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Being Prepared / Re: 5 Questions to ask yourself - Food supply
« Last post by Peter on February 28, 2022, 10:05:03 AM »
water
we can only last 3 days without it.
store a few cases of bottled water (better in glass, demijohn), don’t store in sunlight
check your guttering, collect rain, buy butt (good butts (food grade barrels) with lids, and tap near bottom but not at bottom)
can also collect water with tarp with hole in middle
water testing kit if you have a spring/well – filter and disinfect
filter, sand and charcoal: turn 2 litre bottle upside down, cut off base, put coffee filter in neck, then 2 inches activated charcoal (from pet shop), then 2 inches fine sand, then layer of pea gravel. Should come out clear (try with food colouring)
disinfect: boil few mins
if flat, pour between cups to aerate OR add ascorbic acid (teaspoon) and bicarb (quarter teaspoon)
can also use the sun’s UV, lie on black surface in sun for 1 day (2 if cloudy) BUT…..
or bleach: (once opened only lasts 6 months, long term look at calcium hypochlorite) Quarter teaspoon per gallon.
Or 4 drops colloidal silver per gallon (how to make colloidal silver)
or buy water purification tabs
Salt water: condensing, boil, catch steam and funnel to container (plastic sheet, condensed water runs down folds)
OR use a water distiller (clean with citric acid or vinegar) Can work on electric or HOW to make a DIY water distiller
birch sap, half inch drill, tube in spring time just before leaves come out
Consumption? Individual, not nec. 2 litres, maybe just one. Dehydration symptoms?

food  -
key is to diversify: store, grow & forage
how to sprout beans, each time you shop, bean sprouter and micro greens
(note: long term, freeze dried food will damage your digestion, plus v. high in sodium leading to high blood pressure)
store: aim for 3 months
cans (meat, veg and fruits: check sell by dates, discard bulging, rusted or sharp dented. Keep cool and dry), dry grains (white rice – brown doesn’t keep), legumes (mung, alfalfa, clover are good – rinse, soak overnight, drain but keep moist by rinsing 2 or 3 times a day, can use in c. 4 days) and pasta
boullion for flavour (also dehydrated soups)
baking stuff, yeast, flour
cooking oil
herbs and spices – practice cooking now
air dried fruit, veg and meat
grow: start practicing now, even container gardening.
heirloom seeds, tools,
what grows best in your area? What do you like? How much do you need?
Root cellar (bury metal trash can on higher ground, leave couple inches above ground, put in veg but not apples, bit of straw, put on lid and cover with tarp, weighed down. Check for rotting regularly.
Home canning?
Chickens, rabbits, tilapia in barrels? Source feed.
Bees
forage: start hiking and learning, buy books about local area. Plants look different at different times of year.
Try using small amounts added to diet to see which ones you ‘like’
hunting:
catapult
traps – needs practice (but might be illegal). What game is there? What does it eat? Where are they? check once a day. How to skin a squirrel or rabbit. How to preserve (dehydration (slice quarter inch fat free strips, add salt and spices and place on clean net screen with one on top to keep bugs off and put in back window of car in sun), smoking (cold smoking preserves best: hardwood fire in pit 150 degree F , lots of smoke and hang inch thick meat, surround in tarp, done when shrivelled, dark and brittle, c. one day, 2 days better as will keep a month), freezing,
buy rods, hooks and sinkers to suit local fish now and practise
shrimp baskets with carrion, know tide times
knives
whetstone
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UK Network / Re: UK Network Beltain/Mayday Party
« Last post by Carole on February 22, 2022, 02:02:47 PM »
A fun day for all, bring it on.
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UK Network / UK Network Beltain/Mayday Party
« Last post by Tony on February 20, 2022, 03:39:51 PM »
Beltain/Mayday celebrations have gone on in the UK in one form or another for as far back as people and UK recorded history can remember.

It has been suggested that as "The UK Network" we have our own Beltain/Mayday celebration this year (providing we are not locked up again) based on various folklore from around the UK. As some of us have regularly put on "Beltain" celebrations in the past it seems like a good idea (to me) !

So the question is do the members of the forum like the sound of the idea?
And would you like to get involved?

   
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Being Prepared / 3 month food supply
« Last post by Administrator on February 20, 2022, 03:06:31 PM »
3 Month storage supplies

Grains

If you are in an emergency situation, you are going to need to make sure that you and your loved ones have got plenty of energy and sustenance to stay alive and healthy. While there are plenty of food items that you might want to throw into your food storage stockpile based on tastes, what you really want to focus on is taking care of your basic needs first.
There is no food item that is more important for you to incorporate into your food storage stockpile than grains. Grains are the most fundamental source of nutrition that you need to keep you going, which is why you want to make this the primary item that will dominate your food storage.
Before you begin buying large amounts of grains for your food storage, you should first think about exactly how much you need. If you are living on your own, then you just need to focus on enough grains for a single-member household. However, if you have got a family to take care of, then you are going to need considerably more grains to ensure that everyone in your home has at least a 3 month supply of grains.

To adequately supply the average adult with enough grains to last them 3 months in an emergency situation, you should plan to have at least 90 to 100 lbs worth of grains in your food storage stockpile (give or take). You should ultimately decide what will be more necessary for you based on factors such as your Body Mass Index, as some adults need considerably more than others and some need a bit less. If you want to play it safe, it never hurts to have an extra 10 to 20% more than what you initially think you need.
If you need to have enough grains to supply the average-sized UK family of 4 people per household (2 adults and 2 children), then you are going to need to plan accordingly. Your kids will need to eat a bit less than you provided that they are aged 12 and under. You should plan to have roughly 300 to 320 lbs of grains for the average American family. With that being said, if you have teenagers in the house who are above the age of 12, you should add an extra 20% on top of this figure to ensure that you have enough grains.


Here are some examples of common grain products that you should add to your 3-month food storage stockpile:


    • Oats
    • Rice
    • Barley
    • Corn
    • Wheat
    • Rye
    • Pasta

Now, before you drive down to the store and begin buying just any type of grain products that you see on the shelf, you should first understand that grains come in different shapes, sizes, and levels of nutrition. You want to make sure that your belly stays full but, at the same time, you want to be able to give your body food that is going to benefit it optimally.
There are plenty of simple grain products out there such as white rice and white bread, but all in all, these food items are essentially empty calories that are not going to provide you with the nutrients that your body needs over a prolonged period of time - especially if you are planning a 3-month stockpile of food storage goods.
As you shop for your grain products, try to prioritize buying items that are labelled as ‘whole wheat’. Whole wheat or whole grain products are considerably healthier for you as they will have complex carbohydrates that will give you your bang for your £ when it comes to nutrition. The golden rule with grain products is the browner the better. (The exception to this is rice where a stock of white non-whole grain is better for you) You will find that there are often whole wheat or whole grain options available for just about every type of grain product that you look at.

The above-mentioned grain items are fantastic for a food storage system. However, you should also consider incorporating some less traditional grain products that are not as common but even healthier such as quinoa, buckwheat, and chia seeds. The best way to approach your grains is to have a variety of different products read to go. Each grain that you choose for your 3-month stockpile is going to have unique characteristics and nutrients - all of which will do wonders for your body.
In addition, having a variety of different grains is a great way to keep your palette happy. If you are in a situation where you need to be eating your food storage items for a 3 month period, you are probably going to get tired of eating the same thing every single day. To keep your food options from getting old, have as many different grain products as you can in your stockpile so that you can actually enjoy your meals.

Legumes

The next item(s) on your list should focus on meeting your other nutrient needs, which would be protein. This is a fundamental nutrient that your body cannot live without, especially for prolonged periods of time, as it is responsible for balancing and delivering essential hormones and so many other vital bodily processes.
Traditionally, when we think of protein, we tend to associate it exclusively with meat products. While meat does have a whole lot of protein, the truth is that this protein is actually not as suitable for food storage systems. Although meat is rich in protein, it can prove to be challenging to store which makes it less practical. Furthermore, this type of protein is actually less healthy than other protein sources such as plant-based proteins, which is why the Latter-Day Saints Church recommends that its members have a substantial amount of legumes in their food storage stockpile.

While you do need a lot of legumes to last you for a 3-month food storage system, you do not need nearly as much as your grains. For the average adult, you should plan to have at least 14 to 16 lbs worth of legumes in your food storage system. However, if you feel that you may need more than this, you should plan accordingly to ensure that you are well-stocked.
With that being said, if you are planning a food storage system for an entire family, then you will need quite a bit more legumes in your stockpile. For the average family of 4, you should plan to have at least 50 to 55 lbs of legumes in your food storage system. If you have children who are over the age of 12, however, you should add an additional 10% on top of this for every child in your family.
Let’s take a look at some common legumes that are great for a food storage system:

    • Kidney Beans
    • Black Eyed Peas
    • Chick Peas
    • Green Peas
    • Lentils

The vast majority of the legumes that you buy for your food storage should be dried. This means that you are going to have to soak them and cook them in order to incorporate them into your meals. This is a much safer and more reliable way of having legumes in your stockpile.
However, you may also want to add some canned legumes into the mix, which can be especially useful if you ever experience issues with having access to a stove or a fire. Canned legumes are great to have as a backup, as these are already cooked and can be eaten right out of the can or thrown into most meals very easily.
Just make sure that you carefully consider the weight of canned legumes as they have already been soaked in water and will have roughly 30% added weight to them. In addition, to canned legumes, you can also add some nuts into this section of your food storage system. Nuts are a great source of protein and can be eaten without any preparation, which makes them perfect for snack items.

Dairy

If you are relying on your food storage stockpile, you have got to have some dairy to add to your diet. Milk products can be very beneficial to your stockpile, as you can incorporate some of them into your meals but you can also just enjoy them on their own without any cooking being required.
Now, when you go shopping for your dairy products for your food storage system, you need to be very selective with what you pick. The shelf-life of dairy products is very short. So, you can’t afford to add anything that is fresh into your stockpile. Some people often try to add things like ‘long life milk’ to their food storage system but that is also not advisable, no matter what the expiration date says, as these products are still subject to contamination and often come in packaging that is quite delicate.
What you are going to want to focus on when shopping for dairy products are ones that are labelled as dried. Dried dairy products are a fantastic addition to add to your food storage, as they take up very little space, will last for a very long time, and can be just as delicious as a lot of fresh products.
Let’s take a look at some dried dairy products that are perfect for your food storage system:

    • Powdered milk
    • Powdered cheese
    • Canned Cheese


Whether you just want to have a tall glass of milk or get creative with your dairy products such as adding powdered cheese to your legumes and grains, having these kinds of food items in your food storage system is a great way to diversify your meals.
With that being said, you are going to want to make sure that you have an adequate amount of dairy products to last you 3 months. This means that for the average adult, you are going to want to have at least 7 to 8 lbs of dairy products in your food storage system, which you can increase by a pound or two if you feel like you will need it.
However, if you have to supply your entire family of 4 with enough dairy products to last 3 months, then you are going to want to have at the very least 25 to 27 lbs of dairy inside of your stockpile. If you happen to have children that are above the age of 13, then you should plan to add roughly 15% for every child in your household to this number.

Sugars

If there is one thing that your palette is going to crave after some time of eating food storage goods, it is something sweet.
It goes without saying, that food storage items are not the most glamorous or the most satisfying things that you could hope to eat but that does not mean that you can’t have something that you can enjoy from time to time.

The best thing that you can add to your food storage to satisfy your cravings is some sugar. Sugar is an incredibly useful and dynamic item to add to your stockpile, as it will store for prolonged periods of time and you can also use it in a lot of different ways such as for cooking and also for mixing in with other foods.
If you are an average adult, you should plan to have at least 15 to 17 lbs of sugar inside of your food storage system. This should be more than enough to take care of your basic sugar needs. However, if you plan on using sugar in more creative ways such as for cooking, you might want to consider adding an additional 20% on top of whatever you buy.
However, if you have got a family to feed then you are going to need considerably more sugar in your stockpile. For a family of 4 people, you should plan on having at least 50 lbs of sugar in your food storage system to last you 3 months. If you happen to have any children who are the age of 13, then you should add an additional 5 lbs of sugar per child. You can also add an additional 10% or so to your final amount if you plan on using sugar in your cooking frequently.

Salt & Spices

One of the most important things that you can keep in your food storage system is salt.
This is an item within your cooking that will really add flavour to everything and it will tie your meals together. So, do not overlook this essential item in your 3-month stockpile, as you will be eating a lot of bland food otherwise.
For the average adult, you should plan to have at least 2 lbs of salt in your food storage system to last you 3 months. However, for the average family of 4 people, you should plan on having at least 6 lbs of salt.


Salt is going to be a great addition to your system as it will pretty much never go bad and it is incredibly easy to store. With that being said, in addition to salt, you should consider throwing some additional things that will go well with it into the mix such as various spices.
Spices and herbs are going to only make your food storage items taste better, which is going to be very beneficial if you are eating the same things every day. There are so many different spices for you to consider, but ultimately, the ones that you choose will really be up to you and your own personal taste preferences.
Let’s take a look at some common herbs and spices that are great choices for your 3-month food storage system:


    • Pepper
    • Chili Flakes
    • Oregano
    • Basil
    • Cumin
    • Curry Powder

The great thing about having various kinds of herbs and spices in your food storage is that they take up such a small amount of space and will last for ages, so long as you store them properly.

Fats


While most of us out there are trying to lose a few pounds of fat, this is actually a very beneficial item for your food storage system.
There are a lot of different fats out there - some good - some bad. You are going to want to have an adequate amount of the good ones ready to go in your food storage stockpile, as these are not only healthy but will be great for your meals.
For the average adult, you should make sure that you have at least 7 to 8 lbs of fats inside of your stockpile. However, if you have a family of 4, then you will need considerably more - with 25 lbs being the recommended amount. For families with children over the age of 13, you should add an additional 15% on top of this figure.
Here are some common fat items that you can add to your food storage system:


    • Canned Butter
    • Shortening
    • Vegetable Oil

These items are all going to be great for cooking and for adding flavour to your food. However, you may want to consider some alternatives that are healthier and more beneficial to your diet. Some great alternatives to these items would be to use fats such as extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, and canola oil. These have considerably more nutrients and added benefits but they are also better for cooking given that they have a higher smoke temperature than traditional fat products.

Extra Food Items


If you have compiled the above-mentioned food items with their recommended quantities, then you should have the right amount of food to last you 3 months - based on the Latter-Day Saints Church’s specifications.
These items have an abundance of nutrients, are easy to store, and will provide you with everything that you need. However, if you have taken care of all of your essential food items for your stockpile and happen to still have room left over for additional goods, there is no reason that you can’t add some of your favourite food items to the mix.
The extra items that you choose are pretty much up to you but just as before you should try to prioritize things that are going to be beneficial to you and are going to last in a food storage system for a long time.

That means that you should avoid adding items that are fresh and have a short shelf life.


    • Beef Jerky
    • Spam
    • Corned Beef
    • Canned Sardines
    • Noodles
    • Chips
    • Crackers
    • Candy
    • Chocolate
    • Dried Fruit

We all have our guilty pleasure foods and although they may not be as important as the essential items in your food storage list, it is nice to have something to treat yourself in an emergency situation.
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UK Network Media Channel / UK Column News Casts
« Last post by Tony on February 20, 2022, 02:36:33 PM »
The UK Column has asked people to spread their news-casts on various platforms.

The UK Online is happy to oblige.

If you want honest news reporting that's well researched and presented, this is the team to watch.


UK COLUMN NEWS 28th FEB 2022




UK COLUMN NEWS 25th FEB 2022




UK COLUMN NEWS 21st FEB 2022






UK COLUMN NEWS 18TH FEB 2022


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UK Network Media Channel / Video Channels
« Last post by Tony on February 20, 2022, 02:29:32 PM »
The UK Network has at present one media channel that we use for the subject matter that we put out. As time and numbers increase the Network hopes to increase both the channels we use and the content we cover.
But for now enjoy and share this content on your social media platforms to help increase the number of people that may benefit from the content we put out.

Regards

Tony


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Being Prepared / 5 Questions to ask yourself - Food supply
« Last post by Administrator on February 19, 2022, 07:15:57 PM »
5 Questions to Ask Yourself – 3 Month Supply of Food


When it comes to getting a 3 month food storage together, we have found that a lot of people get so much anxiety over the whole thing that they don’t do it at all. Ask yourself these questions, and as you do so you’ll see a plan start to form .


1. WHY AM I BUILDING A 3 MONTH SUPPLY OF FOOD?
 
Are you storing a 3 month supply of food for a potential job loss? For a potential natural disaster? For meal planning purposes? Whatever it is that you are doing this for will influence how you go about planning, so first – decide – Why Am I Doing This?


2. WHAT KINDS OF FOODS DO I WANT TO INCLUDE?

Are you the type that thinks your 3 month plan can only have shelf stable items? Do you think fridge and freezer foods count in your 3 month plan? Do you want to make a plan based on the assumption that you can still buy produce to fill in holes in your recipes? Once you have decided which types of foods you want in your 3 month plan, you’ll be able to filter your recipes to fit that criteria. While it’s always good to have some shelf stable recipes, planning strictly shelf stable meals is a hard place to start for people that are just starting to do this.


3. HOW WILL I PLAN WHAT TO BUY FOR MY SUPPLY?

    • Some people find that buying foods they use often in bulk fit their goals for a 3 month plan.
    • Some people like to plan their meals on our printable pdf forms with good old fashioned pens and pencils.


4. HOW MUCH MONEY CAN I AFFORD TO BUDGET?

While the end goal is to use foods daily from your pantry, and replace them with your regular grocery shopping, to get your supply kick started you may need to budget a certain amount of money to get your supply going. Figure out what you can spare until you have a supply built up and think of it as an investment.


5. HOW WILL I SHOP FOR MY 3 MONTH SUPPLY?

When you have determined WHAT you need to buy, develop a plan to purchase. You may decide buying one extra item each time works for you, or you might get into and sale shopping and buy things only when on sale. Whatever fits your style, having a game plan in place will help.
Good luck, and remember there aren’t RIGHT answers to these questions. EVERYONE has a different style, and you need to figure out what works for you!
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UK Network / Courses and the UK Network
« Last post by Administrator on February 19, 2022, 06:16:54 PM »
Projects

Our starting aims at the outset of this adventure is to create simple courses that can be run as “in person” groups consisting of small numbers of people getting together in and around the Pembrokeshire area to learn new skills and knowledge that fits in with the Sovereign approach to living life which is part of the foundation of the UK Networks way of looking and doing things.

Keeping with the Sovereign approach, once a course has been put together, reviewed, tested and approved it will be made available to members and the general public via various advertising locations for what should be a fair priced structure so the educators can be paid for their time in delivering them.

At present we have no intention of running online or video versions of these courses, but that may change as time and increased numbers of people come on board within the network as it grows.


Current Courses

We are at present working on four courses, which will take various lengths of time to complete, these courses are around the following subjects:

    • Prepping: Introductory course to cover the basics of being prepared for the short term.

    • Health: Introductory course covering the basics of mental health and sovereign focus.

    • Health: Introductory course covering the basics of herb usage.

    • Legal: Introductory course covering the creation of a Legal Power of Attorney document for individuals to protect themselves in the event of needing someone to look out for your interests.


Once these course and others we aim to create in the future are complete, it is our aim to train people to be educators in administering them and encourage the use of them as a means to generate income from themselves as sovereign educators around the UK.
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UK Network / About the UK Network
« Last post by Administrator on February 19, 2022, 05:17:26 PM »
The UK Network



The UK Network is a combination of online and in person contact and interaction with the aim of creating networks for individuals and groups. The emphasis being  “in person” as the primary and preferred method of growth for the network.
 
Web location:

 https://www.uk-network.org


Physical location:

The Letterston Man Shed
Old Station Road
Station Road
Letterston
Pembrokeshire
SA62 5RY




Meet up times:

Sunday 10.00am till 1.00pm

Cost: To cover the costs of the venue and help the network grow financially it is recommended that people give £1.00 per person for attending in the Letterston Mans Shed location.

Please note, this in a voluntary payment and not compulsory. At the end of each session any money collected will be split on a 50/50 basis with the Letterston Man Shed and the UK network.
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