Weather Forecasting the Old Fashioned Way

The article Weather Forecasting the Old Fashioned Way See more on: Total Survival

The first thing I do every morning is open up the weather forecasting app on my phone so I can see what the temperature and conditions will be like for the rest of the day. This determines what I'll do, how I'll dress, and oftentimes how I'll feel that day.

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This morning, however, when I tried to check the weather I found that my app was malfunctioning. The message read, “Info not available at this time.” It immediately struck me how dependent we are on modern conveniences to do things that our ancestors knew how to do naturally. Your grandfather never checked an app to see what the weather was like — he went outside and saw for himself!

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So I decided to do some research and learn how to forecast the weather myself. I came across the article below and found it very informative. Maybe you will too!

Weather Forecasting | Predict the Weather the Old-fashioned Way

How To Read Weather Like A Sailor | Weather Forecasting Without A Gadget

Learn to read the weather. Want to know how to do a weather forecast without gadgets? If you're relying too much on modern technology to tell the weather, it's time to go back to basics.

What the Clouds Tell About the Weather

Cloud Cover on a Winter Night

Due to the ability of clouds to prevent heat radiation, expect warmer weather when cloud cover forms on a winter night. Clouds in the atmosphere reduce radiant energy, resulting in an increase in temperature. Cloud formation is one of the best ways to predict weather in the winter time.

Cumulus Towers

There are few things to look for when cumulus towers are forming. Check how wide the tower is, crisp edges, and if the tower is getting wider. Big bulky towers that are continuously growing may indicate a storm is coming. Although most of the time, this type of cloud form indicate the possibility of rain later in the day.

Cumulonimbus Clouds

Cumulonimbus clouds have similar properties to cumulus clouds, but are larger, taller, and darker. They form from cumulus clouds yet have a high concentration of water droplets. These clouds are associated with heavy rain, hail, and snow. With that said, cumulonimbus clouds pose greater chances of severe weather.

Mammatus Clouds

The skyscape appears dreamy with mammatus clouds, especially during sunset. Mammatus clouds most often form under the anvil of thunderstorms. These clouds could indicate severe weather coming.

Cirrus Clouds

Cirrus clouds indicate a change in the weather is about to happen. These clouds appear thin because they're made up of ice crystals that form very high in the sky. The presence of these clouds forecasts nice weather throughout the day, but can also indicate bad weather within the next 36 hours.

Check out this video by NWSAlbuquerque for a tutorial on cloud types:

People nowadays are too dependent on gadgets. Simply turn on your mobile phone and you'll know how the weather is going to develop in the next few days. However, this can be a problem when you're out in the middle of nowhere and the signal is weak. This is when gadget-less weather forecasting methods come in handy. The skies above will tell you all you need to know about incoming weather. Practically everything that surrounds you can help forecast the weather if you know where to look. Click here for learn more.

Do you have your own way of predicting the weather? Let us know in the comments section below!

Up Next: How To Mark Trails Like A Pro

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in March 2016 and has been updated for quality and relevancy.

This Article Was First Found at survivallife.com Read The Original Article Here

Original Post Here: Weather Forecasting the Old Fashioned Way

How To Bake Without Oven And Microwave | My Homesteading Secret…

The article How To Bake Without Oven And Microwave | My Homesteading Secret… was first seen on http://totalsurvival.net/

Did you know it’s possible to bake without oven and microwave? Shocking, yes, but this old-school secret is actually still practiced today in different parts of the world. Let me let you in on this little secret… Wherever you find yourself and whether you’re left without an oven and a microwave, you can still enjoy your favorite baked dishes. You can step away from the comfort of your kitchen oven and discover the wonders of baking…in a totally different kind of way! Discover the secret as you read along!

Learn How to Bake Without Oven and Microwave Anywhere!

Baking in Dutch Ovens

There you have it! My little cooking secret: to bake without oven and microwave is to bake in a Dutch oven.

A Dutch oven is one of the most versatile cooking implements you’ll ever use. It is made of very heavy and sturdy cast iron, and if used according to instructions, it can provide the controlled temperature needed for cooking. It is, therefore, perfect for outdoor use in a campfire or your backyard grill.

This may or may not come as a surprise, but baking in a Dutch oven does not demand an open fire. You can use charcoal briquets or wood to keep your fire low and regulated.
Once you’ve got the fire burning, create and maintain the temperature you need for your food. If you’re using charcoal briquets, you can estimate 10 degrees per briquet. For example, if you need to achieve 360 degrees, use 36 charcoal briquets.

It is also important to take note that you may have to replace some of the charcoal or wood partway through the baking process as they cool down or burn out. Keep a stack of charcoal or wood ready when doing campfire baking.

You can also learn more about The Art of Cooking in a Dutch Oven here!

Dutch Oven-Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

Step 1. Saute Onion and Make a Roux

Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a Dutch oven then add diced onion and sautee. Add two more tablespoons of butter and flour and stir into a light roux. Add half a teaspoon of salt and 2 teaspoons of dry mustard.

Step 2. Add Milk and Cheese

Beat two eggs and add two cups of milk until thick and frothy. Add in five cups of grated cheddar cheese, stirring until melted.

Step 3. Add Cooked Macaroni

Now, stir in a pound of your cooked macaroni (cooked according to package instructions), then sprinkle a cup or more of grated cheese on top.

Step 4. Bake Mac and Cheese in a Dutch Oven

Cook your baked mac outdoors on 24 charcoal briquettes: nine underneath and 15 on top of your Dutch oven. You can add more depending on the temperature of your area. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes at 350º.

Might as well try these other equally delicious Dutch oven recipes for cooking outdoors!

Baking in Stovetops

Who knew you could actually bake using a stovetop? There are a couple of things to make sure of before planning to try out your first stovetop marble cake.

First, make sure that the lid of the pot you’re going to use fits perfectly, to maintain an even temperature.

Second, pre-heating your stovetop pot is a must. Just like pre-heating an oven before baking, turn the heat on high over your covered pot for 5 minutes.

Simple and Quick Stove Top Bread Recipe

Step 1. Mix Ingredients

Mix one and a half cups of flour and half a teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Make a well in the center of the flour and salt mixture and pour half a cup plus 2 tablespoons of warm water. Sprinkle half a teaspoon of yeast into the water and add a tablespoon of sugar. Mix all ingredients well.

Step 2. Prepare the Dough

Slowly add more water if needed, adding one spoonful at a time. Using your hands, mix the ingredients well to make a smooth dough. Add in 1 tablespoon of butter or as needed and continue mixing the dough. Knead the dough on your kitchen countertop until you get a smooth and soft chunk of dough.

Step 3. Let the Dough Rise

Place the dough back into the bowl, then grease it with melted butter. Cover the bowl and let your dough stand for two hours. After two hours, you’ll find your dough has risen and doubled in size. Knead the dough gently into a round shape.

Step 4. Prepare Cooking Materials

Take a 12 ” cast iron skillet and grease it with butter or any oil. Place the dough on the greased cast iron skillet then cover it for another 15 to 20 minutes. Take the lid of your pan and wrap it in a square cloth by tying the corners of the cloth to each corner across. This will help prevent the moisture from falling on the dough.

Step 5. Bake Bread on Stove Top

Take a kitchen knife and make a cross on top of the dough. Cover the cast iron with the wrapped lid and cook it over low flame. After 10 minutes, flip the dough to the other side and cook for another 5 minutes. Take the baked bread out of the pan and let it cool in a rack.

Wasn’t that simple and easy? Now you can bake homemade bread even without an oven or a microwave!

Take this easy pizza recipe in this video from HealthyFoods and learn how to bake without oven and microwave:

To a true-blue homesteader, “if there’s a will, there’s a way” applies perfectly. So there’s no food? They’ll make food. There’s no oven? They’ll bake anyway. Good thing you now know you can do that without an oven or microwave. With a Dutch oven and a stovetop, you can bake cake and cookies, or bake mac and cheese anywhere you find yourself without the luxury of an oven. Learn how to bake without oven and microwave and enjoy your favorite baked goodies even in the toughest situations!

Will you try to bake without oven and microwave? Do you have any dishes in mind to bake and make in a Dutch oven? Let us know below in the comments section!

Up Next: Cooking With Your Cast Iron Skillet | Everything You Need To Know

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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on December 16, 2015, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.

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A Beta Testers Review Of The New HR-17

A Beta Testers Review Of The New HR-17 is republished from http://totalsurvival.net/

I’m known as a “knife guy”. I come from a long line of “knife guys”. Growing up in a rural setting, I was raised that if I wasn’t in school or church than I better have my knife on me. So the knife that I trust to carry day in and day out is a big deal.

Now, I tell you this to give you some context to help you understand how serious I am when I say that the newest foldable knife from Hoffman Richter has completely replaced my old EDC knife…

If you knew me, then you would know that is huge!

I had used their old knife, the HR-15, in the past and it did the job. But it never really got there for me. So when they asked me to beta test their newest knife, the HR-17, I honestly didn’t expect much. In fact, I actually carried it and my regular EDC knife for the first couple of weeks.

However, I just have to say… The HR-17 won me over. It is the real deal.

For starters is really is the perfect weight for a foldable knife. At just over half a pound, it’s light enough to throw in my pocket while still having the impact and durability that is so important.

Next, and this goes hand in hand with its weight, is how durable it proved to be. I had this knife in my possession for a little over a year and as of writing this, it has no rattle or give and no chips in the blade.

It’s solid and well made. A knife you can count on when you need it most.

It’s made out of titanium coated 440C stainless steel which ensure that it keeps it’s edge longer while being nearly indestructible. I put this knife through the ringer and it never missed a beat. I dropped it, threw it, hammered on it… Hell, I even drove over it a few times trying to break it and honestly, it never let me down. It still opens clean and is almost as sharp as the day I got it.

The HR-17 is nothing short of a workhorse.

Now let me talk about its spring action for a minute. I used to hate spring action knives. Somehow they just always felt like cheating to me, but to their credit, the HR-15 was the first knife that I actually grew to like it on… Well, the HR-17 blows the 15 away.

The spring action is stiffer without being cumbersome. I never have to worry about it accidentally opening up in my pocket or pack. Yet with a firm press of my index finger it is ready to use, and let me tell you, it opens up quick. The fastest I’ve ever used to be exact.

Finally, I’ll tell you about the most drastic change on this knife and the real reason that it is my go-to every day carry for both defense and utility. I’m referring to it’s modified tanto blade. As far as I’m concerned the snub-nosed feature of the tanto blade is the pinnacle of foldable knives.

A tanto blade really gives your knife two key advantages over a regular fine tip knife. Strength and durability. The HR-17 has some serious puncturing strength behind it and is one of the most effective knives I have ever used. I even used it as a chisel a few times while hammering on the butt of it. It’s nothing short of impressive. All while never worrying about the blade breaking or chipping off.

In all honesty, I expect to see more and more companies move to a tanto blade in the near future as it is truly superior to the fine tip knives that have been so common in the past.

As you can see, I was as skeptical as they come when I was asked to beta test the new HR-17. In truth, I planned to only use it a couple and times and then toss it in a drawer somewhere never to be seen again. However, after every use, It just kept impressing me more and more and now I can't imagine trusting a different knife.

The HR-17 is my EDC knife of choice.

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If I Could Only Stockpile 10 Foods…

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Here’s a fun thought experiment: If you could only stockpile 10 foods, which foods would you choose? And I don’t mean your ten favorite foods. I mean the foods you’d need to survive. Could you get all the vitamins and nutrients your body needs from just ten things?

The short answer is yes, absolutely. You can not only survive but thrive on just ten foods. But when your nutrition options are this limited, not just any ten foods will do. Below are the ten foods you would want to stockpile if ten is all you could have.

1. Beans

Dried beans such as pinto beans are a prepper favorite, and for good reason. They store well for years, they’re filling, and they’re nutritious. Unlike many vegetables, beans are a good source of protein, enabling you to fulfill your body’s protein requirements (though beans do lack a couple essential amino acids that you will have to get elsewhere). Beans are also easy to prepare, and they contain “good” carbohydrates, fiber, and iron.

2. Blueberries

Of all the fruits you have to choose from, the blueberry is richest in nutrients. Blueberries are a great source of vitamin C and fiber and also contain tannins to prevent urinary tract infections, ellagic acid which can help prevent cancer, and a wide range of antioxidants that can help prevent diseases.

Fresh blueberries will only last for a few days, but after that point, they can be dried. Once dried, blueberries will last for 1-2 years if refrigerated or 6-12 months if un-refrigerated. Both dried and fresh, blueberries make for a tasty snack that can be enjoyed by itself or along with your mixed nuts and cereal.

3. Broccoli

Considered to be one of the healthiest vegetables in the world, broccoli is an excellent source of nutrition. Broccoli contains B vitamins, vitamin C, calcium, vitamin E, folate, potassium, and more. It’s also full of antioxidants that can help fight disease and cancers.

Unfortunately, one thing that broccoli does lack is a long shelf-life, so you can’t count on broccoli remaining fresh in your stockpile for more than a couple weeks. Unless, of course, you dehydrate it. While it’s fresh, broccoli can be steamed or eaten raw.

4. Carrots

Beta-carotene is essential for keeping your vision sharp, so carrots are a necessary addition to your food stockpile. In addition to beta-carotene, carrots also contain nutrients such as vitamin A, fiber, and antioxidants. You can boil your carrots or eat them raw along with your broccoli in a makeshift salad.

On average, fresh carrots have a shelf-life of about 4-5 weeks. However, if you cover your carrots in soil and place them in a root cellar, carrots will last for about 6 months. Alternatively, you may wish to stockpile canned carrots, which have a shelf-life of about 5 years.

5. Cereal

Grain products are an essential part of a balanced diet, and cereal is the best option to go with if you only have one grain product to choose from. Cereal stores much longer than bread and other grain products, it’s filling, and it’s easy to store and transport.

Choose your cereal carefully, though, as a nutritious whole grain cereal is going to be much more valuable than some of the more sugary cereals on the shelf. If you pick the right cereal, though, you’ll have a source of nutrients such as fiber, magnesium, and protein that is also quite tasty and filling.

6. Chicken

Although technically you can get enough protein from nuts and beans, it’s a lot easier to get your protein requirement if you also eat chicken. Of course, protein isn’t the only great thing about chicken. It’s also a good source of niacin, phosphorus, ​selenium, and vitamin B6.

Chicken only keeps for days in the refrigerator, but it will last in the freezer for up to a year. Or better yet, get some canned chicken, which will last in the pantry for several years. Chicken will turn a collection of side dishes into a big, hearty meal.

7. Mixed Nuts

A can of mixed nuts makes for a tasty snack that can be stored for years in a freezer (or a few months unfrozen) and contains a wide range of essential nutrients such as Vitamin E, selenium, protein, fatty acids, magnesium, fiber, and more.

Mixed nuts can be enjoyed as-is or ground up into a butter that you can use to make some of the other foods in your stockpile a little tastier. They are also a very filling snack, making them great for reducing the hunger pains that come with such a limited diet.

8. Potatoes

Potatoes contain so many of the nutrients necessary to survive that our list could almost be shortened to just this one item. In fact, the executive director of the Washington State Potato Commission once went for two months on a diet of nothing but potatoes and water.

Potatoes are a good source of protein, are rich in carbohydrates, and contain a range of essential vitamins. Unlike beans, though, potatoes only last a few weeks. However, you can extend the life of your potatoes by storing them in a cool, dark place. If you want a potato product that lasts even longer, you can stockpile potato flakes. Potato flakes are made from dried potatoes and will last 10-15 years if unopened.

9. Powdered Milk

Humans survive the first few months of their lives on a diet of milk and nothing else, so it makes sense that milk contains most of the nutrients necessary to survive. Obviously, stockpiling fresh milk isn’t a viable option, but canned milk and powdered milk are decent substitutes.

It might not taste as great as fresh milk, but it still contains all of the same nutrients. This includes nutrients such as B vitamins, calcium, protein, iodine, and phosphorous. If left in its original container, powdered milk will last about two years. However, if you place your powdered milk in an airtight plastic container, it will last upwards of ten years.

10. Oranges

It’s difficult to get enough vitamin C on a diet of only 10 foods, and as sailors from a few hundred years ago know well, not getting enough vitamin C can lead to a range of diseases such as scurvy. If you stockpile oranges, though, not getting enough vitamin C won’t be a concern. Oranges are also a great source of fiber, folate, and potassium.

They can be enjoyed fresh for a few weeks if refrigerated or they can be dried to make them last for up to 2 years. They can also be squeezed into a delicious juice if you grow tired of drinking powdered milk and water. If you aren’t a fan of oranges, other citrus fruits such as grapefruits, lemons, and limes come with all of the same benefits.

Honorable Mentions

The ten foods listed above combine to make the most complete and balanced diet possible when your options are limited. However, there are plenty of other foods that are worth considering for your 10-food stockpile. Some of these honorable mentions include:

• Honey – Honey lasts indefinitely and contains a number of nutrients. Most importantly, though, honey makes for a great way to add some flavor to the other foods in your stockpile. Honey also has a few medicinal uses, which makes for an added benefit.
• Oatmeal – Oatmeal is full of nutrients, has a long shelf life, and makes for a tasty meal.
• Pasta – Next to cereal, pasta is the most convenient grain product to stockpile. It also tastes great, though you probably won’t be able to prepare too many tasty Italian dishes with only nine other ingredients to choose from.
• Peanut Butter – Peanut butter is filling and nutritious and makes for a tasty addition to a wide range of snacks. It also stores well, lasting several months even after being opened.
• Powdered Eggs – Eggs are incredibly nutritious, but they don’t keep for very long. Like milk, though, eggs come in a powdered variety that lasts for much longer.
• Protein Bars – Protein bars make it easy to get all of your protein requirements in one food. They typically don’t have much nutritional value besides protein, but they do store well and are filling.
• Raisins – If you don’t like dried blueberries, raisins are a great substitute. They’re full of vitamins and nutrients and can stay fresh for several years.
• Rice – In some parts of the world, people survive on a diet that is comprised almost entirely of rice. It’s certainly a grain full of nutrients that stores well and can be prepared in a variety of ways.
• Tomatoes – Canned tomatoes make a great addition to most dishes. They’re also convenient, have a good shelf-life, and contain nutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, fiber, and antioxidants.

So there you have it, the foods I would stockpile if I could only pick ten. What foods would make your top ten?

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Powerful Parable Reveals A Gracious But Politically Incorrect Vineyard Owner

Powerful Parable Reveals A Gracious But Politically Incorrect Vineyard Owner is available on http://totalsurvival.net/

A vineyard owner listens to whining workers who demand grace on their terms.

Jesus once told a parable about a vineyard owner and some workers goes something like this (Matt. 20:1-16):

A householder, the owner of a vineyard, went out early in the morning to hire some workers for his vineyard. There was normally quite a few of guys hanging out in the village marketplace looking for work according to the story. The vineyard owner gathered a group of workers and offered to pay them a silver denarius for a day’s work. The workers agreed.

But after a few hours, the vineyard owner saw that his workers wouldn’t be able to harvest the whole vineyard by the end of the day. So he went back to the marketplace. As usual, I guess, there were still plenty of potential workers there, all still hanging out. To these, the vineyard owner made a pretty vague offer: “Go work in the vineyard, and at the end of the day, I’ll give whatever is right.” They went.

More time passed. The harvest was still moving too slowly. So the vineyard owner went back to the marketplace twice more, at noon and 3 pm, to hire more workers. Finally, at the “eleventh hour,” lets’ say 5 pm, he went one last time. There were still men hanging out, “unemployed” so to speak. (my guess is that workers not picked by 5 pm were not the most ambitious folks which adds considerable force to the story)

The Vineyard Owner Still Needs Help Late In The Day

“Why have your stood here all day, idle?” the vineyard owner asked.
“Because no one has hired us,” they replied.
“Then go work in my vineyard, and you’ll be paid whatever’s right.”

At the end of the working day, sundown approaching, the vineyard owner had his foreman call together all the workers so they could receive their day’s wages. “Beginning with the last up to the first,” he ordered. And the foreman did so.

Those who were hired late in the day … “at the eleventh hour”… all received a denarius. And so it would seem did everyone else who came after sunrise. When the first workers came, the ones hired at sunrise, they, too, received a denarius … just as they had been promised. And it’s right here Jesus starts to drive home the lesson…

The first workers, who had labored all day long, murmured against the vineyard owner: “These men only labored for an hour, and you’ve made them equal to us, who’ve borne the burden and heat of the day!”

The vineyard owner answered, “I’m doing you no wrong. Didn’t you agree to a denarius? Take what’s yours, and go your way. I’m going to give the last worker the same amount I’m giving you. Isn’t it lawful for me to do what I want with my own? Are you envious because I am good?”

And so, Jesus said, “The last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.”

Profound Truth In The Parable Of The Vineyard Owner

Obviously, Jesus’ main intention was to illustrate a profound truth regarding the kingdom of God. He introduced his story with the words, “For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is a householder… ” His point is that eternal life, the favor of God, and heavenly reward are not things that God measures out to his servants based on their years or order of service, the trials they have borne, or, in fact, anything that they have done for that matter. Grace is sovereign and God is God.

But in using this particular image or metaphor for His kingdom, Jesus also validates an important ethical consideration or law also in play in the story. For starters, it’s important to know that we can appeal to the details of the story for authoritative ethical instruction. We can be just as sure that the vineyard owner spoke truthfully and acted righteously as we can that good shepherds faithfully watch after their flocks and that a loving father is right to receive a repentant son back home again.

So, what can we learn about the nature of ownership from Jesus’ parable?

Is The Vineyard Owner Really The Owner?

First, it’s important to be aware that Jesus, speaking of the householder, calls the vineyard “his” (vv. 1, 2). He calls the householder, “the lord of the vineyard” (v.8). The word for “lord” is kurios, the standard Greek word for lord, the owner and disposer of a thing. The vineyard belongs to the householder. He may do with it as he pleases … as long as he’s operating within the scope of God’s law … of course. And the Mosaic law actually had a lot to say about farmers and their fields.

The harvested crops belonged to the owner but with limitations. Anyone passing through the fields could grab a handful of grain or fruit or whatever and eat it as he went on his way. He couldn’t put anything in a bug out bag for later, however (Deut. 23:24-25). At the end of harvest, the owner was to leave some of the crop for the poor to glean (Lev. 19:9-10; 23:22). And lastly, the owner was responsible to tithe the fruits of his field to God (Lev. 27:30). (A tithe is one-tenth of the increase.)

Fields acquired during the original Conquest could be leased but not sold. Every fiftieth year, in the Jubilee, all leased fields in Israel were returned to the family or descendants of the original owners (Lev. 25:8-17ff). Every seventh year was a Sabbath year. In the Sabbath years, farmers were to let their fields lie fallow (Ex. 23:11). They were not to harvest anything that grew up of itself. And interestingly, the poor could still collect whatever they could find during the fallow year. (Lev. 25:1-7).

The underlying assumption here is that individual ownership is neither absolute nor autonomous. God is the true and ultimate Landowner: He created heaven and earth (Ps. 24:1). All human ownership is subject to His prior claim and to His revealed law. On the other hand, individual ownership is specific, not collective. God assigns particular responsibilities to particular men, women, and children. God also forbids humans to rearrange those assignments autonomously. That is, God says, “Thou shalt not steal” (Ex. 20:15). Each of us must give an account to God for our stewardship of the properties He has given us (Matt. 25:13-30).

Ownership, Value Theory And Free Market Contracts

In Jesus’ story, the vineyard owner makes an offer to some free agents in the market. He offers them each a denarius for a day’s work. They agree. The owner and the workers have an oral contract.

By using this scenario to describe God’s kingdom, Jesus implicitly confirms its ethical integrity. The owner is perfectly OK in making the offer. The laborers are OK in accepting it. There is no suggestion that a third party needs to examine the contract or its wage scale to see if it conforms to some socially-accepted standard of just wages. There is no mention of a minimum wage law or the need for the workers to unionize to protect their interests. Further, there is no law that requires the owner to give priority to one group over another in his hiring.

The wage offers the vineyard owner makes throughout the rest of the day are loose. He doesn’t specify an hourly wage or a picking quota. He needs help to finish the field work. That’s it. The workers trust his word and reputation. Again, Jesus implicitly confirms that this arrangement is entirely ethical, just and good. The owner and the workers have the right to agree to the terms specified.

It’s only at the end of the day that we see conflict arise. The vineyard owner pays everyone the same amount. He gives every worker a denarius. Those who have worked all day long object and throw out the fairness flag. And, from their viewpoint, it didn’t seem fair. After all, the owner uses five different pay scales without explanation. Those who worked all day imply in their murmuring that the owner is unjust and unethical. Somehow he has cheated the “all-day” workers by paying the later workers on a different scale.

Vineyard Owner Says “Nope”

The vineyard owner dismisses the charge. Has he kept his contract with the all-day laborers? Yep. But he’s also kept his contracts with the others as well. The details of one contract have no bearing on those of the others. All that matters is that each contract was made freely and that both sides kept their end of the bargain. Big message: Gracious gifts and bonuses given to others are no grounds for whining and complaining.

Notice that the vineyard owner rejects any labor-theory of value. Some of the workers had obviously labored longer and harder than others, but in his payment plan, the owner takes no notice of this. He ignores the length, even the quality, of labor and instead pays some of his workers more generously than he pays others. Maybe it’s smart, maybe it’s not. But at the of the day, (pun intended) it’s his money.

This, of course, is what the vineyard owner says: “Isn’t it lawful for me to do what I want with my own?” It’s in full accordance with God’s law for an employer to pay his employees whatever they both agree on. He doesn’t have to pay them all according to the same scale, whether that scale measures time, energy, skill, or anything else. The employer simply has to fulfill the contract he has made.

But that means the would-be employer has to convince potential employees to agree to that contract in the first place. Remember, the workers didn’t have to agree to the terms of the owner’s offer. They could have tried negotiation. If that failed, they could have said “no” to work. Maybe other work would have come along. Perhaps it wouldn’t have. The workers freely chose the option that seemed easiest and best for them at the time.

Conclusion: The Vineyard Owner And The Politics of Envy

Some of the all-day workers were upset, envious and angry. They were angry because later day hires were paid better than they were. Or so they thought. Maybe they were angry because, in their eyes, the owner showed a sort of politically incorrect favoritism. And because they were envious and angry, they thought they had a right to tell the owner how he ought to spend his money. They were wrong.

The truth is, this is still a hard lesson for most of us Americans. We readily believe that those who sell goods and services have a moral obligation to treat every employee and customer exactly the same. Anything else “just isn’t fair.” And when things in the free market aren’t “fair,” the government has an obligation to step in with muscle and make rules that will ensure fairness … rules that will tell owners what they may or may not do with their property. What’s often not argued here is the fact that this ultimately means that an owner can never give bonus or performance pay. After all, everyone gets the same. Who’s going to break this to Tom Brady and LeBron? (perhaps some grief counseling will be needed)

But this isn’t at all what Scripture teaches. The Bible insists that owners have the right to do with their goods and services as they like, always within the bounds of God’s law. But remember, in Jesus’ parable, both the householder and the laborers owned something. Both sides owned something and were offering it for sale. As long as everyone concerned agreed to the terms of that sale, the deal was honest and just.

There are lots of practical applications for day to day life in this parable. But the takeaway on the spiritual side is staggering. Grace simply can’t be demanded. That is true by definition. But it’s important to know that God dispenses grace as He sees fit. Our Pilgrim forefathers knew this well. Many times, from our human eyes, it’s tempting to complain, seeing what others appear to have and what we think we lack. I know better and yet still do a good share of this. Pretty dumb, right?

Time to repent and go back to work.

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Wildcrafting And Foraging Means Fabulous Food And Family Fun

Wildcrafting And Foraging Means Fabulous Food And Family Fun was first published on http://totalsurvival.net/

Always ask landowners before wildcrafting and foraging.

Wildcrafting is the term given for collecting wild plants. Wild plants often have strong healing properties and exceptional flavor. I have never tasted a store bought strawberry that compared in flavor to the tiny alpine ones that grow freely in wild places. Wildcrafting can be lots of fun. It is an excellent way to teach children about nature.

There are several guidelines that need to be followed to protect you and the plants when wild.

Legally, be sure that you are allowed to gather if you are on public or private property. Always ask permission from landowners. You may be required to obtain a permit on public lands.

Educate yourself about plants prior to gathering. Carry a minimum of two field guides with you to aid with plant identification unless you are absolutely sure that you can correctly identify the plants that you are gathering. Mushrooms and plants in the parsley and carrot family are often misidentified. Consuming the wrong plant may cause illness or death in some cases.

Wildcrafting Rules Of Thumb

Learn what plants are endangered or at risk in your locale. State and federal agencies provide resource lists. United Plant Savers is an organization that provides current information about medicinal herbs and their status in the wild. Sometimes plants may be abundant locally, yet be at risk or endangered as a whole. Never gather endangered or at-risk plants. Learn what common plants can be used as substitutes. If you purchase endangered or at-risk herbs, only purchase them from cultivated organic sources. If you desire to use at-risk herbs, plant your own. When planting, place them in habitats similar to their natural environments.

New “Survival Herb Bank” Gives You Access to God’s Amazing Medicine Chest

Gather a maximum of 10 percent of common herbs. Many herbalists replant as they gather. This is an excellent sustainable practice.

Wild stands of herbs and edibles are nature’s perennial gardens. Be respectful. Treat the wild garden with the same respect that you would treat a cultivated garden.

Wildcrafting Strategy

Select your foraging locale carefully. Do not harvest next to roads or in places that may have been sprayed with pesticides. Only pick if there are large stands of plants present. Examine the stand of plants. Does it appear healthy? Is there evidence that other people have been harvesting there? Is it a fragile environment or one that will be negatively impacted by human presence? Know the area well. Ideally, you should observe the locale over several years to ensure the health of the plant stand. If it is growing and vigorous, then gather. If it is shrinking or unhealthy, do not collect at that site.

Remember that animals rely on native plants for survival. Consider the needs of local bears, birds, and other creatures, especially when harvesting fall nuts, fruits, and berries.

If you are harvesting near hiking trails, only pick foods and herbs away from the trails. Allow others to see the beauty of the wild environment.

Do not pick all of the best specimens. Leave the outstanding flowers, seeds, and berries to strengthen the stand for the future.

Gather at the correct time of the day and year. Above ground plant parts are ideally gathered in the late morning or early afternoon. Medicinal properties are stronger at those times. Dew has had time to dry so plants are less likely to decompose or mold.

Wildcrafting Plans And Purpose

Roots and bark are best gathered in fall or spring. Leaves and flowers should be gathered when young. Berries and nuts are gathered when ripe. Whenever possible, use plant parts from above the ground. If gathering roots, only remove a piece of a root. Replace the plant and water it. Only gather what you will use.

It makes no sense to gather plants if you are not going to prepare them promptly for storage. Will you be air drying on an extended camping trip? Are you returning home immediately to preserve the nutrients at their peak of freshness? Do you need to bring alcohol, vinegar, or glycerin for tincture making? Will you make an herbal oil on site? If you are planning to consume your bounty in the wild, is there fresh clean water available to wash the herbs, vegetables, and fruits? If you are making tea in the field, do you have the proper cooking supplies? Always use common sense and abide by regulations when fire building in nature.

Protecting wild plants means not revealing locations of plant stands to everyone that you know. Over 20 percent of plant species are threatened or endangered. Unfortunately, some plants which were recently abundant are rapidly disappearing due to foragers.

Be sure to allow ample time to enjoy being out in the fresh air. Enjoy the spectacular sights, smells, and sounds that are freely provided to you while gathering. Foraging is not a trip to a local grocery store. It offers health and spiritual benefits simply by being immersed in native environments. Enjoy!

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Three Emerging High-Risk Mega Cities With Chaos And Collapse Potential

The blog post Three Emerging High-Risk Mega Cities With Chaos And Collapse Potential was originally published to http://totalsurvival.net/

High-Risk Mega Cities Changing

Throughout human history, a population barrier seemed to exist. Whenever a metropolitan’s population crosses a particular mark, it tends to collapse due to several problems. Knowing this fact, it’s a good idea to observe population to get a heads up on which cities to avoid.

For a very long time, the population barrier seemed to hover around the 1 million mark. In fact, it’s only during the 19th century when Beijing and London successfully crossed that barrier without collapsing. However, saying that the barrier doesn’t exist is inaccurate. It’s likely that it just moved.
These days, the 1 million mark is not remarkable anymore. China alone has more than 100 cities that are home to more than 1 million residents. Also, what the general public considers … high-risk mega cities … is continually changing.

Estimating High-Risk Mega Cities

Dar es Salaam is still the largest city in Tanzania and one of the true high-risk mega cities.

Imagine living in Tokyo 100 years ago. From one’s perspective, it’s tough to imagine how Tokyo would look like in the present times. Just as it was then, imagining how megacities will be like in 2100 can be difficult. Thankfully, there are specially-designed computers that can help simulate the scenario to give a big boost to the imagination.
Global Cities Institute, a team of analysts based in Toronto, did a lot of number crunching. With a variety of factors, the group extrapolated a list of the possible megacities for the years 2100, 2075, 2050, 2025, and 2010.

The team came up with a list of 101 cities that are likely going to be overcrowded; with it comes a higher risk of collapsing.

Below Are The Top Three High-Risk Mega Cities:

1. Lagos, Nigeria
Lagos is already the most populated city not only in Nigeria but also in entire Africa. It’s still considered to be the fastest growing cities in the planet. Lagos has also served as one of Africa’s major financial centers, and the city’s GDP scores the highest.
Today, the city’s population growth rate is staggeringly high that no one knows the exact number of people that are living in the city.
According to some estimates, there are over 2,000 people that migrate to the city on a daily basis. Today’s estimated population in Lagos ranges from 11 to 21 million.
By 2100, analysts predict that the population will explode to 88 million.

2. Kinshasa, DRC
Kinshasa is the capital city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It’s also the country’s largest metropolitan. The city started as a mere fishing village and then became a trading village. Nowadays, the city is home to 11 million inhabitants.
According to the Global Cities Institute’s projection, Kinshasa’s population will grow to around 83 million by 2100.

3. Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
Dar es Salaam translates to “the house of peace,” and it’s the former capital city of Tanzania. And yet, to this day, Dar es Salaam is still the largest city of Tanzania and it’s still the country’s center for pretty much everything from fashion to finance. Today, the city is considered as one of the fastest growing with 4.3 million inhabitants according to a 2012 consensus.
According to the projections, Dar es Salaam will grow 1,588% by 2100, which translates to a population of 74 million.

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6 Practical Prepping Budget Tips

The blog post 6 Practical Prepping Budget Tips is republished from http://totalsurvival.net

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I'll earn a small fee at no extra cost to you.*

The most common complaint among new preppers is how expensive it is. While there are many ways you can prep for free, you will inevitably have to spend some money if you want to stock up on supplies. To do that, it’s important to keep a budget and look for great deals.

Prepper Princess is a Youtuber who is very big on budget prepping, and she collaborated with another Youtube channel, City Prepping, in order to share some practical prepping budget tips.

City Prepping asks the questions, and she answers. Here are his questions…

1. What advice would you give to someone that’s starting out prepping and they’re on a budget?
2. What are some good ways to find deals?
3. What are some tips to store water on a tight budget?
4. What are some common items that you can repurpose for prepping?
5. What are some tips that you would recommend to get things for free?
6. What is the concept of “prepping three dollars at a time”?

Watch the video below to hear her answers.

This article first appeared on urbansurvivalsite.com See it here

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15 Unconventional Venison Recipes To Try This Hunting Season

How To Successfully Grow Blueberries In Your Survival Garden

The blog post How To Successfully Grow Blueberries In Your Survival Garden Read more on: Total Survival

With the right conditions, you should be able to grow blueberries as easily as other fruits and vegetables.

Blueberries have a reputation for being difficult to grow, but if you have the right growing conditions, they’re no more difficult than other fruits and vegetables. To grow blueberries, you need a soil pH between 4.6 and 5.5. Most of the East Coast, the South, and the Pacific Northwest have acidic soil, but if you live elsewhere, soil pH can be a challenge.

Blueberries need moist but well-draining soil. They don’t tolerate heavy soils that stay soggy. They also do best with some humidity. In dry, windy areas, they tend to dry out in the winter and suffer bud damage. Blueberries grow best in full sun to partial shade. In the north, they should be planted in an area that gets six to eight hours of sunlight daily. In warm, southern regions, they can take partial shade. An area that gets four to six hours of sunlight is fine.

How To Grow Blueberries: Choosing A Variety

Besides giving your blueberries the ideal cultural environment, spend some time carefully choosing the varieties for your berry patch. Blueberries produce better yields if planted with a pollinator, so you’ll need two varieties. Northern highbush blueberries, as the name implies, are adapted to cold, northern climates. They grow 5 to 10 feet tall, although some dwarf cultivars are available. Popular varieties include Bluecrop, Blueray, Jersey, Elliott, Legacy, Chandler, and Duke.

Southern highbush blueberries are adapted for the warm, humid conditions of the South. Commonly grown varieties include Morrow, Murphy, Bounty, and Blueridge.

Rabbiteye blueberries are native to the southeastern United States. These blueberry plants produce smaller, sweeter blueberries than the highbush types. They’re also more adaptable to growing conditions and tolerate drier, more alkaline soil. One drawback to rabbiteye blueberries is that they bloom earlier in the spring than highbush types, which makes them more vulnerable to frost damage. Try Climax, Powderblue, or Premier.

How To Grow Blueberries: Planting And Early Care

Buy blueberry plants from a reputable nursery or online vendor. Choose two or three-year-old plants that stand at least 12 to 36 inches tall. Plant bare-root blueberries in early spring while they’re still dormant. Plant potted plants anytime from spring through early fall. However, planting them only in spring or only in fall is usually best because the plants stay moister.

Space blueberry plants at least 5 feet apart, depending on the mature size of your plants, and mulch them with 3 to 4 inches of wood chips. Keep them well watered during the first season as they establish roots.

After planting, prune bare-root plants to remove up to two-thirds of the growth. Prune potted plants by half, leaving two to three strong stems. Remove any flower buds that appear during the first season to encourage strong root growth. This early pruning will produce more vigorous yields in future years.

About six weeks after planting, fertilize the blueberries with 1 tablespoon granular 10-10-10 fertilizer or an acidic fertilizer made for azaleas. Spread the fertilizer in a 12-inch circle around the base of the plant and water it in well.

How To Grow Blueberries: Ongoing Care

Blueberries won’t produce a significant crop for at least the first two or three years. Your early patience pays off, though, because blueberry bushes can live for 50 years or more. Continue to water blueberries throughout the growing season so the soil stays moist 2 inches beneath the soil surface. Additionally, drought conditions will reduce yields.

In cold areas, wrap blueberries in the winter with old sheets or burlap so they don’t dry out. Replace mulch every few years as it thins. Mulches conserve soil moisture and keep weed growth down so plants stay healthier with less effort.

Fertilize mature plants with 1 cup of 10-10-10 fertilizer per plant each spring, as new growth emerges. Spread the fertilizer in a 3-foot circle under the shrub.

New Natural Fertilizer Doubles Garden Production!

During the first three to four years after planting, blueberry bushes should be pruned each spring to remove most of the flower buds. Heavy fruiting on young plants can cause permanent bending and damage. Once the bushes stand 4 to 5 feet tall, their canes are strong enough to bear fruit. Thereafter, prune them each spring to remove old, dead, or diseased canes or those that rub against each other. Prune them back to outward facing buds, if necessary, to control their height. Rejuvenate older bushes by cutting out one-third of the oldest canes every spring.

How To Grow Blueberries: Solutions For Alkaline Soil

If you thought you couldn’t grow blueberries out West or in the Midwest, get ready to change your mind.

In the past, gardeners in the Midwest and western states have found growing blueberries to be challenging or impossible. Alkaline soil, so prevalent in many of these areas, was usually to blame, along with cold, dry conditions. When blueberries are planted in alkaline soil, they can’t take up iron. The leaves develop chlorosis or yellowing of the leaves with green veins. Soon, the plants wither and die, usually within one or two seasons.

It’s possible to acidify your soil with applications of sulfur, but the results are temporary and work best if you have a soil pH of 6.0 or less. Researchers at the Colorado State University Extension have found a few blueberry solutions for the western gardener. If you thought you couldn’t grow blueberries, get ready to change your mind.

Joel Reich, a horticulture expert at the Colorado State University Extension, has successfully grown blueberries in sphagnum peat moss. Peat moss is naturally acidic, drains well, and provides the perfect medium for growing success. He punches large drainage holes in plastic-wrapped bales of peat moss. He then sinks these bales into the ground and cuts openings in the top, where he then places the blueberry plants. Peat moss holds up to three times its weight in water, although it comes in a very dry form. Allow a hose to run slowly in the bales for at least an hour to thoroughly moisten the mixture. Once it is moistened, it will retain water well.

Another option, also developed by CSU, is a bit more complicated. Mix 40 percent coir, 40 percent peat moss, and 20 percent perlite to get a light, acidic potting mix. Dig a hole in the ground and place a large pot in the ground. Place a second pot inside the first. Fill this pot with the acidic potting mix and plant the blueberry plant. Advocates of this method say that the double pot method helps insulate the soil from temperature changes and completely isolates the plant’s roots from native, alkaline soil.

Regardless of which method you choose, once planted, the blueberries should be mulched with three to four inches of wood chip mulch. Also, treat them with an acidic fertilizer in the spring and summer. Wrap them in burlap in the winter to protect them from cold, drying winds.

You may also enjoy reading an additional Off The Grid News article: Natural Fertilizer Can Dramatically Improve “Survival Garden” Food Production

Do you have any additional thoughts or tips about how to successfully grow blueberries in your garden? Let us know in the comments below.

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Boston Dynamics To Produce 1,000 Robot Dogs Per Year By Mid-2019

The article Boston Dynamics To Produce 1,000 Robot Dogs Per Year By Mid-2019 was first published on http://totalsurvival.net

The robot uprising is right on schedule as a new report by Inverse suggests that Boston Dynamics’ terrifying robot dogs will launch into series production by the second half of 2019, producing more than 1,000 of its compact SpotMini models annually.

SpotMini is Boston Dynamics’ quadrupedal robotic dog. If you have watched the dystopian sci-fi series Black Mirror episode “Metalhead,” where a knife-wielding robotic dog runs around killing people, then the company’s latest creation should be frightening for all of humanity.

It measures two feet, nine inches tall and weighs “66 pounds,” with approximately 1.5 hours of battery life. Boston Dynamics recently released videos showing the robotic dog performing all kinds of functionalities like opening doors and increasingly complicated navigational capabilities.

Read More

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The Do’s and Don’ts of Building Your First Rain Barrel

The Do’s and Don’ts of Building Your First Rain Barrel Find more on: http://www.totalsurvival.net/

Last spring, I finally asked my friend, Bob, who does handyman work, to help me build some rain barrels. I had actually acquired two food-grade 55-gallon drums from the meat shop. It's just a couple miles down the road, but they had been living in my greenhouse waiting patiently for installation. Make sure you use food grade barrels, not barrels that may have contained toxic substances. We decided to place the DIY rain barrel system under the stairs so they would be out of the way, but still close to the greenhouse and garden.

Rain Barrel DIY | Important Things to Note

Sturdy Surface for the Barrels

The downspout was rerouted down the stairs to the barrels. To allow room for a bucket to be placed under the rain barrel faucets, six concrete footings were placed under a small reinforced wood deck. You could also potentially use concrete blocks. Remember, once a 55-gallon drum is full of water, it will weigh over 450 pounds, so whatever surface you have should be sturdy and level. To create additional capacity, we linked two drums together.

Debris Filter and Drain Pipe

To keep debris and bugs out of the tank, we cut out the center of a two-part lid and inserted mesh window screen into the opening.

PVC pipe connects the two tanks, and an overflow pipe fits to the second barrel, along with drain pipe.

*Note – We found out after use that the overflow really should have been on the side of the second barrel, opposite the inlet. This way was easier to rig up but didn’t work very well.

Since we have high winds out here, we need to add strapping to hold the barrels down when they’re not filled. For winter, we drained the barrels and brought them into the greenhouse.

Cleaning the Barrels

This spring, before putting them back into action, I gave the barrels a good cleaning. You really want to scrub them out at the beginning of the season to make sure you’re not starting off with contaminated water. Chunks and scum will clog up your faucets, and make your water foul.

You may need a long-handled scrub brush, or have to crawl into your barrel. I improvised by duct taping a piece of firewood to a brush with a shorter handle.

If you’ve got open water, mosquito dunks may be helpful, but a screen works just as well (if not better). The active ingredient in mosquito dunks is “Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies israelensis” (Bt), which attacks the larval stage of mosquitoes. This is a naturally occurring soil bacteria. However, there are concerns that Bt will be losing its effectiveness due to its genetic engineering into corn.

Some Benefits of Rainwater

Rain barrels are a great way to control runoff and conserve water. It lacks chlorine and fluoride that you can find in many municipal water supplies. Natural rainwater is softer and easier on your garden plants. My grandmother always washed her hair every Saturday night with water from her rain barrel. If you happen to have a good water filter, such as a Berkey, you can use rain barrel water for drinking water in case of emergencies.

If you want to learn more about how to design your system, plans for roof washing systems (to divert the first flow away from your storage to clean your roof before filling your storage), and just about any other questions you may have on rainwater collection, I recommend the book “Rainwater Collection for the Mechanically Challenged“.

Note: Rainwater collection is prohibited in some areas and encouraged in others. Please check this list of State Rainwater Harvesting and Graywater Laws and Programs to find out if it is allowed in your area.

Check out this video by envirosponsible on how to make your own rain barrel:

Rainwater can be useful in survival situations, too. When you start to run out of provisions inside the house, the water stored in your barrels is a valuable suppl– especially if your rain barrel system is well-maintained. It's also a great way to save some money on your water bill by using rainwater for your garden.

Do you consider rain barrels a necessity in your home? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!

Up Next: Container Gardening for Your Patio or Balcony

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in May 2013 and has been updated for quality and relevancy.

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2 Affordable And Reliable Sidearms For Defense In Disaster Scenarios

2 Affordable And Reliable Sidearms For Defense In Disaster Scenarios is republished from http://totalsurvival.net

The TT-33 and CZ 52 are two affordable and reliable sidearms that can assist you in a disaster scenario.

Prepping is not a cheap thing to do, and with most of us on budgets, we can’t always afford the things we desire. This is especially true when it comes to firearms, as guns and ammo get pricey pretty quick. You hear this a lot when it comes to the Mosin Nagant rifle. It’s a cheap rifle with cheap ammo, but is it the best choice? No, it’s not, but if you need a gun and you don’t have the funds, the Mosin is a reliable, powerful rifle. What do we do about affordable and reliable sidearms, however?

The ability to conceal a weapon is important, and that’s why a handgun is a must in a disaster scenario. However, we need to admit that carrying a weapon around after SHTF situations can make you a target for both police and criminals or cause undue panic by civilians. So, if you’re on a budget, what kind of handgun can you buy? Well, there is the always the option of a cheap .22 revolver like a Rohms, or even a .380 Jennings. Nevertheless, do you trust your life to cheap, underpowered guns? Furthermore, there is a difference between “cheap” and “affordable.” Plus, the ammo can be hard to find and is expensive, especially during a SHTF situation.

So how do we combine affordable, reliable, and powerful? The answer is similar to the Mosin Nagant: surplus Eastern European weapons. They aren’t pretty, but they do work. In essence, they are the epitome of affordable and reliable sidearms. Moreover, you can buy the ammo cheaply in bulk off the Internet or at most gun shops. The two weapons I’m talking about are the TT-33 and the CZ 52. Each of these handguns was built to be chambered in the 7.62 x 25mm, which is also known as the 7.62 Tokarev.

The cartridge was produced in Russia in the early 1930s for uses in a multitude of different weapons. They include the sub-machine guns PPD-40, PPSH-41, PP-19 Bizon, and of course the handguns TT-33 and CZ-52. This round is lightweight and has an incredibly fast velocity. A hot load with an 85-grain FMJ round can reach speeds of over 1600 feet per second, while an average load is around 1220 feet per second. The round is renowned for piercing soft body armor, military issue helmets, and it offers excellent penetration against obstacles. This round is light and small but transfers a lot of energy—360 foot-pounds of it from a standard load. Not bad at all.

Keep Your Handgun Locked And Loaded, Ready For Instant Use – Without Fear Of An Accident!

Be aware that the majority of these cheap rounds are corrosive, which means some of the components can cause deterioration in your weapon. Any time after firing, make sure to thoroughly clean the weapon. The ammonia in window cleaners is excellent for cutting out the corrosive salt. Now let’s talk about the ugly girls at the Royal Ball:

Affordable And Reliable Sidearms: The TT–33

The TT-33 is the first weapon to discuss on our list of affordable and reliable sidearms. She sure isn’t going to win any beauty contest, that’s for sure. This is the ugly sister of the 1911. Fans of the 1911 may see some slight resemblance and there is a reason for that. The pistol was, in some respects, based on the 1911. Most Russian satellite countries adopted the weapon and China has used it as well. The different variants are all pretty much the same, except the Yugo version holds an additional round in the magazine.

As I mentioned, the weapon is not pretty, but she functions. The gun is very accurate and it shoots surprisingly flat for a pistol. The sights are very simple, small, and not too efficient, but they work. Spoiled American shooters like me will not be very impressed by them. The weapon’s grip isn’t particularly comfortable, but it’ll do. I mean, it’s a grip, right?

The weapon is single action and the trigger pull will vary from gun to gun. My model was a little bit spongy, but I have fired TT-33s that have truly wonderful triggers. The TT-33 was originally designed without a safety, as the common practice is to carry the hammer down on an empty chamber. The good folks we all know and love at the BATF regulated safeties on all imported guns, but these safeties should not be relied on. I also advise against locked, cocked, and safe as a method of carrying.

These safeties can fall off, refuse to stay in the fire position, or they will refuse to go to the safe position. The best thing to do is to take the gun apart, remove the safety, and take it back to its original configuration. For naysayers who think that this procedure is terribly unsafe, I would counter that the most important safety is between your ears and behind your eyes.

The TT-33 ain’t pretty, but like the proud heritage of mass-produced, tough-as-nails Russian weapons, it’ll work when you need it to. It hits hard and fast and is incredibly accurate. The gun does have a lot of negative aspects when reviewed through the eyes of an American shooter, however. In spite of this, if you view this weapon through the eyes of someone who can only afford it, the story may change. If you already have a modern pistol, I’m not saying you need one of these, but if you don’t, it’s certainly better than a sharp stick and harsh language.

Affordable And Reliable Sidearms: The CZ 52

Now we move on to the Czech CZ 52. This weapon is a little prettier than the TT-33, but it’s kind of odd looking. This gun is almost like a weapon from a futuristic pulp movie. The CZ 52 is a magazine fed, single action, semi-automatic pistol. Additionally, the weapon uses an odd operating system. It utilizes two rollers that lock the barrel and slide together with a cam block. Notwithstanding, this weapon is pretty unique in terms of what it can do.

How To Hide Your Guns, And Other Off-Grid Caches…

While it’s a lot better looking, it does have a few design flaws. Nevertheless, this problem doesn’t make the weapon ineffective. The main design flaw is in the ergonomics because the barrel is high above the grip and causes an increase in felt recoil. The weapon’s slide also locks back after the last round is fired, but lacks a slide release. So, you have to pull the slide back and let it slingshot forward. Aftermarket slide releases are available, but it’s kind of like putting makeup on a donkey. Save the money and buy extra ammo instead.

The hammer on this weapon will be more familiar to western shooters. The safety is mounted just in front of the hammer and it slides up and down. The safety is also a de-cocker. This safety is much better than the tacked on safety that you will find on the TT-33, as this weapon was designed to have a safety.

The grip isn’t much more comfortable than the TT-33. It’s a slight bit friendlier, but also very wide with some ugly grips. This weapon features great inherent accuracy but it’s hampered by a stiff, heavy trigger and minimalist sights. The magazine holds eight rounds but the problem with this gun’s magazine that I’ve experienced is the magazine release. It’s the typical European mag release, which is located on the bottom of the grip. You push it back and the mag falls out. What’s the problem? Well, the mag has a removable floor plate that slides off. If you’re not careful, the mag release can slide back into place as the magazine is coming out. Then, the mag catch hits the sliding plate and pushes it off. This will send your mag spring flying into next week.

So Why Use These Two Affordable And Reliable Sidearms?

I’m critical of these weapons, but I far from hate them. I believe these offer people who don’t have the means for a better weapon a way to defend themselves. I wanted to give an accurate look at them. They aren’t great fighting pistols by any standard. They are very outdated, but you know what else they are? Around 200 bucks. These weapons are much more powerful and reliable than a Rohm, a Jennings, or a Raven.

These weapons are loud and breathe muzzle flash like a dragon. They’re fun to shoot, snappy little pistols. The ammo is cheap and available. These weapons also have one nifty little feature; you can convert them to 9mm with little more than a new barrel. These barrels sell for around 30-50 dollars online. So, now you can fire two different rounds from Ivan’s old service pistol—a cheap one and a common one.

These weapons are also perfect if you want to have a few handguns around to pass to trusted friends and family who are a little less prepared than you. Alternatively, you can use them as bartering tools. I usually don’t agree with trading guns, but you gotta do what you gotta do, and guns will have a lot of trade value. You can also keep them as affordable backups, or honestly, the answer for a lot of us is just a new, fun to shoot, cheap little gun to plink with. Whatever your reason may be, I’d get one now. Like Mosin Nagants, the price is slowly rising, and like .303s, the surplus will dry up eventually.

You may also enjoy reading an additional Off The Grid News article: Top 5 Rules For Pocket Carry

Do you know of any other pistols that you would suggest as affordable and reliable sidearms? Let us know in the comments below.

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11 Natural Ways To Rid Your Home of Roaches For Good

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Take a shot at these ways to rid your home of roaches without using harsh chemicals! Applying these natural ways to get rid of cockroaches is a longer process than when using hazardous pesticides. But for the sake and safety of your family and pets, taking it one step at a time is all worth it. Besides the roach exterminator cost can really take a dent in your budget. In this article, we will share with you the natural ways to rid your home of roaches slowly but safely.

Ways to Rid Your Home of Roaches the Safe and Natural Way!

1. Boric Acid

Boric acid is basically safe for use around the household and has been used specifically as an insecticidal substance. But take though because it can be irritating to the skin so make sure to keep it away from children. To make an effective boric acid roach killer mix a part of powdered sugar to three parts of boric acid. The sugar will lure the roaches to the mixture and will terminate the cockroaches. Sprinkle or spread the mixture in areas frequented by roaches.

2. Wet Coffee Grounds (Water Tar Trap)

What you’ll need:

• 2-3 Large glass jars
• Wet coffee grounds
• Water
• 2-3 Small cups

Instructions:

• Fill the large glass jars about halfway with water.
• Place the coffee grounds in the small cups.
• Place one small cup inside one large glass jar. Make 2-3 similar setups with a small cup inside every glass jar.
• Place these jars where you see roaches the most.
• Roaches will be attracted by the aroma of the coffee and try to enter into the jar.
• Once the roaches fall into the water jar, it is nearly impossible for them to escape.
• Check the jars daily and discard any dead roaches.
• Make new traps daily.
• Repeat this process until you discover no sign of roaches within the traps for a couple of days.

3. Liquid Fabric Softener

Roaches breathe through their lower body. When you spray fabric softener on roaches, it will produce difficulty in their breathing and roaches will die due to suffocation.

What you’ll need:

• Spray bottle
• Water
• Fabric softener

Instructions:

• Make a spray by mixing 3 parts liquid fabric softener with 2 parts water.
• Fill a spray bottle with this mixture.
• Spray this solution on the roaches; making sure the solution hits the lower mid-region and head of the roach.
• In addition, spray this mixture wherever you see evidence of roaches.

4. Ammonia-Water Solution

What you’ll need:

• 2 cups of ammonia
• 1 bucket of water

Instructions:

• Add 2 cups of ammonia to the bucket of water.
• Wash the hard surfaces of your kitchen and bathroom daily with this solution.

Ammonia works effectively as a repellent for roaches due to its sharp smell. Roaches will leave your home in no time using this method.

5. Catnip

While cats love the smell of catnip and it's non-toxic to humans and animal, the same cannot be said for roaches. It will send the cockroaches flying to wherever they came from. While the effect is not permanent, you can always reinforce it with any of the roach killers here. You can make a catnip tea where you can spray in areas where cockroaches might be hiding.

Note: This natural repellent should only be used in homes without cats!

Fighting with fleas this summer? Check out our tips for getting rid of them naturally. https://t.co/lE2PoDXWvm pic.twitter.com/nDNx1BM1Cf

— Survival Life (@SurvivalLF) July 28, 2016

6. Listerine Spray

What you’ll need:

• Water
• Listerine
• Dishwashing liquid
• Spray bottle

Instructions:

• Mix equal parts of water and Listerine to make a solution and add two drops of dishwashing fluid to it.
• Add this mixture to a spray bottle and spray areas where you have seen evidence of roaches; also can be sprayed directly on the roaches.

7. Soapy Water – To Kill Roaches On Contact

As I mentioned before, roaches breathe through their body and spraying them with soapy water will suffocate them.

What you’ll need:

• 3 tbsp of dishwashing liquid (preferably regular blue Dawn dishwashing liquid)
• Water
• Spray bottle

Instructions: Add 3 tbsp of Dawn dishwashing liquid to 4-6 oz of water. Using a spray bottle, spray this mixture directly on roaches to kill them on contact.

The plants in your garden can double as pest control. Click here to learn how —-> https://t.co/lE2PoDXWvm pic.twitter.com/NO7sHuWnTM — Survival Life (@SurvivalLF) July 28, 2016

8. Essential Oils – Citronella, Peppermint, or Lemongrass

It's amazing how the scent we love, cockroaches hate. You will love this essential oil trick which will make your home smelling heavenly and cockroach-free. Soak some cotton balls in the essential oil of your choice. From lemongrass, citronella, cypress, tea tree oil, and peppermint, they can all be effective. Place the essential oil-soaked balls in areas around the home where the cockroaches are hiding. Or, you can also make this essential oil spray cockroach repellent.

• Make a spray solution by putting half a cup of water in a spray bottle
• Add 10 drops of peppermint essential oil
• Add 5 drops of cypress essential oil.
• Mix and spray in areas desired frequented by cockroaches

9. Bay Leaves

Unlike us, who sniffs at bay leaves before throwing them to a dish cooking, cockroaches hate the scent of bay leaves. For this, bay leaves are a fantastic way to get rid of cockroaches naturally. You simply need to crush a handful of bay leaves, then spread them in areas where cockroaches may be hiding.

10. Edible Baking Soda

The amazing baking soda simply has no bounds to the wonderful things it can do for our home. With the many benefits of baking soda around the home, it's incredible they are effective roach killers, too. Apparently, when baking soda comes to contact with water, it just expands.

To make a simple and safe cockroach repellent, mix edible baking soda and sugar in equal parts and sprinkle them in crevices and areas they frequent. The cockroaches will consume them and you know what will happen next.

11. Cedar

Cedar also ranks one of the plants which a few insects find disgusting, and it includes cockroaches. Thujone–an essential oil present in cedar is the culprit. While we find the aroma pleasant, insects are averse to it. Leave pieces of cedar in the kitchen are areas where they could be frequenting to stop these intruders in their tracks.

Learn how to get rid of cockroaches in 4 easy steps in this video from Solutions Pest & Lawn:

We may never know how to get rid of cockroaches forever since they've been here before us. But we do know we can get rid of these critters in our territory. With these natural ways to rid your home of roaches, you have several options to choose from. Apply all these natural ways to rid your home of roaches and we'll be seeing none of these critters for good!

Which of these natural ways to rid your home of roaches have you tried or wish to try? Tell us about your thoughts in the comments section below!

Up Next: Beginner’s Guide To Having an Outdoor Herb Garden | Survival Gardening

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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on July 28, 2016, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.

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