Back to Basics Newsletter, 3/7/2010
Written by Roxanne Louise. Feel free to circulate.
Next Meeting, Sunday, March 21 at 2:30 PM at the Nelson County Library 2:30 - 4:30 PM. Free and open to all.
8521 Thomas Nelson Highway (Route 29 Southbound), Lovingston, VA 22949-0321 (above Visitor’s Center and just past light at Food Lion Shopping Center). Please RSVP. Call 434-361-1969 or email Roxanne at roxannelouise@verizon.net. If you wonder if we are canceling due to weather, there will be message on my machine (and I would be home to take your call). Bringing snacks to share is appreciated!
================
FREE DISASTER PREPAREDNES TRAINING PROGRAM in Staunton 3/25-5/6: FEMA’s Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) in Staunton is teaching basic skills in disaster preparedness, litigation, disaster psychology, fire safety, first aid (2 days), terrorism awareness and crime prevention. This is a program that they have been running since 2003. Each day is a different expert. If you want to take it call Rebecca Joyce at 540-885-5174 or rebecca@cspdc.org. It runs 7 weeks on Thursdays, 9 – 11:30 a.m. from March 25 to May 6 and is free. They have online training/materials as well. They may conduct another program in Rockbridge County later in the year. Glenn Mingo, who has signed up to take it, says “CERTs are not first responders but are expected to be a sort of auxiliary. There is additional refresher course as well. This is similar to the training I had as a firefighter.” See more information at bottom of newsletter. See http://www.citizencorps.gov/programs/cert_detailed.shtm.
================
Gerald CELENTE, Founder of Trends Journal, SURVIVES CHILE EARTHQUAKE:
NEO-SURVIVALISM TREND IN ACTION
KINGSTON, NY, 4 MARCH 2010 Among the Top Trends Gerald’s organization had forecast for 2010 was Neo-Survivalism. Being in Chile at the end of his South American tour put one of his predictions to the acid test. For his report see:
“Trend Institute lesson #1: We put our motto, Think for yourself, into action. Luckily, though seriously damaged, the hotel stood. Had it collapsed, those within it who were waiting to follow orders from tour guides or hotel personnel would have perished. When survival is at stake physical, fiscal or psychological the only leader to follow is yourself.
Trend Institute lesson #2: Prepare for the worst. If the worst doesnt happen, nothing is lost. But if the worst happens and no preparations have been made everything is lost.”
================
NEO-SURVIVALISM from The Trends Journal Winter 201028 by Gerald Celente
http://www.trendsresearch.com/Subscriber/2010-Q1/2010-Q1-TrendsJournal-NeoSurvivalism.pdf
“How will America deal with a set of problems that have no modern precedent? … Though the cultural breakdown will be global, Americas sheltered, insular populace will finally be
forced to grow up and get real … survive or succumb. Many will lose. Many will go down in defeat. Those who accept the doomsday scenario, believing the future is pre-ordained or outside their control,
will take no action. Others sensing danger but refusing to heed the warning signals, lacking the confidence to think for themselves and trust their own instincts will follow their leaders to predictable denouement. However painful and protracted the unraveling of Empire America will be, no other country possesses quite the same combination of possibilities the US has to not only make the best of a bad situation, but to alchemize it into gold….
Realistic survivalist sustainability calls for group action, a lot of work, and for most, a major rethinking of priorities once taken for granted. The long-ingrained You can do it on your own mentality, unquestioned in boom times, will morph into a Were all in this together reality in bust times. Having a common motivating interest that brings like-minded people together is a promising starting point. The ideal group is large enough to create a more or less self-supporting micro-culture, though that is especially difficult in an urban environment.
For example, a religious group, already united by doctrine, is perfectly positioned to carry out a survivalist agenda once the need is acknowledged. The most effective time to act is before there is a need to react….To deal with extreme scenarios, the congregation, already in survival mode, will have plans in place for who to call, where to meet, where to go, how to leave, what to take. It will have emergency provisions and cash on hand.
The Survivalist also knows that even the best laid plans may not work as planned in a wild card world. What if the phone lines are down? What if the escape route is blocked? Allowing for the unexpected is part of the survival plan. Contingency preparedness is the goal.
What applies to a congregation applies, in varying degrees, to any group bound by a common interest…In general, any such group will include members possessing a variety of skills, specialties, crafts, trades and talents. The diversity of the group, with its brainpower concentrated and directed, produces answers to problems that seemed unsolvable to a single individual. Communal spirit intelligently deployed is the core value of Neo-Survivalism.
While the strength of the community is essential, the strength of the individual is primary. Physical, emotional, and spiritual fitness is a prerequisite. As the Neo-Survivalism trend grows, the survival business will boom.
Beware: There will be businesses cashing in by providing a false sense of security. The untrained, knowing nothing about what it takes to defeat an attacker in real life, will be easy prey for self-defense experts and schools teaching movie moves that dont work on the street. Anything that promotes physical fitness yoga, dance, sports has value. But it is only the combat
martial arts that encompass emotional, psychological and spiritual realms that simultaneously develop a sustaining inner confidence in the face of extreme danger.”
==============
RESPONSE FROM RON MAUER: Based upon what you think is happening or likely to happen in the future, what do you want to do about it?
What do you think is important enough to invest your time, money, energy in doing? Of the things that you could do to prepare, what do you think is not worth the time/energy/money investment?
What have you done already?
Scenario: If food becomes unavailable the cities will riot and burn. Supply lines will be cut. Trucks that supply everything we expect to purchase will not run.
It is impossible to be totally prepared for a complete collapse of infrastructure and finance. These are my thoughts of how to start.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Practice rampaging appreciation and love. That should start the law of attraction moving in the right direction.
That said, I feel that we should prepare for the worst and visualize the best.
Create a community of family, friends or both. Individuals will be far more vulnerable than communities in areas where there will be violence. Communities will ideally have participants that have a variety of practical back to basic skills.
Store dehydrated food for yourself and family. The quantity of food stored should be tailored to ones budget. A one week supply is better than none, and 2 years storage is not too much.
Purchase a high quality water filter. If you have a well, plan how you intend to access water without electricity.
Have a wood stove.
Get a practical education of how to live simply. Use the internet while available but do not depend on the electric grid to grant one access information stored on a hard drive. Books are the best way to store how-to information.
Prepare garden areas now using available power equipment even if vegetables will not be planted immediately. Put as much organic material as you can afford into the soil. It is likely that fuel for tractors and tillers will be in short supply, making it very difficult to garden new ground. Acquire all the necessary hand tools to maintain the garden. Tools may not be available later. Get enough tools for everyone who will be working the garden. Acquire non-hybrid seeds now. Get more than you think you need.
Get a food dehydrator now and start dehydrating frozen vegetables and fruit purchased from your local grocery store. No preparation is needed to dehydrate frozen veggies and fruit.
Plan how you will dehydrate food without commercial electricity. Build or buy a solar food dehydrator.
Purchase a vacuum sealer, mylar bags and Mason jars for dehydrated food storage. Have a backup vacuum sealer in case electricity becomes unavailable.
If you plan to bug out from your current location to a safer place you had best leave early, very early, to increase your chances of arriving safely. Bring food with you, for as long as you plan to stay. Do not expect someone else to give you food. Plan ahead and do not surprise family and friends by showing up unexpectedly.
Stock up on soap to help prevent the spread of disease.
Plan to have a root cellar or other place where the temperature stays below 70 degrees year round where dehydrated food can be stored.
Learn how to start a fire without matches.
Those who feel that self defense with a firearm may become necessary must train and practice. Learn how to use firearms for self defense. Learn to function under severe pressure. Stock up on ammunition. Local handgun matches sanctioned by the International Defensive Pistol Association (http://www.idpa.com/) and the International Confederation Of Revolver Enthusiasts (http://www.icore.org) are held locally at the Rivanna Rifle and Pistol Club (http://www.rrpc.org) almost every month. They will work with beginners. Practice and train, practice and train. A handgun is sometimes useful to get to a rifle or shotgun when needed. Get both and learn how to use them.
Learn how to hide items of value. Plan ahead.
If there is money left over after preparations have been made purchase gold and silver. If you buy gold and silver dont tell anyone that you have it.
If you have food stored the risk of losing it is greatly increased if others know about it.
If you give food away tell the recipient that he will get no more if he tells someone else where he got it.
After some unknown period of time the survivors can look forward to a wonderful place to be, living in joy, safety and harmony.
================
INSPIRATION: How many times have we thought we should go see/talk to someone and didn’t only to find out that they died a short time later? I think that one of the tasks of life is to live without regrets, which also means to not leave anything unsaid that needs to be said, to not staying in touch with people who mean something to us, to not listening when someone really needs to talk. I am haunted by the time I didn’t visit my elderly aunt and later my cousin because I didn’t want to be imposing or I was busy, and I never saw them again; the time my grandmother told me she thought that she was dying and I poo-pooed her worry instead of listening to her fears; and the time that my mother wanted me to sleep in the next room after she fell (the next day she had to go into the hospital for x-rays where she died of complications from narcotic pain medication).
This is a short video I have seen before, but worth passing along to others who haven’t. Maybe each of us could do this.
Who I am Makes a Difference http://www.blueribbonmovie.com
================
LOCAL FOOD CO-OP
Food comes from United National Foods. The local co-op is run by Diana Malsky, 33dianam33@gmail.com, 434-361-2012. UNF supplies 17,000 customer locations with natural and organic products from 12 distribution centers located across the U.S (ours would come from NH). The product selection includes a broad array of natural and organic groceries, frozen and perishable foods, personal care products, and nutritional supplements. We order on-line through a web-site once a month and pick-up a week later at Rockfish Valley Community Center, off Rt. 151, Afton. Discounts are 13% with a mark-up of 4 1/2% for delivery/administration, so approximately 9 1/2% final discount. It is free to sign up. Compare prices with Whole Foods and other sources.
================
ORGANIC FOOD LABELS MISLEADING.
Whole Foods in the News. First, I have to say that I love Whole Foods and they have served me well over the years. However, I have seen an old ABC I-Team 5/08 segment on that many of their own 365 brand did come from China (see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQ31Ljd9T_Y or read script at http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0508/521743.html) . The problem with China in particular, but also some other nations, are not inspected adequately or with any standardization to insure that they are not contaminated with pesticides and really organic. In fact, ABC found that some “organic” foods under this 365 label tested positive in 5/08 for pesticides. There is a Country of Origin paper from Whole Foods stating where they obtain their products. Here is their document that might be outdated http://www.acc-tv.com/images/wjla/news/iteamwholefoodslist052108.pdf. Will I continue to shop Whole Foods? Yes, considering my other options, but I will turn the package over and read the fine print, or ask questions. This brings up an important point regardless of where you shop–check country of origin and ask yourself if you feel that you can trust the source to be healthy for you. Just another reason to know your farmer or grow it yourself.
================
MORE PROBLEMS WITH FOOD LABELING
Aspartame has been renamed and is now being marketed as a natural sweetener Friday, February 12, 2010 by: Ethan Huff, citizen journalist
For article, see http://www.naturalnews.com/028151_aspartame_sweeteners.html
In response to growing awareness about the dangers of artificial sweeteners, Ajinomoto, maker of aspartame, has rebranded it as “AminoSweet”. It is an everyday component of most diet beverages, sugar-free desserts, and chewing gums in countries worldwide. Aspartame is a dangerous toxin on the global market with few exceptions. It is linked to neurological brain damage, cancerous tumors, and endocrine disruption, among other things.
“Practically all drugs and food additives are approved by the FDA not because science shows they are safe but because companies essentially lobby the FDA with monetary payoffs and complete the agency’s multi-million dollar approval process. Changing aspartame’s name to something that is “appealing and memorable”, in Ajinomoto’s own words, may hoodwink some but hopefully most will reject this clever marketing tactic as nothing more than a desperate attempt to preserve the company’s multi-billion dollar cash cow. Do not be deceived.”
Sources:
Ajinomoto brands aspartame ‘AminoSweet’ – FoodBev.com
Aspartame History Highlights – Janet Starr Hull
FDA’s approval of aspartame under scrutiny – The Globe and Mail (Canada)
An Overdue Ban On A Dangerous Sweetener – Huffington Post
================
Understanding Food Labels from National Cooperative Growers Association, http://www.ncga.coop/newsroom/food-labels
USDA Organic Seal
To sport the USDA Organic Label, a product must have met national, consistent standards (for certified organic farms and handling operations) set by the Organic Foods Protection Act (OFPA) and the National Organic Program (NOP). The use of the seal is voluntary. (However, ABC I Team found that this seal was placed on products originating outside of this country that did not in fact meet standards. See Whole Foods report.)
- The USDA Organic Seal tells consumers that a product is at least 95 percent organic.
- A USDA seal labeled “100 percent organic” must contain only organically produced ingredients.
- Processed products that contain at least 70 percent organic ingredients can use the phrase “made with organic ingredients,” but cannot use the USDA organic seal.
- Processed products with less than 70 percent organic ingredients can only use the term “organic” to specifically identify individual ingredients.
No-GMO Labels
There’s no requirement that a manufacturer disclose on a product label that a product contains genetically modified ingredients. That’s because the FDA sees no safety issue; they consider GMO products basically the same as traditional foods, and they don’t require disclosure of information about how foods are grown. …Consumer groups continue to work towards mandatory labeling of GMO products.
No-rBST Labels
Because the FDA sees no significant difference between the milk from cows that have and have not been treated with recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST, a synthetic hormone that’s given to cows to increase milk production), they do not require that dairy items include the hormone on their labels. Producers who want to specify that their cows are not treated with the hormone may include a label that specifies “from cows not treated with “rbST.” Because the hormone bovine somatotropin (bST) occurs naturally in cows, dairy labels may not read simply “no bST” or “hormone free.” Consumer groups advocate the labeling of rbST dairy products.
Labels Related to Cloning
The FDA has not recognized any food safety concerns related to cloned products, and so it does not require producers to label products that have been derived from cloned animals. Producers can voluntarily label a product as “not produced from a cloned animal.” Choosing organic products may be another way to avoid the purchase of products from cloned animals. The organic community wants to ensure that clones — and the progeny of clones (who are not technically considered clones) — not be included in organics. These details (including how a registry of lineage would work) are being ironed out. And many consumer groups continue to advocate the labeling of products from cloned animals.
Country-of-Origin Label (COOL)
The 2002 Farm Bill, which would require country-of-origin labeling for beef, lamb, pork, fish, perishable agricultural commodities, and peanuts, was signed by President Bush…But in January 2004, Bush delayed the implementation of the requirement (except for fish and shellfish) until September 2006. In November 2005, he delayed implementation until September 30, 2008. In the meantime, producers can voluntarily provide country-of-origin information.
Radura Symbol
If foods — like fruits, vegetables, seeds, spices, poultry, meat, and spices — have been treated with radiation to kill bacteria, they must carry the radura symbol (an international symbol for irradiation) that states “treated with irradiation.” Packaged items with very small amounts of an ingredient that’s been irradiated (like a spice) need not contain the label.
================
PET FOOD LABELS - Very interesting, but long article from the FDA that is worth reading for understanding reading food labels in general–not just pet food, Updated March 2010 http://www.fda.gov/animalveterinary/resourcesforyou/ucm047113.htm
================
MSG-Like ‘Senomyx’ Being Hidden In Food
| Senomyx is a flavor enhancer like MSG. The FDA says they don’t have to label it. It comes under artificial flavors. Anything that says artificial and/or natural flavors can hide aspartame and MSG. For more info on Senomyx, see |
==============
THREAT TO DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS
Senator John McCain (R-AZ) and Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) have introduced Senate Bill 3002 to require: (1) comprehensive registration of all manufacturers, distributors, and holders of supplements; (2) prohibition of sale of any dietary supplement not on an FDA-approved positive list; and (3) burdensome reporting of each and every adverse event, whether serious or trivial, affecting dietary supplements. See http://www.thenhf.com/press_releases/pr_04_feb_2010.html). Dietary Supplement Safety Act of 2010 bill text can be found on the National Health Federations website at http://www.thenhf.com/government_affairs/federal/s3002billtext.pdf
“Scott Tips, the president of the National Health Federation, stated, This bill strikes at the heart of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA), which was passed unanimously by the U.S. in 1994, and which took away the Food and Drug Administrations arbitrary powers over supplements. Now, this bill would create a Euro-style positive list of acceptable new dietary ingredients. And by acceptable, the bill means acceptable to an appointed bureaucrat. This is completely unacceptable. Failure to comply would result in punitive fines upon such a company selling or distributing a product not being accepted.“
Just as bad, Mr. Tips continued, would be the proposed change in the definition of an adverse event to be reported to the FDA concerning any supplement. As we first predicted when the AER bill was introduced (and unfortunately supported by too-many dietary supplement companies), this adverse event reporting bill was only to be the camels nose in the tent. More would follow, NHF predicted. And this new bill proves that we were right. McCain and Dorgan want to change the events to be reported from serious adverse events to any adverse events! This is totally unacceptable since supplements already have the safest track record of any consumable on the planet. It is just once again politicians using a special-interest group to advance their own pro-pharmaceutical agenda against natural health products.
================
PEA SHELLER
I saw this device demonstrated on a food processing video and had to look further. I found one at http://www.peasandcornco.com/pea_sheller.asp
It shells black eye, purple hulls, cream peas, butter beans, etc. When in the fresh ripe green stage. Mr. Pea Sheller is a small, efficient, inexpensive bean and pea sheller for the home that can cranked manually or hooked up to an electric egg beater.
The Amazing Mr. Pea Sheller sells for $39.95 each, Model #1:B:102
==============
MORE ON GOVERMENT GROUPS LIKE CERT
Nationwide. For state by state listings see: http://www.citizencorps.gov/cc/listCouncil.do?submitByState&state
Virginia
Contact: Linda Rubin
Title: Citizen Corps Program Manager
Address:
Virginia Department of Emergency Management
10501 Trade Court
Richmond, VA. 23236
Phone: (804) 897-6500
Email: linda.rubin@vdem.virginia.gov
White Citizen Corps http://www.citizencorps.gov/programs list a number of branches that could turn citizens into helping to form a police state OR helping local people defend from police state. You decide. Nonetheless, the training could be valuable.
Citizen Corps Programs & Partners
How Can I Help? What Can I Do? Hurricane Katrina and the terrorist attacks of Septmeber 11th, 2001 caused many Americans to wonder how they can help prepare their communities. The Citizen Corps Partner Programs listed below give citizens the opportunity get involved. Citizen Corps’ five federally sponsored partner programs help build capacity for first responders through the use of volunteers.
Additionally, the Citizen Corps Affiliate Program expands the resources and materials available to states and local communities by partnering with Programs and Organizations that offer resources for public education, outreach, and training; represent volunteers interested in helping to make their community safer; or offer volunteer service opportunities to support first responders, disaster relief activities, and community safety efforts.
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, and disaster medical operations. Using their training, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event and can take a more active role in preparing their community. The program is administered by DHS.
The Fire Corps promotes the use of citizen advocates to enhance the capacity of resource-constrained fire and rescue departments at all levels: volunteer, combination, and career. Citizen advocates can assist local fire departments in a range of activities including fire safety outreach, youth programs, and administrative support. Fire Corps provides resources to assist fire and rescue departments in creating opportunities for citizen advocates and promotes citizen participation. Fire Corps is funded through DHS and is managed and implemented through a partnership between the National Volunteer Fire Council, the International Association of Fire Fighters, and the International Association of Fire Chiefs.
USAonWatch (UOW)-Neighborhood Watch works to provide information, training and resources to citizens and law enforcement agencies throughout the country. In the aftermath of September 11, 2001, Neighborhood Watch programs have expanded beyond their traditional crime prevention role to help neighborhoods focus on disaster preparedness, emergency response and terrorism awareness. USAonWatch-Neighborhood Watch is administered by the National Sheriffs’ Association in partnership with the Bureau of Justice Assistance, U.S. Department of Justice.
The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) Program strengthens communities by helping medical, public health and other volunteers offer their expertise throughout the year as well as during local emergencies and other times of community need. MRC volunteers work in coordination with existing local emergency response programs and also supplement existing community public health initiatives, such as outreach and prevention, immunization programs, blood drives, case management, care planning, and other efforts. The MRC program is administered by HHS.
Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) works to enhance the capacity of state and local law enforcement to utilize volunteers. VIPS serves as a gateway to resources and information for and about law enforcement volunteer programs. Funded by DOJ, VIPS is managed and implemented by the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
Citizen Corps is coordinated nationally by the Department of Homeland Security. DHS also works closely with the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) to promote volunteer service activities that support homeland security and community safety. CNCS is a federal agency that operates nationwide service programs such as AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and Learn and Serve America. Participants in these programs may support Citizen Corps Council activities by helping to establish training and information delivery systems for neighborhoods, schools, and businesses, and by helping with family preparedness and crime prevention initiatives in a community or across a region.
Securing our safety and freedom requires that we all work together. Every American has a critical role to play.
