Take a Sip, Order Seeds, and Read for Preparedness Pleasure

This is my first post for the Missouri Preppers Network. You’ll see a link to my regular blog, DestinySurvival.com, on the sidebar here. My thanks to Maddog and American Trucker for allowing me to contribute here.

I thought I’d start out with something light in nature, partly because I want to promote a Missouri publication and seed company.

If you’re living the self reliant life and want to do as much of your own food and beverage production as possible, there’s an article in the Fall 2009 issue of “The Heirloom Gardener” magazine I think you’ll find of interest. I know some are into home brewing for beer and wine, but this isn’t about that. The article I refer to is “Making Your Own Soda Pop” on pages 20-24 and describes the process for making your own syrups from fruits and herbs.

I personally drink soda pop rarely and stay away completely from diet soda because of the harmful aspartame it contains. However, a root beer or orange drink is a treat now and then. Barbara Berst Adams, author of the soda pop article suggests making soda pop from strawberries, pears, peaches, or even rose petals, to name a few. You’ll use a lot less sugar than conventional soda pop, and you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing it’s the real deal.

Granted, this isn’t a preparedness necessity, but it can be lots of fun for children. Just as when I suggested on my own blog last summer that it would be a good idea to buy an ice cream freezer, making your own soda pop can be a morale booster in the midst of deprivation.

There’s much more to “The Heirloom Gardener” which I think you would really enjoy. Very little of their content is online, but a print subscription is only a few dollars per year. The magazine is produced with numerous beautiful, colorful photographs, and you won’t be blitzed with advertisements.

As the name suggests, articles are about gardening with heirloom or heritage plants and seeds, such as tomatoes, beans, herbs, and flowers. There’s a brief news section up front on what’s happening in the world of Frankenfoods—genetically modified seeds and foods. Historical profiles of individuals are sometimes featured, such as founders of old seed companies. The current issue profiles the Missouri Botanical Gardens in St. Louis.

I recommend getting a subscription to “The Heirloom Gardener” for yourself, or get a gift subscription for someone you know who’s into survival gardening. You can check out the magazine’s site and subscribe at http://www.theheirloomgardener.com .

“The Heirloom Gardener” is published by the folks at Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds in Mansfield, MO, which specializes in heirloom seeds. Their catalog, like the magazine, is quite colorful and interesting. I buy a little something from them every year. I particularly like their selection of black-eyed peas, though they’re big into melons from Asia, lots of tomatoes, and a whole lot more. If you’re into gardening at all, you know it’s never too early to start thinking about next year’s garden. Check out Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds at http://www.rareseeds.com . You’ll be glad you did.