Monthly Archives: April 2024

Why You Need A Preparedness Pantry

by preparedness,

As I've been sharing about preparedness, I confess I get some people who are very dismissive and try to make prepper jokes. Last week, I had two people who were very skeptical and wanted to know ALL the reasons why they should consider starting to be more prepared.

No matter where you are on your preparedness journey, I believe it's never too late to start. But I guarantee you that starting after the fact is much more difficult. Here's what I've come up with for good reasons to be more prepared:

  1. Peace of Mind: Knowing you have essential supplies stocked up can reduce stress and anxiety during an emergency or shortfall situation. This makes you more self-reliant.

  2. Supply Chain Disruptions: We all remember the toilet paper situation of 2020. But once it was over, people stopped thinking about it. I encourage you to remember that if it happened once, it can happen again. Stockpiling helps make sure you have access to what you need, especially if transportation is disrupted in some way and the grocery store or general goods store cannot easily restock.

  3. Financial Savings: Buying in bulk and during non-emergency times often saves money in the long run. And it's a hedge against the possibility of price gouging that can happen during shortages or crises.

  4. Food Security: I'm firmly against the bucket of garbage being sold as "emergency food." You want to make sure you have what you need on hand.

  5. Health Emergencies: Having medical supplies on hand can be critical during emergencies, especially if access to healthcare facilities is limited. Plus, basic first aid supplies mean you can take the first steps for needed care if emergency responders are elsewhere or cannot get to you.

  6. Power Outages: Having essentials like batteries, a generator, candles, and alternative light sources helps manage power outages effectively so you have light and possibly power.

  7. Job Loss or Pay Cut: Having supplies on hand can help reduce the impact of job loss or income reduction. You'll have a stockpile that you can use while reducing expenditures.

  8. Shortages Due to Panic Buying: Stockpiling prevents the need to participate in panic buying during emergencies, ensuring equitable distribution of resources.

  9. Barter or Trade: It may seem a bit extreme, but if needed, a stockpile can serve as a resource for barter or trade.

  10. Personalized Needs: Anyone with special dietary requirements, medical conditions, or special needs can ensure their needs are met by stockpiling accordingly.

  11. Seasonal Preparedness: Stockpiling seasonal items makes sure you are ready in the event of weather-related emergencies like storms or extreme temperatures.

  12. Natural Disasters: Being prepared is essential for anyone living in an area that is prone to a natural disaster such as earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, or wildfires.

Whatever your reason for being prepared, it's important to remember that the best time to prepare for an emergency is before there is one. For anyone who wants to learn more, remember that you are always welcome to join The Kitchen Table.

 

 
 
 
 
 
filtration strategies

Invisible Threat In Your Water Tap And Filtration Strategies

by water
I'd like to encourage you to think for a moment about something essential to life that most people take for granted -- water.
 
Did you know that the water you consume every day could be the hidden culprit behind health issues ranging from thyroid problems to the presence of low-level pharmaceuticals in your system? In an interview with Lara Adler, The Environmental Toxins expert, she shared thata the World Health Organization says water sanitation is one of the greatest public health challenges of the 20th century. Your water may be more challenging than you think. That's why I've put together this post to empower you with knowledge and actions to ensure the purity of the water you're drinking.
 

What's in what you're drinking

 
Sure, we may not live in a third-world country, but that doesn't mean our tap water is without its problems. You might be surprised to learn that various contaminants could likely lurk in your water, from heavy metals like lead and arsenic to chemicals like atrazine found in 94% of U.S. drinking water.
 
Even in remote, pristine areas we can find polar bears in the Arctic that have flame retardant chemicals and nonstick chemicals in their bodies. Clearly those chemicals are ending up in those animals because they're traveling through the air system and possibly even contaminating an aquafer that we might normally think of being pristine.
 
The issue becomes even more for people who live in communities located near industrial areas or military bases. These locations are more likely to be exposed to a slew of additional contaminants such as perfluorinated chemicals.
 

Beyond the Bottle

 
You might be tempted to turn to bottled water, but here's the harsh truth: it's often no better than tap water. Sometimes bottled water is even worse because it's not really from a pure spring-fed source, but instead from municipal water. Plus there's the question of environmental wastefulness with bottled water.
 
A more reliable solution lies in effective water filtration systems at home. But before you rush out and grab the first filter you see, consider this: not all filters are created equal, and what works for one household might not be right for yours. From the age of your house and its plumbing to your geographical location, various factors play a role in determining the right filtration system for you.
 

Empower Yourself with Knowledge

 
You don't need to become an overnight expert in water filtration. But a basic understanding of your home's water quality and the available filtering options brings a newfound power to make informed decisions. Simple steps, like reading your water quality report or even opting for an inexpensive water test, can unveil what's really flowing from your tap.
 
And if you need help? There are resources available that can guide you without breaking the bank – because protecting your health should be accessible to everyone, regardless of financial standing. Armed with this knowledge, you can pick the filtration strategy that suits your unique needs. Layering different types of filters or choosing a point-of-use filter are just a couple of the possible strategies that might work for you.
 

In Closing

 
The goal here isn't to scare you into action; it's to gently guide you toward the realization that with a little bit of effort and understanding, you can significantly improve the quality of your water and, by extension, your health.
 
So, let's raise a glass (of purified water) to take control of what you drink and the peace of mind that comes with it. After all, you go to great lengths to ensure the purity of the food on your plate. Shouldn't you pay the same attention to the water in your cup?
 

Click the link to download your FREE guide now and start enjoying cleaner, safer water today! 

 

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