Wheat Meat, It’s What’s For Dinner

Tess Pennington Ready Nutrition January 2012

We all must prepare for the likelihood of running out of our regular protein sources in an extended emergency. From a dietary standpoint, exploring high protein meat alternatives to incorporate in your emergency preps would be a proactive step in maintaining your caloric and nutritional intake during an emergency.

Wheat meat, also known as wheat gluten and also Seitan is listed as a principal source of protein along with eggs, milk, cheese, lean meat, fish, soybeans, peanuts and vegetables. From a nutritional perspective, wheat meat has 378 calories, 41.4 grams of protein, 1.9 grams of fat, thus making it a viable option for dinner. Wheat meat is made from the protein that the wheat produces, and it is easier to digest compared to real meats. The best part of wheat meat, is it really has no definite taste and can easily be seasoned to take on the flavor of the meat you are trying to substitute it for.

Basic Wheat Meat Recipes Made From Whole Wheat

Stirring Technique:

• 12 c. whole wheat flour
• 7 c. water (or enough to moisten all the flour

Directions:

You’re basically kneading the dough like you would bread and for the same reasons – to activate the gluten. This is nice to know because if the power is out, you can still make gluten. Set this mixture aside for 20 minutes. If longer, refrigerate.

Kneading Technique:

Add two parts flour to one part water in a bowl (i.e. 12 cups flour to 6 cups cool water. Mix with kneading arm. The consistency should be like bread dough and pull away from the sides of the bowl. If it does not, add more four. Mix 5-10 minutes. Now it is ready for the rinsing process.

(This step will separate the gluten from the other products in the wheat flour which has been stirred or kneaded).

Standard Method:

Add water to bowl of rested dough (use enough to cover the dough). Work and squeeze with your hands to loosen the dough (About 10 seconds). When the water takes on a milky appearance and you see specks of bran, pour this water off into another bowl if you want to save the bran and starch (as it contains vitamins, mineral-rich starch, bran and wheat germ). Over a sink, place this dough in a colander (plastic is best). Under a tap of slowly running lukewarm water, work and squeeze the dough with your hands until the gluten starts to hold together and the liquid coming from the dough is clear. It is not necessary to rinse out all of the bran from the gluten. In about 3 minutes or longer, you should have a ball of elastic-like dough. This is the raw gluten. At this point, you can begin to shape the wheat meat into the desired form. Get creative with this meat alternative. The meat lover in you can still enjoy ribs, meatballs, steak, corned beef and ground beef–made even if you’ve run out of meat.

In “The Amazing Wheat Book” by LeArta Moulton, there are some helpful tips to remember when making wheat meat:

• Once a small amount of gluten starts holding together, you will find that the rest of the gluten clings to it, so as quickly as possible get a small ball of gluten started. You may want to work a small amount in your hands to get this started.
• How soon gluten cells start holding together is determined by the protein quality of the wheat flour used, or how often the clean water is allowed to run through the dough.
• The dough becomes slightly stringy and falls apart easily just before it starts holding, so don’t give up too soon. Don’t throw it away, try again! Add more flour to the mixture and let it rest again, only longer – 1 to 4 hours, or even overnight in the refrigerator.
• If you want tighter texture for chicken, pepperoni & bologna type slices, form it into a roll in a cheesecloth, or you can simmer to make thin strips for stir-fry, strogonoff, jerky, etc., using pizza cutter or knife.

Using Gluten Flour:

A kind reader of this website, mentioned that she uses high gluten flour, this flour does not require washing of the dough and saves time. In a situation of preparedness, we must remember we do not want to waste our water, so even though the flour is higher priced, it is well worth it. When using the high gluten flour, you add the water (or broth) to the flour and seasonings, and then boil it. It doubles in size, so it is very deceiving.

Once the wheat meat is formed, now it’s time to cook it. Some of the simpler ways to cook wheat meat are explained below:

Boiling – This is the easiest way to cook wheat meat is to drop shaped dough into flavored boiling broth (equal amt. of broth & raw gluten. Simmer till liquid is gone (@ 30 min.)

Dehydrator – Make jerky or dehydrated wheat meat by drying in the dehydrator.

Baking - Put wheat meat on a sprayed cookie sheet 350′ oven & bake until pieces appear dry on top, then turn & bake until texture is chewy.

Meatball or Burger Recipe

• 2 c. ground gluten
• 3 tbl. finely minced onion or 1 tbl. dry onion
• 1 tbl. sausage seasoning, chicken seasoning, or seasoning of your choice
• 2 tbl. flour
• 1-2 eggs, beaten
• 2 tbl. oil (preferably olive oil)
• salt and pepper to taste

*To make Oriental Style Meatballs

Add the above ingredients along with:

• 1 tbl. green pepper
• 1/4 tsp. ground ginger
• 1 tbl. soy sauce
• 1tbl. sesame seeds
• 1/2 tsp. sesame oil

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together and form into balls or desired shape. Bake at 350 degree F on a cookie sheet 20-30 minutes or until firm.

Veggie Burgers

• 4 eggs
• 3 tbl. olive oil
• 2 tsp. sausage seasoning
• 1 tsp. each of garlic and onion powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. pepper
• 1/2 c. potato or oatmeal flakes
• 1/4 c. flour (whole grain or bean)

Add to:

• 4 c. ground gluten
• 1/2 c. grated vegetables (about 4 tbl. each of green and red bell pepper, celery, onion and carrots).

Note: could use dried vegetables, softened

Directions:

Spoon onto preheated, medium heat fry pan and brown on both sides or place formed patty on a baking sheet and bake 20 minutes or until firm. Serve on bun with your favorite condiments. Makes 14 patties (1/4 c. each).

Savory Vegetarian Meatloaf

• 1 c. raw potato, grated
• 1/2 c. grated onion
• 1 c. celery, chopped
• 1/2 c. rolled oats
• 1/3 c. oil
• 3 c. ground gluten
• 4 eggs, beaten
• 1 tsp. crumbled sage
• 1 tsp. meatloaf seasoning
• 1 tsp. soy sauce
• 1/2 tsp. celery salt
• 1/2 tsp. salt

Directions:

Mix all above and place in oiled baking dish. Bake at 375 for 1 hour. Slice and serve with sweet and sour sauce or gravy.

This article was based on the information provided in The Amazing Wheat Book by LeArta Moulton.

To purchase a cookbook about Wheat Meat or Seitan, consider Cooking With Seitan by Barbara Jacobs

Also, a special thanks to some of my readers and friends on Facebook for their contribution to this article.

Author: Tess Pennington
Web Site: http://www.ReadyNutrition.com/
Date: January 16th, 2012

Source

Read Between the Lines: Hollywood Mogul Buys 2,600 Acres of Farmland; Moving to New Zealand

Mac Slavo February 1st, 2012 SHTFplan.com

James Cameron, the Hollywood producer responsible for blockbuster films like Terminator, Titanic and Avatar, is reportedly preparing to exit stage left. While the move for the Canadian born Cameron may initially be perceived as a rejection or denouncement of American policies and ideals, Cameron, who has made campaign donations to the Democrat Party in the past, most notably during the 2004 Presidential election where he supported democrat John Kerry, may have ulterior motivations, as evidenced by where he’s planning on moving and what he’s planning on doing once he gets there.

From time to time we get a glimpse into the goings on of the well connected. This may be one of those moments:

Cameron has successfully applied to buy 1,067 hectares (2,636 acres) of farmland in New Zealand. In an application filed with the New Zealand Overseas Investment Office, Cameron says he and his family “intend to reside indefinitely in New Zealand and are acquiring the property to reside on and operate as a working farm.”

Source: Associated Press, via Matt Drudge

As we’ve outlined before, farmland is one of the only reasonable physical assets to hold in the event of a major crisis, as you’ll be outside of highly populated metropolitan areas, you’ll have the ability to produce your own food, generate your own energy, and, more so than your urbanite and suburbanite counterparts, stay away from the chaos that will ensue during a major upheaval.

Liberty Media CEO James Malone, like director James Cameron, has also taken refuge outside of major cities at his ranch on the Quebec border, giving him and his family an immediate international bug out plan in the event of an emergency. Another sign from the elite is that large net worth individuals and investment managers are buying up and taking physical delivery of precious metals, which in our humble opinion, is a leading indicator that large in-the-know investors are preparing for a loss of confidence in the stability of the global economic, monetary, financial and/or political systems.

Congressman Roscoe Bartlett recently warned that Those Who Can, Should Move Their Families Out Of the City, and insiders are worried about game changing riots stemming from the Occupy movement.

The theory that elite members of society know something is amiss is further strengthened by comments such as those of financier George Soros who publicly declared in a recent interview with Newsweek that he expects violent riots on the streets of America in coming months and years.

Furthermore, we have federal agencies and local police departments actively training for urban conflict, and the Pentagon has been war gaming scenarios that include large scale economic breakdown and civil unrest.

The stories reported over the last several years point to a growing consensus among elite business leaders, politicians, and military generals that we’re headed into a situation that is wholly unpredictable. They know the system is on the brink, have said so repeatedly, and are actively taking steps to manage a crisis should it ever come to that.

Short of the mainstream media coming out and broadcasting to the American people that the system is about to destabilize and to expect nothing short of total meltdown and pandemonium, reading between the lines and watching the actions of those who are interconnected with the money and power structures on which the system is built will be our only warning signal for the difficult times we face in the near future.

The message is loud and clear. Are you listening?

Source

MEET THE ‘PREPPERS’ — THE AMERICANS STOCKPILING FOOD & WATER FOR A POSSIBLE COLLAPSE

• Posted on January 23, 2012 at 8:39am by Billy Hallowell

The world’s a scary place. Wars, famines, corrupt politicians, terrorism, imploding economies — the list goes on. There are plenty of issues worth fearing, which is why a subset of the nation is preparing for what they see as impending calamity.

These individuals, dubbed “preppers,” are stocking up on food, guns, water and other items that they may need should the economy erupt or a massive natural disaster strike. With so many possibilities for problematic occurrences, these individuals want to ensure that they can live beyond any tragically defining moments.

Most preppers are fearful of the prospects of no governmental structure — something that some see as a possibility amidst economic woes and political strife. Back in 2009, a Newsweek report described this phenomenon:

In the late 1990s, Y2K fears brought survivalism to the mainstream, only to usher it back out again when disaster didn’t strike. (Suddenly, unused survival gear began showing up in classifieds and on eBay.) A decade later, “preppers” are what you might call survivalism’s Third Wave: regular people with jobs and homes whose are increasingly fearful about the future…

Watch some preppers discuss their lifestyle, below:

Reuters published a report this weekend, highlighting some of the preppers out there who are stockpiling and awaiting what they see as the inevitable. To begin, there’s Patty Tegeler, a 57-year-old who lives in Virginia’s Appalachian Mountains.

“In an instant, anything can happen,” she said. “And I firmly believe that you have to be prepared.”

Tegeler’s home has essentially been prepared for whatever may come. She has a large generator, water tanks, portable heaters and enough freeze-dried food to lock herself inside and to keep nourished for two years.

Wondering how she secured these items? There’s an entire market that caters to these individuals (most vendors operate on the internet). These companies sell many of the items that Tegeler has in her own home, as they teach skills or sell the products needed to ensure individual and family survival pending disaster.

The Reuters article even mentions Glenn Beck:

Conservative talk radio host Glenn Beck seems to preach preppers’ message when he tells listeners: “It’s never too late to prepare for the end of the world as we know it.”

Additionally, it goes on to further explain the movement:

“With our current dependence on things from the electric grid to the Internet, things that people have absolutely no control over, there is a feeling that a collapse scenario can easily emerge, with a belief that the end is coming, and it is all out of the individual’s control,” [Cathy Gutierrez, an expert on end-times beliefs at Sweet Briar College in Virginia] told Reuters.

While many would dub survivalist behaviors as silly or a waste of time, preppers separate themselves from the likes of Harold Camping and other leaders who have set dates for what they promise to be apocalyptic conclusions to societal existence. Preppers like Tegeler claim that their items won‘t go to waste regardless of whether there’s a collapse or not. For these individuals it’s all about being ready for anything that could unfold.

And there’s plenty of media outlets for these individuals to consume, as they share tips and communicate with one another. Blogs like lawyer Michael T. Snider’s “The Economic Collapse” focus upon the themes surrounding the economy’s potential bust.

“Most people have a gut feeling that something has gone terribly wrong, but that doesn’t mean that they understand what is happening,” Snider said. “A lot of Americans sense that a massive economic storm is coming and they want to be prepared for it.”

Then there’s James Wesley Rawles, a former Army intelligence officer, who is behind the “Survival Blog,” an online outlet that preppers regularly read.

“We could see a cascade of higher interest rates, margin calls, stock market collapses, bank runs, currency revaluations, mass street protests, and riots,” he said in an interview with Reuters. “The worst-case end result would be a Third World War, mass inflation, currency collapses, and long term power grid failures.”

A screen shot from the American Preppers Network

Tom Martin launched “American Prepper’s Network” back in 2009 — a daily blog and support network that attracts thousands of individuals each week. The most recent post on the site’s blogreads:

Man-made disasters come in many forms. The most obvious would be spills and contamination caused by deteriorating materials, poor driving, train derailments, pipeline maintenance (or lack thereof), infrastructure collapse, policies that lead to coastal erosion, policies that contribute to widespread forest fires, sub-standard building codes, etc. There are other potential disasters that can be even more far-reaching. These include, but not limited to, monetary policies, tax codes, currency issues, stock market crashes, credit down grades, recession/depression, inflation/hyper-inflation (alaWeimar republic) and devaluation of a currency. Venezuela, Japan and others have experienced these events.

The list of possibilities is long and growing, but again, the prudent man attempts to prepare. For his family and his continued well-being.

This is only a small lens into the prepper movement, but this is nothing new. Throughout history, subsets of American society have remained ready and prepared for whatever may come. While critics may dub it an over reaction, preppers feel they’re simply being prudent.

For a glimpse into some others who are “prepping” for the future, be sure to watch GBTV’s “Independence USA” — a reality show featuring a family trying to live off the grid.

Below, watch a clip that provides a glimpse into the show:

Source

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National Geographic TV : Shows : Doomsday Preppers

About the Show

Doomsday Preppers explores the lives of otherwise ordinary Americans who are preparing for the end of the world as we know it. Unique in their beliefs, motivations, and strategies, preppers will go to whatever lengths they can to make sure they are prepared for any of life’s uncertainties. And with our expert’s assessment, they will find out their chances of survival if their worst fears become a reality.










Source: http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/doomsday-preppers/

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Subculture of Americans prepares for civilization's collapse

By Jim Forsyth
Sat Jan 21, 2012 11:44am EST

(Reuters) - When Patty Tegeler looks out the window of her home overlooking the Appalachian Mountains in southwestern Virginia, she sees trouble on the horizon.

"In an instant, anything can happen," she told Reuters. "And I firmly believe that you have to be prepared."

Tegeler is among a growing subculture of Americans who refer to themselves informally as "preppers." Some are driven by a fear of imminent societal collapse, others are worried about terrorism, and many have a vague concern that an escalating series of natural disasters is leading to some type of environmental cataclysm.

They are following in the footsteps of hippies in the 1960s who set up communes to separate themselves from what they saw as a materialistic society, and the survivalists in the 1990s who were hoping to escape the dictates of what they perceived as an increasingly secular and oppressive government.

Preppers, though are, worried about no government.

Tegeler, 57, has turned her home in rural Virginia into a "survival center," complete with a large generator, portable heaters, water tanks, and a two-year supply of freeze-dried food that her sister recently gave her as a birthday present. She says that in case of emergency, she could survive indefinitely in her home. And she thinks that emergency could come soon.

"I think this economy is about to fall apart," she said.

A wide range of vendors market products to preppers, mainly online. They sell everything from water tanks to guns to survival skills.

Conservative talk radio host Glenn Beck seems to preach preppers' message when he tells listeners: "It's never too late to prepare for the end of the world as we know it."

"Unfortunately, given the increasing complexity and fragility of our modern technological society, the chances of a societal collapse are increasing year after year," said author James Wesley Rawles, whose Survival Blog is considered the guiding light of the prepper movement.

A former Army intelligence officer, Rawles has written fiction and non-fiction books on end-of-civilization topics, including "How to Survive the End of the World as We Know It," which is also known as the preppers' Bible.

"We could see a cascade of higher interest rates, margin calls, stock market collapses, bank runs, currency revaluations, mass street protests, and riots," he told Reuters. "The worst-case end result would be a Third World War, mass inflation, currency collapses, and long term power grid failures."

A sense of "suffering and being afraid" is usually at the root of this kind of thinking, according to Cathy Gutierrez, an expert on end-times beliefs at Sweet Briar College in Virginia. Such feelings are not unnatural in a time of economic recession and concerns about a growing national debt, she said.

"With our current dependence on things from the electric grid to the Internet, things that people have absolutely no control over, there is a feeling that a collapse scenario can easily emerge, with a belief that the end is coming, and it is all out of the individual's control," she told Reuters.

She compared the major technological developments of the past decade to the Industrial Revolution of the 1830s and 1840s, which led to the growth of the Millerites, the 19th-Century equivalent of the preppers. Followers of charismatic preacher Joseph Miller, many sold everything and gathered in 1844 for what they believed would be the second coming of Jesus Christ.

Many of today's preppers receive inspiration from the Internet, devouring information posted on websites like that run by attorney Michael T. Snider, who writes The Economic Collapse blog out of his home in northern Idaho.

"Modern preppers are much different from the survivalists of the old days," he said. "You could be living next door to a prepper and never even know it. Many suburbanites are turning spare rooms into food pantries and are going for survival training on the weekends."

Like other preppers, Snider is worried about the end of a functioning U.S. economy. He points out that tens of millions of Americans are on food stamps and that many U.S. children are living in poverty.

"Most people have a gut feeling that something has gone terribly wrong, but that doesn't mean that they understand what is happening," he said. "A lot of Americans sense that a massive economic storm is coming and they want to be prepared for it."

So, assuming there is no collapse of society -- which the preppers call "uncivilization" -- what is the future of the preppers?

Gutierrez said that unlike the Millerites -- or followers of radio preacher Harold Camping, who predicted the world would end last year -- preppers are not setting a date for the coming destruction. The Mayan Calendar predicts doom this December.

"The minute you set a date, you are courting disconfirmation," she said.

Tegeler, who recalls being hit by tornadoes and floods in her southwestern Virginia home, said that none of her "survival center" products will go to waste.

"I think it's silly not to be prepared," she said. "After all, anything can happen."

(Reporting by Jim Forsyth in San Antonio; Editing by Corrie MacLaggan and Greg McCune)

Source

CHOOSING AND USING YOUR WOOD STOVE

copyright 1992, CONEG Policy Research Center - Reprinted with permission.

Table of Contents

Wood is Good Again.
Which Wood Stove is right for me?
“Cat” and “non-cat” - two different breeds.
What to look for in a stove with a catalytic combustor.
What to look for in a noncatalytic stove.
Shop around for the best stove.
Installing your Wood Stove.
Clearances are extremly important.
Ten Steps to maximum woodburning efficiency.
Call the Chimney Sweep!
The last word on wood

Wood is Good Again.

  Intrepid Stove

A growing awareness of the environmental impact of fossil fuels (such as natural gas, oil and coal) along with the desire to be more energy independent have encouraged a renewed interest in heating with wood. Not too long ago, even the best wood stoves weren’t terribly efficient. In fact, the haze they produced was a sign that homeowners’ hard earned heating money was literally going up in smoke. A lot has changed since 1990. That was when the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandated strict particle emissions standards for stove manufacturers. Today, all new wood stoves are EPA-certified. And that means they are much more efficient, and friendlier to the environment as well. But doesn’t burning wood produce pollutants just like coal or oil? Well, the answer is yes…and no. When fossil fuels are taken out of the earth and burned, they produce an overload of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. And since these fuels are produced far from where they will ultimately be consumed, mishaps such as oil spills cause other problems. Once burned, fossil fuels are gone forever. Wood is different. As all plants grow, they absorb carbon dioxide from the air and convert it to fiber. The carbon dioxide is released after they die, whether they are burned, or simply left to rot in the forest. This process is part of nature’s cycle. Heating with wood can be both satisfying and economical. But it requires special care right from the beginning.

Which Wood Stove is right for me?

When choosing a wood stove, there’s a lot to consider. Start by locating the sticker pictured on this page. It will tell you that the stove is EPA- certified (a permanent notice is also on the back of the stove). It will also tell you the Btu rating. This is a measure of heat output which will help you find a stove

This information that supplies an adequate amount of heat where you want it and no more. One common error people sometimes make is to purchase too powerful a stove for their home. An oversized stove is a potential fire hazard, because it’s often operated in an extremely “slow fired” condition, which leads to creosote buildup. And that increases the risk of chimney fires. So before you go stove shopping, ask yourself two questions. How much heat should it supply enough for one room, or the whole house? Where do you want to install it? Common types of woodburning appliances are free- standing wood stoves, fireplaces, and fireplace inserts. And besides the living room or family room, these days they’re likely to be chugging away in bedrooms, kitchens, and even bathrooms.

Obadiahs - talk to the wood stove experts about your situation and we’ll work with you to build a package to fit your needs. Visit our web site at www.discountstoves.net

“Cat” and “non-cat” - two different breeds.

This refers to the two methods employed in new stoves to keep them running clean and efficiently. “Cats” use catalytic combustors, and “noncats” recirculate the smoke and reburn it. Normally, smoke isn’t completely consumed in the burning process, because some wood gases require temperatures as high as 1,200F to burn wood efficiently. A catalytic combustor lowers this required temperature to 600F, achieving a long, slow, controlled combustion that burns off the smoke that otherwise would leave the chimney as dirty, wasted fuel. The catalytic combustor needs minimal cleaning. If ash collects on the face of the com- bustor it can be cleaned with a soft brush. The internal “honeycomb” portion should never be cleaned with anything. It needs to be replaced after two to three years of normal use. Sluggish stove operation, creosote build-up and excessive smoke coming out of the chimney signal the need for a new combustor. Noncatalytic (recirculating) stoves use a heavily insulated firebox. This insulation keeps the heat in, creating a hot environment that encourages more complete combustion, with a secondary combustion chamber to burn off more gases and soot particles. “Noncats” don’t need as much attention as “cats,” primarily because they don’t have a combustor to maintain. Due to the new regulations, both types should provide comparable long-term performance.

What to look for in a stove with a catalytic combustor.

Materials and construction can affect how clean and efficiently your new stove will operate over the years ahead. Look for a stove whose body is made from cast iron or plate steel. The main body should be at least 1/4-inch thick. Because cast iron stoves have corners sealed with gaskets and cement, they may require a bit more maintenance. If the stove is catalytic, locate the bypass plate. It should be at least 5/16-inch thick. Test it by closing the plate on a dollar bill, which should grip it tightly. One of the most important things to look for is some sort of “flame impingement” mechanism designed to protect the combustor from direct flame, and thus from degrading prematurely. Some stoves have a flame shield in front of the catalytic combustor. Others use a series of chambers, or place the combustor to the rear of the stove.

What to look for in a noncatalytic stove.

Look for a stove whose body is at least 1/4-inch plate steel or cast iron, the two most commonly used materials. Inside, the most critical area is the baffle, in the roof of the main fire chamber. To resist warping, the baffle should be at least 5/16-inch plate steel, with v-shaped support beams. Note: the use of dry wood is much more important in a noncatalytic stove studies show that emissions can be three times as high when wet wood is used! Because the new “non-cats” are designed to pollute less at a lower burn rate, their fireboxes can be smaller than those in “cats.” This means they may require more frequent loading.

Shop around for the best stove.

Your stove will be part of your life for a long time, so it’s smart to get the best stove you can afford. Ask dealers about the points mentioned above, in relation to both their own products and the competition. Most important: talk to one or more chimney sweeps about the brands you’re interested in, and get recommendations from them. There’s no substitute for a third- party opinion based on practical experience.

  HearthStone Stove

Installing your Wood Stove.

Once you’ve chosen your new stove, your best bet is to have it installed professionally, for safety reasons. The record is not good on self- installations. Above all, don’t install your stove in confined spaces. Proper clearances, and professional installation, are vital elements in the safe, efficient operation of your stove. The installation guide included with your new wood stove will contain precise information about safety measures for that particular model. To insure a safe installation, call your local fire department and ask for an inspection.

Clearances are extremeley important.

When heat radiates into nearby combustible materials (the woodbox, magazine racks, furniture, draperies, wood paneling, flooring- even the studs behind plaster or sheetrock), it causes invisible changes in their composition, lowering the temperature at which they can burst into flames. Proper clearances can eliminate this danger The installation guide included with your new wood stove will contain precise information about the proper clearances for your appliance as well as instructions on how to connect the wood stove into an existing fireplace, and much more. To be sure, call your local fire department and ask for an inspection.

Ten Steps to maximum wood burning efficiency.

Wood smoke is caused by the incomplete combustion of wood. This can pollute the air indoors and outdoors as well as contribute to higher heating costs. Fortunately, the cure for cutting down on pollution and waste also cuts the costs by burning wood with safety and efficiency.

1. Burn seasoned wood. Up to 50% of the weight of green wood can be moisture, which has to be burned off before heat can be released into your house. Seasoned wood burns hotter and more efficiently, helps decrease the amount of creosote buildup in your stovepipe, and . you money.

2. Make your fires small and hot. This burns volatile gases more quickly, producing fewer safety hazards and air quality problems than a fire that is over-damped. Smaller, hotter fires mean more frequent loading and tending the stove…but the improved efficiency and air quality are worth the effort.

3. Install a stack thermometer on the stove flue. This will help you monitor the temperature of the gases as they leave the stove. Optimum range for most efficiency and least pollution: about 300 to 400 F.

4. Remove excess ashes. Too much can clog your stove’s air-intake vents and cut down on the amount of oxygen needed for woodburning.

5. Tighten up your house. Insulation, weather stripping, storm windows and caulking~ can all reduce the amount of wood required to heat your home, which in turn helps decrease the amount of air pollution.

6. Check your “smokestack.” Burn your stove at different rates, then go outside and check the emissions. The absence of smoke indicates that your stove is burning cleanly and effectively.

7. Inspect your stove. Once or twice a year, depending on how often it’s used, your entire stove and chimney should be inspected. Look for warping, check the baffle to make sure there are no gaps, check for creosote. Your dealer can make regular inspections, and so can a chimney sweep.

8. Choose the proper size stove. A properly sized wood stove will do its job efficiently even on the coldest days. One that’s too big needs to be damped down, which increases creosote production. The insulation in your home is a factor as well. To be sure you select the right-size stove, take along to your dealer the number of square feet to be heated, and the amount of insulation surrounding the area to be heated.

9. Buy the most efficient design you can afford. It’ll pay for itself in the long run. Research has made great strides in designing fireboxes, drafts, catalytic combustors and other devices that improve combustion and reduce smoke. Maybe it’s time to retire that old “smoker” and modernize.

10. Burn only the fuel your stove was, designed for. Don’t burn coal in a wood stove, for example, unless your stove was designed to handle both wood and coal. Trash shouldn’t be burned in your stove eitherbesides increasing the chance of starting a chimney fire, some plastics and other trash emit harmful gases, and can ruin your catalytic combustor. Driftwood, treated wood, artificial logs, or anything containing plastics, lead, zinc or sulfur will damage your catalytic combustor.

Call the Chimney Sweep!

There are two main reasons for keeping your chimney and stovepipe clean: to reduce the possibility of fire and to maintain the efficiency of your wood stove. You can do your part by operating your stove correctly, and by brushing or vacuuming the catalytic combustor gently. But for serious cleaning and preventive maintenance, you should develop a relationship with a good chimney sweep. This professional will make sure your chimney is in good repair, check the stove for leaks or cracks in the housing, and look over the catalytic combustor for signs of damage or deterioration.

The last word on wood

Different types of wood have different heating values. You should expect to pay more for a cord of mixed wood containing a lot of seasoned hickory, for example, than an equivalent measure with mostly aspen or hemlock. Generally speaking, you’ll get much more heat from hardwood than from softer, lighter wood. Most firewood you purchase will be green and have a fair amount of water in it. It takes at least six months of air drying for wood to be considered seasoned and ready for burning. When selecting wood, also take into consideration ease of splitting, ease of ignition and burning, how much smoke it produces and its “coaling” qualities. “Coaling” refers to the ability of a species of wood to form a long- lasting bed of hot coals when burned. Coaling qualities improve with higher density.

Source

National Sunday Law - No Buy No Sell

National Sunday Law - No Buy No Sell

From: BlueprintOutposts | Jun 13, 2011
http://www.freemediaministry.org National Sunday Law - No Buy No Sell

Survive the Zombie Apocalypse: The Cost of a Survival Kit

October 30, 2011

By Casey Bond

When it comes to your emergency savings fund, have you set aside some money in preparation for a real emergency? For instance, when the zombie apocalypse hits, will you be ready?

One of the key possessions you should have on hand is azombie survival kit. Putting one together requires quite a few items, and the cash to fund it, so make sure you budget for this end-of-the-world must-have.

Emergency Essentials

While there are endless items it would be nice to have in your zombie survival kit, at least make sure you’re covered all theemergency essentials you’ll need to stay alive. Keep in mind, you want to keep you kit light, so try to scavenge for things like food and weapons along the way to the nearest COSTCO.

Bic lighter: $1

With no gas or electricity, you will need a way to keep warm. Lighters are small and lightweight, though they don’t last long. Consider stocking up on several.

Can opener: $10

Canned food will likely be the most abundant and lost-lasting sustenance available, so be sure you can actually get to it.

Mylar blanket: $2

Made from the same material as those foil-like balloons, protect yourself from the elements by wrapping up in this shiny, durable blanket.

Aluminum Water Bottle: $15

After most disasters, fresh water is hard to come by–keep a refillable aluminum water bottle on hand for when you come across clean water sources.

First Aid Kit: $20

If you’re bitten, game over. However, there are a number of ways you could be injured while navigating the post-apocalyptic world. Make sure you’re prepared with bandages, disinfectant and tape.

Maglight: $18

This heavy duty flashlight allows you to find your way around in the dark, and doubles as a handy brain-basher for close encounters with the walking dead.

AA Batteries: $15

Keep your flashlight going and be able to juice up any useful small electronics you find. Pro tip: Rubbing a battery and steel wool together will start a fire if there aren’t any lighters or matches around.

Pocket knife: $10

Like duct tape, you can accomplish just about any task with a pocket knife.

Comfy Backpack: $80

Invest in a durable and comfortable backpack. You’ll likely be on foot most of the time and need to carry the above items on you.

Total Cost of Survival = $171

Don’t worry if you don’t have any of these items, you can divide up the total cost into manageable monthly increments. And luckily, even if the undead never attack, your zombie survival kit will work well as an emergency preparedness kit in the even of any disaster.

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