Destiny Survival

            If you’re living the self reliant life and want to do as much of your own food and beverage production as possible, there’s an article in the Fall 2009 issue of “The Heirloom Gardener” magazine I think you’ll find of interest.  It’s “Making Your Own Soda Pop” on pages 20-24 and describes the process for making your own syrups from fruits and herbs.

            I personally drink soda pop rarely and stay away completely from diet soda because of the harmful aspartame it contains.  However, a root beer or orange drink is a treat now and then.  Barbara Berst Adams, author of the soda pop article suggests making soda pop from strawberries, pears, peaches, or even rose petals, to name a few.  You’ll use a lot less sugar than conventional soda pop, and you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing it’s the real deal.

            Granted, this isn’t a survival necessity, but it can be lots of fun for children.  Just like last summer when I suggested buying an ice cream freezer from Lehman’s, making your own soda pop can be a morale booster in the midst of deprivation.

            There’s much more to “The Heirloom Gardener” which I think you would really enjoy.  Very little of their content is online, but a print subscription is only a few dollars per year.  The magazine is produced with numerous beautiful, colorful photographs, and you won’t be blitzed with advertisements.

As the name suggests, articles are about gardening with heirloom or heritage plants and seeds, such as tomatoes, beans, herbs, and flowers.  There’s a brief news section up front on what’s happening in the world of Frankenfoods—genetically modified seeds and foods.  Historical profiles of individuals are sometimes featured, such as founders of old seed companies.  The current issue profiles the Missouri Botanical Gardens in St. Louis.

            I recommend getting a subscription to “The Heirloom Gardener” for yourself, or get a gift subscription for someone you know who’s into survival gardening.  I receive no benefit by mentioning this to you, but if you have occasion to e-mail or speak with someone at the magazine, mention you heard about them from DestinySurvival.com.  You can check out the magazine’s site and subscribe at http://www.theheirloomgardener.com .