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We live in a time of uncertainty and change. In this information-saturated era, it can be difficult discerning who or what is right. It can be easy to get caught up in the fears and worries of the day. But we can choose to take the higher road of optimism and learn from all that is happening during this transition period in our society. I truly believe that in spite of rising gas prices, rising food prices and falling house prices, there are still many opportunities for learning and growth. They say that necessity is the mother of invention. Or in other words, good changes usually don't occur without some difficulty preceding it. And for those who to prescribe to the gloom and doom theories, remember this: "in the end the pessimist may be right, but the optimist is the one who enjoys the journey." So let's enjoy this journey we call life.
Keep your eyes open to the political issues, the economic climate and the ever-changing world. Become part of the solution to the problems and challenges in your community and the world. You may want to get involved in local politics - currently my business partner, Randy, is working with the city to pass ordinances permitting the use of power generating wind turbines in both residential and commercial zones against the opposition of the local power company. Others we know volunteer locally, while still others donate financially to causes helping people in other parts of the world become more sustainable and independent. I encourage each of you to continue learning and sharing your gifts and talents as best you can.
A very good friend of mine, Cathe', who is highly involved in the permaculture revolution, estimates that many of our children will find their careers in food production or small-scale farming. It is interesting that those who grow our food have been so exploited by industry that being a farmer is very low on the scale of prestigious occupations/careers. In the past centuries as populations left the farms and migrated to the cities, it probably felt good to many to no longer be burdened with laboring in the fields. And isn't it human nature to downplay what you have left behind in preference to your new life in the city with the attendant luxuries and opportunities. Yet many of us who were raised in urban or suburban America have felt the call and the longing to let the sweat drip from our brow into the soil as we reconnect to the pulse and the rhythm of the earth. Like many of you, I have come to conclude that working hard, growing nutritious food and becoming more sustainable is a good goal. It just feels right deep within my core.
Back in the early 1990's, I sold my car, bought a bike and became a full-time bicycle commuter. Gas was around $1.25 per gallon and I would boast at how much money I was saving. In three years, I logged in over 10,000 miles. Well, now that gas has reached $4.00 per gallon, many of us are altering our driving habits by carefully incorporating as many errands as possible. But gas should not be our biggest worry. The price of food is what has gotten my attention. Wheat prices have risen due to a number of factors (including government subsidizing the growing of corn for bio-fuel - farmers can earn more growing subsidized corn than wheat). I ask you this: At what point will you stop buying bread? Today you can expect to pay up to $4.00 per loaf for quality whole-grain bread. This hearty bread is not to be mistaken for cheap white bread. My children have been brainwashed into repeating the saying "The whiter the bread, the sooner you're dead". Will you pay $6.00 per loaf? How about $12.00 or $16.00 per loaf of bread? What I, along with many others have come to realize, is that having an emergency food supply is something that we may likely have to dip into more heavily, not because of some big disaster that will suddenly cut off all availability, but to help offset the rising expense of our everyday foods. I don't know about you, but even $4.00 seems like a lot for a loaf of bread that the kids can polish off on a Saturday morning eating toast while watching cartoons. Thankfully, we have wheat (some of which my parents purchased in the 1970's) that we can grind and make wonderful homemade bread. But "man does not live by bread alone . . ." there is so much that each of us can do to become better prepared and become a little more independent. There are several tiers of home preparedness.
Begin with a 3-day "grab n' go" emergency kit. This would include a 3-day supply of food, clothing and water that is sitting in the back of your closet that you could grab and go in the event of an emergency evacuation. Look up 3-day emergency kit or 72-hour kit on the Internet.
Next, make sure that you have at least a 3-week supply of provisions that would sustain your household in the event that you couldn't leave home. For most of us, this means well-stocked cupboards. Purchase foods that you normally eat. Stock up on sale items and save money purchasing in bulk quantities.
Once you have accomplished this, begin making some bulk purchases of staple foods. Primarily, bulk foods such as wheat, rice, beans, pasta, sugar/honey, coconut oil, etc. The goal is to establish a 3 to 12 month supply. There are many websites you can find to help you figure out what you may need, how much and how to store it. Remember to store what you eat and eat what you store.
Water is another commodity that is invaluable. Living now in the high mountain desert of Utah, I was concerned that water would be a big issue (and it is), but I have discovered how easy it is to collect the rain. Last week in a 1/2-hour rain shower, we collected over 350 gallons (7 x 50 gallon barrels) before the barrels began overflowing. And while this is not considered ideal for drinking, it is ideal for watering the garden. My next step is to get a cistern that can hold a several thousand gallons. For $30 per barrel at the local hardware store and $6 for plastic downspout adapters, I feel a lot more secure with my water situation.
Go to the Red Cross or FEMA websites (www.redcross.org, www.fema.gov). Both of these sites have good practical information on getting and being prepared. It is important to also consider any special needs that may exist in your household. Those who are reliant on medications, of course, may have already anticipated emergency situations and have already talked with their doctor to have a couple of prescriptions on hand, just in case.
Here at Western Botanicals, I am asked what herbs or herbal remedies should be on hand, for an emergency. Personally, we like to keep a supply of herbs and products that we may need in the event of a variety of emergencies. One emergency that has been talked about is Bird or Avian Flu. Certainly the fear associated with an outbreak of a highly contagious potentially life-threatening illness would quickly affect schools, businesses and commerce in general causing many of us to draw upon our own resources, both for sustenance as well as health care.
We recommend putting together a first aid kit that includes herbal preparations to assist with injury and/or illness. Some of the herbs and herbal products that we include are:
If you are not accustomed to using herbal remedies, we invite you to get acquainted with them. We really do believe that Herbal Medicine is Serious Medicine.
I also recommend that you plant in your yard and garden many of these medicinal herbs. Not only will you enjoy the beautiful flowers, but you can rest assured that these plants can be used for healthy benefits both for you and your garden. Always be sure you know what you are planting and harvesting. Not all plants are safe to be consumed (for example, Death Camas can be mistaken for wild onions - you don't want to mix these up). Some good herbs/flowers to start with are yarrow, comfrey, echinacea, lobelia, thyme, garlic, chamomile, aloe vera, marigolds, marshmallow, valerian, anything in the mint family, oregano, sage, lavender, and all-heal. Of course there are hundreds of plants that are not only ornamental but will benefit other plants and help to build better soil in your garden. Did you know, for example, that comfrey is a great dynamic accumulator, which means that this deep rooting plant can bring up and concentrate minerals scarce to the topsoil so that these minerals can benefit other plants? Other good plants to grow are beans. Beans or legumes are nitrogen-fixers. Meaning they pull nitrogen from the atmosphere into the plant and the soil. Even if you don't eat the beans, they are great for the soil. The Native Americans planted corn, beans and squash together because of their synergistic relationship to each other. This plant grouping or guild is still called "the three sisters."
There are some wonderfully easy foods that can be grown that can help to supplement your diet, whether you are hedging against an emergency or not. We grow Swiss chard right outside our front door. It's big and green and lovely. At dinnertime, I can hack off a couple of leaves and steam, boil or stir-fry this rich-in-calcium leafy treat.
I am a big proponent of permaculture ("permanent agriculture", go to www.practicalpermaculture.com for a great education), which is essentially growing perennial (lasts from year to year) fruits and vegetables in a sustainable way. Begin by planting fruit and nut trees surrounded by berry bushes (I prefer thornless berry plants) and then some of the herbs mentioned earlier. By planting abundantly herbs and ground covers, you can effectively eliminate your weeding problem. By heavily mulching, you will also retain the moisture in the soil and reduce your water (which is coming from your rain barrels, right).
This time of change we live in is not a time to be fearful, but it is a time of preparation. And so let's say in 5-months, the economy surges, the risk of war, pestilence and natural disasters evaporate and we are faced only with abundance and prosperity. Have your preparedness efforts been in vain? No. Being prepared for emergencies great or small can give you peace of mind, increased sustainability and independence, provide a more beautiful landscape and greater connection to the earth. Along the way you will meet new friends, develop new talents and skills and have a better and more serene life (in spite of the extra work this may entail). I urge each of you to prepare. Not only for potential emergencies or crises that may come up, but prepare for a long, healthy and prosperous life.
~ Dr. Kyle D. Christensen ~
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