Psychoactive Plant May Hold Key to Reversing Diabetes - A chemical found in ayahuasca has the potential to regenerate pancreas cells that have been lost to diabetes
"Using a high-volume screening method, Stewart’s team checked more than 100,000 different chemicals to see which had the potential to make beta cells grow. They identified 86 possible solutions and tested each manually. Of these, a single drug triggered beta cell growth: harmine. Harmine occurs naturally in a number of plants around the world. It’s one of the ingredients in the psychoactive mixture ayahuasca, which is used by some indigenous people for religious purposes."
"Using a high-volume screening method, Stewart’s team checked more than 100,000 different chemicals to see which had the potential to make beta cells grow. They identified 86 possible solutions and tested each manually. Of these, a single drug triggered beta cell growth: harmine. Harmine occurs naturally in a number of plants around the world. It’s one of the ingredients in the psychoactive mixture ayahuasca, which is used by some indigenous people for religious purposes."
Healing from Vaccine Injuries through Homeopathy
"There are treatments that can heal vaccine damage, but few physicians in the conventional medical care system know about them, since vaccine injuries are usually denied as the cause of any illness. Some parents with autistic children report that homeopathy has completely reversed their children’s autism and healed other serious health conditions caused by vaccines. This article explains how homeopathic remedies can bring about healing for many types of vaccine injuries. Homeopathy is not the only treatment that has helped children and adults recover from vaccine damage, but it is the one that is the focus of this article. I will describe how homeopathy can bring about a true cure for the harm that vaccines have caused to children and adults. The harmful consequences of vaccine use are not new. Some physicians observed vaccine related damage in their patients as soon as the smallpox vaccine began to be used in the first part of the 1800s. People were harmed by vaccines at that time, and they continue to be harmed today. [5] Doctors who used vaccines at that time were pressing for mandatory vaccinations while homeopaths were raising the red flag of warning about vaccination dangers."
"There are treatments that can heal vaccine damage, but few physicians in the conventional medical care system know about them, since vaccine injuries are usually denied as the cause of any illness. Some parents with autistic children report that homeopathy has completely reversed their children’s autism and healed other serious health conditions caused by vaccines. This article explains how homeopathic remedies can bring about healing for many types of vaccine injuries. Homeopathy is not the only treatment that has helped children and adults recover from vaccine damage, but it is the one that is the focus of this article. I will describe how homeopathy can bring about a true cure for the harm that vaccines have caused to children and adults. The harmful consequences of vaccine use are not new. Some physicians observed vaccine related damage in their patients as soon as the smallpox vaccine began to be used in the first part of the 1800s. People were harmed by vaccines at that time, and they continue to be harmed today. [5] Doctors who used vaccines at that time were pressing for mandatory vaccinations while homeopaths were raising the red flag of warning about vaccination dangers."

Congressman Proposes Bill to Ban Laws with the Purpose of Generating Revenue
"A Congressman from Missouri has just proposed a bombshell piece of legislation that is detrimental to the growth and expansion of the police state. Monday, Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II (MO-05) introduced The Fair Justice Act. The Fair Justice Act ” would make it a civil rights violation to enforce criminal or traffic laws for the purpose of raising revenue.” You read that correctly. Petty drug “offenses,” idiotic traffic laws, and other such victimless crimes could be brought to a halt with the passage of this bill. Announcing the introduction of the Fair Justice Act, Congressman Cleaver stated,"
"A Congressman from Missouri has just proposed a bombshell piece of legislation that is detrimental to the growth and expansion of the police state. Monday, Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II (MO-05) introduced The Fair Justice Act. The Fair Justice Act ” would make it a civil rights violation to enforce criminal or traffic laws for the purpose of raising revenue.” You read that correctly. Petty drug “offenses,” idiotic traffic laws, and other such victimless crimes could be brought to a halt with the passage of this bill. Announcing the introduction of the Fair Justice Act, Congressman Cleaver stated,"
JP Morgan’s Giant Silver Fraud
"The Comex open interest for May silver (the current “front month” contract for Comex silver) is 535.6 million ounces. The current amount of ‘registered” silver – silver that has been designated as available to be delivered – is 68.8 million ounces (LINK). The amount of paper silver for just May is thus 7.78x greater than the amount of physical silver available for delivery. In other words, for every ounce of physical silver held in Comex silver vaults that has been declared available for delivery, there are 7.78 ounces of paper silver issued. The paper short interest in May silver is 778% greater than the amount of physical silver available to be delivered, according to Comex records. Never in the history of any commodity on any commodity futures exchange in the world has the ratio of paper to actual physical been even remotely close to this out of whack. Suffice it to say that silver is the most manipulated market in the history of the financial markets. While most of us already know this based on observation, the actual data as reported by the Comex confirms the observation."
(Sgt Trainer: Bottom line...the more "paper" silver they issue, the lower the price of each ounce of physical silver. Want to bet what happens to the price of physical silver if all the "paper" silver was removed from the market?)
"The Comex open interest for May silver (the current “front month” contract for Comex silver) is 535.6 million ounces. The current amount of ‘registered” silver – silver that has been designated as available to be delivered – is 68.8 million ounces (LINK). The amount of paper silver for just May is thus 7.78x greater than the amount of physical silver available for delivery. In other words, for every ounce of physical silver held in Comex silver vaults that has been declared available for delivery, there are 7.78 ounces of paper silver issued. The paper short interest in May silver is 778% greater than the amount of physical silver available to be delivered, according to Comex records. Never in the history of any commodity on any commodity futures exchange in the world has the ratio of paper to actual physical been even remotely close to this out of whack. Suffice it to say that silver is the most manipulated market in the history of the financial markets. While most of us already know this based on observation, the actual data as reported by the Comex confirms the observation."
(Sgt Trainer: Bottom line...the more "paper" silver they issue, the lower the price of each ounce of physical silver. Want to bet what happens to the price of physical silver if all the "paper" silver was removed from the market?)
Monsanto Is About To Escape All Regulation From The USDA
"Is big biotech immune to everything? What’s an intentional mutation? Nothing more than a fancy technological phrase which describes a new way that biotech is getting around regulatory approval for genetically modified crops. It isn’t as though these alphabet agencies offer much protection to the average US consumer anyway. Considering that no long-term studies have been conducted on altered DNA and human health, and the fact that the USDA and FDA seem to give their rubber stamp to almost every biotech creation without a second glance, many people have long turned to other ‘experts’ to get their facts on genetically modified foods. However, taking away the regulatory process makes it that much easier for biotech companies like Monsanto, Bayer, Dow, Scott’s, etc. to infiltrate non-GM crops with their altered plants. Until now, at least the guise of a regulation would stall a biotech company long enough for the public to get wind of their plans, and to at least voice their concern, if not smoldering outrage, at a GM apple that doesn’t brown, or GE salmon that grows ten times the size of non-GM salmon."
"Is big biotech immune to everything? What’s an intentional mutation? Nothing more than a fancy technological phrase which describes a new way that biotech is getting around regulatory approval for genetically modified crops. It isn’t as though these alphabet agencies offer much protection to the average US consumer anyway. Considering that no long-term studies have been conducted on altered DNA and human health, and the fact that the USDA and FDA seem to give their rubber stamp to almost every biotech creation without a second glance, many people have long turned to other ‘experts’ to get their facts on genetically modified foods. However, taking away the regulatory process makes it that much easier for biotech companies like Monsanto, Bayer, Dow, Scott’s, etc. to infiltrate non-GM crops with their altered plants. Until now, at least the guise of a regulation would stall a biotech company long enough for the public to get wind of their plans, and to at least voice their concern, if not smoldering outrage, at a GM apple that doesn’t brown, or GE salmon that grows ten times the size of non-GM salmon."
Gov Report Says There Is No Inflation: “It’s Pure and Utter Bullsh*t”
"The BLS put out their monthly CPI lie last week. They issued the proclamation that inflation is dead. Did you know your costs are 0.1% lower than they were one year ago. They then used these deflation numbers to proclaim your real wages soared last month. It’s all good. The American consumer is so flush with cash, they decided to spend less money for the second month in a row. The Wall Street shysters are so happy with declining consumer spending, declining profits, and a global recession, they pushed the NASDAQ up to 5,000 for the first time in 15 years. Hey!!! That was the year 2000. Things really got better after that milestone."
"The BLS put out their monthly CPI lie last week. They issued the proclamation that inflation is dead. Did you know your costs are 0.1% lower than they were one year ago. They then used these deflation numbers to proclaim your real wages soared last month. It’s all good. The American consumer is so flush with cash, they decided to spend less money for the second month in a row. The Wall Street shysters are so happy with declining consumer spending, declining profits, and a global recession, they pushed the NASDAQ up to 5,000 for the first time in 15 years. Hey!!! That was the year 2000. Things really got better after that milestone."
Forced Adult Vaccinations HHS Comment Period Extended To March 23, 2015
"Health and Human Services has extended the comment period for The National Adult Immunization Plan (NAIP) that was published in the Federal Register on February 6, 2015, Volume 80, Number 25, pages 6721-6722, from March 9th to Monday, March 23rd, 2015. Comments can be sent via the U.S. Postal Service or electronically by Internet email to the following addresses:"
"Health and Human Services has extended the comment period for The National Adult Immunization Plan (NAIP) that was published in the Federal Register on February 6, 2015, Volume 80, Number 25, pages 6721-6722, from March 9th to Monday, March 23rd, 2015. Comments can be sent via the U.S. Postal Service or electronically by Internet email to the following addresses:"
Real U.S. Unemployment Rate at 23.2%, not 5.5%
"The seasonally-adjusted SGS Alternate Unemployment Rate reflects current unemployment reporting methodology adjusted for SGS-estimated long-term discouraged workers, who were defined out of official existence in 1994. That estimate is added to the BLS estimate of U-6 unemployment, which includes short-term discouraged workers. The U-3 unemployment rate is the monthly headline number. The U-6 unemployment rate is the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) broadest unemployment measure, including short-term discouraged and other marginally-attached workers as well as those forced to work part-time because they cannot find full-time employment."
"The seasonally-adjusted SGS Alternate Unemployment Rate reflects current unemployment reporting methodology adjusted for SGS-estimated long-term discouraged workers, who were defined out of official existence in 1994. That estimate is added to the BLS estimate of U-6 unemployment, which includes short-term discouraged workers. The U-3 unemployment rate is the monthly headline number. The U-6 unemployment rate is the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) broadest unemployment measure, including short-term discouraged and other marginally-attached workers as well as those forced to work part-time because they cannot find full-time employment."
Michigan State Police receive federal authorization to fly drones on law enforcement missions
"Michigan State Police have become one of the first law enforcement agencies in the nation to receive authorization from the Federal Aviation Authority to use unmanned aerial systems, commonly referred to as drones, in police operations."
"Michigan State Police have become one of the first law enforcement agencies in the nation to receive authorization from the Federal Aviation Authority to use unmanned aerial systems, commonly referred to as drones, in police operations."
Jane Goodall and Steven Druker Expose US Government Fraud over GMOs
"In an acclaimed new book being launched Wednesday in London, American public interest attorney Steven Druker reveals how the US government and leading scientific institutions have systematically misrepresented the facts about GMOs and the scientific research that casts doubt on their safety."
"In an acclaimed new book being launched Wednesday in London, American public interest attorney Steven Druker reveals how the US government and leading scientific institutions have systematically misrepresented the facts about GMOs and the scientific research that casts doubt on their safety."
The “Final Solution” to America’s Economic Free Fall
"Was it really that long ago, that we used to brag that the next generation of Americans would be better off than their parents? The lexicon connected to this kind of thinking has completely disappeared from our national discussions about the economy. Despite President Obama’s claims that America is in full recovery, nothing could be further from the truth. The American economy is sick, very sick! The only issue left to decide is just how long the patient has to live?"
"Was it really that long ago, that we used to brag that the next generation of Americans would be better off than their parents? The lexicon connected to this kind of thinking has completely disappeared from our national discussions about the economy. Despite President Obama’s claims that America is in full recovery, nothing could be further from the truth. The American economy is sick, very sick! The only issue left to decide is just how long the patient has to live?"
Risk of 8.0 earthquake in California rises, USGS says
"Estimates of the chance of a magnitude 8.0 or greater earthquake hitting California in the next three decades have been raised from about 4.7% to 7%, the U.S. Geological Survey said Tuesday. Scientists said the reason for the increased estimate was because of the growing understanding that earthquakes aren’t limited to separate faults, but can start on one fault and jump to others. The result could be multiple faults rupturing in a simultaneous mega-quake."
"Estimates of the chance of a magnitude 8.0 or greater earthquake hitting California in the next three decades have been raised from about 4.7% to 7%, the U.S. Geological Survey said Tuesday. Scientists said the reason for the increased estimate was because of the growing understanding that earthquakes aren’t limited to separate faults, but can start on one fault and jump to others. The result could be multiple faults rupturing in a simultaneous mega-quake."
Fannie Mae putting taxpayers back at risk with careless behavior, probe warns
"Nearly seven years after it was bailed out from the housing market crash, mortgage giant Fannie Mae is still engaging in behavior that could precipitate future financial crises and taxpayer losses, a government watchdog warns in a report to be released Wednesday. The Federal Housing Finance Agency inspector general said its latest concerns involve Fannie Mae’s “haphazard” decision to fill a critical auditor position with an employee who lacked proper qualifications and suffered from a conflict of interest. Unless Fannie Mae’s leaders and the audit committee that allowed the hiring do their jobs better, there is a “substantial risk” the mortgage company “will operate in an unsafe and unsound manner, suffer losses and expose U.S. taxpayers to further financial risks,” the inspector general said. The watchdog also had harsh words for the FHFA, the federal agency that oversees Fannie Mae, saying its own leadership failed to act on concerns about the hiring of the auditor position, choosing instead to stay silent."
"Nearly seven years after it was bailed out from the housing market crash, mortgage giant Fannie Mae is still engaging in behavior that could precipitate future financial crises and taxpayer losses, a government watchdog warns in a report to be released Wednesday. The Federal Housing Finance Agency inspector general said its latest concerns involve Fannie Mae’s “haphazard” decision to fill a critical auditor position with an employee who lacked proper qualifications and suffered from a conflict of interest. Unless Fannie Mae’s leaders and the audit committee that allowed the hiring do their jobs better, there is a “substantial risk” the mortgage company “will operate in an unsafe and unsound manner, suffer losses and expose U.S. taxpayers to further financial risks,” the inspector general said. The watchdog also had harsh words for the FHFA, the federal agency that oversees Fannie Mae, saying its own leadership failed to act on concerns about the hiring of the auditor position, choosing instead to stay silent."
Feds Spent $148,379 to Create ‘Diet Choker’ That Monitors Eating Habits
"The federal government helped finance the creation of a so-called “diet choker” that monitors the eating habits of the wearer. WearSens, created by engineers at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), is a necklace that can automatically detect when a person is eating or smoking, and can send alerts to a smart phone telling the user to stop. The invention received a $148,379 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) in 2013 to create a sensory necklace to “fill the need of automatically detecting swallows and eating patterns.”
"The federal government helped finance the creation of a so-called “diet choker” that monitors the eating habits of the wearer. WearSens, created by engineers at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), is a necklace that can automatically detect when a person is eating or smoking, and can send alerts to a smart phone telling the user to stop. The invention received a $148,379 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) in 2013 to create a sensory necklace to “fill the need of automatically detecting swallows and eating patterns.”
Amnesty judge gets tough with defiant Obama
"The federal judge who ordered a halt to President Obama’s amnesty-for-millions plan now is telling federal attorneys to come to his courtroom in Brownsville, Texas, and explain why someone issued three-year deportation exemptions and work authorizations to 100,000 people before the program was scheduled to begin. U.S. District Judge Andrew S. Hanen issued an order Monday for the lawyers to be at a hearing in his courtroom March 19, the Herald newspaper in Brownsville reported. Hanen’s preliminary injunction stopped Obama’s executive actions on amnesty before the government was to begin accepting applications from qualified illegal aliens Feb. 18. However, the paper said there were extended stays and work authorizations issued to 100,000 illegal aliens prior to the scheduled start date. Hanen’s ordered the government to “explain” the details of a brief from government attorney Kyle Freeny that disclosed the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services had approved tens of thousands of three-year exemptions between Nov. 24, 2014, and Hanen’s injunction."
"The federal judge who ordered a halt to President Obama’s amnesty-for-millions plan now is telling federal attorneys to come to his courtroom in Brownsville, Texas, and explain why someone issued three-year deportation exemptions and work authorizations to 100,000 people before the program was scheduled to begin. U.S. District Judge Andrew S. Hanen issued an order Monday for the lawyers to be at a hearing in his courtroom March 19, the Herald newspaper in Brownsville reported. Hanen’s preliminary injunction stopped Obama’s executive actions on amnesty before the government was to begin accepting applications from qualified illegal aliens Feb. 18. However, the paper said there were extended stays and work authorizations issued to 100,000 illegal aliens prior to the scheduled start date. Hanen’s ordered the government to “explain” the details of a brief from government attorney Kyle Freeny that disclosed the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services had approved tens of thousands of three-year exemptions between Nov. 24, 2014, and Hanen’s injunction."
5 Books the Secret Government Hopes You’ll Never Read
"There are books that get heavily promoted, wind up on bestseller lists everywhere before the ink has even dried on the pages, and you randomly see everyone at the airport carrying a copy under their arm as if they are being handed out for free with the plane tickets… And then there are books like the ones on this list that, if the establishment gets its way, you will never so much as lay eyes on."
"There are books that get heavily promoted, wind up on bestseller lists everywhere before the ink has even dried on the pages, and you randomly see everyone at the airport carrying a copy under their arm as if they are being handed out for free with the plane tickets… And then there are books like the ones on this list that, if the establishment gets its way, you will never so much as lay eyes on."
Knowledge vs Action: Three Roadblocks Keeping You From Better Fitness
"Have you ever eaten that next slice of pizza knowing it will make you feel uncomfortably full? Or perhaps the doctor told you to get 30 minutes of exercise today, but you just can't pull yourself away from The Bachelor. If this sounds familiar, you aren't alone. Here's why knowledge doesn't always lead to action and what you can do instead. There are three main roadblocks that prevent knowledge from turning to action. None of them are about laziness or beginner's ignorance, but human nature. In fact, they affect everyone, even fitness professionals."
"Have you ever eaten that next slice of pizza knowing it will make you feel uncomfortably full? Or perhaps the doctor told you to get 30 minutes of exercise today, but you just can't pull yourself away from The Bachelor. If this sounds familiar, you aren't alone. Here's why knowledge doesn't always lead to action and what you can do instead. There are three main roadblocks that prevent knowledge from turning to action. None of them are about laziness or beginner's ignorance, but human nature. In fact, they affect everyone, even fitness professionals."
Going to Canada? Police Can Force You to Show Them Everything You Have on Your Phone
"Airport security can throw out your mouthwash, make you walk barefoot in public and conduct a full-body scan — but do they have the right to get into your phone? Canadian man Alain Philippon encountered the dilemma when he flew into Halifax Stanfield International Airport last week, returning to his home country from the Dominican Republic, and border agents demanded that he enter the password to unlock his phone so they could search it, the CBC reported. Philippon refused, saying the information on his phone was “personal.” He was arrested."
"Airport security can throw out your mouthwash, make you walk barefoot in public and conduct a full-body scan — but do they have the right to get into your phone? Canadian man Alain Philippon encountered the dilemma when he flew into Halifax Stanfield International Airport last week, returning to his home country from the Dominican Republic, and border agents demanded that he enter the password to unlock his phone so they could search it, the CBC reported. Philippon refused, saying the information on his phone was “personal.” He was arrested."
Mysterious Surveillance Video Of Thief Leaves Police Completely Stumped
"A man in Seattle is sharing surveillance video of a thief, which has left police completely stumped. The footage purportedly shows the frightening new way that thieves are using technology to break into cars. In the video, a thief can be seen approaching the vehicle that’s parked in Tom Dahl’s driveway. The man first tries to open the driver’s side door, but upon realizing that it is locked, he takes off his backpack and moves it close to the window. Then, within seconds, he’s mysteriously gained access to the inside."
"A man in Seattle is sharing surveillance video of a thief, which has left police completely stumped. The footage purportedly shows the frightening new way that thieves are using technology to break into cars. In the video, a thief can be seen approaching the vehicle that’s parked in Tom Dahl’s driveway. The man first tries to open the driver’s side door, but upon realizing that it is locked, he takes off his backpack and moves it close to the window. Then, within seconds, he’s mysteriously gained access to the inside."
How To Be Braver In Your Everyday Life
"We all wish we could be a little braver, but fear can still permeate into our day to day activities. It keeps us from taking action, progressing at work, and even causes us to procrastinate. Here are a few ways to boost your bravery and take every day on with courage. Bravery is mental toughness, knowledge, and confidence all wrapped up into one trait. With bravery you can make tough decisions, take action without wasting time, and approach uncomfortable situations comfortably. You need bravery when you take on new tasks at work, confront others who rub you the wrong way, and even when your work suffers because you're afraid of doing something less than perfect. When you become braver, you become more capable of taking action and handling the things that come your way."
"We all wish we could be a little braver, but fear can still permeate into our day to day activities. It keeps us from taking action, progressing at work, and even causes us to procrastinate. Here are a few ways to boost your bravery and take every day on with courage. Bravery is mental toughness, knowledge, and confidence all wrapped up into one trait. With bravery you can make tough decisions, take action without wasting time, and approach uncomfortable situations comfortably. You need bravery when you take on new tasks at work, confront others who rub you the wrong way, and even when your work suffers because you're afraid of doing something less than perfect. When you become braver, you become more capable of taking action and handling the things that come your way."
Major Chemical Company ‘Poisoned Water Supply’ for 50 Years - And is now being sued, again
"A federal lawsuit has been filed against the chemical company Dupont by residents of West Virginia after being poisoned with a chemical called C8. The plaintiffs seek damages from Dupont for contaminating their drinking water. DuPont has a habit of poisoning people – as many chemical companies do. The company has been sued hundreds of times for contamination both the environment and humankind. The chemical C8 is used to make the product Teflon, which can cause liver, prostate, and testicular cancer. Dupont was aware of this danger for a long time, but continued to use it in the manufacturing of products anyway. As early as the 1950s, Dupont knew just how dangerous C8 could be to human beings. In the name of profit, white collar criminals decided to ignore the facts. DuPont dumped C8 chemicals into two local aquifers, whereupon West Virginia residents have been drinking the poisoned water for years."
"A federal lawsuit has been filed against the chemical company Dupont by residents of West Virginia after being poisoned with a chemical called C8. The plaintiffs seek damages from Dupont for contaminating their drinking water. DuPont has a habit of poisoning people – as many chemical companies do. The company has been sued hundreds of times for contamination both the environment and humankind. The chemical C8 is used to make the product Teflon, which can cause liver, prostate, and testicular cancer. Dupont was aware of this danger for a long time, but continued to use it in the manufacturing of products anyway. As early as the 1950s, Dupont knew just how dangerous C8 could be to human beings. In the name of profit, white collar criminals decided to ignore the facts. DuPont dumped C8 chemicals into two local aquifers, whereupon West Virginia residents have been drinking the poisoned water for years."
Dahr Jamail | Domestic Military Expansion Spreads Through the US, Ignites Dissent
"What if you lived in a country that allowed its Navy to fly the loudest aircraft in the world over your home day and night, generating sonic booms that rattled the windows of people living in a neighboring country, and test new weapons in areas that would knowingly harm, or possibly kill, humans and wildlife? Welcome to the United States, which has a military with an increasing domestic expansion that may soon be coming to your town, city or national forest."
"What if you lived in a country that allowed its Navy to fly the loudest aircraft in the world over your home day and night, generating sonic booms that rattled the windows of people living in a neighboring country, and test new weapons in areas that would knowingly harm, or possibly kill, humans and wildlife? Welcome to the United States, which has a military with an increasing domestic expansion that may soon be coming to your town, city or national forest."
Consumer Spending Tumbles: BofA Blames Snow, Oil; Claims Its Models Are Right, Reality Is Wrong
"Stick a fork in the now proven wrong theory that plunging gas prices would boost consumer spending. Why? Because 4 months after the full impact of tumbling gas price was said to become apparent, consumer spending is not only not picking up, it is in fact slowing down more, especially in those places where there was snow in the winter, and gasp, where oil price actually fell the most! Ridiculous? No. This is what the latest Bank of America card data survey reveals. To wit:"
"Stick a fork in the now proven wrong theory that plunging gas prices would boost consumer spending. Why? Because 4 months after the full impact of tumbling gas price was said to become apparent, consumer spending is not only not picking up, it is in fact slowing down more, especially in those places where there was snow in the winter, and gasp, where oil price actually fell the most! Ridiculous? No. This is what the latest Bank of America card data survey reveals. To wit:"
Crickets, locusts, flies — yum? The case for edible insects
"If you found ants or a beetle on your dinner plate, chances are you’d either flip your plate over or calmly dump it in the trash. But what if bugs became a standard part of the human diet? With the growth of entomophagy, or the practice of eating insects, around the world, consumption of bugs may become common enough that you’ll welcome bugs in your breakfast. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN) released a comprehensive report in 2013 entitled, “Edible insects: Future prospects for food and feed security.” In the report, the FAO described in depth everything from the culture, religion, and history of entomophagy to edible insects as a natural resource and source of food, animal feed, environmental protection, and even economic development."
"If you found ants or a beetle on your dinner plate, chances are you’d either flip your plate over or calmly dump it in the trash. But what if bugs became a standard part of the human diet? With the growth of entomophagy, or the practice of eating insects, around the world, consumption of bugs may become common enough that you’ll welcome bugs in your breakfast. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN) released a comprehensive report in 2013 entitled, “Edible insects: Future prospects for food and feed security.” In the report, the FAO described in depth everything from the culture, religion, and history of entomophagy to edible insects as a natural resource and source of food, animal feed, environmental protection, and even economic development."

If you don’t use a bank, where should you stash your cash?
"If you read between the lines on a recent report from American Express, it looks like more Americans are veering away from the traditional bank savings accounts: A majority consumers say they’ll keep their savings at a local bank (57% vs. 55% in 2014) but more than half of those who keep their savings in cash plan to hide bills in a secret location at home (53%). This means that 43% of the people who are saving money are not putting it in the bank. This is good news for those of us who wish people would wake up and see the net being cast around them, but bad news for the banks that depend on deposit accounts to be able to give out loans and earn interest. Most folks have been trained to keep their savings in the bank. It’s just the way things have been for over 100 years. But there are a lot of reasons why that is no longer a good idea. For one, deposit accounts are no longer legally protected. As well, the Federal Reserve passed a policy that in the event of an economic crisis (think “bank run) that accounts can be frozen to preserve the liquidity of the banks. In an recent interview, alternative asset manager Eric Sprott explains why stashing fiat currency in a bank is a bad idea:"
"If you read between the lines on a recent report from American Express, it looks like more Americans are veering away from the traditional bank savings accounts: A majority consumers say they’ll keep their savings at a local bank (57% vs. 55% in 2014) but more than half of those who keep their savings in cash plan to hide bills in a secret location at home (53%). This means that 43% of the people who are saving money are not putting it in the bank. This is good news for those of us who wish people would wake up and see the net being cast around them, but bad news for the banks that depend on deposit accounts to be able to give out loans and earn interest. Most folks have been trained to keep their savings in the bank. It’s just the way things have been for over 100 years. But there are a lot of reasons why that is no longer a good idea. For one, deposit accounts are no longer legally protected. As well, the Federal Reserve passed a policy that in the event of an economic crisis (think “bank run) that accounts can be frozen to preserve the liquidity of the banks. In an recent interview, alternative asset manager Eric Sprott explains why stashing fiat currency in a bank is a bad idea:"
Prepper Skills Checklist : How Do You Measure Up?
"The debate between skills vs. stuff is a big one. I know many articles have been written on it and I’ve been in many a forum debate about which to focus on. I write this as a fellow preparedness geek and a friend to all those out there who are working towards a secure future. It is interesting to me how many preppers talk about getting off the grid and having self-sufficiency, but they end up just trusting their existence to yet another set of systems. You may have solar panels and well pumps but what if SHTF and a panel gets shattered by flying debris, or your well pump stops working as the bearings seize? There are a million what if scenarios and many are not that unlikely. You need something to fall back on; you need a final line of defense."
"The debate between skills vs. stuff is a big one. I know many articles have been written on it and I’ve been in many a forum debate about which to focus on. I write this as a fellow preparedness geek and a friend to all those out there who are working towards a secure future. It is interesting to me how many preppers talk about getting off the grid and having self-sufficiency, but they end up just trusting their existence to yet another set of systems. You may have solar panels and well pumps but what if SHTF and a panel gets shattered by flying debris, or your well pump stops working as the bearings seize? There are a million what if scenarios and many are not that unlikely. You need something to fall back on; you need a final line of defense."
Processing and Eating Snake
"I grew up with fences around our yard, but behind that fence is where a lot of my natural growth occurred. Behind that back fence was another world for a young boy. Over that fence was a creek. Past that was the Southern Pacific Railroad. Beyond that were open fields that led all the way to San Francisco Bay. My two brothers and other boys from the block would go exploring back there, catching many different snakes. One that I never was able to catch was the California Racer Snake. It was too fast to even attempt after a couple of tries. There weren’t any Rattle Snakes in our area, so we knew that all the snakes were non-poisonous. The Gopher snakes would mimic a rattler, but they did not have the rattle to sound."
"I grew up with fences around our yard, but behind that fence is where a lot of my natural growth occurred. Behind that back fence was another world for a young boy. Over that fence was a creek. Past that was the Southern Pacific Railroad. Beyond that were open fields that led all the way to San Francisco Bay. My two brothers and other boys from the block would go exploring back there, catching many different snakes. One that I never was able to catch was the California Racer Snake. It was too fast to even attempt after a couple of tries. There weren’t any Rattle Snakes in our area, so we knew that all the snakes were non-poisonous. The Gopher snakes would mimic a rattler, but they did not have the rattle to sound."
How Do I Store That? Dried Herbs
"Herbs are a big part of my garden. I have all the usual’s in attendance, rosemary, chives, oregano, and mint, just to name a few. I like to make my own herbal tea blends, and create my own rubs and spice blends for cooking. You can dry herbs throughout the season as time allows, it’s easy to do, and it costs less to purchase your own plants than purchasing dried herbs from the store. Your plants actually respond to regular cuttings by growing better. It keeps them compact and prevents them from flowering and setting seed. The benefit of regular harvests? You will have a longer harvest time and more herbs to dry."
"Herbs are a big part of my garden. I have all the usual’s in attendance, rosemary, chives, oregano, and mint, just to name a few. I like to make my own herbal tea blends, and create my own rubs and spice blends for cooking. You can dry herbs throughout the season as time allows, it’s easy to do, and it costs less to purchase your own plants than purchasing dried herbs from the store. Your plants actually respond to regular cuttings by growing better. It keeps them compact and prevents them from flowering and setting seed. The benefit of regular harvests? You will have a longer harvest time and more herbs to dry."
Urban Survival & Lock Picking
"What gear comes to mind when you think of a bug out bag? I would argue that the majority of us relate the term bug out bag to outdoor survival gear: shelter, water purification, fire making, bushcraft, etc. However, what about survival gear that can be applied strictly to an urban setting? While there may be many urban-specific survival tools, one which comes quickly to mind is a small lock pick set. Whether you are trying to make passage through locked gates or scavenging for materials, a lock pick set might be your best friend. Crow bars and bolt cutters certainly have their place, but they are heavy and can be loud. In this article, I will show you how to get started with lock picking on the cheap (<$20)!!"
"What gear comes to mind when you think of a bug out bag? I would argue that the majority of us relate the term bug out bag to outdoor survival gear: shelter, water purification, fire making, bushcraft, etc. However, what about survival gear that can be applied strictly to an urban setting? While there may be many urban-specific survival tools, one which comes quickly to mind is a small lock pick set. Whether you are trying to make passage through locked gates or scavenging for materials, a lock pick set might be your best friend. Crow bars and bolt cutters certainly have their place, but they are heavy and can be loud. In this article, I will show you how to get started with lock picking on the cheap (<$20)!!"

Tips For Building A Back Yard Shed
"A storage shed is a great project for the DIY-enthusiast. Building a shed from the ground up allows you to get the exact dimensions and look that you want instead of making do with the prefab options. If you are going to go to the effort of building your own shed, do it right the first time so it lasts for years to come. Read on for help getting started."
"A storage shed is a great project for the DIY-enthusiast. Building a shed from the ground up allows you to get the exact dimensions and look that you want instead of making do with the prefab options. If you are going to go to the effort of building your own shed, do it right the first time so it lasts for years to come. Read on for help getting started."
Survival Gardening: the best survival crops
"Let’s say you have a backyard garden, and you want to maximize its effectiveness for prepping and survival. What should you grow? You need crops that provide the three macronutrients: protein, fat, and carbohydrates. You also want these crops to have a high yield and high nutritional density. For example, if you grow lettuce, you could obtain a high yield — in lbs of lettuce per square foot — but lettuce has low nutrition per lb. A modest-sized garden needs crops that produce a lot of nutrition in a small amount of space. So here are my top picks for survival crops."
"Let’s say you have a backyard garden, and you want to maximize its effectiveness for prepping and survival. What should you grow? You need crops that provide the three macronutrients: protein, fat, and carbohydrates. You also want these crops to have a high yield and high nutritional density. For example, if you grow lettuce, you could obtain a high yield — in lbs of lettuce per square foot — but lettuce has low nutrition per lb. A modest-sized garden needs crops that produce a lot of nutrition in a small amount of space. So here are my top picks for survival crops."