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Permalink Reply by saint.357 on November 4, 2013 at 3:01pm

honey works even better although it's much more expensive.

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Permalink Reply by Jessie W. Garrett III on November 4, 2013 at 3:15pm

Universal Edibility Test

Posted on July 2, 2013 by ZOMBEASE8 Comments

During everyday life, whether dealing with a disaster situation of not, comes the need for sustenance. Unfortunately for many of the people in the world, access to safe food and proper nutrition doesn’t seem to be a right so much as a privilege. Those that can afford it and/or aren’t restricted by law to forage, farm, fish or otherwise accrue it have a distinct advantage over those that can’t… or do they?

Millions of human beings the world over (including myself) have become increasingly dependent on easy-access food sources like grocery stores, farmers markets, vending machines, restaurants and fast-food chains. But as food costs rise and the economy becomes more unstable, many of us are left wondering: How much longer will I be able to feed my family?

It isn’t just the rising cost of food and risk of unemployment that make the question of “Where is my next meal coming from?” a serious thing to consider, total reliance on any one system is a dangerous game to play. As the global climate changes, viruses and bacteria evolve, humans continue to deplete precious natural resources and the threat of a Zombie apocalypse grows, we all need to be thinking about our next meal and where to get it from.

Both personal and community gardens are great, there’s no question about it. The ability to grow even just a portion of what you eat isn’t just gratifying, it can be key to independence and survival. But proper preparedness goes well beyond what you’ve got in your backyard or stashed away in the cupboards (see: Food at the end of the world). I’m talking about foraging and the importance of knowing what is and isn’t safe to eat.

THE UNIVERSAL EDIBILITY TEST: Performed over the span of 24 hours, this test should only be performed on plants that are abundant enough in the immediate area to make the time and effort worthwhile.

While there are literally thousands of plants and animals out there in the world that are safe to eat (some raw, some cooked and some somewhere between), there are many more that don’t go down so well, some of which do more than just give you a little belly ache. Time and again lost and/or desperate individuals have met with an early grave simply by stuffing some unknown plant into their bellies.

With over 700 varieties of poisonous plants in the US and Canada alone, you can just imagine how daunting a task it would be to memorize each and every one that is safe to eat. Without a book defining which plants are safe to eat and which are not, you could easily add your name among those with early graves.

While the results of the Universal Edibility Test aren’t 100% guaranteed, when performed properly it just might save your life.

Separate – Not all parts of all plants are edible. That means you’ll need to separate each plant into its 5 basic parts: leaves, roots, stems, buds and flowers (when applicable), testing each part individually to determine edibility. Discard plants that show evidence of parasites, worms and/or mildew, it’s a good sign that the plant is unhealthy or rotting. Do not consume anything but clean water and a single part of the plant during testing as it may skew the results.

Contact -Perform a contact test. If your skin reacts poorly, you can bet that your belly will too. After selecting one part of the plant, crush it and rub it on the inside of your wrist or elbow for 15 minutes. Wait 8 hours, watching for a reaction (burning sensation, redness, welts, swelling, bumps, rash) at the point of contact. If there is no reaction after 8 hours, move on to the next step.

Kiss – Some plants, though toxic when raw, become edible after being boiled. If you have the ability to boil a potentially toxic plant, do it. Boiled or not, hold the plant part to your lip for 3 minutes. If you feel any burning or tingling sensation, remove the plant part from your lip and start over with a different part of the plant. If there is no reaction, continue to the next step.

Taste - Put the plant part into your mouth and hold it there on your tongue for 15 minutes, being careful to not swallow it. Not all plants taste great, but that doesn’t mean they are toxic. If you experience a burning or tingling sensation, spit the plant part out and immediately wash your mouth with clean water. Fully chew the plant part, holding it in your mouth for 15 minutes. DO NOT SWALLOW. If you experience any burning, tingling or numbness spit it out and rinse with clean water.

Swallow – Once you’ve tested, tasted and chewed without adverse effects, it’s finally time to swallow your potentially poisonous bounty… but that doesn’t mean you can make a meal of it yet. Swallow ONLY the plant piece you’ve been working on, wait 8 hours. Do not consume anything but clean water for the next 8 hours. If you feel nauseated or cramping, induce vomiting and flush your system by drinking lots of water. If you feel fine and there were no adverse effects, it’s time to eat a little more.

Seconds – Gather together one-quarter cup (a small handful) of the same part of the same plant you just tested. Prepare it the same way (boiling if possible, raw if not). Eat the plant and wait 8 hours. Do not consume anything but clean water for the next 8 hours. If you have any adverse side effects or feel ill, inducing vomiting and flush your system with clean water. If you make it through this second helping and you haven’t gotten sick, then whatever you just ate passed the test.

Remember, not all parts of every plant are equal. That means you’ll need to test EACH PIECE separately BEFORE you plan to have it in your meal. While it may be time-consuming, it just might save your life. While there is a lot of waiting involved through the Universal Edibility Test process, it doesn’t all have to be down-time. Stay active by collecting firewood, seeking other food sources, working on your shelter, scavenging for supplies, treating water and working on whatever else you might need to do to survive.

Download and print the Official Zombease: Universal Edibility Test Quick Card to carry with you when you’re on the go:

WARNING: The Universal Edibility Test is not a 100% guarantee or replacement for knowledge of edible plants, though it may prove to save your life someday. This method of testing does NOT work with mushrooms and other fungus varieties… and remember, that just because something is edible doesn’t mean it has a lot of nutritional value.

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Permalink Reply by Jessie W. Garrett III on November 4, 2013 at 3:16pm

Homemade Hygiene: Crushed Sage and Peppermint Toothpaste

Posted on June 10, 2013 by ZOMBEASE3 Comments

The last time I went to the store to buy toothpaste, I realized that I was spending upwards of $60-70 a year for something with a bunch of extenders and chemicals I didn’t even want in my body. That’s when I realized that I could probably make something better without any chemicals or extenders for just a few dollars a year… and that’s exactly what I did.

With the high cost of professional dental care and even simple things like toothpaste, good oral health can be hard enough to accomplish on an average day, let alone during times of disaster. This simple, inexpensive and extremely effective Homemade Hygiene product can be put together in just a few minutes with 5 simple ingredients.

CRUSHED SAGE AND PEPPERMINT TOOTHPASTE POWDER
Refreshing and highly helpful for proper dental hygiene, this simple and inexpensive solution will last years, only spoiling if allowed to absorb moisture. This alternative to store-bought pastes contains only what your teeth need and nothing they don’t. It’s both chemical and extender free, making it not only an alternative to store-bought products, but a better solution as well.

Ingredients: (Makes about 1.2 cups)

• 2 tablespoons bentonite clay
• 2 tablespoons baking soda
• 1 tablespoon dried, finely ground sage leaf
• ½ tablespoon pure sea salt
• 20-30 drops peppermint essential oil
• 1 tablespoon Xylitol (optional sweetener)

Bentonite clay –Used for literally hundreds of years, this natural clay has the unique ability to bind toxins, helping to remove heavy-metals like mercury and lead from your mouth and body. Rich in minerals, bentonite clay can nourish both your teeth and gums naturally.

Baking soda – Less abrasive than many commercially available toothpaste ingredients, baking soda provides a gentle yet effective scrub for teeth and gums – naturally whitening your smile in the process.

Sage –Recognized all over the world as a perfect alternative to chemical whiteners, Sage also adds a subtle touch of flavor to toothpaste powder.

Sea salt –Helpful for keeping a healthy mouth, pure sea salt provides a gentle scrub while releasing nourishing minerals.

Peppermint essential oil –Antibacterial, antiseptic, pain-relieving and refreshing, peppermint is said to help fight mouth and gum infections. Spearmint and other essential oil clove are great alternatives for non-peppermint lovers.

Xylitol (optional) – While completely optional, Xylitol has been shown to not only sweeten toothpaste powder, but it has many oral health benefits as well.

Directions: Carefully measure all ingredients into a small non-metallic container like a glass jar, seal and shake vigorously to mix. Apply the powder to a wet toothbrush via a small scoop or pinch of powder and scrub away.

After a few test scrubs and tasting, I don’t think I’ll ever go back to buying toothpaste in a tube. This Homemade Hygiene: Crushed Sage and Peppermint Toothpaste isn’t just less expensive, it creates less waste and leaves my mouth feeling as fresh as though I just got back from the dentist… and it’s a great way to avoid having Zombie-breath all day.

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Permalink Reply by Jessie W. Garrett III on November 4, 2013 at 3:16pm

Dental Health

Posted on January 21, 2013 by ZOMBEASELeave a comment

It might sound silly, but good dental health can make a big difference during a long-term disaster or survival situation. Although food and drink may be sparse, and you might not have much access to sweets, you’ll still need teeth to eat what you can scrounge up.

Make an effort to brush (and floss if possible), even if you’re lacking proper toothpaste. The difference between proper dental hygiene and forgetting for a few days can quickly mean the build up of not just plaque, but dangerous bacteria as well.

Dental Hygiene Alternates for an Undead World:

• Baking Soda - A paste-like mixture of baking soda and water provides a great scrub for your gums and teeth. Used on a regular basis, this simple method will keep your pearly whites shinning bright no matter how battered the rest of you gets.
• Finger - While it might not be the best scrubber, it’s better than nothing when you’re short on toothbrushes… as long as your hands are very clean.
• Salt - This multi-purpose survival necessity makes a great mouthwash when mixed with a bit of warm water. Not only does salt help remove plaque and tartar, but it also freshens your breath. This could come in extra handy should you decide to try repopulating the Earth with the last man/woman out there.

Keeping your pearly whites white, and your breath fresh is a bigger benefit than you might think. Not only will you be able to chomp down on whatever foods you might find… it’ll making repopulating the earth a much more likely option.

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