Homemade 3 Person, 2 Week Kit

I decided to put together a two week "kit" for my parents, two brothers, and my sister.  Taking into account their spouses and ages of children, enough food and supplies for 3 adults per household was appropriate.  BTW, these are intended as a "stay in place" kit, so they aren't going to be totally comprehensive.  It is assumed that certain items, like toiletries, will already be in the household.  However, they are portable in case travel is necessary.

Keeping in mind storage space limitations, I decided on the two pictured containers.  They're not terribly big and will hold everything nicely without being too heavy or overstuffed.

The clear box has 14 days of Mountain House double serving entrees for 3 adults.  I also included 14 breakfasts, two cases (6 pouches each) of veggies and a couple of apple fruit snacks.  If you've never had the Mountain House food before, not only is it very filling, it's really tasty.  The double serving pouches are enough to feed two adults very well.  Three adults will feel satisfied but not really full.

The gray box will have a Goal Zero Escape portable solar kit, 2 - 4 person Adventure Medical first aid kit, Goal Zero solar/crank/DC flashlight, batteries, small propane single-burner w/a couple of the small tanks, matches, collapsible measuring cup & small pot (to measure & heat the water for the food pouches), probably a battery powered fan, etc...  It also has wheels and latches, which I think is needed since the gray box will be the heavier of the two boxes.  The one with the food in it is light enough for me to easily lift. 

I bought both boxes at Walmart and of course, we sell all of the Mountain House, Goal Zero solar kits and Adventure Medical first aid kits at www.readyoutdoors.com.

You will also need approximately 7 - 8 cases of bottled water (for 3 adults) to store with the kit. I found the Kirkland brand for $3.75 a case (35 bottles) at Costco. 

As soon as I get everything completely put together, I'll upload a complete list, where to buy and pics of everything.

If you would like me to help you put together a similar kit, just hit me up on email, twitter or facebook and I'll be happy to help.

Have a GREAT week!
KD

Homemade Shampoo & Conditioner

Guest post today from Alexis. Enjoy.

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Stock up on just two ingredients—liquid soap and apple cider vinegar—so you can look camera-ready while others are fretting because they’ve run out of L’Oreal products.

In two of the recipes, you’ll use some variety of Dr. Bronner’s Magic 18-in-1 fair trade liquid castile soap.  Yes, that’s a mouthful, and some users insist that one of the 18 ways to use it is as toothpaste.  Keep that in mind when SHTF, but until then maybe stick to Crest or Tom’s of Maine.

As shampoo, body soap, and even face cleansers, Dr. Bronner’s soaps works miracles.  They’re devoid of harmful ecotoxins and potential allergens like sulfates, parabens, and PEGs.  Depending on the kind you get—there are 8 of them, including tea tree and peppermint—you get different essential oils infused in every bottle.

Oily scalp or problem skin?   Go for the tea tree or lavender types.  Both tea tree oil and lavender oil are antiseptic and helpful acne fighters and de-greasers.

Spring fever got you puffy-eyed and stopped up?  Try showering with the peppermint or eucalyptus soaps to clear your sinuses, or the citrus to wake you up in the morning.

Dry skin?  Try the almond and rose soaps for extra moisture.

Super sensitive to any and all chemicals and smells?  The baby mild variety contains only the basic ingredients: water, organic coconut oil, potassium hydroxide (which isn’t actually in the final product), organic olive oil, organic hemp oil, organic jojoba oil, citric acid, and tocopherol (for preservation).

DIY Shampoo and Face/Body Wash

1 ½ cup water
1 ½ cup Dr. Bronner’s liquid castile soap
Optional ¼ cup aloe vera gel and 3 drops of essential oil of choice
Mix the ingredients in a bottle.  Dip your head upside down and apply directly to scalp, not hair.  It’s watery, so using it standing up risks having it running into your eyes (no thanks).  Lather, massage, and wash out.  Follow with the DIY hair conditioner.

In the unlikely event you find this mixture too drying, add the aloe vera gel and essential oil

DIY Hair Conditioner & Facial Toner

1 ½ cup water
1 ½ cup apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar balances your skin and scalp’s pH, making it less likely to be oily or dry even hours after cleansing.  As a conditioner, apply this mixture to scalp (like the shampoo) and work out tangles.  Rinse with water.  As a facial toner, splash onto face with clean hands or apply with cotton balls.  Follow with gentle moisturizer.

Bio: Alexis Bonari is a freelance writer and researcher for College Scholarships, where recently she’s been researching scholarships for veterans and scholarships from banks. In her spare time, she enjoys square-foot gardening, swimming, and avoiding her laptop.