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  1. #1851
    Senior Member AirborneSapper7's Avatar
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    Kick the migraine headache drug habit - Use foods, spices, home remedies for migraine headache relief
    Tuesday, April 24, 2012 by: JB Bardot


    (NaturalNews) If you're wondering how do you get headaches, look no further than your diet. Although migraine headache causes may be varied, treatment for symptoms in people with headaches can be easily accomplished merely by changing your diet and including medicinal foods, spices, and a few home remedies.

    A large number of migraine headaches originate with what you currently eat, and also from what you don't eat. The best foods and home remedies trigger soothing brain chemicals, promote overall well-being and stop migraine headaches in their tracks.

    A well balanced diet protects against migraine headache symptoms

    Supporting the system by eating a well balanced diet of natural, whole foods helps control the incidence of migraine attacks. Fresh, organic fruits, vegetables, meats and whole grains provide necessary nutrients for the production of brain chemicals that ease pain.

    Eating small meals frequently throughout the day stabilizes blood sugar, protecting against the sharp rise and fall that can cause a migraine headache.

    Drink lots of fresh water to maintain hydration. Scientific evidence points to dehydration as an important migraine headache cause. The recommended fluid intake is 1/2 oz. of water for each pound of body weight daily.

    Vitamins, minerals and amino acids provide migraine headache relief

    Magnesium's role in stabilizing blood vessels is well documented, helping to prevent capillary and muscle spasms. Increase magnesium-rich foods such as wheat germ, garlic, oatmeal, seafood, kale, broccoli, spinach, melon, bananas, basil, cantaloupe, blackstrap molasses, and nuts to support the body and prevent migraine pain.

    Calcium soothes and relaxes -- mentally and physically -- encouraging sleep and calmness. Having a calcium-rich drink or snack made with raw milk at bedtime encourages sleep and muscle relaxation.

    Foods high in the amino acid tryptophan stimulate the brain in the production of the neurotransmitter, serotonin. Low levels of serotonin are linked to migraine headaches, depression and sleeplessness. Turkey supplies the greatest amount of tryptophan, followed by black-eyed peas, walnuts, almonds, sesame and pumpkin seeds, brown rice, and whole grains.

    Vitamin B-2 may also help relieve the frequency of migraine headaches. B-2 or riboflavin is found in broccoli, eggs, almonds, raw milk, fermented soy products, whole grains, and organ meats.

    Omega-3 fatty acids help reduce overall inflammation and help lessen constriction of capillaries in the head, a primary cause of migraine headaches. Eat fatty fish, olive oil, avocados, and flax seeds.

    Reduce chronic migraine headaches with herbs and home remedies

    Cayenne pepper increases the pain threshold in migraine patients. Dissolve a pinch in hot water and drink as tea or sprinkle on food.

    Consume at least 1 gram of ginger to alleviate the nausea associated with migraine headaches. Use ginger in a variety of ways including fresh ginger tea, candied ginger, or powdered ginger capsules.

    Make a tea from peppermint leaves to soothe nausea and vomiting. Peppermint is also soothing to the spirit and helps migraine sufferers relax. Chew a fresh peppermint leaf for relief from pain and nausea.

    Homeopathic Nux vomica is one of the best home remedies to help migraine headaches. Nux not only cleanses the liver, but reverses the effects of foods that may cause migraine headaches. It reduces irritability, neck and occipital spasms, noise and light sensitivity, body aches, nausea, and calms the inevitable tears that accompany excruciating migraine pain.

    Keep a food diary and track which foods are the causes of migraine headaches, removing them from your diet while you add back healing foods and home remedies for relief.

    Sources for this article include:

    Diet headache migraine – food can help end your migraine headache pain!
    http://www.mayoclinic.com
    http://familydoctor.org
    Food Culprits Trigger Migraine Headaches and Depression

    About the author:
    JB Bardot is trained in herbal medicine and homeopathy, and has a post graduate degree in holistic nutrition. Bardot cares for both people and animals, using alternative approaches to health care and lifestyle. You can find her on Facebook at Jean Bardot | Facebook or on Twitter at jbbardot23


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    The food industry is waging war on your cells with these 10 toxic ingredients

    Sunday, April 22, 2012 by: S. D. Wells

    (NaturalNews) Preservatives and synthetic food agents found in foods inhibit oxygen and delay the development of fungus and mold, creating a longer shelf-life for products. But after being consumed, these toxins deprive human cells of oxygen and rob them of nutrients, thus leading to cell mutation and the perfect breeding ground for cancer.

    Just like humans, cells need oxygen to survive and thrive. "Fungus fighting" preservatives and man-made food agents choke out your body's nutrients at the DNA level by depriving mitochondrial cells of oxygen, sometimes completely shutting them down. And if the body does not have enough essential nutrients, it becomes more susceptible to disease.

    Longer shelf life, shorter human life

    If you're not a label-reader already, you better become one soon. You don't have to be a chemist or a linguist either, just be able to sight read and spot the poisons so you can live cancer-free. Most food toxins are followed by a phrase, often in parenthesis, to make them sound "safe" and in your best interest, like "as a preservative," or "for added freshness," or "to preserve flavor." These catchy little phrases really mean for the added choking of your cells to aid with cancer development.

    The top 10 cell stranglers revealed

    The United States has several major regulatory agencies and "cancer prevention" organizations which have not only been suppressing natural cancer cures for 70 years, but have been approving, supporting, endorsing and profiting from cancer-causing agents in food, beverages and cosmetics since World War II.

    1. Sodium Benzoate: This stealthy killer flies under most people's radar, and is found in just about everything in jars and bottles, like salad dressing, pickles, sauces, mayonnaise, almost all soda and juice drinks, and even in foods labeled as "all natural."

    2. Canola Oil: This artificial, Canadian-exported GMO is super popular and is found in over 30% of all products. It chokes out your mitochondrial cells. Canola oil is really rapeseed oil and can cause emphysema and respiratory distress, eventually leading to cancer.

    3. Monosodium Glutamate (MSG): The FDA allows 20 "pseudo" names for it including autolyzed yeast extract, free glutamate, glutamic acid, soy lecithin, calcium caseinate, hydrolyzed corn, hydrolyzed soy protein, and maltodextrin to name a few. Just because a product says "No MSG" doesn't mean it's not in there!

    4. Sodium Nitrates (nitrosamines): Used for fertilizers and explosives, and as a solvent in the dry cleaning industry. This ingredient keeps hemoglobin molecules in your blood from carrying oxygen to your body tissues. It's considered a "super salt" (like MSG) added to things like hot dogs, cold cuts and bacon for added shelf-life, color and flavor. Problems compound when microwaved.

    5. Margarine: The body cannot incorporate trans-fatty acids into membranes, thus causing deformed cellular structures. Vegetable shortening and partially hydrogenated vegetable oils accelerate aging and degenerative changes in tissues.

    6. Anti-foaming agents: (Dimethylpolysiloxane) An industrial chemical used in caulks and sealants. This component is mostly used in fast food chicken nuggets and eggs. Also watch for TBHQ, a petroleum derivative, used as a stabilizer in perfumes, resins, varnishes and oil field chemicals, and linked to stomach tumors and DNA damage.

    7. Anti-caking agents: Chemicals that absorb moisture and prevent other compounds from sticking together. These are added to table salt and powdered food products. They are often composed of phosphate, carbonate, silicate and oxide compounds which contain aluminum. Watch for sodium alumino-silicate, alumino-calcium silicate and aluminium silicate. Aluminum is linked to Alzheimer's and is also used in flu shots and vaccines.

    8. Artificial colorings: Synthetic petrochemicals made from petroleum, antifreeze and ammonia. Blue #1 causes kidney tumors in mice. Red #2 and Blue #2 cause brain and bladder tumors in rats. Red #3 causes thyroid cancer in animals, and is banned in cosmetics, but still allowed in food. Red #40 debilitates the immune-system. Green #3 causes bladder and testes tumors. Yellow #5 and #6 cause adrenal tumors in animals.

    9. Emulsifiers: Carrageenan, polysorbate 80 and brominated vegetable oil (BVO). These are stabilizing, smoothing and thickening agents. They are typically found in chocolate milk, cottage cheese, ice cream, infant formula and jelly. BVO remains in body fat for years. Polysorbate 80 is also found in most vaccines.

    10. Artificial Sweeteners: Aspartame, Acesulfame K, Sucralose, Sorbitol, Truvia, and of course, Saccharin. Because they taste sweet, these chemical sweeteners trick the body into ingesting them and holding on to them for extended periods of time, turning rancid in the body fat. Fake sugars are the "Trojan horses" of the cell-choking and mutating, food agent industry. Sorbitol is also found in many vaccines.

    America has been breeding and treating cancer with chemicals for 70 years

    How does a politician running for office or for a position with a United States Government regulatory agency guarantee winning that election or appointment? He or she simply supports the insidious toxic food and medicine industry by meeting with lobbyists, promising the approval of chemical food agents that strangulate human DNA cells, and furthering legislation which supports cancer treatments to do more of the same.

    Besides the wars in the Middle East, there's a Domestic War going on right now in our country, so pay very close attention to everything you eat, and every "medicine" your doctor recommends. Also, do some research of your own if you want to protect your cells and keep them oxygenated, preventing cancer and other disease.

    Sources for this article include:

    Misleading and deceptive use of "No MSG" to hide MSG
    Nitrosamines and Cancer
    Sodium benzoate is a preservative that promotes cancer and kills healthy cells
    Surprise Ingredients in Fast Food
    Margarine Vs. Butter
    List of food additives - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
    Chemical Cuisine - food additives | Nutrition Action Healthletter | Find Articles


    The food industry is waging war on your cells with these 10 toxic ingredients
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  3. #1853
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    Heart disease risks lowered by five lifestyle modifications during youth
    Tuesday, April 24, 2012 by: John Phillip

    (NaturalNews) Cardiovascular disease is the leading killer of adults in all Western cultures. Many people believe their fate has been sealed through the inheritance of 'bad' genes, and no degree of healthy living will have any effect on their risk of an untimely and early demise. More evidence that this thought process could not be more flawed is underscored by the work of researchers at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine as published in the journal Circulation.

    Scientists have found that maintaining a healthy lifestyle from childhood and into your 40's and beyond can have a profound effect on reducing risk of developing cardiovascular disease as you grow older. Consuming a heart-healthy diet, regular physical activity, stress and blood pressure reduction and maintaining a normal body weight combine to dramatically lower heart disease risks compared to hereditary influences.

    The lead study author, Dr. Kiang Liu observed "In this study, even people with a family history of heart problems were able to have a low cardiovascular disease risk profile if they started living a healthy lifestyle when they were young." Many people engage in unhealthy and potentially deadly lifestyle activities as they age that increasingly tip the scales toward the early development of heart disease.

    Five modifiable risk factors significantly lower heart disease risk

    Researchers identified five independent lifestyle factors that directly influence the development of cardiovascular disease later in life. These modifiable factors include maintaining a lean body mass index (BMI), no excess alcohol intake, no smoking, a healthy diet and regular physical activity. Individuals able to modify these risk markers were able to significantly lower heart disease risk in their middle-aged years and beyond.

    The study found that when the study participants were in their mid-twenties (average age of 24), nearly 44 percent had a low cardiovascular disease risk profile. After a period of twenty years, only 24 percent fell into the low risk category. Researchers found that sixty percent of the participants that maintained a lifestyle optimized in all five established risk factors remained in the low risk classification, compared to only five percent that followed none of the healthy lifestyles.

    Dr. Liu concluded "Many studies suggest that people who have low cardiovascular risk in middle age will have a better quality of life and will live longer in their older age... there are a lot of benefits to maintaining a low-risk profile." It will come as no surprise to those following healthy lifestyle patterns that small changes early in life can dramatically impact risk of chronic disease and overall lifespan. This research provides further evidence that children, teenagers and young adults must pay special attention to lifestyle factors including diet, alcohol and smoking to significantly reduce heart disease risk in later life.

    Sources for this article include:
    http://www.northwestern.edu
    Heart healthy choices now pay off later
    Heart Healthy Choices Now Pay Off Later - ScienceNewsline
    Lifestyle Choices In Early Adulthood Can Impact Your Heart Health In Later Life

    About the author:
    John Phillip is a Health Researcher and Author who writes regularly on the cutting edge use of diet, lifestyle modifications and targeted supplementation to enhance and improve the quality and length of life. John is the author of 'Your Healthy Weight Loss Plan', a comprehensive EBook explaining how to use Diet, Exercise, Mind and Targeted Supplementation to achieve your weight loss goal. Visit My Optimal Health Resource to continue reading the latest health news updates, and to download your Free 48 page copy of 'Your Healthy Weight Loss Plan'.


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  4. #1854
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    Green tea extract coupled with quercetin kills cancer tumor cells

    Monday, April 23, 2012 by: John Phillip

    (NaturalNews) Green tea catechins such as EGCG have effectively been shown to increase metabolism as an aid to weight loss and have demonstrated a long history as a potent tool to fight many different types of cancer. Compounds in green tea act as powerful antioxidants that can promote apoptosis or programmed cell death, a mechanism missing in cancer cells that permits uncontrolled cell growth.

    Researchers from Rutgers University have published the result of a study in the journal Food and Function that explains a synergistic health-promoting relationship when green tea polyphenols and the flavonoid quercetin are provided through diet or supplementation. Quercetin helps boost the levels of green tea polyphenols in cancer cells to decrease methylation of their anti-cancer compounds, effectively increasing the green teas potency as a cancer-fighting agent.

    Quercetin boosts green tea antioxidant capacity two to fourfold to fight cancer development

    In past studies, scientists have demonstrated that green tea catechins undergo extensive methylation after ingestion, lowering the effectiveness of the health-promoting compounds to shield against cancer proliferation. Quercetin is a known inhibitor of methylation in normal metabolism, and a study was conducting using mice to determine if the naturally occurring flavonoid found in many fruits and vegetables could increase the potency of green tea catechins (specifically epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG).

    Mice with severe combined immunodeficiency were given brewed green tea and a diet supplemented with 0.4 percent quercetin alone or in combination for a period of two weeks. Researchers determined that the supplemented group experienced a two to three times increase of total and non-methylated EGCG in the lung and kidney along with an increasing trend in the liver.

    The study found that combining quercetin with fresh brewed catechins from green tea increased the cellular adsorption of EGCG four times in lung cancer cells and two times in kidney cancer cells, dramatically increasing the effectiveness of this natural cancer fighting compound in vivo. Additionally, quercetin decreased methylation of green tea polyphenols, which would otherwise limit their chemopreventive potential.

    The research team concluded that "in order to have a maximum anticancer effect, green tea or green tea extract should be used together with quercetin." They noted that green tea catechins exhibit higher antioxidant potential than either vitamin C or E, and indicated that consuming the beverage was associated with reduced risk for a number of forms of malignancy including skin cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer, esophageal cancer and bladder cancer. Three to five cups of fresh-brewed green tea daily combined with quercetin from fruits and vegetables or supplementation are recommended to synergistically boost the cancer fighting abilities of EGCG catechins.

    Sources for this article include:
    Quercetin increased bioavailability and decreased methylation of green tea polyphenols in vitro and in vivo - Food & Function (RSC Publishing)
    Polyphenols in brewed green tea inhibit prost... [J Nutr Biochem. 2012] - PubMed - NCBI

    http://www.foodconsumer.org

    About the author:
    John Phillip is a Health Researcher and Author who writes regularly on the cutting edge use of diet, lifestyle modifications and targeted supplementation to enhance and improve the quality and length of life. John is the author of 'Your Healthy Weight Loss Plan', a comprehensive EBook explaining how to use Diet, Exercise, Mind and Targeted Supplementation to achieve your weight loss goal. Visit My Optimal Health Resource to continue reading the latest health news updates, and to download your Free 48 page copy of 'Your Healthy Weight Loss Plan'.


    Green tea extract coupled with quercetin kills cancer tumor cells

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    Mammograms cause breast cancer (and other cancer facts you probably never knew)

    Exposed: 10 Facts about the Breast Cancer Industry You're Not Supposed to Know (opinion)
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    New Fashion Wrinkle: Stylishly Hiding the Gun


    Bruce Larimer inspected new chinos by Woolrich at a recent National Rifle Association meeting.
    By MATT RICHTEL
    Published: April 23, 2012



    Woolrich, a 182-year-old clothing company, describes its new chino pants as an elegant and sturdy fashion statement, with a clean profile and fabric that provides comfort and flexibility.

    And they are great for hiding a handgun.

    The company has added a second pocket behind the traditional front pocket for a weapon. Or, for those who prefer to pack their gun in a holster, it can be tucked inside the stretchable waistband. The back pockets are also designed to help hide accessories, like a knife and a flashlight.

    The chinos, which cost $65, are not for commandos, but rather, the company says, for the fashion-aware gun owner. And Woolrich has competition. Several clothing companies are following suit, building businesses around the sharp rise in people with permits to carry concealed weapons.

    Their ranks swelled to around seven million last year from five million in 2008, partly because of changes to state laws on concealed handguns.

    Shawn Thompson, 35, who works at an auto dealership in eastern Kentucky, bought two shirts last month from the Woolrich Elite Concealed Carry line. Both, he wrote on his blog, are a step up from more rugged gear.

    “Most of the clothes I used in the past to hide my sidearm looked pretty sloppy and had my girlfriend complaining about my looks,” he wrote, adding in an interview, “I’m not James Bond or nothing, but these look pretty nice.”

    The shirt has a barely discernible side slit with Velcro through which, he said, he can yank his Colt 1911 from his waistband holster. Depending on circumstances and mood, he might also carry a folding knife and, at night, a flashlight in a pair of Woolrich chinos his girlfriend bought for him.

    Carriers of concealed guns say the new options are a departure from the law enforcement and military look, known as “tactical,” long favored by gun owners.

    The latest styles, by contrast, are called “concealed carry” or “covert fashion.”

    “What we’ve tried to do is create a collection of garments that allows the end user to have stylish lifestyle apparel but have features in the garment that enable them to carry a weapon and draw the weapon quickly,” said David Hagler, a vice president at 5.11 Tactical, who was lured from Nike to work at 5.11, one of the biggest makers of clothing for soldiers and police officers.

    The company’s growing concealed-carry line includes a lightweight water-resistant vest coming this fall — the sort of vest that is standard and trendy at any mainstream outdoor shop but has strategic pockets for guns. It also includes a stealth compartment in front so the wearer can appear to be warming his hands while actually gripping a pistol in a waistband holster.

    Other companies are rushing to meet the demand for concealed-carry clothing. Under Armour, best known for its sports and action gear, will be adding a jacket and a plaid shirt with Velcro pockets for easy gun access.

    Kevin Eskridge, senior director for outdoor product and design at the company, said the company had seen demand double in the last year for such clothing from traditional outdoor and sporting goods stores, like Dick’s Sporting Goods and Cabela’s.

    Mr. Eskridge said the Under Armour apparel was catching on because of fashion but also because of its features, including moisture-wicking fabric.

    “Others are making shirts with gun access but using regular cotton,” he said. With his company’s fabrics, “there’s no stink factor,” he said. And if gun owners do not use fabrics that wick away moisture, “You’ll literally rust out,” he added.

    Gun experts suggest that there are many reasons for the growth in the number of people with concealed-carry permits. They say it is partly due to a changing political and economic climate — gun owners are professing to want a feeling of control — and state laws certainly have made a difference.

    After a campaign by gun rights advocates, 37 states now have “shall issue” statutes that require them to provide concealed-carry permits if an applicant meets legal requirements, like not being a felon. (A handful of other states allow the concealed carrying of handguns without a permit). By contrast, in 1984 only 8 states had such statutes, and 15 did not allow handgun carrying at all, said John Lott, a researcher of gun culture who has held teaching or research posts at a number of universities, including the University of Chicago.

    Only one state, Illinois, now forbids handgun carrying in any form, but the legislature is considering a change.

    A majority of states have long allowed the open carrying of handguns, said Mr. Lott, who also provided the data on gun permits. But the reality, said Mr. Lott and other gun experts, is that people do not want to show others that they are carrying a weapon or invite sharp questioning from the police.

    The clothing lines address a perceived need in the concealed-carry subculture. Gun owners say they want to practice “maximum uncertainty,” meaning that if a gun is sufficiently concealed, a potential criminal will be unsure whether to attack. Gun experts say the research is inconclusive about whether such tactics reduce crime. Regardless, the clothing makers are jumping on the line of thinking.

    “When someone walks down the street in a button-down and khakis, the bad guy gets a glimmer of fear, wondering: are they packing or not?” said Allen Forkner, a spokesman for Woolrich, which started its concealed-carry line in 2010 with three shirts.

    The company has since added new patterns for shirts, pants and the Elite Discreet Carry Twill jacket, in dark shale gray and dark wheat tan. In addition to its gun-friendly pockets, the jacket has a channel cut through the back that the company says can be used to store plastic handcuffs.

    Not everyone who carries a concealed gun is a fan of the new fashion. Howard Walter, 61, a salesman at Wade’s Eastside Guns in Bellevue, Wash., said he preferred to carry his Colt — and a couple of knives and two extra magazines — in a durable pair of work pants.

    “They don’t shout ‘gun,’ they shout ‘average guy in the street,’ ” said Mr. Walter, who years ago worked in sales at Nordstrom. But really, he said, the most important thing in picking clothing is to choose something that works for the weapon. “They should dress for the gun,” he said he advised his customers. “Not for the fashion.”
    A version of this article appeared in print on April 24, 2012, on page A1 of the New York edition with the headline: New Fashion Wrinkle: Stylishly Hiding the Gun.

    http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/24/us...me&ref=general

  6. #1856
    Senior Member AirborneSapper7's Avatar
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    7 Medicinal Herbs And Spices That Help Lower Blood Pressure

    Global News, Health Add comments

    - 7 medicinal herbs and spices that help lower blood pressure (Natural News, April 26, 2012):
    High blood pressure is an epidemic that is currently sweeping across America. The fast lifestyle of fast food, soda and stress is starting to catch up on the average American, so much so that an estimated one in every three Americans has high blood pressure. This puts them at risk of heart disease, stroke and even kidney disease. Moreover, this condition is costing the country 93.5 billion dollars in health care services.

    Putting too much faith in the medical establishment to find a cure for your high blood pressure may no longer be advisable in the least. The number of prescription drugs on the market and the cascade of variations suggest that a cure for blood pressure is not in the offing anytime soon.

    Despite all the consequences associated with high blood pressure, it is still a condition that is preventable and easily managed. Observing a healthy balanced diet and enjoying an active, healthy lifestyle can help avoid the risk of high blood pressure as well as reduce one that is already elevated.

    High blood pressure – A package of woe
    There is no one identifiable cause for high blood pressure. A combination of factors like stress, alcohol, smoking, weight and lack of physical activity seem to have to come together to produce this problem, which is further compounded by family history and age.

    Although it is a condition that if left unattended could gravitate to something worse, high blood pressure is not a disease. Taking proactive measures in preventing heart diseases, stroke and even kidney disease by managing your blood pressure may be the best decision you can make today.

    While the idea of drug-free high blood pressure management through the use of herbs and spices has slowly been gaining ground, it is still treated with skepticism by the medical establishment. The reliance on prescription drugs, however, has not in any way shown that high blood pressure could be cured through this manner. There are still reports by patients who are currently using drugs to manage their high blood pressure that their condition has not shown any improvement, nor their quality of life. Instead, they have to deal with side effects and drugs that are expensive to maintain.

    Spice up your life
    In a published study featured in the Journal of Medicine, it was revealed that common spices can protect from heart disease and the deterioration brought about by aging. In the said study, researchers discovered a connection between the phenol content of certain herbs and spices and their capacity to prevent glycation and formation of AGE compounds that are responsible for premature aging and heart disease.

    As a way to manage your blood pressure, herbs and spices are a fantastic way to increase the medicinal value of your food. Below are some herbs and spices you may have been enjoying with no idea as to their value:

    1. Garlic – Garlic contains allicin, a substance which has antibacterial, antioxidant, lipid lowering and anti-hypertension properties. In a pilot study made at Clinical Research Center of New Orleans on whether garlic could lower blood pressure, nine patients with severe hypertension were given a garlic preparation containing 1.3 % allicin. Sitting blood pressure fell with a significant decrease in diastolic blood pressure only five to 14 hours after the dose. Moreover, it was proven in a 2009 study that fresh garlic has more potent cardio-protective properties than processed garlic.

    2. Cinnamon – Cinnamon not only prevents heart disease, it can also prevent diabetes. The Center for Applied Health Sciences in Ohio conducted a study of 22 subjects, half of which were given a 250mg of water soluble cinnamon daily while the other half were given placebo. It was discovered that those who drank cinnamon had a 13 to 23 percent increase in antioxidants connected with lowering blood sugar levels.

    3. Onions – Onions contain quercetin, an antioxidant flavonol found to prevent heart disease and stroke. In a research study published in the Journal of Nutrition, subjects with hypertension experienced a decrease in their blood pressure by 7mmHg systolic and 5 mmHg diastolic as opposed to those who were taking placebo.

    4. Olives – This herb is a significant part of the Mediterranean diet, recognized to be one of the healthiest in the world. Oil made from olives has been found to reduce blood pressure. In a study conducted on the importance of olive oil, Dr. L. Aldo Ferrara, Associate Professor at the Frederico II University of Naples in Italy discovered that the daily use of 40 grams of olive oil reduced the dosage of blood pressure medication in hypertensive patients by about 50 percent. Polyphenols in extra-virgin olive oil was credited for the significant reduction of blood pressure.

    5. Oregano – This herb contains the compound carvacrol which has been proven to be effective against blood pressure. In a study conducted on animal subjects, by researchers from Eskisehir Osmangazi University in Turkey, carvacrol was found to reduce heart rate, mean arterial pressure as well as the systolic and diastolic blood pressures.

    6. Hawthorn - This herb has been traditionally used to treat high blood pressure. In one study conducted in Reading, UK, 79 type-2 diabetic patients were randomized to receive 1200 mg of hawthorn extract while another group received medication for high blood pressure. Results revealed that patients taking hawthorn by the end of the 16th week showed a reduction in their mean diastolic pressure.

    7. Cardamom- In one study published in the Indian Journal of Biochemistry and Biophysics, 20 subjects newly diagnosed with primary hypertension were administered 3 g of cardamom powder. After the end of the 3 months, all the subjects experienced feelings of well-being without any side effects. Moreover, the study was able to demonstrate that blood pressure was effectively reduced. It also improved antioxidant status while breaking down blood clots without significantly altering blood lipids and fibrinogen levels.

    Taking advantage of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of spices and herbs is an excellent way to boost your body’s health. Herbs have low calorie content, increase the medicinal value of your food and allow you to use natural forms of lowering blood pressure. Mix them up with your soups, salads, fish and meat and vegetable dishes. It’s a healthier and cheaper alternative to keeping bottles of prescription drugs and synthetic supplements.

    Sources for this article:
    What Is High Blood Pressure? - NHLBI, NIH
    Know the truth about blood pressure
    The High Blood Pressure Hoax | Bellomo Family Chiropractic Life Center
    Allicin - Facts about Allicin
    Can garlic lower blood pressure? A p... [Pharmacotherapy. 1993 Jul-Aug] - PubMed - NCBI
    Freshly crushed garlic is a superior cardi... [J Agric Food Chem. 2009] - PubMed - NCBI
    Blood pressure lowering, fibrinolys... [Indian J Biochem Biophys. 2009] - PubMed - NCBI

    7 Medicinal Herbs And Spices That Help Lower Blood Pressure
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    Body Armor: Because If You’re Shooting Down Range, You Can Bet Someone’s Shooting Back At You

    Mac Slavo
    April 25th, 2012
    SHTFplan.com
    Comments 168
    Read by 12,085 people

    Food… check.

    Water… check.

    Guns and ammo… check.

    Gold, silver and bartering supplies… check.

    Most of those who have taken steps to prepare for a post-collapse America have acquired the basic essential goods and trading supplies that will be needed in the event of worst-case economic, financial or societal collapse. We’ve created bug-out, bug-in, and self defense plans that we hope will be sufficient enough to give us the edge against potential thieves, looters and criminals who will undoubtedly be coming for our supplies when resources in the general population begin to run dry.

    Stocked with the latest in SHTF weaponary and ammunition, the overwhelming majority of us believe that we’ll be able to neutralize any threat that may present itself.

    In general, the three million preppers in America will no doubt hold several key advantages over non-preppers, namely that we’ve stocked larder to provide the energy we need to function at optimal production levels, land that is isolated or well secured against the inevitable hordes of people looking basic survival goods like food, and firearms to defend what’s ours.

    However, despite how prepared we think we are, if there’s one principle by which preppers should operate it’s that best laid plans generally don’t pan out the way we anticipated. Murphy’s law will be in full effect in a post-collapse scenario. As such, we must operate from the standpoint that “anything that can go wrong will go wrong.”

    Many of us may (wrongly) assume that our guns and thousands of rounds of ammunition will be all that is needed to defend our homes against those who would do us harm, and that our well honed shooting skills will allow us to quickly incapacitate would-be attackers.

    Speak to any soldier who’s been in a firefight and you’ll quickly learn that this is not usually the case.
    While you may be able to accurately hit static targets at the range, if you’re engaged in a real life or death scenario your target will be moving, they’ll likely be coordinating with other elements of their raiding party, and most important of all, they’ll be shooting back.

    That’s right, you won’t be the only one with the firearms and best laid plans.

    As such, we must look to force multipliers which, through enhanced technology, strategies and equipment, increase our probability of victory.

    For those preparing for the end of the world as we know it and a battle for resources, one such force multiplier which can provide a significant advantage on a number of different levels is body armor.
    The fact of the matter is that if your home or property are under attack and you’re firing down range, in all likelihood the attackers are not coming at you with machetes and rocks. You can bet they’ll be shooting back at you – and they’ll be shooting to kill.

    In the video below, James Yeager of Tactical Response, gives some insight into the different types and protection levels of body armor that you should consider adding to your preparedness supplies.



    Sourced via Prepper Website
    How effective is body armor? In February of 1997 two bank robbers armed with fully-automatic AK-47′s and wearing heavy body armor were confronted by some 400 LAPD police officers. They were repeatedly hit by small arms fire, yet continued the shootout with police for some 40 minutes before they were finally eliminated by police SWAT snipers and LAPD officers who had acquired high powered rifles from local gun shops.

    Video 2: Hollywood Shootout 1997 - YouTube

    As you consider your home and property defense plans, think about the type of weaponry your attackers may be utilizing as they attempt to overtake you. How would you do it? Then, consider that classification levels of body armor you will need to protect against those weapons.
    Via GlobalSecurity.org:

    NIJ (National Institute for Justice) Standard-0101.04 establishes six formal armor classification types, as well as a seventh special type.

    Type I (.22 LR; .380 ACP)

    This armor protects against .22 long rifle lead round nose (LR LRN) bullets, with nominal masses of 2.6 g (40 gr), impacting at a minimum velocity of 320 m/s (1050 ft/s) or less, and against .380 ACP full metal jacketed round nose (FMJ RN), with nominal masses of 6.2 g (95 gr), impacting at a minimum velocity of 312 m/s (1025 ft/s) or less. Type I body armor is light. This is the minimum level of protection every officer should have, and the armor should be routinely worn at all times while on duty. Type I body armor was the armor issued during the NIJ demonstration project in the mid-1970s. Most agencies today, however, because of increasing threats, opt for a higher level of protection.

    Type II-A (9mm; .40 S&W)

    This armor protects against 9mm full metal jacketed round nose (FMJ RN) bullets, with nominal masses of 8.0 g (124 gr), impacting at a minimum velocity of 332 m/s (1090 ft/s) or less, and .40 S&W caliber full metal jacketed (FMJ) bullets, with nominal masses of 11.7 g (180 gr), impacting at a minimum velocity of 312 m/s (1025 ft/s) or less. It also provides protection against Type I threats. Type II-A body armor is well suited for full-time use by police departments, particularly those seeking protection for their officers from lower velocity 9mm and 40 S&W ammunition.

    Type II (9mm; .357 Magnum)

    This armor protects against 9mm full metal jacketed round nose (FMJ RN) bullets, with nominal masses of 8.0 g (124 gr), impacting at a minimum velocity of 358 m/s (1175 ft/s) or less, and .357 Magnum jacketed soft point (JSP) bullets, with nominal masses of 10.2 g (158 gr), impacting at a minimum velocity of 427 m/s (1400 ft/s) or less. It also provides protection against Type I and Type IIA threats. Type II body armor is heavier and more bulky than either Types I or II-A. It is worn full time by officers seeking protection against higher velocity .357 Magnum and 9mm ammunition.

    Type III-A (High Velocity 9mm; .44 Magnum)

    This armor protects against 9mm full metal jacketed round nose (FJM RN) bullets, with nominal masses of 8.0 g (124 gr), impacting at a minimum velocity of 427 m/s (1400 ft/s) or less, and .44 Magnum jacketed hollow point (JHP) bullets, with nominal masses of 15.6 g (240 gr), impacting at a minimum velocity of 427 m/s (1400 ft/s) or less. It also provides protection against most handgun threats, as well as the Type I, II-A, and II threats. Type III-A body armor provides the highest level of protection currently available from concealable body armor and is generally suitable for routine wear in many situations. However, users located in hot, humid climates may need to evaluate the use of Type III-A armor carefully.

    Type III (Rifles)

    This armor protects against 7.62mm full metal jacketed (FMJ) bullets (U.S. military designation M80), with nominal masses of 9.6 g (148 gr), impacting at a minimum velocity of 838 m/s (2750 ft/s) or less. It also provides protection against Type I through III-A threats. Type III body armor is clearly intended only for tactical situations when the threat warrants such protection, such as barricade confrontations involving sporting rifles.

    Type IV (Armor Piercing Rifle)

    This armor protects against .30 caliber armor piercing (AP) bullets (U.S. military designation M2 AP), with nominal masses of 10.8 g (166 gr), impacting at a minimum velocity of 869 m/s (2850 ft/s) or less. It also provides at least single-hit protection against the Type I through III threats. Type IV body armor provides the highest level of protection currently available. Because this armor is intended to resist “armor piercing” bullets, it often uses ceramic materials. Such materials are brittle in nature and may provide only single-shot protection, since the ceramic tends to break up when struck. As with Type III armor, Type IV armor is clearly intended only for tactical situations when the threat warrants such protection.
    Off the Grid News

    offers some additional items to consider before purchasing body armor:
    At a minimum, the vest you purchase should have the ability to accept hard plates, and that usually means purchasing exposed armor. Exposed armor like military IBA and IOTV vests (and clones) as well as plate-carrier-type systems have some serious advantages for the wearer.

    For starters, they are usually designed to by much tougher externally and use fabrics on the outside like 1000 denier nylon – ultra strong. They also accept hard plates for the front and back, and some models accept side plates. These vests and plate carriers are also usually equipped with MOLLE loops so you can add ammunition and sustainment pouches to the vest, giving you a full load out at your fingertips. Accessories are also widely available— things that take protection to the next level such as collar yokes and groin protectors and clever features like pull releases to drop the armor in the event of an emergency.
    If you’ve got the preparedness basics covered, body armor should be your next serious consideration. When your enemy is shooting back there is a good possibility someone you love can be seriously injured or killed. While body armor is not going to provide 100% protection, it is a force multiplier that can certainly give you, your family and friends a much better chance of repelling an attack. As we saw with the 1997 bank robbery, body armor can give you the ability to take a lickin’ and keep on kickin’, while the enemy at the gates may not have such a benefit. Additionally, in a collapse scenario there will be no doctors or emergency rooms, so even bullet wounds that are survivable with modern hospital care can quickly become deadly.

    Body Armor: Because If You're Shooting Down Range, You Can Bet Someone's Shooting Back At You
    Last edited by AirborneSapper7; 04-27-2012 at 04:33 AM.
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  8. #1858
    Senior Member AirborneSapper7's Avatar
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    The Barter Value of Skills

    Tess Pennington
    April 26th, 2012
    Ready Nutrition
    Comments (25)
    Read by 1,343 people

    This article has been generously contributed by Tess Pennington of Ready Nutrition. After joining the Dallas chapter of the American Red Cross in 1999 Tess worked as an Armed Forces Emergency Services Center specialist and is well versed in emergency and disaster management & response. You can follow her regular updates on Preparedness, Homesteading, and a host of other topics at www.readynutrition.com.

    Recently, we talked about the necessity of learning skills to aid us in a survival situation. Don’t underestimate the value of those skills for barter. If the grid goes down, people may be left with no access to medical care, serious gaps in their knowledge or the inability to repair vital items. If you possess those abilities, your skills will be in high demand.

    In the situation of economic collapse, there will be a revival of the barter system. To barter means to exchange your goods or services for someone else’s goods or services. To complete a satisfactory barter transaction, each person must desire something from the other party. Despite the potential of desperation, it’s morally imperative to be fair to the party that is most in need. Remember that one day, that person who is most in need may be you.
    Right now, if something breaks, the replacement is only as far away as the closest Wal-Mart. However, in the event of an economic collapse or a disaster that causes the trucks to stop running, it won’t be easy to replace broken items. The ability to repair broken items will be in very high demand. It will be a rare skill, because we live in a world of planned obsolescence. Few people actually know how to repair an item in a sturdy and long-lasting way.

    Brandon Smith of Alt-Market calls this about bringing back the American Tradesman:
    “If you wish to survive after the destruction of the mainstream system that has babied us for so long,” he says, “you must be able to either make a necessary product, repair a necessary product, or teach a necessary skill. A limited few have the capital required to stockpile enough barter goods or gold and silver to live indefinitely. The American Tradesman must return in full force, not only for the sake of self preservation, but also for the sake of our heritage at large.”

    Check out Brandon’s excellent article on the barter system here.

    There is no limit to the skills that could be used in a barter situation. Some examples would be:


    • First Aid for traumatic injuries
    • Sutures
    • Midwifery/delivering babies
    • Dental care
    • Herbal remedies
    • Animal Husbandry
    • Veterinary Skills
    • Teaching children
    • Teaching skills to adults like knitting, gardening, machine repair, etc.
    • Mechanic’s skills: the ability to fix solar generators, small machines, automobiles, etc.
    • Other repair skills: the ability to repair tools, woodstoves, plumbing, etc.
    • Gardening/Farming
    • Construction
    • Gunsmithing/Weapon repair
    • Security services
    • Food Preservation
    • Sewing/Mending
    • Making soap and candles
    • Blacksmithing


    If the grid goes down or the economy collapses in a long-term way, gone are the days of making your living doing IT work or ringing through purchases at the grocery store. You will need to become not only self-sufficient, but a provider of goods or services. Consider what abilities and knowledge you possess that can be shared with others. Nobody can do it alone – there is always going to be something you need that you can’t provide for yourself.

    This article has been contributed by Tess Pennington of Ready Nutrition.

    Subscribe to Tess’ Get Prepped Weekly Newsletter for more emergency preparedness tips, homesteading ideas, and insights. As a subscriber to her free newsletter you’ll receive the latest updates from her 52 Weeks to Preparedness Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Planning Series. It’s well worth your time, and oh, did we mention it’s totally free?

    Ready Nutrition and SHTFplan.com take your privacy very seriously and will not distribute or share your email address with other parties.

    http://www.shtfplan.com/emergency-pr...kills_04262012
    Last edited by AirborneSapper7; 04-27-2012 at 04:44 AM.
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  9. #1859
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    Getting Started
    Want to start collecting, saving and sharing good, clean, non-GMO seed? Here is how:



    1. First, get your seeds from a safe source – one that has no biotech ties. Be sure to get your starter seeds before contamination reaches such a level that non-contaminated seeds are unavailable.

    The following is a list of seed companies that provide organic and heirloom seed varieties. These companies have no ties to biotech interests, and do not get their seeds from Monsanto. This list is a work in progress. If you find that any information on this list is outdated or just plain wrong, please let me know so that I can update it.
    DOWNLOAD PDF HERE: FARMWARS SAFE SEED COMPANY LIST Ap082012

    ________________

    FARMWARS SAFE SEED COMPANY LIST

    The following companies have determined to NOT have any association with biotech interests, and DO NOT sell seeds sourced from companies owned by Monsanto.

    Please help us keep this list up-to-date. Last update: April 08, 2012



    SEED COMPANY


    WEBSITE


    Horizon Herbs


    Horizon Herbs-Organic growers of medicinal herb seeds, medicinal herb plants, organic vegetable seeds and organic garden seeds.


    Seed Site


    http://www.seedsite.eu


    Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds


    Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds - 1400 heirloom garden seeds!


    Amishland Heirloom Seeds


    Amishland Heirloom Seed Home


    Hudson Valley Seed Library


    Hudson Valley Seed Library


    D. Landreth Seed Company


    D. Landreth Company Heirloom Seeds and Open Pollinated Seeds


    Seeds Trust


    Seeds Trust


    High Mowing Organic Seeds


    Organic Seeds from High Mowing Organic Seeds - Organic Vegetable, Flower, Herb and Cover Crop Seeds, including Heirloom Varieties


    Uprising Seeds


    Uprising Seeds -- Organic Heirloom Seeds - (Powered by CubeCart)


    Wood Prairie Farm


    Wood Prairie Farm - Certified Organic Farm in Northern Maine


    Organica Seed


    Organica Seed


    Southern Exposure Seed Exchange


    Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, Saving the Past for the Future


    Fedco Seeds


    Fedco - Co-op Seeds, Gardening Supplies, Trees, Potatoes, Bulbs


    Family Farmers Seed Cooperative


    A Family Farmer Owned Seed Cooperative — Family Farmers Seed Cooperative


    White Harvest Seed Company


    White Harvest Seed Company - Heirloom Seeds For Your Farm And Garden


    Heirloom Organics


    Non-Hybrid Seeds | Non-Hybrid Vegetable Fruit Grain Herb Seeds


    Seed for Security


    Seed for Security


    The Living Seed Company


    http://www.livingseedcompany.com


    Sow True Seed


    Sow True Seed - Open Pollinated & Heirloom Garden Seeds


    Adaptive Seeds


    Adaptive Seeds | The Seeds of The Seed Ambassadors Project


    Seeds Now


    SEEDS NOW!: Buy 100% NON-GMO + NON-HYBRID Seeds HERE!


    Livingston Seed


    Livingston Seed


    Sustainable Seed Co.


    Sustainable Seed Company


    Grow Organic


    Garden Tools | Garden Supplies | Organic Gardening Supplies | Organic Seeds | Organic Fertilizer


    Victory Seeds


    Welcome to Victory Seeds&reg - Rare, Open-pollinated & Heirloom Garden Seeds


    Botanical Interests


    Botanical Interests. Heirloom Seeds. Organic Seeds.


    The Ark Institute


    The Ark - 100% Non-GMO Seed


    My Patriot Supply


    MyPatriotSupply.com - Your Patriot Owned Survival Store & Home of the Genesis Garden Survival Seed Vault


    Underwood Gardens


    The Finest Heirloom Seeds from Terroir Seeds | Underwood Gardens


    Heirloom Seeds


    HEIRLOOM SEEDS - over 1400 varieties of heirloom (non-hybrid) seeds including heirloom vegetable seeds, heirloom flower seeds and heirloom herb seeds.


    Wild Garden Seed


    Certified Organic Seed From Wild Garden Seed



    2. Learn how to harvest, process and store your seeds. here are in-depth instructions by Grandpappy.
    Robert Wayne Atkins, P.E.silver-dollar
    Grandpappy.info


    A Quick Comparison of Vegetable Seeds to Silver Dollars

    The small seed envelopes available for sale at hardware stores and supermarkets are generally priced between $0.97 to $1.69 per package. Each individual package usually contains somewhere between 100 mg to 3.5 g of seed, with an average of 900 mg of seeds per package. 1000 mg equals 1 gram and 1 gram equals 0.035 standard ounces. Therefore 900 mg equals approximately 0.0315 standard ounces or 0.0287 troy ounces. If the average seed package contains 900 mg of seeds and cost $0.97 then that is equivalent to $33.80 per troy ounce, which far exceeds the current market price of a one-ounce United States Silver Eagle. (Note: $0.97 / 0.0287 troy ounce = $33.80 per troy ounce.)

    Therefore, in today’s normal global economy, seeds are more expensive per ounce than pure refined silver. And history has repeatedly demonstrated that during serious worldwide famine conditions, food and seeds eventually become more valuable than gold.



    Basic Instructions for Saving Vegetable Seeds

    SEED TYPES: When you first purchase seeds you should avoid seeds“Hybrid Seeds.” Instead you should buy “Heirloom Seeds” or “Open Pollinated Seeds.” Hybrid seeds are “man-made seeds” and they are only good for ONE planting. (Note: If you plant hybrid seeds and then save the seeds from the hybrid plants that are produced, and then plant those seeds the following spring, the results will be unpredictable. The plant that grows will usually resemble one of its parents or grandparents or something in-between. It is also possible that it may produce NO fruit at all.) Heirloom seeds, on the other hand, will produce crops that yield seeds that will reproduce the same plant year after year after year as God originally intended. (Genesis 1:11 – Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth;” and it was so.) When you purchase a package of seeds, you should NOT plant ALL the seeds from the original package the first year. Instead you should save some of them for planting in future years in the event your first year’s planting efforts are not successful. You should also clearly mark exactly where you plant each type of seed with the name and variety of that seed so you can keep track of which varieties of seed do best in your climate and in your soil.
    DISEASE AVOIDANCE: After you have planted your seeds and the plants appear, do NOT collect seeds from a diseased plant because the disease will have infected that specific plant’s genes and all future plants grown from those seeds will be easily susceptible to that same disease.
    SEED SELECTION: Use the very best looking, strongest, and most productive plants in your garden for seeds. Generally, you are NOT looking for that ONE special fruit on the vine. Instead the characteristics you should look for are: early bearing of fruit, total fruit yield, fruit size and flavor and aroma, and disease resistance. Also, if applicable, late bolting to seed. Resist the urge to eat your most delectable looking vegetables. Those are the ones you want to duplicate every year in the future. After you have selected the fruits you want to keep for seed, identify them with a special marker such as a wooden stake beside the plant, or a ribbon or string loosely tied to the plant or vine. In most cases (but not all) it is important to save seeds from at least three different plants of the same variety to provide good pollination opportunities the following spring.
    SEED RIPENESS: Allow seeds to fully ripen before harvesting to achieve the best germination yield the following spring. The seed must be given time to store enough nourishment so it can germinate the following spring and grow into a healthy seedling.
    DRYING: Seeds must be dried before they are stored (between 5% to 13% moisture content, with an average of 8%). Individual seeds should be separated from one another so they can dry more evenly. Larger seeds will require more time to air dry whereas smaller seeds will require less time. Do NOT try to dry the seeds too quickly or they may shrink and crack. And do NOT dry at a temperature higher than 100°F. Indoor air drying is usually the best. However, if you live in an extremely humid area, then you may dry your seeds by placing them in the sun in front of a southern facing window for about two days. Since there is no easy inexpensive method for measuring the exact moisture content of your seeds, you will need to use your own judgment based on your personal experience. Generally the drier the seed (but NOT below 5%), the longer the seed will remain alive in storage. Based on Dr. James Harrington’s research, each additional 1% decrease in the dryness of a vegetable seed from 13% down to 5% will double its storage life, However, below 5% will normally kill the seed and above 13% will usually result in the seed not surviving the first winter. Since the home gardener does not have the expensive equipment to accurately measure the exact moisture content of a batch of seeds, the home gardener may wish to use a trial and error approach. When you first suspect that your seeds are dry enough, put half of them into paper envelopes and label the envelopes with the variety of seed and indicate how many days the seeds were dried. Continue drying the remainder of the seeds for a few more days. Then put half of those seeds into paper envelopes and label them as your second drying with the total number of drying days. After a few more days of drying put the remainder of the seeds into a paper envelope and label them as your third drying with the total number of drying days. When you test each envelope of seeds in future years, you can use this trial and error method to estimate the optimal number of drying days for each type of seed based on your climate, and your humidity, and your average normal drying conditions.
    STORAGE: AFTER your seeds are dry, store your seeds in a standard small paper envelope, or a paper bag, or a cloth bag in a dry, cool area. Do NOT allow the seeds to remain in direct contact with the air or they will gradually absorb moisture from the humidity in the air with the passage of time. After placing the seeds in a standard small paper envelope or cloth bag, you can store that envelope or bag inside a standard plastic freezer bag. Freezer bags are more expensive and of a higher quality than regular plastic bags. Do NOT seal your seeds inside a vacuum plastic bag without air because seeds are living organisms and they need a MINIMUM amount of air to continue their life cycle. The BEST place to store seeds is in a plastic freezer bag inside a refrigerator at a temperature between 33°F to 40°F. This will more than double the storage life of your seeds.
    LABELING: Clearly label each of your seed envelopes or bags using permanent ink to identify the exact variety of seed and the year the seed was harvested. Also include the number of days the seed was allowed to dry, along with any unusual weather conditions during the drying process, such as unusually humid weather or unusually warm or cold weather during the drying process.
    SEED BANK: Most seeds can successfully germinate for three to five years after harvesting, even if they are NOT stored in a refrigerator. Therefore, it is prudent to have your own “Seed Bank” into which you deposit approximately 10% of the seeds you harvest each year. If an unexpected disease attacks your crops one year then you will NOT be able to harvest any seeds from that year’s crops, even though you may be able to eat some or most of that year’s poor quality marginal vegetables. In this type of situation your “Seed Bank” will permit the re-establishment of the quality of your crops in future years. The seeds in your “Seed Bank” are your insurance against unpredictable future diseases that may sweep through your geographical area. They are also good insurance against an unexpected cross-pollination that produces a seed that is different than you expected. In most cases you will not become aware of this type of problem until harvest time the following fall. Once again, your “Seed Bank” will allow you to re-establish this variety the following spring using seeds saved from previous years BEFORE the problem appeared.
    EMERGENCY SEED RESERVE: Each spring you should gradually plant each variety of seed over an extended period of several weeks. You should NOT plant all your seeds of one variety at the same time. This reduces your risk of loss to late frosts and it provides a longer harvest period for fresh vegetables for the table. If you have seeds that are more than one year old which are NOT part of your “Seed Bank”, then your first planting the following spring should be one-half of those older seeds. If you do NOT have any two or three year old seeds, then do NOT plant more than half your previous year’s seed the following spring. Save at least half of the previous year’s seed as an “Emergency Seed Reserve” (in addition to your “Seed Bank”). Occasional late snows or an unexpected late frost can kill everything you plant at the beginning of spring. Your “Emergency Seed Reserve” will allow you to plant a second time that same year. Later during the spring or summer other problems may arise, such as heavy rains or no rains or insect damage or tornados or hurricanes, and these disasters could result in no crops to harvest in the fall. In disaster situations like these, it provides some comfort to know that you still have a reasonable amount of seed reserved for planting the following year. If you are forced to use your “Emergency Seed Reserve,” then only plant half of them and keep the rest of the seeds in reserve. Always keep at least half of your remaining seed as an “Emergency Seed Reserve” for really hard times. This means each future planting will be much smaller, but that is much better than having NOTHING to plant at all. Because of unpredictable situations such as the above, each year it would be wise to harvest at least twice the amount of seed you think you will need the following year. This strategy will also provide you with seed to share, sell, or trade and it will bring you one step closer to being an independent, resourceful human being in God’s natural order of things.
    PREPARING SEEDS FOR PLANTING: (Note: These suggestions are optional.) Place the seeds you wish to plant in the freezer compartment of your refrigerator for three hours. When you remove the seed from the freezer the rush of warm air will help to break its winter dormancy. Then place the individual seeds between two damp paper towels for one day in a warm area. The seed is now in an optimal condition for immediate planting.
    SPRING GERMINATION TEST: (Note: This step is optional.) You can test the viability of your seeds BEFORE you plant them in the ground in the spring. Use a medium-tip permanent marker to write the name of the seed and the year it was harvested on a DRY paper towel. Then dampen the paper towel and place ten seeds on one-half of the towel. Fold the towel in half so the seeds are between the two halves of the damp paper towel. Place the damp paper towel inside a plastic trash bag and put it in a warm place. You can put several damp paper towels containing different seed varieties in the same plastic trash bag. Keep the paper towels slightly damp but NOT soaking wet. Periodically check the seeds based on the average germination time for each type of seed. You can determine the “approximate” germination rate by counting the number of seeds that sprout and dividing by the original number of seeds tested. For example, if you tested 10 seeds and 8 of them sprouted, then the germination rate is 80% (8/10 x 100). You can then plant these sprouted seeds in a peat pot indoors if the outdoor weather is too cold, or you can plant them in the ground if warm weather has arrived.

    Click on Index of Home Gardening Tips - Vegetable Seeds - by Robert Wayne Atkins, P.E. - Grandpappy for more Gardening Tips.
    http://www.grandpappy.info/hseedgen.htm

    Click on Grandpappy's Information Home Page, by Robert Wayne Atkins, P.E., Christian Poems, Free Games, Recipes, Wilderness Survival Tips, Six-Sigma Quality. for Robert’s Home Page.

    Send e-mail to RobertWayneAtkins@grandpappy.info



    3. Start sharing your saved, tested seed on the Seed Lady Network!

    Barbara H. Peterson


    Getting Started | SLN ©

  10. #1860
    Senior Member AirborneSapper7's Avatar
    Join Date
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    Business for ‘Safe Rooms’ in Tornado Alley Is Booming
    Posted on April 28, 2012 at 6:51am
    by Liz Klimas

    Comments (3)

    Safe room business is booming in tornado-prone areas but experts say don't wait for a grant to pay for one. Freddie Wooten of Alabama build this one himself. (Image: AP video screenshot)


    The onslaught of tornadoes in recent years has those in twister-prone areas building backyard strongholds more than ever. They’re called “safe rooms”, and the Associated Press reports companies creating these extreme reinforced rooms find business booming in the tornado alley.

    Watch the report:

    Video at the page link:

    A professionally built, two-person tornado safe room by the company Tornado Safe Room, for example, costs just under $4,000 and boasts being strong enough to withstand 450 mph winds. Freddie Wooten built his own that could hold about a dozen people, saying it cost him $4,200.
    This is an in-house, above the ground safe room. (Photo: AP/Sue Ogrocki)


    This year has already been considered ripe with tornadoes, many of them coming earlier in the season that expected. Just this month, 75 tornadoes were reported to have touched down in the Midwest alone — during a 24 hour period.
    (Related: See other coverage of tornado stories by the Blaze)
    This Friday also marked the one year anniversary after more than 60 tornadoes tore through Alabama over a 1,000 mile stretch killing more than 250 people. Federal researchers recently completed a study on all these deaths to figure out if victims had received warning to take shelter and, if so, had they headed the advice. The conclusion was half of those who died had received the message and nearly all of those took shelter, which still didn’t save their lives.
    AP states there are some grants available to help residents in these areas buy a safe room or build their own. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has guidelines available for those who want to build their own stronghold and instructions for how communities can obtain grants.

    Still, one investigation by the Dallas-Fort Worth Texas, NBC affiliate found if you want funding you have to know how to ask for it. In its investigation, it reported FEMA has dished out about $540 million to help build these shelters in the last 13 years. Of the 16 counties a part of the North Central Texas Council of Governments, which includes the Dallas-Fort Worth (what NBC calls “the biggest metropolitan area in Tornado Alley”), only one county received funding to build shelters for 200 homes. This was because it was the only one who asked. There are other stipulations NBC reported, including having approved disaster mitigation plans in place. A spokesperson from the county who had received funding said it was a year-long process to obtain it.
    Tucker Shaw of SmartSafe Tornado Shelters checks to make sure the bottom of the hole he has dug for a safe room in a customer's garage floor is level. (Photo: AP/Sue Ogrocki)


    NBC reported researchers at Texas Tech stating those who wanted to build shelters for their own peace of mind should not rely on the government to get it done.

    “I think that people should provide their own protection and not wait for a grant,” Ernie Kiesling, a professor at the Wind Science and Engineering Research Center, said to NBC.

    Residents in Tornado Prone Areas Building ‘Safe Rooms | Video | TheBlaze.com
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