FEMA’s Top 12 Emergency Items Analyzed by The Survival Mom

The FEMA website lists basic items that should be in every emergency kit. This is helpful information, and as I was reading the list yesterday, I added a few thoughts and tips of my own. FEMA’s list items are italicized.

• Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation

This is the bare minimum, especially if you live in a climate that is hot and humid. You’d be surprised at how quickly a gallon disappears! Washing face, sanitation, some laundry, drinking, food preparation…water goes fast. Since water is, basically, “free”, don’t scrimp on your water storage. Re-filled 2-liter soda bottles stored under beds, on the floors of closets, behind the couch, will all add up.

Have at least a couple of different ways to purify water. Bleach has a limited shelf life but since it’s so inexpensive and readily available, do keep at least one bottle on hand at all times. Write the purchase date on the bottle, and every six months or so, buy a new one and use the bleach in the older bottle.

It’s also smart to have a larger system that can purify larger amounts of water quickly and smaller portable purifiers for emergency kits, bug out bags, and outdoor activities, such as camping, hunting, and hiking. Some of the brands I’ve used and own are PurifiCup........See the full list at The Survival Mom.com

The Flu Fighters - by Dr. Marie J. Miczak

Flu Season Line of Defense: Hand Sanitizer & Mushroom Therapy

I'm not talking about the band, The Foo Fighters!  Flu season is here and is already wrecking havoc in the lower southern states in the US.  Worldwide, the flu (short for influenza) costs billions of dollars a year in lost wages and sick days. While most may not end up in the hospital, elderly people and those with compromised immune systems are at risk of serious complications and even death.

I think one of the best plans is a preventative one.  Here are some cutting edge ideas to keep you healthy this flu season:

Vitamin C: This important vitamin works by strengthening your cellular walls.  If you are prone to bruising or your gums bleed easily, you probably could use some extra vitamin C. You can take between 500 to 1,000 mgs a day in divided doses.  You can only absorb about 500 mgs at a time so you might want to skip taking any more than that at one sitting. You might also want to try a buffered vitamin C like Ester-C.  Unlike straight ascorbic acid, the buffered version won't over-acidify your tissues and urine.

Mushroom Supplements: Organic mushroom supplements are really hot right now as this common fungi are known to strengthen the immune system, fight infections and cancer cells. The one I recommend is made with several organic mushrooms and ginger. Rainbow Light Certified Organics Mushroom Therapy has: Trametes - Shitake - Maitake - Reishi - Cordyceps. 1 capsule per day is all you need but I also enjoy lots of marinated mushrooms on my salad!

Hand Sanitizers: I keep one of these in each handbag in case I want to stop and eat something while I'm out. Sort of like washing your hands on the fly. They come in all sorts of scents but choose one like that kills 99.9% of germs.  The Essence of Beauty Citrus Coconut Antibacterial Hand Sanitizer pictured above has little moisture beads.  The Bath & Body Works PocketBac Anti-bacterial Hand Gel is called Lunch Box and smells like a Honey Pretzel. I guess it would be perfect for a lunch box.  Hand sanitizers not only work on your hands but on other suspect surfaces such as handles and water fountains.

If you are traveling, you can sanitize water from public fountains with a PurifiCup®. It kills 99.9% of bacteria in your water. 

Flu Shots: A seasonal flu shot can be obtained at your doctor's office or at a local drug store chain like CVS, Walgreens, etc. and will run between $28 - $30. You don't need an appointment at the drug stores but each year the flu shot is made up of 3 of the most common flu strains expected to hit the population.  This means that you have only a 30% less chance of getting the flu bug that's hovering around your area. If you do decide to get a flu shot, ask around about the new trans-dermal needle that only penetrates the upper layers of the skin. It is less painful and will not leave your arm aching like the inter-muscular shots.

Water & Air Sanitizers: If you have a daily multivitamin protocol, definitely keep up with it during the flu season. If I'm traveling, I take along a small Ozium Spray Air Sanitizer and a PurifiCup Portable Water Filtration System. You never know when you might need to use a public water fountain and using a water filter that kills 99.9% of water-borne bacteria gives me peace of mind as well as pure water.


For more help and advice on healthy living and natural solutions read my book, The New Woman's Herbal & Nutritional Guide available at Amazon.com. 

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