10,000 mAh portable charger battery pack by Wetrendy (Product Review)

This is a great little 10,000 mAh portable charger by Wetrendy. The Lithium Polymer battery is lightweight and has 2 inputs and 2 outputs. It also comes with a mini-USB cable. It can be used with both Android and iPhone, which is great as we have two of each in our home since our kids are on a different plan than ours. I like being able to charge two items at the same time.

The charger is white and has a large LED that displays the . The brightness makes it incredibly easy to see (even from a distance). The red display tells you at all times how much power is left in the charger, which is a terrific feature. I have three other battery packs and this is the only one that does this. I admit I'm loving being able to just glance over to see how much is left in it.

The Wetrendy charger, being 10,000 mAh, is handy for topping off a couple of my family's cell phones or my tablet to completion when it is running low.

We frequently go camping a week at a time and use solar or USB-powered lanterns and such, so portable chargers are an awesome and essential part of our kit. We just recharge them with our tri-fold solar panel.

Regular batteries? Forget it!

Check out for yourself at https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075N4YJB2/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1509889407&sr=1-6&keywords=portable+charger+10000mah&m=A3TER72GBY45MX

Portable Water Filter Bag by Survival Hax (Product Review)

Portable Water Filter Bag by Survival Hax (Product Review) 

This portable water filter bag from #survivalhax is awesome! It arrived quickly and is simple to assemble. To easily put it together, all I needed to do was insert the filter into the cap and then screw the cap onto the bag. I can just dunk the bag in the nearest questionable water source, fill it to its 16 ounce capacity, insert the filter, and drink. Another very useful aspect of this item is that the filter can be screwed into a standard plastic bottle.

At first it tastes a wee bit on the plastic side; this wasn't surprising, as I've experienced the same with other water filters. It seems to be a part of the manufacturing process and it does go away quickly. I tried water from a local source documented to have hexavalent chromium, and while I can't verify the removal of it, it does taste much better after filtration through this .1 micron straw.

At first I was concerned about trying a portable water filter bag. I rather expected them to be flimsy, and in a survival situation that's a pretty big risk. I ended up pleasantly surprised though, discovering the bag to be quite sturdy while still flexible. Not only that, but it seems to be reinforced not only around a thick outer perimeter, but also around the designated hole for the mini-carabiner as well.

It's easy to just hook to my pack and go! I'm not going on any outdoor activities without this bag. Given you can filter around 1,000 liters (approximately 264 gallons) with this filter, I'll be using it for a long time to come!


https://survivalhax.com/products/portable-water-filter-bag

   

Tactical Flashlight by Survival Hax (Product Review)

Survival Hax has this very well-made tactical flashlight with 1000 lumens. It is smallish at just over 5 inches in length. It comes with a rechargeable battery as well as a charger, but if you don't want to go that route, you can use the included adapter for AAA batteries. The weight is sturdy while not being heavy, and it is comfortable to hold. It has a sliding zoom, with the Cree chip being displayed on the tightest setting. It is workable with one hand even with the zoom slide being a bit on the tight slide. This is significant to me, as I know if SHTF I may very well need to use it single-handedly. I also have a tremor from the Ehlers-Danlos so the fact that I was able to use this without issue says a lot. I've tried one other product by this company, and I'm really glad to see the high quality is consistent.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DD6CWOY https://survivalhax.com/collections/all/products/tactical-led-flashlight

Atchison Chemical Spill, Bugging Out

With all the national issues going on, we must not forget to pay attention to what is going on right in front of us as well. What happened in Atchison, KS, is an excellent reminder of being aware of businesses, plants, etc, as much as humanly possible, in your area. We live 3-4 miles from a canning factory, and many of my neighbors aren't even aware of its existence. Accidents happen. Hopefully when they do, they will be small; however, if something large-scale occurs, it may require evacuation. This is why a BOB is a priority. If you don't already have one, it is not something to think about starting next year. This is a priority. http://offgridsurvival.com/need-bug-plan-atchison-ks-hit-chlorine-chemical-spill/

Emergency Water Filter (Boston Fortis Explorer Pro)

Compact Emergency Water Filter (Review)

My husband and I recently received the Boston Fortis Explorer Pro. We didn't just put it with our gear; we thoroughly tested it so we could share the results with you, as always.

This is a compact filter, so it is easy to transport. If in an emergency situation, it is ideal to stash in a BOB (bug out bag), as every inch and every ounce counts. In this case, the filter is 6.6 x 3.1 x 1.8 inches and only weighs 9 ounces. It comes with a thick drawstring pouch and a decent set of instructions. Boston Fortis even managed to squirrel away a few survival goodies into their water filter: a whistle, flashlight (surprisingly bright), compass, miniature knife, and a flint. The whistle and flashlight are incorporated into the pump, while the compass is along the top where the tubing comes out. The knife and flint are built flush into the base.

Due to our desert region's monsoon drawing to a close, we have a ridiculous amount of mosquitoes right now; thus, we decided to use a camping bucket to hold hose water and bring it back inside the house to test. We also tossed in some dirt and debris for good measure. Per the instructions, we put one end in the bucket and the other in an empty glass. The 3-stage filter has a pretty quick flow rate of around 17 ounces a minute, according to the manufacturer. We did indeed find that to be right on par. As I kept an eye on the bucket, watching the dirt in the water spin around the tube while my husband pumped, I happened to glance over at the glass and saw it was about to overflow and quickly told him to stop pumping. He had no idea it was working so quickly. It does take a bit of effort to pump, but that was expected. As instructed, we had to be sure the tube does not set directly into the debris in order to prevent clogging.

As you can see in the attached photos, the water came out incredibly clear. It tasted a bit like plastic, which I figure is from the tube. I think that will improve with time and use. We did not taste any dirt. After use, we flushed it with clean water. The assembly and disassembly is simple, as is rinsing and cleaning the filter to extend its life. We are thoroughly impressed, and glad to now have the Explorer Pro in our kit. It could end up being a lifesaver.

Review of pH Test Strips (HealthyWiser)

pH Test Strips by HealthyWiser (Product Review)

HealthyWiser makes a couple different sets of pH test strips, both of which they sent me to check out. Due to how hard it will likely be to restock our medical kit's supplies, I've been trying various testing strips. I am hoping that the use of testing strips will help keep an eye on things like water safety (to prevent sickness, thus the need to take medication in the first place), body pH, ketone build-up, etc. Each post will address the particular strip's significance.

This time, I'm trying the second set of pH strips. If you aren't familiar with pH, it's basically your body's electrical balance. It's impacts how well a lot of it regulates and functions. If you're too acidic, you can have issues like being fatigued, have headaches, stomach issues, and muscle and bone loss. If too alkaline, you can have muscle and joint pain, nerve pain, stiffness and arthritis, and trouble sleeping.

The instructions were clear, and the color chart on the case is easy to see with its large font. Testing with the pH strips is simple, with options for using either urine or saliva. I think having a chronic illness in a SHTF will be a huge worry, especially with not having access to all the regular required prescriptions. Being able to keep an eye on things with test strips will be a big help.

I received this product for my unbiased, honest review. I have no affiliation with the manufacturer or the seller of the item, and I do not receive any compensation.

#HealthyWiserpHstrips

https://amzn.com/B01CF8CGGA

Product Review: Lavender Essential Oil by New York Biology

Product Review: Lavender Essential Oil

I ordered Lavender Essential Oil, made by New York Biology. The glass bottle is sealed to reduce the risk of having it spill in shipment. It comes with a glass dropper which can be attached once the seal is removed. Both items were individually wrapped in bubble wrap.

I first learned about the use of lavender as a sleep aid when I had my babies 15 years ago. There are a multitude of infant products with lavender to help them sleep, such as baby shampoo and baby wash. My kids are in high school now (time flies!) but I have sleep issues due to chronic illness. I've long been curious about whether or not lavender essential oil could help me get some sleep. I decided to try the Lavender essential oil in my diffuser. It has a fairly large tank at 300 milliliters, and I use 5 drops in it. I've been using it for two weeks now and while I don't think I've been getting additional sleep, I find the sleep I do get has been better quality. That in itself is worth it. 

Essential oils last a long time, so you get your money's worth. This is especially important, since they may be all we have for medicinal use at some point. This is a huge concern for me. I haven't discussed it on this blog previously, but I do have a incurable illness. This causes quite a few extra implications for me as a survivalist, and for my family. In a SHTF situation or societal collapse, there will not be access to pharmacies or medical supplies. We have to know how to care for ourselves the best we can, and holistic may be the only route we have left. The Internet likely won't be available, so the time to learn is now. I am not trying to sell, I am trying to share as I myself learn on this journey.

Per FTC regulations, I received this free in exchange for my honest opinion. I have no affiliation with the manufacturer of the product or the seller of the item, and I do not receive any compensation for my review. My opinion is entirely my own. I rely on reviews when I make my own purchases. I aim to help other customers by providing thoroughly written reviews; I hope the information provided is helpful in some way.

https://www.amazon.com/Lavender-Essential-Oil-Kashmir-Linalool/dp/B01IG41ZG4/ref=sr_1_8?m=A3K94VWQ8DVMOE&s=merchant-items&ie=UTF8&qid=1470327291&sr=1-8

#NewYorkBiology

Old School Oil Lamps

I grew up along Atlantic coast of Florida, so hurricanes and emergency weather situations were a normal part of life. We experienced power outages on a regular basis, and my family had old-fashioned hurricane lamps--and yes, we used them. As you may have seen, I have been trying out various types of camping lanterns lately. However, I don't want to rely on only modern technology if SHTF. For that reason, we picked up a oil-based camping lantern. It's been so long since I've used one I wanted to brush up on them, plus I had a lot of questions from a survivalist's point of view. Can you make your own wicks? Are certain types of oils better than others? So I started digging online, and it became abundantly clear that one person really knows her stuff. I learned more from her post than I thought possible. If you plan on using an oil lamp, please take the time to check it out. It is worth it, I assure you.

  Tips and Tricks for Using Oil Lamps (by Preparedness Pro)

Product Review: Massage Oil by NY Biology (essential oils)

I know this may seem an odd thing to review on a survival website, especially Anti Cellulite Treatment Massage Oil (made by New York Biology). First of all though, it's the little luxuries that may help us feel alive and keep us going when things get tough. If one of those things can serve two purposes, all the better. I admit I was not quite as intrigued by the cellulite aspect of the oil as other things. I have been reading about oils and their multitude of uses, but I am brand new to actually using them. I will let you know how this goes.

After the initial pump, I was afraid the oil was a bit greasy. I immediately took a photo of it on the back of my hand as an example. I was pleasantly surprised to find the massage completely and thoroughly worked its way into my skin. It not only left my skin feeling soft and smooth, but there were no signs whatsoever of any oil left behind (I included an "after" shot of my hand as well). An added bonus is that it takes very little to get the job done. The light citrus scent manages to be pleasant and avoid being overwhelming, which is a tough balance to find. It uses a combination of lemon oil (stimulates the circulatory system), grape seed oil (as an astringent), grapefruit oil (diuretic), and eucalyptus oil (anti-inflammatory targeting cellulite just under the skin).

Citrus oils are said to help keep away insects, and as an avid camper, this is what I am really hoping might be true. Now that I know it is indeed doing great with my skin, my family is going to experiment with how it is in terms of the annoying little flying and biting bugs and the creepy crawlies outside. The monsoon is wrapping up and the moisture has them out in full force. We don't like using chemicals, as we have three dogs including a 75 pound puppy who likes to chew on things outside. If all goes well, then I will know this could be a great item to keep on hand when we go camping, etc. Who needs to worry about being eaten alive by mosquitoes and other bugs while outside? It's the last thing I want to worry about. I don't want to be distracted by welts and hives. If you're like me, I seem to attract every biting insect for miles.

For the rest of details: I received my 8 ounce bottle very quickly (within 48 hours). It was carefully wrapped and came with a label clearly marking the date of expiration. The bottle is sealed so there is no risk of spillage during shipping. It also comes with a pump which can be attached once the seal and cap are removed.

The company's facility is approved by the FDA and they are cruelty-free. As an animal lover, I am glad to know this. I honestly cannot say if the oil is effective on cellulite or not, as I do not believe there is any product out there that can make a difference in one week, which is the amount of time I have been using this. It would not be fair of me to make a determination one way or another in this regard. I do believe though if you are looking for something that makes your skin feel great and smells terrific, you can't go wrong here.

Per federal law, please know I received this item free in exchange for my honest opinion. I do not receive any financial compensation for my review. My opinion is entirely my own. I rely on reviews when I make my own purchases, and I aim to help other customers by providing thoroughly written reviews.

#NewYorkBiology @NewYorkBiology

Survive and Thrive!

Ok, first things first. We didn't name this a "prepping" blog because that word has taken on a negative connotation of late, thanks to the crazy shows on television. We are a family of four that simply believes it is more intelligent to be prepared and have supplies on hand should the need arise, than to have something happen and be SOL (shit out of luck). At that point, you're completely screwed because it's too late once the SHTF (shit hits the fan) and you're wishing you had done something about it sooner, right?

That's why we're here. We are going to post regularly, featuring an array of products that can help you prepare to survive just about any situation imaginable. You don't have to only just barely survive an awful emergency, but you can thrive through it. 

For now, let us introduce ourselves. I'm a former middle school teacher and also worked in the medical field. I stopped working outside the home due to chronic illness. I now review products for online sellers. My spouse is a former peace officer, a certified gun armorer. We have two children who just started high school. We are all avid campers, and enjoy activities such as target shooting (firearms and compound bow), fishing, camp cooking, and stargazing here in the desert with our three dogs (two wee terrier mixes and a massive German Shepherd who thinks he's tiny too).

We'd love to hear from you! Please leave comments with any questions or comments with ideas for topics you would like us to cover. We have a huge list going, so there's going to be lots coming your way and we'd love to add to it!

Until next time, stay safe!