Category: 4 Patriots

[VIDEO] A Protein-Packed Survival Food Solution

In his extensive review, Josh L. of Florida gives a big thumbs up to the brand new Ultimate Meat Medley Kit. He showcases the assortment of canned meats available, applauds our ingredients of meat & sea salt, and appreciated the old-fashioned yet effective retort canning process – which guarantees both taste and longevity.

[Watch]

The Inside Scoop 🎬:

• This video review discusses a brand new product to the 4Patriots line – the Ultimate Meat Medley Kit. 
• This is a canned meat kit that offers variety and acts as a shelf-stable meat alternative to 4Patriots’ freeze dried meat kits. 
• The canning process used is called retort canning, where the food is cooked in the can to kill bacteria and extend shelf life.
• The ingredients of the canned meats include the meat itself (beef, pork, turkey, or chicken) and sea salt, with no preservatives or additional additives.
• The canned meats are fully cooked and can be heated and served. They have a long shelf life of up to 15+ years* if stored correctly, and guaranteed freshness for five years*.

Transcript 🎞️: 

“4Patriots hooked us up. This is a new product here that they’ve come out with – it is meat in the can. Multiple types of meats. So, what we have here – looking at everything – we have one pound, 12 ounces, per container. Now we have different types of meats in this.

So let’s talk about the canning process. They’re actually using the old-fashioned style called retort canning. This stuff here is cooked in the can. This kills the bacteria, things like that in the food. This extends the shelf life of this. This is going to out do your canned goods that are on the Walmart shelves and things like that. You know me guys, I buy a lot of stuff at Walmart, but also with the stuff at Walmart, you’ve got a lot of preservatives, and things like that in the canned goods. 

Kind of curious what’s in this, right? Well let’s take a look at it. This is the beef ingredients: beef sea salt. 14 servings of beef and sea salt. That’s every single one of these things, is the ingredients sea salt and whatever the meat is. This is beef and sea salt. Pork and sea salt. Turkey and sea salt. Chicken and sea salt. That’s it. That’s all that’s in here. 

Every single one of these things says fully cooked, heat and serve. Yeah, you can’t beat that. Stored correctly it can last up to 15 plus years.* That’s some long-term foods right there. In a can. Guaranteed freshness five years. 

Now, what we’re gonna do, guys, is we’re going to get the wife in here. She’s got meal plans, you know, when we do our prep and stuff like that. That’s what we’re going to do. We’ll do some taste testing on this stuff, guys. I can already tell you, I’ve never had a bad product from 4Patriots actually taste bad or anything like that. I’ve always had good results from all the products we’ve ever tested from them. So we’re gonna test out some things. I’m going to let her make a decision on what we’ve got here. We got chicken, turkey, pork, ground beef and regular beef.

So, we have our dinner setup, guys. This is a macaroni with the ground beef from 4Patriots from their Ultimate Meat Medley Kit. And this here is really good.

This is the Ultimate Meat Medley Kit from 4Patriots. It is canned goods. They use a retort canning process. Again, we had three cans of chicken. We had three cans of beef. We had two cans of ground beef, we used one. Two cans of pork, and two cans of Turkey. 

That is the kit right there. That’s a lot of canned goods for this kit. Again, I do recommend this. It is a very good buy. I enjoy it. The meat’s really good. All right guys speak to y’all later.” – Josh L. | Florida

* Real reviews from real customers. Sometimes customers receive a free product to test or receive a free product as a thank you for submitting honest feedback. For more information see Terms & Conditions: https://4patriots.com/pages/compensation-disclosure-policy

* Guaranteed quality and freshness for 5 years, but if stored properly in cool, dry conditions unopened without damage to the can, it may last for up to 15+ years. 

* You may want or need more calories per day, especially if you’re pregnant, a child, elderly or have other health conditions.

Canadian Wildfires Sending Harmful Smoke Our Way

What Are Your Favorite Emergency Protein Sources?

Proteins have frequently been called the building blocks of life. And no wonder. They are absolutely crucial for life.

In fact, they are the main components of our cells. Considering that the average human body has about 37.2 trillion cells, proteins are very significant.

They are part of every cell, tissue, and organ in our bodies. They contribute to building, repairing, and maintaining tissues. Other functions include triggering important processes within cells. Such as cell division, cell shape maintenance, and cell movement.

Proteins also help us move. If our protein intake is too low, muscles don’t move smoothly. Unfortunately, our bodies can’t store amino acids like they can fats and carbohydrates.

So, we need a daily intake of them through dietary protein. Not surprisingly, they are especially important during an emergency situation.

Pairing your plant-based proteins

A study published in the British Medical Journal revealed that eating a high-protein diet reduces the risk of serious health issues. We all know meat is a great source of protein. This report emphasized that plant-based, high-protein diets are also associated with avoiding those issues.

The study suggested consuming a variety of plant-based protein sources. Including legumes such as peas, beans, and lentils. As well as whole grains, nuts, and seeds.

Brittany Bearden is a sports nutrition manager with Texas Health Sports Medicine. She said most plant foods do not contain all of the essential amino acids. Therefore, they should be properly paired with each other.

“Pair complementary proteins together to form a complete protein that provides all essential amino acids,” she said.

Examples include rice and beans, hummus with pita bread, and peanut butter on whole wheat bread. She added that plant foods also provide nutrients and fiber. “It promotes a healthy digestive system. It helps keep you feeling full.” 

How much protein do I need? 

So, how do we know how much protein is enough? And how much might be too much?

Here’s what the National Academy of Medicine says. Adults should consume a little over seven grams of protein for every 20 pounds of body weight.

A 140-pound person should get about 50 grams of protein per day. A 200-pound person should get about 70 grams of protein daily.

The Academy also says protein should account for anywhere from 10 to 35 percent of our daily calories.

Don’t forget fruits & veggies

One of the advantages of plant-based protein is that it doesn’t come with too much saturated fat or sodium.

For example, a cup of cooked lentils provides approximately 18 grams of protein and 15 grams of fiber. But it has practically no saturated fat or sodium.

Many fruits and vegetables also contain protein. Although in smaller quantities compared to other plant-based foods.

Vegetables with higher amounts of protein than most include corn and broccoli. Plus asparagus, Brussels sprouts, and artichokes. 

Here is a short list of 7 protein sources you can use any time – including during an emergency.

• Fresh, frozen, or freeze-dried spinach
• Fresh, frozen, or freeze-dried peas
• Fresh, frozen, or freeze-dried lima beans
• Acorns
• Walnuts
• Hazelnuts
• Sunflower seeds

But Frank, I love meat!

As we’ve discussed, there are plenty of good sources of protein that do not involve meat. And it’s a very good idea to keep several of them around for an emergency.

But the reality is, most people like meat. Let me rephrase that. Most people love meat. And that’s the way many people prefer to get most of their protein 

Unfortunately, meat will be grabbed in a hurry by just about everyone when a crisis hits. Or even worse, right before a crisis hits, assuming there is a warning. It’s very likely there will not be time to get the meat you and your family want and need to deal with an emergency.

But here’s the good news. By planning ahead and acquiring the canned meat you need ahead of time, you’ll be in good shape and won’t have to stand in line outside a grocery store, only to find shelves empty by the time you get in there.

4Patriots Survival Canned Meat

Now, I’m not referring here to the canned meat you might buy at the store. That stuff doesn’t taste all that great and doesn’t last all that long.

I’m talking about the 4Patriots Survival Canned Meat that tastes great and is designed to last 15 years under proper storage conditions, and is guaranteed to last 5 years. It’s the ideal addition to your emergency food supply.

If you’re thinking, “That’s great, Frank. But no matter how good it tastes and how long it lasts, my family and I will get tired of the same meat over and over again. 

I hear ya. And that’s why we offer 5 – that’s right, 5 – different types of meat among our Survival Canned Meat selections. That’s Beef, Chicken, Pork, Turkey, and Ground Beef. We’re talking 100% real meat here, not some synthetic stuff. It’s also gluten-free, and paleo and keto friendly.

This meat is pre-cooked and ready to eat. No refrigeration required, which is perfect considering emergencies almost always involve power outages.

Of course, you don’t have to wait for an emergency to try our Survival Canned Meat. Buy some for now to lock in the price as inflation continues – or to ensure your family has meat during shortages – and obtain some to save for an uncertain future.

Here’s how to get yours…

[VIDEO] Meet Our 4Patriots Founders 🇺🇸

13 years ago, our Founders Allen & Erin Baler quit their corporate jobs and moved their family from New England to Nashville. On a shoe-string budget, they started with one product. Today, our company offers all kinds of emergency preparedness and wellness products, to help you achieve peace of mind in an uncertain world.

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Higher Prices but Lower Sales for Dairy

If you’ve spent any time in the dairy section of a grocery store over the past six months, you’ve probably noticed two things.

One is the high prices for milk, eggs, cheese, and other products found in those sections. Two is that dairy sections are usually pretty well stocked, especially compared to some other store sections.

The reasons for this are clear. Inflation has hit dairy products hard, hence the high prices. And consumers are buying less due to the costs, leaving plenty of supply in the stores.

Despite selling fewer products, dairy manufacturers are actually making more money, again due to high prices. Per usual, consumers are the ones who suffer. Either they pay more for dairy products or they do without.

Are Eggs Considered Dairy?

Let’s clear up one thing right now before continuing. If you’re thinking, “Wait a minute, Robert. Eggs are not technically a dairy product. They are an animal by-product.”

You are absolutely correct. Eggs are not by strict definition a dairy product. A dairy product refers to a product made from the mammary gland of mammals. Such as cows, goats, and sheep. As well as products made from their milk, like cream, butter, and cheese. 

However, because eggs are found in the dairy sections of stores, they are usually included in discussions about dairy.

And because the International Dairy Deli Bakery Association (IDDBA) and other dairy-related organizations include eggs in their dairy statistics, that’s what we’re going to stick with here.

Dairy Price Per Unit Soars

So, the dairy segment is experiencing higher prices despite lower sales. Several months ago, the price per unit for dairy products was $3.84. That’s a steep 26.2% increase versus 2021 and a 41% increase over 2019. Yikes.

Those price increases allowed dairy products to surpass meat products in overall monetary sales this past January. The refrigerated department of stores produced $7 billion in sales that month.

Dairy, which represents the majority of sales in the refrigerated department, generated sales of $71 billion from January 2022 to January 2023. 

Statistics Don’t Lie 

For you statistics lovers, here’s how this broke down per product in January, according to Supermarket News. The number of units of milk sold dropped by 6.3%, and yet its $6 billion in sales was an 18.2% increase from the previous January.

Eggs had an 8.4% decrease in number of units sold, yet accounted for $1.1 billion in sales, which was an enormous 83.6% increase over the previous January.

And cheese saw a decrease of 4.4% in units sold, but its $997 million in sales was a 4.7% increase from 12 months previously.

Whitney Atkins is vice president of marketing for the IDDBA. She said, “Virtually all areas within dairy experienced decreased unit sales in January 2023, especially eggs, yogurt, processed cheese and milk.”

Bird Flu Was a Factor

Now, there are other factors at play here besides inflation. Bird flu, for example, limited the number of eggs available for the public. This increased demand, which in turn produced higher prices. 

Chris Mentzer is director of operations at Rastelli Market Fresh in New Jersey. He said, “Eggs are a great example of how volatile the category can be. 

“Although we can blame a good portion of the egg price increases on the bird flu, there are also issues with how chickens are raised, which has decreased egg harvesting production.” 

Some consumers are choosing animal-free dairy milk for ethical reasons. But real milk still constitutes more than 70% of sales. 

“Aside from price, I believe that innovations like animal-free dairy and brands that emphasize humane/sustainable agricultural practices will continue to grow in popularity,” Mentzer said.

Raising Chickens in Response 

Some people are combatting the high price of eggs by buying chickens and raising them. This demand on hatcheries is strong, and some breeds have sold out. 

Meghan Howard is in charge of sales and marketing for Meyer Hatchery in Polk, Ohio.

“We’re already sold out on a lot of breeds – most breeds – until the summer,” she told the New York Times. “It’s those egg prices. People are really concerned about food security.” 

Ginger Stevenson is director of marketing at Murray McMurray Hatchery in Webster City, Iowa. She said, “When we sell out, it’s not like: ‘Well, we can make another chicken.’” 

Dairy Growing Globally

As Americans, are we too obsessed with dairy? I don’t think so. I believe we’re just used to consuming it from childhood through adulthood. And we enjoy it.

We also realize it’s a great source of protein. At the turn of the century, dairy products accounted for just under 11.5% of global protein consumption. Now it’s more than 13%, according to the National Milk Producers Federation. 

The United States is supplying a good chunk of these dairy products to the world. We had record dairy exports in 2020, 2021 and 2022. 

The demand is almost certain to rise around the globe, so we’ll see if America is able to keep up production to make it happen again this year.

Either way, dairy will continue to represent a desirable food group for us. Hopefully prices will drop before we have to cut our consumption even more.

Remember These Fire Safety Warnings When Camping

 Camping and fire go together like a hand in a glove. Or as Forrest Gump would say, like peas and carrots. 

It’s difficult to imagine a camping experience without cooking your food over a fire during the day. And then sitting around a fire at night after a long day of hiking, enjoying s’mores, beverages, and each other’s company.

But we’ve all heard the horror stories resulting from a fire getting out of control. Millions of acres of beautiful forest have been destroyed – not to mention lives and homes – by wildfires.

And many of those fires resulted from the carelessness of people who built those fires. This is a tragedy that is easily averted. But it takes all of us doing our part. 

The 25-foot rule 

Today I want to discuss ways to keep your campfire from destroying forestland, homes, and maybe even lives.

Let’s start with where you build a fire. It needs to be at least 25 feet away from trees, shrubs, tents, buildings, and other structures.

But don’t just look in front, behind, and around you. Look up as well. There should be at least 20 feet clearance between your fire and tree branches above you. 

Keep your fire area small, especially if it’s a breezy day. You can always expand it if you feel it’s safe to do so. Make sure to carefully watch any children or pets with you so they don’t come too close to the fire. Keep fire-starters out of kids’ reach.

Drown, stir, repeat

Next, make sure you have the proper tools to handle a fire. A bucket of sand will come in handy if you need to quickly smother a fire.

You should also have a bucket of water to submerge a burned log and douse a fire when you’re finished with it. Drown the fire with water, mix the ashes with a shovel, and drown it again.

Fire Pit tools include a poker to move logs and whatever kindling you might be using. Prongs will allow you to pick up and move or discard a burned log. A shovel can aid in extinguishing a fire. 

Needless to say, never leave a fire unattended. Even for a few minutes. And when you are finished with it, be absolutely certain it is completely out. Forest fires have started when campers incorrectly thought they’d fully extinguished their fire. 

11 more tips 

Here are a few more outdoor fire safety tips to follow:

• Acquire the proper permit to build a campfire and learn the fire regulations that are in place.
• Clear grass, needles, dry leaves, and sticks at least 10 feet away from where you will build your fire.
• If available, use a designated firepit. Or dig one a foot deep and surround it with a ring of stones.
• Use local firewood. Bringing firewood from your home area could introduce tree-killing insects and diseases that weren’t already there.
• Build your fire downwind from your tent.
• Never use a flammable liquid such as gas to start a fire.
• Don’t wear loose-fitting clothing while using a campfire.
• Remember to stop, drop, and roll if your clothing does catch on fire.
• Treat a burn immediately. Use cold water on it for several minutes and cover it with a clean, dry cloth. Get medical attention as soon as you can.
• Don’t build a fire if it is an exceptionally windy day.
• You don’t need a roaring fire. A small fire surrounded by rocks will produce plenty of heart for cooking and warmth.

Handling outdoor fire responsibly can make camping one of life’s most enjoyable experiences. Handling it irresponsibly can result in tragedy. The choice is clear. 

Surviving the Summer Heat: Illuminate Your Way Through Blackouts

“Oppressive” heat in Deep South states. “Sizzling” temperatures in Arizona and California. “Scorching” temps in New England. “Broiling” heat in the West and Midwest. That’s what The Farmers’ Almanac is predicting for the 2023 summer in the U.S. 

If the Almanac is correct, many Americans will be using their air conditioners nearly non-stop this summer. Those massive power draws will result in intentional or unintentional power outages. Or both. And that means dark homes in the evenings.

Today I want to discuss a variety of ways you can create light to break through the darkness. Some of these you’ve used for that purpose. But I’m guessing you haven’t used some of the more unusual ones.

And when I finish with my list, I’m going to introduce you to a product that works great at lighting your surroundings. Whether you’re inside or out. 

Flashlights, candles, etc. 

Let’s get the obvious ones out of the way first. The quickest and easiest way to produce light is with a flashlight. Keep several around the house and take a couple with you when you go out. 

Another is lighting candles. While this is also a quick way to produce light, candles can be a fire hazard. They shouldn’t be left burning when you leave a room or walk away from a campsite.

Oil lamps are another option. Using oil as the fuel source, these lamps have been employed for thousands of years. A textile wick drops down into the oil and is lit at the end. The oil burns as it is drawn up the wick.

Of course, your smartphone can also serve as a flashlight. And you can always provide some light while camping (or in your fireplace) with a fire. Headlamps and glowsticks also illuminate your surroundings. As do battery-powered and solar-powered lanterns. 

Lighting with some color 

OK, now for some lesser-known ways to light up your life in a blackout. Remember those Crayola crayons you used as a kid? And maybe you still join in some coloring fun with your kids or grandkids.

Because crayons are basically wax, you can light them like a candle and they’ll produce light for about 30 minutes. 

Break the point off a crayon and light the paper label at the end. The paper will serve as a wick as the wax melts. 

If you tie several crayons together, you can get a larger flame going, thereby producing more light.         

Glowing water

I mentioned headlamps a moment ago. As the name implies, it’s a light that ties around your head with a strap so you can see in front of you in the dark. 

But a headlamp can also be used to produce a glowing light to set the mood at home or in the woods. 

Fill a clear plastic gallon jug with water. Then wrap a headlamp “belt” around the container with the light shining inward, toward the center of the jug.

When the water diffuses and diverts the light, you’ve got a glowing lamp to provide some ambiance. 

Crisco, sardines & bacon 

Would you like to be able to produce a candle-type light that will stay lit for a long time? Maybe a month?

Just get a large can of Crisco. Using a forked stick, shove a natural fiber wick (such as a mop strand or a cotton t-shirt shred) down to the bottom of the thick grease.   

Here’s another idea. Once you’ve eaten sardines out of a can containing olive oil, place a natural fiber wick (like that mop strand I mentioned) into the oil that’s left over so it’s completely immersed. 

Then bend the strand up at the edge of the can and light it. It should stay lit for several hours. The downside? It will smell like fish. Bacon grease can serve the same purpose – and will smell better.   

So… how about this SoLantern?

There are a number of other good ways to create light at home during a blackout or while you’re camping, and I want to share one with you. It’s the 4Patriots SoLantern. It has a long-lasting battery and recharges with the sun. 

This powerful light produces 800 lumens. Which is the equivalent to the light produced by 800 candles. It’s lightweight so you can take it anywhere. The SoLantern has five different light settings and can power up your phone and other electronic devices.  

Use it at campgrounds, on RV trips, and in your front and back yards. All at the simple push of a button. Carry it with you to light your path or set it down and read by it. 

And this is a great time to acquire the SoLantern because we’re offering one free whenever you purchase four.

Here’s how to get yours…

[VIDEO] Smart Americans LOVE this Survival Food Kit 💪

Hear what concerned folks, just like yourself, have to say about our tasty and shelf-stable 3-Month Survival Food Kit! You’ll discover one comment over and over … this survival food provides peace of mind.

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There’s Survival Gold in Those Herbs & Plants

Herbs and other plants have been used for survival purposes for as long as humans have existed. 

Archaeological evidence reveals that humans were using plants for medicinal and survival reasons some 60,000 years ago. During the Paleolithic Era.

In the sixth century B.C., approximately 700 plants were described in the Sushruta Samhita. Some 5,000 years ago, the Sumerians created clay tablets listing hundreds of plants.

Around 1500 B.C., the Egyptians wrote the Ebers Papyrus. It includes information on more than 850 plant medicines people used to survive.

Are you looking for more recent evidence? Native Americans used approximately 2,500 of the 20,000 plant species native to North America in a survival fashion.

Today, about 80% of people in some Asian and African countries use herbs to treat disease. That’s an estimate from the World Health Organization.

Effective for both prevention and treatment

Scientific evidence for the effectiveness of herbal and other plant usage for health and survival is increasing. Especially in North America in recent years. And that has led to more widespread use.

As a result, millions have been able to treat many of their own non-life threatening illnesses and injuries. Instead of being dependent on doctors. And for many, staying healthy has meant staying alive.

These unique gifts from Mother Nature are definitely here to stay. The remedies provided by survival plants are effective, available and affordable. Especially for day-to-day, non-emergency health issues.

Headaches, colds, fevers, flus and coughs can be dealt with through certain plants. As well as aches, pains, bumps, bruises and other ailments. 

And not just for the treatment of illnesses and injuries. Plants with medicinal properties can also be used to help prevent health problems. That’s due in large part to their concentration of nutrients.  

Teas, infusions and ointments

The most common way to use plants to treat illness and disease is as a blended liquid. Usually a brewed tea and sometimes called a tisane. Most teas are very pleasing to our taste buds. But their primary function is for health and survival purposes. 

Methods of preparation include infusions. These are hot water extracts of herbs through steeping. Including chamomile or mint. Another method is decoctions. They are the long-term boiled extracts of harder substances. Including roots or bark.

Salves are ointments used to treat a variety of minor skin problems. They can also be very useful in combating physical maladies. The same is true of tinctures, which are extracts from plants mixed into a solution.

Here’s a quick look at eight plants used by Native Americans for health and survival.

Echinacea. Called the purple coneflower, this herb is strong and easy to grow. It’s a prairie plant with daisy-like flowers ranging from pink to purple around a spiny central disk. Native Americans may have used Echinacea for 400-plus years. Mainly to treat wounds and infections. And as a general cure-all.

Red Clover. Many use this plant to create a tea that is said to serve as a blood thinner. It is also known for its ability to soothe coughs and boost the immune system. Plus support the lowering of cholesterol levels and the improvement of blood circulation. 

Wild Sumac. This bush was used in many different ways by Native Americans. The roots and bark were used for fever, colds and bladder inflammation. The leaves were utilized for rashes and sore gums. The plant’s berries served to treat constipation. And the milky substance from the stems served as a salve on wounds.  

Yarrow. This herb has spicy, ferny leaves. They produce beautiful flowers in red, yellow or white tones, grouped in flat clusters. Yarrow is reported to stop bleeding when the leaves are chewed. Or by crushing them with the flowers and then pressing them against the wound. Some think it’s helpful for supporting blood circulation. And dealing with other conditions. 

Feverfew. Featuring small flowers that look like daisies, this plant’s leaves can be eaten fresh. But they are often combined with honey to offset the bitter taste. Feverfew has been used for fevers, toothaches, headaches and general pain. It’s also said to help relieve depression. 

Mullein. The roots, leaves and flowers of this plant all serve medicinal and survival purposes. The roots are known for aiding the urinary system. The soft leaves are reported to fight off infections. And relieve pain and reduce swelling.

Slippery Elm. This plant can be ground into a powder and mixed into a tea. Or mixed with boiling water to develop a paste for topical usage. Native Americans are said to have used it for coughs, sore throats and intestinal issues. Plus minor wounds, burns and skin inflammation.

Blackberries. The fruit from blackberries is said to help relieve anemia. That’s because it is filled with antioxidants. As an infusion, the fruit is reported to moisten dry skin. The roots are said to aid the digestive tract, and serve as an expectorant. The leaves were used to relieve bleeding gums and mouth sores when chewed. 

Never neglect medical help for a serious injury or condition. But for minor, day-to-day health issues, herbs and other plants can help with both prevention and treatment. And that can help you survive when the going gets rough.

Patriot Power Greens

And when it comes to staying healthy – a good idea whether or not you’re in a survival situation – nothing beats fruits, vegetables, probiotics and digestive enzymes.

You’ll get plenty of all of them in Patriot Power Greens. They’ll provide you with long-lasting energy, inflammation and circulation support, and worry-free digestion. 

If you’ve never tried Patriot Power Greens, now is the ideal time to do it. And if you’ve already tried it, now’s the perfect time to stock up.

Here’s how to get your canisters of Patriot Power Greens…

Here’s How to Keep Food Cold During a Blackout

What’s the worst thing about a power outage?

The answer to that question depends on a variety of factors. Including where you live and what time of year it is. As well as any health conditions you might have.

Stumbling around in the dark is not fun. But there are worse problems connected to a blackout.

The loss of air conditioning during a heat wave is one. As is the loss of heat during a frigid spell. Either could be life-threatening.

And what if you’re dependent on refrigeration for your medicine? Or on an electrical device to keep your heart beating regularly? That’s pretty serious stuff.

A common goal

We all live in different areas of the country. We experience blackouts at different times of the year. And we have different health conditions.

But one thing we all have in common is this: we want to keep our food cold in refrigerators and freezers.

We worked hard to earn money to buy that food. The last thing we want is for food in a fully-stocked refrigerator and freezer to go bad because our power went out.

Spoiler Alert – The good news is you can keep your food fresh, safe, and cold, even in a blackout. More on that in a moment.

Hitting close to home

There’s a reason this subject is top of mind for me. Not all that long ago, we here at 4Patriots got a big scare.

A tornado outbreak struck downtown Nashville where we’re based. As well as at nearby Cookeville.

The tornadoes killed 25 people and injured 300. With winds reaching 175 miles per hour, the destruction was massive.

More than 70,000 people lost electrical power. The storm caused nearly $1 billion in damage. It was a full week before some folks had power restored.

Tips and tricks

As a general rule, food in a refrigerator should be good for four hours after the power goes out. In a freezer, it should stay safe for 24 to 48 hours.

But when an outage extends longer than those time periods, that spells trouble. You’re in danger of losing the food you need to feed yourself and your family.

Fortunately, there are some tips and tricks to help you keep your food safe longer.

Today I want to share some of them with you. They just might come in handy next time a power outage occurs in your neck of the woods.

Keep those doors closed

Here’s something to always remember. When the power goes out, there is a temptation to open the freezer and refrigerator periodically.

Understandably, people want to check on the status of their food. But don’t do it. Every time those doors open, warm air gets in. That shortens the life of your food.

Keep your freezer and refrigerator doors closed except for removing an item you want to cook or eat right away. Or quickly moving some items from the refrigerator to the freezer.

The magic temperature is 45 degrees Fahrenheit. If you can keep your food at that temperature or lower, it should be safe to eat. Keeping the doors closed will help.

Meat down, vegetables up

Whenever possible, keep your freezer and refrigerator full. Food will stay safe during a power outage in a full freezer longer than in a half-full freezer. Same with your refrigerator.

If your refrigerator or freezer is not full, at least group your foods together. Rather than having them spread out.

Because heat rises – even inside a refrigerator – the bottom portion of your refrigerator is colder than the top.

So, keep meat and fish in the lower levels. Fruits and vegetables can be placed on the higher shelves.

Stock up on ice

The more ice you have available, the better you can keep your food cold during a blackout.

In addition to filling your ice trays regularly, place a couple of bags of ice in your kitchen or garage freezer.

You could even freeze water in Tupperware containers. But don’t fill them, because water expands when it freezes. It might break those containers.

When a blackout extends beyond several hours, you can put ice in coolers. Then move some food from your freezer and refrigerator to those coolers.

And if it’s colder outside than inside, you might want to set those coolers outside your door.

Thermometer beats a taste test

Earlier I mentioned you don’t want your refrigerated food to get above 45 degrees. The best way to ensure that is by keeping a thermometer inside your refrigerator and freezer.

These thermometers are inexpensive. They are a big help in determining whether food has gone bad during and following an outage. Newer refrigerators have displays on the outside of the door to let you know your freezer and fridge temps.

If you don’t have a thermometer, don’t make the mistake of testing your food by tasting it. You’re better off throwing something out than getting sick from eating it.

Refrigerated perishable food will go bad after four hours. Including meat, poultry, fish, eggs, milk, and leftovers. When in doubt, toss it out.

Free Freedom Fridge from Frank? Yes!

So, if your power is out and you’re approaching the time when food could start to go bad, what do you do? The answer is the solar-powered and portable Freedom Fridge from 4Patriots. And for a limited time, you can get one for free. You heard me right.

With the purchase of a Patriot Power Generator 1800, you will receive a Freedom Fridge free of charge. It weighs only 17 pounds and it can either cool or heat your food – your choice.

Which means the food it contains does not have to be shelf stable. You can run this food locker for up to 30,000 hours over its lifetime. And while it’s perfect for an emergency situation, you can also take it with you for RV trips, camping, or even the grandkids’ soccer games.

If all that weren’t enough, Freedom Fridge also features a USB outlet so you can use it to power up your phone, tablet, GPS unit, flashlight, or radio.

You probably already know all about the Patriot Power Generator 1800, but just in case, here’s a quick reminder. This generator, which you can charge for free with the sun or with an electrical outlet, is fume-free and silent. So, it’s safe to use indoors.

This is an amazing deal you can’t afford not to take advantage of. And to make it even sweeter, I’ll throw in two free solar panels to charge your generator and Freedom Fridge. Plus free shipping and handling, an easy payment, and a money-back guarantee. You literally can’t lose. 

Here’s where to get yours…