Cooking Strategies and Other Survival Wisdom
by Hope Saxton
(Washington)
Outdoor Cooking Will Alert the Neighbors that You Have Food
Cooking a meal when a food shortage is happening may bring in the masses by light or smell. It's highly advisable to take care when using light in the dark-it attracts more than mosquitoes.
So the solution is to have stored some food tablets or bars until security is maintained enough to keep others at bay while you make a warm meal.
Of course, it's nice to share, but will the other guy take all and not share? Hunger does crazy things to people. And he or she may raid more than just your meal....however, if you partner with your neighbors (and take care of the young and elderly), they are apt to be helpful with whatever 'comes down the pike'.
In the city, it's rats in a maze and a whole different combat zone. People are less likely to be close in the city. All I'm saying is your preparation may help your neighbors and provide a sense of security in a smaller community. Getting to know them is a 'now' thing and not when hazards strike.
Other Things to Think About
One should also think about skills that are useful when the power goes out and society falls apart. Could you grow your own food, mend your clothes and dig a trench to potty in?
Have you used a knife, a gun, a hatchet, a drawknife? Can you build a fire, a lean-to, a sling shot or set a trap? What's edible where you live? Is the soil safe there? Do you know the difference in the sex of a cow and can you milk one? And if you can't do these things, who can teach you?
Being prepared keeps you sane because you KNOW you will make it. Having skills to be independent makes you valuable to any group you may encounter. Being a doctor, a herbalist, a gunsmith, welder or little ole lady from bible study.
It is proven in the scientific community that a positive outlook makes a difference. Bible study? Yep. Faith gives hope and a happy outlook makes or breaks the mind. Survivors commonly name their faith as what gave them hope in knowing they would live whatever they have endured.
Entertaining children and calming them. There is so much that people can do, but are not even aware that their skill will be needed.
Lastly, we as humans have survived some of the worst this life has to offer and so CAN you! Just be prepared as much as possible. Hope for the best, but be prepared for the worst.
