Lackluster Top Blogs, Retort Canning, and Some Vindication for Me

I figured I would share a few things that have been on my mind lately…

Lackluster top blogs…

If it isn’t obvious to long time readers by now, I spend a lot of my time following MANY blogs in order to bring you the most interesting and useful content each day. Of these blogs, I certainly follow the “big dogs” including SurvivalBlog.com, TheSurvivalPodcast.com, and TheSurvivalistBlog.net to name what I consider the biggest out there (at least the biggest blogs with POSITIVE content)… there are other very large “negative” sites out there that you really need to stop paying attention to because they’re just bringing you down.

Anyway, the problem I’m running into is that I just don’t seem to find much content of interest or of use from these “top dog” blogs lately. Granted, I have entire pages dedicated to both the SurvivalBlog and TheSurvivalPodcast so obviously they have provided a ton of awesome content over the years, but lately it seems like it’s been lackluster at best. Instead, I seem to find a majority of the information that I consider useful and worthy of mention from second-tier websites and even plenty of “no-name” sites too.

What do you think? Has something changed with these top sites, such as their philosophies and interests… or is it just me? Maybe I’m moving on? Are you still following them as intently as you might have been?

Retort canning (using mylar bags)…

This is something I’ve never heard of before; that is, using mylar bags to “can” foods. I’ve always assumed that you can only successfully can using mason jars, but this SurvivalistBoards thread on retort canning at home linked to an eBay page that talks about retort canning and includes several videos about it. I can’t say it’s a great way to “can” but I would like to learn a bit more about the idea. If you know anything about it I would like to hear what you have to say.

As for my vindication…

A few weeks ago I posted an article titled There’s More to Proper Food Storage Than You Think where I suggested that vacuum sealing isn’t all it’s cracked up to be with regards to proper food storage. Then I recently read this post at ReadyNutrition.com on Vacuum Sealing Can Be Hazardous to Your Health which tends to agree with my original statements… yeah me. 🙂

Likewise, a few months ago I posted an article titled Think Twice Before Bringing Your Gun to Bed that got a few comments suggesting I may have been wrong in my assumptions. Just this week I happened upon a SurvivalistBoards thread with the title Cant believe I am even admitting this where a guy details his early morning accidental discharge event; seems like he wasn’t quite with it as he was functioning his firearm.

So, that’s what’s been on my mind this week with regards to the world of prepping. Have a great weekend!

Posted

Feb 22, 2013

Interesting Stuff

Damian Brindle

My latest book, The Survival Blueprint: How to Prepare Your Family for Disaster, can be found here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJ49Y5X4

Comments

5 responses to “Lackluster Top Blogs, Retort Canning, and Some Vindication for Me”

Cathy

Feb 25, 2013

I follow a few blogs and receive several newsletters, and have noticed that most of them have ups and downs just like rest of us. But, I still check them out and take what information I can use, and keep on prepping and living my busy life. I wish I could learn it all NOW, but this old brain can only absorb so much a day! Keep up with your good work, and thanks for what you do.

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Ron

Feb 22, 2013

In my humble opinion, I think that after things DIDN’T fall apart at the end of 2012, a lot of the websites and bloggers just didn’t have anything new to talk about. There was this sudden urgency last year to get ALL of the information out before it was to late. And then when the worst case scenario didn’t develop, well I hate to say it, but there was a sense of disappointment from some. But some just never will have their heads on straight. You just keep doing what you’re doing and those of us with any sense will keep supporting you. We kinda like the voice of reason. Thanks.

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ozarked

Feb 22, 2013

I haven’t followed thesurvivalpodcast for quite a while, so I can’t comment on its content. I faithfully check the survivalblog daily and still occasionally find something of interest, but generally agree with monwithaprep about ‘burnout’. However, since I haven’t been willing to submit a contribution, I can’t be too critical.

I don’t have time to follow the myriad of blogs out there, so I appreciate the service you provide by screening the other sites and presenting the most interesting ‘tidbits’.

Just keep doing what you’re doing and I’ll keep doing what I’m doing. And thanks for all you do.

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Gail

Feb 22, 2013

I. too, have noticed the increased negativity and ‘politicizing’ of some of the other blogs. I like yours, in part, because of the positive stance, but also because you provide me with useful info and leave the fear-mongering and hate speech about the government or big corps out of it. If I wanted FOX news, I’d watch it. Thanks for staying the course.

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momwithaprep

Feb 22, 2013

I think top blogs are ‘burned’ out – they’ve gone through so much material, there isn’t a lot left for them – or have other opportunities now that leave less time for great content.

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Lackluster Top Blogs, Retort Canning, and Some Vindication for Me