Streamlight Stylus Pro Flashlight – Item of the Day

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streamliteAttention – these are on sale right now for 45% off list price with free shipping.   Additionally the more compact MicroStream is also on sale for 45% off as well.   I have been carrying this little light as my EDC for over 10 years now.  I refuse to go to a weird form factor for batteries in an EDC light.  It is so thin you forget you even have it in your pocket until you need it, then it is always there.  I have sold literally thousands of them and no one has ever complained about them to me even one time.  6900+ reviews, 4.5 stars, there is a reason.

Every day I bring you an item on Amazon that I personally use or has been purchased by many members of the audience and I have researched enough to recommend.

Today’s TSP Amazon Item of the day is the Streamlight Stylus Pro LED Pen Flashlight.  This is my EDC light, sure there are better and far more expensive tac lights, but the beauty of this light is multifold.

First it uses standard AAA batteries.  Not some special form factor that is hard to find.  In our home we have good quality AA and AAA batteries on hand at all times along with enloop rechargeable batteries in both sizes.

Second it is cheap, as in under 30 bucks on Prime, I keep one in my night stand with my bigger lights, so when I misplace my EDC one or more likely give it away, I have a second one to replace it with.

Third it is rugged, if you check the Amazon reviews you will see one guy lost his for a year, found it buried in mud and leaves and after a year it still worked.

Fourth it is strong enough to use as a defensive too, basically as a small kubaton.  You have to know the techniques for that to be effect but it works quite well.

Long time listeners will tell you that I have been recommending this little light for over 5 years now, and until I find a better value, I will continue to do so.  I believe in having what you need in the best quality possible with the highest value to that quality.

The other thing I believe is EDC means EVERY DAY CARRY, it isn’t MDC, or SDC, most or some day carry.  This little light is so thin and just slides in a pocket to the rear and sits there, you forget you have it on you at times.  That means you will carry it and that means you will have it when you need it.

In short the Streamlight Stylus Pro LED Pen Flashlight is a winner and it makes a great gift.  I have bought at least a dozen over the years, carried them all and eventually given them to listeners and I am sure all of those are still in service.  And remember the ultra compact MIcrosteam is basically the same light but runs on one battery and is half the size.

The only down sides are first the finish will wear off in time especially if you carry it with keys, a knife, etc.  But for the price to you really care?  The other is the little canvas holster.  While well built I find it useless!

Remember you can always find all of our reviews at TspAz.com

 

Episode-2556- The Thanksgiving Special for 2019

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Episode-2556- The Thanksgiving Special for 2019 [ 24:46 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Note – You can get a full transcript of the original portion of this show here. Many families read this and the Christmas show as part of their holidays.

Today one day before the great American Holiday we stop and pause to think about what we have to be thankful for.

Last year I rerecorded the original portion of this show into much better audio quality, I do hope you enjoy it. If you would like to hear the first version of it as it was recorded in my car you can find the original that was published on Nov. 26, 2008 here.

The beauty of this show is I feel it is something you can share with friends and family. The real history of Thanksgiving is actually a lot more interesting and special then many of the myths.

Tune in today to hear…

  • Why much of what we learn about Thanksgiving is wrong or at least inaccurate
  • How Thanksgiving was at one time considered a “damn yankee holiday”
  • How Thanksgiving became a way for our nation to heal and reunite
  • How the date of Thanksgiving has often been moved around and why
  • The truth about those big buckles the pilgrims wore and all that black clothing
  • What feasting meant 100 years ago to our prior generation that we have forgotten

 

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK and you might hear yourself on the air.

Episode-2555- Planning and Skill Development in the Coming Down Time

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Episode-2555- Planning and Skill Development in the Coming Down Time [ 1:06:32 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

A common theme I tend to point out this time of year is that the winter months often come with an abundance of time to do things that simply don’t get done in busier times of the year.

As a teen in Pennsylvania I came to fully understand the concept of “cabin fever”.  The spring was full of gardening, trout fishing, chores, etc.  Then summer brought more fishing (bass and catfish), harvesting, berry picking, scouting for hunting season, ground hog hunting.  Fall would come and it was three months of bird hunting, sitting in tree stands, butchering deer and more.  Finally Christmas would come, huge celebration and then……………………well……………..nothing.

May be a bit of 2nd season archery which usually meant freezing your ass off or some trap lines to run which meant completely freezing your ass off and then, totally nothing.  Mid January until early April was just boring and it was also effing cold as crap outside.  If not for weekend beer parties I think we would have died of boredom.

Now I live in a much milder climate for sure but we still have our downtime in winter.  There is so much we can do with this time.  Today I talk about planning and skill and system development during this coming time of the year.

Join Me Today to Discuss…

  • Quote of the Day – “There’s no such thing as downtime for your brain.” ~ Jeffery Kluger
  • First enjoy it, don’t get too crazy with goals, work projects, etc.
  • Some things to consider learning or doing in the coming down time
    • Quality time with seed and plant catalogs
    • This is a great time to set up a reloading operation
    • Inventory your prepper items (pantry, BOBs, vehicle kits, etc.)
    • Set up your plant propagation and seed starting systems
    • Clean, service and upgrade tools, garden tools, etc.
    • Great time of year to get into curing meats
    • Focus on alternative learning for your kids (museums, iMax movies, botanical gardens, etc.)
    • Teach yourself a technical skill (video editing, basic coding, etc.)
    • Build a heating system for a shop or outbuilding
    • Get into brewing, vinting, mead making, making “fuel”
    • Develop your vision for 2020
    • Take a vacation
  • How to actually make things happen – put it on a schedule, follow the schedule, do the things you don’t want to do first.
  • Final thought – you will do more for you and your family if you turn off the news

 

Resources for today’s show…

 

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK (866-658-4465) and you might hear yourself on the air.

Join the MSB Today

Join the MSB Today

Want Every Episode of TSP Ever Produced?

Remember in addition to discounts to over 40 vendors who supply stuff you are likely buying anyway, tons of free ebooks and video content, MSB Members also get every edition of The Survival Podcast ever produced in convenient zip files in blocks of 24. More info on the MSB can be found here.

Stainless Steel Insulated French Press by Secura – Item of the Day

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Note – I am bringing this around again for two reasons. First this item is currently on sale at 36% off with a total savings of almost 15 bucks.  Also this would make a great Christmas gift for any coffee or tea lover.

Every day I bring you an item on Amazon that I personally use or has been purchased by many members of the audience and I have researched enough to recommend.

Today’s TSP Amazon Item is the Stainless Steel Insulated French Press by Secura.  We have been using the glass version by Fine Dine for a long time and I still really love it and have no plans to get rid of it.  The way I found this one is first of all I have been kicking around the idea of getting a second one for a while

Some time ago realizing I was drinking far too much coffee I went cold turkey on a coffee fast for a few months and drank only tea.  I got rid of our coffee maker and when I started drinking coffee again I went to a French Press.  It makes better coffee and it takes a little effort to make the next cup or two, so it naturally slows you down on consumption.

Thing is some times Dorothy wants to have more coffee and I am ready to switch to tea.  Some days she wants coffee and I only want tea.  So a second one seemed like a good idea.  Additionally as we were discussing this Dorothy suggested that we should take a French Press on our vacations, because it makes better coffee then “the shitty coffee makers in hotel rooms”.  Yes that is a quote!

So my thought was why pack a glass container in luggage that you know will be thrown around by baggage handlers acting like a bunch of gorillas.  So my quest for a good stainless press began.  I found the one by Secura and despite a few negative reviews, with over 4,000 reviews, 4.5 stars over all and a B grade on Fakespot I figured it was worth a shot.

Up front the only negative comment that I sort of agree with from some of the negative reviews is the top doesn’t “seal” tightly.  It moves around a bit, you know what though, it just doesn’t matter.  It seems some of these folks want a press to hold in heat like a Yeti Thermos or something.  The truth is you only want to leave coffee or tea in a press for so long anyway.  In any event I made a press full of Earl Grey yesterday.  I brought the press into my office and when I poured the last cup about 30 minutes later it was still very much “Captain Picard Hot“.

Again I think the few negative reviews are by people with either mental deficiencies or perhaps unreasonable expectations.  Like I said some say it doesn’t hold in heat very long, they are just wrong they also may not know how to work a lid.  Seriously!  On the lid there is a gap for pouring, by turning the lid about 1/4 turn it closes the gap.  Ya think some of this special children might have a hard time figuring that complex concept out?  That leads me to a nice little feature.  They put an arrow on the top so you know where the gap is, nice since you can’t see into the press, well unless your vision can see though steel like Superman.

So if you want a press which way should you go, the Steel One from Secura or the Glass One from Fine Dine?  It is really personal choice, both are great.  The steel one won’t break if you drop it or travel with it and holds heat better.  The glass one in my opinion looks better and you an see how much is left in it.  With the Secura you really can’t tell because the thing is so heavy duty if feels full even when empty.  In the end, get the one you like, I think you will be happy with either of them.

Lastly one cool thing for some of you is this press is available in the 34oz version I bought and in a larger 50oz version if you have a large family or entertain guests often.  So give this press a shot and I think you will be happy with it.

Remember you can always find all of our reviews at TspAz.com

PS – Here are a couple of my favorite teas.  And remember for awesome coffee, Holler Roast, Food Forest Farms and Mai Thai Coffee all give discounts to MSB members!

Jack’s Three Mints Tea (yep lemon balm and bee balm are actually mints)

 

Jacks Morning Blend – Nine Mile Farms Tea

Episode-2554- Fun Foods for Thanksgiving

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Episode-2554- Fun Foods for Thanksgiving [ 1:19:30 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Okay I am going to try to have fun with my two days of work this week and not be too serious about anything.  Today we are going to talk about some fun foods for Thanksgiving.  I’ll say a little bit about turkey but we have done enough of that over the years, so you can reference this past episode for Keith Snow’s Turkey How To for a standard roasted turkey.

I want to focus on some side dishes, some additional meat options and yea even some keto/low carb options.  However, let me say Thanksgiving is one day a year.  My plan this year to not over due things is…

  • Step One – eat what ever I want
  • Step Two – send all high carb left overs home with family/friends
  • Step Three – Anything high carb I can’t send away goes to the duck compost pit

 

It is only one day but you gotta keep it one day, if you have high carb left overs around for a week it is bad juju for those living la vita low carb.

Join Me Today to Discuss…

  • Quote of the Day – When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around. ~ Willie Nelson
  • Hey first let me tell you about my reasonably productive weekend
  • Okay first and foremost if you can, consider cooking your turkey on Wednesday
  • Remember roaster ovens are awesome for Thanksgiving
  • For wine remember Jadot Beaujolais-Villages for the meal
  • Some of my not quite conventional sides
    • Twice roasted fingerling potatoes and bacon
    • Bacon wrapped asparagus (or green beans)
    • Squash/Pumpkin Apple Soup
    • Beer bread – stupid simple
    • Andouille sausage and cornbread stuffing
  • A few keto/low carb options
    • For stuffing use a low carb bread, riced cauliflower and sausage of your choice
    • Stuffed mushrooms – stuffed with anything you want
    • For keto gravy just use xanthan gum at about 1/2 tsp to 3 cups liquid instead of flour
    • Loaded Zucchini Skins
    • Keto Chocolate Mug Cake
    • Chia Seed Pudding (endless options)
  • Deserts (non keto)
    • Baked Apples (stupid simple)Look Out
    • Dark Chocolate and Good Red Wine
  • Some Adult Indulgences
    • Home made liquor of your choice
    • Midas Touch Ale
    • Apple pie moonshine
      • 1 750ML Bottle of Everclear (or high proof shine)
      • 2 Cups of Vanilla Vodka – secret (no longer well kept)
      • 2 Cups of Captain Morgan Spiced Rum – secret (no longer well kept)
      • 2 Gallons of Apple Cider
      • 8 Real Cinnamon Sticks (Ceylon) – secret
      • 2 Cups Brown Sugar
      • 2 Cups Honey – Secret until today
      • Tune in For the Procedure
  • Remember it one day, have fun, feast, don’t fight, don’t take argument bait

 

Resources for today’s show…

 

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK (866-658-4465) and you might hear yourself on the air.

Join the MSB Today

Join the MSB Today

Want Every Episode of TSP Ever Produced?

Remember in addition to discounts to over 40 vendors who supply stuff you are likely buying anyway, tons of free ebooks and video content, MSB Members also get every edition of The Survival Podcast ever produced in convenient zip files in blocks of 24. More info on the MSB can be found here.

Gerber Dime Multi-Tool – TSP Item of the Day

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dimeEvery day I bring you an item on Amazon that I personally use or has been purchased by many members of the audience and I have researched enough to recommend.

Today’s TSP Amazon Item of the day is the Gerber Dime Multi- Tool.  To me everyone should have a mini multi-tool on their key chain.

This is one of my absolute favorites due to how small and useful it is. There are so many times in our lives we could use a screw driver or a pair of pliers or even a good pair of tweezers.  I spent a lot of time checking into small key chain sized multi tools and the Gerber Dime was the one I settled on.

With this little gadget on my key chain I have the following tools everywhere I go, all the time.

  • Needle nose pliers
  • Wire cutter
  • Fine edge blade
  • Retail package opener
  • Scissors
  • Flat Screw Driver
  • Crosshead Screw Driver
  • Bottle opener
  • Tweezers
  • File

 

For many years I carried a Leatherman Wave, in fact I often still do.  Frankly I think it is the best full sized multi-tool out there.   But it is a rather large item on your belt and just not practical for every day and all the time.  To much EDC makes one look like a pathetic version of Batman you know.

So at times I would need pliers, a driver, etc, and just not have it with me.  Well pretty much anywhere I go I have my keys.  To drive home how small this item is when folded here is mine on my key chain below.  As you can see it takes up less space than the key to my 4-Runner.

gerberdime

The Gerber Dime Multi- Tool is also a great deal at 20 bucks with free shipping on Prime.  It absolutely will not do everything a full sized tool does but it is small enough to always be there when you need it.  To me that is the key with mini multi-tools, better a small set of pliers then none at all!  Read the PS for when that isn’t actually the case by the way.

Remember you can always find all of our reviews at TspAz.com

P.S. – I did eventually have to replace mine, and not because I lost one or gave one away.  I did find the limits of this tool and wanted to make you guys aware of it.  Last year Spectrum sent me a new router that doubled my speed, seriously.  The tech that installed the first one must of used a pipe wrench to tighten the CATV fitting onto it.  I was on my side under my desk, had my keys in my pocked so tried using the pliers on this to take off the connector.

Got a good grip and the pliers just turned on the fitting which did not budge.  I gave it a harder grip, same thing.  Not wanting to get up, I gave it a full strength grip and that blew out the spring for the pliers feature.  I had this one for years, used it hundreds of times.  This doesn’t change my view of it being great EDC but I did kill one and wanted to be up front about that.

Like I said the thing has limits and frankly I have a pretty strong grip and it took almost all of it to kill it.  I knew I was beyond the limits but thought hey lets find out, I did and you should consider how far you push this tool given its size and purpose.

MSB Sale – 30 Bucks a Year for Life – Discount Code “turkey”

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I have been promising you guys a sale on the air for over a week. I was going to do 15 bucks off your first year but I decided to do much better than that.

Much better? You bet! Instead of 15 dollars off, I am making it 20 dollars off. So you can sign up or renew today for just 30 bucks for a year. Not enough? Well, how about it ain’t off your first year, it is 30 bucks for as long as you remain an active member. Just use the discount code turkey when you sign up.

I set up MSB from the beginning with the hope that it would not cost my members a dime in the long term. So I set out and locked in about 70 discounts on tons of stuff you likely buy all the time. Simply by using these discounts a few times a year I can’t see how anyone living a modern survival lifestyle won’t get their money back at least two times over a year, especially at 30 bucks.

So consider signing up today. Again just use the discount code turkey when you sign up. To do that just go here and set up your account.

If you want to pay by check, silver, etc. you can get a form to fill out on the sign up page. Just print it out and make sure to write the discount code on the form. If you pay with silver we will just give you some extra time instead of cutting the price.

If you want to pay with cryptocurrency, just email me at jack at thesurvivalpodcast dot com with TSPC in the subject line and we can work it out.

* This sale expires on Monday the 25th, no exceptions.

P.S. – A special note, the default online payment method is now credit/debit cards via Stripe. Some folks seem to think they need a Stripe account to use that method, you don’t. It is just my merchant account provider. All you need is any major credit or debit card and you are good to go.

I do still take PayPal but they have been really buggy with a ton of failed renewals and problems when people are trying to sign up and they have been NO HELP in fixing it. So while you can use PayPal I prefer that you sign up via Stripe. And if you have a PayPal debit card you can of course use it that way.

Episode-2553- The Expert Council Show for 11-22-19

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Episode-2552- The Expert Council Show for 11-22-19 [ 1:18:15 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Today its Friday so it’s time for the expert council show. To ask a question for a show like this, just send an email to me at jack at thesurvivalpodcast.com with “TSPC Expert” in the subject line.

Today on The Survival Podcast, the expert council answers questions on snow tires, homeschooling, business, bee keeping, tax issues, investing, legal issues, marketing and more.

In the body of your email first tell me the council member your question is for. Second ask your question concisely in one to two sentences maximum. Third any and all details after that. This is the formula to give you the best chance of getting on the air.

I do what I can to get as many of your questions as possible on the air but can’t always get to all of them. Our council is made of a wide variety of experts in everything from the tactical to the practical and everything in between.

To get more information on our Expert Council visit our “Meet the Expert Council Page” to learn more about them and their specific areas of expertise.

Join Me Today As Our Experts Discuss…

  • Quote of the day – “No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn”. Hal Borland
  • Proper installation of snow tires – Derek Bonpietro
  • How folks without children of their own can support home school families – Mike & Sue Laprise
  • Identification and planning for potential points of failure in a business – Nicole Sauce
  • How to find and vet good local bee keepers – Michael Jordan
  • Tax implications of an “advanced inheritance” – John Pugliano
  • Working with miners without creating excessive liability – Jack

 

Resources for today’s show…

 

Geoff Lawton’s Permaculture Videos

 

Websites of the Expert Council Members

 

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK (866-658-4465) and you might hear yourself on the air.

Join the MSB Today

Join the MSB Today

Want Every Episode of TSP Ever Produced?

Remember in addition to discounts to over 40 vendors who supply stuff you are likely buying anyway, tons of free ebooks and video content, MSB Members also get every edition of The Survival Podcast ever produced in convenient zip files in blocks of 24. More info on the MSB can be found here.

Aromacare Pet Ear Wipes – Item of the Day

The Survival Podcast Posted on by 3

Every day I bring you an item on Amazon that I personally use or has been purchased by many members of the audience and I have researched enough to recommend.

Today’s TSP Amazon Item of the day is Aromacare Pet Ear Wipes.  I have tried a variety of different products for this need and have settled on these.  As many of you know we have three dogs.  A giant German Shepard named Max, a Pit-Pointer Mix named Charlie and a Pitskey named Lucy.  A Pitskey is a Siberian Husky crossed with a Pit Bull by the way.

I use this product on all of them.  They get a good ear cleaning on the first of the month when they get their heart worm medication.  Simple and easy to remember.  For Charlie and Lucy this is all they need.  Generally a bit of gunk comes out of both of them but it isn’t much.  Their ears stay clean and don’t put off any odors at all.

Max though has always been a problem pup when it comes to his ears, and worse he doesn’t really like having them cleaned.  I don’t know if you have ever tried to get a 150 pound dog to do something he doesn’t want to do, but it is a hell of a case for good training.  Charlie and Lucy seem to actually enjoy getting their ears cleaned but not Max, it is like dealing with a giant pouting puppy every time.

But we get it done and it works.  Before I found these I had to clean his ears about 1-3 times a week, depending on the time of the year.  Some nights he’d wake me up shaking his head because his ears bothered him badly.  I’d have to get up and deal with his sulking and clean his ears at 2 AM.

Now I simply clean Max’s on the 1st and 15th or any time he just seems to need it, and even he seems to remain clear, happy and free of the dreaded “stinky ear”.  As the label indicates they use a combination of Aloe and Eucalyptus oil.

This certainly is not some beyond organic all natural product and it has some conventional ingredients but nothing I consider truly harmful and above all they work.  And they work damn good.  The price is right at 8 dollars for 100 pads and at my use rate one pack of 100 lasts me about a year.  Note that they may not last as long for you if you have more dogs or a pup with a real problem needing a lot more cleaning.

On Max this is what I did, when I got them I cleaned his ears once a day for a week, he was not happy about this.  I then went to once a week for a month, then went to my routine of twice a month.  I have been doing that now for about 2 years and he has stayed for the most part a happy and clean eared canine.  Oh and anytime we do an ear cleaning or any procedure the dogs don’t like it ends with a treat.  It doesn’t take the canine brain long to realize, okay I don’t like this but there is some chicken jerky in it for me.

Anyway if you want to keep your packs ears in top notch shape, I recommend checking out Aromacare Pet Ear Wipes today.  I think you will quickly see why they have 4.5 out of 5 stars with over 4400 reviews.

Remember you can always find all of our reviews at TspAz.com

 

 

Episode-2552- Listener Calls for 11-21-19

The Survival Podcast Posted on by 6
Episode-2552- Listener Calls for 11-21-19 [ 1:14:40 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Today on The Survival Podcast, I take your calls on CWD, relocation, keto diet, food storage, mercuric in fish, sous vide, lighting, cats and more.

Remember to be on a show like this one just pick up your phone and call 866-65-THINK.

The best way to improve your chances of being on the air is ask your question or make your point up front, then provide details. Also please do your best to call from a quiet area with a good connection and speak up so you can be well heard.

While I can’t put all calls on the air but I do my best to get as many of them on as I can.

Join Me Today As Our Experts Discuss…

  • “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
  • How concerned should you be about CWD infection from deer, elk, etc.
  • Thoughts on moving away from California and where to go to
  • If you are on a Keto diet or other form or low carb, what food can you store
  • How concerned should you be about mercury in fish
  • Would I ever sous vide a turkey, more would I do it for Thanksgiving
  • A lighting option for indoor growing
  • Training a cat that doesn’t care about the spray bottle

 

Resources for today’s show…

 

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK (866-658-4465) and you might hear yourself on the air.

Join the MSB Today

Join the MSB Today

Want Every Episode of TSP Ever Produced?

Remember in addition to discounts to over 40 vendors who supply stuff you are likely buying anyway, tons of free ebooks and video content, MSB Members also get every edition of The Survival Podcast ever produced in convenient zip files in blocks of 24. More info on the MSB can be found here.