NUTRI BULLET

Is the NutriBullet an adequate substitute for the VitaMix? We usually make one serving at a time in the VitaMix anyway. Can the NutriBullet pulverize food as well as the VitaMix can?

RUMMAGE SALE

Day 1 of garage/yard/house sale closed earlier due to hail. Yes, hail. And thankful too since I tired of the women trying to get stuff for free. Pitiful. One showed up with only $100 bills and said it would be "silly" for her to break it just to buy $4 worth of books. One said we should give her some furniture because we "don't need it." Another said her husband lost his job so she couldn't "afford" to pay for the things she wanted. Really? Round 2 tomorrow.

FIRST STEP TOWARDS SIMPLICITY

We sold a few things today prior to our big garage sale next weekend. We are torn at times trying to determine what to sell and what to keep. For me the problem was evident with books. For Angie the issue was what to do with sentimental items. I had a little heart-tug yesterday while sorting books but really, how many do you NEED?

OUTERWEAR

It's cold and rainy today and I walked several miles in it from the blood donation center to the library. Now I'm cold & wet and as an ultralight camper I should know better. So, here's the gist of my post: what do you recommend for minimalist outerwear? I'll post my thoughts later after my fingers thaw.

THE MEDICINE CABINET

This post is about the OTC medications I think every family should stock whether you are on the road or not. One legal caveat: even though I am a physician I cannot possibly know everything about you (like allergies and other co-morbidities) so take my suggestions and apply them wisely to your own family's situation. Many of the medications can be found in dollar stores so an initial cash outlay should not be cost-prohibitive.
1. Anti-fungal ointment. Adults can use tea tree oil but it is much more expensive, takes longer to work, and can be toxic to children.
2. Loratidine for allergies.
3. Benadryl for acute allergies and insomnia.
4. Aspirin. Not for kids.
5. Generic Tyleniol.
6. Ibuprofen or naproxen (more expensive). The last four for pain, fevers, and where applicable, inflammation.
7. Pepcid or Zantac (generic equivalents) for stomache aches, indigestion and reflux. My wife uses ginger tea for this.
8. Duct tape for warts.
9. PMS tea and Evening of Primrose Oil for "women's issues."
10. Antibiotic ointment. Good stuff, not systemic.
11. Oxymetazoline nasal spray for congestion. Alternate nostrils every 12 hours so you don't become "addicted" to it. Ibuprofen and naproxen also help since a part of congestion is due to inflammation.
12. Delsym syrup for coughs: 12 hour dosing!
13. Imodium-AD for diarrhea. Also orange juice diluted 50% with water for rehydration.
14. Caladryl lotion for local rashes.
This is what we have now. If I think of something I missed I'll let you know.

CLOTHES: a minimalist approach

What clothes are absolutely necessary as a freedom traveler? For myself, I'm thinking of the following:
1. One pair of blue jeans
2. One pair of cargo pants
3. One pair of shorts
4. One pair of swim trunks
5. 2 gray undershirts (in my case with a pocket to hold my glasses)
6. 3 pairs of underwear
7. One dress shirt for churchin' it up
8. 2 short-sleeved shirts
9. 2 long-sleeved shirts
10. Hooded sweat shirt
11. Pair of sweat pants
12. 3 pairs of white socks (same size and brand)
13. 3 pairs of black socks (same size and brand)

Footwear and coats/jackets will be discussed on separate posts.

Any thoughts? Any recommendations? Is this enough? Is this too much?

EATING ORGANIC

http://naturallyhealthyplease.blogspot.com/2012/07/how-to-stretch-your-healthy-dollar.html?m=1

APPLIANCES

Which kitchen appliances do we absolutely need? I've been thinking about this and I'm trying to decide on inclusion criteria. Multi-use first. The VitaMix salesman at Costco says it replaces 30 other appliances but was unable to name all 30. I can think of these: blender, juicer, nutbutter maker, grinder, possibly a food processor although the shallowness of a food processor has its advantages.
Any thoughts? We have a VitaMix already so we're going to take it with us anyway but what else can we give up?
Other considerations: size, electrical consumption, ease-of-use, clean up.

IS IT ANY WONDER?

We're trying to integrate an "organic" approach to health, education, nutrition, politics, religion, and basically life in our quest for freedom and peace. Sometimes one has to strike at the roots.
http://fff.org/2013/04/04/new-fff-e-book-separating-school-and-state/

Moving up and out

     Coffee in hand this cold but sunny early April morning, I'm beginning a new blog site about the new life we have chosen for ourselves. On February 18th, 2013 I retired from clinical practice and moved into academia. Due to the blessings of modern technology, I am able to educate without being tied down to any particular location. So our family has decided to take this show on the road.
     I started this blog to not only chart our progress but to also get advice from those who have gone before us and to get public feedback on our decisions.
     Welcome to UPWARDS BOUND and I look forward to your comments.
--- Mike Mangold