Food & Medical storage information

Introduction

There is a growing awareness amongst the people of the world of an undercurrent of change that is sweeping the planet. Climate change, the financial crisis and rising food and energy costs plus many other factors are contributing to global instability. Many are questioning the future of this civilization.

'Coupled' with and sometimes triggered by the above factors, we all are experiencing increasing mental and emotional trauma which is resulting in rising levels of confrontation and violence.  

Many of us are finding our lives increasingly difficult and challenging. Around us our family and friends are experiencing similar increasingly difficult times and there is a shift in focus within communities with more attention being given to law and order, and security of person and property.

The spiritual reasons how and why this is happening is not generally known nor understood. There is an increasing negative, destructive influence at work. This insidious dark power will continue to intensify to such an extent that world society will collapse.

 The understanding of what is now happening is explained in the document "The Testament of Truth" freely and fully available at the web sites: www.the-testament-of-truth.com or www.the-testament-of-truth.co.uk

We ask that you pass the above web addresses on to all. This will enable them to seek this information at the above web pages and to choose  for them selves as to its validity. 

The information provided at the above web pages can help those experiencing physical, mental and emotional trauma to understand what is taking place and obtain information and guidance as to what can be done to help themselves and others, to remain sane, loving and caring in what they do.

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With the rapid breakdown in social order and the physical and ecological disasters occurring on earth, more people are becoming aware of the need for the putting away of provisions such as food, medicine and other essentials to assist them through any break down in supply. This is just one aspect of becoming more self sufficient.

The importance of the preparation of the mind through the given meditation prayer available on the above web pages can not be over emphasised for those who wish to prepare for the times near at hand. Putting provisions away for the comfort of the physical side of us is useless unless we are mentally prepared to be able to stay steady when others around are not.

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This document is directed more towards those people living in urban and semi-urban areas in more developed countries. Those living in rural areas may glean what they wish from the information below.

Why storage is necessary.

In the times ahead there may be little or no fuel for transport, thus people in cities will be forced into the countryside in order to try and find food and water, these will become the most important of commodities.  

Thus while food is available it should be purchased and stored for the times ahead when there may be many mouths to feed.
The availability of reticulated water, electricity and medical supplies and services may be very limited or non-existent. Thus it is important that the "welcome farms" as described in "The Testament of Truth" ( www.the-testament-of-truth.com) be prepared now while services and provisions are still available. Below are suggestions, ideas and check lists that may be of help.

To store foods, containers are essential.

Containers

Containers for food need to be water proof and vermin proof (preferably metal), some examples are:

1. 200 litre (44 gallon) clean open mouth drums may be obtained from food manufacturing factories etc.
   Plastic bag liners are available and care must be taken once the food has been placed in the drum that the drum is not subject to extremes of temperature allowing condensation to form on the inside of the drum, thus potentially spoiling the food.
2. 20 litre square sided honey tins. These may be acquired from bee keeping suppliers and are useful for storing food where the food may need to be moved.
3. There are many other storage containers that may be used such as 20 litre round food pails, large glass bottles, large concrete water pipes, heavy plastic bags etc etc..

Which Foods are best for storage.

At least seven factors can be considered in deciding which foods to store.

1. Calories. This is the energy carried within the food and provides the body with energy to function.
2. Nutrition. This is the vitamins, minerals, essential oils, fibre etc that are essential for health.
3. Life force. This is the vitality of the food that can add to the vitality of the individual.
4. Storage life. This is the length of time in which the food can be stored without losing its vitality, nutritional qualities and edibility.
5. Bulk. Storing foods efficiently requires choosing compact foods that hold a high calorie and nutritional value in a small volume and that are available in 10 - 25 Kg units
6. Cost per calorie or kilogram.
7. Preserving ability to protect the food once stored from weevils, vermin and oxidation.

Food types

1. Grains. Un-ground or whole grain cereals such as wheat, rye, barley, oats, maize, rice, sorghum and millet are ideal for storing. Wheat keeps the best of these and rice the least. Wheat has been stored in underground plastic lined pits for many years without going rancid. Rice apparently does not keep for more than one or two years.
   When stored, grains need to be protected from oxidation as much as possible and from weevil infestation and moisture.
2. Legumes. These are the pulse foods such as beans, lentils, peas, chickpeas and soy beans. They store well although some may dry out over years and become hard. If this occurs soaking in water in which sodium bicarbonate has been dissolved (5%) may help. Nutritionally they compliment cereals by balancing the amino acid content.
3. Edible Seeds. There are many varieties of seeds that can be stored such as sesame, sunflower, alfalfa, pumpkin, poppy and linseed. These need similar storage conditions to cereals but have shorter storage lives with the greater risk of going rancid because of their oil content..
4. Nuts. Nuts such as almonds, walnuts peanuts are similar to seeds in regards to storage conditions.
5. Spices. Examples of spices are cardamom, caraway, cinnamon, cloves, dill, peppers, mustard, and celery. These are best stored away from light and air in their least processed form. They are added to foods to enhance the flavour and have their own nutritional advantages.
6. Salt. This should be included in the storage list, needing only to be kept dry. Use "iodised" if possible.
7. Sweeteners. Honey, sugar and malt etc are high calorie foods providing a quick energy source. Honey and malt also contain a modest nutritional value.
8. Oils. Olive oil, Coconut and Ghee (tinned). These oils keep relatively well in airtight light resistant containers
9. Proteins. Tinned meat, fish and other sources of protein.
10. Water. While not normally considered a food, water is essential for life. People who live in towns and cities have become used to turning a tap and getting water, ahead this may not be the case. Being able to obtain adequate drinkable water should be a priority in preparing for the times ahead. Rain water can be collected from roofs and stored in tanks. Some provision should be made for sterilising water by boiling and or obtaining a stock of water sterilising tablets. River water quality and quantity should not be assumed.
11. Vegetable seeds. The growing of your own food will be a major need ahead and thus the seeds necessary should be obtained and stored. Obtain seeds such as pumpkin, turnip, parsnip, carrot, corn and the cereals that can be grown for energy (calories) and the leafy vegetables such as silver beet, celery, cabbages, lettuces, parsley etc for the greenery of the meal. Choose the seeds according to your local climate and store them in a similar way as the cereals. They are best kept in brown paper bags, do not use plastic air tight bags or glass jars.
12. Basic Provisions Click hyperlink to view a basic provisions list 

Storing and preserve grains and seeds.

Grains and seeds can be protected from weevil infestation in two ways.

1. Commercially in non chemical (organic) silos, carbon dioxide (CO2) is used to displace the oxygen in the container. This is reported to kill all weevils and their eggs. For those who have the availability in their area of hiring gas bottles of carbon dioxide, a hose can be placed into the bottom of the container, the container filled with grain and then the CO2 gas trickled through the hose into the bottom of the vessel. The carbon dioxide gas being heavier and cooler, slowly fills the container. When a flaring match goes instantly out at the top of the container it is full of the gas and the container can then be sealed. If the reduction of the level of oxygen through displacement with carbon dioxide if sufficiently high, it will kill the weevils and eggs.
   It is very important if using large containers that no one enters the container after the carbon dioxide is used as loss of consciousness followed by death may occur.
   
2. Diatomaceous earth. This is obtained from fossilised sedimentary layers of tiny phytoplankton called diatoms. It can kill insect by desiccation absorbing the oils of the insect allowing dehydration and death. It can also kill the insect through its abrasive action. It is non-toxic but care should be taken to avoid inhaling the dust. Use at a ratio of approx 1 part to 250 parts of grain and mixed into the grain as the container is filled. Diatomaceous earth is non-toxic.
   If the grain is being milled, monitor the process to ensure that the mill surfaces are not worn by the dust. The powder may be washed off before using the grain. Diatomaceous earth does not work as well for maize and is more successful when the moisture content of the grain is low.

Legumes. These may be stored in air-tight containers and appear to keep reasonably well for several years. Some legumes dry out and become very hard over a period of time. These may be ground for use as a "flour."

Nuts. Nuts removed from their shell oxidise quickly and need to be eaten before a year has passed. Unshelled nuts may last longer.

Spices. These will lose some of their flavour over time due to the loss of volatile oils and to oxidation. Many spices keep in air tight containers for several years.

Sweeteners. Raw honey keeps quite well for several years in a sealed container. Sugar keeps indefinitely. Molasses etc can go "off" and should be stored in a sealed container away from light to give it an extended life. Be aware that ants will invade these foods thus care must be taken to use sealed containers

Oils. These need to be stored in airtight tin or dark glass to slow oxidation. They may last one or two years if stored well.

Using the stored foods.

1.Grain mills. With cereals and seeds, some such as rice and oats can be cooked in water and eaten, others can be ground to make a flour and thus bread etc. Thus a means of grinding the grain or seed needs to be acquired.

There are many types of grain mills for grinding cereals into flour, some use metal grinding plates and the more expensive use stone. Before purchasing, check out if the mill does what you want and expect it to do.

2. Sprouting. Sprouting of seeds, legumes and grains substantially increases the nutritional value and the volume of the food. To sprout these foods, a rough guide is as follows:

1. Select, wash and place in a 1 or 2 litre wide mouthed well-washed jar.
2. Allow for a six fold increase in volume. Cover with 4 times the volume of luke-warm water and allow to stand overnight or until they have swollen.
3. Pour off water and wash thoroughly and drain well.
4. Cover the jar top with cheesecloth or other mesh screening and tie on securely.
5. Invert jar and place in a cupboard or dark place allowing excess water to drain away.
6. At least once, preferably 3 - 4 times daily, wash thoroughly with plenty of cool water and drain well. This washes away moulds and bacteria that may have developed whilst moistening the seeds.
7. In 3 - 4 days at room temperature the sprouts will be from 1 to 5 cm (0.5 - 2 inches) long. Eat at a time that is found most suitable for each food. They may be lightly cooked if necessary.
8. The food chosen will require its own sprouting time and preparation for eating that can be easily learnt as you go.

Purchasing.

This will depend on which country you live in but listed below are some general guidelines that may help.
Cereals, seeds and legumes can be purchased in bulk directly from farmers, grain merchants and bulk health food wholesalers and retailers. Be sure to state your usage to ensure that the food purchased has not been treated with chemicals making it unsuitable for human consumption.
Other food such as honey may be purchased directly from the producer and tinned meat and fish from supermarkets or wholesalers.

Vegetable Seed List

Below is a small sample list of seeds that can provide basic foods for people who have been placed on a self sufficiency footing. These seeds should be "self-replicating" (non-hybrid) and maintain life for 2 - 3 years. Seed collection would need to be used for long term conditions. Seeds should be selected that are suitable to your climatic conditions, soil type and preferably ones that you are familiar with.

Beans, Beetroot, Broccoli, Brussel sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Cereal seeds such as Oats, maize, wheat and rye, Leek, Lettuce, Onion, Parsnip (parsnip seeds keep for one year only), Pumpkin, Radish, Silver Beet, Turnip, Water Melon, Winter Squash, Zucchini etc.

Other Storage Items

Below is a check list to help you select other items you may wish to store.

Garden Tools
Axe, bucket,, bush saw, fork, hand trowel, hoe, mattock, spade, wheel barrow, wire netting, bird netting.

Maintenance Tools
Hammer, hacksaw plus blades, string or twine, measuring tape, hand files, pliers, multigrips, sand paper, plastic sheeting, pen and paper, small level or string level, wood saw, screw drivers, shifting spanners, tomahawk, lubricating oil, sharpening stone, tent repair kit, plastic tubing, nails, screws, plastic tape, thread tape, eye glasses.

Household Items
General
Candles, matches, newspaper. broom and shovel, clothes pegs and line, bucket, assorted plastic bags, plastic ground sheet, marking pen, water containers, meat safe (Hessian bag), compass.
Kitchen
Hand basin and bowls, tea towels, sponges, dish brush and scourers, washing detergent, cutting board, vegetable peeler, vegetable knife, tea infuser, carrying tray, plates, bowls, mugs, knives, forks, spoons, saucepans, frypan (cast iron etc.), baking dish, water billy or equiv., potato masher, can opener, wooden spoon, ladle, splades, bread knife, scissors
Personal
Toothbrushes, comb, hair brush, mirror, soap, toilet paper, menstrual pads, flannel, towels, dental floss, writing paper, needle and cotton, nail brush, nail file, scissors, splinter forceps, disposable razors, clothes and footwear including water proofs, hats and sunglasses, carrying bags/knapsacks/backpacks),
Sleeping
Sleeping mats, woollen blankets, sleeping bags and inserts, large rubbish bin bags, plastic sheeting, light rope, tent, ground sheets, insect netting, canvas awning and poles.

Fishing Gear
Nylon line, hooks, assorted sinkers, heavy twine, rod, reel and line, wobblers.

MEDICAL SUPPLIES

You can use this list as a guide to your expected requirements depending on circumstances, location & time. For a community of more than 30 people use a multiplier factor. If conditions are expected to be severe and prolonged, more attention should be given to quantities especially to products marked *.

Much benefit may be gained from obtaining and illustrated book on medicinal herbs and then learning to accurately identify these herbs using the book as a guide to their potential medicinal properties.

Pindari has produced a DVD with digital images of over 120 medicinal herbs which can be used as an aid to accurately identify the medicinal herbs. This may be purchased by contacting us at welcome@pindariherbfarm.com  

Also, many plants that are regarded as weeds in gardens may be eaten and can be used as a survival food source in troubled times. Obtain a book on "weeds as foods" or the reference provided below.

The importance of learning to accurately identify both the medicinal and food herbs is stressed.

Two useful references for temperate "western" cultures are:
"Complete Illustrated Guide to THE HOLISTIC HERBAL" by David Hoffmann, Elemental press,
ISBN 0-00-713301-4 paperback.
"EDIBLE PLANTS" by Pamela Forey & Cecilia Fitzsimons, Brockhampton Press,
ISBN 1 86019 776 0

For those living outside of the coverage of these two books, seek local expertise and references.

Final inspired recommendation

Dear Friends, I pass to you

what I am also inspired to

which is also what I do say

as "others" come my way

 

there are three things that we MUST do

If to prepare for the "ahead" we are to be "true"

the first is to prepare the MIND

second also is to prepare the MIND

 

third is also to prepare the MIND

and after that if we are to be kind

then put some food away

and provisions for that rainy day

 

so that we can with others share

provisions and food with a our care
but first is the need to prepare the mind
so that to those others you can be kind

otherwise ALL may be lost
as in anger you accost
those needing your help and food
as in the darkness your thoughts brood.

so for that soon coming rainy day
FIRST to God's Star, DO PRAY.

Ken Atherton
Pindari Herb Farm
200 Norwich Drive
LONGFORD Tas 7301
Updated August 2009

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