'Wet Fire" Tinder-home-made

From Tactical Intelligence.net

WetFire Tinder is a very popular water-proof fire-starting tinder made by Ultimate Survival Technologies. The great benefit of it is that it easily lights with a spark from flint/steel or a ferrocerium rod (or flame for that matter) and is virtually weather proof. If your life depends on making a fire in severe weather, than WetFire is a must have. The only problem is that it’s expensive (around $14 for 8 cubes). So why pay all that money when you can make your own?
My homemade version may not be the exact “Trade Secret” that UST claims to have but I find it’s just as waterproof, it easily takes a spark and flame, and it burns in the wind and rain.
What’s my secret?
Well, it’s really no secret at all, in fact it’s just cotton balls and Vaseline that dipped in melted paraffin wax (candles work too).
Most of you have probably heard of cotton balls and Vaseline as an effective tinder and I have to agree, cotton balls mixed with Vaseline do make great tinder. The only issue is, if it got dropped in water or soaked from the rain, it will not light. This method will.
How to Make Homemade WetFire Tinder

Step 1: Combine cotton balls and Vaseline. This step is the same process you would do if you were making standard cotton-ball/Vaseline tinder. Just take a glob of Vaseline and knead it into the cotton ball.

Step 2: Melt the wax on the stove. You can use old candles or paraffin wax. Be sure to keep the stove top temperature at low since the wax can ignite at high temperatures.

Step 3: Dip the cotton balls in the melted wax. Be sure that the cotton ball is completely submerged in the melted wax. This will ensure that it is completely waterproof. For this step I find it easiest to use chop sticks.

Step 3: Place on tin foil and put in freezer. Although this step isn’t necessary, I like to place it immediately in the freezer since it cools very quickly. The foil just keeps it from sticking when it hardens.
*Note: You may be thinking,”why should I bother with the Vaseline, can’t I just dip dry cotton balls in the wax?” The purpose of the Vaseline is to prevent the wax from being completely soaked up by the cotton. If you skip the first step, the cotton will get completely saturated by the wax such that when it dries you’ll never be able to fluff it up to the needed amount to allow it to catch a spark and burst into flame.
How to Use your Homemade Wetfire Tinder
Using your tinder is a simple process, for optimum results, the following steps should be taken:

Step 1: Cut/Break the tinder in half. By breaking the tinder in half, you expose the Vaseline mixed cotton inside.

Step 2: Fluff up the tinder. Break up the tinder in your hands and repeatedly pull the tinder apart, trying to create a fluffy mass. The more”fluffy” it is, the easier it will take a spark or flame.

Step 3: Light the tinder. Using flint/steel or some other spark creating tool (of course a lighter or match would be fine as well), light the tinder bundle.

Tips for Successful Bread Making

I took this information from Honeyville Farms' SLC Store Manager's handout. And since I work there, I took the liberty of sharing this great information. Vinegar? Who woulda thunk?


Tips for Successful Bread Making

• Always use quality ingredients.

• Proof your yeast, even slightly.

•  Yeast develops best in a dark, moist, slightly warm environment.

Vital Wheat Gluten + Potato Flakes + White Vinegar

Gluten is like the muscles of the bread holding together those air bubbles. Kneading the bread is like flexing or exercising the muscles to make them strong to be able to hold those bubbles without breaking. So kneading doesn't create gluten, it just strengthens it. Because whole wheat is heavier than all-purpose flour and has bran and fiber which have jagged edges that can break the gluten we need to add more muscle into the bread.



Yeast eats sugar and creates air bubbles and gluten strengthens the bubbles.

Use 1 - 2 tbsp. of gluten for every cup of flour in your recipe.



Potato Flakes add starch to protect the air bubbles from popping. It's like adding "Goo" to the gluten bubbles. Use 1/4 c. for every loaf of bread your recipe will make.



White vinegar is an acid and strengthens the gluten bubbles. Some bakers crush a vitamin C table or acidic products for this reason. Use the same amount of vinegar as you use yeast.



~Karin

Are You Sick of Wheat Yet? I Hope Not - More Ideas for Using Wheat!

More Ideas for Using Wheat

1. Use a crock pot, double boiler, or rice cooker to cook the wheat.
2. Substitute wheat for rice or beans in any recipe.
3. Use what as a breakfast cereal. You can crack it, roll it and/or mix it with a variety of other grains. Add honey, nuts, milk or cream, and fruits such as raisins or dates.
4. Cook the wheat as you would rice, adding bouillon to flavor the water. Saute onions, celery, mushrooms and other vegetables of your choice to make wheat pilaf.
5. Mix any gravy or cream sauce with wheat and bake in a casserole dish topped with cheese.
6. Substitute wheat for rice in any fried rice dish, mixing it with chopped ham or sauteed vegetables.
7. Extend hamburger for tacos by adding cooked wheat berries. Use half beef and half wheat.
8. Grind cooked wheat and mix it with uncooked salmon, tuna, hamburger, roast beef, spam and spices. Form the mixture into patties and fry as you would hamburgers.
9. Sprout wheat and use it when the sprout is about half the size of the wheat kernel. Once wheat sprouts, ti becomes much more nutritious.

How to Cook Whole Wheat:

When cooking wheat, the rule of thumb is to use 2 cups water and 1/2 teaspoon salt for 1 cup of wheat. Rinse wheat. Place ingredients into sauce pan, bring to full boil, then turn heat down and simmer until he wheat is tender. Stir occasionally. Add a little more water if needed.

Crunchy Wheat Cereal:

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. In heavy saucepan add 3 cups washed wheat kernels to 8-1/2 cups of water. Bring to a boil and boil for two minutes.  Cover with a lid and put in the oven. TURN OVEN OFF. Leave in oven overnight. Eat warm in the morning with milk and sugar or honey. Store leftovers in the fridge and re-heat as wanted.

Cracked Wheat Cereal:

1/3 cup whole wheat kernels. Wheat can be cracked in a hand wheat grinder set on medium coarse setting. Or it can be cracked in an electric blender. Place wheat in the blender and run it on high for about 30 to 45 seconds. In a heavy saucepan mix 1-1/3 cups cool water with 1/3 cup cracked wheat and 1/4 tsp. salt. Place on stove over high heat. Stir frequently until the mixture comes to a boil. Turn down heat and let the cereal simmer for 10 minutes or until the kernels are tender. Serve warm with milk, honey or sugar.

Steamed Wheat:

1 cup whole wheat
2 cups water
1/2 tsp salt

Rinse whole wheat kernels. Use a steamer with water in the bottom to steam the wheat. Bring water to a boil, cover the pan with a lid, reduce heat add steam wheat until tender, about 20 minutes. This method makes pump and fluffy wheat berries. Makes 2 cups. Use in stir fry, salads.

Sprout - turn it magically into a vegetable!

The above are VERY basic recipes on wheat. Wheat is so easy to store and last such a long time, you might as well start practicing. The least it can do is make you healthier!

~Karin

What is Bannock?

Foods can be prepared while bugging out or just plain off the grid. If you’re on the go, with minimal gear, you’ll be glad you know that you can still prepare delicious foods that will both warm your body and improve moral.
In a bug-out situation or in many cases when off the grid, you won’t have all the amenities you’d normally have. But even without an oven or microwave there are plenty of things you can eat, and bread is no exception.
This recipe is one of my favorites when I’m out in the bush. It’s simple to make, delicious and doesn’t require an oven — just a pan, a flat rock, or even a stick, and a heat source. This versatile, oven-less bread is what the Scottish call Bannock. Here’s a video on how it’s done (using the pan method):

How to Make Bannock Instructions

	Step 1: Mix dry ingredients listed in one of the recipes below. This can be stored in a plastic or mylar bag until you need it.
	Step 2: Add water until you reach the consistency somewhere between pancake batter and pizza dough. At this point you can also optionally add any other ingredients you see fit (ie raisins, nuts, sausage etc).
	Step 3: Flatten dough onto a pan until it’s about a half an inch thick.
	Step 4: Cook on a greased pan (or non-stick cast iron pan) until medium brown underneath, flip over, cook, and repeat. Each side takes about 8-10 minutes depending on the heat of the heat source.

Recipe

Just as there are multiple ways of making bannock, there are equally multiple recipes and variations. Here are my two favorites:

Recipe 1 (breakfast bread) for Single Serving

• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup powdered milk
• 1/3 cup powdered egg
• 1 teaspoon baking powder

Mix all together and store in a plastic or mylar bag. Pack away in your bug-out bag or just take it with you when you’re camping!

Recipe 2 (dinner bread) for Single Serving

• 1 cup flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons powdered milk
• 1 teaspoon baking powder

Same as other recipe; mix all together and store in a plastic or mylar bag. Add water and cook over a fire!

From Tactical Intelligence.net

Group Think.....

"Reaching consensus in a group is often confused with finding the right answer". – Norman Mailer

Group Think, in a nutshell, is a theory which states that, in an effort to make decisions without conflict, the various viewpoints held by individual members of the group are conformed to the general viewpoint, thus stifling debate.  In theory it sounds true; practically we’ve all experienced it.  When was the last time you made vacation plans with several other families or tried to organize a church fundraiser with a committee of people?  The classic example of Group Think we discussed in class was the decision by NASA to launch the space shuttle Challenger [on January 28, 1986].  Some scientist at NASA presented the team with objections and advised the decision makers to postpone the shuttle launch.  Facing another embarrassing delay, the NASA decision makers succumbed to Group Think and seven astronauts lost their lives. Conflict is avoided and the best course of action is not always the course of action actually taken. 

Group Think can arise from three different sources: group cohesiveness, structural faults, and situational context.  Group cohesiveness is the force that binds the group together, whether it is an emotional glue or common task.  Group Think can arise from structural faults in the group.  These faults can be, but are certainly not limited to, the insulation of the group, lack of impartial leadership, or the similarity of the group members’ social backgrounds and ideology.  Finally, the situational context of the group can lead to Group Think within the group.  Again, this is not an exhaustive list but some external situations include highly stressful external threats, recent failures, excessive difficulties on the decision-making task, and moral dilemmas.  Group cohesiveness, structural faults, and situational context all put pressure on the group and could cause Group Think to set in. 
How do you know if your group is falling victim to Group Think?  Irving Janis, the leading researcher who developed the Group Think theory, observed eight symptoms of group think.

• Illusions of invulnerability; creating excessive optimism and encouraging risk taking.
• Unquestioned belief in the morality of the group, causing members to ignore the consequences of their actions.
• Rationalizing warnings that might challenge the group's assumptions.
• Stereotyping those who are opposed to the group as weak, evil, biased, spiteful, impotent, or stupid.
• Self-censorship of ideas that deviate from the apparent group consensus.
• Illusions of unanimity among group members; silence is viewed as agreement.
• Direct pressure to conform placed on any member who questions the group, couched in terms of "disloyalty"
• Mind guards — self-appointed members who shield the group from dissenting information

How do you avoid Group Think?  This question is debated among the various experts and psychologist who study Group Think.  Seven different ways of avoiding Group Think have been devised.

• Leaders should assign each member the role of “critical evaluator”. This allows each member to freely air objections and doubts.
• Higher-ups should not express an opinion when assigning a task to a group.
• The organization should set up several independent groups, working on the same problem.
• All effective alternatives should be examined.
• Each member should discuss the group's ideas with trusted people outside of the group.
• The group should invite outside experts into meetings. Group members should be allowed to discuss with and question the outside experts.
• At least one group member should be assigned the role of devil's advocate. This should be a different person for each meeting.

Why should the readers of SurvivalBlog be interested in a communications theory?  What does this theory have to do with prepping?   Have you organized a mutual assistance group (MAG)? Then expect to see some Group Think.  Many articles posted in this blog describe different methods of organizing a MAG and what exactly are the requirements for their specific MAG.  I remember one article not too long ago that had very harsh and unbending rules in order to be a part of this particular MAG.  After learning about this theory of Group Think, I would be concerned about being in that guys MAG. 

So, how does one form a MAG and avoid Group Think.  It seems that some of the methods outlined above violate some of the cardinal rules of prepping.  Secrecy is king in the prepping world.  To give any indication to non-preppers the type of prepping you and your MAG are doing would make you vulnerable and potential targets.  So the directions to consult outside experts wouldn’t really apply.  Or would it?
 
Differing opinions in a group is a necessity when setting up a MAG.  Sure there needs to be the common purpose and even a common religion.  But each member of your MAG must have a different background.  The different backgrounds assure diversity of thought.  To take it one step further, expert consultation must also be a part of your MAG’s modus operandi.  How do you do this and still maintain your secrecy?  While we still have the internet, one could use some of the many discussion boards to seek other preppers opinions.  You maintain anonymity and get outside advice. 

There must be a devil’s advocate in your MAG.  Or better yet, have each member of your MAG cultivate the devil’s advocate spirit.  As Glenn Beck constantly says, “Question everything.”  Developing your ability to think critically helps you assume the role of devil’s advocate.  When your MAG meets, don’t take things or a certain opinion as a given.  Try to examine all sides of the coin.  Question your conclusions.  Ultimately, the questioning has to stop somewhere and a decision has to be made.  To avoid Group Think, I would recommend excluding the MAG leader from the discussion and debate process.  After discussion and debate, come up with possible solutions.  Then present the possible solutions to the MAG leader.  By doing this, the MAG leader will have an unbiased opinion of the solutions, untainted by the discussion and debate.  He/she will be able to see the pros and cons of each solution and will make a decision without the pressures of Group Think.

Another practical application to the Group Think theory is applying it to the prepper theory in general.  It is accepted wisdom on survivalblog.com that one needs to prepare for a grid down situation.  While I agree with the grid down threat, it seems to me to be a small threat and certainly not the only threat that needs to be examined.  What real world experience makes one think that we are going to lose all electricity and be thrown back into the dark ages?  Standard reading for the prepper crowd is Patriots; my compliments to the author.  While the story is great fiction, will the world collapse as Mr. Rawles has written it?  Will the American government totally collapse?  Will electricity go out and technology cease to exist?   What is the likelihood that we will have to walk around in our BTUs with a battle rifle flung over our shoulder?  Have survivalblog readers become subject to Group Think?

Consider the fiction of 1984 or Brave New World or Atlas Shrugged.  None of those books have complete societal collapse as the end state. (Atlas Shrugged sort of does, but not in the same way as Patriots.) Rather, these famous dystopias present a world where government is all knowing or all intrusive.  Is there any prepper out there who has prepared for Big Brother watching you?  Recent stories in the news have the government moving in the direction of 1984; a mileage tax where the government installs a GPS on your car and taxes miles driven; nationwide text message alert system that gives the government access to your phone and number; Drudge refers to Sec. Janet Napolitano as Big Sis. 

What preparations are you making to contend with an all-knowing government?  One can hope society and government collapses under its own debauched weight as Rawles’ fictionalizes.  In some ways life would be easier without government and electricity than life with all an all knowing tyrannical government. Personally, I would rather plow fields with a horse and wooden plow than contend with Big Brother.  So what if government doesn’t fail and Big Bother is watching you?  Then what?  Have you prepared for that situation?  You have the battle rifle and the thousands of rounds of ammo.  But in order to travel to and from work, you have to pass through check points.  Carrying your gun is a definite no-no?  How will you protect yourself?  What weapon will you carry?  These are just some of the questions I have when thinking about prepping for a tyrannical government.

My preparations have taken a different course as of late.  I’ve become convinced that the dark powers directing the destruction of our country will not allow things to totally collapse.  They will maintain control and I will have to learn how to survive in a more tyrannical world.  I’m challenging the common wisdom with my questions, but am I hoping that by doing so, I’m avoiding falling into Group Think.   I’m trying to look at thisof the normal preppers box and come up with ideas.  But I need help.  I would like to throw out the topic seek outside advice. 

How does one prep to live in a world with an all intrusive government?  What preparations need to be made if we are faced with a Big Brother situation?