Review of Digital TDS EC Meter

Review of Digital TDS EC Meter by HealthyWiser

I've been reviewing different test strips to keep in my family's medical kit in the hopes of preserving emergency supplies, but this one is a touch different. This is a Digital TDS EC Meter by HealthyWiser. A TDS EC meter stands for Total Dissolved Solids and Electrical Conductivity. The meter provides a way to test the ppm (parts per million), basically dissolved particles in water. This is great to have at home and camping, but especially if we are in a SHTF situation. We will hopefully have filtration or purification, but it would be even better to know those methods actually work.

The meter comes in a soft sleeve. Once removed from the sleeve, one end comes off of the meter, exposing the part you put in the water. There is a clearly marked On/Off button. It works in both Celsius and Fahrenheit, which can be easily switched by pushing the "Shift" button twice. The display is large and clear. I tested bottled water, tap water, and even water from a toilet! Once done, I rinsed the meter under the faucet and let it air dry.

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.

#HealthyWiserTDS

https://amzn.com/B01EFZ54E2

pH Test Strips Review

Review of pH Test Strips by HealthyWiser

In the medical kit my family keeps in case of a SHTF situation, we keep items to treat various wounds. However, it will difficult to restock those items, so I am reviewing various testing strips. These test strips can help determine such things as water safety (to prevent sickness, thus the need to take medication in the first place since dehydration is a killer), body pH being off balance, ketone build-up, etc. Each post will address the particular strip's significance. Thank you to HealthyWiser for providing me with the testing materials to do this.

Here I'm focusing on body pH. Your pH is your body's electrical balance and relates to how well a lot of it regulates and functions. If you're too acidic, you can be much more tired, have headaches, stomach trouble, risk of diabetes, and muscle and bone deterioration. If too alkaline, you can have muscle and joint pain, nerve pain, stiffness and arthritis, and trouble sleeping.

Testing with the pH strips was easy. I tried both the urine and saliva options. I went one step further and tried it on my German Shepherd! Hey, I was curious; results were super quick, by the way (about 8.5, if you're wondering). The instructions were clear, and the color chart on the included case is easy to see and follow. 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://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PI6SNKA/ref=cm_sw_su_dp

Ketone Test Strips Review

Product Review of Ketone Test Strips by HealthyWiser

In the medical kit my family keeps in case of a societal collapse or bug out situation, we keep meds to treat various wounds. However, it will extraordinarily difficult to restock those items, so I am reviewing a multitude of test strips. These test strips can help us to determine such things as water being safe to drink (to prevent sickness, thus the need to take medication in the first place since dehydration is a killer), bodily pH being off balance, ketone build-up, etc. Each post will address what the significance of what each test strip does. Thanks goes out to HealthyWiser for providing me with the testing materials to do this.

Here I'm focusing on ketones. In a (really small) nutshell, you normally get your energy from carbohydrates. Ketones are made when your body has to break down fat for energy instead. You do not want ketones. For diabetics, ketones are especially dangerous and requires attention. I'm not here to give medical attention in this post, just that if it's an issue of concern, these test strips have worked reliably for me. If you are interested in learning more, consider reading the link below.

The instructions provided with the 200 strips are thorough. 100 strips are loose in the container, and the other 100 are in a sealed bag within the container which helps them to last even longer. You place them in urine for two seconds, wait 15 seconds, and then compare the results to the color chart provided.

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.

https://amzn.com/B01CM68Z5Q

 #HeathyWiserKetone

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: Peppermint Essential Oil (New York Biology)

I ordered my 1 ounce bottle of Peppermint Essential Oil, made by New York Biology. It comes with a label which clearly marks the date of expiration. The amber-colored glass bottle is sealed so there is no risk of having it spill during shipping. It comes with a pump which can be attached once the seal is removed. Both items are individually and carefully wrapped.

I decided to first try the Peppermint essential oil in my diffuser. It has a bit large size tank at 300 mL, and as I had never used it before, I opted to start with only three drops. It took some time, but after a while there was a faint scent of peppermint in the air. My sinuses did begin to clear. If it's a SHTF situation, obviously I won't have a diffuser with me, but I think the next paragraph may somehow be related. What do you think?

I also have read of peppermint essential oil being useful for headaches and migraines, and that's definitely an issue, having had multiple brain and spinal cord surgeries. I put just a little of the oil on my fingertip and rubbed it on my temples, which worked like a charm. I wonder if it has to do with opening up the sinus passages, just being able to breathe easier. I have no idea. Just thinking out loud...or typing out loud, that is.

It's definitely an added bonus that it doesn't take much when it comes to essential oils. They last a long time, so you get your money's worth. They may be all we have for medicinal use at some point, if it comes down to it one day.

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 financial 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 has been helpful in some way.

https://www.amazon.com/Peppermint-Essential-Mentha-Furan-Natural/dp/B01IG494QC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1470332686&sr=8-1&keywords=peppermint+essential+oil

Lantern reviews

I've reviewed several lanterns lately. If you don't have any in your emergency kit and are looking for some guidance, I hope this will give you a place to start. I tested small, portable ones; some were solar powered while others required batteries. Some had USB as well. One even was made of silicone and could carry items inside. Jot me a note if you have any questions.

Collapsible LED Lantern 2-Pack Set

Gold-colored Solar LED Collapsible LED Lantern

Solar LED Silicone Collapsible Lantern