shocker"

AR Transplant · #1 05/04/09, 11:32 PM

Because of a family tragedy I was in the home of a "fellow prepper".

turns out he has done nada in terms of real prepping. If he had to, the family could last a week at the most.

And, no, I don't think he is hiding stuff because he has really random things that don't make sense. A grain grinder (some where) but no grain to grind.

The whole family is big on eating healthy and all they eat is fresh food purchased just about every day. This is fine when the stores are open, but what if they are not?

I am ranting but this baffles me. All I have heard from him is "get ready" and when the rubber hits the road, I heard, " well, I suppose I really should get started."

well, I feel better now.

And, they don't have anything close to what you'd call a garden.

ewwwwwwwww!

texican · #2 05/04/09, 11:51 PM

...but, AR, you prep, so why should he??? That is, if he 'knows' you prep. [playing the mean ol devil's advocate... OPSEC is a bugger sometimes]

I thought I'd got through to one of my sisters... till last month she drove the three miles down my raggedyann road to borrow some rice... told her she needed to keep several of the large bags on hand, as well as beans and other vittles...

My family knows I prep... but they also know about the 'prior knowledge' rule. They have to bring something to the table, preferably grub.

beaglebiz · #3 05/05/09, 06:03 AM

I have a big bucket of stored grain and no grinder

joyfulheart · #4 05/05/09, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beaglebiz

I have a big bucket of stored grain and no grinder

Me too! But I'm trying to find an affordable (translation - cheap cause I'm broke) one.

unregistered29228 · #5 05/05/09, 08:14 AM

I've got two buckets of wheat berries but no real way to grind them either. I've got a cheapie cast iron grinder, but it takes a LOT of work to grind wheat to flour. One of my next big purchases will be a decent grinder (right after I get a manual pump for our well).

AR Transplant, sounds like your friend needs to join up here and learn more about how to organize food storage. It's great to eat all fresh, healthy foods but only if you can grow some or all of it yourself.

diane · #6 05/05/09, 08:37 AM

Lots of folks talk the talk but don't walk the walk. I learned that on another board that was completely (at least I thought) a prepper board. Turns out the guy who "owned" the board and who was always bragging about his preps when he lost his job was panhandling on the board 30 days later because he was going to lose his place and was out of food. Go figure!!!

About the wheat thing. There are many things you can do with wheat beyond just making bread so it is a good survival food even if you can not make flour. That said, a simple flour mill is a big addition to any homestead because you can make so many different kinds of flour with it.

BillHoo · #7 05/05/09, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mom_of_Four

I've got two buckets of wheat berries but no real way to grind them either. I've got a cheapie cast iron grinder, but it takes a LOT of work to grind wheat to flour. One of my next big purchases will be a decent grinder (right after I get a manual pump for our well).

AR Transplant, sounds like your friend needs to join up here and learn more about how to organize food storage. It's great to eat all fresh, healthy foods but only if you can grow some or all of it yourself.

All you need is a couple good oak logs.

Carve a bowl into one and take the other log and round off the end.

Put the grain and the bowl and start pounding. Just like the old days.

No moving parts to break down except your own.

Easily replace the worn out stump of a log with another.

Probably even adds a bit of fiber to your diet.

Tastes better than your store-bought hand-crank grain mill! When TSHTF there won't be people to buy the grain mill from when it breaks.

unregistered29228 · #8 05/05/09, 09:51 AM

I do have a large (10" across) granite mortar and pestle, but I can't imagine how long it would take to grind up enough flour for bread.

Bonnie L · #9 05/05/09, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AR Transplant

I was in the home of a "fellow prepper".

turns out he has done nada in terms of real prepping. If he had to, the family could last a week at the most.

Did you tell him about this forum? If not....

I tell everyone who seems to be interested.

NoClue · #10 05/05/09, 10:02 AM

I have a grinder but no grain. I just haven't got that far yet, but picked up the grinder because I found a deal, and it's just a matter of time until I get that far.

If you came to my house you wouldn't see any preps either. I have a hard time keeping my wife on board the long term plan, so I took matters into my own hands. Some of those buckets in the cold shed that she thinks are just my 'junk' are actually sealed up and full of food - at least three months worth.

**ladycat** · #11 05/05/09, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mom_of_Four

I do have a large (10" across) granite mortar and pestle, but I can't imagine how long it would take to grind up enough flour for bread.

My mother has an antique one here. It weighs a ton. I hope I never have to use it!

virtualco · #12 05/05/09, 10:49 AM

Yes, the cheaper grinders (mine is a Back to Basic) really rely on the arm power to make flour, which this does well...

However, if I am grinding flour to make bread, the SHTF has happened and if like the hurricanes we have here, I will have plenty of time on my hands to grind my berries.

unregistered29228 · #13 05/05/09, 10:50 AM

Mine is really heavy too, probably 15-20 pounds...I keep it in the garage on the table where I fold laundry, so I don't have to move it around. It does a great job with dried herbs and the eggshells I feel the chickens. I've ground nuts in it too.

bee · #14 05/05/09, 11:21 AM

I have no children, but if the SHTF I will likely have young people here (from toddlers to teens) and I have a manual grinder...the game goes like this to the teen boy "25 cranks with the right arm and then switch and 25 cranks on the left and switch and switch... Man are you gonna have a set of biceps!!"..I figure with bored(remember no TV and presious little battery power to spare) that games and contests that PRODUCE needed results will be the name of the game. Same goes with a mortar and pestal or even if I was reduced to a hammer/rock and towel the grain could be at least broken to size for bulgar or cooked whole like rice.

Madame · #15 05/05/09, 12:44 PM

I have some wheat berries and a grinder - but my electric stove won't be much use if there is a power outage.

BillHoo · #16 05/05/09, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bee

I have no children, but if the SHTF I will likely have young people here (from toddlers to teens) and I have a manual grinder...the game goes like this to the teen boy "25 cranks with the right arm and then switch and 25 cranks on the left and switch and switch... Man are you gonna have a set of biceps!!"..I figure with bored(remember no TV and presious little battery power to spare) that games and contests that PRODUCE needed results will be the name of the game. Same goes with a mortar and pestal or even if I was reduced to a hammer/rock and towel the grain could be at least broken to size for bulgar or cooked whole like rice.

Nothing more fun tha white-washing a fence! Wanna try? I'll let you do it for a nickel! (you pay ME!)

Wildwood · #17 05/05/09, 05:30 PM

I've seen this repeatedly over the years on prep boards and sometimes from the very ones preaching the loudest to others and making you feel inadequate because you don't have all the bells and whistles. I prefer to gently encourage because prepping is hard work, not to mention expensive and we all need motivation from time to time...especially those just getting started.

Unless you are wealthy and most of us aren't, it takes years to get what most of us consider the essentials. Tis much better to have wheat and no grinder than grinder and no wheat. There's plenty of ways to prepare wheat without a grinder.

DW · #18 05/05/09, 07:33 PM

My husband calls me a closet prepper... not really...I am a prepper. You would never really know it by walking in our house. The wheat grinder does set out b/c we use it often but most wouldn't know what it is. Most of our other stuff is put away unless we are using it. If you looked in cabinets, closets and under the steps, then you'd know.

pickapeppa · #19 05/05/09, 08:11 PM

Sounds like he might have a motivation problem of sorts, or the inability to focus and organize but the desire to do so.

There are times I'm more stocked up and times when I burn through the stock and have to restock. I figure it comes with the territory. If it's not there for my own convenience during the tougher times, why bother? The sole reason is to have something on hand when the time, energy or desire is lacking. But this is a lifestyle, and I'm not nearly as prepped as some shining beacons of this board, but it's enough for us for just about any likely interruption to our normal lives.

Henry · #20 05/05/09, 09:25 PM

It seems some of our fellow members are not to sure on priorities when it comes to prepping. When it comes to wheat [first be sure your family likes it] getting the wheat berries is the first priority. Buy what you can and put it up properly so it will last for decades and you are less liable to use it in regular day to day life if you have gone to all the work to put it up properly. As far as eating it you do not need to make bread. I am sure most have had cracked wheat cereal. All you have to do is beat it a little and you have cereal. Get the grinder when you have the extra cash and a good supply of wheat set aside. Making a plan for prepping is important you do not want to waste time and money which you will do if you do not have a sound plan of action. Priority is the watch word.