(Natural News)—Part of your pantry should be dedicated to “survival” beverages. Here are recommendations of what you can stockpile for long-term survival.
Water
To stay hydrated and maintain oral and personal hygiene during emergencies, water is the first survival beverage that comes to mind. Determine basic water needs by listing each household member’s daily water requirement (including pets) – to stay hydrated and do oral and personal hygiene.
Add supplemental water requirements to cook food, wash clothes and other personal items, clean the home, water the garden plants and so on.
Learn about the best emergency water storage containers for your home, even if you are space-constrained, and how best to store this essential resource. (Related: Prepper storage guides: Which containers you should use to store water for stockpiling.)
Other emergency water options for your everyday carry (EDC), go-bags and vehicle are the following:
- Boxed water, which you can buy packaged in 12-pack, 24-pack and 32-pack sizes, comes in recyclable packaging.
- Canned water, although pricey, has a 50-year shelf life. Packed in cans made of corrosion-resistant aluminum and designed to withstand conditions between 38 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit, canned water is ideal for keeping in your vehicle and repurposing.
- Bagged water, which is also expensive, comes in convenient package sizes, doesn’t degrade or leak, is easy to store, has a long shelf life and withstands extreme temperatures.
Coffee
This beverage is a much-loved drink – with so many types and methods for brewing it that even the most seasoned coffee experts would have trouble listing them all. Studies have shown that this ancient beverage is more “friend” than “foe.” (Related: Enjoy that cup of Joe: Here are science-backed health benefits of CAFFEINE.”)
When used responsibly, four representative groups of its micronutrients – caffeine, chlorogenic acid, diterpenes and trigonelline – provide many benefits to your brain, body and general well-being. These chemical compounds have been found to possess biological activities, including anti-microbial, anti-proliferative and antioxidant effects.
Scientifically proven benefits aside, coffee can be considered an “essential survival beverage” and serve as a “vital ally in survival situations.”
To retain the best quality in both whole bean and ground coffee, you may need to repackage your beans. Only use (and invest in) canisters with an airtight seal, specifically designed for coffee storage. Store your coffee stock in a cool, dark place away from heat, light and moisture.
Tea
Tea is part of many traditions from all over the world with its endless variations and flavors. Having been practiced for over 2,000 years, drinking tea has been regarded as a “health-promoting habit.”
There are two major types of teas you can stock in your pantry. “True tea” is made from the leaves of the plant Camellia sinensis – black tea, green tea, oolong tea, pu-erh tea, white tea and yellow tea. (Related: 6 Primary types of tea and their science-backed health benefits.)
And there are herbal teas, also known as “tisanes,” which are made using a combination of bark, flowers, leaves and spices of non-tea plants. (Related: Why people love tea: A look at some herbal tea recipes for mild depression.)
A review published in the Journal of Food Chemistry linked the promising health benefits of tea to its different phenolic components – mainly catechins, flavonoids and tannins. (Related: 8 Tips to help you manage anxiety naturally plus herbal tea recipes for anxiety relief.)
Tea polyphenol catechins, especially in green tea, are believed to exert protective effects against conditions and diseases, such as arteriosclerosis, cancer, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, obesity and even tooth decay. These tea components have also exhibited antibacterial, anti-viral and hepatoprotective properties.
Phenolic flavonoids are in particularly high concentrations in tea and its habitual intake has been associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.
Organic coconut water
Dubbed by the Hawaiians as the “dew from the heavens,” fresh coconut water is a naturally sweet and hydrating drink from young, green or “tender coconuts” – fat-free, low-calorie (compared to mature coconuts), rich in nutrients like amino acids, glucose, essential electrolytes (calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium) and vitamins.
Also referred to as nature’s “water of life,” its nutrient benefits rapidly deteriorate once exposed to air and warm temperatures. The good news is that fresh coconut water can be freeze-dried into coconut water powder to lock in its powerful nutrients, which support healthy immune function, metabolism and proper hydration.
Coconut water powder has a longer shelf life and can be kept for three years from manufacture when properly stored in an odor-free area at 60-80 Fahrenheit and less than 70 percent humidity. Your product will absorb moisture if left open and exposed to air so keep it in air-tight containers. If you want to keep it in the freezer, pack it in quality freezer bags.
Non-dairy milk, such as organic coconut milk
As the coconut matures, which takes around 10-12 months, some of the coconut water remains while the rest ripens into the solid white flesh known as coconut meat, which is gathered, grated and pressed to create or extract coconut milk.
Coconut milk has an impressive nutritional profile. Studies indicate coconut milk is a rich source of electrolytes (calcium, copper, magnesium, manganese and potassium), iron, protein and healthy fats – particularly medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which have been shown to enhance exercise endurance, maintain healthy fluid balance and support overall health. There is a lot of research into the powerful science-backed health benefits of coconut milk.
For long-term storage with no major loss of nutrients, raw coconut milk can be spray-dried or dehydrated using heat to powder form. Consider buying certified USDA organic coconut milk powder, non-GMO, gluten-free, dairy-free, glyphosate-tested, laboratory-verified and only lightly sweetened with organic rice maltodextrin, it contains no additives or preservatives.
For longer shelf life and to keep your product as a ready-to-use fine powder, store it in a cool, dry area with temperatures of 78-86 Fahrenheit.
Organic coconut milk powder is a great choice for anyone seeking a reliable source of plant-based nutrients. Perfect as a gluten-free and dairy-free vegan creamer for your morning coffee, organic coconut milk powder dissolves quickly when stirred in hot water. It may soon become your favorite ingredient for your curries, smoothies, soups and more.
Alcohol
Alcohol can be used as a valuable bartering item. It can help alleviate stress in the middle of disaster (when consumed moderately), and it has many survival uses. It can be used to boost morale, clean a gun, cook an egg, disinfect, eliminate fungus, fuel a lamp and stove, kill mold and weeds, reduce anxiety, repel bugs, soothe mouth pain, start a fire, suppress cough, treat a cold and more.
During your prepping journey, it’s really up to you and your family to determine whether these should be incorporated into your stockpile (and the appropriate quantities to store), as well as any other beverages to consider stockpiling.
Sound off about this article on the Late Prepper Substack.
Learn about the best time to drink coffee by watching the following video.
This video is from the Conservative Coffee Lovers channel on Brighteon.com.
More related stories:
- 4 Tips to prevent emergency water from freezing.
- 6 Scientifically proven benefits of green tea.
- STUDY: Green tea, black tea and matcha tea found to suppress dioxin toxicity.
Sources include:
- EZPrepping.com
- NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov 1
- PreppersWill.com
- NCAUSA.org
- PubMed.NCNI.NLM.NIH.gov
- DovePress.com
- SagePub.com
- TLCoconut.com
- NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov 2
- ZNaturalFoods.com
- Chimie-Biologie.UBM.ro
- UrbanSurvivalSite.com
- Brighteon.com
Five Things New “Preppers” Forget When Getting Ready for Bad Times Ahead
The preparedness community is growing faster than it has in decades. Even during peak times such as Y2K, the economic downturn of 2008, and Covid, the vast majority of Americans made sure they had plenty of toilet paper but didn’t really stockpile anything else.
Things have changed. There’s a growing anxiety in this presidential election year that has prompted more Americans to get prepared for crazy events in the future. Some of it is being driven by fearmongers, but there are valid concerns with the economy, food supply, pharmaceuticals, the energy grid, and mass rioting that have pushed average Americans into “prepper” mode.
There are degrees of preparedness. One does not have to be a full-blown “doomsday prepper” living off-grid in a secure Montana bunker in order to be ahead of the curve. In many ways, preparedness isn’t about being able to perfectly handle every conceivable situation. It’s about being less dependent on government for as long as possible. Those who have proper “preps” will not be waiting for FEMA to distribute emergency supplies to the desperate masses.
Below are five things people new to preparedness (and sometimes even those with experience) often forget as they get ready. All five are common sense notions that do not rely on doomsday in order to be useful. It may be nice to own a tank during the apocalypse but there’s not much you can do with it until things get really crazy. The recommendations below can have places in the lives of average Americans whether doomsday comes or not.
Note: The information provided by this publication or any related communications is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. We do not provide personalized investment, financial, or legal advice.
Secured Wealth
Whether in the bank or held in a retirement account, most Americans feel that their life’s savings is relatively secure. At least they did until the last couple of years when de-banking, geopolitical turmoil, and the threat of Central Bank Digital Currencies reared their ugly heads.
It behooves Americans to diversify their holdings. If there’s a triggering event or series of events that cripple the financial systems or devalue the U.S. Dollar, wealth can evaporate quickly. To hedge against potential turmoil, many Americans are looking in two directions: Crypto and physical precious metals.
There are huge advantages to cryptocurrencies, but there are also inherent risks because “virtual” money can become challenging to spend. Add in the push by central banks and governments to regulate or even replace cryptocurrencies with their own versions they control and the risks amplify. There’s nothing wrong with cryptocurrencies today but things can change rapidly.
As for physical precious metals, many Americans pay cash to keep plenty on hand in their safe. Rolling over or transferring retirement accounts into self-directed IRAs is also a popular option, but there are caveats. It can often take weeks or even months to get the gold and silver shipped if the owner chooses to close their account. This is why Genesis Gold Group stands out. Their relationship with the depositories allows for rapid closure and shipping, often in less than 10 days from the time the account holder makes their move. This can come in handy if things appear to be heading south.
Lots of Potable Water
One of the biggest shocks that hit new preppers is understanding how much potable water they need in order to survive. Experts claim one gallon of water per person per day is necessary. Even the most conservative estimates put it at over half-a-gallon. That means that for a family of four, they’ll need around 120 gallons of water to survive for a month if the taps turn off and the stores empty out.
Being near a fresh water source, whether it’s a river, lake, or well, is a best practice among experienced preppers. It’s necessary to have a water filter as well, even if the taps are still working. Many refuse to drink tap water even when there is no emergency. Berkey was our previous favorite but they’re under attack from regulators so the Alexapure systems are solid replacements.
For those in the city or away from fresh water sources, storage is the best option. This can be challenging because proper water storage containers take up a lot of room and are difficult to move if the need arises. For “bug in” situations, having a larger container that stores hundreds or even thousands of gallons is better than stacking 1-5 gallon containers. Unfortunately, they won’t be easily transportable and they can cost a lot to install.
Water is critical. If chaos erupts and water infrastructure is compromised, having a large backup supply can be lifesaving.
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies
There are multiple threats specific to the medical supply chain. With Chinese and Indian imports accounting for over 90% of pharmaceutical ingredients in the United States, deteriorating relations could make it impossible to get the medicines and antibiotics many of us need.
Stocking up many prescription medications can be hard. Doctors generally do not like to prescribe large batches of drugs even if they are shelf-stable for extended periods of time. It is a best practice to ask your doctor if they can prescribe a larger amount. Today, some are sympathetic to concerns about pharmacies running out or becoming inaccessible. Tell them your concerns. It’s worth a shot. The worst they can do is say no.
If your doctor is unwilling to help you stock up on medicines, then Jase Medical is a good alternative. Through telehealth, they can prescribe daily meds or antibiotics that are shipped to your door. As proponents of medical freedom, they empathize with those who want to have enough medical supplies on hand in case things go wrong.
Energy Sources
The vast majority of Americans are locked into the grid. This has proven to be a massive liability when the grid goes down. Unfortunately, there are no inexpensive remedies.
Those living off-grid had to either spend a lot of money or effort (or both) to get their alternative energy sources like solar set up. For those who do not want to go so far, it’s still a best practice to have backup power sources. Diesel generators and portable solar panels are the two most popular, and while they’re not inexpensive they are not out of reach of most Americans who are concerned about being without power for extended periods of time.
Natural gas is another necessity for many, but that’s far more challenging to replace. Having alternatives for heating and cooking that can be powered if gas and electric grids go down is important. Have a backup for items that require power such as manual can openers. If you’re stuck eating canned foods for a while and all you have is an electric opener, you’ll have problems.
Don’t Forget the Protein
When most think about “prepping,” they think about their food supply. More Americans are turning to gardening and homesteading as ways to produce their own food. Others are working with local farmers and ranchers to purchase directly from the sources. This is a good idea whether doomsday comes or not, but it’s particularly important if the food supply chain is broken.
Most grocery stores have about one to two weeks worth of food, as do most American households. Grocers rely heavily on truckers to receive their ongoing shipments. In a crisis, the current process can fail. It behooves Americans for multiple reasons to localize their food purchases as much as possible.
Long-term storage is another popular option. Canned foods, MREs, and freeze dried meals are selling out quickly even as prices rise. But one component that is conspicuously absent in shelf-stable food is high-quality protein. Most survival food companies offer low quality “protein buckets” or cans of meat, but they are often barely edible.
Prepper All-Naturals offers premium cuts of steak that have been cooked sous vide and freeze dried to give them a 25-year shelf life. They offer Ribeye, NY Strip, and Tenderloin among others.
Having buckets of beans and rice is a good start, but keeping a solid supply of high-quality protein isn’t just healthier. It can help a family maintain normalcy through crises.
Prepare Without Fear
With all the challenges we face as Americans today, it can be emotionally draining. Citizens are scared and there’s nothing irrational about their concerns. Being prepared and making lifestyle changes to secure necessities can go a long way toward overcoming the fears that plague us. We should hope and pray for the best but prepare for the worst. And if the worst does come, then knowing we did what we could to be ready for it will help us face those challenges with confidence.
