Week 5 of 52: Pet Care

Tess Pennington
Ready Nutrition
May 2011

  

Our furry friends are more to us than just pets, and for many of you, they are a precious family member. Caring for them during a disaster is extremely important. You need to know that when an unexpected storm occurs, many of our animals face anxiety just as we do. Knowing how your pet will react before, during and after a storm is the first step in ensuring their safety. Making sure that you anticipate your pet’s needs during an emergency because it will help them cope with this disruption into their daily routines. Also, have a pet survival kit and a pet first aid kit set aside for your pet, as this too ensures their safety.

Preps to buy:

• Extra harness, leash, and/or carrier
• ID tags with your contact information
• 1-2 week supply of food for all pets (if not already bought in week 1)
• 2-5 gallons of water for each pet
• Pet first aid kit
• Current vaccination and medical records for each animal (contact your veterinarian).
• 2 weeks worth of medication for each animal (if applicable). Note: Pay attention to the expiration date and routinely rotate medicines to ensure they are not wasted.

Action Items:

1. Decide if your pet(s) will be going to an animal hotel, sheltering in-place with the family, or staying at another home. Make arrangments before the disaster is imminent.
2. If you haven’t purchases a pet survival kit, make your own. In addition to the items listed above, you will need the following:
a. Cat litter/pan or doggie pads
b. Can opener
c. Food dishes
d. First aid kit
e. Additional supplies required for where the pet will stay.
3. Ensure that your pet’s vaccinations are up to date.
Note: If pets do not have their shots up to date, then pet hotels will not accept them.
4. Get a rescue alert sticker. It will alert rescue workers that a pet is inside the home. When displaying this sticker, ensure that it is placed in an area that is visible to rescue workers.
5. Verify that ID tags are up to date and securely fastened to your pet’s collar. Attach the address and/or phone number of your evacuation site (if possible).
Note: If your pet gets lost, his tag is his ticket home.

• Make sure you have a current photo of your pet for identification purposes to include in with your family emergency photos.
• Ensure you have a secure pet carrier, leash or harness for your pet so that if he panics, he can’t escape.

6. Have a current photo of your pet to include with your family emergency photos.
7. Be sure to have a pet carrier, leash, or harness, if you pet is prone to panicking.

Author: Tess Pennington
Web Site: http://www.ReadyNutrition.com/
Date: May 27th, 2011

Week 4: Communications

Tess Pennington

We have all witnessed a “communications down” scenario when going through natural disasters.  One thing that all of these natural disasters have in common, besides the disruption of our daily lives, is that they are immediately followed by an almost total loss of the ability to communicate with the outside world.  Power is lost, telephone services are discontinued, and cell phone service is either non-existent or is so congested that no one can get through.  When experiencing these “communication down” situations we realize how vulnerable and dependent we are on the system that failed.
Having alternate communication devices on hand during a disaster can help maintain some sort of communication, as well as help maintain a sense of self reliance during difficult times.  Have at least one of the following alternative communication systems:

• Wind up radios
• Emails (if there is a power source)
• Amateur radios
• Family radio services offered by the FCC
• CB radios 

When making your choice, you should examine your own needs and match them with the appropriate communication system.
Here are some criteria for setting up an emergency communication system:

• It should be easy to operate.
• Have effective range.
• Have a modest amount of protection against interference.
• Be inexpensive (low initial cost, low maintenance cost and no monthly fees).
• Be readily available.
• Be able to operate “off the grid”.

Preps to buy:

• Signal flares, flashing beacon or flashing emergency light. (I bought mine at a camping store.)
• Compass for all members of the family over the age of 6.
• Two-way radio.
• Battery operated or wind-up hand radio, preferably an NOAA weather radio.

Action Items:

When a hurricane threatens an area, the city suggests families back up important documents e.g., personal ID, security card, I.D. cards for the kids, proof of residence, insurance information, medical records, bank and account information, and place the documentation in a waterproof container or reasonable plastic bag.
Don’t forget to include documentation records for your pets, e.g., IDs, immunization records, and medications.  Having this information prepared and set aside will help save precious time when preparing a home for a disaster.

Author: Tess Pennington
Web Site: http://www.ReadyNutrition.com/
Date: May 20th, 2011

Week 3 of 52: Emergency Medical Supply (List 1)

Tess Pennington
Ready Nutrition
May 2011

  

Experts suggest that each home have a basic medical supply that is unique to your family’s needs.   Many of us have our fair share of band-aids and antibiotic ointment, but do you have medical supplies that can stop dehydration or bleeding, or diarreah?   In the event of a major disaster, such as a hurricane or earthquake, if someone in the home is injured, emergency responders cannot always get to the injured victims in time.  Therefore, having necessary medical supplies in the home could save some one’s life if they need immediate medical assistance.
Keep in mind that medicines can break down and spoil if they are subject to natural elements such as moisture, temperature fluctuations and exposure to light.  Did you know that aspirin has a tendency to begin breaking down when it is exposed to a slight amount of moisture?  Find an area in the home that has easy access and preferably located in a cool, dark area that is out of children’s reach.   Also, check expiration dates periodically to ensure the medicines are still good to use.  The below list of items will serve as a foundation for future medical supply lists.

Preps to buy: 

• Antacid
• Aspirin or non-Aspirin pain reliever
• Stool softeners
• Kleenex
• Feminine hygiene supplies
• Disposable hand wipes
• Band-aids
• Antibiotic ointment
• Extra baby needs (diapers, wipes, pacifiers, bottles, medicine, etc)
• 1 week of prescription medications
• Extra pair of reading glasses (optional)

Action Items:

Buy a local and state map to put in your vehicle.
Create an evacuation route in case you have to evacuate your town due to a disaster.  Map out mulitple escape routes to fall back on.  Click here to know  the signs of when to evacuate/bug out your home or community.
Sign up for a CPR/First aid class with your local area Red Cross or through your local Emergency Management Service department.  For those of you who are short on time, you can find online disaster skills training courses that can be done in the convenience of your own home.  Click here for a list of  organizations that provide online emergency education courses.

Author: Tess Pennington
Web Site: http://www.ReadyNutrition.com/
Date: May 13th, 2011

52 Weeks to Preparedness: Week 1, Short Term Emergency Food Supply (List 1)

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Create a preparedness foundation that you and your family can rely on when unexpected situations present themselves.

52 Weeks to Preparedness

Week 1 of 52: Short Term Emergency Food Supply (List 1)


FEMA suggests that each family have a 2 week supply of food and water for their home. Starting a food supply does not have to be a budget breaker. By slowly accumulating emergency supplies, you will not feel the financial “burn” compared to having to pay for everything up front. Therefore, keeping in mind what type of emergencies that you are planning for, if there are any family members with medical needs, how long you want your food supply to last, and so on, will help you make the best choice for your family.

Taking time to read the nutritional information on the back of the food source and knowing other considerations, will help a person make the best choices for their needs. If a person needs to use their stashed food supply, having foods high in vitamins, nutrients, and proteins will provide their body with what it needs for needed energy and mental clarity.

Preps to buy:

• 1 gallon of water per day for each family member (But enough for 2 weeks and remember that having more water stored up is better than being short on your supply)
• 2 jars of peanut butter
• 2 cans of juice per family member
• 2 cans of meat per family member
• 2 cans of soup or stew for each family member
• 3 non perishable items such as saltine crackers, graham crackers, etc.
• 1 hand operated can opener
• Permanent marker
• Additional supplies for infants or elderly – 2 weeks worth (diapers, wipes, children’s medication, formula, protein/calorie drinks, prescription medications, extra pair of glasses)

For those who have pets:
1 large container of dry food – This amount should last 2 weeks or longer

Action Items:

• Date perishable goods with a marker
• If possible, set aside $20 to use for emergencies
• Make a disaster plan and decide what types of disasters you are planning for (weather related, natural disasters, economic or personal disasters)
• Decide upon an out-of-area contact who can coordinate information with friends and family members.
• Once the out-of-area contact has been decided, email or call the newly designated emergency contact and provide phone numbers and names of family members for them to call

The content of this post was provided by Tess Pennington at
http://readynutrition.com/

__________________

The First 60 Items to Disappear after a Disaster

The First 60 Items to Disappear After a Disaster

Whatever the type of disaster, whether it be a hurricane, earthquake, tsunami or economic collapse, those who have lived through catastrophic events know that certain items become scarce real quick leading up to and following a major disaster. Below is a list of the first 60 items that typically vanish first (in no particular order of importance). Is there anything on this list that's missing in your preps?

#1. Generators
#2. Water Filters/Purifiers (Shipping delays increasing.)
#3. Canned Foods - Fruits, Veggies, Soups, Tuna, etc.
#4. Seasoned Firewood
#5. Lamp Oil, Wicks, Lamps (First choice: Buy CLEAR oil. If scarce, stockpile ANY!)
#6. Coleman Fuel
#7. Guns, Ammunition, Pepper Spray, Knives, Clubs, Bats & Slingshots
#8. Hand-Can openers (Life savers!)
#9. Honey/Syrups/white, brown sugars
#10. Rice - Beans - Wheat (White rice - 50# bag. Sam's Club, stock depleted often.)
#11. Vegetable oil (for cooking) (Without it food burns/must be boiled, etc.)
#12. Charcoal & Lighter fluid (Will become scarce suddenly.)
#13. Water containers
#14. Mini Heater head (Without this item, propane won't heat a room.)
#15. Coffee/Tea
#16. Propane Cylinders
#17. Mantles: Aladdin, Coleman, etc. (Without this item, longer-term lighting is difficult.)
#18. Baby Supplies: Diapers/formula/ointments/wipes, etc
#19. Cookstoves (Propane, Coleman & Kerosene)
#20. Vitamins
#21. Glue, nails, nuts, bolts, screws, etc.
#22. Feminine Hygiene/Haircare/Skin products
#23. Thermal underwear (Tops and bottoms)
#24. Bow saws, axes and hatchets & Wedges (also, honing oil)
#25. Aluminum foil Reg. & Hvy. Duty (Great Cooking & Barter item)
#26. Gasoline containers (Plastic or Metal)
#27. Garbage bags (Impossible to have too many.)
#28. Toilet Paper, Kleenex, paper towels, paper plates
#29. Milk - Powdered & Condensed (Shake liquid every 3 to 4 months.)
#30. Garden seeds (Non-hybrid) (A MUST)
#31. Clothes pins/line/hangers (A MUST)
#32. Cold Weather/Rain Gear, rubberized boots, etc.
#33. First aid kits
#34. Batteries (all sizes... buy furthest-out for Expiration Dates)
#35. Garlic, spices & vinegar, baking supplies
#36. Wine/Liquors (for bribes, medicinal, etc.)
#37. Flour, yeast & salt
#38. Matches ("Strike Anywhere" preferred. Boxed, wooden matches will go first.)
#39. Writing paper/pads/pencils/solar calculators
#40. Insulated ice chests
#41. Workboots, belts, Levis & durable shirts
#42. Flashlights/LIGIITSTICKS & torches
#43. Garbage cans (Plastic - great for storage, water transporting - if with wheels)
#44. Men's Hygiene: Shampoo, Toothbrush/paste, Mouthwash/floss, nail clippers, etc
#45. Cast iron cookware (sturdy, efficient)
#46. Fishing supplies/tools
#47. Insect repellent
#48. Duct tape
#49. Tarps/stakes/twine/nails/rope/spikes
#50. Candles
#51. Laundry detergent
#52. Backpacks & Duffle bags
#53. Garden tools & supplies
#54. Scissors, fabrics & sewing supplies
#55. Portable Toilets (Increasing in price every two months.)
#56. Bleach (plain, NOT scented: 4 to 6% sodium hypochlorite)
#57. Canning supplies (Jars/lids/wax)
#58. Knives & Sharpening tools: files, stones, steel
#59. Bicycles... Tires/tubes/pumps/chains, etc.
#60. Sleeping bags & blankets/pillows/mats

52 weeks to Preparedness

Welcome to week 2 of our 52 Weeks to Preparedness series, which focuses on finding cost-effective ways to get you prepared for disasters.
This week we are going to focus on investing in basic hardware items. In later weeks, we will add additional hardware items to the list, but this week we are going to focus on laying a foundation.
A good rule of thumb when planning for emergencies is that a person is only as good as their tools. Good, quality tools are a sound investment and can last a lifetime if they are properly cared for. When purchasing hardware items such as the ones provided in the list below, take take to read online product and customer reviews before you make an investment. Also, avoid these 8 Rookie mistakes often made by preppers.

Preps to buy for Week 2:

• 32-gallon garbage can or- a sturdy storage box to hold disaster supplies
• Flashlight with alkaline-batteries or a hand-crank flashlight for each member of household that is over the age of 6. (Don’t forget extra batteries for the flashlights). Flashlights should also be purchased for each car, as well.
• Batteries in multiple-sizes.
• Heavy rope
• Duct tape
• Bic lighter and matches- to be stored in a waterproof container
• Multi-tool
• For furry friends, purchase a leash, or pet carrier and an extra set of I.D. tags.

Action Items:

1. Involve your children in your family preparedness efforts. Educate them on the different types of disasters and on your family’s disaster plans. Check out websites like Ready Kids for methods to teach your children about what to do in an emergency.
2. You should ask your child’s school and/or day care about what their disaster plans are. Here are a few questions that I asked our school:

• How will you communicate with a child’s family during a crisis?
• Do you store adequate food, water, and supplies for a disaster?
• Are you prepared for a shelter-in-place situation?
• If you have to evacuate, where do you go?

3. Find up-to-date pictures of each family member in case one of them gets separated from you during a disaster event, put the pictures in a waterproof or Ziploc bag, and place it in your emergency kit.
4. Prepare a personal information card for each family member.
5. As a family, discuss your emergency meeting places, contacts, and plans. Give your children the opportunity to express their feelings and to ask questions so they fully understand the disaster plan.
6. For family members who have special needs, ensure that those needs are accounted for in your emergency plan.

  Author: Tess Pennington
Web Site: http://www.ReadyNutrition.com/

77 Items Sold Out Before You'll Get There

1. WATER
2. batteries
3. flashlights
4. ice
5. candles
6. matches
7. toilet paper
8. paper plates & paper towels
9. heavy duty aluminum foil
10. water filters
11. flour
12. sugar
13. milk
14. powdered milk
15. Gatorade
16. canned soup
17. soup mixes
18. bouillon cubes
19. hand-held can openers
20. dry cereal
21. diapers
22. wet wipes
23. baby food
24. baby formula
25. sanitary napkins & tampons
26. bath soap
27. laundry detergent
28. waterless hand sanitizer
29. disinfectant
30. bleach
31. trash bags
32. re-sealable plastic bags
33. toothpaste
34. toothbrushes
35. shampoo & conditioner
36. shaving equipment
37. lanterns
38. lantern fuel
39. lantern wicks or mantles
40. butane igniter
41. charcoal grills
42. charcoal
43. camp stoves
44. propane for camp stoves
45. pocket knife
46. army knife
47. vitamin supplements
48. antacids
49. antibiotics
50. rubbing alcohol
51. hydrogen peroxide
52. laxative and diarrhea remedies
53. antihistamine
54. epsom salts
55. bandages
56. sterile gauze pads
57. first-aid tape
58. portable toilets
59. 5-gallon plastic buckets
60. gas-driven generators
61. gasoline storage containers
62. duct tape
63. chain-saws
64. cast iron dutch oven
65. cast iron frying pan
66. bug spray
67. mouse traps
68. mouse bait (d-con)
69. thermal underwear
70. insulated coveralls
71. heavy work gloves
72. boots / rain gear
73. band saws
74. axes
75. solar panels
76. hand-crank radios
77. canvas and nylon tarps

Glenn Beck's 37 Items Sold Out in an Emergency

37 Food Items sold out after Crisis List.

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1. Water
2. Pasta
3. Rice
4. Canned Soup
5. Canned Meat
6. Canned Veggies
7. Canned Fruit.
8. Popcorn
9. Salt
10. Milk- (Condensed or powdered)
11. Cereal
12. Beef Jerky
13. Grains
14. Cooking Oil
15. Sports Drinks.
16. Nuts
17. Pickles
18. Dried Fruit
19. Spices
20. Honey
21. Crackers
22. Baking Essentials (flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder)
23. Power Bars
24. Instant Rice
25. Coffee
26. Alcohol
27. Hard Candies
28. Dehydrated Canned Entrees
29. Juice powders
30. Protein drinks
31. Peanut Butter
32. Long Lasting treats. (Twinkies, pop tarts)
33. Salsa ( flavor for eggs, rice, meats)
34. Ramen Noodles
35. Fresh Fruit
36. Baby Food/Special Needs food items.
37. Pet Food.

He also suggested another great addition to add. Amaranth seeds. Grows in very little water.

There is another list of OTHER IMPORTANT LISTS..
Top 10 Must Have Non-food Essentials

1. Sources of Light
2. Means of cooking
3. First aid Items
4. Garden Seeds
5. Personal Hygiene Items
6. Weapons and Ammo
7. Baby/Elder care items.
8. Bleach
9. Water Filtration system
10. Energy Source

How will you know when it's GOOD time?

When will you know it is time to head to shelter?

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Political

When government officials cannot be found
When major executives are flying to South America
When the constitution is suspended
When the POTUS exercises his power for total rule under NSPD-51
When the internet is unplugged
When martial law is enacted
When all gun sales are banned
When you can’t leave the USA because the borders are sealed
When the military is on America’s city streets making rounds to homes
When all guns are being confiscated
When FEMA and/or Red Cross advance crews start arriving in cities
When all major highways have roadblocks
When the National Guard is put on “Snapcount Alert”
When the Re-Ed camp contractors get the 3 day notice to start arriving
When large rail or highway convoys of heavy armor are reported nationwide
When the media is blacking out or refusing to report a real negative story


Economic

When the Euro finally collapses
When the stock market collapses
When a bank holiday is declared
When you are limited on how much you can withdraw from your bank
When credit cards and credit line access is frozen
When gold is being confiscated
When the supermarket shelves are empty
When Vivos has raised the price for a space to $1M in solid gold bullion


War/Terrorism

When multi-nation war breaks out
When the first nuke or dirty bomb goes off
When the next major terrorist or earth change happens
When the USA or EU is under a no-fly zone


Radiation

When Fukushima melts down and blows Cesium into the stratosphere
When Tokyo is evacuated
When airline pilots refuse to fly due to the radiation exposure
When American beef and milk has evidence of radiation



Biological
When a biological pandemic is declared
When a major city is quarantined
When you are told to stay in your home
When everyone is wearing face masks
When you cannot buy medications


Earth Changes

When the Canary Islands – La Cumbre Vieja erupts or slides into the ocean
When the Yellowstone caldera rises more than 10 feet
When multiple level 5 storms are sequentially occurring
When the Gulf BP oil dome blows
When new fault lines are awakened
When giant sink holes open up all around the world
When there are giant rips in the Earth’s crust for all to see
When new geysers are seen venting in California
When what sounds like horns blowing are recorded around the world
When smells of sulfur or fuel are being reported in many areas of the world
When pipelines across the country are ruptured


Space

When the Solar activity of the sun has changed dramatically
When an X-Class flare is headed our way
When the Northern Lights can be seen in Texas
When the magnetic poles are shifting faster and faster
When cosmic ray intensity is off the charts
When there are undeniable disturbances in our solar system
When meteor showers are increasing and fireballs are falling from the sky
When Nibiru appears to the naked eye
When everyone can see a second sun
When the sun sets in the North – Northwest
When the tides are rising, and the moon’s orbit is off
When the Space Station is evacuated
Before everyone else is panicking to find shelter!

Read More: http://www.terravivos.com/secure/whentime.htm

Can You Open a Can Without a Can Opener?

Ever forget to bring a can opener?

Let This Be A Warning America

 When the Riots Start the Government’s Response Will Be Brutal *Video*
http://www.shtfplan.com/headline-new...video_10082012


Mac Slavo
October 8th, 2012
SHTFplan.com

That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
July 4, 1776

Last week, when hundreds of thousands of people in Madrid, Barcelona and throughout Spain protested, rioted, rebelled and called for the forced resignation of every one of their parliamentary representatives and the formation of a new government, the silence from global mainstream media was deafening.

With jobless rates for those between the ages of 20 and 35 exceeding 50%, further social spending measures promised by the government, and tens of billions in handouts being transferred to large financial institutions in the broader Euro Zone, those impoverished by the economic collapse of the last four years would not be silenced.

They took the streets in droves. They rushed their parliament building, forcing representatives to barricade themselves inside. They confronted their government head on.

And for their transgressions, they were indiscriminately fired upon, beaten, and bloodied by riot police; men, women, young, old, it mattered not to the policing arm of the global elite.

Let this be a warning, America, because these riots will soon be making their way across the Atlantic ocean to our shores.

Video compliments of Alexander Higgins (with narration by Judge Andrew Napolitano) via Above Top Secret:



The people of Europe have not yet seen the full brunt of their government’s capabilities. Neither have Americans.

We need only look to the middle east for a taste of what is to come should things really go critical. As we noted during the Egyptian uprising last year, it is best to stay home once the rioting starts (graphic video), because bullets will be flying and government enforcement officials will stop at nothing to regain control.

Do not make the mistake of thinking that police or military personnel will take the side of the American people. Some may. But history and current events suggest otherwise – of course they will fire on American citizens. And if you’re caught out in the open, you’ll be on your own.

We know the US government considers those attending any anti-government gatherings, whether they be Occupy or Tea Party protests, to be activities related to domestic terrorism. For now, the police have been subdued compared to the actions of their counterparts in Europe, but so too have America’s protesters.

But when those 100 hundred million Americans dependent on government re-distributions have their benefits cut as has been done throughout Europe recently, or prices for essential goods like food and gas reach levels that make them impossible to acquire by the majority, we can fully expect a total breakdown of law and order, especially in America’s major metropolitan areas.

What’s different about America compared to Europe, however, is that our government is actively preparing for this contingency, having introduced laws through legislative action, as well as by executive order, that are specifically designed to stifle free speech in public areas, detain indefinitely and reeducate those who act against the national interests of the United States, and eliminate permanently those who cannot be pacified.

Government plans for mass casualty events are being enacted as we speak, and domestic policing forces are stocking up on riot gear and hundreds of millions of rounds of ammunition.

They know it’s coming .

Are we ready for it?

IT WORKS !

As some of you know, my wife and I have jumped into the Essential Oils business.  We have found it to be at once a very rewarding experience due to the results that we personally are getting from using the oils and the changes that we see in the friends and family who are using them too.

I would like to ask a favor to the readers of this blog....all 130,000 or so of you.  I consider each of you to be my friend.  I have in the past years shared many things with you that will make your life, and those of your family much easier if you follow that advice. Now I have the chance to do this at even a greater and more personal level than ever before.

Here is the favor:  If any of you have ever considered using these oils, and have put off purchasing them because you think that they are a bunch of  "hokum", please, I would ask that you take a few minutes and read-up on the value of using them.  That's all!

Some of you may  know that I am considered to have a permanent total disability....the lawyerspeak for you can't work any more.  I have a difficult time with those words. However, at age 60, and on a limited-fixed income and a wife retiring after 30 years of teaching first graders, we find ourselves in need of extra income.  doTerra Essential Oils  is one of the ways that we are hoping to cope with that challenge.

Having a fused spine due to a workplace accident has been a difficult thing to endure.  Those of you who endure the pain and dysfunction of this curse know exactly what I am talking about.  I have taken "pain pills" for so long and at such high doses, that it has damaged my kidneys: Thus I am not able to use regular ibuprofen and other types of medication like this any longer.  I have had to use narcotics for the last few years so that I can sleep at night, and to be able to due any work around the house/yard...

UNTIL, my nephew brought over some "Deep Blue" doTerra Essential Oil. He knew that I was struggling with this pain, and he just asked if I would  be willing to try it.  I said, "Sure I'll give it a try, but I don't hold much faith in it".

What a surprise. My wife applied it to my back that night, and put some Lavender Oil on my feet.  To my surprise, instead of laying in bed for a couple of  hours trying to get to sleep, I was sleeping within 30 minutes, and woke up the next morning in the same position as I went to sleep in. It was great to be able to wake up refreshed.  In the morning however, the pain in my back was about the same.  Usually, after sleeping, the pain in standing literally takes my breath away.  I was hoping for a miracle I guess, but sometimes those don't come without time and patience.

I usually have to get up and into my reclining chair for about 30 minutes before I am able to do much.  But, within a week, even though it still hurts, I can get up without losing my breath, and the time spent in the "chair" is shorter.  I don't really expect the miracle of ever being pain free, but it seems over this short time to have been very effective in making it at least more livable.

I've never been fond of snake oil salesmen. I'm never going to be one!  But when I find a great product, I am going to share it with you, my friends.  This oil works.  How it does, I don't really understand fully, but I am living proof that it does.

So, please don't turn me off....keep coming back as both you and I research this together.  I truly believe that this product does have a place in your preparedness supplies.  I am going to be purchasing more oils, and trying combinations...following their instructions and sharing  the results with you.

Please mouse over to the picture of doTerra Living, and connect to my business site, and help both yourselves and my wife and I in this challenge.

BTW, if you would like to purchase the oils wholesale like we do, there is a way.  Just contact me at rockymtnsurvival@gmail.com

Thanks to all of you!

What is an essential oil?

Essential oils are natural aromatic compounds found in the seeds, bark, stems, roots, flowers, and other parts of plants. They can be both beautifully and powerfully fragrant. If you have ever enjoyed the gift of a rose, a walk by a field of lavender, or the smell of fresh cut mint, you have experienced the aromatic qualities of essential oils. In addition to giving plants their distinctive smells, essential oils provide plants with protection against predators and disease and play a role in plant pollination. 
Essential oils are non water-based phytochemicals made up of volatile organic compounds. Although they are fat soluble, they do not include fatty lipids or acids found in vegetable and animal oils. Essential oils are very clean, almost crisp, to the touch and are immediately absorbed by the skin. Pure, unadulterated essential oils are translucent and range in color from crystal clear to deep blue.

Try this at home: Squeeze the peel of a ripe orange. The fragrant residue on your hand is full of essential oils.

In addition to their intrinsic benefits to plants and being beautifully fragrant to people, essential oils have been used throughout history in many cultures for their medicinal and therapeutic benefits. Modern scientific study and trends towards more holistic approaches to wellness are driving a revival and new discovery of essential oil health applications.
dōTERRA (CPTG) Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade^® essential oils represent the safest, purest, and most beneficial essential oils available today. They are gently and skillfully distilled from plants that have been patiently harvested at the perfect moment by experienced growers from around the world for ideal extract composition and efficacy. Experienced essential oil users will immediately recognize dōTERRA's superior quality standard for naturally safe, purely effective therapeutic-grade essential oils.

Essential Oils throughout History

Essential oils have been used throughout recorded history for a wide variety of wellness applications. The Egyptians were some of the first people to use aromatic essential oils extensively in medical practice, beauty treatment, food preparation, and in religious ceremony. Frankincense, sandalwood, myrrh and cinnamon were considered very valuable cargo along caravan trade routes and were sometimes exchanged for gold.
Borrowing from the Egyptians, the Greeks used essential oils in their practices of therapeutic massage and aromatherapy. The Romans also used aromatic oils to promote health and personal hygiene. Influenced by the Greeks and Romans, as well as Chinese and Indian Ayurvedic use of aromatic herbs, the Persians began to refine distillation methods for extracting essential oils from aromatic plants. Essential oil extracts were used throughout the dark ages in Europe for their anti-bacterial and fragrant properties.
In modern times, the powerful healing properties of essential oils were rediscovered in 1937 by a French chemist, Rene-Maurice Gattefosse, who healed a badly burnt hand with pure lavender oil. A French contemporary, Dr. Jean Valnet, used therapeutic-grade essential oils to successfully treat injured soldiers during World War II. Dr. Valnet went on to become a world leader in the development of aromatherapy practices. The modern use of essential oils has continued to grow rapidly as health scientists and medical practitioners continue to research and validate the numerous health and wellness benefits of therapeutic-grade essential oils.

Uses of Essential Oils

Essential oils are used for a very wide range of emotional and physical wellness applications. They can be used a single oil at a time or in complex blends depending on user experience and desired benefit. Essential oils are usually administered by one of three methods: diffused aromatically, applied topically, or taken internally as dietary supplements.

Aromatic Uses

Our sense of smell influences many physiological pathways including the stimulation of hormones and other metabolic processes. Aromatherapy is founded on the body's predictable response to specific olfactory stimuli. Essential oils are widely used in aromatherapy applications. Certain essential oils, when diffused in the air, can be very stimulating while others can be calming and soothing. Beyond emotional benefits, diffusing essential oils can purify air of unwanted odors and some airborne pathogens. Low or no-heat essential oil diffusers are recommended as they do not change the chemical structure of the oil being diffused. Essential oils can also be used as cleansing and purifying additives to laundry and surface cleaners throughout the home.

Topical Uses

Due to their natural molecular composition, essential oils are easily absorbed by the skin and can be safely applied topically. Application of essential oils can have immediate, localized benefit to the target area of application. They have restorative and calming properties and can be used effectively with massage and beauty therapy. They are also natural disinfectants. The chemical structure of essential oils also allows them to be absorbed into the bloodstream via the skin for internal benefit throughout the body.

Internal Uses

Essential oils can also be used as dietary supplements supporting a variety of healthy conditions. Some essential oils have powerful antioxidant properties while others help support healthy inflammatory response in cells. Many essential oils are generally regarded as being safe for dietary use, but some oils should not be taken internally. Do not use any essential oil product internally that does not have the appropriate dietary supplement facts on its label.

Using essential oils can be both profoundly simple and life changing at the same time. Working with someone who has used essential oils before will help first-time users have a more beneficial and enjoyable experience. A large amount of information is readily available for those desiring to increase their knowledge of essential oil applications.

(Be sure to use only 100% pure therapeutic-grade essential oils and follow all label warnings and instructions. Essential oils should not be used in the eyes, inside the ear canal, or in open wounds. If redness or irritation occurs when using essential oils topically, simply apply any vegetable oils such as fractionated coconut oil or olive oil to the affected area. Consult your physician before using essential oils if you are pregnant or under a doctor's care).

Extraction Methods

Therapeutic-grade essential oils are most often extracted via a low-heat steam distillation process in which steam is circulated under pressure through plant material liberating the essential oils into the steam. As the steam mixture cools, the water and oils naturally separate and the oil is collected in its pure form. To ensure the highest quality oil extract of correct chemical composition, temperature and pressure must be monitored very closely. Too little heat and pressure will not release valuable oil while too much can change an extract's composition and potency. As important as the carefully controlled extraction process is, the careful selection of the correct plant and plant parts harvested at the right time is also required for a successful extraction. This complex process is as much art form as it is science and requires experienced growers and distillers working together to ensure a quality product.

(Fact: It takes as much as 12,000 rose blossoms to distill 5 ml of therapeutic- grade essential rose oil.)

Steam distillation is by far the most common method of extraction, but some oils such as citrus oils are extracted through a process of compression in which the oil is squeezed from the plant. A very few essential oils are extracted using solvents that bind with the oils and are later removed from the final product.

Essential Oil Quality Grades

There are a growing number of products claiming to be or to contain essential oils. They range in price and quality and are found in skin care, cosmetics, aromatherapy, and other products. However, many of these products do not use 100% pure essential oils and often use fragrant synthetic chemical substitutes to dilute or replace more expensive essential oil extracts. Furthermore, there are no current regulatory standards for the descriptive use of the “therapeutic grade” for products labeled as essential oils.
The CPTG Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade^®* mark represents dōTERRA's own internal standards for sourcing and testing 100% pure aromatic botanical extracts using  independent testing laboratories. The dōTERRA brand and registered CPTG mark represent dōTERRA's guarantee of 100% pure essential oil extracts that meet high standards for both purity and material composition and accurate product labeling.

dōTERRA's therapeutic-grade essential oils are 100% pure natural aromatic compounds carefully extracted from plants. They do not contain fillers or artificial ingredients that would dilute their active qualities. Proper extraction and quality control methods also ensure that dōTERRA's essential oils are free of any contaminants such as pesticides or other chemical residues. In addition to being 100% pure and natural, dōTERRA's Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade essential oils are subjected to further quality testing that ensures the correct composition of the active natural compounds found in each oil. Even though an essential oil may be 100% pure, if the right species or part of a plant has not been used, or if the plant has not been grown in the right environment or harvested at the right time, or if it has not been distilled under the right conditions, the natural chemical makeup of the extraction will not provide as predictable and powerful a benefit. In some cases, the wrong plant harvested at the wrong time may result in an extract that contains harmful levels of some constituents.
dōTERRA's Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade essential oils are guaranteed to be 100% pure and natural and free of synthetic compounds or contaminates. They are subjected to rigorous mass spectrometry and gas chromatography testing to ensure extract composition and activity. dōTERRA's 100% pure essential oils represent the safest and most beneficial essential oils available today.

(Try this at home: Compare the smell of dōTERRA's 100% lavender essential oil to another lavender oil or product in your home. If your product's fragrance is overbearing in any one note it may contain synthetic chemical substitutes. A 100% pure therapeutic-grade essential oil should have a balanced, broad fragrance profile and should smell crystal clean. Now, compare the feel of your product to dōTERRA's essential oil. A pure essential oil should not feel slick or oily but rather absorb cleanly and completely into your skin.)

Using Essential Oils Safely

dōTERRA's Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade® essential oils can be used safely by your family for a variety of wellness applications. However, there are several safety guidelines that you should follow when using essential oils and essential oil products.

1. Be sure to use only 100% pure therapeutic-grade essential oils and follow all label warnings and instructions.
2. If redness or irritation occurs when using essential oils topically, apply a vegetable oil such as fractionated coconut oil or olive oil to the
   affected area.
3. Essential oils should not be used in the eyes, inside the ear canal, or in open wounds. In the event of accidental contact with the eye, dilute with vegetable oil NOT water.
4. Do NOT consume an essential oil internally unless labeled with a Supplement Facts box with specific dietary supplement use instructions and warnings.
5. Discontinue the use of an essential oil if you experience severe skin, stomach, or respiratory irritation or discomfort.
6. When using on children, apply a very small amount of oil to test skin or other sensitivity. Do not use oil on a child's hand as they may transfer to their eyes or mouth.
7. Consult your physician before using essential oils if you are pregnant or under a doctor's care or have other safety questions regarding
   essential oils.

It is important to remember that therapeutic-grade essential oils are highly-concentrated plant extracts and should be used with reasonable care. Consulting with someone who has experience with essential oils will make your first experience with essential oils more enjoyable and rewarding. As you learn how to use essential oils through personal experience, share your knowledge with others in a safe and responsible way and encourage others to do the same.

Contact us at rockymtnsurvival@gmail.com for further information.

Many Preppers Will Die

Sterile Vs. Clean In Survival Situations

July 15, 2012 10 Comments

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Hey Prepper Nation,
A significant factor in the quality of medical care given in a survival situation is the level of cleanliness of the equipment used.  In primitive conditions, it will be a challenge to make an environment that guarantees the best chance of avoiding infection in a wound.  It will be harder still to sterilize all of your equipment. Now, you may have heard of the terms “sterile” and “clean”, but do you have more than a vague idea of what they mean?
When it comes to medical protection, “sterility” means the complete absence of microbes.  To guarantee the elimination of all organisms, a type of pressure cooker called an “autoclave” is used for instruments, towels, and other items that could come in contact with the patient.  Interestingly, some things can be “dirty” and “sterile” at the same time.  If I put a handful of dirt in a container in a pressure cooker, I would render the dirt sterile by killing all the microbes in it.  It would still be dirt, however.
There is considerable debate, even now, as to what truly constitutes “sterile technique” and what is to be considered “clean technique”.  There is even some disagreement with regard to which technique is best in which scenario.  Although this is a discussion for a much longer article, suffice it to say that initial wound care, especially with deep wounds in the first 48 hours, should be sterile if possible.  As it becomes clear that the wound is not infected, clean technique may be acceptable (indeed, it may be all you have).  An infected wound will appear red, swollen, and feel hot to the touch (see image below).

Here are common characteristics of clean vs. sterile methods:
Sterile technique involves hand washing with special solutions and the use of sterile instruments, gloves, towels, and dressings.  When used on a patient, the area immediately around them is referred to as a “sterile field”.  In order to say that sterile technique was used, you would have to assure that only sterile items were used, and were only touched by other sterile items.  This is not impossible, but requires extra diligence (and expense) to achieve.  For example:  Clean, non-sterile gloves come 100 to a carton, while each pair of sterile gloves must be individually packaged.

Clean technique concentrates on reducing the number of microorganisms that could be transferred from one person to another by medical instruments, or other medical supplies. Meticulous washing of hands and instruments with soap and hot water is important, as is the wearing of clean gloves.  Attention is given to making sure that dressings are made of clean cloth or gauze.  In most survival settings, this may be as good as it gets, but is that so bad?
There is very little research that compares clean vs. sterile technique for wound care.   In one study, an experiment was conducted in which one group of patients with traumatic wounds were cleaned with sterile saline solution, the other group with tap water.  Amazingly, the infection rate was 5.4% in the tap water group as opposed to 10.3% in the sterile saline group.  Another study revealed no difference in infection rates in wounds treated in a sterile fashion as opposed to clean technique.
Therefore, I usually recommend clean water to irrigate wounds (see image below), although sterile saline is also fine.  If you use Betadine, make sure it is very dilute.  Betadine is cytotoxic (harmful to new cells) in deep wounds, so is best in the initial cleansing or in situations where infection is suspected. The same goes for Hydrogen Peroxide.

Let’s talk for a second about sterile vs. non-sterile dressings.  I usually recommend a moist sterile gauze in deep wounds covered by a less moist or dry dressing on top (“wet-to-dry dressing”).  However, consider this: A 2006 study in the Canadian Journal of Plastic Surgery took 2 x 2 inch squares of the following items and submitted them for tests to see if there were bacterial organisms on them:

• 20 Sterile Gauze
• 20 Panty Liners
• 20 Sanitary Feminine Napkins
• 20 Diapers

The results:

• None of the 20 sanitary napkins grew out bacteria
• 1 of the 20 panty liners grew out bacteria (Staphylococcus)
• 2 of the 20 sterile dressings grew out bacteria (1 Staph. And 1 Streptococcus)
• 15 of the 20 diapers grew out bacteria (all bacillus)

Surprised that the sterile dressings came in third?  I was.  In any case, this doesn’t prove that you shouldn’t use sterile dressings where possible; it just means that, for survival purposes, we might want to conduct further research (which is what the Canadian study recommended).
                                            The Winner!
Remember that your entire sick room should be kept disinfected, so as not to spread infection. Disinfectants are substances that are applied to non-living surfaces to destroy microbes. This would include areas where you would treat patients or prepare food.  Disinfection does not necessarily kill all germs and, as such, is not as effective as sterilization.
A disinfectant is different from an antiseptic, which removes micro-organisms from the surfaces of LIVING tissue.  An antiseptic differs from an antibiotic in that an antibiotic can kill harmful bugs INSIDE a living organism.
Examples of Disinfectants include:

• Bleach
• Alcohol
• Vinegar

Examples of Antiseptics include:

• Chlorhexidine (Hibiclens)
• Betadine
• Hydrogen Peroxide
• BZK (Benzalkonium Chloride)

Examples of Antibiotics include:

• Amoxicillin
• Tetracycline
• Ciprofloxacin

Some mistakenly consider disinfection to be the same as “decontamination”. The latter, however, may include the elimination of toxic chemicals or radiation.  The removal of radioactive dust from a surface would, therefore, not be called disinfection, but decontamination.
Dr. Bones
Reference:  Can J Plast Surg. 2006 Spring; 14(1): 25–27.
Reference:  Journal of Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing- March/April 2012
Are you prepared to deal with medical issues in disaster situations?  If you have the #1 Amazon Survival Skills Bestseller “The Doom and Bloom Survival Medicine Handbook”, you will be!   Here’s the trailer:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kb3vdQecUPM

Dr. Peter Vincent Pry: America May Never Recover From EMP Attack

Mon, June 4, 2012

by: 

Ryan Mauro

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Dr. Peter Vincent Pry is the Executive Director of the Task Force on National and Homeland Security for the Congressional Caucus on EMP (Electro-Magnetic Pulse) that endeavors to carry on the work of the EMP Commission. He is also the Director of the United States Nuclear Strategy Forum, an advisory body to Congress on policies to counter weapons of mass destruction.
Dr. Pry has served on the staffs of the EMP Commission, the Strategic Posture Commission, the Commission on the New Strategic Posture of the U.S., the House Armed Services Committee and the Central Intelligence Agency.
For those unfamiliar with what an EMP (Electro-Magnetic Pulse) attack is, please view the segment on the topic from the Clarion Fund’s Iranium by clicking here.
The following is RadicalIslam.org’s national security analyst Ryan Mauro’s interview with Dr. Pry:
Ryan Mauro: How long will it take to get critical infrastructure back up and running after an EMP attack?
Dr. Peter Vincent Pry:  Given the current state of U.S. unpreparedness, after a nuclear EMP attack that collapses the electric grid and other critical infrastructures, the U.S. might never recover.  The Congressional EMP Commission--that investigated the EMP threat for nearly a decade and produced the most definitive analysis of the threat--estimated that within one year of a nuclear EMP attack, about two-thirds of the U.S. population, about 200 million Americans, would likely perish from starvation, disease and societal collapse.  Iranian military writings openly describe making an EMP attack to eliminate the United States as an actor on the world stage.
Mauro: Have past nuclear tests in the air produced an EMP?
Pry: Past exoatmospheric nuclear tests have produced an EMP, such as the 1962 STARFISH PRIME nuclear test.  The nuclear burst must occur at high altitude, above 30-40 kilometers, to produce the EMP effect.  During the Cold War, the Soviet Union conducted high-altitude EMP tests over part of their own territory that collapsed electric grids.  Fifty years of empirical data from nuclear tests and EMP simulators proves that an EMP attack would have catastrophic consequences.
Mauro: How could the U.S. government protect us from this threat? How much would it cost?
Pry:  The Congressional EMP Commission produced a plan for protecting all U.S. critical infrastructures from nuclear and natural EMP (such as would be generated by a great geomagnetic storm, like the 1859 Carrington event) that could be implemented in 3-5 years at a cost of $10-20 billion.  This would provide robust protection.  At minimum, the 300 EHV transformers that service the biggest U.S. cities, where most of the population lives, could and should be protected, at a cost of $100-200 million, or about one dollar for every life that could be saved.  The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission estimates that the national electric grid could be protected from EMP at a cost to the average rate payer of 20 cents annually.
Mauro: How much dispute is there over the science behind the horrific scenario you depict? A skeptic once sent me a report by Oak Ridge National Laboratories/Metatech about “myths” regarding the EMP threat.
 Pry: Among the numerous official Congressional and USG studies on nuclear EMP attack--that includes reports by the Congressional EMP Commission, the Congressional Strategic Posture Commission, the Department of Energy and National Electric Reliability Corporation and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (which includes the Metatech report), there is an official scientific and technical consensus that an EMP attack would have catastrophic consequences.  Even the most optimistic "best case" scenario involving a nuclear EMP attack by a primitive low-yield nuclear weapon would be an unprecedented catastrophe and could collapse the national electric grid and other critical infrastructures that sustain modern society and the lives of millions.
 Indeed, the entire purpose of Congressional Commissions is to, if possible, resolve controversy and achieve consensus on matters of national security concern.  Two Congressional Commissions staffed by our nation's best experts and supported by the vast resources of the defense department, the intelligence community and the national nuclear weapons laboratories have independently arrived at the same consensus that a nuclear EMP attack would be catastrophic--so as a matter of public policy, the existential character of the nuclear EMP threat is not controversial, but an established fact.
There are some individuals, usually in academia, who claim the EMP threat is exaggerated.  But these people are not EMP experts and are simply ignorant or politically motivated, as when the New York Times ganged up on Newt Gingrich for trying to warn about the EMP threat during his presidential bid.  Nonetheless the press, uneducated about EMP itself, keeps quoting these non-experts.
Nothing could be further from the truth.  I know well Dr. William Radasky, the team leader of the Oak Ridge/Metatech report, and he would certainly agree that a nuclear EMP attack on the U.S. would be an unprecedented catastrophe--and this is the conclusion of his report.  If you read the report, it warns that an EMP event could collapse the electric grid and other critical infrastructures and require 4-10 years to recover.  Can you imagine trying to survive for years in the aftermath of a nuclear EMP attack that deprives you and millions of your fellow citizens of food, water, transportation and other necessities for life?  Sounds pretty catastrophic to me.
But it should not take a genius to realize that when a falling tree branch can cause the great northeast blackout of 2003, any nuclear EMP attack would certainly have catastrophic consequences.  Iran, North Korea, China and Russia all certainly understand this, as reflected in their military writings.
Ryan Mauro: How far away is Iran and other enemies of the U.S. from having the capability to carry out this kind of attack? Some experts say that Iran would still need a year to construct an actual nuclear bomb after acquiring the necessary highly enriched uranium and would need years after that to develop a nuclear warhead that can fit onto a ballistic missile.
Dr. Peter Vincent Pry:  Any state or group possessing any nuclear weapon and any missile capable of reaching an altitude over 30-40 kilometers can make an EMP attack.  An ICBM is not necessary.  An EMP attack can be delivered by a short-range missile launched from a ship, such as a commercial freighter, operating near U.S. shores.  Iran has practiced such a delivery mode.  Iran already has missiles, such as Scuds and its Shahab-III, capable of delivering a nuclear warhead.
Officially, the Obama Administration claims that Iran does not yet have nuclear weapons.  Personally, I have written several articles warning that Iran might already have the bomb.  Our intelligence on Iran's nuclear weapons program is not good.  Historically, our intelligence community has a bad record on predicting the advent of new nuclear weapon states and was taken by surprise by the development of nuclear weapons by Russia, India, Pakistan and North Korea.
Supposedly, Iran has been trying to develop nuclear weapons for 20 years, yet during World War II, the U.S. Manhattan Project developed the world's first nuclear weapons using 1940’s era technology in just three years.  Why should Iran, with access to the now declassified Manhattan Project papers and copious other U.S. documents on nuclear weapons design and helped by North Korea and others and equipped with modern technology, not be able to accomplish in 20 years what the U.S. accomplished during the 1940’s in just three?  
The difficulty of miniaturizing a nuclear warhead for missile delivery is often exaggerated.  Pakistan deployed nuclear warheads on its Ghauri missile just one year after its first nuclear test.  Israel, according to the respected Wisconsin Project, has developed a sophisticated array of nuclear weapons, including thermonuclear warheads and weapons miniaturized for delivery by missiles and artillery--all without nuclear testing.

Ryan Mauro is RadicalIslam.org's National Security Analyst and a fellow with the Clarion Fund. He is the founder of WorldThreats.com and is frequently interviewed on Fox News.

Fire Without Matches!

Homemade Dishwasher Soap

http://homesteadrevival.blogspot.com

Whenever I wonder if it is worth it to make my own laundry soap, I just recalculate what it costs and I remind myself how much money I'm saving. It's nearly 50% less than what I was currently using. So when it came time to buy more dishwasher soap, I decided to try making my own as well.

I predict that some of you are already rushing to comment that this has not worked for you. In all my reading on the web, there are a lot of dissatisfied dishwasher owners. Even with the commercial soap. (You'll want to read my article on Keeping Your Dishwasher Clean to get my thoughts on scum that builds up inside these automated washers. A lot of people are making big mistakes, such as using a rinse aid when they may not really need one.) The issue isn't just the soap, but it's the water that goes through the appliance.

I'm going to give you the recipe I use, keeping in mind that I have a water softener. I'm finding that it works for me pretty well, but I had to try a couple of different recipes before I got one that worked just right. This isn't a "one-size-fits-all" kind of a thing. I suggest that you make a small batch of the recipe that follows, adjusting the ingredients as needed until you come up with the right formula for your water situation. 

The Ingredients 

Washing Soda:

Sodium carbonate can be used as a pH regulator to maintain stable alkaline conditions and to neutralize the acidic effects of chlorine and raise the pH level. Without using washing soda, additional detergent is needed to soak up the magnesium and calcium ions. It effectively cuts oil or grease on dishes and is used as a descaling agent in boilers such as found in coffee pots or espresso machines, which leads me to think it would do the same in a hot dishwasher.

Baking Soda:

Sodium bicarbonate can be added as a simple solution for raising the pH balance of water (increasing total alkalinity) where high levels of chlorine (2-5 ppm) are present. A paste from baking soda can be very effective when used in cleaning and scrubbing. For cleaning aluminium objects, the use of sodium bicarbonate is discouraged as it attacks the thin unreactive protective oxide layer of this otherwise very reactive metal.

*Note that this is very similar to washing soda and many recipes interchange this ingredient. If one doesn't work well for you, try the other. I found the washing soda worked best for me.

Borax:

Sodium borate is used to help cut grease, reduce spots and film by conditioning the water, and removing hard water minerals. It also works as a disinfectant. This is the one item that  I would caution you to keep out of reach of little ones. It is mined from the ground and is a natural mineral, but not safe for ingestion. I took a tour of the 20 Mule Team plant in Boron, California, and was amazed at all the uses this product has in our everyday lives (and we aren't even aware of it)!

Citric Acid:

Citric acid's ability to chelate metals makes it useful in soaps and detergents by allowing these cleaners to produce foam and work better without the need for water softening. It also will remove hard water stains from glass without scrubbing. In addition, it works as a natural antimicrobial agent. I recommend purchasing Frontier Naturals one pound bag of Citric Acid from either Amazon, Frontier Naturals, or a food co-op. It will run you about $7-9, but should last a while. I wanted to get started right away, so I purchased some Fruit Fresh, which has some citric acid in it (or you could buy cheap lemonade packets), but it cost me more and I don't recommend this unless you're in a bind. However, it seems to be working well. I'll be ordering bulk citric acid from the co-op in the future!

Salt:

A lot of recipes for homemade dishwasher soap include salt, but I'm not sure that it's really a necessary ingredient. While it is often thought to reduce the effects of hard water, I've read elsewhere that adding salt along with the detergent does not soften the water much, but the water will gain some additional ability to dissolve hard water ions. How much is the question. Keep in mind that as water drops remaining on the dishware evaporate, deposits of the salt will likely remain. To combat this, the use of a rinsing agent such as vinegar will help eliminate the spotting. *If you should choose to use salt, do not use regular table salt, but rather course Kosher salt. Read more here.

Homemade Dishwasher Soap 

{soft water recipe}   

1/2 cup borax ($.18)

1/2 cup washing soda ($.33)

1/4 cup food grade citric acid ($.66)

* for hard water, try increasing the amount of borax or add 1/4 cup course kosher salt, not regular salt! Read more here and scroll to middle of the page where it says "Dishwasher Salt".

Combine ingredients and use sparingly. I use only about 1 to 1 1/2 tsp. per load. (For hard water, you may need more.) Keep in a handy container near your appliance.

Total cost: $1.17 per batch (mine was actually closer to $2.01 because I used the expensive citric acid). 

Total # Loads: 81 per batch (@ 1 1/2 tsp. per load)

Total Cost Per Load: $ 0.014 - Nice!

Rinse Aid: Add white vinegar to the appropriate dispenser. Refill as needed. (I do this even for my soft water).