http://www.canadaprepared.com Beyond Surviving and On To Thriving! Fri, 23 Jul 2010 02:47:25 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Copyright © by Guy McDowell, 2009-2010 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/ guy@guymcdowell.com (Guy McDowell) guy@guymcdowell.com (Guy McDowell) Training, Preparedness, Survival, Self Sufficiency 1440 http://www.canadaprepared.com/wp-content/uploads/powered_by_podpress.jpg http://www.canadaprepared.com 144 144 Welcome to CanadaPrepared.com - Prepare for anything, need for nothing. Prepare for anything, need for nothing. This is preparedness living with a Canadian flavour. preparedness, emergency, disaster, relief, survival, survivalist, canada, self sufficiency, nova scotia, new brunswick, pei, quebec, ontario, manitoba, saskatchewan, alberta, bc, yukon, inuvut, newfoundland, labrador Guy McDowell Guy McDowell guy@guymcdowell.com no no http://www.canadaprepared.com/245/episode-31-save-money-slicing-and-saving-sandwich-meats/ http://www.canadaprepared.com/245/episode-31-save-money-slicing-and-saving-sandwich-meats/#comments Thu, 22 Jul 2010 22:03:57 +0000 CdnGuy http://www.canadaprepared.com/?p=245 http://www.canadaprepared.com/245/episode-31-save-money-slicing-and-saving-sandwich-meats/feed/ 1 9:33 Using our $5 garage sale meat slicer and our FoodSaver vaccuum sealer, we've packaged about 20 pounds (or 10 kilograms) of sandwich meats and saved ... Using our $5 garage sale meat slicer and our FoodSaver vaccuum sealer, we've packaged about 20 pounds (or 10 kilograms) of sandwich meats and saved at least $60 in grocery bills. I wouldn't recommend the Rival folding meat slicer we have, but for $5 bucks, it'll do. If you add the logic of food prices constantly going up, then it could be even higher savings in the long run. Just think - if bologna goes up from $3.49 for 500 grams to $3.99 for 500 grams, I've just saved on the future expense of 50 cents per package PLUS what I saved by buying it bulk and parting it up. Why wouldn't you do this? Of course, we've now got sandwich meat for pretty much the rest of the year. Should the household income go down, we can make bread cheaply and still have good sandwiches for lunches. Better today, better tomorrow. Links: FoodSaver Canada VacSealers.com - FoodSaver style bags in Canada Average Canadian Food Prices for 2009 preparedness, emergency, disaster, relief, survival, survivalist, canada, self sufficiency, nova scotia, new brunswick, pei, quebec, ontario, manitoba, saskatchewan, alberta, bc, yukon, inuvut, newfoundland, labrador Guy McDowell no no http://www.canadaprepared.com/237/basic-electricity-storage-in-a-battery-array/ http://www.canadaprepared.com/237/basic-electricity-storage-in-a-battery-array/#comments Sun, 04 Jul 2010 16:16:38 +0000 CdnGuy http://www.canadaprepared.com/?p=237 http://www.canadaprepared.com/237/basic-electricity-storage-in-a-battery-array/feed/ 0 http://www.canadaprepared.com/234/episode-30-g20-and-g8-and-dealing-with-explosive-events/ http://www.canadaprepared.com/234/episode-30-g20-and-g8-and-dealing-with-explosive-events/#comments Thu, 01 Jul 2010 20:51:59 +0000 CdnGuy http://www.canadaprepared.com/?p=234 http://www.canadaprepared.com/234/episode-30-g20-and-g8-and-dealing-with-explosive-events/feed/ 3 30:09 It's really insanity that the dignitaries would set up an explosive event in a major centre. It's also insanity that the protesters would take the ... It's really insanity that the dignitaries would set up an explosive event in a major centre. It's also insanity that the protesters would take the bait.  Here's a few of my thoughts and a few ideas to help you avoid, or deal with, such a situation if you have to be near it. Of course I've got some political and philosophical thoughts about this whole G20 and G8 thing, yet I don't really go into it in this podcast. As time goes on, you'll find me addressing these sorts of events and news items more regularly. Hope you enjoy, let's talk in the forum! preparedness, emergency, disaster, relief, survival, survivalist, canada, self sufficiency, nova scotia, new brunswick, pei, quebec, ontario, manitoba, saskatchewan, alberta, bc, yukon, inuvut, newfoundland, labrador Guy McDowell no no http://www.canadaprepared.com/225/episode-29-survival-gardening-for-absolute-total-beginners-by-peter31/ http://www.canadaprepared.com/225/episode-29-survival-gardening-for-absolute-total-beginners-by-peter31/#comments Tue, 29 Jun 2010 04:39:48 +0000 CdnGuy http://www.canadaprepared.com/?p=225 http://www.canadaprepared.com/225/episode-29-survival-gardening-for-absolute-total-beginners-by-peter31/feed/ 0 23:21 One of our excellent members, peter31, has done a video talking about his approach to survival gardening in his part of the world. I think ... One of our excellent members, peter31, has done a video talking about his approach to survival gardening in his part of the world. I think you'll find his methods well thought out and well explained. Especially simple, yet really intriguing, is using Rubbermaid bins as raised garden beds to get plants off to a good start. Seems so obvious. There's a bit of wind, so you might miss a few words, however I'm sure you will get the entire meaning as well as some sparks for ideas of your own. I'd love to see your garden and gardening ideas in the CanadaPrepared.com forum. Come check out what my wonderful wife has done! She can make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. For further thoughts on gardening check out Episode 24 – About Home Food Production – Gardening. Really, there is never a bad time or place to start growing your own food. preparedness, emergency, disaster, relief, survival, survivalist, canada, self sufficiency, nova scotia, new brunswick, pei, quebec, ontario, manitoba, saskatchewan, alberta, bc, yukon, inuvut, newfoundland, labrador peter31 no no http://www.canadaprepared.com/220/solar-electricity-generator-wiring/ http://www.canadaprepared.com/220/solar-electricity-generator-wiring/#comments Sun, 27 Jun 2010 05:34:39 +0000 CdnGuy http://www.canadaprepared.com/?p=220 http://www.canadaprepared.com/220/solar-electricity-generator-wiring/feed/ 1 http://www.canadaprepared.com/208/episode-28-about-entertainment-and-preparedness-planning/ http://www.canadaprepared.com/208/episode-28-about-entertainment-and-preparedness-planning/#comments Tue, 30 Mar 2010 04:17:01 +0000 CdnGuy http://www.canadaprepared.com/?p=208 http://www.canadaprepared.com/208/episode-28-about-entertainment-and-preparedness-planning/feed/ 2 32:22 What happens if the power goes out? Might have radio. Might have lights from candles or lanterns or back up generator. Might have a lot of ... What happens if the power goes out? Might have radio. Might have lights from candles or lanterns or back up generator. Might have a lot of work to do to get ready for the remainder of the challenge. For a few hours this is okay. For a few days, this is drudgery. What will you, your family and your neighbours do without TV, video games and the Internet? Same thing you do every time the power goes out. Get to know each other over a game of cards or someone playing guitar. Entertainment is an oft neglected part of preparation planning. Don't let it be. Resources: The House of Cards - Get card game rules here. About.com - Board Games - Everything you'd want to know. Books Recommended by Other Authors - NPR preparedness, emergency, disaster, relief, survival, survivalist, canada, self sufficiency, nova scotia, new brunswick, pei, quebec, ontario, manitoba, saskatchewan, alberta, bc, yukon, inuvut, newfoundland, labrador Guy McDowell no no http://www.canadaprepared.com/201/episode-27-about-growing-productive-trees/ http://www.canadaprepared.com/201/episode-27-about-growing-productive-trees/#comments Tue, 23 Mar 2010 04:29:13 +0000 CdnGuy http://www.canadaprepared.com/?p=201 http://www.canadaprepared.com/201/episode-27-about-growing-productive-trees/feed/ 0 29:38 With the exception of the areas of Canada where orchards are ubiquitous, you don't see a lot of food production going on with trees and ... With the exception of the areas of Canada where orchards are ubiquitous, you don't see a lot of food production going on with trees and shrubs. Why not? Trees are hardy, easy to grow and tend, and keep producing year after year. Add to that the wonderful benefits that you find in any tree - aesthetics, shade, and pollution cleaning - and why wouldn't you try to grow fruit trees? Today I highlight some fruit trees you might not think of growing, but will do well in Canada's harsher growing zones. You might be surprised at what you hear! Kiwi, Honeyberries, Currants....mmmm. Check the notes for more information: Evans Cherry Haskap or Honeyberry Saskatoon Berry preparedness, emergency, disaster, relief, survival, survivalist, canada, self sufficiency, nova scotia, new brunswick, pei, quebec, ontario, manitoba, saskatchewan, alberta, bc, yukon, inuvut, newfoundland, labrador Guy McDowell no no http://www.canadaprepared.com/189/episode-26-about-solar-generators/ http://www.canadaprepared.com/189/episode-26-about-solar-generators/#comments Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:00:36 +0000 CdnGuy http://www.canadaprepared.com/?p=189 http://www.canadaprepared.com/189/episode-26-about-solar-generators/feed/ 4 27:13 Electricity generators are literally life-savers. Most home generators are gas, propane or diesel powered though. These can be loud, costly to run and, in a ... Electricity generators are literally life-savers. Most home generators are gas, propane or diesel powered though. These can be loud, costly to run and, in a real disaster, hard to fuel. If the electricity is down, how will the gas pump work? That's where a solar-powered generator comes in. You can buy pre-made ones for about $2000 USD or more, but that's just too easy. We're survival types! We can do it! And, in building one ourselves we'll also learn how to improve and fix it. Today's podcast covers some of the basics and talks about the parts I'll be using to build mine:  solar PV panels, a Pelican case, charge regulator, AGM (Absorbed Glass Matrix) batteries, DC/AC inverters and ballpark figures on what appliances draw and how that relates to your solar generator. All parts in, my solar generator will cost me about $1500 to build, but be able to power all the crucial electrical things in my house, during an outage. You can make a smaller one for less, using the same principles and a little research. preparedness, emergency, disaster, relief, survival, survivalist, canada, self sufficiency, nova scotia, new brunswick, pei, quebec, ontario, manitoba, saskatchewan, alberta, bc, yukon, inuvut, newfoundland, labrador Guy McDowell no no http://www.canadaprepared.com/185/episode-25-preparedness-talk-from-the-phillipines/ http://www.canadaprepared.com/185/episode-25-preparedness-talk-from-the-phillipines/#comments Tue, 02 Mar 2010 03:59:50 +0000 CdnGuy http://www.canadaprepared.com/?p=185 http://www.canadaprepared.com/185/episode-25-preparedness-talk-from-the-phillipines/feed/ 2 65:18 CanadaPrepared.com member Roughrider_Fan has been overseas for a little bit and decided to sit down and chat with his brothers-in-law. One of them is Frodo ... CanadaPrepared.com member Roughrider_Fan has been overseas for a little bit and decided to sit down and chat with his brothers-in-law. One of them is Frodo - another CanadaPrepared.com fella. Listen in as they talk about their adventures in getting prepared (or not so prepared) for life. These guys have good solid thinking caps and a wealth of information and experience to share. It's a long one, yet you'll feel like you just sat down at Timmie's for coffee with the boys and learned some neat things. The only thing better would be to have been there. preparedness, emergency, disaster, relief, survival, survivalist, canada, self sufficiency, nova scotia, new brunswick, pei, quebec, ontario, manitoba, saskatchewan, alberta, bc, yukon, inuvut, newfoundland, labrador Guy McDowell no no http://www.canadaprepared.com/180/episode-24-about-home-food-production-gardening/ http://www.canadaprepared.com/180/episode-24-about-home-food-production-gardening/#comments Mon, 18 Jan 2010 01:29:17 +0000 CdnGuy http://www.canadaprepared.com/?p=180 http://www.canadaprepared.com/180/episode-24-about-home-food-production-gardening/feed/ 5 36:58 What happens if there's a truckers strike? Your grocery store could be empty in as little as 4 days. What happens if you have to ... What happens if there's a truckers strike? Your grocery store could be empty in as little as 4 days. What happens if you have to self quarantine for flu? Do you have a weeks worth of nutritious food? Gardening is much more than a hobby, it's a life skill. One that is in the blood of every person as every culture has survived and thrived through it. In this episode, I introduce you to different methods of gardening: row gardening, community gardening, permaculture, hydroponics, guerilla gardening, gleaning and aerogardening. Uncategorized Guy McDowell no no http://www.canadaprepared.com/178/episode-23-%e2%80%93-part-2-about-the-cost-of-energy/ http://www.canadaprepared.com/178/episode-23-%e2%80%93-part-2-about-the-cost-of-energy/#comments Mon, 11 Jan 2010 01:27:01 +0000 CdnGuy http://www.canadaprepared.com/?p=178 http://www.canadaprepared.com/178/episode-23-%e2%80%93-part-2-about-the-cost-of-energy/feed/ 0 30:37 Hydrocarbon fuels are exceptionally cheap and are the underpinnings of wealth. Consider the total amount of pollution we have and fuels we use area  very ... Hydrocarbon fuels are exceptionally cheap and are the underpinnings of wealth. Consider the total amount of pollution we have and fuels we use area  very small percentage of that. Wealth generator and minimal ecological impact. What more do you want? What does this have to do with preparedness? Well, once you appreciate how much a litre of gas can do for you, you'll realize it's really an inexpensive commodity that you should have on hand. Roughrider_fan's foray into island economics will highlight for you just what a difference a litre of gas can make. I decided to forego any introduction on this podcast to let Roughrider get right to the meat. I really enjoyed this one as it's a bit of a lesson in economics as well. I hope you enjoy it too. preparedness, emergency, disaster, relief, survival, survivalist, canada, self sufficiency, nova scotia, new brunswick, pei, quebec, ontario, manitoba, saskatchewan, alberta, bc, yukon, inuvut, newfoundland, labrador Guy McDowell no no http://www.canadaprepared.com/173/episode-22-about-peak-oil-and-canada/ http://www.canadaprepared.com/173/episode-22-about-peak-oil-and-canada/#comments Mon, 14 Dec 2009 05:40:46 +0000 CdnGuy http://www.canadaprepared.com/?p=173 http://www.canadaprepared.com/173/episode-22-about-peak-oil-and-canada/feed/ 0 29:23 Here's another great podcast by one of CanadaPrepared.com's members, Peter. It's very clear and concise and well researched. If you're a Canadian and you've heard ... Here's another great podcast by one of CanadaPrepared.com's members, Peter. It's very clear and concise and well researched. If you're a Canadian and you've heard of this Peak Oil concept, you need to listen to this. Also, I introduce to our listeners the excellent deal provided to CanadaPrepared.com Forum Members by Ledge Outdoors. 25% off! As good a reason as any to join our community. Joining is free and always will be! Uncategorized Guy McDowell no no http://www.canadaprepared.com/163/25-off-at-ledge-outdoors-for-canadaprepared-com-members/ http://www.canadaprepared.com/163/25-off-at-ledge-outdoors-for-canadaprepared-com-members/#comments Sun, 13 Dec 2009 03:00:28 +0000 CdnGuy http://www.canadaprepared.com/?p=163 http://www.canadaprepared.com/163/25-off-at-ledge-outdoors-for-canadaprepared-com-members/feed/ 0 http://www.canadaprepared.com/158/episode-21-about-the-cost-of-energy/ http://www.canadaprepared.com/158/episode-21-about-the-cost-of-energy/#comments Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:59:07 +0000 CdnGuy http://www.canadaprepared.com/?p=158 http://www.canadaprepared.com/158/episode-21-about-the-cost-of-energy/feed/ 4 24:51 This is a very thought provoking episode, done by a guest host. You might know him as Roughrider Fan from the CanadaPrepared.com forums. I put out ... This is a very thought provoking episode, done by a guest host. You might know him as Roughrider Fan from the CanadaPrepared.com forums. I put out the call to have some guest podcasts done, as I am very busy trying to get ready to do the challenge exams for the first and second year of my Instrumentation apprenticeship. Roughrider grabbed that by the brass ring and ran with it. Wow. Seriously, this is possible the best thought out and most concise podcast yet. What I'd like to see is what our other members have in them. I know they're mostly very well informed and educated - much moreso than myself. Come on folks! I'll tutor you on the task and do the editing. I also want to call attention to our first full-fledged sponsor - SafeCastle Royal. In the US, they operate on a very large scale with quality products and competitive prices. They now offer Mountain House freeze-dried, long term storage, foods in Canada! They are shipping from Ontario and can have your order to you in 24 to 48 hours. Now that's service! Normally, I would have asked for the opinions of our regular forum members before taking a sponsor, however SafeCastle Royal has been a long time sponsor of Jack Spirko's TheSurvivalPodcast.com that I didn't feel it was necessary. Good enough for Jack and the Moderators at his site, is good enough for me. I've had freeze dried foods before and you won't believe how good it really is! Or maybe you will. Ideally, you'll put down your own food and use different long term storage methods, and this is a great supplement to those supplies. Uncategorized Guy McDowell no no http://www.canadaprepared.com/152/episode-20-about-motivation-and-goal-setting/ http://www.canadaprepared.com/152/episode-20-about-motivation-and-goal-setting/#comments Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:01:33 +0000 CdnGuy http://www.canadaprepared.com/?p=152 http://www.canadaprepared.com/152/episode-20-about-motivation-and-goal-setting/feed/ 0 33:52 If you're like me, well, sorry about your luck! But seriously, if you're like me, motivation can be hard to sustain. Even for things that ... If you're like me, well, sorry about your luck! But seriously, if you're like me, motivation can be hard to sustain. Even for things that you know are good for you! A big part of staying motivated is goal setting. Sometimes the idea of preparing for the little and big disasters or getting to the point where you can enjoy a self-sustaining lifestyle can be very daunting! Well, today I talk about breaking it down to bite-sized pieces and staying positively motivated. Resources to Come. Photo Credit: Bad Housewife Philosophy Guy McDowell no no