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ArticlesAnastasia - Excerpt from The Book of KinBy Vladimir MegréFor the past 10 years the global eco-movement has been getting a powerful boost from nine books known as the Ringing Cedars Series. Since their release in Russia they have been translated into 20 languages and spread like a raging wildfire across Europe, selling over 10 million copies without any advertising except word of mouth. The books contain inspiring and uplifting messages of extraordinary purity from a remarkable woman found living alone deep in the forests of Siberia. Anastasia Vedrussa is thought to be a surviving member of an ancient Vedic culture, whose powers and knowledge far exceed anything known today. Since reading these books thousands of people have begun forming eco-villages, creating sustainable communities and gardens and producing beautiful works of art, music and writing in an out pouring of love and gratitude for this new awakening of our divine nature. A superb English translation by John Woodsworth and Leonid Sharashkin is now available from Ringing Cedars Press. Eight volumes are complete with the ninth expected in April 2008. Here is a brief excerpt from Book 6, The Book of Kin by Vladimir Megré The best place in Paradise (second parable) Four brothers came to a gravesite to honor the memory of their father who had died many years before. The brothers wanted to know whether his soul was dwelling in Paradise or in hell. They were all eager for their father's spirit to appear before them and tell how it was doing in the next world. Their father's image appeared before them in a wondrous radiance. The brothers were awed and their hearts were afire when they saw this miraculous vision. When they finally regained their composure, they enquired: "Tell us, Father, does your soul dwell in Paradise?" "Yes, my sons," their father replied, "my Soul delights in a wondrous Paradise." "Tell us, Father," the brothers started asking, "what fate awaits our souls after our own flesh dies?" And the father responded to each of his sons in turn with a question of his own: "Tell me, my sons, how do you appraise your deeds to date upon the Earth?" And each brother answered his father in turn. The elder son began: "I have become a great military leader, Father. I have defended my native land against its foes, and never allowed an enemy foot to tread upon it. I have never offended the poor and infirm. I have endeavored to take good care of the soldiers under my command. I have always honored God, and therefore I hope to enter into Paradise." The second son replied to his father: "I have become a prominent preacher. I have preached goodness to the people. I have taught them to worship God. I have reached great heights and achieved high standing among my peers, and therefore I hope to enter into Paradise." The third son replied to his father: "I have become a prominent scientist. I have designed a great many devices to benefit people's lives. I have raised a large number of handsome buildings for mankind. Each time I start a new construction project, I give praise to God and celebrate and honor His name, and therefore I hope to enter into Paradise." The youngest brother answered his father: "I, Father, cultivate a garden and work daily at raising vegetables. From my splendid garden I send fruits and vegetables to my brothers and try not to do anything dishonorable or displeasing to God, and therefore I hope to enter into Paradise." The father replied to his sons: "Your souls, my sons, will indeed dwell in Paradise after your flesh dies." The vision of their father faded. Years went by, the brothers died and their souls met in the Garden of Paradise, only the soul of their younger brother was not among them. The three brothers then began to call out to their father, and when he once again appeared before them in his wondrous radiance they asked him: "Tell us, Father, why is the soul of our little brother not among us in this Garden of Paradise? It has been a hundred earthly years since we last spoke with you at your gravesite." "Do not be concerned, my sons," replied the father. "Your little brother's soul, too, is dwelling in the Garden of Paradise. Only he is not here with you right now because your little brother is at this moment communicating with God." Another hundred years went by, and once again the brothers met in the Garden of Paradise. But again their younger brother was not with them. And again the brothers called for their father. When he appeared, they asked: "See, another hundred years has gone by, but our little brother has not come to meet us, nor has anyone seen him in the Garden of Paradise. Tell us, Father, where is our little brother now?" And the father answered his three sons: "Your little brother is communicating with God, and that is why he is not among you." And the three brothers began asking their father to show them where and how their younger brother was communicating with God. "Take a look," the father replied. And the brothers saw the Earth, and there was the marvellous garden which their little brother had cultivated during his life. In this wondrous earthly garden their brother, looking so much younger, was explaining something to his child. His beautiful wife was busying herself nearby. The brothers asked their father in astonishment: "There is our little brother in his earthly garden as before, not in the Garden of Paradise as we are. What is he to blame for before God? Why has his flesh not died? Several centuries have passed in Earth years, and here we see him as a young man? Does that mean God has somehow changed the order of the Universe?" And the father answered his three sons: "God has not changed the order of the Universe, which He established right from the start in great harmony and inspired love. Your brother's flesh has died, and on more than one occasion. But the place of one's soul in the Garden of Paradise is best created by one's own hands and soul. Just as for any loving mother and father the child of their own creation is always the most glorious. According to the Divine order of things, the soul of your little brother should assuredly be granted entrance to the Garden of Paradise, but seeing this garden is on the Earth, it is immediately incorporated into a new body in the earthly garden so dear to it." "Tell us, Father," the brothers went on, "you were saying that our little brother is communicating with God, but we do not see God with him in his garden." And the father responded to his three sons: "Your little brother, my sons, is looking after God's creations — the trees and the grass — they are the Creator's own materialized thoughts. In treating them with love and conscious awareness, your brother is thereby communicating with God." "Tell us, Father, shall we ever return to the Earth in fleshly form?" the sons asked their father. And they heard him answer: "Your souls, my sons, now dwell in the Garden of Paradise. They can take on earthly form only if someone creates a garden for your souls on the Earth similar to the one in Paradise." The brothers exclaimed: "Gardens are not created with love for other people's souls. We ourselves, once we are given a fleshly form, shall cultivate a Garden of Paradise on the Earth." But the father replied to his sons: "You were given that opportunity already, my sons." After this response the father began to quietly withdraw. But once again the three brothers cried out and asked their father: "Dear father, show us your place in the Garden of Paradise. Why do you withdraw yourself from us?" The father stopped and replied to his three sons: "Look there! Do you see that leafy apple tree flowering beside your little brother in his garden? Under that apple tree is a little cradle, and in that cradle is the beautiful body of a tiny infant that has just wiggled its little hand as it begins to awake. My soul is alive in that little body. After all, that was the marvellous garden I began creating myself..." The above book excerpt is reprinted with permission from Ringing Cedars Press. For more information or to purchase these books visit www.ringingcedars.com or write to Ringing Cedars Press, 415 Dairy Road, Suite E-339 Kahului, HI 96732 USA. © Copyright Ringing Cedars Press 2008. All Rights Reserved.
Drought Played a Role in the Collapse of the Mayan EmpireBob Beale - ABC Science OnlineA long dry period punctuated by three intense droughts probably played a major role in the mysterious collapse of Mayan civilization in Mexico, according to a new study. The severe droughts, each lasting between three and nine years, may have the been the final straws for a civilization already on the verge of collapse, says a report published today in the journal Science. "Between about 750 and 950 AD, the Maya experienced a demographic disaster as profound as any other in human history," said the report, by an international research team led by Dr Gerald Haug of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zürich. The Mayan were so successful that at their so-called Classic Maya peak, around 750 AD, the civilization supported a population of between three and 13 million people, the researchers said. But then it progressively collapsed and by the early 9th century, many of its cities and towns had been permanently abandoned. The study details new evidence that the three droughts occurred around 810, 860, and 910 AD — corresponding to the three phases of Mayan collapse suggested by archaeological evidence. The researchers also found that a more subtle but long-term drying trend was ongoing during the collapse. The droughts may have been what specifically "pushed Mayan society over the edge," they said. The findings are based on an analysis of long-term climate records as revealed in pristine undisturbed sediments from the Cariaco Basin, off northern Venezuela. The distinctly layered sediments, washed out from land by rivers, show up as pairs of light and dark bands that correspond to annual wet and dry seasons. Within them, the team identified yearly variations in titanium levels, which reflect the amount of rainfall each year. They correlate well with palaeoclimate data obtained elsewhere from sources such as ice cores and tree rings. Until now, however, climate records from the time had not been precise enough to test the relationship between drought and the Maya's downfall during the 9th and 10th centuries, the report said. The Mayans began cultivating maize in the region about 2000 BC, using dryland farming techniques that depended on fallowing to rest the soil and needed relatively little labor. Like other Native Americans, they went on to develop sophisticated ways of intensively cultivating fertile soils associated with seasonal and permanent wetlands, on which multiple crops could be grown year after year. Living in the Yucatan lowlands of Mexico and depending mainly on an inconsistent rainfall cycle, the Maya developed labor-intense networks of raised fields as well as canals, reservoirs and other systems for storing and gravity-powered distribution of rainwater. The Mayans had abandoned their major cities once before — between about 150 and 250 AD — an incident that may also be due to drought. But their population constantly recovered, cities were reoccupied and their culture blossomed. "The control of artificial water reservoirs by Maya rulers may also have played a role in both the florescence and the collapse of Maya civilization," the researchers wrote. Other scientists have suggested that drought may have undermined the institution of Mayan ruling class when existing ceremonies and technologies failed to provide sufficient water. The Mayans were an ancient people whose high civilization flourished in what is today Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala. They created monuments as impressive as those in ancient Egypt, were proficient in mathematics and astronomy and invented a unique written language.
A Simple Beginning Guide to Food StorageBy Danielle GrahamWhether you are building your very first basic food storage program or updating your current inventory, this simple beginner's guide to food storage can help make your planning and labor easier. Remember, people have been storing food since the beginnings of civilizations. However, since our current societies no longer maintain public granaries, it is up to each of us to wisely store foods for such times that either interruptions in the food distribution chain, or, crop failures leave us without the abundance of foodstuffs we have grown accustomed. Fortunately, our current technology and knowledge archives provide us with ample tools and the information necessary to make this responsibility easy to understand and implement. The process of storing foods is quite simple, requires good planning, a moderate budget and a constant-cool location for storage. Follow these simple guidelines below to help eliminate the frustration of what may seem, at first, to be a daunting task. The goal of providing ample food stores for yourself and your family is easily attainable, and ultimately, a deeply satisfying experience. Once you have your food storage preparations under way, you will know a level of inner confidence and security that no 'world event' can take from you. The wise basic food storage plan. The wise food storage plan takes into consideration the possibility of dramatic changes from our current lifestyle and insures that our nutritional requirements are met no matter how much our physical activity increases or decreases. Currently, we live quite comfortably: Cars, buses, trains and planes that carry us from location to location, and, markets, grocery stores and restaurants in which to satisfy our hunger immediately. However, if we were suddenly required to walk or bicycle long distances, grow and prepare our own food, build and maintain our own homes, fields and crops, our gross nutritional requirements would increase exponentially. By the same token, if we found ourselves in circumstances in which our physical activities were severely curtailed, our gross caloric requirements would decrease, but our bodies' need for vital nutrients would not: The nutritional requirements would shift from calorie rich foods to nutritionally dense foods with significantly fewer calorie requirements. Thus, even during beginning planning for a basic storage plan, it is important to account for this wide range of possibilities when creating our food storage lists. The guidelines provided below do take into consideration the wide range of potentials and these basic recommendations are offered accordingly. What basic foods should be stored? The best foods to begin with for your storage are the foods that store the longest, are the easiest to store, and provide the best and broadest range of nutrition, : Whole grains, beans and whole seeds, salt, sweeteners, and spices. These foods form the foundation of all long-term food storage plans. These foods require the least monitoring and rotation, are the least expensive and provide for both the broad nutritional requirements as well as dense nutritional requirements. There are many levels of important foods to include in your food storage plans, however for the purposes of offering a good basic guideline, we will focus on only these basic foods in this simple Beginner's Guide. How much basic food should be stored? To answer this question, ask yourself: How many people do you want to store food and for how many years? I call this people/years. Let's say you are a family of five — 2 adults and 3 children, (always consider children the same as adults for the purposes of this calculation), and, you want to store enough basic food supplies for 2 years. Multiply 5 people by 2 years and you have 10 people/years. Use this formula to multiply the recommended amounts below by the above 10 people/years to get the number for the bulk amounts you should acquire. Grains: 300 lbs per person, per year Therefore, based on the calculation for the family of 5 for 2 years, multiply the amounts above by 10: Grains: 300 x 10 = 3,000 lbs Now, this 2+ tons of dry food may seem like an overwhelming huge quantity, however, this is a very manageable amount of food that can easily be packed, stacked and stored away. As well, the quantities may seem out of touch with your current dietary regime, but the high amounts of sweeteners and salt take into consideration elevated nutritional requirements during demanding physical activities. How are these basic foods stored? These basic foods are packed into buckets, and in the case of the grains and beans, with nitrogen. Heavy food-grade food storage pails with a food-grade gasket lid come in 3 sizes for the purposes of storing and accessing bulk foods: 3.5 gallon, 5 gallon and 6 gallon. Although utilizing 6 gallon buckets is the most cost efficient, please consider the weight of these buckets before deciding on the bucket sizes. I rarely recommend 6 gallon buckets, preferring instead the 5 gallon and the 3.5 gallon sizes. 6 gallon buckets generally hold 43 to 48 lbs of food for a total weight of about 50 lbs. each 5 gallon buckets generally hold 30 to 33 lbs of food for a total weight of about 35 lbs. each 3.5 gallon buckets generally hold 25 lbs of food for a total weight of about 27 lbs. each With the recommended 5 and 3.5 gallon buckets, each 100# of bulk grain or beans would fit into three 5 gallon bucket or four 3.5 gallon buckets. These weights are easier to manage, carry and utilize by putting less stress on the physical body over time. Oxygen is forced out from around the grains and beans with nitrogen, protecting these foods from common, nesting insects. A slow flow regulator should be used with the nitrogen tank to slowly release the nitrogen from the bottom of the bucket upwards, displacing the oxygen as the nitrogen rises. Though many other packing options exist, this packing technique is the most effective and least expensive option for preserving food long term. Why buy bulk food and pack the foods yourself? There are 2 main reasons to pack your own storage foods: First and foremost, you will have a first hand experience of the foods you are storing which adds value to these foods by simply putting your own mind and consciousness into them, interacting with the foods as you pack them for long term storage. Secondly, by packing your own food storage, you will have the opportunity to inspect the quality of the foods. How do these foods look and feel? This knowledge can add value when your utilization of the foods later on. Highest recommended foods for long term bulk storage: Recommended grains: hard red spring wheat, hard white wheat, soft pastry wheat, unhulled buckwheat, hulled barley, rye, quinoa, kamut, spelt, oat groats whole grain corn. Millet, rice, rolled oats, cracked grains, etc., have a significantly shorter shelf life and should not be chosen for long term storage. They can be regularly rotated into any food storage plan on a yearly basis. Recommended beans: adzuki, green lentils, black beans, garbanzo, soybeans, whole green pea, mung beans. These beans perform the best, are the most diverse, are easiest to sprout and have the highest usable protein. However, all beans store well: Be sure to stock up on your favorites. Recommended sweeteners: honey, molasses, maple syrup, white and/or brown sugar, depending on taste and budget. Recommended salt: Redmond real salt is mineral rich. Salt is one of our most important and necessary minerals. There is no such thing as too much salt in your food storage. Recommended spices: allspice, cloves, cinnamon, peppers, cumin, nutmeg, chilies, cardamom, curry, ginger, paprika, peppercorns, vanilla bean. Stock up on all spices that you enjoy cooking with — especially those grown in geographical areas far from where you live. Summary Remember, these recommendations are for basic, long-term storage, utilizing foods that have demonstrated to be the hardiest and best foods for storage over time. However, your own food storage plan will certainly contain many more foods than these. Be sure to include foods you are familiar with, but be careful to respect their shelf life. Additionally, items like freeze-dried meal packets, although expensive, offer the benefit of a quickly prepared and hardy meal, quite valuable during stressful situations. Comfort foods have an important place in any food storage program. Be sure to include your favorites like chocolate, sauces, liquors, wine, coffee, tea, powered milk, meat, etc. I hope this simple outline will be of value during your preparations. Danielle Graham was the founder of Good FoodStuffs, the largest bulk organic foods wholesale warehouse on the west coast at the time, (1989-1991) and has been consulting on food storage for over 30 years. She is currently the founder and executive director of NW Frontier Research Institute, an independent, non-profit, international scientific research lab exploring the fundamental physical science implications of natural human potential, and, Science Editor, Content Director, and 'Future Science' columnist for the new SuperConsciousness magazine. Graham is also co-owner of Aligned with Nature, your premiere source for superior kitchen, garden, energy products and knowledge. For great prices and quick shipping on home sovereignty tools and information, visit www.alignedwithnature.com. As time allows, Graham also consults with families and small groups on food storage. To check on availability or schedule a private food storage consultation, contact her via email — livingsys@fairpoint.net .
A Top Notch Underground Shelter SystemBy The Survival CenterWhat does the Ground Hog and Ant Know that we should know? Many people ask us how could one survive a major disaster, whether natural or man made or a combination thereof. One way nature protects its critters is getting them under ground. Ground hogs and ants are good examples. They have been around for a long time. So has nature. A properly built and installed under ground shelter is an excellent way to improve your chances for long term survival. The Survival Center has been building and installing under ground shelters since the late 1970's. Over the years we have refined what really works well and not so well. We build our shelters with the utmost of care and with your long term multi-hazard protection in mind no matter what scenario one would be preparing for. Our Under ground shelters are designed to protect from earthquake, nuclear, biological or chemical events, tornadoes, hurricanes, fires, etc., and as a home safe area. Great Idea for VIP or Executive Protection - retreat, Secure Data Storage, Backup Command Post, Remote Protective Location, and more. Our heavy duty steel reinforced under ground shelters are air tight and water tight. Your particular situation may require additional equipment. Remember the three most important things in real estate? Location, Location, Location! This also applies to properly installing your shelter. The best location is in a slope or gradual incline of a hill so one can be high, dry and achieve natural air flow. Avoid putting your shelter below the water line or in an area that may flood. If you live near the coast line of any body of water you may want to consider moving your shelter inland to a safer area. Shelters can arrive fully stocked with food, water, supplies and most anything else one would want inside. The Basic Underground Shelter (Order Code # UG1) is an internally and externally reinforced (reminds one of a submarine ) 8 ft diameter by 27 ft long ? inch thick steel tank. Includes: Lockable Air valves, entrance with ladder, emergency exit, emergency hatch opening 20 ton jack system, storage shelves, paint inside and out, metal protective anodes (to prevent rust ), wood floor down the middle approx. 6 inches high. One low volume Flush Toilet, Shower, Double Stainless Steel Kitchen Sink, Food preparation area, 4 bunks + hangers to hook up additional hammocks, etc., and lots of storage. Lifting hooks for easy installation. All shelters are air tight and water tight. These are tried and proven shelters tested over time. Starting at $59,995.00 plus delivery and installation. Air filtration, septic tank and hook up are optional. Why heavy duty steel? It works the best. These shelters are designed for long term family survival and will handle a family of 4/5 long term or more people for a shorter time period. More deluxe units are available. Several units can be clustered together for additional comfort and storage. Optional Utility Modules are available, that could include but not limited to: generator, fuel storage, water storage, washer and dryer, additional storage, water heaters, batteries, invertor, etc. Concrete reinforcing is a suggested option to make your unit a more hardened shelter or hardened structure. Features of this shelter system:
So, the Ground Hog (and Ants) are protected by going Under Ground. How about You? General consensus today is that if one was to put themself in the best situation to be able to survive the POTENTIAL Planet X effects, climate changes, earth changes, earthquakes, asteroids, comets, war and the effects that may be coming our way, and stand up to the potential high surface winds, high water, and nuclear explosions (nuclear type winter, etc.) (from whatever source, be it man made or from crashing asteroids) then one would be wise to observe nature, like the Ground Hog (ants included ) and Get Under Ground! A properly designed, built and installed under ground shelter may give you the edge you need to survive. This is presented as a brief synopsis of what we have learned over the past 30 years of building and installing various under ground shelters. It is better to be one year too early that one day to late! The Survival Center can design and manufacture for most any hazard you are planning for. Generally their units are NBC (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical) ready. Some customers require less, some require more protection. Initial consultations determine the direction for your complex. All the shelters are reinforced for added strength, however, remain flexible for potential earth movement. Earth arching and correct installation assure maximum protection and longevity. Concrete options are suggested for additional protection. The interior reinforcement reminds one of a mini submarine, heavy duty and built to last. Installation is not included in the price. The Center will work with your local contractor, certified civil engineer, licensed electrical contractor and other who may be needed to properly install your system. These contractors know your soil conditions and can give valuable advise. Many things must be considered before construction begins and pre-planning is a must. Most of the modules will arrive ready to go with supplies for each stored To Order call 1-360-458-6778. If you are serious about being prepared for what ever may come your way, and want to be prepared to be on your own for extended periods of time, then purchase this 3 DVD series What To Do — "Basic Preparedness" the 3 DVD series presented by The Survival Center™ Home Study Course. The book Basic Preparedness is a must have. (see website for more details) The Survival Center, America's Premier Preparedness Center In Continuous Operation Since the early 1970's. Supplier of Family Preparedness, Health, and Survival Supplies. We have the knowledge and experience. Call the Experts at 1-360-458-6778.
Water Storage and PurificationFrom Captain Dave's Survival ShopWater is probably the most necessary element for human life, with the exception of oxygen. When planning your water resources for survival you need to deal with three areas:
Storing Water For your in-home cache or survival retreat stash, you should count on two gallons of water per-person per-day. While this is more water than necessary to survive (except in hot climates or after strenuous exertion) it ensures water is available for hygiene and cooking as well as drinking. Commercial gallon bottles of filtered/purified spring water often carry expiration dates two years after the bottling date. A good rotation program is necessary to ensure your supply of water remains fresh and drinkable. You can purchases cases of six one-gallon jugs, which frequently go on sale. The heavy-duty cardboard boxes stack easily and protect the jugs from rupturing. If you prefer to store your own water, don't use milk cartons, it's practically impossible to remove the milk residue (ugh!). Bleach bottles are sometimes recommended but bleach manufacturers don't recommend it. If you have a spare refrigerator in the basement or the garage, use PET water bottles (the kind soda or liters of water come in) to fill any available freezer space. In addition to providing you with fresh, easily transportable drinking water, the ice can be used to cool food in the refigerator in the event of a power failure. These bottles, which are clear and have screw-on caps like soda bottles, will withstand many freeze-thaw cycles without bursting or leaking. (The bottom may distort when frozen, but this isn't a big problem.) For self-storage of large amounts of water, you're probably better off with containers of at least 5 gallons. Food-grade plastic storage containers are available commercially in sizes from five gallons to 250 or more. Containers with handles and spouts are usually five to seven gallons, which will weigh between 40 and 56 pounds. Get too far beyond that and you'll have great difficulty moving a full tank. 15 gallon and 30 gallon containers used for food service — such as delivery of syrups to soda bottlers and other manufacturers — are often available on the surplus market. After proper cleaning, these are ideal for water storage — as long as a tight seal can be maintained. 55 gallon drums and larger tanks are also useful for long-term storage. But make sure you have a good pump on hand! Solutions designed to be added to water to prepare it for long-term storage are commercially available. Bleach can also be used to treat tap water from municipal sources. Added at a rate of about 1 teaspoon per 10 gallons, bleach can ensure the water will remain drinkable. Rotate the water in storage tanks every year. Once you're in a survival situation where there is a limited amount of water, conservation is an important consideration. While drinking water is critical, water is also necessary for rehydrating and cooking dried foods. Water from boiling pasta, cooking vegetables and similar sources can and should be retained and drunk, after it has cooled. Canned vegetables also contain liquid that can be consumed. To preserve water, save water from washing your hands, clothes and dishes to flush toilets. Long Term Storage The safest and most effective way to secure your water supply is to drill a well on your own land and hand pump it. If you must store your water but don't have enough resources to purchase underground storage tanks, begin with commercially available 55 gallon barrels specifically designed for water storage. As long as your water is free of bacteria, if you keep it in clean, tightly closed containers away from sunlight, it will remain safe indefinitely. Calculate the amount of water you and your family will need and be aggressive about collecting it. Daily minimum water intake required for an adult at rest is 1.3 gallons in 90 degrees weather. Most experts agree that 1 gallon a day person is sufficient. 1/2 the gallon is for drinking, the other 1/2 is for cleaning and cooking. Be certain you have the best quality water filtration system you can afford. There are many choices on the internet. In the coming times, ground water is likely to be contaminated. You must either have your own well, access to safe, deep public well or you must begin storing water as soon as possible. Purification While you may think any water will do in a pinch, even today water that is not purified may make you sick, possibly even killing you. In a survival situation, with little or no medical attention available, you need to remain as healthy as possible. A bad case of dysentery is terribly uncomfortable and cam be life threatening. Boiling water is the best method for purifying running water. It doesn't require any chemicals, or expensive equipment — all you need is a large pot and a good fire or similar heat source. Plus, a rolling boil for 20 or 30 minutes should kill common bacteria such as giardia and cryptosporidium. One should consider that boiling water will not remove foreign contaminants such as radiation or heavy metals. Outside of boiling, commercial purification/filter devices made by companies such as PUR or Katadyn are the best choices. They range in size from small pump filters designed for backpackers to large filters designed for entire camps. Probably the best filtering devices for survival retreats are the model where you pour water into the top and allow it to slowly seep through the media into a reservoir on the bottom. No pumping is required. On the down side, most such filtering devices are expensive and have a limited capacity. Filters are good for anywhere from 200 liters to thousands of gallons, depending on the filter size and mechanism. Some filters used fiberglass and activated charcoal. Others use impregnated resin or even ceramic elements. Chemical additives are another, often less suitable option. The water purification pills sold to hikers and campers have a limited shelf life, especially once the bottle has been opened. These are good for the car's emergency kit, as long as they are frequently replaced. Pour-though filtering systems can be made in an emergency. Here's one example that will remove many contaminants:
If you have a stash of activated charcoal you can put a layer inside this filter. Place a layer of cloth above and especially below the charcoal. This will remove other contaminants and reduce any unpleasant smell or tastes. While this system may not be the best purification method, it has been successfully used in the past. For rain water or water gathered from what appear to be relatively clean sources of running water, the system should work fine. If you have no water source but a contaminated puddle, oily highway runoff or similar polluted source, the filter may be better than nothing, but it's not a great option. Once the system has been established and works, you must remember to change the sand or dirt regularly.
Wood Burning Boiler from Central BoilerGood News for Home Owners — Eliminate Heating Bills for GoodWith record heating costs on everyone's mind, more and more people are looking for an economical alternative to conventional heating methods to save money. Many people have turned to an outdoor wood furnace to eliminate their heating bills. Wood heat offers many advantages. Wood is renewable and often free. Eric and Connie Moore own a Central Boiler Classic outdoor wood furnace and love the savings it provides. "We are getting our hot water and heat for FREE!" Conventional sources of heat such as propane, natural gas, fuel oil and electricity deplete our irreplaceable fossil fuels and create carbon dioxide which would otherwise be trapped in the earth. Wood, when burned, results in no net increases in carbon dioxide. One of the many advantages of heating with an outdoor wood furnace instead of an indoor wood stove is the safety. Barry Smith used to heat his home with three indoor wood stoves until he experienced a chimney fire. His insurance company paid him $8000 to repair the smoke damage to his home and sent him a policy cancellation notice. After he made the decision to heat with a Central Boiler outdoor wood furnace his insurance company agreed to rescind the cancellation of his insurance. "My outdoor wood furnace not only gives me peace of mind for our safety, it has also replaced 1,500 gallons of fuel oil and cut my electric usage in half." At today's prices that is a savings of more than $4,000 per year. "I also like the independence it gives me and not having to worry about fluctuating fuel prices," states Barry. An outdoor wood furnace is located outside, away from the home, and works with any existing heating system. A water jacket surrounds the furnace firebox and heated water is circulated to the home or building through insulated underground tubes. A heat exchanger or direct circulation conveys the heat into the structure's forced-air furnace, boiler or radiant floor heating system. This allows for normal thermostatic control of temperature for safe, even and comfortable heat. The outdoor furnace has the ability to heat multiple buildings and domestic water. Central Boiler is showing users how much a Classic wood furnace can save them with an Energy Savings Calculator located at centralboiler.com. The easy-to- use calculator takes into account how much gas, oil and electricity a home uses and shows how families can save tens of thousands of dollars and more over time. For more information about a Central Boiler outdoor wood furnace, contact Oregon Boiler, your authorized Central Boiler dealer at 541-761-6235. Bills Outdoor wood furnaces provide a money-saving benefit to those who can't afford or choose not to pay the ever-increasing price of home heating costs. "We are getting our hot water and heat for FREE!" "My wife likes the fact that the house is cleaner now since we no longer burn wood indoors. There is no longer smoke or ash inside my home," Barry said.
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