Just Me

My journey through life, weightloss, and no TV.

[degan2011]

Reasons to prep: PG&E to begin cutting power to nearly 800,000 customers at midnight | KRCR

http://krcrtv.com/news/local/pge-to-begin-cutting-power-to-nearly-800000-customers-at-midnight

Here is a post from a neighborhood group being effected by these power cuts. This post is from a retired PGE employee and worth a minute to read. It is important to note that all communication could effectively be down within 8-12 hours and water loss within 24 hours.

Also keep in mind that these are…

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[degan2011]

Grandbabies Galore!

There are so many times when life throws you a curve ball. Most times its a curve ball that hits you in the face and leaves a shiner… (more…)

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[degan2011]

Butterflies and Flowers

My first (semi) self made pattern!

We found out we were expecting our second grandchild, and that she would be a girl. My daughter said that her room theme would be butterflies and I was so excited because I had found a butterfly pattern from My Picot that I really wanted to try! (more…)

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[degan2011]

Low Carb Homemade Yogurt

Low Carb Homemade Yogurt

I discovered I like plain yogurt several years ago. Technically, I like the flexibility of taking plain yogurt and adding fresh fruit to make my own “flavors”. When I started the ketogenic way of eating, I discovered how to make homemade yogurt in my instant pot! It is super easy, and better for you. (more…)

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[degan2011]

Low Carb Cauliflower "Mac" & Cheese (Keto, Paleo friendly)

Low Carb Cauliflower “Mac” & Cheese (Keto, Paleo friendly)

This is a recipe my sister found and I was able to modify with GREAT success! I use this for pot lucks at work, and everyone loves it! I know milk products are necessarily paleo, but some paleo folks still eat cheese, so I include it under paleo for them as well.

Ingredients:

2 medium heads cauliflower, cut in florets ( 8 – 10 cups)

1/2 cup unsalted butter

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/2…

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[degan2011]

Afghan for My Son - Finally Complete

Afghan for My Son – Finally Complete

Actually, I completed this blanket in 2017, and meant to post about it then, but… Life happens. I made several attempts at an afghan for my son. He wanted something that was definitely manly. Geometric design and bland colors. You may have seen my previous attempts: (more…)

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[degan2011]

Thoughts on Food Preservation

Thoughts on Food Preservation: Food preservation and food storage is always in the front of my mind. Both in our current modern, "normal" living situation and for our future homestead lifestyle.

Food preservation and food storage is always in the front of my mind. Both in our current modern, “normal” living situation and for our future homestead lifestyle.  Living in the city, either one of us could lose our job or become injured and have to live on disability. Anything can happen to jeopardize our ability to either venture to the store for more food, or our ability to grow a viable crop…

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[degan2011]

Why SHTF is NOT Like Returning to the 1800s

Why SHTF is NOT Like Returning to the 1800s: Many people like to say that if SHTF it would throw us back to the 1800s, but is that really what it would be like?

Many people like to say that if SHTF it would throw us back to the 1800s, but is that really what it would be like? I often like to think of life on our property like living as in the 1800s, but with a few modern benefits like modern equipment, solar wells, and electricity. So really, NOTHING like the 1800s. 😉 But what if SHTF? Would we, on our property, with our solar, be truly prepared for any…

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[degan2011]

So this happened!!!

So this happened yesterday! I was looking for shelving via craigslist and Facebook marketplace to store my tubs of yarn in when I got a wild idea to search for grain mills. Guess it was my lucky day! Brand new Lehmans’ Grain Mill normally $200 and I got it for $30!!!! (more…)

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[degan2011]

Property Herbal - Name That Plant!

Property Herbal – Name That Plant!

One of my readers suggested I post images of the various plants I have around my property to see if I can gain help with identifying anything useful, or worth propagating. I know there isn’t much in food plants, but I have already identified a couple of plants with medicinal uses. I think I know what a few of these are, but would love corroboration.

1. Yarrow  2. ?

 3. ?

 4.

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[degan2011]

Building Our Homestead - To Do List

Building Our Homestead – To Do List

It’s hard sometimes to keep perspective on all the things that need doing on/for the homestead. This post is strictly an outline of what needs to be done to complete our homestead project. It is a work in progress so please feel free to offer up any advice or fill in any gaps in the comments below. Keep in mind, money and time are both limited. We are working on this project only a few weekends a…

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[degan2011]

Reasons to Prep: Volcanoes

Reasons to Prep: Volcanoes

Fast-moving lava flows on Hawaii’s Big Island from the Kilauea volcano have blocked one major evacuation route and are headed toward the crossroads of another, prompting a new round of evacuations for rural neighborhoods in the area.

Authorities going door to door in the early-morning hours Wednesday called for emergency evacuations in the Kapoho, Beach Lots and Vacationland areas, about 35…

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[degan2011]

Paleo Spiced Nuts in the Oven

Paleo Spiced Nuts in the Oven

So I talked on another post about how my husband tries to take food with him over the road (On the Road Trucker Food) and one of my readers suggested making some spiced nuts. I was inspired by this idea, so before he left for his next trip I made some. Boy were they good! (more…)

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[degan2011]

Reasons to Prep: What an "Average Day" Is REALLY Like When the SHTF - The Organic Prepper

Reasons to Prep: What an “Average Day” Is REALLY Like When the SHTF – The Organic Prepper

Below is a link to and excerpts from an interview with Selco, a Bosnian, who survived a year behind a war blockade. They had no government services, no supplies were brought it, no food, no water, no electricity. Money was worthless.

He says many things that I have already thought and may have mentioned in previous posts. Food is almost as important for morale as it is for nutrition. Sure rice…

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[degan2011]

Paleo Ice Cream

I am an ice cream-aholic. In fact I could ALMOST say that my uncontrollable craving for ice cream contributed the most to my weight problems. I could eat an entire container in a matter of days. My husband and I laugh at that Tupperware container designed to keep your ice cream from getting frost bite… Like that would EVER happen in our house!

Since discovering the adverse effects that table su…

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[degan2011]

2017 Cancer Challenge from Sweet Potato 3

2017 Cancer Challenge from Sweet Potato 3

I have been so busy lately finishing up several baby blankets and an afghan for my adult son (long time in coming).

Since I have been doing so much searching, ogling, perusing of many wonderful patterns and pattern bloggers online, I came across this post from Sweet Potato 3.

It is for a good cause with great new patterns from generous designers. I couldn’t pass up sharing it.

October is almost…

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[degan2011]

Headed to the property to make our first true “Storage Run”.

Since we started prepping, even before we thought seriously about purchasing property, we have been putting things aside in case of a “rainy day”. Things we might need if for some reason we couldn’t purchase these items anymore, be it a loss of income for some reason, or true collapse. Or what if we just needed extras in case a disaster came and we needed to share with our neighbors.

Items we have been saving are things that perhaps we don’t currently have a use for, but still have some life left in them.

Used coats

Hiking/work boots

Snow work boots

Hats and gloves

We also started storing useful and hard to get toiletry and paper items.

New toothbrushes

Toothpaste

Feminine hygiene products

Toilet paper

Paper Towels

Napkins

Nitrile gloves and other first aid items

Useful items for working outdoors during various scenarios.

Dust masks

Work gloves

Protective eye-wear

Raingear

Useful household items

Extra blankets

Pillows

Everything was packed in sturdy plastic containers just in case rodents invaded the shed and labeled or had an inventory list attached to the outside.

This all fit in the loft of our shed/cabin on the property.

I was relieved to have these boxes (6 in all) out of my living room finally. 🙂

As we get our actual house built up there (going through the permitting process now) I imagine we will do a few more of these prior to the full move.

More later!

Storage Run Headed to the property to make our first true "Storage Run". Since we started prepping, even before we thought seriously about purchasing property, we have been putting things aside in case of a "rainy day".