I have been buying from RockyMountain for several years. Excellent oils too. Myrrh. 5ml, Wild (Somalia) | Singles M-Z | Rocky Mountain Oils LLC
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Has anybody heard of Steep and Cheap? I just found this, and there are some very good prices that come up. Worth looking at anyway.
Freaky, did you figure out how to make that powdered toothpaste you were working on? Inquiring minds want to know how it turned out?
Last weekend went bonkers. My son's mother is . . . let's say, unreliable. So, he didn't get back home until Sunday. I wanted to make it with him, so we're doing it this weekend. I've got all the stuff ready to go and will give the results after we test it.
OK, we just got done making the toothpaste. Let me just tell you, if you want some powdered toothpaste . . . buy some. 
What a giant pain. I don't know who these hippies are that made the recipes I read, but dayam! Some people just try to be "different", way too hard.
The ~average recipe was similar to the following:
My recipe was somewhere in this ballpark (I kept "adding to taste"):
Since there was so much xylitol to grind, it didn't get completely powdered, so there are some chunks in it, but it almost instantly dissolves in your mouth, so it's not too bad. If I could get something to make it foam better, that would be nice.
All-in-all, I have about 120 years worth of mediocre toothpaste. It was a lot of fun to do with my son. We made Easter eggs, then toothpaste. I'll do it again some other time, with a more thought-out plan, now that I know what to realistically plan on.
All of the ingredients are anti-bacterial and/or antiseptic, and I plan on using PGA (picked up a plastic pint of Clear Spring today also) to wet the brush, so as long as the brush hits all the teeth, and the solution is spread through my mouth, I won't get zombie breath . . . or would I need zombie breath during z-day?
What a giant pain. I don't know who these hippies are that made the recipes I read, but dayam! Some people just try to be "different", way too hard.
The ~average recipe was similar to the following:
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp xylitol
- 20-30 drops flavorings - including myrrh and mints or cinnamon
My recipe was somewhere in this ballpark (I kept "adding to taste"):
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 1 tsp raw sea salt - mortar and pestle until no longer gritty
- 1 1/3 cup xylitol - mortar and pestle until no longer gritty (If I had've know it would have taken so much, I would have just bought the powdered version.)
- 5 drops myrrh oil
- 15 drops spearmint oil
Since there was so much xylitol to grind, it didn't get completely powdered, so there are some chunks in it, but it almost instantly dissolves in your mouth, so it's not too bad. If I could get something to make it foam better, that would be nice.
All-in-all, I have about 120 years worth of mediocre toothpaste.
It was a lot of fun to do with my son. We made Easter eggs, then toothpaste. I'll do it again some other time, with a more thought-out plan, now that I know what to realistically plan on.All of the ingredients are anti-bacterial and/or antiseptic, and I plan on using PGA (picked up a plastic pint of Clear Spring today also) to wet the brush, so as long as the brush hits all the teeth, and the solution is spread through my mouth, I won't get zombie breath . . . or would I need zombie breath during z-day?
Try a little vinegar in there... that should get it foaming for ya! Thanks for sharing the recipe, I'll have to try it out sometime. Back in the day we just used baking soda until we could make it to the store.
An important note for pet owners as well, xylitol is toxic to dogs and can drop their blood sugar to dangerous levels, cause permanent liver and brain damage, all in a VERY short time if not immediately treated! It doesn't affect humans the same way but I know a few people on here have 'fur-kids' so I wanted them to be aware of the danger.
http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/xylitol.asp
Thanks for sharing the recipe, I'll have to try it out sometime. Back in the day we just used baking soda until we could make it to the store.An important note for pet owners as well, xylitol is toxic to dogs and can drop their blood sugar to dangerous levels, cause permanent liver and brain damage, all in a VERY short time if not immediately treated! It doesn't affect humans the same way but I know a few people on here have 'fur-kids' so I wanted them to be aware of the danger.
http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/xylitol.asp
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Thanks for adding that. I did come across that, but forgot to put it in.
I found an interesting fact about soap for the foaming action in the toothpaste. You can rub your brush on a plain bar of glycerin soap, then dip it in the powder. I found a few recommendations for that type of soap in a BOB too. All it does is foam to remove the bubbles. You just want plain glycerin though. No colors or perfumes. Here's a decent link that talks about a lot of things glycerin can be used for. Guest Post: Two good multi use chemicals for your Bug Out Bag | ModernSurvivalOnline.com
I found an interesting fact about soap for the foaming action in the toothpaste. You can rub your brush on a plain bar of glycerin soap, then dip it in the powder. I found a few recommendations for that type of soap in a BOB too. All it does is foam to remove the bubbles. You just want plain glycerin though. No colors or perfumes. Here's a decent link that talks about a lot of things glycerin can be used for. Guest Post: Two good multi use chemicals for your Bug Out Bag | ModernSurvivalOnline.com
What an adventure in chemistry Freaky! You're such a great Dad. Your son will be telling all of his friends about it I'm sure.
In all of my BOB planning, I had forgotten about dental hygiene. I will just be using baking soda I think. I'm not to be trusted mixing any chemicals except sugar & butter...
In all of my BOB planning, I had forgotten about dental hygiene. I will just be using baking soda I think. I'm not to be trusted mixing any chemicals except sugar & butter...
One thing I'd carry if I could handle the weight is - as many pieces of a salt block as I could carry. Very effective as a game attractant, could be used for barter, and if you get the right kind - safe for human consumption. Cut it down to manageable sizes with a band saw.
Here's one - Morton® White Crystal® Brine Blocks
Being it's a game attractor, you'd want to store it overnight away from yourself, just like your food. Lacks iodine but that can be obtained naturally in some foods, like fish...
Here's one - Morton® White Crystal® Brine Blocks
Being it's a game attractor, you'd want to store it overnight away from yourself, just like your food. Lacks iodine but that can be obtained naturally in some foods, like fish...
I have been working on the new SHTF bag. I had to break down and get a better pack than the normal 3 day assault pack i mentioned. I have the last couple items on order and should have a complete write up by this coming weekend, with pictures.
Welcome back Mutt! We've missed you. It's been really quiet around here. I hope all went OK on your journey.
The journey, for what it was, was pretty good. Got to see lots of family. I kept checking in on you guys from time to time. Was good to see a little progress on the story.
I just realized we have a major oversight 
(pun intended), telescope/binoculars! In the worst case scenario, it might be the only means of long distance communication provided there are relay stations. Put in every scenario they could play an important role in any search and rescue, re-con, sentry, hunting, etc. that I can think of. Even a cheap pair of binoculars is better than nothing when you're trying to tell if it's a log laying there or a person/animal. I take my rifle scope for granted but it might not be the most diplomatic means to determine if someone is friend or foe, especially if the other person is doing the same thing...
(pun intended), telescope/binoculars! In the worst case scenario, it might be the only means of long distance communication provided there are relay stations. Put in every scenario they could play an important role in any search and rescue, re-con, sentry, hunting, etc. that I can think of. Even a cheap pair of binoculars is better than nothing when you're trying to tell if it's a log laying there or a person/animal. I take my rifle scope for granted but it might not be the most diplomatic means to determine if someone is friend or foe, especially if the other person is doing the same thing...Most of my focus has been on barricading in than bugging out so my bob has been modified into more of a personal convenience 3 day bob and instead have been pantry filling when I realized due to laziness I was down to one ecig battery. This got me thinking about a dual purpose solar charger. What do you guys think of this: $127.30 - 12000mAh Portable Solar Power Battery Pack with Laptop & Cellphone Adapters - Solar Powered Gadgets or $63.75 - Solar Powered Self-Recharging USB Battery (with Cell Phone Adapters) - Solar Powered Gadgets - perfect for home, I really don't like the amount of light I get outta my handcrank, power up a multitude of electronic luxuries, packable, can be fastened on the bob for charging while in transit, could temp mount it on attic window and use a space blanket to direct more light to it. I'm thinking this would be a cheap solution, dual purpose while I plan and scrounge for a cheap solar to ac system. Ideas? thoughts?
12,000mAh at 5.5v! Nice. I'm still shopping for one, and that first one just made my list. 
Harbor Freight to the rescue!
Solar Panels & Other Solar Kits - Harbor Freight Tools for 45watt panel kits @$180 and
http://www.harborfreight.com/15-watt-12-volt-solar-panel-96418.html for individual 15watt panels and
7 Amp Solar Charge Regulator to regulate the voltage into the bank of car batteries.
Then it's up to your demands for what size DC/AC inverter to get.
As far as using a solar blanket to focus sunlight onto the solar panels, that may or may not be effective depending on cell design with the more modern generations being the most efficient.
Solar Panels & Other Solar Kits - Harbor Freight Tools for 45watt panel kits @$180 and
http://www.harborfreight.com/15-watt-12-volt-solar-panel-96418.html for individual 15watt panels and
7 Amp Solar Charge Regulator to regulate the voltage into the bank of car batteries.
Then it's up to your demands for what size DC/AC inverter to get.
As far as using a solar blanket to focus sunlight onto the solar panels, that may or may not be effective depending on cell design with the more modern generations being the most efficient.
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I was looking for a solar power charger for the darwin. I ended up buying one off ebay for less tha $20 shipped. I ran the battery out completely on the Darwin and plugged it into the solar charger and let it sit outside. 7 hours later- the Darwin was fully charged again. Not too bad for less than $20
Those bigger ones are going to have to go on my bus. 
Glad to hear that one you got works well mutt. Is that the same one you linked to before?
Glad to hear that one you got works well mutt. Is that the same one you linked to before?- Status
