons why some people can't eat wheat...for most...it would be wise to incorporate more wheat into their diet...for health and to be prepared.

A good friend just put a newsletter together on the value of whole wheat flour. IT IS AWESOME! Check it out at here. I especially love his graph on page 3 that breaks down how nutritionally superior whole wheat flour is!! Well done.

My Garden...The Garden...The Gardening Workshop...

A friend asked me "How's the garden". It took me off guard because I have three garden related things going on at the same time.

First...I am really excited about my garden. A friend of mine who worked on a Biodynamic (kind of like organic) farm has been coming over to help me maximize our production this season. It's amazing how having some extra hands helping you can make things happen so much faster. A few of my unfinished gardening projects from last season will be completed and my goal is to have food that can feed my family...growing EVERYWHERE!

Second....I am in a stake musical production called "The Garden". It's an allegorical musical about the Savior's atonement. My character is a "Millstone"...and I sing some really high...and really low notes...and wear a fancy costume. It will be a great program to invite people out to...especially with it's Eastery theme. It will be at 7:30pm on Friday April 10th and Saturday April 11th at the Citrus Heights Stake Center at 7009 Van Maren Lane.

Third...for my calling in church...I have organized (with others help) a community gardening workshop that will be on May 9th from 10am-2pm at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 8056 Oak Avenue in Citrus Heights. Booths will be open on a variety of gardening and a few on other preparedness topics...during that whole time. Various classes will also be going on in the classrooms around the building. I have apprehensions about writing the details as it is early enough that things may change...but as of right now this is the schedule...

Growing More Food in Less Space - Container and Square Foot Gardening - Paula Eckern - 10:30, 11:00, 11:30

Creating a Thriving Garden in a Drought - Healthy, Happy plants with less water - San Juan Water District - Barbara Leatham - 10:30, 11:00, 11:30

A 4 Season Harvest - Growing Food Year Round - What to plant and when to plant it - Alison Harris - Peas and Harmony - 10:30, 11:00, 11:30

From Acorns to Lawn Weeds - Identifying and Eating Wild Foods - Stephen Nix - 12:30, 1:00, 1:30

From Seed to Harvest - The Basics of Gardening - Bob Clegg - 12:30, 1:00, 1:30

Soils, Companion Planting, Plants That Repel Pests - Jan Cox - 12:30, 1:00, 1:30

I expect at least 1,000 people in attendance at this event! It is going to be awesome!!

A Bath in a Box...

Years ago now I was at a multi-stake Boy Scout event called the "Son's of Liberty Encampment". Day after day the air was thick with dust that was being kicked up by 1000's of active Boy Scout feet as we baked in the hot summer sun. Although we were having fun on many levels...physically...we were miserable. The sun was draining us of energy...and we were filthy. We were all trying to become accustomed to or avoid each others stink and looked like Pig-pen from Peanuts.

The only water we had...we had brought in...and had stored it in a couple of 55 gallon drums. It was only to be used for drinking and to cook with. Not a drop was to be wasted. A bunch of boys loosely bathing themselves...dripping our life giving water....our precious beyond all worldly riches water...onto the ground was not an option.

We lay as a troop under a tarp tent in the hot shade festering in our grime when one Scout who had the foresight to bring a package of disposable baby wipes....brought them out. At first some of the boys scoffed at him...that he had a baby product in his supplies. But when they saw him wipe off the first layer of dirt from his face...with one wipe...and then actually get clean with a second wipe...they were all lining up wanting wipes. I too got in that line. Everyone frantically wiped down hands and feet...legs...everywhere. There was an audible sigh of relief from everyone as they became clean.

How long have you ever gone without a shower or bath? If you are accustomed to regularly bathing...just going for a few days can make you feel really gross.

Now what if you are unable to bathe for lack of a source of water...AND are in a dirty...sweaty environment like we were? Then how will you get clean?

When a disaster happens...and you are under great stress...being physically dirty can make an otherwise manageable challenge into a physical and mental hell. There is something that is so psychologically distressing about feeling grimy...and psychologically relieving about becoming clean.

A simple washcloth on which to put a little water on and wipe yourself down is a great thing to have. It can be reused many many times. Of course...after it get's too dirty...you will need to rinse it out...which will take more water.

In a preparedness video by Jim Phillips he talks about how he went for a month just wiping himself with baby wipes in lieu of taking a shower. He said that he felt fresh and clean. While that may sound extreme...in a severe drought situation (for example)...where you are relying on a meager portion of water to live on...you may wish you had baby wipes to bathe with! Hopefully you had the foresight to store them.

Now...just a bit on kinds of baby wipes. Understand that there are baby wipes that have really long ingredient lists. All kinds of chemicals that are aimed at making them smell fancy and keep really long. While the longer shelf life may be nice...just understand that you are rubbing a chemical on your skin that could be unhealthy for you.

I have never seen baby wipes go rancid...but I have seen them go dry. In that instance they need a little water to rejuvenate them.

While I do know that you can make your own baby wipes...and that may be a desirable skill to have in your efforts to be self reliant...but that takes time...and the product you make may not store as well as the store-bought. The cost is so reasonable that it shouldn't be a big investment to get a large box of baby wipes. We picked up a box of 704 Kirkland brand wipes from Costco for $16. That is a whole lot of bathing for the money.

If you are concerned about the rotation of the baby wipes...you shouldn't be. My guess is that you are invited to a baby shower several times a year. Ta-da! You already have a present!!! Then you just replenish your supply the next time you shop. And trust me...as the father of 4...baby wipes WILL be used...and appreciated.

Depression Cooking With Clara...

I have often heard how in other cultures the elderly are held in really high regard. Where in the US...many of our elderly would be disregarded as being "out of touch" with the modern times...reportedly the elderly in many other cultures are listened to intently in an attempt to catch some of the crumbs of the great wisdom they possess.

When thinking on how we treat the elderly in the US I couldn't help but think of the words of Lloyd Christmas who said...

"You know, the elderly, although slow, and dangerous behind the wheel, can serve a purpose."

We should strive to have a better appreciation of our elderly than much of our culture...and that of Lloyd Christmas. We would do well to listen intently to learn the skills and attitudes that may get us through similar living conditions to that of which they lived through.

Here is a wonderfully warm elderly woman who is imparting wisdom that may be of great value to you. She has a variety of videos posted on youtube.

This is a description cut and pasted from youtube...

"91 year old cook and great grandmother, Clara, recounts her childhood during the Great Depression as she prepares meals from the era. Learn how to make simple yet delicious dishes while listening to stories from the Depression."

Enjoy your time with grandma.

Everyday Food Storage...

If you haven't ever checked out what they are doing over at everydayfoodstorage.net...you should take the time to check it out. They consistently have great ideas for recipes to make food storage more palatable. They also have great resources for 3 month supply planning...shelving ideas...etc..etc... I also like all of the comments from people who have tried the recipes and advice. They really take a lot of time to make it attractive to the eye as well. A great resource.

Some Cash in Your Pocket...

My sister was telling me of how she recently was at Costco getting some groceries. When she was ready to check out...she found that the lines were really...really long (I'm sure that is hard to imagine!:)) What was happening is that there was some problem where the credit card terminal system was down and they couldn't accept credit cards of any sort. The only way to pay for groceries was going to be cash or check. My sister had neither. She said how people were distressed wondering how they were going to pay for their groceries. Luckily for my sister and many other people who were there...one register became able to somehow take card transactions...and so by standing in a really long line...they could all get their groceries.

Many preparedness circles would say to have some cash on hand in case of emergency. I would agree that this is a good plan. We cannot expect that the electronic machines will always be up and running to take our cards and to dispense the cash we need. Having some change for phone calls and small bills for making purchases is usually their advice. The rationale for having small bills is generally that larger bills may not be able to be broken and you could pay more for something than you need to.

The church has also recommended "cash savings"....

"We encourage families to have on hand this year's supply and we say it over and over and over, and repeat over and over the scripture of the Lord where He says, `Why call ye me, Lord, and do not as I say?'... We also hope that you are maintaining your year's supply of food, clothing, and where possible, some fuel and cash savings." President Spencer W. Kimball: GC April 1976.

I was recently stopped at church and asked for advice on how much cash someone should have on hand. It is not a question really for me to answer. It must be decided by the individual based on their situation and beliefs. The questions I have back are these...

1. In an emergency...what could you want to buy...in what quantity...and how much would it cost?

2. What do you think the value of the dollar will be during the emergency? Will the price of the supply you need remain the same that you are accustomed to...or could it go up in price?

3. What is the severity of the emergency you are preparing for? Will it be like my sisters experience at Costco...or will it be a full blown loss of all infrastructure?

4. Would that money be put to better use paying off a bill or other worthwhile place...or to be put in storage for that rainy day?

5. How much money do you want to have in what place? How much for your wallet or purse? How much for your safe? Your office? Your bug out bags? Other?

The answers to these questions should help you to decide the size of the denominations...and quantity. It is not as easy as saying "Yeah...have only small bills...and this amount"...because it should vary based upon a persons situation. You may need to have on hand large or small bills based upon your needs...so the blanket advice to have only small bills is in my opinion not always applicable.

If you feel like you have all of the items of "intrinsic value" that you need and that you don't plan on needing anything else...then I would think that you shouldn't need a lot of cash....the value of which may be destroyed through inflation.

As President J. Reuben Clark said...

“… when we really get into hard times, where food is scarce or there is none at all, and so with clothing and shelter, money may be no good for there may be nothing to buy, and you cannot eat money, you cannot get enough of it together to burn to keep warm, and you cannot wear it.” (Church News, November 21, 1953, p. 4.)

It should be understood when storing cash that if the disaster is severe enough...money may only be good until people realise that it no longer has any value...and discontinue trading goods and services for it. Then people will only want the things that money can buy when it has worth...the actual clothing...food...and fuel. The effects of hyperinflation can quickly turn the cash "rich" people into paupers...and those that have items of intrinsic value into the "rich" people.

I wish you the best in your decision!

Wild Mustard...

Here is a photo taken in West Sacramento. It is a familiar sight in the fields all around the Sacramento Valley this time of year. Every spring when it comes around...my thoughts rush back to boyhood days running through fields around my home in Elk Grove. I can recall an outing back in kindergarten when we all went into a field and collected the flowers like are seen in the photo...to be put into our lunch. I have reflected on that experience many times since and wondered what in the world we were doing...if somehow I had misremembered the experience! It turns out that this blanket of cheery yellow flowers is created by mustard plants....and that the whole plant is edible...so my memory makes sense!

If you have lived in America for any length of time you should be familiar with mustard...the condiment...that comes from the mustard seed. (You put it on your hot dog)...But if you were born and raised in the West you may have never eaten the greens that come from that plant. When I lived in Louisiana and Mississippi 15 or so years ago...people ate them as a staple in their diet. They were never eaten raw...only boiled down to a pile of soggy greens. Often theirs would be flavored with bacon grease...which makes many of our CA women in their jogging suits and nicely highlighted hair reel in terror...and many of the people in the south lick their chops!

Some mustard greens...domestic or wild...can have a really strong hot mustard flavor. I can recall eating a bite from a really tall Mustard plant at the invitation of a farmer and it LIT my mouth up. He was really proud of how spicy his variety was! Due to this fact...some people will add other greens like Collard greens to take the edge off of the spiciness.

Here this foraging expert adds other weed greens to take the edge off the the mustard flavor in his salad.

Here Bear Grylls eats a little Wild Mustard and talks about a few health benefits.

Over the last several weeks I identified two different varieties of Wild Mustard. One had more of a spear shaped leaf...it was smooth...and it tasted almost broccoli like. I just sampled some raw...it was good. The stem was pretty woody and would have to be boiled to be eaten.

This evening I went out and collected a handful of another variety of Wild Mustard greens. The leaves on this variety were much larger and rounded...and had a more hairy feel. It wasn't the most pleasant texture to have in your mouth raw...but after it was boiled it had a much more pleasant texture. I boiled them as Green Deane describes in this video. Instead of adding oils and things as he did...I put some salt and pepper...and some butter on it. It was good!...not spicy in the least. That video also discusses that "all mustards are edible"...and mentions some identification points.

Definitely Wild Mustards are a family of plants to have in your arsenal of survival...frugal living...healthy living plants.

Variety is the Spice of Life...

The diet of most Americans is pretty rich in flavor. If we were to be transplanted into one of the many countries that live on a diet of plain beans and rice...many of us would go nuts!...and yet...that is what many of us have stored in our long term storage...and plan on living on when times get hard. It is a good idea to figure out some ways now that can add variety to basic food dishes...to avoid becoming sick of eating the same thing over and over again. A great place to start is by taking an inventory of what is in your spice collection. Do you have a good supply of the basics like salt...and pepper? Do you have things that will taste good in sweets like cinnamon? Are your containers actually full? Are the spices still good!!? It is so easy to think...."Yeah...I've got good spices..." and yet they have become tasteless and gross with age. That spice you picked up a few months ago for that fancy cake...wasn't really a few months ago....it was years ago!!

It really is incredible what some good herbs and spices can do...to make even the plainest of meals more appetizing.

Back in High School I discovered something called "Spike" seasoning. As an unlearned in the ways of cooking teen I figured out how to make Top Ramen...and also discovered it tasted better with Spike on it. I graduated to egg noodles with a bit of butter...topped off with Spike. Yum! Nowadays I put it in soups...on meat...etc...etc. It really is an all purpose seasoning.

Spike's Seasoning Ingredients:

Salt and sea salt crystals, special high flavor yeast, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, mellow toasted onion, onion powder, orange powder, soy flour, celery leaf powder, celery root powder, garlic powder, dill, kelp, Indian curry, horseradish, ripe white pepper, orange and lemon peel, summer savory, mustard flower, sweet green and red peppers, parsley flakes, tarragon, rosehips, saffron, mushroom powder, parsley powder, spinach powder, tomato powder, sweet Hungarian paprika, celery powder, cayenne pepper, plus a delightful herbal bouquet of the best Greek oregano, French sweet basil, French marjoram, French rosemary, and Spanish thyme.

I like the little bottle that Spike comes in...because you can remove the lid...and refill it with the larger Spike box...to save money. I have multiple bottles of Spike in my storage...and even have one in my "bug out bag". Spike is available at many local grocery stores in the spice aisle.

Another thing to consider with regards to seasonings is to buy from Winco...or some other bulk bin shopping outlet. There can be a substantial savings when you buy seasonings without the fancy packaging...and put it into your own at home. You also avoid paying for the name brand as well.