Preparedness for when

Rosemary_Jane

JayneC wrote: »

I did have a brief nosey at aquaponics but the fish mostly recommended - tilapia - don't survive cold temperatures, so no good for uk. Might have to do more research as I noticed the book was a uk version.

Hi Jayne,
do have a quick glance at aquaponics. Tilapia were used at first, as it's an Aussie thing; but there are loads of different fish being used, some people who don't want edible fish use goldfish or koi.
In Wales
http://www.herbsfromwales.co.uk/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=13&Itemid=44&limit=1&limitstart=2
some of the pictures show icicles on the carp tanks, and they also have trout - though they do need really good oxygenation. I fancy trying bluegill, again, I need to check whether I like the taste.

In this link you can download the first 'Backyard Aquaponics' issue free - there's some great trial pics showing how fast the veggies grow.
http://www.backyardmagazines.com/ (scroll down for the magazine - I don't mean 'the IBC of aquaponics')

I'm hoping to start with a teeny trial version - lettuces growing in a hole in a sheet of polystyrene floating in the pond, with their roots directly in the pond - no pumps or anything else needed. I'll just need to have some sort of basket to protect the roots from being fish dinner.
It'd be nice to actually get some lettuces and not just grow them for the snails....
wish I could bring myself to try snails.

R

maryb

I had to pop to Waitrose today - it's next to the bus stop where DD2 always asks to be dropped so she can get the bus to her boyfriend's, so I'm shopping there a bit more regularly these days.

They have got sugar on a 3 for 2 offer. Own brand only but I was low on golden granulated so that was very timely. Even Tate & Lyle white Fairtarde granulated was 88p per kilo which I think is quite a good price. I prefer cane sugar because I think it sets better when you are making jam and sugar made from sugar beet stinks when you open the packet. Funny, because the smell soon goes and then you can't smell anything.

They also had their own brand of loo paper on BOGoff (there you go Bedsit Bob) two packs of 9 rolls for £6. Brings it down to my target price of 33p per roll and it's really nice stuff.

So I'm a happy prepper today.

grandma247

maryb I also think beet sugar stinks and it gets worse with storage. I suppose you could leave the lid of the container you want to use for a while and hopefully the smell will go.

Popperwell

BessieBooBoo wrote: »

Don'tforget the dried milk or uht stuff for cuppas!

BBB

You know I always had UHT, dried milk in the house as well as fresh. Lately the fresh milk has been ok upto a week after the date on the bottle(and it just ordinary milk)but the dried milk has been fine in my mugs of tea or coffee and it lasts so long...

Then again I can often get at least 5 mugs of tea from one tea bag:p

I find the eggs I buy are ok past their carton date too and I do that quick test whether eggs sink or float.

daz378

had to start paying for my heating today used to be in with the rent £7 a week ... first 24 hrs of new system only had 1 bath and 5 hours of toasty radiators 2 morning and 3 at night , cost me 2.50 will have to ration to get to target of 1.50 a day...... my dads dog teagan still poorly why do crisis happen at home and work at the sametime? my dads been feeding her pieces of cooked chicken and giving her conditioning tablets......http://www.dazzphotography.com/ picture of her on my website ..... when i used to do photography

JayneC

Thanks again RJ I have downloaded the mag and had a good nose around the websites, think it may be possible to squeeze a teeny set up in. Might also be possible to do it at the Lottie inside a polytunnel (when I can afford one!!) if I can rig a solar panel to power the pump. I'll be self sufficient yet!!

Some exciting news - I may have the opportunity of some work hosting workshops. It will be about using herbs, making infusions and then making toiletries (balms, scrubs and body butters, etc) with infused oils. I have to meet with the workshop owner next week. Wish me luck:D!

ginnyknit

Hey Daz, I guessed it was you, correct me if Im wrong but we met in Manchester at the preppers meeting? We must all get together again soon, it was a fab way to spend a few hours. Boy you are going to have to keep a check on your heating! Would a halogen heater be cheaper to run -Im only asking because Im considering one for cool evenings so we dont put the storage heaters on and a friend reckons he sames money using his.

My planned revision of my prepping will be done tomorrow now I have everyone settled and in the right places ie. Mum out of hospital and staying with idiot brother. Daughter and family in their new mould free home with a pantry which they intend to fill with preps :j:j Hubby on a respite day and me with my feet up clasping notepad, coffee and a hummungeous cream cake - well I need to feed my brain cells and cant have lots of chocolate.

Hoping we all get a little sunshine to spur us along. ( I actually put sinshine then - sounds like more fun )

daz378

yes Ginny it is, went to that cafe with giant stuffed squirrel on dalton street.... yes would be up for another meeting circumstances permitting, will float the idea at the other forum. i do have a small plug in radiator thing , but i really need to experiment with thermostat . first 24 hrs had on all day but on a low temp of 17 degrees which shouldnt have fired the boiler today on a 2pm ....930pm shift turned off at thermostat while not in see if that works...hope you enjoyed coffee and cake:)

mardatha

Jayne that sounds lovely. I've always been into herbs and at one time that was my retirement plan - making balms, salves, and beeswax furniture polish at home

pineapple

elaine241 wrote: »

Pineapple read again! I have those listed as essentials! LOL

"I have a good stock of essentials loo roll. coffee, tea, first aid supplies, beer , wine and chocolate."

Couldnt possibly be a prepper without the above! Just looking for any ideas that I could add to from my starting point list.

Oops I'll try again!
Well the other day I was wondering what my top 5 items would be and I reckon coconut oil is up there. I get the virgin cold pressed stuff - possibly an extravagance as you can get other brands cheaper but it does go a long way. It's my 5 star product because it is so versatile - skincare, deodorant, conditioner, food... Plus it is supposed to have health benefits and be anti fungal.
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/the-amazing-health-benefits-of-virgin-coconut-oil.html
Ok now you are going to tell me you have a cupboard full of the stuff... :rotfl: