Prep Genrl Any one else ramping up their preps as the war news gets worse?

[seraphima]

I am having a hard time not ramping up preps based on news from the past couple of days. I am reminding myself this has been a lifestyle and not to overreact. That being said, I am double and triple checking my “lists” to check for holes.

Yes, me too! Prepping can be kind of like eating when anxious, or just the normal sensible thing to do. The kinds of news we've been getting have triggered my anxiety button.
Recent purchases have incuded a hot water bottle (where the heck did the old one go?? and- its non electric) and an Aqua Bob. (Really don't want to carry a lot of water up the outside stairs in the snow.)

 

[Meemur]

I'm putting off buying the rest of my storage gas as long as I can, but as I wrote elsewhere, if Putin is dead, I'll go that care of that immediately. I'll also go buy the rest of the holiday baking supplies and such. I already have enough to make pies if there's a run on the stores.

 

[rob0126]

Ordered some lube for my bb pump gun to keep it reliable

 

[AlaskaSue]

I'm canning up more rhubarb applesauce and using other stuff out of the freezer. Cut and dried a whole dryer full of kale chips today. The blessed plumber finished fixing the sink and i did laundry and cleaning. Christmas gifts ordered in Prime Days are arriving and being stowed. Time to batten down the hatches!
What are you doing? This situation in the Middle East is going sideways...

Step-mom told me last night she’s trying to get everything set for The Crash as she called it. She is 78 and lives alone out on Bells Flats - but has a great support system there, including her lovely church. I bet you guys bump into each other at Safeway!

Bless you my friend, and thank you for this timely thread.

 

[CnMO]

After Chewy and 9 other companies got in trouble for selling fish meds. you better buy Now.
can be seen in the BS place under the Pnuemonia thread. * thread got alittle off track with this new info.

 

[AlaskaSue]

Say, Seraphima…I lost the seeds and transplants you’d given me after 2018 disaster…I’ll be back next summer and hope you have some to share again. I am so incredibly blessed to know you…,everyone on TB2K should pay attention, dear Sister! I’ll be down on the Tusty next spring and can’t wait to see you! Please let me know what you want from the mainland…it’s on me dear one. I love you…but God loves you more.

 

[moldy]

Random thought going thru my head..... what if this happened at Burning Man or a Taylor Swift concert? How would that change what you do? Rhetorical question - don't answer. I know for me, that would mean seriously consolidating freezers, getting up black out curtains, locking things up even tighter. Maybe going around to the neighbors and having a confab.

 

[33dInd]

Yep
Got the deyhydator up and running
Built so new shelves to stow the product on

 

[Kewpie]

As far as cash goes? No, I’m not putting cash into preps. Short term CDs are paying fairly decently and since we’re putting off our build a bit longer, I’ve got those funds set up in a ladder CD. It’s only about 1,000 every other month or so, but better than letting it sit there and do nothing, or worse, we spend it.

Otherwise, it’s just working on our property. I learned from the elderly lady who used to live here that her FIL swore a specific part of the property was the most fertile, so we put in a new water pump and have added cardboard, mulch, and compost all winter to prep that area for some real planting. My ‘forage crop’ experiment (just chaos gardening in a pasture, really) went gangbusters and I had amaranth and sorghum out my ears this last fall, so I’m planning on doing it again and actually harvesting it rather than letting the animals have it. Made some new beef/pork connections, so just working with those people to refill my empty freezers.

 

[rob0126]

Buying what we can when funds are available. But not worried. Whatever we have when the music stops is all that we need. The Lord God supplies the rest.

 

[Illini Warrior]

unless the priority changes - the Navy is deploying 5 of the supercarriers to the Pacific to confront the Chinese threat - Taiwan is having national elections and China is of course throwing threats left & right >>>>

could be a good logical move - could also be the opportunity to harass China and get the confrontation Biden & Company needs for the 2024 US elections >>>> time will tell

having that kind of military power in the Pacific hasn't been seen since 1945 and the war end .......

 

[anna43]

unless the priority changes - the Navy is deploying 5 of the supercarriers to the Pacific to confront the Chinese threat - Taiwan is having national elections and China is of course throwing threats left & right >>>>

could be a good logical move - could also be the opportunity to harass China and get the confrontation Biden & Company needs for the 2024 US elections >>>> time will tell

having that kind of military power in the Pacific hasn't been seen since 1945 and the war end .......

With all the war threats in the Middle East and now China, I can't help but wonder how much of our military is in this country to protect us. Ten million unknown invaders and more each day coming across our southern border seem more important to stop than Ukraine or other hot spots. We do not need to be the world's police and we do not need to be sending billions of dollars overseas.

I'm not doing any extra prepping at this point as I don't know what I could do beyond what is already done. Praying more for the country and return to sanity in government. I guess canning meat from the freezer could be considered a prep, but I just wanted the space in the freezer. Guess I could consider it both. I haven't shopped since 1/28/24 and with the snow forecast probably won't shop again this week.

 

[nomifyle]

still no

 

[Meemur]

I'm working the plan at this point:

- I have hauled mulch and aged manure to both the community garden and added it to the new sections of my house raised beds, and I have purchased some additional seeds, some of which will be vacuum packed and put into storage, while most of the older seeds will be planted.

- Materials for several new bins for storing veggies have been purchased. I'll assemble those in time. That can be done with hand tools.

- I've reached out for either additional space and/or a bushel of corn (and additional potatoes if we have a bad year). Yes, I'm lazy! I try to avoid growing corn myself. It depletes the soil quickly in my little plots and is a general pain in the rear. I'd rather grow mainly root vegetables and trade/sell those for some corn, which I blanch and freeze.

(Yes, I'm aware of the "3 sisters" for amino acids. There will be a good supply of corn, beans, and squash in my pantry bins/freezer this fall, God willing!)

- I refreshed an aged strawberry bed and will plant a new one, too. That will be freezer jam in June. I'm also taking an extra seasonal job soon, and a portion of that money is ear-marked for purchasing berry bushes (3 year old plants) or I will go take cuttings if that falls through.

- I've also reached out for rain barrels. If that falls through, I have alternative plans for additional water capture and containment (for watering).

- Other related survival projects are ongoing, including daily exercise (mainly walks and some light free-weight training), shooting practice, and "socializing" (an attempt to build a stronger social network or at least increase trading partners). Added: this is not dating! However, I'm keeping my eyes open for other singles for labor exchanges. I'm aware my reliable people in this category are lacking.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

We're still not doing anything differently than we've been doing all along. Just trying to maintain what we already have, and no plans to do anything differently. We've done all we're able to do to, and we'll depend on God for the rest. Only He knows what our future holds.

 

[hd5574]

Still add a can or two or something each time I go to the store...plus always look for new things to try.....been adding more OTC vitamins, herbs, supplement...to stay healthy
.since the hack of the pharmacies processing system last week ....appears that there are still a lot of problems getting rx ....lots of majors are involved... United health, CVS, the military.... hope for needing it resolved quickly....
So greatful to God we have no rx....

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Still add a can or two or something each time I go to the store...plus always look for new things to try.....been adding more OTC vitamins, herbs, supplement...to stay healthy
.since the hack of the pharmacies processing system last week ....appears that there are still a lot of problems getting rx ....lots of majors are involved... United health, CVS, the military.... hope for needing it resolved quickly....
So greatful to God we have no rx....

One new thing I have started, since that attack on the pharmacies. I'm doing my own research on any and all vitamins, supplements, and OTC meds that might be able to be used in the event some of our prescription drugs are no longer available, including All Day Chemist that so many rely on.

 

[hd5574]

There are a couple of books ... available on Amazon on vitamin D3 that are truly amazing.. they were written by Jeff T. Bowles...will worth the price..of admission as they say...D3 is pretty much anti everything..:-)

I turned 77 last year, DH is nearly 71,a cousin in AZ is nearly 75 and all of us are on no meds and healthy..the cousin has gotten off the ones she was taking after getting his books .. a different cousin was desperately ill with C-19... tested positive and all that... basically on her way to the hospital..her daughters gave her massive doses of D3...after two days she had rapid improvement...yep it was that easy ..she totally recovered...


it is eye opening..what D3 does for the body... when you were a kid playing out side without sun screen.... you made 20,000 iu out on your skin in 30 minutes...
I played for hours so guess I was way over dosed..lol..

I don't even know what the govt recommends any more..or care..we all just take lots...when I think about it I feel sad for all the people who listen to them..

 

[nomifyle]

There are a couple of books ... available on Amazon on vitamin D3 that are truly amazing.. they were written by Jeff T. Bowles...will worth the price..of admission as they say...D3 is pretty much anti everything..:-)

I turned 77 last year, DH is nearly 71,a cousin in AZ is nearly 75 and all of us are on no meds and healthy..the cousin has gotten off the ones she was taking after getting his books .. a different cousin was desperately ill with C-19... tested positive and all that... basically on her way to the hospital..her daughters gave her massive doses of D3...after two days she had rapid improvement...yep it was that easy ..she totally recovered...


it is eye opening..what D3 does for the body... when you were a kid playing out side without sun screen.... you made 20,000 iu out on your skin in 30 minutes...
I played for hours so guess I was way over dosed..lol..

I don't even know what the govt recommends any more..or care..we all just take lots...when I think about it I feel sad for all the people who listen to them..

Thanks for recommendation on Jeff Bowles, I got three on Kindle unlimited.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

There are a couple of books ... available on Amazon on vitamin D3 that are truly amazing.. they were written by Jeff T. Bowles...will worth the price..of admission as they say...D3 is pretty much anti everything..:-)

I turned 77 last year, DH is nearly 71,a cousin in AZ is nearly 75 and all of us are on no meds and healthy..the cousin has gotten off the ones she was taking after getting his books .. a different cousin was desperately ill with C-19... tested positive and all that... basically on her way to the hospital..her daughters gave her massive doses of D3...after two days she had rapid improvement...yep it was that easy ..she totally recovered...


it is eye opening..what D3 does for the body... when you were a kid playing out side without sun screen.... you made 20,000 iu out on your skin in 30 minutes...
I played for hours so guess I was way over dosed..lol..

I don't even know what the govt recommends any more..or care..we all just take lots...when I think about it I feel sad for all the people who listen to them..

We have been taking extra amounts of D3 for several years. I can't have too much direct sunlight, so I take even more. Garlique is what I'm taking for high BP, and it's got me off my meds, but it's not working for Cary. I'm going to be trying CoQ10 plus Garlique for him. It's a work in progress.

 

[anna43]

I don't even know what the govt recommends any more..or care..we all just take lots...when I think about it I feel sad for all the people who listen to them..

The only issue with supplements is to be sure overdosing does not cause damage to organs especially kidney or liver. Some excess the body removes in urine and causes no problems (other than wasting your $'s). A friend wanted the vitamins in carrots and ate so many that her skin turned orange. I figured that could not be good for her. If you're knowledgeable about side effects, you should be able to use supplements safely. I'd want to know the qualifications of the author of any books on the subject. So far, I'm sticking to supplements doctor recommended plus a daily multivitamin.

If any of you have your regularly used RX on automatic refill, you might try doing the refill a week to 10 days ahead of the automatic refill. Over time you can build up a surplus doing this. My pharmacy refills when according to their records you have two days supply left. My insurance company will allow a week to 10 days before that so I am not using the automatic refill anymore. If the refill date the pharmacy uses falls on a Friday and since they are closed on Saturday and Sunday and last week Monday was a holiday, I would have been two days without pills. I wouldn't have been without since I've managed to stockpile a reserve.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

The only issue with supplements is to be sure overdosing does not cause damage to organs especially kidney or liver. Some excess the body removes in urine and causes no problems (other than wasting your $'s). A friend wanted the vitamins in carrots and ate so many that her skin turned orange. I figured that could not be good for her. If you're knowledgeable about side effects, you should be able to use supplements safely. I'd want to know the qualifications of the author of any books on the subject. So far, I'm sticking to supplements doctor recommended plus a daily multivitamin.

If any of you have your regularly used RX on automatic refill, you might try doing the refill a week to 10 days ahead of the automatic refill. Over time you can build up a surplus doing this. My pharmacy refills when according to their records you have two days supply left. My insurance company will allow a week to 10 days before that so I am not using the automatic refill anymore. If the refill date the pharmacy uses falls on a Friday and since they are closed on Saturday and Sunday and last week Monday was a holiday, I would have been two days without pills. I wouldn't have been without since I've managed to stockpile a reserve.

Yes, in doing my research for us, I've read that you can actually overdose yourself on vitamins and supplements, and they can also contradict each other, and or interfere with RX meds.

Our RX insurance requires that ours come through the mail, and they will only fill a script for 3 month's worth at a time. They are also strict about their refill policies. You can't get them refilled ahead of time.

 

[hd5574]

Thanks for recommendation on Jeff Bowles, I got three on Kindle unlimited.

Enjoy them....I brought the hard copies so I can refer to them...I will interested to hear what you think...

 

[OldArcher]

Just picked-up a new Gen 5 Glock 26 on Saturday. Prior to that, ordered and now received 12rd mags, a DeSantis Slim-Tuk holster, Glock Enhanced Trigger, and Ameriglo sights. Inventoried ammo, parts, and kit. Living in a “Home” limits one’s actions, so must maximize my presence however I can…

OA

 

[hd5574]

I am far more terrified of rx drugs than vitamins... just listen to the side effects they mention in their tv adds...and those aren't all the side effects
Was reading an article about how their meds are basically poison...
So many rx drugs and cosmetics contain venom....snake of many types even the very deadly coral snake and cobra and gila monster...are used

When DH was younger he helped milk poisonous snakes....the venom was sold to the pharmaical companies......

We full believe that your diet and life style has a lot to do with your health..You are what you eat..

 

[philkar]

I am beefing up medicinal herbs even more. It was on the list to do but it has become more inclusive and more focused than previously. I have loved learning about the herbs and even more looking for those that grow in my area. Working on homemade condiments.

 

[hd5574]

I am beefing up medicinal herbs even more. It was on the list to do but it has become more inclusive and more focused than previously. I have loved learning about the herbs and even more looking for those that grow in my area. Working on homemade condiments.

I agree that herbs and spices are wonderful.. I have come to the idea that standardized are the because you know the strength.... for internal use
Things I use externally the strength the is not as important.....for example turpentine and tobacco.,...

 

[packyderms_wife]

Metal roofs are the way to go! They're fire resistant

Ummm just no, and not only no, but no!!! They are only fire resistant/retardent if you have the correct insulation/fire retardant layer under the metal… otherwise it acts just like a huge griddle collecting heat, etc!

 

[anna43]

I posted this before, but I will mention it here in case you aren't on the other thread where I posted it. I am on Medicare and have a RX plan which I review and change as needed. One year I went to a new plan and took the FAX information to my doctor's office first day they were open in January. They immediately FAXed my prescriptions to the new company, and they filled them immediately. In December I'd gotten 90 days from the prior company, so I immediately was 80 days ahead. This was a fluke that I never expected but was happy with the results. Along with filling RX as soon as insurance allows, I've managed to get over 100 days ahead. I switched again but continued to use the same pharmacy so they would not refill before the 90 days.

It is very comforting knowing if the SHTF regarding medications, I have an extra buffer of time to find a solution. I have a couple of new RX since that time that I do not have the buffer on, but with the early refill I've managed to add a few days on each refill over the last couple of years. Fortunately, these are meds that missing won't make me miserable although might result in problems over time. The other two I NEED daily. My albuterol inhaler is Tier 2 or 3 on my RX insurance so they don't pay for it anyway so I can refill it as needed so I can keep ahead on it. Doctor prescribed more than I typically use so I can stay ahead as much as I can afford on it. That is probably the only RX that lack of would be life threatening.

 

[nomifyle]

There have only be one or three doctors that I respected their opinion on supplements. Mostly they don't know jack about them.

I've done research through the years and have taken handfulls of supplements daily through the years. Lately I've been taking a day off from them every week or so.

The first doctor I had at the VA was wonderful. She took the time to list everything I took in my record and her comment to me was to keep doing what I was doing. There has only been one doctor after that I thought was good and its not the one I have now.

 

[nomifyle]

I found this wonderful organic coconut cream powder on amazon and have been using it in my coffee for a couple of months. It does have a slight coconut taste, but I like coconut flavor so it doesn't bother me. I get it in subscribe and save at a nice discount. So I really like it and don't have much in stock. so this month I'm getting two, I guess that is ramping up my supply some. Its high in saturated fats, which I consider very healthy,

 

[Meemur]

Sounds good! Who makes it? Is this it?

 

[nomifyle]

Sounds good! Who makes it? Is this it?

View attachment 462704

yes, that's it. I get it on subscribe and save a bit cheaper. Even at the regular price its worth it to me, a treat that I enjoy every day. There are a couple of others that come in multiple smaller packages that I've gotten to carry one in my purse. I use a heaping ice tea spoon in each cup. A few days I was using more but cut back only because I wanted a bag to last longer, I keep it in the fridg, but I don't think its really necessary.

I was using the shelf stable half and half, but decided the coconut cream was healthier than processed dairy. The only dairy I use is butter. I prefer Kerry gold but its twice the price of wm butter. I looked up the ingredients of several other butters and surprisingly the wm butter had less offensive ingredients in it.

I use to put coconut oil in my coffee every day, but when DH came on the scene I got away from it. I'm a true proponent of the health value of coconut oil.

I use a cheaper brand of coconut oil for cooking, Louana, even though its refined I believe its farm superier than an of the seed oils that way too many people use. DH uses it to fry in, the refined can safely reach a higher temp.

Coconut oil was a big thing several years ago because it has helped people with memory issues regain their memories to some extent, so I figured why not.

Its very high is saturated fats, which to me is a good thing.

ETA: I'm still coughing but not as bad, just tired. God is good all the time.

 

[Reasonable Rascal]

Just got off the phone with the 'promoter's assistant' for the prepper expo being offered in Little Falls, MN this summer. Besides vending of course the classes sound interesting as well and I would very likely indulge freely, as would my lovely bride in turn (somebody has to man the booth otherwise). It is immediately preceding July 4 by a couple of days so should be well attended as camping is well available.

Still gathering and stocking foods and meds. We added a minivan that is a near twin to the other. Found out we can carry as much for the shows in the van as we can the one PU, and at up to 8 mpg better fuel economy if we drive a wee under it is much more affordable. We plan to sell the Pu and the 5th wheel it can tow for a song just to rid ourselves of driveway space, insurance costs and upkeep, not to mention higher fuel costs. And if push comes to shove we can salvage from one van to fit the other.

We are making plans a for a run to the border this summer on our trip west. Have identified more maintenance meds that will make things better - not essential to life but better over time vs. without - and are still adding to the long-term stockpile of the essential meds that will endure. Fortunately no insulin or other short-shelf life meds are needed here, save for Albuterol. We have noticed that a year after expiry the inhalers seem to go flat. Doubling up the puffs may overcome that to a degree, and they are cheap down south so it doesn't break my heart to throw away unused units. I have also seen the liquid for nebulizers in glass vials, which may store better than the plastic unit dose stuff we get here. Plastic does leech over time, just slowly.

Working with a buddy on austere medical stuff I can't go into yet. Let's just say it might be amazing light bulb revelation time if things work out as planned. No, its not home-brew anesthesia either, though that would be very handy.

RR

 

[connie]

Judy I use organic MCT oil in my coffee fairly often. Made from coconuts but no coconut taste.
Coconut anything is about the one food I will not eat.

 

[Meemur]

I've got some of this. I stopped using it in my coffee because of the calories, but I may think about adding it back in this summer. I do think it helps with memory.



If you keep your eyes open, it does go on sale periodically. It's one of the few reasons I step foot in Whole Foods, aka "Whole Paycheck." I go there around Thanksgiving or Christmas, depending.

 

[nomifyle]

I've got some of this. I stopped using it in my coffee because of the calories, but I may think about adding it back in this summer. I do think it helps with memory.

View attachment 462916

If you keep your eyes open, it does go on sale periodically. It's one of the few reasons I step foot in Whole Foods, aka "Whole Paycheck." I go there around Thanksgiving or Christmas, depending.

Its high in the good fats, me, I would not even count the calories in it. LOL

I haven't been in Whole food in years, they finally built one in the big city nearest me and I went once and really was not impressed so I never made the effort to got there again. Regular grocery stores carry the better food items that you could only get at WF back in the day.

 

[mecoastie]

Last couple of weeks I have kicked up the purchasing of more durable stuff especially anything from Asia. Stuff like saw blades, fasteners, 2 extra greenhouse skins. Looking at tires for the cars in the next couple of weeks. Clothing particularly socks, underwear and Tshirts. BOught a second solar generator. Need to get a few more panels. More chicken wire, hardware cloth and fencing. A lot avail on Marketplace right now so I grab it when I can. I feel like we are about out of time and am filling the holes as I can.

 

[moldy]

I started the year thinking i needed to pare down extras. I have changed my mind and while I am not maxing out the credit card (yet), I am buying what I can when I see it on sale.

 

[Meemur]

Yeah, it's a fine line. I don't want to over stock, but at the same time, I've been thankful that I bought things like socks, underwear, and tools when I did and have stored them. They just keep increasing in price and decreasing in quality.

I'm also finding that I have to do a lot of my own home repairs. Having things like electric drills and saws make the work much easier for my aging body, and I have several spares because I'm not good at fixing tools that break.

That said, I have set some limits. When my "big" tool box gets full, I make myself get rid of non-working and marginally working stuff.

As far as buying stuff right now, I'm back to having a list, and I change the priority of stuff on there, depending, like I'm watching for an impact driver (gently used, if possible -- HA!) If the balloon goes up, holes in food and water stores are at the top of the list, followed by gas, and then any missing supplies for a current project (I try to buy that stuff all at once, but there's always something missing . . .)