Healthy Survival
No one likes to think of his or her lifestyle being disrupted,
especially by crisis; nevertheless, life can sometimes
present circumstances that challenge even the best of us.
A personal health crisis can change our lives in a matter
of moments as can a financial loss, the loss of a job or
the loss of a loved one. Likewise natural disasters such
as floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, etc. can reshape our
lives forever. So, too, can national or international
emergencies arise such as wars that change our lives
overnight. Without a doubt, facing crises and coping
with them becomes an opportunity for us to learn the
art of personal survival.History is replete with examples of human survival, the
accounts of which are both noble and profound. The
tales of those who survived impossible situations abound,
their recorded testimonies being an inspiration for the
living who draw courage from those who surmounted
great odds in their lifetimes to live and tell about it.
Indeed, times have not been easy for many throughout
history, and, as our present world continues to evolve,
the accompanying changes promise to challenge the
survival of man himself.How can we survive in this changing world? How can
we maintain a healthy lifestyle in an increasingly unhealthy
world? While the answers to these questions may vary
according to the individual, the fact remains that we are
living in unprecedented times that demand our attention
and action. The earth is changing, governments and
institutions are falling, banks are failing, businesses are
closing, jobs are disappearing, unemployment is rampant,
Americans are losing their homes, their farms, and life
savings. Furthermore, they are rapidly losing their freedoms
and their Constitional right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of
happiness. In light of these changes, how will we survive?
Suffice to say, the actions we take today will determine
the quality of our lives tomorrow.What should we do?
While none of us can or would want to predict what will
eventuate in our lives, one fact is certain: we can take
measures now to sustain ourselves through all types of
adversity that may arise. These measures are called, 'preparation.' If the Boy Scouts can 'be prepared,'
we can, too!Preparation: what is it?
Personal preparedness covers a variety of topics and
represents an assortment of life skills which are vital
to human survival. Call it, 'getting back to basics' or
whatever you will, preparing for emergency situations
focuses upon the essentials of life: the need for food,
water, clothing, and shelter.Preparation: where do we start?
Start your preparation plans by examining your present
lifestyle. List those items/commodities that would best
perpetuate your daily way of life. Examine your needs to
determine how you could maintain your lifestyle in the
event of possible power outages, floods, earthquakes,
quarantine, nuclear attack, etc. Then draw up a plan
and list of items that you will need to obtain and/or
purchase in order to meet future survival needs.Preparation basics:
1. Get healthy now- do all that you can to achieve
optimum health. If you are not on the live food 'Hallelujah'
diet, do so now! A strong immune system, a strong
physical body, and a clear mind are essential for survival.
If you are on pharmaceutical drugs, wean yourself off of
them, if possible, since medications may not be available
in times of emergency. If necessary, find natural, herbal
substitutes for medications. Stock up on any supplements
that you use daily.
2. Food- the healthiest food for nourishing the body in
times of peace or emergency is living food. Living food
delivers the highest nutrient value to body cells as
opposed to processed, cooked, animal-based foods
that contain little to no nutritional value and are toxic to
the body. Make food selections accordingly. Consider
stocking 'superfoods' (nutritionally-dense foods)
such as BarleyMax, Carrot Juice Max, BeetMax,
Survival Bars, etc. from Hallelujah Acres. A ready,
reliabe food source is to freeze or dehydrate your own
food. Fruit leathers make healthy, convenient snacks.
Quality live food, vegan nutritional bars are available
from Hallelujah Acres http://www.hacres.com,
Nutiva (hemp bars) http://www.nutiva.com
Larabars http://www.larabar.com
Raw Revolution http://www.rawrevolution.com
and Go Raw http://www.goraw.com
Healthy meal replacement products exist, however
some contain soy, soy derivatives or other harmful
ingredients that are unhealthy. Suggested meal
replacements and/or protein powders are-
Ultimate Meal http://www.ultimatelife.com
Hemp Protein Powder http://www.nutiva.com
Raw Meal and Raw Protein by Garden of Life
(available at most health food stores).Purchase bulk dry goods (grains, pasta, etc.), nuts,
seeds, herbs, spices, sprouts, and canned goods.
Bulk dry goods are best stored in lidded plastic
buckets in a dry, cool but not cold place. Consider
purchases of quality commercially freeze dried and/or dehydrated foods. Some reliable, nonGMO sources
include: http://www.efoodsdirect.com, http://www.alpinesurvival.com
http://www.heartlandemergency.com
Keep in mind that most prepackaged emergency
food units are not vegan. However, it is possible to
purchase individual items that support a healthy diet.
3. Water- it is possible to live without food for
many days, but the body can only survive three days
without water. Therefore, having a source of clean,
safe drinking water is essential. If municipal water
supplies dry up or are cut off, finding drinking water
may be difficult. Locating springs or accessing wells
may not be an option. In this case, a non-electric,
gravity-fed water purification system is handy. These
systems will purify many types of water (pond, lake,
mud puddle, rain). Units are available according
to capacity/output with various filters/replacements.
Learn more about gravity-fed Berkenfeld Water
purifying systems here. Plan water storage (both
potable and non-potable) in glass bottles, large
(food grade) plastic buckets or drums.
4. Clothing- invest in clothing that is suitable for
seasonal wear, especially cold weather garments
such as long winter underwear, wool socks, thermo
boots, hiking boots/shoes, wool sweaters, and
undergarments. Have a good supply of wool hats,
mittens, gloves, and scarves. For warmer climes,
light-weight slacks, shirts, socks, etc. are important.
As much as possible, purchase natural-fiber content:
100% cotton, wool, linen, and hemp. Natural fibers
allow the body to breathe properly, i.e. perspire.5. Shelter- In the event that you lose your home or
are forced to evacuate and/or relocate, having a
tent or similar portable structure comes in handy.
Tents are available in many sizes/styles. Screen
houses are also a wise investment. Homemade
debris huts, lean-to's or tee-pees or yurts are
also shelter options for wilderness survival.
Preparation projects:
1. Plant a garden- grow your own food for a
safe, reliable, readily-available source. If trucks
don't run and store shelves become empty, what
you grow and store may be your only food supply.
2. Build a greenhouse- Give yourself the option
of growing your own food year 'round.
3. Sprout- live sprouts of alfalfa, mung bean,
barley, radish, etc.are nutritionally dense foods
that make perfect survival foods. Growing sprouts
is fun, easy, and affords healthy, economical,
convenient eating.
4. Grow grasses- grow your own wheat or barley
grasses for juicing. Green grass juices are some
of the most nutritious foods on earth. They are
easy to grow, economical, and a reliable source
of living nutrition.
5. Purchase a generator- in case of a power
failure, a generator will keep essential appliances
running.
6. Store gasoline- if gas becomes rationed or
gas stations shut down, have a few gallons of
gas in storage with added stabilizer. Be in the
practice of keeping your car's gas tank full.
7. Solar energy- consider investing in a solar
system as a main or alternative power supply.
Research local suppliers or shop on-line at places
like http://www.mysolarbackup.com
8. First Aid chest- stock band-aids, sterile pads,
epsom salts, and related medical supplies. As much
as possible, purchase natural solutions for colds, flu,
and infections. Include potassium iodate supplements
for protection against nuclear fallout. Investigate
home remedies and stock alternative medicinals
such as herbs, essential oils, bentonite, clay,
charcoal, colloidal silver, and wild oregano.
9. Alternative heat- if conventional methods of
heating are not available (heating oil, kerosene,
propane, electric), an alternative source of heat
will be needed. Consider installing wood heat,
especially if you live in colder climates.Preparation recommendations:
1. Pack a 'Go Bag'- in case quick evacuation is
necessary, have a backpack, duffle bag, or
suitcase packed with personal essentials. Include
food, supplements, and medicinals as well as
a portable water filter unit or water purification
tablets.
2. Have extra cash on hand- should banks fail
or other emergencies arise, cash will be needed.
3. Get out of debt- eliminate your debt burden
by paying off loans, mortgages, credit card debts,
etc. If possible, eliminate credit cards from your
life.
4. Move out of populated areas- consider a
move to the country where you can begin to
homestead. If necessary, move in with family or
near friends who live in a less populated area.
Country living as opposed to city life is healthier
and most often safer.
5. Network with people of like mind- Associate
with others who understand and actively engage
a healthy lifestyle. Supporting one another in the
process, strengthens, enhances, and often extends
everyone's life experience.
6. Become spiritually tuned- be prayed up,
repented up, and in harmony with the will of YHVH.
If you do not know Yahshua Messiah as your Savior,
consider doing so now. Knowing Him and following
His leading could save your life.Preparation tips:
Preparedness begins with awareness. Take a look
at the world around you and investigate the political,
social, and economic climate. Read about earth
changes and geophysical occurrences. Most of all,
read the scriptures and learn about the day of YHVH.
Study the writings of the minor prophets and the
prophecies concerning Messiah's second coming.
Know the times in which you live from a spiritual
perspective so that you will be better able to
understand events as they unfold. Pray for guidance
in making preparations for yourself and your family.From a practical viewpoint, research the elements of
survival to gain more knowledge about topics that may
be unfamiliar. Purchase books, DVDs, tapes, and
magazines that will educate, especially with how-to's.
Take a survival course. Learn to economize and/or do
without. Shop thrift stores and yard sales to minimize
expenditures. Share information among family and friends.
Arm yourself with practical knowledge that is tailored for
survival. Learn or revive camping skills and scouting
knowledge. Put preparations into action by having personal
or family survival practices. Turn the power off for a day or
a weekend to sharpen your survival awareness. Learn
from your mistakes and most of all, have fun. Cultivate
a sense of humor even in hard times. Make preparations
a family experience that is not only educational but builds
relationships with those whom you love.Preparation: assessing the cost
Making emergency preparations can be costly in
terms of personal time, effort, and financial investment.
Furthermore, it can generate conflict with family
and friends who do not understand or share your
vision. Many people cannot imagine that the world
around them could change instantly at any time. Disasters
do happen. Ask the victims of Hurricane Katrina and
those living through the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. Disasters
planned or natural do happen as do accidents. Politicians, governments, institutions, and business people have
agendas, many of which do not serve the public good.
Allowing for the rise of lawless rulers that actively
and openly seize homes, farms and businesses, demonize homeshooling and alternative (natural) health modalities,
imprison innocent Americans, kidnap children, and
threaten to force vaccinate and bio-chip the populace,
outlaw home gardening, and force the American public
to take pharmaceutical drugs and eat genetically
modified food, it is no wonder that a 'survivalist' mentality
is sweeping the land. Noah of old was a survivalist who
dared to heed the voice of YHVH to build an ark. No
doubt his experience was a costly sacrifice, complete
with mockings, ridicule and persecution. Nevertheless,
when the rains came, Noah and his family survived.
Years of preparation and obedience to YHVH paid off.
Preparation: a personal testimony
Each of us is from a different walk of life and enjoys
a personal life experience. Likewise, none of us knows
what circumstances may befall us in the days ahead.
When times become rough, will we survive, and if so,
how?Personally, I was raised by loving, Christian parents
in upper middle class suburbia. We lived comfortably,
but not extravagantly. My parents were hardworking
and expected the same of their four children. Growing
up I was an energetic child who loved the outdoors
and the wonders of nature. Though I liked exploring
and making forts in the woods, I am a Girl Scout drop
out. Camping did not appeal to me.At age twenty three, I left home to pursue a career
in art. My new-found independence led me to quickly
discover that I was now on my own.There was no one
to pay my bills, make my meals, repair my car, clean up
my messes, wash and iron my clothes, and pay my
expenses. Being self-supporting thus became an
enlightening experience which ultimately began my
journey into personal survival .As my career progressed and my life unfolded, so
did my survival experience grow. In 1973 I left my
only full time employ to become a free lance artist.
The step was orchestrated by YHVH. He told me
that I would never work for anyone again and that
HE WOULD PROVIDE. I believed Him and therefore
trusted him to take care of me. Nevertheless, I
learned early on in this new experience that He
supplied my needs in His time and in His way. He
taught me that money was not what mattered but
doing His will. Though He was faithful to meet all
my needs, there were challenges along the way.
There were times that I lived without a refrigerator,
a stove, a car, and other common conveniences.
Each day was a revelation as I walked by faith
for the sake of my own personal survival.In 1984 I was called to Maine into full time ministry.
The move was major decision, but I was willing to
take the step in obedience to YHVH. Soon after
relocating, I discovered that ministry life was yet
a deeper walk of faith, filled with many lessons in
survival. Together with my elder sister, we have
weathered many trials and surmounted many
seemingly impossible situations to walk a path that
few would choose. We have lived without heat and
on occasion without sewer. In times like these, we
learned to dress warmer and use a large bucket
for a toilet. Our 'toilet training' came in handy
a few years later when the septic system at our
cottage broke down. To this day, we use a toilet
bucket at our cottage when trips to the outhouse
are inconvenient or not possible.
At the cottage, we live without running water, and at
home we live most of the year without hot water. One
year our furnace broke down, and we had no other
choice but to install a wood stove. As it turned out, a
few months later a severe ice storm blanketed Maine,
knocking out power for several days. We were prepared
for the disaster, however. We lit our kerosene lamps,
snuggled around the wood stove for warmth, and
thanked YHVH for forcing us make advance preparation.
Our further ventures into preparedness include growing
our own food, practicing the art of food storage,
economizing where we can, and living with less when
possible. We believe in being thrifty but not to the point
of limiting YHVH's purse. We work hard and take our
ministry mission seriously.Years ago if someone had told me that I would live
under such uncoventional conditions, I would not have
believed it. However, those of us at The Living Way
have and do. We feel that our combined trials and
survival experiences are preparatory for the days
ahead when times promise to be tougher, and
others will need to know how to survive.Preparing for a better world
Those who make survival preparations are often
labeled 'doomsdayers,' 'extremists,' or 'kooks,' when
in fact the opposite is true. For the most part,
suvivalists are hard-working people who would rather
be self-reliant than depend on others, especially
organized government. They dare to have a vision of
a better world that is free from incroaching, oppressive
forces, and therefore prepare and work toward it.
This mentality is not new. Throughout history many
people went against the social, political, and religious
tide of their in order to realize a just and better world.
Our forebears knew this struggle as did many pioneers
who braved the unknown to find a life wherein they
were slaves to no man.
Without a doubt, a new world is coming, but not as
men would think. It will not be by political design or
the edict of man, but by the ordination of YHVH. This
new world will be His kingdom come wherein truth
and righteousness reign. Only then will there be
peace on earth.Therefore those of us at The Living Way encourage
you to make healthy survival preparations while there
is yet time and supplies available, so as to meet the
demands of the day. The kingdoms of this world are
quickly falling. Prepare to enter YHVH's kingdom
before it is too late....prepare to meet your YHVH.- Amos 4:12
The voice of one that crieth, Prepare ye
in the wilderness the way of YHVH; make
level in the desert a highway for our
Almighty'- Isaiah 40:3.
_______________
References:
Matthew 24, 25
Luke 21
Book of Joel
Lamentations
George Washington's Vision of America's Destiny
Valley Forge, Pennsylvania 1777
General survival information-
http://whentechfails.com/
http://www.stevequayle.com
http://www.standeyo.com
http://www.offthegridnews.com
http://www.ofthefield.com
http://www.cleansingorsurgery.com
http://www.mainemilitary.com
http://www.majorsurplusandsurvival.comSurvival food sources-
http://www.hacres.com
http://www.efoodsdirect.com
http://www.alpinesurvival.com
http://www.heartlandemergency.com
http://www.wheatgrasskits.comSurvival Course-
http://www.herbalhealer.com/survival.html
Back to Living Letter #36/index.