In a shameless promotion, I want to share one of the best deals I have seen EVER from my favorite supplier of CBD oils, gelcaps, and powders.  This is for real:  Organica Naturals has a two for one sale running between now and Sunday night.  Everything in their store is included.  Everything!

What does this mean in practical savings? 

As an example, my husband uses the largest bottle of CBD capsules they sell.  The bottle of 240 capsules is normally $340, but with the BOGO offer, I get 480 capsules for the same price.  Smaller bottles start at $50 for 30 capsules so instead of a one month supply, you would get two months for the same $50.

For myself, I use Full Spectrum CBD oil.  Why not the capsules?  They are too strong for me since I only use 10mg to 20mg per day depending on my stress and anxiety levels. 

Keep reading for a recent testimonial from a Strategic Living reader and an update on how I am using CBD to deal with stress and anxiety.

The post CBD for Stress + CBD Holiday Deals by Gaye Levy first appeared on Strategic Living.

I have always taken food storage seriously, doing my best to preserve the quality of my stored food using a combination of good packaging and proper temperature control.  Over the years I have learned a few things. 

First of all, packing dried foods in huge, 5-gallon buckets or bags is a non-starter.  Second, storing food in a moderate climate such as Washington State is a whole lot different than storing food in super hot Arizona.  That means that if food is not carefully packaged, it will go bad rather quickly.  And by bad I mean inedible.

I have also learned over the years that practices for storing bulk foods vary widely, with some methods being both cumbersome and confusing.  After all, with only two hands and two arms, there is just so much juggling of potentially heavy bags, buckets, and beans that a person can do without struggling and making a big mess.  Been there, done that.

Today I am going to show you how I currently package bulk foods using dog food, a highly perishable item, as an example.

The post Packaging Food for Long Term Storage Using Mylar Bags and O2 Absorbers by Gaye Levy first appeared on Strategic Living.

Last week I was asked about how I am currently using CBD and specifically, how my husband was using CBD to conquer arthritis and joint pain.  This was a timely question given that I recently developed a simple to make and simple to use rollerball/roller-ball formula using CBD oil, essential oils, and fractionated coconut oil. 

Why a roll-on formula? 

As much as I love using all manner of salves, including CBD salve, a rollerball bottle is super portable.  Furthermore, concocting a rollerball is as easy as adding CBD and essential oils to an empty bottle then topping with a carrier oil. There is nothing to melt, mix, or dissolve.  Not only that, chances are the CBD you already have on hand is an oil and not a powdered concentrate or isolate.  That means there is one less thing to buy.

I am thrilled to share my rollerball and essential oil formula with you and if it helps just one person get relief, the effort will have been worth it.

The post Create a CBD Rollerball for Joint & Arthritis Pain Relief by Gaye Levy first appeared on Strategic Living.

I am normally a happy person that likes to think of myself as peaceful and loving with a kind heart and gentle soul.  Alas, current events have me questioning myself, suspecting everyone, and trusting almost no one.  I hate that I am accused of being systemically racist and living a life of white privilege even though nothing could be further from the truth.

There are many elephants in my room.

Sadness, boredom, and even a bit of depression lurk in the recesses of my daily life.  I say this with the knowledge that I was mostly prepared for the multiple SHTF events that have occurred this year.  That said, I was not and am not immune to the long-lasting effect of being locked down in social isolation.

This is not the way I want to live this chapter of my life and I suspect many of you do not as well.

A popular podcaster that I follow likes to remind us that if things are not right in your world, do something.  Don't sit on your bum fretting, but act.  Talk.  Open yourself to discussion and, like I said, do something. 

And that, my friends, is the topic for today.

The post Opinion: The Elephant in Our Room by Gaye Levy first appeared on Strategic Living.

Those of you that follow my Strategic Living Facebook page are aware that my former website, Backdoor Survival was recently resold to an entity in the Philippines.  For now, I will refrain from lambasting prepping and survival sites owned by investors and not preppers.  Instead, I wish to publicly make you aware of a grievance I have with the new owners. 

In brief, they are misusing my name and personal story by claiming they belong to the founder, a so-called Mary Johnson. This is a lie.

Because they have failed to respond to my numerous emails and attempts to content them via social media, I will frame this as an "Open Letter" and hope they see it and respond.

The post An Open Letter to Backdoor Survival by Gaye Levy first appeared on Strategic Living.