Posts Tagged ‘food’

Making Chanterelle Mushroom and Turkey Chili

Posted: August 29, 2012 in Adventures, Health & Nutrition, SB Tips, Survival Bros Challenges, Uncategorized
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By Cameron McKirdy
My buddy stopped by today with pockets full of raw mushrooms from the forest in our backyard. He shared his amazing, fresh chanterelles, and chicken of the woods mushrooms. You gotta try these flavorful fungi.

First we cleaned the chanterelles, then dried them. After dicing them up, they went into a pan on low heat. We sautéed them in butter, and a little organic sunflower oil. Next we added minced, fresh garlic. The shrooms were amazing like that.

This was my first taste of chantrelle mushrooms. I was surprised by the rich, spicy flavor. It lingered on the tounge. Very yummy. They are orangish, funnel-shaped, with wavy caps. Chanterelles are known for being rich in vitamin C, D, and potassium too.

Chanterelles are hard to find in the Pacific Northwest. My hommie found a pound of them on his elk bow hunting trip. I’m hooked now. I’m going to find some, and dry them for future meals. I could even sell them to local restaurants. These edible mushrooms are truly a delicacy.

After we lightly cooked the chantrelles we mixed them in turkey chili, with black pepper. It was so good. I savored every bite. It was a five star feast. Thankfully I have friends that share. %^].

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Jetboil Zip Cooking System Product Review

Posted: August 29, 2012 in Health & Nutrition, Product Reviews, SB Tips
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Survival Bros is hungry and focused. We promise to bring you quality reviews of the products we actually use. This blog looks at the Jetboil Zip cooking system.

At $74.95 the Jetboil stove is not cheap. It’s nicer than the ones you can get at Big 5, and other smaller sporting goods stores. Survival Bros invested in the Zip because it’s compact, efficient, and light weight. Not including the pot support and fuel stand, it weighs just 12 ounces. The system can be packed up, and self contained. Even a small fuel tank can store inside the cup securely.

It takes just over 2 minutes to boil 16 ounces of water, depending on how cold it is, and how much fuel you have. That means you can prepare freeze dried and dehydrated Mountain House meals at camp in minutes. The 0.8 liter cup is insulated too. These guys thought of it all. The lid strains liquid, and the bottom cup can measure, or be a bowl. Also included is a tripod stand to avoid spilling.

The entire Jetboil Zip cooking system is perfect for weekend backpacking trips into the outdoors. I’ve used it several times to make hot coffee, cook, and boil sketchy water for safety. It’s extremely convenient.

Survival Bros highly recommends this stove for short trips, and light cooking. I’d love to have the bigger size to cook even more hot food. Until then I’m keeping the Zip, and stocking up on Jetboil fuel. I actually bought mine off eBay for about $20 less than retail. It pays to plan ahead, and price around. Have a Jetboil? Tell us what you think of it.

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Survival Bros Reviews The Hunter-gather Paleolithic Diet

Posted: August 28, 2012 in Health & Nutrition, Product Reviews
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By Cameron McKirdy
So you want to eat like a caveman. Well, before you hunt down that wild boar, let’s take a look at the Paleo Diet, and see if it agrees with you. Nom nom nom.

Where’s my beef, eggs, and chickens? I’m hungry. I will tell you what, even thinking about eating animals is making me salivate. However, I could never be a die hard Paleo devotee. Paleos now eat just seafood, meat, nuts, seeds, eggs, fungi, roots, fruits, and vegetables. They look down on carb-laced grains, legumes, salt, dairy products, refined sugars, and processed oils. Still, most on Paleo are likely recklessly scarfing GMO products, and heavily processed meats. Forget that. I prefer to eat some high-quality meats, and fresh fish like salmon, but mostly raw, living juice. Do you really want dead flesh rotting inside you for days? Gross. And last time I checked, carbs give you energy. I’m not giving up Dave’s Killer bread (Sin Dawg) for fungi. Yeah right.

I’m primarily liquitarian. I drink raw fruit and veggie juice, and add supplements, vitamins, and minerals. Drinking only liquids will help you feel lighter, and healthier. I do a 24 hour juice fast at least once a month, and go for 3-9 days twice a year or so. Try drinking just broth one day for a real challenge and natural cleanse.

If you are looking for a diet to gain muscle, you can do it on Paleo, or even as a vegan. The key is to find what your body likes. Testing yourself for food allergies is smart too. Maybe you’ve been eating wrong all along. These days I like consuming light meals. Meats bog me down. I’d rather drink a meal replacement shake with rice, or hemp protein powder. I also like eating peanuts, and that’s not on the Paleo diet. It’s a bean. OMG! Please… Pass the fluffy pancakes, and chunky peanut butter. Then I’m ready for some real physical activity. And another thing; what’s wrong with Greek yogurt? Nothing. That’s not worse for you than a fatty fast food burger. Get real Paleos. Some dairy is OK. Example #2: goats milk. #3: breast milk.

Sure our ancestors were scavengers, then hunter-gathers, but we are smarter and more advanced now. We have superfoods at our disposal. Research them online, and get to know your health food store. Plus, juice hardcore! Paleo is a fad. Contrary to the cavemen, carbs are not evil. Eat balanced. Eat often. Make your body a science project, and put in what you want to get out. Do work.

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Survival Bros Reviews The 900 Watt Ninja Professional Blender

Posted: August 20, 2012 in Health & Nutrition, Product Reviews, SB Tips
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I just blended my first whole fruit and vegetable smoothie with the Ninja blender! Here’s my product review, with two healthy recipes.

I picked up my blender for $90 at Walmart. I like that it’s professional grade, and holds 72 ounces. Plus, the pitcher is BPA free, which is important. You don’t want chemicals leaching into your drink. The built-in pour spout is clutch also! I’m going to use it every time so I don’t spill.

The Ninja is a beast. It boasts 900 watts of power, and has several sharp blades. The base is wide, and sturdy. It even has a place for the cord. It’s great for blasting ice and anything else. I’ve used a Vitamix a lot, and I think this works better. It mixed my protein more thoroughly, and got the powder off the sides of the pitcher. At less than 1/5th of the cost, Survival Bros highly recommends this blender.

I put its power to the test. I mixed kale, spinach, protein, frozen berries, maca, and cold water. It had no problem breaking it all down. Clean up was easy too, and it’s dishwasher safe. The dial control was cool to use and simple. I already want another, more powerful Ninja with the different containers.

Here’s two smoothie recipes to try:

Wild Blackberry and Grape
2 cups of blackberries
1 1/2 cups of organic purple grape juice
1 teaspoon organic raw honey
Add a banana for more carbs
Blend with ice if berries aren’t frozen
Try with spinach!

Hippie Vanilla Raspberry Smoothie
1 cup of fresh raspberries
1/2 cup natural bio yogurt
1 cup vanilla hemp milk
1 heaping scoop of Sunwarrior vanilla brown rice protein powder
Option: strawberries

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This is a picture of my extreme breakfast shake, with One World Whey raw chocolate protein powder, spring water, Starbucks Via French Vanilla instant coffee, raw cacao, maca powder, and Adam’s peanut butter. Produced by Cameron McKirdy

Billions of Wild Blackberries For Us!

Posted: August 17, 2012 in Adventures, Comedy and Art, Health & Nutrition, Parks, SB Tips, Survival Bros Challenges
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They are everywhere! There’s billions of berries bursting from the vines right now. Survival Bros challenges YOU to harvest some in your area this summer! What are you waiting for? It’s free food.

I rolled to the Mill Ponds in Seaside, OR with a hommie this morning. We packed in breakfast sandwiches, and found tons of ready-to-eat fruit on the trail. Even more will be ready later this week. I will be back to collect pounds of wild blackberries. They are so sweet! I want to rub them all over my face. I’m going to freeze some for my power smoothies. We collected handfuls today. What a blessing. %^].

– Cameron McKirdy

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What It’s Like To Be Homeless

Posted: August 15, 2012 in Adventures, Comedy and Art, Health & Nutrition, Parks, Product Reviews, SB Tips
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I could have sold my soul a long time ago. Instead, I’ve been expressing myself fully, and making all of Earth my home. Having a minimum wage job isn’t going to help humanity or myself. I belong outside, free with the rest of nature to expand.

So I’m living in a tent and couch surfing. There’s nothing wrong with that. I figure it toughens me up. In the outdoors I can test myself, and my gear. Indoors are for fluffy house cats, and domesticated divas watching TV to get their drama fix. The nature of reality isn’t broadcast on TV. The truth is, we are all connected. But it feels like instead of working together, people compete. Compete for girls, money, jobs, cars, and houses. None of that means anything to me. It’s just stuff that can tie you down. I’m endless. You can’t label me. I am as free as the wind. I’ve experienced the highs, the lows, and I’m balanced. I rarely worry. Earth takes good care of me. The authorities are the ones that want to take away your rights and freedoms. No overnight camping they say. I say, that’s what camping is.

Why pay $450 or more per month in rent? That’s crazy. Then you have to commit to an expensive place to sleep. I’d rather find a flat piece of land and make camp. I’m learning important skills like: navigating and reading maps, starting fires, cooking healthy inexpensive meals, and foraging for food. Being homeless gives me an opportunity to be a happy camper with less. I value the small things, like a warm blanket, and friends sharing their survival stories.

The BIG collapse is still coming, but many Americans are already living paycheck to paycheck with little savings. More young people are becoming homeless. They are sleeping in cars with no gas, or crashing on their buddy’s boat for shelter. We need to stop making a big deal out of homelessness, and just help people in need. It’s simple, if you have more, give. I will never be rich because I’d give all my possessions away. I need very little now. Food, water, shelter. To attain those things I hustle, or help people. I don’t think you should have to pay to live. God put me here to do what I want, and to appreciate nature. That’s what I’m going to do. Don’t tell me I can’t sleep on a park bench. Don’t tell me anything. Please just help the less fortunate if you can. The Universe will hook you up. Peace.

P.S. – I’m doing great!

Cameron McKirdy

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Belnap Hot Springs and Toketee Golf Course Review

Posted: August 10, 2012 in Parks
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My summer road trip is almost over. I’ve hiked, camped, biked, swam, and golfed. This post is a quick review of Belnap Springs, and the nearby Toketee golf course.

After biking yesterday I was super tired, but made it out to Toketee. It’s right by our cabin off the McKenzie highway in Blue River, OR. I wasn’t expecting much, but this area always surprises. Toketee is a great golf course. I played the front 9 with a buddy. No hole in one, but I played well. It’s a long course. The green fee was just $18 bucks. I carried my clubs, instead of paying $3 more for a pull cart. Those are for the weak. There’s lots of sand and water to avoid. You won’t regret playing here.

Another thing I did to relax, in between all the strenuous activity was to check out Belnap Hot Springs. I rolled up and the pool was over flowing with French girls! Winning. The pool is 105 degrees, and there’s two. One is reserved for guests. It’s $7 to soak in the mineral pool for an hour or less.

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For dinner I ate at the Belnap Grill by the river. I ordered a South West chicken wrap. It was good. This is an excellent place to camp. There’s tent sites, and cabins also. There are several gardens at Belnap, and a special “Secret Garden” to find. Some little kids were stoked to lead me to the entrance. I will be back. Now I’m at the cabin, chilling, and icing my body. I need more ice packs.

Just when I think our journey is over, Dad starts planning a raft trip. We may float the Santiam river tomorrow on the way home. This should be interesting. More madness soon. Thanks for reading.

Cameron McKirdy

Juicing Fruits & Vegetables for Health & Beauty

Posted: July 23, 2012 in Health & Nutrition
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Survival Bros juices! And we love it. If you haven’t had fresh, raw, fruit and veggie juice, then you’re are missing out. In this blog, SB shows you the power of juicing. If you want, make a drink, then read on. I’m sipping a cucumber, carrot, celery blend as I write.

I got the Jack Lalanne Power Juicer two years back. Since then, every time I need more energy, I look to juicing. Sure caffeine and other stimulants can give you a boost, but fresh juice is different. It gives me energy, and mental clarity. It’s electric, and alive. I feel better immediately after drinking a large glass. Sometimes I pound 72 ounces for a complete meal. Try mixing protein, wheat grass, or maca powder in for even more power! Play around with mixing supplements and juice.

If you’ve never juiced before, don’t be scared. You probably won’t have to hangout near the bathroom either, like some people think. Juicing is a natural, and easy way to detox, and even super hydrate. I typically juice before setting out on a long adventure. Coconut water is another excellent hydrator.

Freshly extracted juice is best consumed within 24 hours, but it’s OK if refrigerated up to three days in a sealed container. Hippies like us at Survival Bros also love that it hasn’t been pasteurized. Heat destroys bacteria, molds, and unwanted micro-organisms that MIGHT be hiding in the juice, but all those raw vitamins, minerals, and enzymes are likely lost too. Think for yourself. I’ve never heard of anybody getting hurt juicing.

Juice is healing. Go on a three day juice feast and tell me you don’t look and feel better. Juicing gives you vitality. The more you juice, the more you glow. Your skin will look better, and people will notice. No we aren’t selling juicers, but we do want you to be healthy. If you can’t afford a new juicer, then regularly visit a shop or health food store that serves fresh juice. You can also buy a manual, citrus juicer for under $10. Next to practicing yoga, juicing is probably the best thing I’ve ever done for myself. You won’t regret investing in a juicer. There are plenty of books on the topic too, so don’t be intimidated to start your practice. The documentary, “Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead” by Joe Cross is worth watching also.

Another juice I really enjoy is simply: beets, lemon, ginger, and green apples! Let’s hear your juicing journey. Comment here or leave a recipe for others. Best wishes from the bunker.

– Cameron McKirdy
Survival Bros Founder

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