Resources of B'nai Yahshua Syagogue of Etowah

Home Preparations

(Store at least 18 months worth of food)

Make sure all long-term stored food is leaven(yeast)-free for the Pesach/Passover and Chag Ha Matzoth/Feast of Unleavened Bread Moadim(Feasts).

Food Storage Guidelines

Keep food in rotation through regular pantry to keep stock fresh!

Maximum shelf-life (Calculate exactly what you need for your family's food storage pantry.)

water (lasts about a year)

nuts (about 9-12 months)

sugar, granulated (2 years)

herb/spice blends (1 to 2 years)

popcorn (2 to 3 years)

corn meal and flour (2 years - in freezer indefinite)

various canned foods - i.e. pinto beans, corn, potatos, carrots, chili, mixed vegatables, beets, tuna and fruit (usually 2 years - expiration dates appear on cans)

raw grains - wheat & oats (indefinite in airtight containers w/moisture control packets) Learn how to prepare food using raw grains.

rice (1 to 2 years in airtight containers w/moisture control packets)

raw beans (12 to 18 months in airtight containers w/moisture control packets)

spaghetti and macaroni noodles (12 to 18 months in airtight containers w/moisture control packets).

Designing Your Pantry

When you design your pantry, buy things you normally eat. Design your pantry with the thought in mind that you are preparing for a great depression and food is being rationed and there is not money to buy food. Make sure you have everything you would need and plenty of it. Know how to make bread, biscuits, and desserts from scratch now verses later, so as not waste food learning later.

Spices

Buy some good spices for seasoning rice, beans, desserts etc. Curry, cajun spices, saffron, black pepper, garlic salt, seasoning salt, dried minced onions, cinnamon, vanilla extract, cocoa, chili powder, sage, paprika, mustard, are just a few you can consider.

Buy By The Case

Buy by the case if you buy canned goods. Shop around for the best prices. Go to discount stores on canned goods to save. Think things through. Pray and plan. Do not buy all large cans, if you have a small family; unless that is what you have shalom with. I recommend mixing it up.

Think Big

Buy large containers/bags of staple goods such as sugar, salt, spices, oats, and cocoa. On rice and beans mix it up. Buy some large bags and some medium.

Get Some Goodies

Buy some goodies. Buy cases of pie fillings such as apples, cherries, peaches, and blueberries. Buy cases of canned fruit. Get beef jerky, a large variety of nuts, dried fruits, and pudding.

Do Not Forget Passover

Buy flour and corn meal without leaven (yeast). Do not forgot to have plenty of yeast. If Passover is getting close, wind down on yeast products in pantry and in storage so nothing is wasted. Remember that if you do not live in Eretz Yisrael, that you really can not fully observe Pesach. It is important to practice in the lands outside Yisrael, but the weightier matter in Torah is to perserve life in this matter. If you have a lot of storage with yeast in it and you do not have shalom with doing away with all your yeast products then declare some borders within your home and keep the yeast products out of those borders and abstain from eating yeast products during the Feast Of Unleavened Bread.

Toiletries And Other Supplies

Buy plenty of soap, deodorant, shampoo, toilet paper, feminine hygiene products, toothpaste, razors, paper towels, detergent for washing dishes by hand not just dishwaher detergent, clothing detergent, bleach and anything you normally use in this category.

Home Water Filtration System

http://www.pleasanthillgrain.com/

Berkey® Systems are the world's most powerful and economical water purification systems, providing incredibly clean, pure water in both normal and hostile environments. There are many alternatives out there in this category of survival. Research and follow shalom.

Bottled Water

Have plenty of water. Get lots of drinking water and buy it by the gallon and it is also good to get 5 gallon containers with a water cooler that will work without electricity. Have some cases of drinking water in the smaller bottles in addition to your other water storage. There are cases of 24 and 36 that can be purchased at the grocery store. Find water with a good expiration date that will last a year and a half, cheaper is not always better when storing food and water.

Camping stove Or Alternative Way To Cook Food

Have plenty of propane. There are adapters for smaller stoves to use the large propane containes. Have at least 3 large propane tanks and a dozen little camping size tanks.If you feel led by the Ruach of Yahweh to get more then obey the Ruach.

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Common Mistakes

Taken from an article By Vicki Tate

www.backwoodshome.com

Most people don’t have enough variety in their storage. 95% of the people will have only stored four basic items: wheat, milk, honey, and salt. Statistics show most of us won’t survive on such a diet for several reasons. Make sure and have plenty of variety.

Never put all your eggs in one basket. Have plenty of food stored in the freezer & plenty of canned food. Buy canned food items 12 (by the case) at a time at discount stores or when they are on sale. Make sure you add cooking oil, vegatable shortening, baking powder, yeast, and powdered eggs. Don't stock up too much on leaven/Yeast, because of the Passover season every Spring.

Vitamins are important, especially if you have children, since children do not store body reserves of nutrients as adults do. A good quality multi-vitamin and vitamin C are the most vital. Others might be added as your budget permits.

Quick and easy foods help you through times when you are psychologically or physically unable to prepare your basic storage items. “No cook” foods such as freeze-dried are wonderful since they require little preparation, MREs (Meal Ready to Eat), such as many preparedness outlets carry, canned goods, etc. are also very good. “Psychological foods” are the goodies—Jello, pudding, candy, etc.—you should add to your storage. These may sound frivolous, but through the years I've talked with many people who have lived entirely on their storage for extended periods of time. Nearly all of them say these were the most helpful items in their storage to “normalize” their situations and make it more bearable. These are especially important if you have children.

Balance Time and time again families buy all of their wheat, then buy all of another item and so on. Don’t do that. It’s important to keep well-balanced as you build your storage. Buy several items, rather than a large quantity of one item. If something happens and you have to live on your present storage, you’ll fare much better having a one month supply of a variety of items than a year’s supply of two or three items.

Containers Always store your bulk foods in food storage containers. A lot of food is thrown away because it was left in sacks, where it became highly susceptible to moisture, insects, and rodents. If you are using plastic buckets make sure they are lined with a food grade plastic liner available from companies that carry packaging supplies. Never use trash can liners as these are treated with pesticides. Don’t stack them too high. In an earthquake they may topple, the lids pop open, or they may crack. A better container is the #10 tin can which most preparedness companies use when they package their foods.

Use your storage One of the biggest problems is people storing food and not knowing what to do with it. It’s vital that you and your family become familiar with the things you are storing. You need to know how to prepare these foods. This is not something you want to have to learn under stress. Your family needs to be used to eating these foods. A stressful period is not a good time to totally change your diet. Get a good food storage cookbook and learn to use these foods! It’s better to find out the mistakes you’ll make now while there’s still time to make corrections.

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Advanced First Aid Kit

(Make sure all medicines contain no gelatin)

Make Your Own First Aid Kit

medical tools

eye care (wash or drops)

minor wound care

instant (heating and cold packs)

major wound care & field surgical kit

http://www.galatiinternational.com/

http://www.imsplus.com/

first-aid manual

sterile gauze in several sizes

adhesive tape

adhesive bandages in several sizes

elastic bandage

antiseptic wipes

soap

antibiotic cream (triple-antibiotic ointment)

burn ointments

lubricant

epson salt

lip balm

hand sanitizer

hydrocortisone cream (1%)

acetaminophen

ibuprofen

asprin

diarrhea tablets

laxitive tablets

antibiotics

extra prescription medications

stainless steel tweezers

stainless steel sharp scissors

stainless steel bandage scissors

stainless steel pliers

stainless steel hemostats

finger nail clippers

toe nail clippers

safety pins

calamine lotion

alcohol and alcohol wipes or ethyl alcohol

antiseptic solution (hydrogen peroxide)

iodine

thermometer

non latex gloves (1 box)

box of medical masks

flashlight and extra batteries and bulbs

blanket (stored nearby)

After You've Stocked Your First-Aid Kits:

Read the entire first-aid manual so you'll understand how to use the contents of your kits. (If your children are old enough to understand, review the manuals with them as well and teach them how to build a kit.) Most store bought kits are not very good.

Store first-aid kits in places that are out of children's reach, but easily accessible for adults.

Check the kits regularly. Do not let medicines expire. Use items in kits that can expire by rotating stock through home medicine cabinets and replace missing items as they are removed.

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Have an alternative way to heat your home if you live in a climate that demands heat in the winter months.

Gas Heaters

Plain wall mounted gas heaters are good. One that has a large external in-ground or above- ground tank is better than one that gets its gas directly from the local utilities. Keep the tank full especially if you use it regularly.

Wood Stove

Can be used to cook on. You can use the top as a stove top. Have plenty of wood!

Kerosene Heater

Have plenty of kerosene. I recommend at least a dozen 5 gallon canisters minimum. Use only if you have to. Save supplies until it is absolutely necessary to use them. Warning: Kerosene heaters can be very dangerous. Use with extreme caution.

Fireplace

Wood fireplaces are not the best way to heat a house. Remember you can not rely on electric blowers or fans that a lot of modern fireplaces or inserts have. These are less likely to help you in hard times. Have plenty of wood!!!

Have a small outside pit that has a grill that goes over the wood.

Fire Pit

This can be built with stone, blocks, or bricks and have a grill built in it to cook on. These pits can also be purchased. The smaller one is good. It uses less wood. Have plenty of wood. I would buy a couple of cases of small starter logs and at least a truck bed full of wood. Place wood where it is safe and easy to guard. This can be used to keep warm in the evenings and can also be used to cook on. It could also be a nice luxury in hard times. Most of the outside pits do not have the grill-like part that could be used to cooked on. Lowes is currently carrying one. It is the smallest pit they carry. Warning: If you set it on a deck or wood porch, put stone or brick under it and place it far enough away from your house or wood rails. Never leave unattended

Outside grills with stove like warmers on the sides can be used for a back-up to cook on.

There could be a time or multiple times when the water and electricity are not working. The reasons vary. It could be that hard times hit and the gas, water, and electric gets shut off. Do not rely on the government to rescue you. They may come to the rescue, but the question is when. Do not forget hurricane Katrina. The widespread economic famine that is expected and the possible food shortages are going to be too big for the government even if they are willing to help.

Have plenty of back-up light.

Flashlights

If you depend only on flashlights as a back-up you will not do well in the long term. I do recommend having plenty of quality flashlights with fresh batteries. Have at least one for every person in the house and 2 extras. Have a couple of heavy duty flashlights. Have extra bulbs and batteries in storage.

Laterns

Be careful with old-fashion Coleman camping laterns. Their fuel is very dangerous. Never light one inside the home. Warning: I do not recommend for indoor use. Laterns that use the small propane tanks are safer. They make some that run off of batteries that work pretty good and are safer for indoor use. Have extra bulbs and batteries in storage.

Oil Lamps

Indoor Oil lamps are good and cheap. Buy plenty of oil. Warning: These can be dangerous if you are not used to using them in your home. Be very careful! Especially if you have small children, cat, or a kitten. They can be very curious and nock one over. Do not leave one unattended.

Candles

Have plenty of candles. The quality of light is not the best, but a nice luxury.

Have plenty of matches & lighters.

I would get a dozen of the larger boxes of matches. also get some long matches to start fires and grills. The long disposable lighters for lighting fireplaces, grills, camping stoves, and camp fires are the best kind of disposable lighter to get. Get at least a dozen. If you still have a butane lighter laying around, get extra butane. It can be a back-up source of fire. Water proof matches and a fire lighting flint and striker should be in your survival kit.

Do not forget the animals!

Have plenty of food for your animals. Store in aluminum trash cans to keep the pests out. Lock in shed if possible. When times get bad nothing is safe outside.

Be Able To Go Mobile

Survival Kit/Disaster Kit

survival handbook

potassium iodide tablets (14/per person in family)

http://www.nukepills.com/

small candles

Potable Aqua tablets iodide (have plenty), purified drinking water pouches or 2 or 3 bladders to hold water

Water Purifier Bottle www.campingsurvival.com

gas mask for airborne chemicals (1 per person in family - keep next to survival kit)

Coleman Ilumistick® Glow Sticks (@ least 1 per person in family)

flashlight with extra bulbs and batteries & headlamp flashlight

crank flashlight for long term (have extra flashlights next to kit if a large family)

large buck knife with gutting tool (440c) - Higher carbon means the blade holds an edge better & a good pocket knife

knife sharpening tool

safety pins

compact folding fork and spoon set, military mess kit & dehydrated food

space blanket

compact folding pick/shovel

tooth brushes, toothpaste & floss

first aid kit

toilet paper (compact camping rolls in waterproof container), wet-wipe packets

emergency rain/wind ponchos

quality weather radio

compact fishing kit w/bait (various size hooks, floats, weights, and fishing line in a ziplock will work)

pepper/tear gas spray-1 per person

large can of ultra-hot-pepper defence spray for animals

bow or rifle w/ammunition (close to kit)

good quality machete

rope saw

hatchet (holder for belt-typical hammer holder will work)

2 pack (waterproof lighters)

(2) quality compass

whistle

rope (a couple of different sizes is good)

compact sewing kit

waterproof matches, fire sticks & fire lighting flint and striker

2 packets of dehydrated food (that serves 2), 2 containers of heat gel fuel, energy bars, dried beef

waterproof tape & trail tape

flare gun

(6) hand warmers (12 hours or longer)

leather gloves (1 set per family member)

zip ties

some aluminum foil

2 plastic bags

bandana

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Have Plenty Of Weapons And Ammunition.

Different kinds of weapons are good. If you are a mechanic the right tool for the job is very important. It is the same with weapons. I recommend an AK-47 or Saiga .223, because its ruggedness and reliability are legendary. This weapon would be used for protection and will get the job done. Have plenty of rounds of ammunition. You can not have too much ammo. Have a good hunting rifle. Have a pump shotgun. I would have plenty of hand guns. The 9mm and the 40 caliber glock are good weapons and can be easily concealed. A revolver is good when you are nervous. Just point and pull the trigger. Learn about ammunition and purchase the right kind of ammo and plenty of it. Ammunition can be used for trading in hard times, but be careful who you trade with. Warning: Learn weapons safety and teach everybody in the home. Watch some instructional videos on You Tube on gun safety. Once you learn gun safety, use your guns so you will be familiar with your weapons.

Having some silver coins and gold coins would be good.

If you have Morgan or Peace silver dollars or 1964 Kennedy half dollars or Franklin half dollars, put them up and save them. The silver American Eagle is a current issue coin that could be good to barter with.

Do Not Tell Everybody You Are Storing Up!

Be ready and able to defend your family. Be extremely careful who you tell about your preparations! Be very wise and sensitive to the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) in every aspect of the preparation process!

I recommend having a plan A, B, and plan C.

Put your plan in writing and rehearse it with the whole family. Make sure and update regularly as changes occur. When given the opportunity rehearse your plan. For example, recently I and my family rehearsed our "Bug Out" plan when the sirens went off in down town Etowah for the Tornado warnings.

One thing I noticed was my daughter said, "Daddy do I need to get some clothes?" Of course, this triggered me to add to my original "Bug Out" plan. We are going to have a B.O.B. that contains a change of clothes for everybody that is season appropriate. B.O.B. stands for "Bug out Bag."

Let me share our plans for when times get rough.

A. Home survival/Food storage

B. Have a "Fall Back" location.

This is a predetermined place to fall back to if the current residence is no longer possible, for what ever reason. It could be, because of financial reasons; it is no longer possible to stand alone and community is the only way to survive. It can be because the current location is no longer safe to stay at. There are numerous reasons why this "Fall Back" location is very necessary. I recommend that everybody gather with family that you can get along with that are like-minded, whether it is blood or just other believers and make plans to have a community and begin working towards a common vision. Remember to write your vision in ink, but your plans in pencil. Someone in the group, who has some land and their house is paid for is the best candidate for a central location. If no one owns any land, then choose someone amongst your community of believers who has a rented property with a landlord that can be trusted in hard times, who is stable themselves and would not try to evict you for your permanent preparations such as gardens and greenhouses. In this scenario a couple of families will join together to cover the overhead at the predetermined rented property. It is best to already be working on the garden and green house on this land and to have been working together as a community practicing for the future. Yahweh teaches us that rehearsal is good and I would rehearse by learning how to work together now verses later. This encourages everybody to have a relationship that is based in community. This way everybody is not caught unaware and when ever the time comes every thing can fall into place more easily. It does not have to be a huge dwelling to accomplish this task. Think smaller scale and only what you need. I will tell you the Mexicans have mastered this skill in the US already and will have no problem when times get harder. They can live 3 or 4 families in a 5 or 6 room house. You do not need to have a family room, dining room, etc. and attic rooms that are large can house a family of 5 easily. Everybody would have to reduce to essentials in this scenario and join together in the best of goods from every household to form the community household. Later, depending on what happens and what Yahweh does; maybe more space can be allocated by building on. Your produce can also be used to barter with landlords in rough times. There will be a need for food when it gets bad.

C. Have a "Bug Out" plan.

In the event it is really bad and the family has to flee in a hurry, then it is necessary to have a "Bug Out" plan with several meeting spots. The reason for several meeting spots is that the one you choose might not be possible for whatever reason. For example, if there was martial law in the land some routes may be closed. There could be a terrorist attack at a local nuclear plant and routes are closed. There can be numerous reasons why a certain location is not possible. Plan to have at least 3 locations to meet at. Have a location 1. If for some reason it is not possible to meet at location 1, then location 2 would become the meeting place and if location 2 is not possible; then location 3 becomes the primary meeting place. In this scenario the family would grab their B.O.B "Bug out Bag" and camping gear and as much food and water as they can fit into their vehicles and be lead by the Ruach to a safer location. This may mean living in the wilderness or having to camp outside, because there is not a dwelling. Folks may let you stay on their land, but have no room in their houses. Maybe it is so bad that you have to retreat to the mountains as a last resort, but it is the only safe choice.

The main thing to realize is that even though I have set up for my family 3 plans that does not mean that I will use plan A first. Circumstances may cause me to have to go to plan C immediately. This is why we have a plan A, B, and plan C.

If You Own Some Land!

*If you are not currently farming, but own land; begin to prepare to be able to farm by purchasing equipment and tools.

*For the very beginner (start with the hand held basics). Buy an axe, sledge hammer, posthole digger, various shovels and hoes, mattock, and various tools for repairs. Having the right tool for the job is very important, so do not get cheap here. It is possible that big expensive equipment could end up being useless if it gets real bad and fuel is not available or is not affordable.

*Learn how to farm. Start now!

*Learn how to can vegetables. Buy everything you need now!

*Learn how to freeze vegetables.

*Have a cellar and store plenty of food. Have a large enough cellar to store at least 16 months worth of food.

*Have heirloom seeds that can produce fruit and vegetables that will have seeds that can reproduce.

*Have everything you need to farm including work horses, cows, chickens etc..

*Get some "How To" guides on farming if you are a novice and have a talk with grandma or grandpa. You will learn a lot from them. Remember, there may not be internet or even electricity.

*Learn how to raise and slaughter beef, sheep, and chickens.