Our Preparedness Journey (Blog) – Page 4

Weekly Book Bonanza – Giveaway #1: “It’s a Disaster…”

No. “It’s a Disaster…” doesn’t mean we’re not doing the book giveaway, but it is part of the title of our very first book to be given away in the Weekly Book Bonanza!

If you have not had the opportunity to get your hands on this valuable resource guide, I highly recommend that you do!

It’s a Disaster…and what are YOU gonna do about it? has been used in First Responder Training across the country! How much better could your family be prepared than to have at hand the very same book that so many First Responders use!

The book doesn’t read like a novel nor is it difficult to ‘get through.’ In fact, it lends itself to reading in short segments of time based upon your need, area of potential disaster or interest. Even if you are in the midst of a crisis, the way this book is set up – it’s so easy to find what you need in just seconds that it is a far better field guide than most other emergency manuals I’ve read.

From Family to Business preparedness or Natural to man-made disasters It’s a Disaster…and what are YOU gonna do about it? really covers the widest base of events I’ve ever seen in one book. Not only does it cover the event – it gives you the wherewithal to handle living through them! The step-by-step bullet points that help you stay on track for so many possible events help you feel ready with almost endless contingency plans.

As the author’s state on their website It’s a Disaster…and what are YOU gonna do about it? truly “helps families and businesses “be aware, be prepared, and have a plan” for most types of emergencies and disasters (including Terrorism). The 266-page paperback provides quick-reference instructional bullets in 2-color format. It is not written to alarm people, rather it suggests tips on what to think about and do before, during and after specific types of scenarios, as well as how to administer basic first aid.”

I hope you’ll enter this Weekly Book Bonanza Giveaway #1 for your opportunity to win it and add it to your bug out bag, emergency bin or back pack.

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Full Disclosure: We do make a living sharing about the things we believe in. So links within this post are affiliate links. We fully support and promote this book, otherwise we would not be affiliates. Plus, this link also gives you a free copy of the mini-book – so you can see for yourself why we support these authors and their mission. Please consider purchasing one of the books through us – if you do not win one. Thank you! Best Blessing!

Giveaway Extravaganza – Enter this Weekly Book Bonanza

Do you want to build your Self-Sustaining Library with Books that are sure to help you be prepared? Then get ready for this Giveaway Extravaganza – Weekly Book Bonanza!

Beginning the first week of June, 2014 each week myself along with 12 other bloggers and professionals in the preparedness industry will bring you a weekly review and opportunity to win the book we’ve just reviewed! Over the coming weeks… over 21 books for your Preparedness Library will be given away! So keep checking back and see what each new week brings!

The first giveaway begins Sunday, June 1 at 12AM Eastern Time and runs through Saturday – June 7, 11:59PM Eastern. The weekly winner will be notified via email within 10 hours of a giveaway ending and has 48hrs to claim his/her book via reply.

Weekly Book Bonanza Giveaway – (order may vary):

It’s a Disaster & What are you Gonna Do about It? by Bill & Janet Leibsch
Survival Medicine Handbook by Dr. Bones & Nurse Amy
Prepper’s Long Term Survival Guide by Jim Cobb
The Prepper’s Complete Book of Disaster Readiness by Jim Cobb
The Prepper’s Cookbook by Tess Pennington
The Nautical Prepper by Capt William E. Simpson II
Jake & Miller’s Big Adventure by Bernie Carr
Doctor Prepper’s Making the Best of Basics by James Stevens
The Survival Mom by Lisa Bedford
Naturally Healthy Cuisine: Real Food for Real Families by Vickilynn Haycraft
Food Storage for Self Sufficiency and Survival by Angela Paskett
Whole Wheat Bread Making by Donna Miller
Simply Canning: Survival Guide to Safe Home Canning by Sharon Peterson
Prepper’s Food Storage by Julie Languille
The Darkness After by Scott B. Williams
The Prepper’s Workbook by Scott B. Williams & Finazzo
Meals in a Jar by Julie Languille
More Food From Small Spaces by Margaret Park
The Preparedness Planner (ebook Bundle of 2) by Jennifer Osuch
Color Coded HomeSchool Planner (eBook) by Jennifer Osuch
Duct Tape 911 by James Hubbard, MD MPH

I hope you’ll enter each one, each week! Look for another update when the first one opens in a few days!

Best of Success to you!

Joseph & Donna Miller

Natural Remedy for Upper Respiratory Infection

The other day an upper respiratory infection ‘yuck’ hit me like a ton of bricks. Out of the blue with no warning I had the first full blown sickness I’d had in years.

The symptoms all pointed to an actual infection:

Fever
Body Aches
‘Color’ from my lungs or nose (sorry about that picture)
Cough
Loss of voice (not fun for a radio host)
Exhaustion
Headache
General Whimpiness

And I’m not one to go to a doctor at the drop of a hat, nor am I a fan of big pharmaceutical antibiotics. I started the aroma therapy, the sage tea and essential oil foot rubs and began to feel at least some relief but not actually ‘better’ fast enough. Enter my friend Herbalist Terry Coffee of Hill Billy Ann’s.He had read my request for prayer and messaged me a list of items to gather and mix for my speedy recovery.

Admittedly, I had almost all of the items handy and often used them in other concoctions but together? Uhm no Terry, Are you trying to kill me? He assured me he wasn’t so I began the mad scientist mixology immediately with what I had on hand. See pictured below:Ingredients:

1/2 Cup Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
2 teaspoons Grated Horseradish
2 Tablespoons of Grated Ginger Root
1/4 of an Onion
2 Cloves of Garlic (peeled)
1/4 teaspoon of Cyanne Pepper
2-3 Tablespoons of Honey
Juice of 1/2 Lemon

Toss all this loveliness into the blender and blend for at least 2 minutes on high.

Strain through a metal or coffee filter to remove pulp.Store in a TIGHTLY sealed jar in the fridge.

You’re going to use this until it’s gone.

Take 2 TBS 4-6 times a day

Now I will tell you that within just 2 doses of this stuff my chest congestion loosened and fever broke. And that it’s some hot, stinky mess…I didn’t even have the jalapeno and habenero peppers Terry told me to put in (that was all I lacked and thankfully so). But you know what…it’s all natural and it works so I’m a happy camper. Even if it is labeled: “Knock My Sick Socks Off – Stinky Elixir” (well, yes I mis-spelled elixir on the label – but hey I was sick) ->

I’ll take the bad breath (who am I kidding, you don’t have good breath when you’re sick anyways) and the kick it gives each time I take it to know the infection was knocked out of my system almost completely within 2 full days! All this with items that God created naturally.
Thanks to my friend, Herbalist Terry Coffee for your payers and foundational ‘prescription’!

If you’re reading this blog and give it a go when you’re sick – I’d love to hear how it works for you!

Best Blessings!

Donna

Combating Cabin Fever

With the huge winter storms barreling down on much of the Southeast, those of us who live in an area which usually has a more temperate winters, are preparing for yet another long haul of short, dark, cold days and the inability to go anywhere. With little opportunity to get outside, cabin fever may be a new reality for those of us in this area.

Cabin fever is often far more than merely a physical condition. While it’s obvious that the restlessness of close quarters and the inability to go outside can create cabin fever, it is far beyond the fact or physical that cabin fever is a reality. The phenomenon of cabin fever is not only evident physically, but also emotionally, mentally and can affect relationships.

Physically, it is easy to see how the feelings for cabin fever are created. Cloudy, dark days often affect our moods and our ability to be physically active. Staying indoors to remain warm also affects our ability to be physically active. We often eat more, move less, and give in to lethargy. Heating often dries the air, which leads to many sinus and headache issues. Often more than one family member is also inside the home causing more cramped quarters. In this busy society we now live, staying put for days on end is a rarity.

Emotionally, we are affected by the physical. The lack of sun, the shorter days, the inability to move our bodies, all have an effect on our emotional state and can often cause depression. If the family has not practiced spending great lengths of time together, one or more of the family members may be an emotional drain or irritant upon the others. Even though we know the situation is temporary, our emotions are often focused on the immediate.

Mentally, we’re used to many more things stimulating our mind. Television shows only go so far to keep us preoccupied. When the mind tires or becomes bored, it will make things up often affecting our emotions and mental acuity at the same time.

Try these options to combat the dark, shorter days:

Replace your light bulbs with full spectrum bulbs.
Open all drapery shades and blinds.
Play lighthearted music.
Light scented candles to diffuse essential oils which have a scent that will remind you of Spring.

Try these options to combat lethargy:

Try a DVD or exercise program on television.
Put on headphones and try some calisthenics.
Bundle up and go outside anyway.
Walk on jogging tramp.
Clean or reorganize something.

Try these options for heating induced headache or sinus problems:

Boil a pot of water with cinnamon sticks, tea tree or eucalyptus on the stove.
Dress warmer to lower the use of heat.
Use a heating pad.

Try these ideas for cramped quarters and feeling trapped:

Occasionally, use headphones to block out additional voices.
Each person claims his or her own quiet spot to retreat to when he/she needs alone time.
Be sure to bathe and freshen up even when pent up and not going anywhere.
Now’s a good time to play a board game or take on a project.

Relationships are often affected in close quarters when the physical, emotional, and mental states of everyone are affected. We can see that each puts a tax upon our mental physical or emotional state can also affect relationships in an adverse manner even though we may not want them to. How we handle our physical mental and emotional states will have a positive or negative outcome on the relationships of those trapped inside the cabin with us. Relationships are delicate things. Take great care to relieve the other affecting aspects of cabin fever so as not to leave scars upon relationships. These relationships likely mean more to you in the future than the temporal trapping of the snow, ice, freezing weather or quarantine. Be proactive and combat cabin fever before you adversely affect your own well-being and the relationships that matter to you most.

These ideas take very little money but simply take our effort. It’s worth our time to practice them should the conventional means of life change in the future!

For more insight, ideas and encouragement please subscribe to our newsletters

When is it right to rebel?

No, although I am a Southerner born and bred, you won’t see me flying a Rebel Flag. But by my human nature I am a rebellious person. My youth was loaded with making ways ‘around a system’ and outright rebellion, much of which I’m not proud of as wisdom opened my eyes to the folly of my youth. Having a life-changing relationship with the Risen Messiah has clarified my rebellious nature earlier as mostly self-absorbed assertion of independence.

But when is it right to be in rebellion? When is being a rebel a good thing? Is there ever a time that a rebellious nature should, in fact, be allowed to step in and take charge?

Perhaps it is better looked at under what perimeters one more socially (or potentially morally) allowed to rebel. I would agree that under these circumstances, the rebellion may be deemed appropriate:[wpgfxm_bullets bullet=”green-arrow”]

During times of tyranny.
On behalf of oppression and persecution of the weak or voiceless.
When moral boundaries are overstepped and accepted as the norm by the powers that be.

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Surely there are other time in which rebellion is acceptable. Please feel free to comment with your opinions. But also remember, I may not agree…and we’re free to disagree.

Rebelling against the status-quot when it harms others can often be considered heroic, not an act of insurrection. This is not always the case though. Often it is merely a matter of perception that throws rebellion off course. When the foundational reason for rebelling is based on perception, the starting point is already askew, thus the end result is not beneficial. Rebellion, even for the ‘right cause’ can quickly go astray and damage the intention.

Here is a short list of check points to know when it is acceptable or appropriate to rebel.

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When I alone am willing to pay the price for the rebellion. No one else has to.
When I alone suffer any negative consequences and no one else is harmed in the process.
When I can think through most all possible scenarios that will result in the desired outcome that my rebellion will produce.

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The thing is…the teenager who stays out partying all night may surely be in rebellion. But he/she does not see the cost paid on the health of the worrying parent or the increased statistical risk of injury to self and others. This teen cannot justify the rebellion based on the list above.

On the contrary, the example of so many others through out history have rebelled against odds, entities and establishments. All the while counting the cost, paying the price and praying for the outcome to benefit the masses. Freedom is one ‘rebellion’ that costs dearly. Salvation is another. But those who paid the price for us, knew it all too well.

Are you able to decide when it is right to be in rebellion and when it is merely reaction from listening to hearsay, or being lead by propaganda, or a self-absorbed assertion of independence? You can decide rather than react: Check that the foundational reason is not askew, then ask yourself what is the price and are you willing to pay it, fully and alone. This is the difference in being rebellious and being a “Rebel with a cause.”

Prepper Websites: True Identity vs. Niche Marketing

If you have listened to ANY of the “Your Preparation Station Radio Shows” from the last 3+ years, then you’ve heard me preach this before. “When it comes to learning more about being well prepared, do a little recon on the person/website from whom you’re taking advice.”

Even today, a website came across my path that is merely copies of many other blogs written by a myriad of original, well respected authors to which none were given proper credit or attribution/link backs to their original sites. Now while the original authors were not being given credit nor linked to (shame on this website for copyright infringement) the original authors (as best I know some of them) do have good intentions and good information…but unless you know who wrote what, it would be easy to be duped into believing that this was somehow great, unique content or instruction from the site or facebook page on which it was posted. Hmmm….. annoying yes?

The sad thing is that this blog/website is like so many others out there now. Some are so well put together that it helps avoid the suspect of the complete emptiness or reproduction of their content. Not only is the material simply reproduced (often illegally or misleadingly) but a reader/visitor to the site cannot find out who owns the site. No ‘contact us’ link with an email address or phone number are visible. No name of a person attached to the site. The ‘about us’ page may be vague at best. Sites like these, as well as some of the monster facebook pages with thousands of ‘likes’, are suspect to me as very affective, yet simple marketing portals to the unsuspecting prepper.

Sure. There are many good folks who make a living on line. It actually is one more avenue of self-sufficiency. I don’t condemn that at all. We do it too. But to simply re-post the work of other bloggers or authors, load up links with pictures on facebook, never make reference of credit to where the information came from and fill a site with items of primarily NOT THE OWNER’S INFORMATION is misleading at best. Depending upon how vague the information or unavailable information of who owns the site, it may be a downright move for marketing alone. The Prep site owner has simply found that the preparedness world as a new monetary marketing niche, just ripe for making money – yet he/she/they don’t believe in living a preparedness lifestyle at all.

[wpgfxm_contentbox width=”80%” bg_color=”#FBB564″ b_color=”#D1490F” style=”groove” top=”1px” right=”1px” bottom=”1px” left=”1px” radius=”0px”]Think about it: Do you really want to do business with, support or listen to someone unwilling to be forthright when it comes to your preparedness planning? Trust is a factor. [/wpgfxm_contentbox]

So you may be wondering: “How on earth can I find out about the validity of a website? BBB labels? Security Verified? The ‘s’ in http url?” Sure some of those things can ad up, yes but they can also be ‘faked’ with good graphics. And most of us are not detectives of how to track things on all the prep sites. There are, after all, millions out there now that the term has gone main stream. Besides – “ain’t nobody got time for that.” (:

Here are a few easy to decipher and remember – quick points that anyone can do for recon to find out who’s behind it all. You don’t have to be a cyber slooth to get this in-tell from the prep site you’re on.

Please back away & take your hand off the mouse, if you see these Red Flags:

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~ Don’t listen to someone who says you have to do it all exactly ‘their way’ or you won’t make it.
~ Don’t rely on an expert who simply copies articles written by others to populate facebook, their blog, etc.
~ Don’t listen to someone who pushes your fear buttons and causes you to be reactionary.

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Please support, click, connect with someone who is forthright when you see these Green Lights:

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~ You hear or read consistencies in their personal story from a variety of venues.
~ They tell you how to get in touch with a real person via ‘contact us’ or verbally.
~ When you email them, they reply – eventually – with your original email below.

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I am not saying that automated newsletter systems are bad or that if someone doesn’t want to give out their home address and phone number that you avoid them completely. Not at all. We all need our privacy. But if there is no way of having some form of one on one communication either with a customer service representative, the business owner or the blog writer – you may wish to take your questions, clicks and loyalty elsewhere – to someone you can trust walks the talk. Just sayin’. For what it’s worth.

And, well if that doesn’t matter to you, please at least be on the look out for someone selling you this valuable piece of real estate:

Prepping to Be Prepared.

Exactly what does the phrase “Be prepared” suggest? Obviously, at one time it was the Boy Scout Slogan (perhaps it still is, however, I’m not a Boy Scout). Additionally, exactly what is this brand-new word “prepping”? Sounds like something you hear that only medical professionals or surgeons do before a procedure.

Well, both of these inquiries result in the necessity} of clarifying precisely what preparedness or prepping in fact is. It is a less complicated to dissect the points that prepping or living a prepared way of life really consists of instead of explaining exactly what it is or is not {due to the fact that the lifestyle has a wide variety within it and looks unique for each household.

Some points that it must NOT consist of however are: Anxiety, hording, fear or paranoia.

So with that groundwork of what it is NOT clearly stated, permit us to consider the vast range of points that prepping does feature. Below are components, not in order of top priority nor an all comprehensive list – however a fundamental checklist of points that are frequently featured} in preparedness planning:

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Creating a Long-Term Workable Kitchen Stock or Storage. This consists of not only food items but of skills and alternative cooking devices.
Knowing and practicing survival skill, alterations, abilities and techniques.
Ensuring a consuming and a usable water supply and knowing the difference.
Understanding and utilizing emergency response skills and lifesaving devices.
Preparing for Terrorist Attack, Pandemic or Natural Disasters and to respond with calmness to the adversity.
Planning for alternative Communications.
Working toward a more self-sustaining way of life and gaining abilities such as gardening, storing the harvest, to eat and provide from ones very own initiatives alone.
Acquiring an alternative and renewable power source.
The right to bear arms either for game hunting or security and defense.

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Look for upcoming posts that will certainly expound further upon each of these topics in greater detail. In each we will discuss exactly what is entailed in these and other areas of preparedness.

Need your help with these old Barn Treasures

A couple of weekends ago we decided to get into the old barn and see what we could see. This is just a small sampling of the treasures we found…but I think we could use your help – so if you have some answers to our questions, please post a comment!

Obviously these are rail road spikes:

Each one is quite heavy on it’s own – and as you can see we have a dozen of them. We have no idea how old they are – just that they are old.

So what can you do with these now? Anything?

And we were thrilled to find two cane chairs that my husband remembers from when he was much younger that his grandfather used and previously re-caned. So we know they are old!

They are two of the sturdiest chairs I’ve seen! Even today’s factory made supposed, precision measured and assembled chairs don’t come close to the solid building of these two antiques!

Last but not least by any means is something that has had me thrilled (and potentially for no good reason)! I am enamored with this thing and don’t even know what it is….maybe you can help?

Yes. It is likely some sort of tap root. But it is completely balanced, level and can be leaned upon with the full force of your weight (and I’m not a featherweight by any stretch of the imagination) without any one of the tripod type legs showing sign of giving way.

I know what it can’t be…

It can’t be a cane (too wide to walk with)
It can’t be a cooking tripod (it is wood thus flammable)
It can’t be a petrified squid (although it resembles one)
It can’t be swing set (to short at only about 3 feet high)

But what CAN it BE?

We really would appreciate your help if you have any ideas on the railroad tie uses and the mystery treasure root thing we found in the old barn!

Stay tuned! More cool stuff that’s coming from our Preparedness Adventure!

Curious about cooking with the sun? Read this…

I just love teaching the Solar Cooking class that is on the docket for Saturday. Cooking with the sun is not only economical, but also resourceful! If you were to be without power – how would you cook? Propane is not great for long storage, wood can be wet and even if you have those on hand – they are both consumable, not easily renewable power sources.

The sun is (Lord Willing) a renewable source of energy on which we can usually rely most days. Why not harness it to do something we usually do most days – cook! We can also use the sun to stretch those other power sources to be more readily available when the sun may not be (on a cloudy day or at night).

In my class I compare the difference between a home-made pizza box solar cooker, another solar cooker (which I do not carry) and the Global Sun Oven – and now I get to share about the NEW All AMERICAN Sun Oven with some really great features specific to our American cookware and more.

The improvements and new features make this like my very own grown up ‘easy bake oven’ (I’ve said that a lot – because it’s more fun than work!)

I have an interview with the Executive President of Global Sun Ovens International, Paul Munsen that airs the evening after class. You can listen to that interview and get even more info: HERE

Sun Ovens are so easy to use and such fun!

If you’re reading this blog – we would like to offer you a discount for a limited time on either of the Sun Oven Options we carry (Global Sun Oven OR All American Sun Oven).

Just put the code YPSBLOG in at check out and save $10 on any purchase of a Sun Oven (shipping is included for free) … as our way saying ‘Thank you!’ and our hope that you too will enjoy this versatile alternative cooking option!

Please connect with us on Facebook!

Your Preparation Station

If you want to stay up to date with new shows, training webinars and what is going on now that we’ve moved to the bug-out location as a permanent home – please consider connecting with us on Facebook by hitting the “LIKE” button on the page: http://www.Facebook.com/YourPreparationStation

I’d like to think I keep up this blog pretty good, but to be honest, well not as well as I’d like. So Facebook is a good alternative to fill in the gaps and help us stay connected.

Other Facebook pages you may also be interested in connecting to are:

Looking forward to seeing your Facebook face, hearing your comments and staying connected!

Best Blessings and enJOY the journey!