We say “20+” and “(so far)” because a Premium Membership is a vibrant library of content that grows each and every month! Your need to prepare for the future grows and so does this vast array of resources!
Just take a look at this list of 20 vital items so far… For as less than $3.00 a month*!
To date the Premium PREPARE Membership already includes:
SUBSTANTIAL discount on the PRINT Subscription for Members!
A Member’s Only Forum!
EVERY digital issue since May 2012 to download and print!
eBOOK – “Preparing for Natural Disasters”
eBOOK – “The Foundation to Thrive: Basics of Survival”
eBOOK – “A Snug Bug In: Winterizing your Home”
eBOOK – “Whole Wheat Bread Making”
Special Report – “Easily build a Hydraulic Ram Pump”
Special Report – “Preparedness Check List”
Special Report – “Composting for Preparedness”
Special Report – “Building a Micro-hydro Power Generator”
Special Report – “Home-made Hydroponic Growing Systems”
Video Tutorial – “Home-made Pelton Wheel”
Video Tutorial – “Intro to Home-milling & Grain Storage”
Video Tutorial – “10 Things to Stockpile before a Crisis”
Guest Webinar – “It’s a Disaster…”- Janet Liebsch (Giveaway)
Guest Webinar – “Top 10 Bushcraft Skills”- Jason Hunt (Hand-out)
This current library ALREADY has a value of well over $200.00!
And it’s added to each and every month!
For as less than $3.00 a month*!
Popular Questions
What is the fastest way to improve Your 20+ Resources (so far) with Your Premium Membership without making beginner mistakes?
The fastest way to improve Your 20+ Resources (so far) with Your Premium Membership is to simplify the process and control one variable at a time. Start with the most important baseline: define the goal, identify the main failure point, and test one change before making another. Keep short notes so you can connect the outcome to the adjustment you made. This prevents guesswork and helps you build a repeatable method instead of chasing random fixes.
What should you check first when Your 20+ Resources (so far) with Your Premium Membership is not working well?
Check the most immediate bottlenecks first: setup errors, missing inputs, bad timing, or inconsistent follow-through. Before buying anything new or changing the whole system, confirm that the basics are being done correctly and consistently. A small diagnostic checklist usually reveals the real problem faster than broad trial and error. Once the weak point is clear, make one correction and watch the result before adjusting anything else.
What common mistakes make Your 20+ Resources (so far) with Your Premium Membership harder than it needs to be?
The most common mistakes are changing too many variables at once, skipping the basics, and judging results too quickly. Many people also copy generic advice without adapting it to their exact situation, which leads to weak results and confusion. A better approach is to work from a simple baseline, make measured changes, and give each change enough time to show whether it helped. That makes progress easier to track and repeat.
All Bleach is NOT Created Equal! Knowing exactly how to use bleach correctly can disinfect surfaces or purify water. Knowing which bleach contains harmful additives and chemicals, and thus must be avoided, can save your life.
Recently at one of our area Preparedness Meetings, we had the opportunity to learn from an active member of our group. Craig is a Registered Nurse with a background in critical care and emergency leadership. He had recently completed updated training for infectious diseases and modern-day epidemic mitigation, including new Ebola protocols.
Craig was kind enough to share much of what he learned with our group. The topic of using bleach for disinfecting or purifying water has been widely spread throughout the preparedness community. However, Craig shared information that I had not seen mentioned much in detail. I found it important and wanted to share it with readers of PREPARE Magazine.
All bleach is widely acceptable as an antimicrobial and can kill microbes on hard, non-porous surfaces. Bleach seems to be the go-to disinfectant for everything from bathrooms to kitchens. In an emergency situation, it is often promoted as a method for purifying water.
For surfaces that may have become contaminated, or when dealing with a contagious individual in the home, treating an area correctly can be life-saving. But only if it is performed properly with the right bleach, in the correct ratio, for the full length of time, and dried in the appropriate method.
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What’s Wrong With Some Types of Bleach?
When it comes to bleach, you cannot just “grab a gallon” and go. You need to read the label carefully. “Regular” bleach is the only kind you want for disinfecting surfaces or treating water, not any of the other formulations.
If there is anything other than the word “Regular” describing your bleach, relegate its use to laundry only. Thick-cling, splash-less, and scented varieties contain harmful additives that can create as much harm as the untreated surface or water.
Splash-less bleach is not simply splash-less because the spout is shaped differently. The manufacturer has added a soap or sudsing agent to change the viscosity of the liquid bleach, making it easier to pour.
Thick-cling bleach contains even more of these additives than its splash-less counterpart. If you have ever used these products, you may notice a soapy film on the countertop surface or more suds in your washer. This can be harmful if swallowed and may contribute to asthma and respiratory issues.
Scented bleach has become popular for laundering. While some people may not notice problems when using it in wash water, dyes and perfumes can have a negative impact when used on utensils, countertops, or in drinking water.
These additives may be hazardous to the digestive system and may also cause skin irritation, allergies, asthma, respiratory problems, and other health concerns.
Which Bleach Is Safe For Emergency Water Treatment?
Regular bleach is the bleach product that should be used when bleach is needed for disinfecting or emergency water treatment. Avoid scented bleach, splash-less bleach, thick-cling bleach, color-safe bleach, or any bleach with added cleaners, fragrances, soaps, or other additives.
Proper Disinfecting Time and Technique
Two teaspoons of Clorox Regular Bleach in one gallon of water will kill germs, but only if it has been in contact with the hard surface for two full minutes and is then allowed to air dry without rinsing.
Important Safety Considerations
Regular bleach is a widely used cleaning method. It should be noted that this is not the only option for disinfecting, but it is one of the most widely accepted when used properly.
Even regular bleach has drawbacks. Bleach is caustic, may cause eye irritation and gastric burns, and can be corrosive to metals in high concentration or with long exposure.
For long-term storage, regular liquid bleach may not be the best option. Compared with some other disinfectants, bleach is relatively unstable and has a limited shelf life.
Please share so we can all help each other be better prepared. Thank you!
Final Thoughts
Not all bleach products are suitable for emergency sanitation or water treatment. Only regular, unscented household bleach should be considered for those purposes, and proper dilution ratios, contact times, and safety precautions must always be followed.
Understanding the difference before an emergency occurs can prevent serious health risks and make your preparedness plan more effective.
Popular Questions
What are the dangers of using scented bleach for cleaning?
Scented bleach contains dyes and fragrances that can be harmful when used on surfaces like countertops or utensils. These additives may lead to skin irritation, allergies, and respiratory issues. It's crucial to avoid using scented bleach for disinfecting, especially in areas where food is prepared or consumed.
Why should I avoid thick-cling bleach for disinfecting surfaces?
Thick-cling bleach has added soaps and sudsing agents that can leave a soapy residue on surfaces, making it unsuitable for disinfecting. This residue can be harmful if ingested and may contribute to respiratory problems. For effective disinfection, stick to regular bleach without these additives.
How can I ensure I'm using the right bleach for water purification?
To purify water, always use regular, unscented household bleach. Avoid any bleach that has added cleaners, fragrances, or other additives, as these can be harmful. The correct ratio is two teaspoons of regular bleach per gallon of water, ensuring it sits for the proper contact time to effectively kill germs.
What should I look for on a bleach label to ensure it's safe for disinfecting?
When selecting bleach for disinfecting, look for the word "Regular" on the label. Avoid any formulations that include descriptors like "splash-less," "thick-cling," or "scented," as these contain harmful additives. Regular bleach is the safest option for both disinfecting surfaces and treating water in emergencies.
Can using the wrong type of bleach lead to health issues?
Yes, using the wrong type of bleach can pose serious health risks, including respiratory problems and skin irritation. Additives in non-regular bleaches can be harmful if they come into contact with food or drinking water. Always choose regular bleach for disinfecting and follow proper usage guidelines to minimize health risks.
Before there was refrigeration, meat was cured by various methods to preserve it for future consumption. When supplies were available, meats were soaked in brine consisting of heavily salted water and could also have included other seasonings to add a variety of flavors. Today, if you were out in the field without conventional supplies you can still preserve meat by drying it using smoke and sun. An emergency scenario might go something like this: you’re lost or abandoned in the woods and you have received a windfall of meat, perhaps from trapping, hunting or by natural circumstances. The quantity is more than you can eat now and you need food for a longer stay or for a journey to civilization. It would be prudent to capitalize on this supply for your situation.
There are several benefits to the smoking process:
It helps to keep away flies and other bugs from the wet meat as it forms an initial thin dry surface.
Smoke chemically inhibits the growth of molds and yeasts on the meat’s surface, thus contributing
to its preservation.
It also imparts taste and varies with intensity based on length of exposure. Various hardwoods
such as hickory, apple and maple are preferred for smoking meats. Conifers are not
recommended.
Associated with smoke is heat and the heat is the main element of preservation because it removes moisture from the meat thus removing the foundation for bacterial growth. The smoke and drying times will vary based on the humidity and temperature of the local climate. Some folks will smoke the meat for 2 to 6 hours and then let the sun dry it out for 2-3 days, but you can keep a low smoldering fire for the whole process. Although moist pliable meat is preferred for consumption, the drier and stiffer piece will last longer. In regard to types of meat, red meat tends to last the longest; fish on the other hand has a very short shelf-life.
A traditional primitive smoking method is to make a 6 foot tripod with horizontal cross-bars tied 4 feet off the ground. Additional sticks can be placed upon these cross-bars in order to hang additional meat. This approach can be expanded to handle a larger volume of meat. Meat strips should be no thicker than 1/4 inch and approximately 1 inch wide although lengths of meat may vary. Just hang the pieces over the horizontal sticks without touching each other to allow for better smoke coverage. A small smoldering fire from dry wood works best, and the cooler and slower the process, the better because you want to dry the meat without cooking it. If you have a tarp, you can wrap the tripod stand like a teepee thus capturing the smoke, but you can also use bark or leafy branches to create an enclosure as well. You don’t need to have an enclosure but it is more difficult to focus the smoke to be effective.
Preserving meat takes time but the rewards can be great. As usual, I always encourage folks to try it now so that you will be prepared when a real emergency happens.
By: Ken Youngquist
Ken Youngquist is the creator of Survivaltek, a website dedicated to teaching the ways and means to survive. From his youth, Ken was captivated by primitive living skills, and in his adulthood was intrigued by the television Series MacGyver. The result has been the study and practice of survival skills and the desire to pass on the mantle of preparedness to others. You can visit and learn more at: Survivaltek.com.
Summer and early fall are a great time to prepare for eating local, seasonal food. What do you do when the gardens and farms around you stop producing as much food? Old Fashioned Food Preservation is a key to prolonging the harvest into other seasons year round!
You prepare for it by preserving the summer and fall harvest to use throughout the winter months. If you go blueberry picking or are finding a great deal at the local farmers market, freeze some to use in your smoothies and oatmeal throughout the year.
Think about what foods and veggies you use throughout the year that you buy canned. What frozen fruits and vegetables to you end up using when you don’t have good fresh options at the grocery store? These are the things you want to start with.
Summer and early fall are a great time to prepare for eating local, seasonal food. What do you do when the gardens and farms around you stop producing as much food? Think about what foods and veggies you use throughout the year that you buy canned. Grandma cooked mainly from local, seasonal food back in the day and can give you quite a few tips to help you get back to this way of cooking and preserving food.
Talk to farmers and other shoppers at your local farmers market and farms. Do a little research online, or pick up a food preservation book at your local library. Grandma cooked mainly from local, seasonal food back in the day and can give you quite a few tips to help you get back to this way of cooking and preserving food.
From there, start expanding each year. Keep adding a few more things each year and it won’t take you long to eat mainly local seasonal food throughout the year. Keep adding a few more things each year and it won’t take you long to eat mainly local seasonal food throughout the year.
Popular Questions
What is the fastest way to improve Use Old Fashioned Food Preservation to Eat Local, Seasonal Foods without making beginner mistakes?
The fastest way to improve Use Old Fashioned Food Preservation to Eat Local, Seasonal Foods is to simplify the process and control one variable at a time. Start with the most important baseline: define the goal, identify the main failure point, and test one change before making another. Keep short notes so you can connect the outcome to the adjustment you made. This prevents guesswork and helps you build a repeatable method instead of chasing random fixes.
What should you check first when Use Old Fashioned Food Preservation to Eat Local, Seasonal Foods is not working well?
Check the most immediate bottlenecks first: setup errors, missing inputs, bad timing, or inconsistent follow-through. Before buying anything new or changing the whole system, confirm that the basics are being done correctly and consistently. A small diagnostic checklist usually reveals the real problem faster than broad trial and error. Once the weak point is clear, make one correction and watch the result before adjusting anything else.
What common mistakes make Use Old Fashioned Food Preservation to Eat Local, Seasonal Foods harder than it needs to be?
The most common mistakes are changing too many variables at once, skipping the basics, and judging results too quickly. Many people also copy generic advice without adapting it to their exact situation, which leads to weak results and confusion. A better approach is to work from a simple baseline, make measured changes, and give each change enough time to show whether it helped. That makes progress easier to track and repeat.
So let’s just say that you are already a subscriber to PREPARE Magazine’s Free Digital Issues <– Click if not …
How do you print or download it? We have an answer for that!
The digital version of PREPARE Magazine is created in a pdf format, and can be easily printed. With just a few short steps to sign up once, it will be easy to log in and print each time the Free Digital Issue Link comes to your Inbox!
When you open the Digital Flip-Viewer Copy of the Magazine in full-screen view by clicking “Expand”, there is a “print icon” at the bottom of the magazine. It is found in the row of icons (Email, Print & Zoom) at the bottom. See?
Click the print icon.
We contract with a company (called ISSUU) to provide the hosting and formatting for our magazine. They have the set up to make it easy to print. After clicking the icon, you will be taken to their (not OUR) website that will ask you to sign-up, or sign-in if you have already created an account with them, and be able to print!
Once you have created an account with ISSUU, you can vote (thumbs up we hope), add each month to your favorites, share it on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, email to a friend, print and download the issue each month.
A bonus is – for a LIMITED TIME – you can even get to the back issues this same way!
True. The digital version is free. Having the free version does meet a core belief system of our Chief Visionary Officer, Joseph Miller: “To reach as many people as possible with positive words of preparedness encouragement.”
But there are many more needs that are met via the bi-monthly, printed issues of PREPARE Magazine that the free version doesn’t fulfill. Benefits of which you may not have been aware.
Here are ten (10) reasons you want PREPARE Magazine in print:
Print issues are not simply duplicates of the previous digital issues.
Print issues contain approximately 50% never before released articles.
Print issues can be referred to off line – EMP and grid-proof, cozy chair friendly and portable.
You can build a content rich library of resources written by authors on a similar journey as you who are willing to share their expertise.
You have a tangible resource to take on site while you to try the projects often shared in the magazine.
The advertisement is limited. You’re not ‘sold to’ more frequently than you learn, unlike other publications.
A beautifully designed, full-color publication is a valuable sharing tool on your coffee table or or magazine rack.
The tactile proof to encourage others and combat the nay-Sayers. Showing that normal folks prepare and it’s not that scary or depressing.
You want to show your support for those who hope to support you.
Lastly, but importantly – You asked for a paper print publication, we listened and were able to meet your need.
So if you thought the paper subscription was simply a printed re-run of the free digital version, think again! You can see there is so much more to having this publication IN HAND!
If you’ve not yet subscribed there’s no time like the present. You’ll get the most recently released issue (pictured to the left) mailed to you right away!
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Popular Questions
What are the benefits of having PREPARE Magazine in print compared to the digital version?
Having PREPARE Magazine in print offers unique advantages that the digital version cannot provide. Print issues contain approximately 50% new content that is not available online, ensuring you receive fresh insights and information. Additionally, printed copies can be referred to offline, making them perfect for reading in various settings without needing an internet connection. This tangible resource allows you to build a library of preparedness knowledge that you can easily access anytime.
Why should I choose a printed subscription of PREPARE Magazine?
A printed subscription to PREPARE Magazine is a valuable investment for anyone serious about preparedness. It provides a beautifully designed, full-color publication that serves as an excellent conversation starter and sharing tool. With limited advertisements, you can focus more on learning rather than being sold to, which enhances your reading experience. Plus, you support a publication that listens to its audience's desire for a physical format.
How does PREPARE Magazine in print encourage community and support?
PREPARE Magazine in print acts as a tactile proof that encourages others to engage in preparedness. By displaying the magazine on your coffee table or magazine rack, you can inspire conversations and combat misconceptions about preparedness being scary or depressing. This visibility shows that everyday people are taking steps to prepare, fostering a sense of community among readers. Additionally, by subscribing, you are supporting a publication that aims to uplift and educate its audience.
What makes the print issues of PREPARE Magazine unique?
The print issues of PREPARE Magazine are not mere reprints of the digital content; they are curated with approximately 50% new articles and features. This unique blend of content ensures that subscribers receive valuable insights and practical advice that they won't find online. Furthermore, the print format allows for a more immersive reading experience, making it easier to engage with the material. If you're looking for a comprehensive resource on preparedness, the print edition is the way to go.
Summer and early fall are a great time to prepare for eating local, seasonal food. What do you do when the gardens and farms around you stop producing as much food? Old Fashioned Food Preservation is a key to prolonging the harvest into other seasons year round!
