We hope you will enter this giveaway for your chance to win this life-saving book. IT’S A DISASTER! …and what are YOU gonna do about it? (5th Edition)
The book doesn’t read like a fiction story nor is it challenging to ‘get through.’ In fact, it lends itself to reading in short segments of time based upon your need, area of potential disaster or concern. Even if you are in the midst of a crisis, the way this book is laid out – it’s so simple to find what you need in mere seconds that it is a far better as an actual field guide than most other emergency manuals we’ve reviewed.
From Family Emergencies to Business Preparedness or Natural Disasters to Man-Made Mayhem, the book: IT’S A DISASTER! …and what are YOU gonna do about it? (5th Edition)
Not only does it cover the events – it gives you the wherewithal to handle living through them right while they occur. The step-by-step bullet points are easy to spot and follow thus they help you stay on track in the midst of turmoil! It covers so many potential situations in order to help you feel ready with almost countless contingency plans.
The authors also offer this as a Community Preparedness involvement incentive that can become fundraisers for a school, church group or community planners. This outreach is uncommon in that the desire is to get these books in the hands of more grass-roots movements rather than hit a ‘best seller list’. This shows the true heart of the authors – to help communities and people prepare for life’s emergencies.
We praise and stand with them in this work! As the author’s state on their website, the book: IT’S A DISASTER! …and what are YOU gonna do about it? (5th Edition)
Full Disclosure: Yes, there are Amazon Affiliate links throughout this review. This is one way we are able to keep on blogging and sharing. We recommend this book, otherwise we would not be affiliates or offer you the link to find it. If you do not win one, please consider purchasing one of these books through the Amazon Ad below. You’ll be glad you have it!
The Prepper’s Complete Guide to Disaster Readiness by Author Jim Cobb is the quintessential preparedness primer. It is suitable reading for both the novice and seasoned prepper. Almost every topic is covered in this book yet it still it goes into great detail without distracting from the primary focus of laying a strong foundation. Disaster Readiness is a broad topic but author, Jim Cobb knows his topic well and has done a fantastic job of breaking things down into clearly distinct chapters and sections to help the reader grasp the scope of being well prepared.
The chapters offer a wide range, yet build from “Why to prepare” to more specific details such as “Where to go” in a disaster. The Prepper’s Complete Guide to Disaster Readiness will take you on a sequential journey without hype or conspiracy. Unlike day to day life, this book is tightly segmented in its approach so that you are able to locate a particular area on which you need to focus and review to it regularly.
Jim enlightens the reader on areas usually untouched such as how Disaster Readiness affects relationships (Children, Pets and Elderly). This is a book that we highly recommend regardless how long you have been on the preparedness journey.
We here at PREPARE Magazine hope that the winner of this book will be both encouraged and share what he/she learns to help others. This is a foundational addition to your emergency preparedness library!
[wpgfxm_contentbox width=”50%” bg_color=”#F1F8FB” b_color=”#D94A2E” style=”double” top=”1px” right=”none” bottom=”1px” left=”none” radius=”0px”]FREE Digital Subscription to PREPARE Magazine[/wpgfxm_contentbox]
Full Disclosure:
If you don’t happen to win, or you’ve found this blog post after the Giveaway has finished, please consider clicking the links above to shop on Amazon. With the minor affiliate income from your purchase we can continue testing, reviewing, sharing and blogging – and ultimately we hope – encouraging YOU.
As a long time advocate of dehydrating, I have been remiss and never, ever posted about money saving tips for dehydrating food. I will admit, that money saving, budget stretching, and lengthening the life of food is really the biggest reason we dehydrate at home. I will always say that the more important investment is in a good quality dehydrator that will do the most square feet of work for the same amount of time. My personal favorite is the Excalibur 9 Tray Economy Model. I keep ours humming quite regularly in any and all seasons. It has saved us a lot of money over a short period of time and has certainly paid for itself several times over!
Dehydrating from the garden is ideal. But just because you don’t have a garden – it doesn’t mean that dehydrating is more expensive. In fact, for most people, the use of a dehydrator actually can stretch your food budget if you know a few tips and tricks. Here are some of the things I do that save money while saving food:
1. Clean your fridge regularly…
A. If the zucchini looks like it won’t make it another week it’s sliced and dehydrated into chips. This works great for any produce that looks like the ‘life’ of it may not last until you can use it fresh.
B. Almost any ‘left-overs’ can be dehydrated. Mashed Potatoes, Cooked Green Beans, Corn (off the cob), Cooked Peas or Carrots. As you can see you have the makings of a great soup right there after cleaning out the fridge.
2. Dehydrate from the freezer…
A. If you find a great sale on large quantities of something that is in season, but don’t have time to dehydrate it all before it over ripens – freeze it first then dehydrate straight from the freezer. Often berries (which have a little skin on the outside) actually dehydrate better if first frozen.
B. Meat can be easily purchased when on sale, frozen and then sliced & seasoned for dehydrating. This gives you jerky for just pennies compared to buying it already made in the store. That stuff is pricey!
3. What & when you buy saves time and money….
A. Sliced produce at the grocer will go ‘bad’ faster than the whole counter part so they are regularly marked down to move quickly before the store looses all it’s money on rotted food. Also they are pre-sliced, usually uniform in size and easy to simply pour on your dehydrator tray with no prepping on your part.
B. Knowing when to get them is the key. Most stores will make produce and meat down several times a week at the same time. In our store it is Tues/Thurs between 8:00-9:00 AM for meat and Tues/Thurs between 9:30-10:30 AM for produce.
C. And then there are the herbs. Grow them yourself or buy them when marked down (like the rosemary above). Their fresh taste when you dehydrate at home surpasses the gourmet high priced ones.
Pictured below is a recent ‘haul’ of marked down produce of which most went directly to the dehydrator (or fermented) and is still sitting on the shelves in our pantry. 🙂
Shelf-stable foods that require no electricity to keep are vital, yes, but being able to do them yourself and save money over the long run is a skill that is priceless.
I hope you enjoyed this article and it gave you some tips and ideas to motivate you. Feel free to leave your tips, ideas and comments below!
Best Blessings and enJOY the Journey!
Donna
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Disaster Hits! Is your water safe? Actually, it doesn’t even have to be a disaster that makes you wonder about safe water. But the bigger question is what you are to do to make sure your water is safe!
We all like to think we know or have an idea of what to do… but there are actual guidelines and steps to securing safe water that are put out by the Red Cross. Do you know them? If not, it’s a good thing you’re reading this NOW…
[wpgfxm_contentbox width=”90%” bg_color=”#F1F8FB” b_color=”#C1D2D9″ style=”solid” top=”1px” right=”none” bottom=”1px” left=”none” radius=”0px”]CLICK HERE NOW to sign up for a FREE LIVE Online Event – Feb 12th to be assured of safe water![/wpgfxm_contentbox]
Even as recently as mere hours before writing this blog post, “The entire city of Winnipeg was under a boil-water advisory…” Not because of a winter storm, although that can cause issues with water being safe, but because a “sampling turned up some potentially harmful bacteria in the municipal water supply. The city, which has a population of about 700,000, said the move was precautionary after six water samples showed the presence of E. coli and coliform at extremely low levels.” But enough to issue the warning… no disaster needed. *
*Reference and image from: The Canadian Press
The truth is water is the most vital resource in a disaster situation. A person can not last more than 3 days without adequate drinking water before his/her vital organs begin to shut down and fail. This, my friends is life threatening! So take every advantage to learn how to make sure your water is safe and free of all the things that could make a tough situation even worse!
Now, I’m not trying to scare you – but I am trying to help you find SOLID information to keep you and your water safe in an emergency and every day. That is why we have teamed up with expert Glenn Meder to bring you a FREE LIVE Online Event – on Feb 12th to train you to be ready! Space is LIMITED! CLICK HERE NOW
When disaster strikes, what will you give your family?
If you register soon (while there’s still space)…. You’ll learn:
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- How your water can become dangerously contaminated.
- How to protect your family…while their world seems to be collapsing around them.
- An understanding of Red Cross recommendations for treating water during an emergency.
- What you need TO DO and what NOT to do to secure safe water!
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WARNING: Space is limited and these LIVE trainings always fill up because no one else is providing this vital information! This Feb 12th event will be no exception. We certainly hope you’ll mark your calendar and hurry to secure your space.
[wpgfxm_contentbox width=”90%” bg_color=”#F1F8FB” b_color=”#C1D2D9″ style=”solid” top=”1px” right=”none” bottom=”1px” left=”none” radius=”0px”]CLICK HERE NOW to sign up for a FREE LIVE Online Event – Feb 12th to be assured of safe water![/wpgfxm_contentbox]
This is a short list of my top 6 prepper gifts to give or to get. Actually, if we really look at these items – it doesn’t matter if someone is a prepper or not. They are useful and helpful for anyone! But you and I know…that giving or getting these goes much deeper than only every day use. Talk about the covert ops & how to give/request a stealth prep gift.
It doesn’t matter on which end you share these gifts … they help everyone become more self-sufficient, more organized, less system dependent and better prepared. And speaking of ‘sharing’ … feel free to share this post with others as either a hint for your own wanted gifts (: or an inspiration that not all things prepper related are guns and ammo (:
So here are my favorites!
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The Wondermill Junior Deluxe
Hands down the Wondermill Junior Deluxe is one of my most FAVORITE tools for food! Mostly because of the versatility and the manual (no electricity required) realities. But it is light weight, more affordable than some of the others and very VERY well made. On SALE now + a FREE drill bit adapter ([wpgfxm_highlighter bg_color=”#0DFF0D” text_color=”#000000″]ends 11-30-14[/wpgfxm_highlighter]) while supplies last! Free shipping too!
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The All-American Sun Oven with Prep & Dehydrate Pack
I joke and often call my Sun Oven my ‘grown up Easy Bake Oven’ but this truly is a fun tool for preparedness. Not only is it vital for emergencies, but we use it almost once a week (winters too) because it’s that user friendly! Also we love the outcome of our food.
Since you’re getting this email, you can use the code YPS2014 and take an additional $10 off of the sale price. Coupon code offer ([wpgfxm_highlighter bg_color=”#0DFF0D” text_color=”#000000″]ends 12-15-14[/wpgfxm_highlighter]). Shipped without extra shipping charges.
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The Soda Stream
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Then CanOrganizer
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A Berkey Filter
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A Generator
Yes this does get a little more prepper-ish. But anyone who has been without power knows the value of portable energy! Frankly, I had a hard time choosing just one thing from Camping World. There’s just so much that is applicable to the prepared lifestyle that I’m like a kid in a candy store! So while you’re checking out the generators there on line …also Check out what’s on Sale at Camping World! Hundreds of Items – Huge Savings. Click here to shop!
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Seriously there are so many great ideas that can be preparedness related (without offending the non-preppers) that the ideas could roll on for ever! Feel free to comment and/or contact us if you have any questions or are looking for specific items. If we carry it – we can beat almost every price you might find out there. If we don’t, we can point you in the right direction to find the best deal.
No matter what gift you choose or ask for, just remember it’s all still just stuff. Take care of your relationships and your health to be best prepared!
Have a JOYOUS Holiday Season and we pray your are Blessed beyond riches this year!
Joseph & Donna Miller
(828.536.4988)
PREPARE Magazine – Free digital issues.
Please consider clicking the links in this blog post. With the minor affiliate income we earn we can continue testing, reviewing, sharing, airing shows and blogging – and ultimately – we hope, encouraging YOU. Thanks so very much!
This week we giveaway the Color Coded Homeschool Planner by Jennifer Osuch. What does homeschooling have to do with Preparedness? Well many people who homeschool their children are also on a preparedness journey. We’ve found a great number of folks who fall into both categories.
We homeschooled all three of our children through graduation. They did have a short public school career in elementary but they asked to come home for their education by the time our oldest reached middle-school. Thus began my search for the best organizing and planning options to fit our style.
I had found many that did not fit and ended up kind of making up my own way of doing things for three kids on different grade levels and with different learning styles. Boy do I wish that the Color Coded Homeschool Planner had been out when I was at that point!
The fact that you can view each child within their color makes this a simple planner and record keeper. If you have one child or up to four children – this offers one of the most easy ways to categorize subjects, keep records and set goals for your child(ren) that I’ve seen in print form anywhere.
Here’s a look inside:
What’s even better is that the more entries you can enter on this giveaway below (tweet about it daily to earn more entries) the more chances you gain to win! Perhaps you can get the Color Coded Homeschool Planner for FREE before you start the school year! Have fun! Hope you win!
Whole Wheat Bread Making often eludes people because the loaf seems dense or bitter. But, in just another week this new giveaway can change that for one happy person who can stop baking whole wheat door stops almost instantly!
It may seem odd to have a book dedicated to just one recipe – but the one recipe can be made into so many staples of a home that it deserved focus. It’s not about the recipe as much as it is about the techniques needed, the chemistry behind the ingredients and the skill to make a fluffy (virtually white bread consistency) loaf of Whole Wheat Bread that you and your family will actually prefer to the colon clogging, unhealthy option from the grocery store shelf.
If you don’t happen to win, this book is available on Amazon in both Paperback (Whole Wheat Bread Making (Volume 1)
Without being narcissistic I think I’ll just share a couple of things that others are saying:
[wpgfxm_contentbox width=”75%” bg_color=”#FBE9C6″ b_color=”#8A1A16″ style=”solid” top=”none” right=”1px” bottom=”none” left=”1px” radius=”3px”]”It was so easy to follow and understand – I am sure that even I can bake a beautiful loaf of bread, now! The pictured illustrations were clear and attractive. Each right where I need them to be placed. The written parts were very well worded and right to the point without leaving any questions unanswered. Thank You”
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“Whole Wheat Bread Making” by Donna Miller of Miller’s Grain House is a delight to read.
I have had the pleasure of hearing Donna Miller teach her whole wheat bread making class in person and I was drawn in by her warm, inviting and adept style. This book, written with the same open yet practical personality that comes through in her classes, covers all the basics that every whole grain baker should know to achieve the perfect whole grain loaf.
Many times new bread bakers and even seasoned ones will experience some trepidation when incorporating health-supporting whole grains, but Donna’s explanations, pictures and step-by-step instructions make that goal easy and enjoyable. From flour to pans to yeast and everything in between, Donna breaks down the ingredients, materials and techniques, sharing her own knowledge, but offering so many options, the reader will be able to make their bread making uniquely their own.
I recommend “Whole Wheat Bread Making” for anyone who wants to make the best whole wheat bread, or make their current bread making even better!
Vickilynn Haycraft
www.realfoodliving.com
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Now it’s time for you to enter for your chance to win!
Full Disclosure:
Yes. We did write these books and yes, we offer them in paperback & kindle through Amazon. When you purchase through these links we receive a small royalty and marketing income. And you receive our gratitude for your patronage and support! May you be Blessed beyond ‘riches’ with Peace and Joy! ~ The Millers
Look, I know it’s the weekend and you’re probably busy, but… I wanted to make sure you knew you only have a few hours left before the early bird price for the entire package of the Summer of Survival Complete Collection!!
This lower price option ends at 9AM EDT Monday morning… then the price goes up. You’ll never see it at this low of a price again. Ever.
Remember, the Complete Collection includes EVERY session recording from the entire 2014 Summer of Survival… EVERY Q&A recording… plus HUNDREDS of dollars’ worth of bonuses no prepper would want to do without.
Some of them you won’t find anywhere else. And in a few hours you won’t find them at this price.
So at least take 2 minutes and take a look at what you’re about to miss out on before it’s too late.
Here’s the box below to see the page describing everything:
Thursday – July 17, 2014 – In this episode of Your Preparation Station, we talk about Disaster Readiness as approached by best selling author on the subject: Jim Cobb. It was again my pleasure to spend some time visiting with Jim again! We had the opportunity to talk about his newest book, The Prepper’s Long Term Survival Guide which is somewhat of a follow up to the book that we’re giving away this week (See my review and enter the Giveaway below).
Jim has years of experience and has now released 5 books total on the subject of Preparedness. You’ll enjoy getting to know him better! Even if you’re familiar with Jim’s work, I’ll bet you may not have been aware that he has a very interesting day job, is on the verge of trying his hand at a Fiction piece of work and does preparedness consultations which you can find out more about that at Disaster Prep Consultants.
Jim and I get on a little rant here and there about the difference between bug-out bags and get-home bags and about an area within the preparedness arenas that bug us both!
Listen Here: YPS – Guest Jim Cobb – Aired July 17, 2014 – CLEANED
Remember: Keep Growing & EnJOY the Journey!
Donna Miller
This show is sponsored by Millers Grain House & PREPARE Magazine
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Book Review and Giveaway!
The Prepper’s Complete Guide to Disaster Readiness by Jim Cobb is like a primer for readiness for the novice and a foundational reminder for the veteran prepper. There is virtually not a stone left unturned in this book but still it doesn’t go too deep off track in one way or another as to distract from the goal. Disaster Readiness can be a wide reaching topic but the author, Jim Cobb has done a wonderful job of streamlining it and compartmentalizing it without making it seem overwhelming.
From laying the groundwork of “Why to prepare” to finalizing some ideas of “Where to go” in a disaster, The Prepper’s Complete Guide to Disaster Readiness will take you on a logical and easy to follow journey, yet still open up your eyes to some things you may not have thought of before. Topics are wide, but so is the security of readiness, but unlike life itself, The Prepper’s Complete Guide to Disaster Readiness is neatly compartmentalized in the approach so you can find your area that need improving and refer to it regularly.
Jim discusses this topic on levels that range from relationships (Children, Pets and Elderly) to supplies and skills. I highly recommend The Prepper’s Complete Guide to Disaster Readiness for the novice and the seasoned veteran of preparedness alike.
This Week the Book Bonanza Giveaway offers the chance to win 
“Prepper’s Long-Term Survival Guide
This is a great book written by best selling author, Jim Cobb who has authored several of the top selling preparedness books that have hit the market in the last few years.
Most people think that preparing for an emergency is a short lived plan. However, in “Prepper’s Long-Term Survival Guide: Food, Shelter, Security, Off-the-Grid Power and More Life-Saving Strategies for Self-Sufficient Living
The usual topics of Water, Food, Shelter etc don’t stop with the 72-hour stock up but rather dive deeper and longer term into the future of sustainability. Have you ever thought of surviving boredom? What about what you’ll do if you can’t buy new cloths?
There is an entire way of life that our ancestors used to live that did not rely on the systems, conveniences and gadgets that now tend to dominate life as we know it. “Prepper’s Long-Term Survival Guide
Below is the entry for for this giveaway. Enter for your chance to win this very thought provoking and empowering guide.
Keep checking back each week for another great book review and giveaway!
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