Dec 30, 2012

Home Remedies for Eye care (including pink eye and stye's)




Home remedies for pink eye, stye's and eye irritations are close at hand for effective cures. As a person with eye issues I have learned them all over the years. I have used many of the things below.

 Herbal eye-washes have been used for eye problems over the years. They always made sure the teas made were stained and cooled before using them.  Remember a small piece of matter from an herb or a microscopic grain of sand, or water contaminates can cause more harm than good. If you must use a homemade eye-wash, straining through doubled coffee filters should help remove damaging particles. 
All compress should be used only fifteen minutes per hour and at the least fifteen minutes four times a day. With pink eye and stye's I would start with a warm compress. But with irritations you start with cold compresses the first day or two and then start warm compresses. I like my eye washes room temperature.

Willow bark is an aspirin so chewing that will help with some of the swelling

First  the bugs causing infection are sensitive to heat plus;  heat helps increase blood flow in the eyes and thus rinses the eye of toxins. So a good old fashion water compresse can work for most eye irritations.

Reminder: Do not rub eyes, wash hand before touching eyes, do not put pressure on eyes


 

And my most used remedy is with salt. A cup of water,  add  a forth of a teaspoon of salt, and it  works wonders. They say to boil it first,  but I just use warm water and stired. and used it as an eye wash.  But....... I have read that adding a teaspoon of powdered charcoal with the salt, boiling and then staining makes a great eye drop. They say use 4 or 5 drops a day. Also you can use baking soda instead of the salt.

You can use any of the following for pink eye....chamomile, elde berry blossoms, fennel seeds, dandelion, parsley or burdock root, can all be boiled in water, strained (or you can wrap the boiled herbs in a cloth) and cooled and used as a compress and an eye wash.  Even marigold has strong anti septic and anti inflammatory properties. Marigold extract can cure pink eye fast and effectively.


Pine bark extract....ok I have just learned about this one so you will have to do a little research on this one but they say it is and herb that helps improve your vision, help with glaucoma...even cancer and diabetes.   I would go to the health food store and see what they have (drops, pill and liquid extracts) I plan on doing more reserch on this one...will post when I get it all


Honey! use a few table spoons in boiling water. Cool. Use that mixture as an eye wash to help reduce infection in your eyes (and small wounds) It is a anti bacterial.  In fact my uncle got me some amazing honey from New Zealand because of its health benefits. And they say  it has been reported that the Egyptiansused a few drops of RAW honey in the eyes to help with cataracts

 

Ladies know this one already, potatoes, cucumbers on the eye help with irritation. I always thought it was because it was cool, but it is because they contain a natural astringent.
A clay mask will help with reducing swollen eyes and soothes them to.

If you are a prepper you know that warm milk help with eyes ( milk for mace irritation). But it also help with pink eye. Even try yogurt. Try a piece of cold bread on your eye while your at it.

Turmeric is a natural antibiotic and steroid and thus harmless. Add two table spoons of turmeric powder to a cup of boiled water and use it as an eye compress for quick relief from pink eyes. Or you can make eye drops by mixing one tsp turmeric powder in 2 cups of water. Use this at least three times a day till the swelling subsides.



Song for this post has to be one of my fav's  The Who - Behind Blue Eyes



Dec 22, 2012

Minor burn treatment (home remedy) and Merry Christmas!




Yes I am the queen of kitchen accidents. And I having to be the one that cooks for Christmas, I am going to get at least one burn over the next week. STOP LAUGHING!!

So this makes a great topic for my Christmas post.



This is for minor burns.

First remove what ever caused the burn from the skin and remove clothes or jewelry that maybe in the area of the burn. Place the area in water right away (not icy!) room temp. Apply an anesthetic and wrap in gauze or bandaid.  If in pain now is the time to take ibuprofen or aspirin. If there is a blister do not break because that can lead to infection.

Some home remedies are:

Honey or yogurt  can help with the burns healing. Aloe vera does to.

 But did you know that a piece of onion over the burnt area really helps with stopping the pain! Or try pouring diluted vinegar on it, this  helps it heal faster.

Or what about applying egg whites, that truly helps!

And my fav. soaking it in milk....ahhhh trust it brings relief!

I remember my grams saying to put butter on it...the few times I did that it hurt like HECK! not sure why she did that. 


So I am keeping this post short but have a SAFE Christmas everyone. God bless you all.

Little know fact... I can play the flute so I love Tull!! So I have a few songs for this post ....


Jethro Tull- Jack Frost and the Hooded Crow

 


Jethro Tull- Birthday Card at Christmas 

 

Jethro Tull- Ring Out Solstice Bells



Jethro Tull- Another Christmas Song



MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!

 







 

Dec 18, 2012

Depression and sad time herbs





Grant it my doc gave me happy pills because of my surgery's but it got me thinking about the real need for alternative happy meds.

Going though Storm Sandi and the Newtown deaths and my surgery's and Christmas the need for things that can relax and de-stress you may be something that you should know about. We have booze and weed (as I have not hid I am pro marijuana for medication). But what I am talking about here is herbs and other plants.

I do not care who you are if times get tough you will get sad, depressed and anxious. Keep active and busy is always a good help. Talking to others is also a great way to lift some of the weight. But sometimes more is needed.

When I looked for these herbs St. John's Wart was the only one I had ever heard of. But I went to my local herbal remedy store to learn and get some more available options to have on hand.



We have Chamomile this is something you can plant in your flower garden now and it helps to relax you. Best taken as a tea.

 

California Poppy's- Another flower you can plant in your garden. It can be used in a tea and a bit of a stronger relaxer. Use the leaves and other aerial parts. They are a sedative, anti-spasmodic, and mild pain reliever. This is also a gentle herb used for colic and agitation in children. Do not use this herb or any other sedative herbs in pregnancy.


 Hops - Not for beer making but for tea and a sleep aid. This is easily to grown. But it is very bitter.

 

Scullcap - this is something I am trying to find. It spreads and is pretty in the garden. But great in teas and it is a smoke-able herb. Relaxes totally!

Rosemary-Sage Tea
Boil two cups of water with one teaspoon each of rosemary and sage. Steep for five minutes, strain, and drink daily.


Clove Tea
3 parts Crush cloves, 1 part sage, 1 part camomile or peppermint tea and a dash of ginseng powder helps to lift mild depression.

Lemon Blam 
 3 parts Lemon Balm,  1 part Lavender, 1 part rose petals and 1 part spearmint and a bit of honey and vanilla.
Mix the above herbs and flowers in a bowl. Store in a glass jar. To prepare the tea, use 1 to 2 teaspoons of herb per cup. Pour hot water over herbs and allow it to steep for 5 to 10 minutes.  with  Drink up to three cups per day.






Also remember what you eat helps with those feelings
-Eating fish  has a good influence on the serotonin production.

-Eating garlic has a mood elevating effect.  

-The amino acid tryptophan has been found to relieve depression and natural sources include turkey, chicken, fish, peas, nuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and peanut butter.  If you can eat them with carbohydrates, such as potatoes, pasta and rice,  this can help the brain's uptake of tryptophan.


Song for this post has to be  Losing Keys by Jack Johnson great song when you just feel like simplifying your life and getting back to the basics.




Dec 17, 2012

I am finally back

 

So many things. As many preppers know we try to stay healthy.  As healthy as we can. I make sure that I go to all my well care check-ups. I make sure I keep up with my dental. And no procrastinating on surgery's. That was advice I did not take and put it off for some time. But was going to lose sight in one of my eyes if I did not get the surgery's I needed. Thyroids do damage to eyes and mine did alot. I still have a few more surgery's to go but my sight is now safe. And my stockpile made life a little easyier over the past month. 

I am sharing this with you because the importance of keeping healthy is even more real to me now. Imagine if a situation happened and I had not received this surgery that I was putting off? Do not procrastinate on your medical care.

Ok so I am back to posting but I may not do alot over the next few months because as I said I still have a few more surgery's (simpler ones now). But they really take alot out of ya. That and my prep's are hurting so my energetic moments will be getting back on track. 

Will try to post at least a new post per week. 


Song for this post is Back in the Saddle Again, Aerosmith






Nov 3, 2012

Surviving the Storm





Storms like sandy are reminders of why we prep. I prep because of the economy. When the storm was crawling up the coast I started to realize that I had not prepared as much as I thought. Power is still out for millions, I am am not one of them. But many of the people in my city and the surrounding ones are.



Pre-storm ... Warnings were on a scary level...mayor, governor and prez all saying it is going to be really bad. To be ready to be without power for weeks. I walked though my home and thought I have everything I am fine. Took a drive to the stores to look around and see what I might not have and what others were getting.

 

Food and water were gone in all stores (not an issue for me because I prep). Stopped at the gas station filled up and got some extra in a gas can...(all gas cans were gone at all stores so I was lucky I had those)

I got extra 6 mil plastic just in case the winds did damage to the roof or blew windows out.

Got the small propane heaters (the ones that mount to the top of the grill tanks).



And remember the stray animals and lost pets. I made a safe dry place for them.


I procrastinated on getting a generator because I live in the city. It would be missing by the morning if I got it. I do have a 3 in 1 jumper and a small inverter that would at the least give me some charging ability.  But then I started thinking if I am without power for 2 weeks one of those small portable ones would at least keep the fridge cold and let me watch tv and have some power. And I could bring it in at night.  But they were long gone.

 Hopefully they will have some tomorrow because they said another storm is on its way!

 I have learned from this storm. And I am making the purchases I need to make to correct them. Many in other areas did not prep. And the one thing they did not have is go bags....canned food and hand can openers! So because those are basics I hope all of you guys have those in you go kits!! And have extra can openers to give to people.


Somethings you just can not prepare for....many in my state NJ and NY have no homes left. Prepping would not of helped them.  Not to say that living on the ocean and near water you are always at the risk of the sea coming in. But with this storm it went blocks and blocks into community's that have never saw the sea at their doors. It took many off guard. And rescue could not get them out until the end of the storm.


 I had friends that refused to evac even though they got repeated visits from the authority telling them they needed to. They were luckily safe.  But looting was taking place around them. So staying was the right choice.

 

Side note we had a tree fall and 2 skeletons where found in the roots (over 2 century old!)





Song for this post has to be The Police - Message in a Bottle 

 





Storm Sandy



I survived the storm with little damage. But many did not!  Blood is needed if you can donate. Cash is needed and supplies are needed. If you are willing to donate there are many scams out there so be careful.  I am one that tends to stick with the Red Cross because they are right in the center of it.

I am up and going again...it was a crazy week at work because of the storm. So I really had little time for the blog and my home. I will hopefully be up and going again tomorrow. God bless you all!

Oct 28, 2012

Sandi's Coming dang it!

 

I am to the right of the path and we are bing told over 70% of my area is going to lose power. I may not be posting for up to a week. Also my day job will tie me up if it is bad. So prayers are out to everyone with the storm.  And hopefully  we all come out of this with our power!  I should be fine till midday tomorrow.
I AM OFF now to get things ready! (not that am not far more ready then most)

 Song for this post will be a few....songs for the storm


Jonny Lang - Still Rainin'

 

Grateful Dead - Looks Like Rain


 


Red Hot Chili Peppers - Naked In The Rain



A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall Bob Dylan

 

Sunday Totally Digging


Sorry with the storm I really have not been tracking. FB me a message if I missed ya,

Its another Sunday! And who am I digging this week.
Totally digging is my way of saying thanks for linking back to my page. Check them out!

So today's totally digging goes out to.....



Blogs

Armageddon Online  Click Here

Preppers Posts Click Here

Facebook

Ready Made Resources Click Here

Mac Click Here

Pinterest

Sebrina - Survival Click Here

Survival 101 Tips - Savannah Click here

Song for this post is... SAM & DAVE..I THANK YOU





Oct 26, 2012

Winter heating options

http://s2.hubimg.com/u/1506081_f260.jpg


It is that time of year were we all start thinking about heat.  Heat, if the power goes out. Heat, if the cost sky rockets (not that it is not already).  This is a major issue! A life issue in some parts.   You can have a simple propane heater that can be used as a temporary fix. Propane can run out. Just as with generators. Gas can run out. Installing a fireplace or wood stove is another fix. All can be costly to do with fees and zoning ect. So we all put it off and hope this will never be an issue.

Having a plan for the unknown is a part of prepping. These are some ideas that can get heat up and running in your home if you are in dire straights.







The Rocket Stove Mass Heater
 

This is the best site I have found so far with info on how to build it. Click Here.

Here are some photo's of folks building one. It looks like a lot of work. But if times are hard I can bet this will be a life saver to know.  Click Here 



BUT....here is an example of how a make shift one is (see Pic below) ....for emergency's. Not as pretty as the others but it does show how simple it can be.  And what kind of supply's you may want laying around for a just in case situation.


ok I personally think this one is my solution. But I want to add 3 videos...only take a few min. to watch.

This is just a great step by step video in fast time of how to make in a contained area.


 


This is cool , made from coffee cans....a mini heater! No info on how to do it. I looked for it. But with the above info and this. I am sure your creative juices are flowing! 

  



Then he tweeted the idea a bit here. 






Now on to the next one.

Masonry heater/ stoves

Now this is kind of the same idea...but a lot more complicated.

 File:Ceramic covered Masonry heaters.jpg

Masonry stoves are heating stoves developed in medieval Europe, or even earlier. Some sources are mentioning some kind of similar Roman stoves.
It is a wood burning stove with high efficiency and high thermal mass. Because of that mass it can accumulate heat in the fireplace and the result is a great efficiency because most of the wood gases are burnt. It is an efficient ecological alternative to ordinary wood burning stoves.

 How to make a Masonry Heater pdf  Click Here  

 and here is a blog dedicated to it...the pic's are helpful scroll to the very bottom and read up.  Click Here

 

 Solar cans Solar Air Heat

Now I know people look at this and think it is cheesy and will never work. I have seen it and it does totally work! Some kids camping on our green over the winter built it and it heated a large tent area. I also spoke with a kid who's parents have the original CLICK HERE set up in every window of thier house that gets sun. He said they very rarely use the heat now.

 This is an easy easy easy one to make. I am doing this one for my winter green house.

 

  But it this does interest you go to this site they have 4 designs to mix and match, I like the laundy pipe painted black. Click Here

And I have a few other ideas at this page Click Here




A great song for this post has to be about what you don't want to do...... Talking Heads-Burning Down the House  




Oct 24, 2012

Soup Time! (mre style)



Well as winter comes and so does my favorite food. Soup!



But soups are the easiest MRE's to make ........
You can make them in a jars;  you can make them in mylar...You can keep them in your car,  so you can bug out real real far. You can wrap them in a bow and give to people you know. You can keep them for many years to help lessen the worst of prepper's fears. Ok I am no poet that's for sure...


Ok, first thing canning fresh soup is great, but dehydrated soup makes for light weight travel and less storage space. And for those of you who have not yet canned meat you can buy so many canned kinds at the store Click Here to the the variety. You can go to The Ready Store and order freeze dry meat to add to these mixes. I bring this up because bean are a great protein sub.but many call for meat. I find the little cans of chicken meat (tyson and bumble bee make them) work great for a fast cheap soup.


 

Pasta Soup Mix in a Jar or bag

Now you can skip the mushrooms or the lentils and add replace with peas or a bean if you prefer. Or by pass any of them and add what ever you want.  

1/2 cup macaroni
1/4 cup dried lentils (optional)
1/4 cup dried, chopped mushrooms (optional)
2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated
1 tablespoon onion flakes
3 tablespoon chicken bullion powder  (4 cubes)
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1 dash garlic powder



Mix Parmesan cheese, onion flakes, soup base, parsley, oregano and garlic powder together in a small bowl.

In a one pint jar, layer ingredients in this order: (but you do not have to because they will all be mixed this is just if you want it to look pretty for a gift)


Spice mixture
Macaroni
Lentils
Mushrooms


Stick a label on the jar for future cooking instructions.

Combine contents of jar with 3 cups water in a 2 quart saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 40 minutes or until lentils are tender, stirring occasionally.










Onion Soup!! 

4 teaspoons beef bouillon powder
8 teaspoons dried onion flakes ( easy to make your own!)
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon seasoned pepper 

i teaspoon of dried chives

Add mix to 3 cup of boiling water let rest for a few min.s and done! 

That simple just add hot water! makes 3 cups of soup takes 5 min.









Taco Soup

 Soup Mix:
1 cup converted long grain rice
2 1/2 cups slightly crushed tortilla chips or small bag of Frito or Doritos
1 (5 ounce) can chicken
1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chiles or dried tomatoes and chiles. I also add dried corn and carrots to mine.

Seasonings:
2 tablespoons chicken bouillon granules
1 teaspoon lemon pepper
1 teaspoon dried cilantro leaves
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup dried minced onion

Mix seasonings ingredients and place in a zip-type sandwich bag.

Place soup mix ingredients in jar in this order: Add rice to the jar first. Add the seasoning packet into jar. Fill jar with tortilla chips. Add the lid to the jar.

Remove tortilla chips and seasoning packet from the jar into a dish and set aside.


 Label:
In a 1-gallon soup pot, add the rice and 10 cups of water. Add the can of diced tomatoes and green chiles, the can of chicken, and the seasoning packet from the jar. Bring to a boil; lower the heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes.

Add tortilla chips, replace the cover and simmer 5 more minutes. Makes 3 quarts soup.




 

Potato Soup Mix in a Jar

1 3/4 cups instant mashed potatoes
1 1/2 cups dried milk
2 tablespoons powdered chicken bouillon
2 teaspoons dried minced onion
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/8 teaspoon turmeric
1 1/2 teaspoons salt

Label
Combine all ingredients in a bowl; mix well. Put ingredients in a 1-quart jar.
Place 1/2 cup mix in soup bowl; add 1 cup of boiling water; stir until smooth.






Tortellini And Sun Dried Tomato Soup


1.5 oz.packet sun-dried tomato pesto; sauce
1 tb. chicken bouillon granules
1/2 tsp salt
8 oz. dry tortellini

 Label:
Bring 6 cups water to a boil in a large pan. Empty jar of
soup mix into
boiling water, stir well. Bring back to boil. Cover. Lower heat and
simmer for 25 minutes.

Or another idea with the tortellini is to just mix the knorrs tomato soup mix with the tortallini and bam simple soup that is yummy and filling.



Song for this post has to be....short and cheezzeee  The Mighty Boosh- Soup Song 




Oct 22, 2012

Monday Movie



Disaster Preparedness: Natural Disasters

  Earthquakes, fires, floods. Natural disasters come in all shapes and sizes. If one hits your community, will you be ready? Do you understand the systems in place to respond to these disasters and ensure the health and safety of your community? Join noted experts Dr. John Blossom and infectious disease specialist Dr. Christian Sandrock as they talk with health care providers and disaster response experts about how to respond when a natural disaster strikes.


 


Oct 21, 2012

Sunday Totally Digging


 Its another Sunday! And who am I digging this week. I have had the Flu all week long and blahhhh still am fighting it :(  So when I came on this morning I noticed that Pinterest folks really supported my blog while I was in bed! So this weeks thank you is going to them. 

Totally digging is my way of saying thanks for linking back to my page. Check them out!

So today's totally digging goes out to..... I am still down so I am in no way posting every one  BUT THANK YOU TO ALL!!! (hopefully will get everyone a thank you over the next few weeks)


 

Belliacres - Self Reliance, Preparedness & Homesteading - Click Here 

 yjennings - Outdoors/Emergency Preparedness/Camping/Survival Stuff/Info- Click Here

Jasmyn - Homesteading/survival -Click Here 

Bridget - Outdoors/survival/emergencies  - Click Here

 Sue - Emergency Preparedness/Survival - Click Here

 Carolyn -GARDENING / PLANTS - Click Here

Davilyn - My study projects / Natural Medicines Click Here

of course the continued support of Prepper Website and all the great stuff I learn from other Bloggers!

 

Ok I usually do a Thank You song but...blahhhhhh I a still sick as a dog so I am doing a Sick song and needing hugs here!! 

 

 

 

Economic Collapse Timeline



 


I prepare for economic collapse. We all have our own reasons but mine is the state of our country's finances. Watching other  country's and the sitatuons that are happening there are of concern to me. Spain, Portugal, France, Russia 



Every time I go to the store, I see the prices of thing going higher, my bills going higher, my heathcare cost going higher and my paycheck is in no way going up as fast. I am not the only one.

The price of many things have doubled in a years time. They are NOT going down! This is why an investment in your kitchen cabinet may make you more money than putting it in the bank.

Ex: $50 worth of toilet paper bought 2 years ago is now worth $100.....That is double your money in two years! 3 years ago I could get 2 bags of pasta for $1 at a local store. That same store now sells the same pasta for $1 a bag.



More and more people are now growing vegtables why??? Look at the chart below.






Coffee WELL TALK ABOUT GOLD!  If you can get it cheap it stays good for years! Why not beat the inflation or the lack of supply. 

Nothing up my sleeve: That's what I call it.....maybe some prices have not gone up...BUT THE SIZE GOT SMALLER!! All signs that this is not getting better soon.

Now not every one is going to agree with this; but if cost keeps going up the average person is not going to be able to feed their family. GET AHEAD OF IT.  spend $10 -$20 a week extra and buy these very products that have a shelf life and we all know will go up in price over the next few years and you will double that investment. Can you get rich this way NO! but can you slow down the effects of inflation on your family...YES and that can save you from sinking.

Here is a great link CLICK HERE and look on the left hand side....scroll down and click on something...it will show you the market price on it....just gives you a little more insight. If you check it out it also gives you a clue on when it is the cheaper time of year to stock up on products.

And when NPR post a story like this...that has to be a warning. CLICK HERE



For this post I am not going to do a song but a time line to at the least pay attention to!!!