Archive for the ‘Health & Nutrition’ Category

Produced By Cameron McKirdy

I’ve been managing Cougar Crossing Campground in The Willamette National Forest, while living in my Volkswagen Vanagon.  Plus, running Terwilliger Hot Spring in Oregon.  That has kept me busy enough, but with Spring and Summer, come baby making, and mice are no exception.  I have assassinated 18 mice in three weeks, using this Five Gallon Bucket Peanut Butter Trap, and a few traditional spring loaded wooden Victor Brand weapons.   Watch the HD Survival Bros Video Production below to see exactly how to build your own mouse deathtrap.  

https://youtu.be/YveIASOpLWc

Keep the critters out of your house, and vehicle by using this hunting method.  It’s a simple, and easy solution, to a disgusting problem.  I hate killing anything living, but NOW they won’t be damaging my car, tent, etc. and eating my food!  I lost a few Pop Tarts folks.  To make this project at home:

1. Spread Peanut Butter around the inside edge of the large plastic bucket, just down from lip

2.  Place stick running up to the top, overhanging so the mice fall inside after looking for a meal

3.  Fill bucket with 3 – 4 inches of water

4.  Wait overnight for animals to become trapped, and die

5.  Dispose of dead rodents properly with gloves, bury if possible a foot underground

Don’t call me PETA.  I love animals, and drowning is a peaceful way to go right?  Continue reading for more helpful information about mouse removal and solutions from personal experience.

I asked around for more mice control tips and tricks, and here’s what my friends came up with.  Rats dislike pure mint oil extract.  Place a few drops on a cotton ball, and put it where you’ve seen animals to keep them out.  Also, try putting dryer sheets in the holes of your car or house.  The mice won’t want to pass through these smelly spots.  Steel wool (not thin) set in car air vents is a deterrent too, allegedly.  Play with these things if you have a rodent issue.  I think it’s good stuff to know, so I’m taking the time to share for my fellow Survival Bros.

Manager's Campground Spot #1 on The McKenzie River

Manager’s Campground Spot #1 on The McKenzie River

The most mice I’ve captured in a night was four!  They are getting thinned out quick, but I expect them in waves all Summer.  I also decapitated some poor, innocent slugs, when they set off the lever on my traps.  It takes time setting up multiple devices.  I’ve spent 30 minutes many nights smearing peanut butter, and setting them in all the right spots.  Which for me, would be small game trails, near holes, or by my vehicle.  In addition, a pal told me dumping sugar away from your camping spot will keep various critters out of your outdoor gear.

You can also try low tech scare tactics on the mice.  When I first heard them scampering around my Vanagon, I didn’t have traps in place.  So I make a bunch of intimidating noises.  I was hissing, growling, barking, and clapping.  That didn’t work, and neither did playing music.  I should have tried Nickelback.  Shaking the van side to side wasn’t and effective deterrent either.  The mice are too smart.  I swear they are tuned into my brain waves, and attack my living quarters as soon as I start to fall asleep.

1986 Volkswagen Vanagon GL Vandwelling Project for Survival Bros

1986 Volkswagen Vanagon GL Vandwelling Project for Survival Bros

Later I peed on my rig to make it seem like a big animal lives there, and to serve as a warning.  If I wasn’t deathly allergic to evil cats, I’d get one to stand watch.  Where’s an owl when you need one?  I have tried it all folks.  And the 5 gallon peanut butter bucket trap as seen HERE works best.  Good luck.  More soon.  Please comment, like, and share this blog post with friends.  You’re the best.

Owl Kills Squirrel and Poses for Cameron McKirdy's Camera http://www.CameronMcKirdy.com

Owl Kills Squirrel and Poses for Cameron McKirdy’s Camera

Check out http://www.CameronMcKirdy.com for more Art, Video, and Fun! 

 

 

Cameron McKirdy was here.

Survival Bros finds a used plastic water bottle full of urine in a Safeway parking lot.  Have you guys gone to the bathroom this way?  I’ve never thrown a refilled container out of my vehicle onto the highway.  That’s just wrong.  And littering will cost you.  Peeing on trees is much more fun.  Hug them before you go potty.

Litter weighing five pounds or less is a class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine up to $500. If between five and 500 pounds, class B misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $500, imprisonment up to 30 days, or both.

FACT:  It takes 450 years for a plastic bottle to decompose.  

Leave a comment about this video please.  Thank you for contributing to the Survival Bros Blog.  Cheers.

Produced by Cameron McKirdy http://www.CameronMcKirdy.com

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Starring Cameron McKirdy

Survival Bros gets 26 different free samples in his local Costco shopping center on HD video.  This total number doesn’t reflect when Cam swooped up multiple trial bites of the same item.  You’re allowed to take more than one, as long as it’s on the tray.  All of this complementary grub made a full meal, but he is still hungry.  Cam didn’t even purchase any stuff, and doesn’t have a Costco membership card.  Get access with a Costco Gift Card, then sample up, or buy an inexpensive meal at the food court deli.  

Try going at the end of the day for extra samples.  They are trying to get rid of the products before closing time.  What’s your favorite line from this production?  Leave a comment.  You can also subscribe at the top left to get free articles delivered to your email inbox.  Survival Bros doesn’t Spam, but we do store it just in case.  Mmmmm.  More crazy adventures coming on this blog.  Cheers.

Free Food Samples List:

1.  Cinnamon Rolls x 2

2.  Meat Balls with Frank’s Red Hot Sauce

3.  Buffalo Bites with Blue Cheese Dressing

4.  Unknown Baked Roll

5.   Sausage

6.  Doritos Chips

7.  Juice x 2

8.  Kielbasa Road Show Beef x 3

9.  Flavored Water x 3

10.  Pretzels with Cream Cheese Spread

11.  Chicken Salad

12.  Guacamole on Pita Bread

13.  Digestive Health Gummies

14.  Airborne Immune Supplements

15.  Whey Protein Drink

16.  Lentils and Rice

17.  Dave’s Killer Bread Cheese Sandwich

18.  Cherry Almond Cereal

19.  Veggie Patties

20.  Organic Pot Stickers

21.  Mini Tacos

22.  Egg Rolls

23.  Hot Sriracha Chicken Bites

24.  Soy Milk

25.  Trail Mix

26.  6 Layer Dip and Chips

Costco Card

Costco

out graphic pic

Check out http://www.CameronMcKirdy.com for a variety of comedy, and Art.

By Survival Bros President Cameron McKirdy

Watch our new HD video production to get ideas of easy meals you can create while living in your vehicle.  I’ve been sleeping in my 1986 Volkswagen Vanagon GL, or vandwelling for eight months straight now.  Being out there, and doing IT, teaches you what it takes to plan for a long road trip.  However, maybe this blog post will inspire you to do more car camping.  It’s been an amazing experience, and my pleasure to share with you.  I’m so glad I’ve been able to see more of the Pacific Northwest while I’m young, wild, and free.  Now I just need to find more stickers to paste on my VW Bus.

Many food suggestions shown in the YouTube video are also ideal for backpacking, because they are ready instantly with hot water. Other dishes, or side meals are fully prepared for consumption as is, such as the individually wrapped granola bars.  I also eat plenty of fresh organic fruit, and drink spring or distilled water.  No tap.

Tip:  Use different sizes of Ziploc bags to store food items in, and label each kit with a permanent pen.  You can compact the plastic storage sacks, and take most of the air out of them, so they are almost vacuum sealed, and take up minimal space.  Then put the locked baggies in larger bins, or the pockets of your Everyday Carry backpack for safekeeping.

1986 VW Vanagon getting it done

1986 VW Vanagon getting it done

Please SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel HERE!  I will follow back if you make similar videos.  Like, comment, and share this blog post with friends. Let us know if you are vandweller, and what your setup looks like.  Visit the Survival Bros HD Videos page above for all of the latest adventures.

Food Kit

Check out my other blog:  http://www.CameronMcKirdy.com

Feel free to email me if you like:  thesurvivalbros@gmail.com

 

By Cameron McKirdy 

See what car living is like for a gypsy travelling on the road in HD video.  I think he has a great gear setup for van dwelling.  I’m jealous of his sink, with a clever gravity fed water system, harnessing an inexpensive solar shower.  Plus, his lighting setup works, and didn’t cost much, thanks to a trip to Dollar Tree.  You can’t tell Hugh is in there either, since it’s a cargo van without side rear windows.  The dark exterior paint color blend into the darkness, making him more stealth.  I like what he has done to insulate the metal sides with cardboard and aluminum tape.  Hugh knows the cardboard is organic material, and will eventually decompose, but it’s easy to replace with fresh insulation later.  Even the interior wall panels are stuffed with recycled shopping bags for added warmth.  We list all of the car camping items for you to spark your imagination, but is there anything you’d add to the recreational vehicle?  More van dwelling videos on the way.  Stay tuned to Survival Bros.  

Black and white

 

By Cameron McKirdy

I stopped by Yogi Tea Headquarters in Springfield, Oregon today.  After buzzing the doorbell I was welcomed inside, out of the rain.  They don’t give tours of the building, but offered me a handful of sample tea packets to try.  I took my time investigating each type, but ended up taking every kind I think.  Pictured are new varieties I’ve never seen on store shelves before.  You can find Yogi teas by the box at nearly every health food shop.  They are delicious.  I’m grateful for the hookup.  It paid off to stop, and inquire.  These will go into my EDC bag immediately for later consumption.  But I got two of their Roasted Dandelion Spice Detox formula, so I will have to drink that tonight. 

image

Try organic tea from Yogi https://www.yogiproducts.com

Update:  I went back for this picture of the free sample bowl at headquarters.  I scored 11 more packets from Yogi.  Visit them in Springfield, OR for a hook up.

Yogi Tea Samples

 Help yourself to unlimited free tea just for stopping by

By Cameron McKirdy

One of my favorite activities do to for myself is taking a trip to an isolation chamber, or flotation tank in PDX.  The two spas Survival Bros have checked out are Float On, and Common Ground.  Both are open to the public, just call ahead before you try this form of alternative medicine.  There’s many benefits to floating, but in general it’s excellent for meditation, and relaxation.  Specifically, I use this type of therapy for an improvement in circulation, and to enhance creativity.

So how does it work?  Well, the video interview featuring Joe Rogan is a good place to start your journey.  But since I have experience, here’s how it went when I stopped by Common Ground at the Everett House Healing Center and Spa.  They are located at 5010 NE 33rd Ave, Portland, OR 97211. First, I reserved a floating session by phone (503-238-1065), which cost $65 for 90 minutes.  If you call them, and ask for a promotion, you may be able to get a better rate.  There’s two tanks here.  Common Ground is a wellness co-operative, so consider becoming a member for more savings.  It’s a wonderful environment, bursting with plant life outside, and welcoming people all around.  The reception area is cozy.  Shop, explore other services, such as massage, or you can help yourself to a beverage like hot tea.  Check in for your float, then grab an over-sized towel and hit the showers and sauna.  Beware, locker room may be coed at times, so you may see some boobies.

After loosening up in the sauna, and breaking a sweat, I rinsed off again, and took off my bath towel.  I slipped into the dark tank, and got settled in.  Using earplugs is recommended, so one more bodily sense is cut off from The World.  That’s the idea.  You use an isolation chamber to go inside yourself, work through issues, and make discoveries.  A floating air pillow supports your head and neck.  Then you simply lay there in darkness, mostly submerged in salty water.  The Epsom solution is ideally the same temperature as your skin, at 93.5-95 degrees.  So as you relax, you begin to lose a sense of where your body ends, and where the The Universe begins.  It’s like being thrown back into the womb.  Finally, you’re alone with yourself again, and can process life better.

Follow the links provided to find out more benefits of flotation tanks.  You’ll begin to discover how it changes your brain.  If you try out an isolation tank, you may feel your mind bending.  According to Common Ground in Portland, OR this “stimulates left/right brain synchronization; shifts brain waves from Beta to lower frequency Alpha, Theta and even Delta; creates mental clarity, alertness; increases creativity, problem solving; heightens visualization; deepens meditation; expands awareness, intensifies acuteness of all the senses, accelerates learning.”  Sign yourself up.  If you try this, you won’t be disappointed.  It is not a waste of time.  It’s something new to most, and good for you on many levels.  Leave a comment if you have additional questions, and I will do my best to answer them.  I will explore this topic further, and blog more about floating soon.  Cheers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isolation_tankfloat tank PDX

“You won’t be in pain, if you have peace at heart.” – Cameron McKirdy in an Isolation Tank

float on inside chamberIsolation Tank photos taken by http://instagram.com/rockman_rocks at Float On in Portland, OR

By Cameron McKirdy

car camping food listCar camping is one of my favorite blog topics.  I hope you find it interesting too.  Here’s a checklist of my top foods to store in your vehicle.  Many items instantly turn into grub by adding hot water.  I got ideas for the perfect van dwelling foods by watching YouTube videos of Thru Hikers packing for their long distance trips.  Search for Pacific Crest Trail aka PCT, or Appalachian Trail Backpackers online.

Ziplock bags are a trusted way to keep organized.  You can even write on the outside with a permanent pen to label things.  Plus, plastic sacks maintain some protection from water, rats, an other elements.  Let me know if you have any questions about my setup.  Add several gallons of distilled and spring water (not pictured), and I’m ready to go off the grid for weeks.  I’m stocked up on:

  • Honey with ginseng, bee pollen, and royal jelly
  • Drinks: water, aloe water, coconut beverages, teas, fruit juices
  • Soups in cans to heat and serve, and powdered packets
  • Protein Powder, plus various green powders (wheat grass)
  • Pasta Sides, and Dishes like Top Ramen
  • Dehydrated Food such as Mountain House Freeze Dried Meals (Apple Crisp is my favorite)
  • Fruit: Fresh Produce like apples and bananas, also fruit strips, bottles, and cans
  • Nuts and Seeds like Almond and Hemp
  • Granola Bars, and Oatmeal 
  • Instant Coffee, instant milk
  • Condiments: Packets of butter, salsa, pepper, salt, raw sugar, mayonnaise, ketchup, and everything else Free and Holy
  • Canned meats: Flavored tuna, Spam, Chicken Salad with crackers

 

By Cameron McKirdyIMG_20140914_113202Silver Salmon Being Processed at The East Mooring Basin in Astoria, Oregon

IMG_20140914_114601Sushi grade Coho Fillets

0912141323

My buddies needed a lift, and Designated Driver for a fishing trip in Astoria, OR.  I dropped them off at the East Mooring Basin.  You’re suppose to pay to park there.  They we’re on the water for around four hours before they limited out.  The guys ended up with pounds and pounds of fresh fillets.  One man kept the salmon eggs for future fishing bait.  All of the fishermen had plans to either freeze, and smoke the meat shortly.  It was interesting to see the Captain of the boat cut up Coho so efficiently, and discard the waste down properly down a slide.  All he needed was a large fillet, and butcher’s knife made by Victorinox of Switzerland.  I made sure to ask.  He was sharpening the knifes every few fish.  Also pictured is the rowdy sea lions that live there on the docks.  I saw one beast puke on another, and he didn’t flinch.  More blogs coming!  Peace.  victorinox butcher

Get me the 8″ Victorinox Butcher’s Knife for Christmas

By Cameron McKirdy

McKenzie River Trailhead Sign

An hour East of Eugene, the McKenzie River Recreational Trail waits to be conquered.  A 26 mile path skirts the cold, rippling waterway.  It’s one of America’s premier destinations for bikers, and hikers.  Outdoor enthusiasts can also be spotted during the summer on the water in rafts of all shapes and sizes.  Survival Bros floated it.  However, here’s what’s its like to attack the upper part of the wilderness trail on my bicycle.

The 1986 Volkswagen Vanagon is locked.  Bike is ready.  God bless my vintage Univega Alpina Pro mountain bike.  It’s a hardtail with tire liners for extra protection, so I shouldn’t have trouble pummeling porous lava rocks.   This will be my first ride with it off of pavement, or graveled logging roads.  Exciting.  Water, check.  Mechanix gloves, yes.  3M safety shades, on.  Let’s crush this.

And I’m off.  Going downhill mostly, to Clearwater Lake from the top of the trail.  I will have to fill my stainless steel water bottle at the campground.  Problem is, it’s hard to know what’s undrinkable, and what’s potable with all the well pumps around.  I may have to take a chance, because I’m not buying water.  I’m looking forward to adding 2 packets of Airborne Plus Energy into my drink for flavor, vitamins, and minerals.

The plan is to tackle the challenging section of course around the lake first, then take an easy trail back uphill to my vehicle.  OK, get centered.  Where are you?  In the moment.  Faster!!!

Root!  Pop the front wheel over, and peddle.  Good.  Lean into this corner.  Branch…We’re bushwacking today.  Alright, NOW break.  Shift weight back, coming off the seat.  Who put this tree down here?  Ever heard of a chainsaw?  Pick up your bike.  Thankfully, it’s lightweight, full chromoly frame.  I’m so happy I invested in tuning this vintage ride up.  The guys at Canyonview Cyclery took care of me.  This is the video I produced at their shop after the Univega was restored to glory.

 There’s the edge of the water at Clear Lake.  I’ve never seen water so pristine.  I bet I could drink straight from the lake.  Ducks do it.  I almost hit one fowl in my way.  Move mallard.  Already, I’ve narrowly avoided about 10 chipmunks, and a large rabbit too.  I’ve seen squirrels try to take on bikes before.  They ended up in the spokes without a head.  That would ruin my day.  I need a bell on this bike of mine to signal wildlife.  

Now comes the hard part.  Negotiating lava rock fields on two wheels.  But I’ve been here before.  Only I came from the opposite direction last time.  I’m going to have to push it up this long hill.  It feels great to get off my butt, and work other muscle groups.  I like my new bicycle handle bar ends.  Now I have more hand positions, and can really pull myself up steep inclines.  

I’m flying.  Let’s not forget our 5 D’s of mountain biking: dodge, duck, dip, dive and dodge!  Corner!  Hard left.  Leaning into it, and looking where I want to go.  Holy guacamole.  I almost sailed into the lake.  The canoers would have liked to see that.  I’d rather not be fishing.  This is what I came to do.

Bump.  My nuts.  Watch the nuts.  You’re going to need those.  Oh God, I have to split between a root, and a rock going fast.  No room for error.  Arrghhh.  Made it.  But that took all of my upper body strength.  I haven’t screamed that loud since…oh, let’s keep it PG.  I’m dumping sweat.  This is my hell workout.  Put it all on the line.  Gasp.  Exhale.  Breath.  Sigh.  Focused.  A few more miles of rocky road, and then a less technical section to savor.  The McKenzie River Recreational Trail is damn tough.  No wonder it’s one of the World’s most celebrated biking areas.  I can do this.  Finish strong.  I’m the man.  BEAST MODE!

mckenzie river map

Map courtesty of the USDA – Link to info on the McKenzie River National Recreational Trail

Watch an exciting video I produced with my GoPro Black Head Camera mounted during another ride here.

I had a horrible mountain bike accident on the McKenzie a few years ago.  I’m still healing from the traumatic crash, but here’s tips on healing bruises and scratches from that with gruesome injury photos for you to marvel at.

bruise legI’m lucky I didn’t break my leg!