We’ve all heard of scurvy and know the disease that causes spotty skin, spongy gums, bleeding and death can be prevented by consuming Vitamin C regularly.  What do you do once your stockpile runs out?  If you live in a climate that supports citrus, your concern is mild - but what about those of us living in colder climates?

Native North Americans didn’t suffer from scurvy although their diet consisted largely of wild game and corn.  The reason is they regularly consumed pine tree bark and pine needle tea.  Pine nuts are not the only useful part of the pine.  Fresh green needles, steeped in boiling water for a few minutes make a tea that contains 8 times as much ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) as orange juice.  Pine is an astringent, antiseptic and expectorant.

Native Americans also consumed the soft, white inner bark found under the woody outer layer of bark on the tree.  It can be eaten raw, in slices or dried and ground up into a flour.

The more I learn about the benefits of pine trees, the more I realize how lucky we are here in North America where pine is plentiful in almost every climate zone.  Next time I feel a cold coming on I plan on trying a cup of pine tea.

If you have school aged children, they’ve already become little preppers.  They practice responding to various emergencies, including fires and earthquakes (here in earthquake country!).  I’m of the frame of mind that my kids should enjoy their childhood absent of as many threats as possible.  It’s my job to protect them, but there will be times when even your small children may be separated from you.  They should be ready for something as simple as being lost at the zoo, to knowing what to do if they’re lost outside somewhere.

Kids have great memories and will retain the things you teach them.  So many times I’ve seen a little child lost, only to stand there crying until someone notices them.  Tell your small ones what to do, so they won’t panic.  Kids are very intuitive - if you tell them to be wary of adults, but in certain situations they may need to ask for help, they can make good decisions.  Review your plan in the car on the way, it only takes a few minutes.  Of course the goal is to never let your children out of your sight.  Things happen and the worst thing you could do is say it won’t happen to me.

Think about the areas around your community that a child could wander off to.  Is there water nearby?  Would spending the night exposed cause hypothermia?  There’s no need to frighten your small kids, but just little bits of trivia can help them if they become lost.  Water and shelter are priorities so stick with that and also a plan of how to get help.  Is it better for them to stay put and let adults find them, or try to walk to find help?  Only you can determine this depending on your surroundings.  If you vacation a lot, review these things for the area you’re traveling to.  Knowledge is power and kids don’t need to be helpless.

Kids are strong and resilient - give them the knowledge they can use to help themselves if the situation arises.