Self-sufficient living.

[wildeyed]

After 9/11, I realized how ill-prepared I was to take care of my family in an emergency. So I bought a few books of tips on how to get by.

The one I like the best was "Making the Best of Basics". http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1882723252/qid=1101944382/sr=2-1/ref=pd_ka_b_2_1/102-6261898-3971351

I also have "Passport to Survival: 12 Steps to Self Sufficient Living". http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1882314247/qid=1101944622/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/102-6261898-3971351?v=glance&s=books

In addition to having good advice on how to prepare for an emergency, these books are also full of frugal and healthy living advice. For instance, it is easy to buy alfalfa seeds in bulk and then sprout them yourself in a jar on top of your fridge. Much cheaper than buying veggies at the supermarket, and convenient, too.

Now I admit, I don't store a years worth of supplies and I don't grind my own flour, either. But I still found these books very interesting and potentially helpful in an emergency.

[yardwork]

1. Caution on the sprouts - they often grow bacteria

This has become a big problem and is one reason you don't see sprouts on salad bars very often anymore. Even the home-grown sprouts can develop bacteria and mold very quickly. Some people sickened and (I think) died in Japan from radish sprouts a few years ago.

I knew someone in graduate school who was studying toxicology. He said it was disturbing to learn about the many extremely toxic molds and bacteria that grow on supposedly fresh fruits and vegetables. He said it actually made him rethink some of his feelings about chemicals!

For example, don't eat moldy peanuts or moldy celery. Highly carcinogenic.

[fudge stripe cookays]

2. Yikes!

Wow. I had no idea!

FSC

[wildeyed]

3. Eeeew

I will be careful.