The Underrated Chess Skill That Will Make You A Better Prepper

On By The.Daily.ChristianIn Christians, Preppers, Survival Prepper, SurvivalistLeave a comment

Did you know getting good at chess would improve your prepping abilities?

Don’t worry, I’m not going to ask you to learn how to play chess.

In fact, I don’t even know the rules of that game!

But I do know that it requires a lot of strategic thinking.

And that professional chess players can quickly think of 15 or 20 moves ahead in each move.

This is exactly what is needed for prepping.

Being prepared means more than just stocking up on food and weapons.

It means having a comprehensive plan in place that covers a wide range of scenarios and contingencies. 

Without a plan, we risk being caught unaware and unable to respond effectively to emergencies. 

But planning for emergencies is not easy.

There is always something different to prepare for.

Earthquakes…

Tornados…

Power Outages…

One can’t ever account for everything.

Sometimes we don’t even know what we are preparing for.

Take the chemical spill in Ohio, for example.

How could the residents see this coming?

And how could they even prepare for it?

Well, the truth is, with a proper planning system, you can prepare for anything.

You’ll see how in a minute.

First, you need to know:

Why Planning Is So Important.

Imagine you lived in an area that is prone to hurricanes.

You’ve stocked up on food and water…

You have a generator…

…and you’ve secured your house as best you can. 

You feel confident that you are prepared for the next big storm.

But suddenly, a huge storm hits.

One that is bigger than any other storm your area has seen.

It completely destroys your preparations and your house is not safe anymore.

You have to bug out.

But the issue is, it happened on a school day. And your children still haven’t gotten back from school.

How will you let them know where to meet? 

Your smartphone is not working because the power grid stopped working.

It’s a disaster!

Well, this is where foresight comes in handy.

If you had agreed on a meeting place in case your preparations didn’t work, then this would have been solved.

Getting good at planning means preparing for things that most people would not even think about.

Of course, this was a far-fetched scenario…

But it goes to show…

A proper plan can help you and your family overcome even the craziest catastrophe.

That’s why I’ll show you simple ways to become good at this skill.

And give you ideas on how to practice your planning abilities so that you are always ready.

Find Your Commitment Level

Before you start working on your planning skills, there is something that you have to figure out first…

You need to assess your level of commitment. 

The reason this is so important is that developing this skill is not something easy.

You will not become good at it overnight.

Just like professional chess players work very hard to improve their skills, you will have to go over some roadblocks.

If you are aware of your commitment level before you even start, however, you will be in a much better position to work through these roadblocks.

Before you read the rest of the article, ask yourself these questions:

  • How much time and effort are you willing to invest in planning for emergencies?
  • If improving your planning skills gets too hard, would you continue working on them?
  • What challenges are you willing to face?

Take your time and honestly answer these questions.

This way, you can set realistic goals for yourself and ensure that you don’t overcommit or burn out.

How To Improve Your Planning Skills

Once you’ve figured out your commitment level, it is finally time to improve your planning abilities.

When it comes to planning for emergencies, there are some key elements that every prepping plan should include. 

These elements include risk assessment, threat analysis, resource inventory, and contingency planning. 

Let’s explore each of these elements in more detail:

Risk assessment.

This is the process of identifying potential risks and hazards that could affect you and your loved ones. 

This includes natural disasters, economic collapse, civil unrest, and other potential emergencies.

You can even include risks that are not your plan.

Neglecting to prepare for something is also a risk.

Consider everything that could go wrong.

Threat analysis. 

This is where you evaluate the risks.

Conduct a threat analysis to evaluate:

  1. The likelihood of each threat.
  2. The potential impact of each threat.

This will help you prioritize your planning efforts and allocate resources.

Resource inventory.

A resource inventory involves taking stock of the resources you have on hand and identifying any gaps in your preparedness. 

This includes:

  • Food, 
  • Water, 
  • Medication
  • Weapons and ammunition
  • Other essential items.

Contingency planning.

Contingency planning involves developing a plan B in case your primary plan fails (Remember the storm example?).

This can include backup evacuation routes, secondary locations for shelter, or contingency supply sources.

By including these key elements in your prepping plan, you can be better prepared for a wide range of emergencies and increase your probability of survival.

Tips That Will Make This Easier

If you’ve read this far, you have probably realized that this will take some work.

But, remember, you are committed.

Which means that you are willing to do whatever it takes to become better at planning.

However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t use simple advice that will make this journey easier.

  1. Start small.

If you are not an experienced prepper, it is easy to become overwhelmed.

Start with a simple plan for a specific scenario, such as a short power outage.

This will help you build confidence and develop your planning skills.

Once you feel ready, move on to harder challenges, such as natural disasters.

  1. Set goals.

Determine what you want to achieve with your prepping plan.

And set realistic, measurable goals to help you stay motivated and on track.

  1. Involve your family.

Doing everything alone is tough. And definitely not fun.

If you involve your whole family in the prepping process, everything will proceed much smoother.

Plus, everyone is going to be on the same page so they will know what to do in emergencies.

  1. Stay organized.

Keep your prepping plan and items organized and easily accessible so you can quickly respond to emergencies.

You can use checklists, journal entries, or your preferred way of taking notes.

  1. Continuously review and update your plan.

The risks we face are constantly changing.

So it’s important to regularly review and update your prepping plan to ensure that it remains effective and relevant.

Planning is a crucial part of prepping.

And can make a huge difference in ensuring your family’s safety.

By developing this skill, you will be in a much better position to survive any emergency.

How To Put Your Prepping Skills To The Test

On By The.Daily.ChristianIn Christians, Preppers, Survival Prepper, Survivalist3 Comments

If you have been trying to prepare for emergencies, then you have probably come across the same roadblock that most preppers have… practice.

As a prepper, it is very difficult to put your prepping skills to the test.

Emergencies simply don’t happen that often.

So you can’t know whether your preparations are up to the task or not.

Practice, however, is a crucial aspect of every skill we develop.

They say that the first step to getting better at anything is to suck at it first.

And to identify your flaws, try to fix them, and improve over time.

But how can you do that with prepping?

Well, with little imagination, you can take steps to test your prepping techniques and stay prepared for any eventuality.

I’ll show you how to do that in a minute.

First, you need to…

Understand Your Prepping Needs

I wish I could give you a clear-cut path that you should follow.

But depending on where you live and your current situation, you need to develop the appropriate skills.

Before testing your skills, though, you need to understand what you need to test. 

There are several ways to do that:

Identify Potential Emergencies

The first step is to understand what types of emergencies are most likely to occur in your area. 

Look at your town’s history, or ask the local residents what the most dangerous disaster that they had to go through was.

Additionally, consider factors such as natural disasters, power outages, and other events that could disrupt your family.

Assess Your Resources

Take stock of what items and resources you currently have on hand and identify any gaps in your prepping plan.

Consider things like food, water, shelter, clothing, and medication, as well as any tools or equipment that you may need.

Determine Your Priorities

With a clear understanding of your needs, it is easier to prioritize what skills and items you should focus on first.

For example, if you live in an area prone to hurricanes, your priority might be to have a solid evacuation plan in place.

Putting Your Prepping Skills To The Test

It is finally time to test your skills.

You first need to find a safe and controlled environment.

This is where you will be pushing yourself to find flaws in your survival plan.

There are several ways you can do that.

Simulated Emergency Scenarios

One effective way to test your prepping skills is to create simulated emergency scenarios that mimic real situations. 

This allows you to see how well you can handle different types of emergencies using your equipment and skills. 

For example, you could simulate a power outage, and see how well you can respond to the situation.

We actually make a game out of this in my household and even have the kids evolve in the prepping process.

Practice Essential Skills

This is a simpler one to execute. But it is also time-consuming.

You just try out your essential skills.

This includes building shelters, starting fires, purifying water, and more. 

Regularly practicing these skills will help you feel more confident using them in real situations.

And most importantly, it will help you identify any areas that may need improvement.

Seek Feedback From Other Preppers

Sometimes we don’t see an obvious mistake we are making until someone points it out to us.

Just last week, a buddy of mine told me some of my emergency foods had expired.

I had forgotten to look!

Speaking to other preppers can help you see your skills and equipment from a different perspective.

I go over my emergency plans with my friends very often.

And I suggest you do too.

Engage in Community Preparedness Efforts

Your local community can give you tons of chances to test your prepping skills.

Many communities hold emergency preparedness drills and exercises.

These can be excellent times to test your skills and learn from others.

By actively participating in these efforts, you can ensure that you are fully prepared to handle any emergency situation that may arise. 

Stay Up-To-Date With Modern Developments

What works nowadays is different from what worked 10 years ago.

The prepping community is always evolving and advancing.

So it is important to stay informed about the latest developments and advancements in the field. 

This can include:

  •  Researching and learning about modern technologies and gear.

Stay informed about the latest gear and technologies available to preppers. 

There is always different stuff coming out.

Just recently, for example, I learned that 3D printers are incredible for preppers.

  • Staying informed about current events.

Information is one of the most crucial aspects of prepping.

Keep up with current events and news that may impact your preparedness. 

If there is an occurring strain of a disease or a major flood, for instance, you should be aware of how these events could impact your area and your preparedness plan.

Practice and Maintain Your Prepping Skills Regularly

Prepping is not a goal. It’s a way of living.

You need to regularly evaluate your plan and change it depending on the circumstances.

This is why prepping should be a regular part of your routine.

This could mean setting aside time to practice your skills, update your equipment, and reassess your plan.

Your skills are not ever going to be flawless.

As you learn about different technologies and gear, incorporate them into your survival plan. 

This can help you stay prepared and up-to-date with the latest developments.

Socrates said that unexamined lives are not worth living.

Same goes for prepping.

An unexamined plan is not worth having.

You need to constantly reassess your prepping plan to ensure that it is still relevant and effective.

Putting your prepping skills to the test is an essential part of being truly prepared for an emergency. 

Prepping is not just about having gear and a plan.

It’s about actively practicing and refining your skills so that you are ready for any situation. 

Remember, being prepared means being ready for the unexpected.

So take the time to test your prepping skills and continually improve your preparedness.

Survival Prepper: A Wildfire Survival Guide

On By The.Daily.ChristianIn Bible, catholics, Christianity, Christians, faith, God, Preppers, Survival Prepper, Survivalist8 Comments

As the world gets drier and hotter, wildfires have become one of the most realistic events people should prepare for.

Wildfires can start by nature, human negligence, and becoming more and more common every year. 

I live in California, where you advised us to prepare from July to September.

Sadly, Climate change is making regions hotter and drier. Nowadays, a single spark cab erupts into a massive blaze. 

That means wildfire prepping has never been more crucial. 

The last few years have brought us the deadliest wildfires the U.S. has ever seen, and there are no signs of it slowing down anytime soon.  

While wildfires are fast and unpredictable, often, there is some time to escape if one is coming your way — as long as you have taken the time to prepare. What do you need to know if there is a wildfire threat toward your home?

The Risks

Understanding the risks of wildfires is extremely important. Depending on the time of year, the location, and other key playing factors. 

Whether you own a home or are a current renter, there are various ways to protect your assets. 

If you are a homeowner, you might find difficulty finding a company willing to insure it for fire. 

Contact your state’s wildfire risk number to find something that better fits your needs. 

Retrofitting

If your current home does not contain fireproof building materials, you might want to consider retrofitting your property to lower the risk. This could mean re-roofing with flameproof materials, covering vents with metal mesh to prevent cinders from getting pulled into the ventilation system, and taking other steps to make your house fire-resistant. 

Be in The Know

Staying informed is your best resource during fire season, especially in places where you can see the smoke from a distance but might not have the best idea of where the fire is.

Stay on top of any updates as they come through your local channels. Emergency services will update you multiple times throughout the day with details like the size of the fire, how much of it is contained, and where it might spread next. 

Stock Up on Your Supplies

No matter the situation, you will need supplies. Going to the grocery store won’t be an option until the fire is out and things start to return to normal, so you want to make sure you have everything you need on hand. Backpacks will be the easiest to carry, so buy a few durable ones for each person in your household when it’s time to evacuate.

Store food and water in portable containers like coolers to make these goods easier to transport.

Here are a few items you should consider adding to your list: 

* 1 gallon of water per person per day

* Nonperishable Foods

* Cash

* First-aid supplies

* Pet supplies

* OTC and prescription medicine

* Extra Clothes and Shoes

Ideally, you want to have enough supplies for up to two weeks, but at minimum, you want to have enough supplies to be self-sustaining for at least three days.

Get Ready to RUN

If a fire is coming your way, your only choice is to evacuate or die. It’s that simple. If you have to leave, be ready to run. 

Having a loaded truck or trailer with your supplies and the things you can’t stand to lose is a great way to be prepared. 

Be sure your trailer is in good shape before fire season starts, keeping it clean and in a clear path for easy and efficient escape. The last thing you need is to lose all your supplies because of a maintenance issue that could be avoided. The same rules apply to your smaller vehicles. Do not leave yourself stranded with an unreliable car. You won’t be able to outrun the fire on foot. 

Plan Your Escape

Where would you go if a fire threats your home? What if the wildfire cuts off your main evacuation route? Plan and practice your escape route ahead of time to avoid making dangerous mistakes. 

Predicting where the fire might spread can be difficult, and your main course can quickly end up cut off by a rapidly growing wildfire. Leave yourself some alternatives so you can get away safely. 

Once you have planned your routes, practice them. Hook up your trailer and drive. Note places where the trees and brush are near the road because if they catch fire, it could create problems for your plan. 

 Time For You To Go 

Although, this should be common sense and often forgotten. If there is an evacuation order or advised to leave, go. Do not wait around to see if the fire might change its path. Throw your family and your pets in the car, hook up your trailer of supplies if you have one, and leave. There is no time to waste precious minutes trying to pack every – little – sentimental item. 

Being a Prepper Can Save You

Wildfires are a part of life for people in many parts of the world. Starting to prepare could save your life and makes it easier to rebuild if the worst happens and a fire takes your home. 

Remember, regardless of what happens, your house and everything in it is replaceable. Your life and the lives of your loved ones are not.

More Articles Christians May Find Interesting…

Shocking Truth About NASA Rapture Warning

While the media is busy talking about restrictions and censorship, there’s one story that’s unfolding that no news station is covering.

Yet it could have a direct impact on your life and the lives of your loved ones.

According to a recently declassified document from the U.S. Senate, a monumental end-day threat is about to come crashing down on America.

I’m not talking about a stock market crash or more mandates. 

This is something far more destructive.

It could completely cripple our country, sending us back to square one.

And the ripple effect could last for months or even years, according to top-ranking military officials and U.S. senators.

Thankfully, there is a way to prepare.

This brief video exposes what our current administration is doing to protect their own families.

9 Bible Verses About Survival Preparedness

On By The.Daily.ChristianIn Bible, Christianity, Christians, faith, God, Preppers, Religion, Survival Prepper, Survivalist2 Comments

Living in today’s world, we depend on technology for just about everything. It has become so advanced that I find myself leaving the house without my wallet from time to time. Almost every business has an app that links your credit card, and if that’s unavailable, at minimum, they accept apple pay.
While modern technology has been a lifesaver for most, it’s taken away the desire to learn or understand the importance of basic survival skills that will keep you alive and thriving.

Unfortunately, in today’s world many wait for the last minute possible to prepare and often find themselves a little too late. I’m sure everyone remembers the toilet paper shortage a couple of years ago. well, that was on a much, much smaller scale.

Let’s say there’s a short-term disaster and the grocery stores are not accessible for a couple of weeks. If you look in your pantry, is there enough for you are your family to live hold out?
Jesus understood what the end time would be like, he gave us instruction on how to overcome it and how not to be drawn to distractions.

The principles of preparedness are found throughout the Bible with several passages devoted to being prepared, such as:

Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour. –Matthew 25:13.

You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.
-James 2:24


In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed
-Corinthians 15:52, King James Version

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
-Philippians 4:13

When evening had already come, because it was the preparation day, that is, the day before the Sabbath.
-Mark 15:42

Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.
-2 Timothy 4:2

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me.
-Hosea 4:6

And all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain. -Revelation 13:8

Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. -1 Peter 1:13

I wanted to share this because when it comes to preparedness and survival, I think salvation is the most important survival topic we can talk about. In the end, if Christians are right, it’s the only way one can ensure their ultimate survival.
We look to the future but are only guaranteed the present. Are we living by what we believe? Are we truly living by faith?

More Articles Christians May Find Interesting…

Shocking Truth About NASA Rapture Warning

While the media is busy talking about restrictions and censorship, there’s one story that’s unfolding that no news station is covering.

Yet it could have a direct impact on your life and the lives of your loved ones.

According to a recently declassified document from the U.S. Senate, a monumental end-day threat is about to come crashing down on America.

I’m not talking about a stock market crash or more mandates. 

This is something far more destructive.

It could completely cripple our country, sending us back to square one.

And the ripple effect could last for months or even years, according to top-ranking military officials and U.S. senators.

Thankfully, there is a way to prepare.

This brief video exposes what our current administration is doing to protect their own families.

Can Christians Also Be Survival Prepper’s?

On By The.Daily.ChristianIn Bible, catholics, Christianity, Christians, faith, God, Preppers, Religion, scripture, Survival Prepper, Survivalist10 Comments

I read a story today that really freaked me out because it said “it’s a sin to be a prep for the end of the world”. It went into detail about having faith in God and knowing he would take care of his believers (regardless of how bad or dangerous of a situation) is all you need to do.

As a fellow Christian, my faith in God has never been stronger. however, If there was a black-out due to a power grid failure, leaving me and my family with no food or water for days or weeks on end, how would I survive that?

I called my good friend and pastor, Chris because he always helps with calming my nerves and remembering god’s message. As it turns out, I’m not the only one that feels puzzled and scared about my future from time to time. 

Christians all around the world are preoccupied with the end of the world. The media has shown the empty shelves in grocery stores nationwide, and price gouges in almost every food and product. In pop culture, you see it in movies and TV series. However, there is a balance It’s easy to look at today’s world and feel unsettled. Although many Christians are troubled with fear, anxiety, and worry. There’s a sense of feeling powerless and defeated as we look at the unstable and roller-coaster of a world we live in today. Always remember, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains are moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.” Psalm 46:1–3. 

Our savor does not want us to live in a constant state of anxiousness. During hard times like these, he wants us to remember God has not failed us. He has promised to be with us in the middle of tragedy.

A huge area of controversy in prepping today is whether Christians should be preppers. Each situation is unique, but it’s highly encouraged to take your unique situation to God in prayer and ask for His guidance. 

Without a question, It is absolutely biblical to prepare yourself and your family for the future when God provides you with the opportunity to do so—spiritually and physically.

Our faith and focus should always remain on Christ, prepping is purely an opportunity we can utilize to be a good steward of God’s blessings and minister to others in times of need.

Well, that’ll all from me for the day. My best friend from Puerto Rico is in town for his birthday and I’ve got to start getting ready (we’re going to a fancy sushi restaurant). But I did want to share what’s been on my mind all day and see if anyone else feels the same? I would love to hear all about it if anyone feels comfortable enough to share. 😊 

Survival Prepper: How To Make An Electric-Free Refrigerator

On By The.Daily.ChristianIn Preppers, Survival Prepper, Survivalist3 Comments

One of the first problems that we face during a grid-down or emergency scenario is the loss of electricity and the failure to keep food from spoiling.

Equipment like generators and other off-grid power options can keep a refrigerator running for a while but drain the battery capacity that could have been used for other important resources.

Setting up an electricity-free refrigerator will assist in preserving battery and fuel stores.

Zeer Pots

Is a pot in another pot refrigeration system, using two unglazed clay pots. These pots are different sizes; the smaller one should fit inside the larger one leaving a gap of about an inch or so.

The inner pot is where the food you want to keep cold goes, and the outer pot serves to contain the sand that will fill the gap between the pots.

Through the process of evaporated cooling, Zeer pots can keep the food in the inner clay cool. As the water evaporates, it absorbs heat to turn the liquid water into vapor. While the water vapor absorbs the heat, it will replace the cool air that will settle in the inner pot.

If you’re interested in making your own Zeer pot, a simple google search will show you how easy it is and it only takes about 20 minutes to make. I’ve made life a little easier by providing step-by-step directions below!

  1. Get two unglazed ceramic pots—one that will fit inside the other—plus some sand and water.
  2. Fill the bottom of the larger pot with a couple of inches of sand.
  3. Put the smaller pot in the larger one.
  4. Fill the space between the pots with sand.
  5. Pour water into the sand.
  6. Cover the pots with a ceramic lid or wet cloth.

That’s it! You’re ready to store food inside. Just remember to add water to the sand every day, like mentioned earlier, it uses evaporation to cool food.

As water evaporates through the clay, it releases energy into the air and cools the space inside the pot. It’s like splashing water on your face on a hot day; the water evaporates off your skin, cooling it in the process. Refrigerator coolant actually works in a similar way, using evaporation to draw heat out of the fridge itself. That’s why the back of your Frigidaire is so warm.

I want to end this blog with an important reminder. KEEP YOUR FOOD COLD!!!
Keeping food cold without electricity is tricky. You have to keep your food at a consistent temperature to avoid the spread of bacteria. Make sure you have a thermometer to monitor proper food safety temperature.

Have you ever made a Zeer Pot refrigeration system? If so, what are some tips and tricks that have worked out for you?

Thank you for sticking through another important and informative SHTF situation and I hope this information was helpful.

Please remember to subscribe to my page and let me know which posts you have found most useful in your survival prepping.

Survival Prepper: 8 Useful Non-Electric Items

On By The.Daily.ChristianIn Preppers, Survival Prepper, Survivalist1 Comment

As a prepper, you have most likely spent money on various supplies for your survival stockpile. When SHTF, feeding your family will be on the top of your list of priorities. Worrying about not being able to cook food during a long-term blackout, make sure you have non-electric kitchen items like a cast iron skillet and a can opener.

These 10 non-electric items will really come in handy after a crisis situation.

1. Butter churn and molds

If you make your own butter correctly, it will last for several weeks with little in the way of refrigeration.

2. Chef’s knife

You need a high-quality and sharp chef’s knife for food prep. This knife can be used to process various meats and for more gentle tasks like peeling, dicing, and mincing.

3. Fridge pot

A “fridge” pot or Zeer pot is an old tool used to chill food using a nesting set of clay pots with a layer of wet sand sandwiched between them.

4. Manual Vegetable Slicer

You can save a lot of time during meal prep with a manual vegetable slicer.

5. Reversible Grill Pan and Griddle

A reversible grill pan and griddle has a deeply ridged grill surface for grilling or roasting meat and vegetables. The other side is a smooth griddle perfect for making breakfast.

6. Solar Oven

Solar ovens can be used to bake anything you would in a regular oven but they don’t use electricity! They’re affordable to purchase or there are some excellent in an SHTF situation. There are so many DIY options that could really help with the shelf life of some foods.

 7. Water Filter (Very Important)

A quality water filter can help ensure your family is getting clean drinking water, and water for hygienic or medical reasons. Whether you’re sourcing water from a pond, stream, or well on your property without clean water your survival experience will become 10X harder and more dangerous (especially if water is needed for medical reasons.

8. Small Timer

Everyone is used to having a timer easily available on their oven or microwave, but when you’re working with powerless appliances it’s handy to have a small wind-up timer.

Conclusion

Now the list goes on what you might need but it’s always better to be prepared and prepped before and survival situation suddenly strikes! Also, every family’s needs and survival criteria are different. It helps if conversations have started prior to any bugging in or out. In my previous posts, I have also shared how to preserve your favorite meals to cut down on a lot of time and equipment needed once the time comes.
Another positive for staying proactive is being able to share and trade what you have with your fellow friends, neighbors, or anyone that is in need. Being kind will always be free and good for the soul!
I hope everyone has a relaxing Sunday and a great week to come!
Thank you for checking out my blog, and please, like, share, and subscribe!

Survival Prepper: Perserving Your Favorite Meals

On By The.Daily.ChristianIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Being prepared for a disaster of some sorts is one thing, being prepped with your favorite foods is another!

Canning food has been a long standing method to storing food in your food storage. Instead of only stocking up on canned soup and whatever is left at a grocery store during a crisis, why not take it a step up by creating and preserving your favoirite foods that will be able to store on your shelf for years to come.

When you preserve food, you are either trying to freeze time or to encourage specific bacteria to proliferate and crowd out harmful bacteria. Canning is all about freezing time.

Canning is one of those things that seems intimidating at first, especially with all the warnings about spoiled food and the unfamiliar terminology used with many canning recipes. But I promise, it gets easier the more you do it!

Water-bath canning

Water-bath canning—also called “boiling water bath”— is basically a big pot with a lid and a rack in the bottom. This easier method of canning that is used for high-acid foods (like many fruits), which naturally resist bacteria growth. By processing jars in boiling water at the end of the recipe, you lock in the fresh flavor for a full year.

  • Sanitize your jars. After washing them with water and soap, place the canning rack in your stock pot and put the jars on the rack. Fill about two inches, and bring it to a boil. Leave boiling for 15 minutes. Wipe everything with a clean towel.
  • Wash your desired fruit.
  • Prepare bowls of water. Bring several cups of water to boil in your kettle. Pour the boiling water into one of your large bowls. Fill the other with cold water.
  •  Dip each fruit into the hot bowl. Let them sit for 30-60 seconds. Use a slotted spoon to avoid burning yourself.
  • Dunk each fruit in cold water. Let it sit for around 30 seconds and then remove its skin.
  • Cut your fruit. Using a cutting board and take your knife to slice them in any desired size.
  • Carefully remove each jar from the boiling water bath. Use the jar lifter to grasp firmly around the narrowest part.Place each jar open-side down on a clean towel to avoid contamination while you work.
  •  Boil another kettle full of water.
  • Boil the water in the pot. Remove your lids and bands from the large stock pot if you haven’t already done so, and bring the water within back up to a rolling boil.
  • Boil the water in the pot. Remove your lids and bands from the large stock pot if you haven’t already done so, and bring the water within back up to a rolling boil.
  • Flip the jars right-side up. Add ¼ teaspoon of citric acid or one tablespoon of bottled lemon juice to each jar. Then, using your funnel, fill each jar with sliced fruit. Leave at least half an inch of space at the top of each jar.
  •  Pour boiling water from the kettle into each jar. You may need to poke around with a narrow spatula to get rid of air pockets. Wipe the rim of each jar.
  • Seal the jars. Carefully place a flat lid on top of each jar, making sure to line up their edges. Screw a band onto each, but not too tight.

Pressure canning

Pressure canning involves the use of a pressure canner, which is a device that consists of a large pot, a rack insert, and a fitted lid with a dial or pressure valve. Pressure canning is the only safe method of preserving low-acid foods. Low-acid foods include vegetables, meats, fish, and poultry. Pressurized steam creates the needed temperature of 240 degrees Fahrenheit or higher that kills off any harmful bacteria, toxins, molds and yeasts. As the jars cool, a vacuum is formed, sealing the food in the jars and preventing any new microorganisms from entering and spoiling the food. 

  • Put three inches of hot water in the pressure canner. Place filled jars on the rack in canner and secure lid as directed by canner manufacturer.
  • Leave vent port off, turn heat to highest setting and heat canner until steam flows from the vent port.
  • Once steam pours steadily from the vent, let it escape for 10 minutes to drive air out of canner.
  • Place weight on vent port and allow canner to raise to the proper pressure.
  • Start counting processing times once the dial gauge or weighted gauge has reached the recommended pressure (see manufacturer’s directions).
  • Regulate heat to maintain steady pressure. If reading decreases from the recommended pressure, bring pressure back up and start timing process again.
  • When timed processing is complete, turn off heat and wait until canner returns to zero on a dial gauge and 30 to 45 minutes for weighted gauge (see manufacturer’s directions).
  • Remove jars with a jar lifter and place on a towel or cooling rack.
  • Leave jars on the counter, undisturbed for 12 to 24 hours. 
  • After cooling, check that all lids have properly sealed.
  • If a jar has not sealed, the contents can be reprocessed according to recipe directions or the jar must be refrigerated and eaten immediately.

NEW Survival Prepper: How to Fish Like Your Life Depended on it

On By The.Daily.ChristianIn Preppers, Survival Prepper, Survivalist2 Comments

Having Fish available is one of the best ways of getting your daily protein intake during an apocalyptic situation. There’s plenty of water around, but only a few have the skills to fish for their survival. Having a distinct advantage sets you apart from others and might come in handy down the line.

If it comes to fishing for your survival, there are a couple of different options. Like many non-preppers, you can take the more common approach and use rods and reels, but then there’s the storage issue, replacing broken equipment, and let’s not forget the cost of maintaining them. Or you can do what many other preppers prefer, which is a more raw yet simple method for survival fishing.

We’ll talk about both.

Your Fishing Gear

Start by collecting the gear you need to catch fish, this will make it more budget-friendly to stockpile the items needed over time. For your first purchase, I would go with a survival fishing pole. They are easy to store and lightweight, but not the most effective for catching fish. 

I can tell you this though, they’re way better than a stick, rope, and hook. 

As for your reel, go with whatever you can afford. In a survival situation, it’s not going to matter what brand your reel is or where you got it from. You just need to make sure it gets the job done.

Live Bait Vs. Artificial Lures

Honestly, you want to go with the most basic option possible if you’re choosing artificial lures. All that matters is you being able to catch fish, and it needs to be quick and efficient. Also, make sure you have a variety of sizes in lures anywhere from 1.5 inches – 6 inches in length. If you come across a small stream, the small lure would be perfect to catch something quick to eat. Regardless of if you’re trying to feed an entire family or just yourself, your focus needs to be on quantity over quality and on finding ways to make the fish last.

Netting 

If want to take a more simple approach, there are plenty of options. Netting or trapping for one, and there are a number of different nets you can use. This is a passive form of fishing which is preferred because it allows you to do something else while you’re fishing in most cases. 

  Here are some options for netting: 

Trotlines – One of the most primitive and passive ways of survival fishing. You attach a mainline on both sides of the river or pond and then hang secondary lines down into the water with bait on them. The secondary lines get weights, so they rest near the bottom of the water, and the baited hooks will stay in place until you return to see if you caught anything.

Gill nets – A nylon net with large enough openings for the fish to swim through until they reach the gills. Making it the perfect passive fishing strategy because while you’re getting other things set up, you can check on the net at any time. This important method is great when you need to provide food for more than one person. 

Drift nets – A drift net functions in a similar way but requires you to have a vessel to pull the net. The net is moving through the water, it will also grab anything that passes through it. Using this method, you’ll want to bug out near a popular river or stream system.

Killing and cleaning your catch 

As a part of the “circle of life”, we need to appreciate and respect our catch, especially for situations where our survival depends on it. Here is a simple way of cleaning your fish if you don’t have any other way: 

  • Find a rock with sharp edges.
  • Put the fish on a hard flat surface
  • Use one hand to secure it in place
  • Use the rock to strike it right above the eye with a large amount of force
  • This will stun the fish but not kill it, be sure to repeat this a few times

Fishing during a survival crisis is a great way to source rich in protein foods in the event of a food shortage or power grid failure. Learning skills that we can rely on is essential during emergency situations.

Always remember, it’s always better to prep in advance rather than wait until it’s a SHTF situation.

Using Butter Powder for Daily Cooking & Emergency Prep – Survival Mom — The Right News

On By The.Daily.ChristianIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Some of the links in this post may contain affiliate links for your convenience. As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Most food storage products purchased from food storage companies are pretty much the same all across the board. Foods like wheat and freeze-fried fruit are all very similar no matter what brand you […]

Using Butter Powder for Daily Cooking & Emergency Prep – Survival Mom — The Right News