Monthly Archives: April 2014

April 20th, 2014
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When Prepping for Survival, Put a Low Priority on High-Tech

Guest post By Melissa

Joe and his group thought they were prepared for anything.  Their provisions included three shiny new SUVs parked in a secure garage and guarded by a sophisticated alarm.  Each member communicated with the others using military-style hand-held radios.  Their communal bunker was outfitted with scanners, CB transceivers, and signal boosting antennas.

The armory held 20 weapons, including sniper rifles, tactical shotguns, and several 9mm pistols.  Most were equipped with laser sights.  Night vision goggles were stored nearby.  A locked vault held 10,000 rounds of ammo for each firearm, along with multiple high-capacity magazines.  In one building was a miniature clinic stocked with antibiotics, pain killers, and electronic diagnostic equipment.  There was even a medical library stored on CDs.

The compound’s exterior was monitored by wireless cameras that fed images to a server set deep in the compound.  The pantry held enough rations to provide each member with 2,000 calories a day for 18 months.  Solar battery banks and a generator fed by a local stream stood ready to provide the compound’s power needs, should the electrical grid go out.

To pass the time, Joe and his group had stocked high-definition televisions, hundreds of DVDs, and two gaming consoles.  When the poop finally hit the fan, they thought they would be living high off the hog for at least a year without breaking a sweat.

They were wrong.  When the crisis finally occurred, it came in the form of a massive solar flare, one that fried the electronics in every piece of equipment they owned.  The SUVs would take them nowhere.  The radios and scanners were useless, the medical library was inaccessible, and the TVs and gaming devices wouldn’t play.  Even the solar array/generator setup was useless; its circuits were burnt to a crisp by the sun’s temper tantrum.  Want to guess how long Joe and his buddies made it without any of their fancy gadgets?

This sad story illustrates a critical error many survivalists commit when planning for the big day.  They forget how incredibly fragile modern technology is, and how much it depends on the infrastructure set up by corporations and the government.  Without the Internet, centralized telecommunications, and an electrical grid, most devices made in the last few decades would be little more than paperweights.

Given these sad facts, what is the average prepper to do?  Here are some guidelines that should underlie any realistic approach to staying alive in truly tough times:

  • Minimize your dependence on technology.  Use smoke signals and stones arranged in patterns to send messages.  Buy vintage autos, ones that are free of onboard computers and other high-tech junk.  In a true survival situation, a VW Bug from the 60s will do you a lot more good than a modern truck with a dead computer chip.  Even better, get a bicycle or a horse.  Forget TV; read paperbound books instead.  Play cards or board games rather than video games.  Do as much as possible while the sun is up, because when it sets you’ll be hitting the sack.   Learn to appreciate silence, because the natural world is a quiet place.
  • Add a black powder weapon to your preps, like the venerable Kentucky rifle, and use it like the pioneers did theirs.  Learn to cast your own bullets and make powder from bat guano and other natural sources.  While you’re at it, make sure you know how to set traps, make compost, and grow vegetables from seeds found in nature, not the kind you buy in the store.
  • Keep some sort of currency around for barter purposes, one that will carry some weight in the post-apocalyptic world.  Hard chocolates, tobacco products, and even coffee beans will be more precious than gold in such a society.  Use these to trade for the items you truly need, like a metal pot to boil water in or a shot of penicillin.

This may not sound like much fun, but following these tips will keep you alive while others are floundering helplessly.  And, if you live long enough to see the return of technology, then you will appreciate its comforts more than ever before.

 

Start now to make sure you are staying prepared.

 

Via: thesurvivalistblog

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April 19th, 2014
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The no-batteries-necessary UVPaqlite – Product Review

 


Just yesterday afternoon I sent my son on a search for 3 AAA batteries for my headlamp. It was time for my CERT class and I wanted to make sure I had a bright work light after sundown.

Eventually he found the batteries, and therein lies the problem with almost every emergency light source in the house. Batteries.

They die and need to be replaced, which requires a steady stream of purchases. If they’re re-chargeable, they have to be charged — when you remember to charge them!

The answer to this dilemma is a light source that never requires batteries, and that would be UVPaqlite.

Products from UVPaqlite never need batteries. Not ever. From their GloStick to their UVO Necklace, their products provide a constant, steady glow for many hours, far longer than any glow stick.

How does it work?

Each UVPaqlite product is made of a combination of 3 all-natural elements, strontium, aluminum, and europium. These elements are safe and there’s no worry if children handle them. In fact, they’ll go nuts over the magical lights, which is why I highly recommend the UVO Necklace or UV GloStick in every kid’s emergency kit.

The natural elements combine to create a glowing light when exposed to a light source. That source can be just a minute in the sun, a couple of minutes exposed to a flashlight, or 10 minutes in ambient light. The more intense the source, the quicker the charge.

Once charged, the UVPaqlite is ready to go. When they aren’t in use, the glow will diminish, so I recommend hanging one on the outside of an emergency kit or backpack, so it’s charged when you need it. I keep one right by my computer monitor for those nights when I’m burning the midnight oil and need just a bit of light.

A different Paqlite for different needs

UVPaqlite is a small, family owned business, and over the years they have developed a wide variety of products based on this unique, patent pending technology.

The UVO Necklace is particularly good for kids and pets. Attach it to your dog’s collar when you’re in the wilderness, and they’ll be easy to spot. Attach the necklace to the zipper pull on an emergency kit, tuck it into your kid’s school backpack, and place one by their bedside for an always-ready nightlight. As of this writing, the UVO Necklace is just $4.95 each.

I own one of the large UVPaqlites. This is a flattened, sealed bag that has more surface area than a glo sticks and can provide a broader area of light. One of these is handy in a tent, and rolled up, it takes up very little room. I keep mine in the glove compartment of the Tahoe, and it’s been a good light source within that small area.

When the power’s out in the neighborhood, it’s amazing how dark it can be. Even maneuvering around a familiar house can become a challenge. Glow in the Dark Spots (GIDS) can be attached anywhere to provide illumination along a hallway (place them a couple of feet apart along the baseboard), on each step on a staircase, or anywhere in the house where there’s a step up or a step down into another room. The last thing you need on such a night is a sprained ankle!

Is the flashlight extinct?

You’ll still want a good LED flashlight in your emergency kit and around the house for times when a bright spotlight is needed. UVPaqlite products provide a constant, steady glow useful for overall, ambient lighting. But unlike the flashlight, these will never need batteries and can be reused over and over again. A single purchase will provide a light source that will be handy and ready for use indefinitely.

Check it out in person!

I bought my UVPaqlites last year at a prepper expo in California. You can find the UVPaqlite at survival and prepper events around the country. Click here to see their current schedule.

 

Start now to make sure you are staying prepared.

 

Via: thesurvivalmom

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April 18th, 2014
post by policysup | | 0

Getting found when you’re lost: 4 low-tech strategies

By contributing writer, Jim Cobb.

Getting lost in the wilderness can be dangerous, not to mention frightening.  Search and rescue teams are trained how to track people, of course, but you can do them a big favor by carrying with you just a few simple tools to use to signal for help.  Using these items will help get you home much sooner.


Naturally, if you have a cell phone with you, that should be the first thing you grab.  Remember, even if you don’t have enough of a signal to place a call, sometimes text messages will still get through.  It never hurts to try.  But, don’t rely only upon the much-vaunted smartphone to get you out of this jam.  Even Siri, in her infinite wisdom, may be ineffective.

Low tech tools

One of the smallest signal tools is a simple whistle.  It can be carried in a pocket but I suggest looping it around your neck on a lanyard, preferably using paracord.  This serves to keep the whistle on your person, no matter what.  Plus, paracord is extremely useful for a variety of tasks.

There are two basic types of whistles, those with peas and those without.  If at all possible, carry the pea-less variety.  In extreme cold, the moisture in your breath could freeze inside the whistle, causing the pea to stick inside the whistle and rending the whole thing useless.  It is also due to the possibility of cold conditions I suggest the whistle be plastic rather than metal.  Remember that scene in A Christmas Story where the kid sticks his tongue to the flag pole?

When using the whistle to bring help, blow three short blasts at regular intervals.  This is the standard rescue signal.  The sound of the whistle will be heard at far longer distances than that of your shouts.  Plus, you won’t get a sore throat from blowing a whistle.  All of my children are equipped with a whistle when we embark on a hike, just in case.

Please note; People who are disabled and/or who can not blow a whistle should be shown how to swing /spin the whistle quickly to force air thro the device without using your mouth – lungs …To make the signal it would not be the three long three short blast ( SOS )but a one long waving of a whistle tone … an extra Boot or SHOE LACES tied to make whistle longer to swing over head for Louder tone.

Attract attention with light

A signal mirror is a common item found in many prepackaged survival kits and for good reason.  Used properly, the reflected light can be seen for miles.  The downside of this tool, though, is it requires sunlight so it is useless at night or in very low light conditions.  You can improvise a signal mirror with a compact disc, if need be.

To use a signal mirror, you hold it in one hand and raise your other hand up, making a V shape with your fingers.  Look through the hole in the middle of the signal mirror and slowly rotate around until you see a spot of light appear on your outstretched hand.  Angle the mirror and that hand up until that spot of light reaches through your raised fingers.  Continue looking through the mirror’s sighting hole aim toward your target, such as a plane overhead.  Waggle the mirror slightly up and down to create flashes and call attention to your location.

Another signal tool that uses light is a cyalume light stick, sometimes called snap lights.  You can find these in dollar stores and toy departments just about everywhere, especially around Halloween.  They are thin plastic cylinders you bend and shake, mixing the chemicals inside until they begin to glow.  To signal for help with one, tie it to a length of cord about two long.  Then, twirl the cord in front of you, creating a large circle of light.  While you’ll need to be in a cleared area so it can be seen, it is far safer than trying to get a signal fire lit quickly.

Another inexpensive product on the market is the UVPaqlite.

Then there’s the smoke signal…

Speaking of signal fires, they aren’t a bad plan, provided you don’t let them get out of control.  For use during the day, you want to burn a lot of green wood and leaves so as to create smoke.  The smoke is what will be seen during daylight hours.

At night, go the opposite route and burn dry wood that will cause big, bright flames.  If you believe there may well be search planes or other aircraft looking for you, find a clear area and build three fires in either a line or a triangle.  This is a common distress signal.  Of course, if the clear area is large enough, you could spell out HELP with rocks or tracks in the snow.

Now, all these various methods of signaling for help are at least somewhat contingent upon people looking for you in the first place.  It is vitally important that before any hiking or camping trip you let someone know when you’re leaving, where you are going, and when you plan to return.  Be sure to instruct them that if they do not hear from you by a specific date and time, they should alert the authorities that you may be missing.  Naturally, in order to avoid embarrassment, don’t forget to keep your end of the bargain and let them know you’re home safe and on schedule.

Jim  Cobb is a Disaster Readiness Consultant and author of Prepper’s Home Defense, The Prepper’s Complete Book of Disaster Readiness, and Prepper’s Long-Term Survival Guide. His websites are Survival Weekly and Disaster Prep Consultants.

 

Start now to make sure you are staying prepared.

Via: thesurvivalmom

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April 17th, 2014
post by policysup | | 0

FBI Visiting Gun Shops to Investigate “People talking about Big Government”

In keeping with the tradition of the FBI’s position on gun rights, it appears the Bureau is working overdrive to monitor and harass gun owners and the gun shops that sell to them.

While government surveillance of gun purchases and gun owners is nothing new, a recent visit by an FBI Counterterrorism agent to a Columbia, South Carolina gun shop has only reinforced the knowledge that the U.S. government is growing more and more concerned by the prospect of a well-armed populace – particularly one that prefers to live without constant government interference in their personal lives.

While the narrative surrounding “counterterrorism” operations used to eviscerate civil liberties after 9/11 was initially based upon the threat of Muslim fundamentalists, that narrative has clearly shifted to a focus on gun owning, law-abiding American citizens – both those who are politically active and those who are blissfully ignorant of current events.

For many, this shift of focus has been quite the surprise. Thus, when the Columbia, South Carolina gun shop in question was approached by an FBI counterterrorism agent on Monday, April 14, the individuals who spoke with him were somewhat alarmed to realize that the agent’s concern was not fundamentalist Muslims but Americans who promote small government.

According to an individual who was present during the visit (this person will remain anonymous for obvious reasons), the agent pulled up in a regular vehicle in plain clothes and took a look around the shop as if he were considering a purchase before approaching the staff and announcing that he was with the FBI Counterterrorism unit.

“Never in a million years would I have thought this guy was a fed,” said the witness. “He was in a completely normal vehicle. Regular clothes. Everything. I would have thought this guy was just some downhome country boy.”

After showing proper identification, the agent told the shop owners that he was tasked with all the gun shops in the general area and that he was charged with investigating “suspicious purchases” in accordance with counterterrorism operations.

The suspicious purchases he mentioned, however, were completely normal transactions. This included, paying with cash, purchasing long guns, and other similarly innocuous behavior.

However, what surprised the owners the most was his statement regarding what he was most interested in tracking.

According to the witness, the agent stated, “If you see some Middle Eastern guy come in. You don’t have to be so worried about that. What we’re really looking for are people talking about being sovereign such as sovereign citizens or people talking about Big Government.”

The agent also mentioned that he had a spreadsheet of all the gun shops in the area.

After this brief chat, the agent left a flyer with the shop that listed some of the more generic and normal behaviors which they were expected to view as suspicious.

Some of these trigger behaviors are:

  • Payment in cash or someone else’s credit card.
  • Reluctant or unwilling to produce valid I.D.
  • Large purchases or unusual inquiries into buying in bulk
  • Lack of knowledge involved in firearms or product usage
  • Hints at illegal or misuse of explosives
  • New or unknown customers
  • Nervousness or evasiveness

In the end, while the visit to a local gun shop by an FBI Counterterrorism agent is no surprise, it should serve as a stark reminder that the U.S. government is vastly concerned about a well-armed populace. Gun rights have been gradually eroded in the United States for decades but the assault on gun rights has been ratcheted up to a new level by the Obama administration.

Still, those expecting a public declaration of total gun illegality and martial law confiscation will be wringing their hands in anticipation for a very long time. Of course, while they wring their hands and anticipate the declaration of outright war against gun owners, their guns are being slowly stripped from their hands in an incremental fashion. Slight rule changes and isolated confiscations will continue to take place over time until the public has been properly acclimated to them as a fact of life, at which point the public’s line in the sand will be moved slightly forward once more. Again, the line will be crossed, but only slightly. Eventually, Americans will wake up to find themselves completely disarmed and neutered in a land in which they once believed they were free. At that point, with a completely defenseless population, the thin veneer of freedom will be lifted.

It is time for gun owners and gun rights activists to go on the political offensive. In 2014, it is no longer a legitimate mode of activism to be content to defend your already attenuated freedoms. It is time to make demands. It is time to throw compromise out the window.

 

Start now to make sure you are staying prepared.

 

 

Via: shtfplan

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April 16th, 2014
post by policysup | | 0

Going Postal: USPS Stocks Up On Guns and Ammo: “It Doesn’t Make a Whole Lot of Sense”

Going postal just took on a whole new meaning.

Earlier this year Kit Daniels reported that the U.S. Postal Service is joining other alphabet federal agencies in stocking up on ammunition and firearms. It’s an alarming trend that has swept the nation over the last several years and one that Alan Gottlieb, chairman of the Washington-based Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, calls “highly unusual.”

Conspiracy theories abound over the stockpiling of some two billion rounds of ammunition to date, leaving many wondering what the US government has in store for the American people.

Just last week, in the wake of the most recent Fort Hood shooting, mainstream media issued a report claiming that shooter Ivan Lopez was stockpiling weapons and ammo, when in fact he had purchased a single firearm and perhaps a few hundred rounds for it over a couple of visits to the gun store.

If his meager purchases are supposed to raise concerns with the American public and instill a sense of fear, then should we not be absolutely terrified of what our government is doing?

Earlier this year, the USPS posted a notice on its website, under the heading “Assorted Small Arms Ammunition,” that says: “The United States Postal Service intends to solicit proposals for assorted small arms ammunition. If your organization wishes to participate, you must pre-register. This message is only a notification of our intent to solicit proposals.”

Alan Gottlieb, chairman of the Washington-based Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, said: “We’re seeing a highly unusual amount of ammunition being bought by the federal agencies over a fairly short period of time. To be honest, I don’t understand why the federal government is buying so much at this time.”

…

A little more than a year ago, the Social Security Administration put in a request for 174,000 rounds of “.357 Sig 125 grain bonded jacketed hollow-point” bullets.

Before that, it was the Department of Agriculture requesting 320,000 rounds. More recently, the Department of Homeland Security raised eyebrows with its request for 450 million rounds — at about the same time the FBI separately sought 100 million hollow-point rounds.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration also requested 46,000 rounds.

Philip Van Cleave, president of the Virginia Citizens Defense League, asked: why exactly does a weather service need ammunition?

…

“I don’t believe in conspiracy theories, but it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense,” Gottlieb said. “The amount of ammunition they’re buying up far exceeds their needs. It far exceeds what they’ll use — they’ll never use it all.“

(Newsmax via Steve Quayle)

It certainly doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. If you, as an individual, were to purchase a thousand rounds of bulk ammunition you’d be flagged, according to Senator Rand Paul, as a domestic terrorist.

Know good and well that some day there could be a government in power that is shipping its citizens off for disagreements. There are laws on the books now that characterize who might be a terrorist.

…

Someone who has guns, someone who has ammunition that is weatherproofed, someone who has more than seven days of food in their house can be considered a potential terrorist.

Perhaps what the government is afraid of and what they are preparing for… is us.

They may have bugged out of Bunkerville, NV last weekend, but you can rest assured that they are licking their wounds and reorganizing. They no doubt learned a lot during this incident, and they will be fully prepared for the next one, likely with military personnel and stockpiles of ammunition in tow.

While we’d like to agree with the notion that the government will “never use it all,” all signs suggest that they are building these reserves in the event that they do, in fact, need to use them.

It’s apparent that elements within the U.S. government foresee a set of events in the near future that will require them to raise up arms against the American people. If this is the case, then the stockpiling of two billion rounds of ammunition, firearms, tactical gear, and coffins across federal agencies that all have specific guidelines set out for “national emergencies” and martial law scenarios makes perfect sense.

They are planning for something big and they are doing so at an accelerated pace.

 

 

Start now to make sure you are staying prepared.

 

 

Via: shtfplan

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April 15th, 2014
post by policysup | | 0

10 Home Remedies for Acid Reflux

 

Some great information from our friends at: http://www.commonsensehome.com


Recently, some friends asked me for home remedies for acid reflux, so it seemed like a great topic to add to the Home Remedies Collection.  Whether you call it acid reflux, GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, it doesn’t feel good.  Symptoms include upset stomach, regurgitation, and the classic mid-chest burning sensation known as heartburn.  Many folks resort to proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as esomeprazole (Nexium®), lansoprazole (Prevacid®), and omeprazole (Prilosec®).   The thing is, long term use of PPIs has been linked to problems such as life-threatening diarrhea, respiratory illness and osteoporosis. (See “Do PPIs have long-term side effects?” for more information.)  So what can you do to feel better?

First, let’s take a quick look at what’s going on.  As we age, our stomachs produce less acid, and our digestive enzymes become depleted, and many of us have had our helpful bacteria knocked out by antibiotic medication. The stomach tries to physically work harder to break down the food.  The GERD/reflux is commonly linked to harder stomach churning, forcing stomach juices where they should not be. In this article, we’ll cover both quick fixes and long term solutions for acid reflux.

Home Remedy for Acid Reflux #1 – Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is hands down the most popular home remedy for acid reflux on Earth Clinic, with over 270 positive votes.  It’s recommended far and wide on the internet and home remedy books.  There seem to be two schools of thought on dosing.  Some people find indigestion relief by consuming between 1/2 teaspoon to 2 tablespoons of ACV in room temperature or warm water right before a meal.  Others prefer a similar dosage upon rising in the morning and before going to bed at night.  Some people put a couple tablespoons in a quart of water and drink it over the course of the day, but I’d be hesitant to keep sipping an acidic drink all day long.  Start with a smaller amount of ACV and work up to larger amounts if needed.  The flavor is pretty strong, even in water, and some people find it very unpleasant.  You can also mix ACV into tea in place of lemon.  Organic is best, because apples are a pretty heavily sprayed crop.

Home Remedy for Acid Reflux #2 – Pickle Juice

Many of us have an open jar of pickles in the fridge.  If you don’t like vinegar on it’s own, you can get your vinegar with a little flavor bump via pickle juice.  Just take a shot with meals, or any time you’re hit with heartburn.  Check out my neighbor’s recipe for “No Canning Required Dill Pickles” for the easiest homemade pickles you’ve ever made.

Home Remedy for Acid Reflux #3 – Apples

Whether you choose fresh apples, apple sauce or apple cider, apples provide relief to many when heartburn acts up.  Some just use them when symptoms hit, others have added more of them to their diets.  One EarthClinic user notes that chilled applesauce really helps relieve the burn.  My guess is that the natural pectin in apples coats and soothes an upset stomach.

Home Remedy for Acid Reflux #4 – Aloe Vera

Just as it soothes burns on the outside, this anti-inflammatory plant can soothe “burns” on the inside.  It’s available in juices, gels and capsules, or you can juice your own aloe vera plants.  Just cut open a leaf and scoop out the inside pulp.  Consume after meals, on an empty stomach between meals or just before bedtime.


Home Remedy for Acid Reflux #5 – Lemon

Try some lemonade made with real lemons or a glass of lemon water with your meal for a more pleasant way to add a little acidity to your meal.

Home Remedy for Acid Reflux #6 – Mustard

Mustard is a popular option for acid reflux treatment on myhomeremedies.com.  It seems most folks down a spoonful after a meal to get rid of acid reflux, with yellow mustard being preferred over other mustard types.  This could be linked to mustard’s vinegar content, which give it some acidity, plus the mustard seeds themselves contain anti-inflammatory compounds and phytonutrients.  Maybe our ancestors were on to something other than just good flavor when they paired up this spicy condiment with heavy foods?

Home Remedy for Acid Reflux #7 – Ginger

You can use commercial ginger teas, or simply slice some fresh ginger and steep it in hot water, then slowly sip.  Other people nibble a bit of crystallized ginger, suck on ginger candies or chew ginger gum.

Home Remedy for Acid Reflux #8 – Papaya and other Digestive Enzymes

Papayas, fresh or dried, contains enzymes that help your body break down heavy meals.  You can also purchase papaya enzyme in convenient tablet form, sometimes in combination with other enzymes.  Enzymes are taken with a meal, as recommended on the packaging. For fresh or dried papaya, a small portion should do the trick.  My neighbor, Betty (of Betty’s Dill Pickles and Buttermilk Rye Bread), says that papaya enzymes worked great for her.

Home Remedy for Acid Reflux #9 – Probiotics and Live Cultured Foods

As I mentioned at the beginning of the post, as we age things tend to slow down a little, and it’s not uncommon for our guts to get out of whack.  Healthy humans are made up of more bacteria cells than human cells, so when you take medications that kill bacteria, you can really mess things up.  To help rebuild a happy, healthy microbiome inside your belly, where much or our digestion is actually done by bacteria (true fact), we can consume foods or supplements that contain healthy bacteria that we need or introduce them in supplement form.  These healthy bacteria are also known as “probiotics“, and contribute to good health in many ways.  This is not likely to provide fast relief, although personally I do find that drinking kombucha with meals helps settle my stomach, especially when the food is a little questionable.    You can read learn how to brew kombucha at home in the post, “Kick the Soda Habit – Brew Your Own Kombucha“, and we also have a number of Live Culture Food Recipes in the Recipe Index.

Home Remedy for Acid Reflux #10 – Reduce Stress

I haven’t seen anyone talk about this, but I *know* my husband has more trouble with his acid reflux when his stress levels go up at work.  That “stomach churning feeling” really does churn up your stomach, and sometimes tear up your esophagus.  Figure out some way to let go of your stress and tension.  Get some time out in the garden (you’ll probably eat better, too).  Take a walk, stretch, meditate, talk about your troubles with a supportive friend or family member.  Let it go!  Whatever it is is not worth sacrificing your health.

Triggers to Avoid for Acid Reflux

Just a quick note on this, as most folks who live with acid reflux have some idea of what triggers the pain, such as spicy foods, fatty foods, coffee, alcohol, or simply too much food.  Here are some acid reflux triggers that you may not be aware of.

Medications (Prescriptions and OTC), including:

  • Ibuprofen
  • Osteoporosis drugs known as bisphosphenates—including blockbusters like alendronate (Fosamax), ibandronate (Boniva), and risedronate (Actonel)
  • Blood pressure medication (calcium channel blockers and beta blockers)
  • aspirin
  • sleeping pills and sedatives
  • Iron supplements
  • antidepressants
  • antibiotics (as we discussed earlier)
  • potassium supplements

You can read more at “9 Medications that Can Cause Heartburn at Health.com“.

Fish Oil Supplements – Fish oil is great for many things, but it doesn’t agree with everyone.  I take mine with meals.

Peppermint – Sometimes peppermint is stomach soothing, but you can have too much of a good thing.  I like my peppermint nice and gentle, steeped in an occasional glass of tea.

I hope this post is helpful to you if you suffer from acid reflux. Remember, if pain is severe or persistent, see a trained healthcare professional.  Pain is our body’s way of getting our attention.

Why I Don’t Recommend Baking Soda for Acid Reflux

Many people are familiar with the use of a spoonful of baking soda in water for heartburn relief, but there are a couple reasons I didn’t include it.  First off, baking soda is very high in sodium, so taking an entire spoonful of it could be a problem for some people.  Second, and more importantly, adding baking soda to an already over-full stomach can cause the stomach to explode – no joke.  This is really rare, because you really need to have a lot of pressure build up, but here’s an example from The New York Times, “In Rare Cases of Indigestion, Baking Soda May Be a Peril“:

“I nearly died after taking this stuff,” said William Graves, who suffered a rupture through the wall of his stomach in 1979 after taking baking soda mixed in water for indigestion after a big meal. The 64-year-old resident of Bethesda, Md., who is editor of National Geographic Magazine, said that only emergency surgery saved his life and that six more operations were needed to repair the damage. Rupture of Stomach

He said the incident occurred while he was on vacation after an evening when he consumed two vodka martinis, a bowl of chili with corn chips on the side, a salad, corn bread, a glass of red wine, cookies and an after-dinner brandy. Soon after going to bed, he awakened with indigestion and mixed a teaspoon of baking soda with a small amount of water. Less than a minute after drinking it, he said, he collapsed in agony when a two-and-a-half-inch rupture occurred in the inner curve of his stomach.

Just make sure to use your common sense when trying any home remedy, even those that seem pretty boring.

You may also find useful:

This post is provided for informational purposes only and is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness.  Please see a trained healthcare professional is pain is severe or persistent.  Always check with your healthcare provider for any potential drug interactions, and be extra careful if you are nursing or pregnant.

 

Start now to make sure you are staying prepared.

 

Via: commonsensehome

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April 14th, 2014
post by policysup | | 0

BLM Flip Flops: “No Deal” on Dropping Actions Against Bundy

Despite being forced to release hundreds of seized cattle after an astounding standoff on Saturday, the Bureau of Land Management has vowed to continue its pursuit of Cliven Bundy, asserting that no deal has been made to cease its case against the Nevada cattle rancher.


Amazing scenes unfolded on Saturday as Bundy supporters and cowboys on horseback faced off against armed BLM agents and police, demanding that hundreds of cattle seized by the BLM over a grazing rights dispute be released from a nearby corral.

With feds and law enforcement at one point threatening to shoot protesters dead, Bundy supporters fearlessly held their ground and then began advancing on the corral.

Around 380 cattle were eventually released and BLM agents left the scene, a remarkable victory for property rights activists against big government. However, the ‘battle of Bunkerville’ as it is now being called is unlikely to mark the end of the saga.

Despite Clark County Sheriff Douglas Gillespie announcing on Saturday that the BLM had agreed to cease its operation against Bundy, the BLM now asserts that it played no part in the deal and will continue to pursue Bundy “administratively and judicially” for the $1 million in grazing fees it claims Bundy owes the feds.

Since Bundy has steadfastly refused to pay the fee, offering instead to pay it to Clark County, the feds will have no option other than to send armed men to arrest Bundy or restart the operation to confiscate his cattle. Such action will then prompt thousands of Americans to rally to Bundy’s defense just as they did last week, threatening another standoff.

“The door isn’t closed. We’ll figure out how to move forward with this,” BLM spokesman Craig Leff told the Associated Press, adding, “The BLM and National Park Service did not cut any deal and negotiate anything, there was no deal we made.”

This completely contradicts reports on Saturday which stated that, “A deal has been reached between the Bundy family and the Bureau of Land Management.”

In another twist, private investigator Doug Hagmann claims a Department of Homeland Security source told him that the federal stand down on Saturday was merely a temporary measure designed to “hoodwink” Bundy supporters into “believing that the situation is being resolved”.

Hagmann says his source told him the plan to release the cattle had been devised the day before and that Saturday’s activities were focused around a military assessment of the strength of the “resistance” shown by Bundy supporters.

Whatever the truth, the ‘battle of Bunkerville’ represents a seminal moment in the modern American liberty movement.

However, the notion that it represents the end of the federal government’s pursuit of Cliven Bundy is a naive conclusion to draw.

 

Start now to make sure you are staying prepared.

 

 

Via: infowars

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April 13th, 2014
post by policysup | | 0

Be Aggressive Or Be Eaten –Bullied Boy Turns Tables on Attacker

Graphic cell phone video filmed from the inside of a school bus features a young boy overcoming a bully after being beaten mercilessly, illustrating the natural human survival instinct to thrive in the face of abusive, unruly tyrants.

 

Warning: Video features graphic language.

 

The disturbing footage, which first appeared on Tuesday, shows a black girl repeatedly slapping and punching a white boy in the face while she pulls his hair. The boy and others can be heard begging her to stop.

“Please stop, I want to go home,” the boy tells his assailant as he tries to block blows to his face. The bully ignores his pleas and continues hitting him.

As the girl begins kicking the boy in the head, he stands up from his seat, fed up with the abuse, and manages to put his abuser in a headlock.

After taking control of the incident, the boy shows his character when he releases his attacker and asks, “You OK?”

Although the video provides no context, and one wonders where the bus driver is, or why no adults intervened, it clearly shows the perfectly normal human reaction to being bullied and demonstrates the determination of the human spirit in the face of tyrants.

As Alex Jones explained in a recent video, it is imperative to be aggressive in order to protect yourself from a mountain lion attack in a state park, the same way it is important to be aggressive in the face of bullies – the biggest of them all being an out-of-control federal government.

 

 

Don’t be a sheep, be a sheepdog.

 

 

Start now to make sure you are staying prepared.


Via: infowars

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April 12th, 2014
post by policysup | | 0

VICTORY: Federal Agents Flee Bunkerville Citing “Safety Concerns”. Armed Citizen Militia Stands Down.

UPDATE [15:35 CDT] Following an early afternoon standoff with Bundy supporters and militia, the Bureau of Land Management is withdrawing federal agents from the area. There are reports of heavy traffic on I-15 as a result of a federal caravan of exiting agencies. 

Bundy ranch cowboys and hands are standing by for the BLM to open the coral gates and release cattle rounded up during this week’s raid. 

Communications to the area seem to have been restored. No shots have been fired. 

The resolution at this time seems to be a peaceful one, despite earlier threats from federal agents that they would shoot into the crowd if they did not disperse.

You can watch a live feed (available at 15:40 CDT) with Infowars’ David Knight at Ustream.

Read the original report below: Victory for Citizen Militia: FedGov Pulls Out of Nevada: “Serious Concern About the Safety of Employees”

A couple hundred years ago some domestic terrorists got together and penned a Bill of Rights for a fledgling nation. Within their founding document they included a provision designed specifically to protect its newly formed experiment from tyrannical rule by way of arming its inhabitants so as to provide a backstop for those who would attempt to supplant their natural rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

This morning we have a prime example of why the founding fathers found these steps necessary and how powerful their decree really is to ensuring the freedom of Americans.

A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.

Over the last two days thousands of supporters have made their way to Bunkerville, Nevada where hundreds Federal government agents had begun rounding up privately owned cattle from public lands and cordoning off protesters into remote desert First Amendment Areas.

What made this particular “protest” different from previous peaceful assemblies like Occupy Wall Street is that many of those who arrived in Bunkerville were members of citizen militias from around the country – and they were heavily armed.

In short, this time around our overreaching Federal government was out manned and outgunned.

As reported by Infowars, the Bureau of Land Management and other Federal agencies have made the decision to pull their militarized assets out of the area.

A day after Infowars blew the lid on Sen. Harry Reid’s link to the BLM’s land grab of the Bundy Ranch, the Sheriff of Clark County, Nevada, Douglas Gillespie, announced to tremendous applause Saturday that the Bureau of Land Management would cease their efforts targeting cattle rancher Cliven Bundy.

In an emotional response, Bundy told the Sheriff he had one hour to disarm the federal agency and to bring the arms to the platform where speeches were made this morning, and to take down their barricades.

According to a statement issued by the BLM, their primary reason for ceasing operations is because of safety concerns.

“Based on information about conditions on the ground, and in consultation with law enforcement, we have made a decision to conclude the cattle gather because of our serious concern about the safety of employees and members of the public.”

“We ask that all parties in the area remain peaceful and law-abiding as the Bureau of Land Management and National Park Service work to end the operation in an orderly manner.

The “information on the ground” is that there are thousands of men and women standing by and that they were prepared to take action had it become necessary.


Though the government still maintains a court order for the rounding up of cattle, they have for the time being made the decision to walk away. This is not to say they won’t return in the future, but for today, the people are victorious.

Consider how these events would have played out had those who arrived to support the Bundy family not been armed; if they had simply showed up with protest signs and cell phones.

The end result would likely have looked more like this:


Rather than being tied up and pepper sprayed, the brave Americans who ventured to Bunkerville held their ground, 2nd Amendment in hand, and the government determined it was no longer in their best interests to pursue the matter.

A new day has dawned in America. One where the people see that real change can happen.

Activism really does work. This incident has proven that the Patriots and the militias are worthy adversaries.  We have proven the power of social media and alternative news in the fight against tyranny. (Daily Sheeple)

The events of Bunkerville, Nevada show that the government, which so badly wants to control every aspect of our lives, can be defeated and sent packing.

 

My only comment is now, watch out for some late night raid, as they also never forget.

 

Start now to make sure you are staying prepared.

 

Via: shtfplan

 

 

 

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April 11th, 2014
post by policysup | | 0

Eric Holder wants gun owners to wear ‘smart gun’ bracelets

Attorney General Eric Holder wants to explore “common sense” gun reforms, like mandating that gun owners would have to wear bracelets before they could activate their firearms.

Holder made his remarks while testifying before a U.S. House of Representatives appropriations committee on Friday. He acknowledged the existence of the Second Amendment, which gives people the unqualified right to own and carry weapons, but nevertheless expressed support for several gun control measures that he described as “common sense reforms,” according to The Washington Free Beacon.

“One of the things we learned when we were trying to pass those common sense reforms last year, Vice President Biden and I had a meeting with a group of technology people and talked about how guns can be made more safe by making them either though fingerprint identification, the gun talks to a bracelet that you might wear, how guns can be used only by the person who is lawfully in possession of the weapon,” said Holder, referring to so-called “smart gun” technology.

“It’s those kinds of things that I think we want to try to explore so that people have the ability to enjoy their Second Amendment rights while at the same time decreasing the misuse of weapons that lead to the kinds of things we see on a daily basis, where people, kids especially, are struck down.”

A smart gun requires the shooter to be wearing a bracelet or watch with an RFID chip that communicates with the gun and allows it to fire.

The National Rifle Association opposes such technology, writing last year that “we are opposed to government mandates that require the use of expensive, unreliable features, such as grips that would read your fingerprints before the gun will fire.”

Holder’s testimony concerned the Department of Justice’s budget requests for fiscal year 2014. Holder would like Congress to allocate increased funding — an additional $380 million — for gun safety programs. About $2 million would go toward the development of gun safety technologies, such as fingerprint-responsive mechanisms and GPS trackers. These technologies could make it easier for law enforcement to tell when guns are missing or stolen. (RELATED: New York state offers $500 reward for reporting gun owners)

However, they could also stoke fears of the federal government keeping tabs on gun owners, as some state governments do. (RELATED: Law-abiding Connecticut gun owners may face FELONY CHARGES for failing to register weapons)

 

Start now to make sure you are staying prepared.

 

Via: dailycaller

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