I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father’s protection.

A quick shout out to all the dads out there! You are loved, appreciated, needed and incredibly important in the lives of your family. Sometimes it is apparent, other times, maybe not so much. Just know that everyday you are the superhero in their lives.

My father didn’t tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it.
- Clarence Budington Kelland

I love my job. So many times I talk to fathers who want to protect and provide for their families. The thought of anything disturbing the ebb and flow of the lives of their wife and kids send these men into protection mode… and that is why I see them so often in our emergency preparedness store. They search of ways to purify water in case there is no water available. They look for long term food storage just in case the grocery store is picked clean. They have seen disaster happen in history books and believe it is better to be prepared that to be caught in a bad situation with nothing to fall back on. Kudos to you dad. Thanks for thinking ahead.

My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me.
- Jim Valvano

Looking for Father’s Day gift ideas? Here’s one for you… bring him in on Father’s Day… yes, we are open… from 12:00 ‘till 5:00pm. Let him pick something out . You can let him play with the boar spear and blow guns while you are there. Or if you want to have something to surprise dad with, we have a huge assortment of items with a wide range of prices. If you were thinking of something along the lines of a grill, check out our volcano stove. On this awesome stove, you can grill, fry, bake or slow cook in a Lodge cast iron dutch oven. It comes with or without a propane attachment. You can use any type of fuel in this bad boy: propane, wood, charcoal… really anything that will burn. There are so many fun big-boy-toys at Truprep, you are sure to find something that he would like! Come out to the store or chat with us online at TruPrep.com and we will be happy to help you find the perfect thing.

“A Father doesn’t tell you that he loves you. He shows you.”
–Demitri The Stoneheart

Happy Father’s Day people!

So what’s the deal with everyone walking around with paracord bracelets, belts and dog leashes? There is even a paracord book written on the subject of tying paracord.  Is this some sort of a fad? Well kinda. But there are actually many uses for paracord; the fashion statement is just a way of having it handy… there when you need it. 

Let me start off with a quick story. I was working one day at our Marietta retail store and a guy comes in looking to buy a new paracord bracelet. He told me that he had disassembled his previous bracelet when he was in a fender-bender. He went on to tell me that the bumper of his car was bend down and was resting on his front tires. He untied his bracelet, which extended to a 9 foot piece of cord, tied up his bumper and drove off to a body shop. Good for you buddy, that’s using your head

Here are some other possible uses for paracord… let your imagination go wild!

Did you know that TruPrep has OVER 140 COLORS of paracord to choose from?  Thats a LOT of paracord.  Be sure to check out our paracord, paracord bracelets, and paracord accessories when you get a chance!

Paracord Uses:

• Tie up tarps
• Tie down a tent
• Make a shelter
• Make or tie up a hammock
• Fix a backpack
• Use bright colors to mark your trail
• Hang a backpack from a tree (keeping it out of rain puddles
• Hang food from a tree (away from animals)
• Hang up a flag
• Make a snare
• Make a rock sling
• Make a gun sling
• Hang up a lantern
• Bow drill for a fire starter
• Tie up your rolled up sleeping bag
• A pulley system for heavy objects
• Bundle firewood for easier transportation
• Clothes line
• A jump rope for board kids
• Make a swing
• Shoe/Boot lace
• Belt
• Dog leash
• Identify members of a group with certain color bracelet, lanyard…
• Trip wire attached to cans or bells as an alert
• Tie up a bad guy
• Tourniquet
• Arm sling for broken arm
• Make a stretcher
• Make a splint along with sticks
• Tie garden vegetables (like tomatoes) to stakes
• Fish stringer to transport your catch

Small inner strings:

• Fishing line
• Repair a fishing net
• Dental Floss
• Sewing thread
• Sutures

Don’t stop here. Add your own ideas and keep a copy in your go-bag. It’s sure to come in handy.

First, let me answer a few of your questions. Why should I spring clean? I’m glad you asked. Imagine this scenario: There has been a tornado, your house was not destroyed but it has been badly damaged. The entire town is in ruins. The grocery stores have been wiped out and you know it is only a matter of time before the looting starts. You and your spouse decide that is best to load up the minivan, taking your chances that you can make it around the debris, and head to your relative’s house in north Georgia. He has a drinking problem and likes to talk a lot, but it’s better than nothing.

Now here is where this story takes a turn. It is time to grab what you can and head outa’ dodge. You will either be able to put your hands on what you need OR you will spend your time scrambling through every room in the house looking for and deciding on what stays and what goes. You cry over old photos and accidently leave behind important documents.

You will be so much better off in an emergency type of a situation if your home is not cluttered with stuff that you really don’t use anyway.

So here’s the plan. Get rid of the things in your house that you have not used in the last six months to a year. Stage an area for your important documents and emergency essentials.

Consider the following:

• Keep a well-stocked pantry. Check the dates on your cans and other perishables. Get rid of the stuff that is out of date.  Always incorporate a rotation system for your canned goods. Put the new stuff in the back and use the older stuff first.
• Go through your clothes. Get rid of clothes that you have not worn last season. Keep warm clothing that could be worn outdoors in the winter. Keep wool socks and extra underwear. Keep sun hats and rain proof jackets.
• Go through all of your paper documents. Create a binder with clear sleeves for all of the important stuff. Scan those same items into a PDF file and store them on a USB drive. Shred or burn other documents that you no longer need. You don’t want that stuff out there floating around.
• Go through your memorabilia. You can’t take it all with you in an emergency situation. Take pictures of the things that you want to remember and put them on a USB drive or make a photo album. This works great for trophies and all of the little treasures that your children have made through the years. Then either part with your special items or store them in an area that is dedicated to things that you will not be taking with you in an emergency type of situation.
• If you have a library full of books, put the important ones in a special area that you intent to keep in this situation. There may be a situation where you cannot rely on mapquest or google. There are some fantastic reference books available.
• If you have small kids, make sure that you are mindful of their favorite toys, stuffed animals or blankets. Again you cannot take everything with you and a little normalcy is important for the little ones. A deck of cards will go a long way with the older kids and adults.
• Have a go-bag packed and near an exit ready to grab and go.
• Hold a garage sale or list a few items that you can part with on Craig’s List; you could raise money for that Berkey water filter that you have been wanting.

Ultimately your goal is to simplify. Not only will this help with your preparedness, but will aid in your overall happiness . Now grab a few boxes and trash bags and get busy! If you read this all the  way to the end, you must think it is a good idea. Head knowledge does you no good if you do not act on it!

Are you planning on gardening this year? if so, now is a great time to start! If you have never grown anything before, give it a try! Even if it’s cherry tomatoes in a container, you will be proud of your accomplishment! Every year, I baby my garden like a proud mamma  grinning at my power to create food… well God created food… I was just able to get it to grow! Yahoo!

Here’s a thought. You might want to practice. Gardening and canning is a lost art to many people. Not so long ago our grandparents used to do this kind of stuff as a way of life. It wasn’t that long ago, and I am afraid that if anything drastic would to happen and all of the Chick-Fil-As were to close down, so many people would would be helpless, not knowing what to do or how to do it. So if you practice now with a mini garden you will learn what works and what doesn’t  It is better to know that now instead of in a time when your life could depend on it.

If you are a master gardener, you go you! Great job! Maybe you can find others who are interested in learning so you can pass on your knowledge. The more people are self sufficient, the less you will have to worry about them begging at your front door steps in the event of a long-term emergency situation. Let’s hope that doesn’t happen.

Let’s say nothing ever happens, sheeew, I hope that is the case. You will always benefit from a garden by lowering your grocery bill and by having fresh health food.

Oh, and make sure you are using non GMO seeds. That way you can harvest the seeds for next year and you won’t grow a third eyeball in the middle of your forehead from eating genetically altered foods. Be sure to check out our large Baker Creek Heirloom seed collection here at TruPrep.  All of our Baker Creek seeds are  non GMO Heirloom seeds assuring they will give back year after year!

Happy planting!

Since the world as we know it may soon end due to sequestration cuts according to many people out there, TruPrep has decided to help you prepare by offering a Sequestration Sale!  From now through Sunday, March 3 enjoy a 2.3% discount (the same deep discount as the sequestration cuts) on ALL in stock products.  Stock up now while there is still time!  Simply enter code SAVE23 at checkout online or mention this sale at any of our retail stores.

Start Shopping Now!

About Baker Creek Seeds:
Baker Creek carries one of the largest selections of seeds from the 19th century, including many Asian and European varieties. The company has become a tool to promote and preserve our agricultural and culinary heritage. Baker Creek and their seeds have been featured in The New York Times, The Associated Press, Oprah Magazine, Martha Stewart, and many others.  They also work extensively to supply free seeds to many of the world’s poorest countries, as well as here at home in school gardens and other educational projects. It is their goal to educate everyone about a better, safer food supply and fight gene-altered, Frankenfood and the companies that support it.  All Baker Creek seeds are non-hybrid, non-GMO, non-treated and non-patented. Baker Creek boycotts all gene-altering companies.  They work with a network of about 100 small farmers, gardeners and seed growers to bring you the best selection of seeds available!

USDPE was created to gather Preppers, Survivalist, and just those who want to be prepared for any eventual disaster or emergency. Together we form a society that mentally accepts the belief that; ” Preparing for every uncertainty is nothing more than adjusting your attitude towards being a survivor, not a victim.”

Preppers and survivalists understand that there may come a time where the government, or those in political power, may be unable, unwilling, or slow to respond, and you and your family’s survival will be in your hands alone.

For more information, check out www.usdpe.org.

I resolve to have more fun with my family, to take better care of myself because I only have one me, to laugh more and to shake off the little irritating things that life throws at me. Also I resolve to better manage my money and to stick to my budget (Yeah… I hate the “B” word too.)

Sometimes I find it difficult not to spend my entire paycheck on prepping stuff. I am around it all day long and there is always something else that I want. I also have to be careful with my time because it is easy for me to get caught up on YouTube or some other site for hours. The truth of the matter is, it can get a bit overwhelming. So I figured out a simple solution (and I suggest this for you too): I have made a list of the survival items that I want to purchase (in order of importance) and I have put aside a part of my budget every month for the things on my list. That way, little by little, I am insuring my family’s survival… just in case.

Overall, 2012 was a good year for me, but sadly, not for everyone. 2012 had some doozy natural disasters. According to Tim MacWelch in his article entitled “The 20 Worst Natural Disasters of 2012” posted on www.outdoorlife.com, “2012 will go down in the history books as having some powerful and even record breaking natural disasters. Thus far, the year has seen super storms like Hurricane Sandy, epic droughts, month-long wildfires and unprecedented weather like the June 2012 Derecho.”  This article is laid out like a disaster yearbook with pictures that you might feel like you could walk into and experience yourself. Now, I didn’t personally experience any of these natural disasters, but it doesn’t mean I won’t in the future.

So I will hope for the best for 2013, and at the same time I will plan for the worst. I will laugh more, play more ping-pong and put up more food. I resolve to do all of this starting January 2nd! (I have a feeling I might be laid up with the cocktail flu on the 1st.)

Happy New Year!