Mansfield 2nd Food Storage

October Food Storage Order

2010-10-04T14:50:00.000-05:00

Some interesting items available this month:

ASAP Silver Solution: 8 oz. bottle = $14.95 OR the Combo (bottle, book, sprayer) = $19.95. I recently learned of collidal silver from Joyce Kimball in the 1st Ward. It has cured a number of things for her and Bruce, so I recently bought a bottle, but I need to get the book and sprayer too. I also had one of my students develop a breast infection, and with positioning the baby differently and taking collidal silver, she cleared it up. It's probably not a bad thing to have in our homes. Visit www.amsilver.com for more information and uses.

Freeze-Dried Green Peas: $13.99/can

Freeze-Dried Mango Pieces: $12.99/can

Freeze-Dried Boysenberry Pieces: $19.99/can

Mixed Vegetables for Stew: $11.99/can

MRE Fig Bar Combo (15-pack): $6.00 (Only need 4 more orders to get this for a couple of our sisters.)

Orders are due Sunday Oct. 24 to Donna Ryan. Thanks!

Fig Bars and Freeze-Dried Bananas

2010-09-08T21:01:00.000-05:00

Abby has been bugging me lately to try figs and I was telling her about fig bars. She asked if I would buy some, and what do you know? They are on the group order this month for Emergency Essentials.

MRE Fig Bar Combo: $6.00/15-pack (2 bars per pouch), regularly $15.00 . Great for emergency kits or camping. At least 10 combos must be ordered by the group to get the discount.

Freeze-Dried Banana Slices: $14.00/can, regularly $19.95. We see bananas all the time, but they are dehydrated. These are freeze-dried, which in my opinion, makes them better. At least 6 cans must be ordered by the group.

Don't forget about the 9-Grain Cracked Cereal for $6.88/can.

Everything is due Sunday, September 19. Just email me or call me and let me know what you'd like to order. donnaryan@juno.com

Let's Do An Order!

2010-09-02T14:34:00.000-05:00

I am so sorry that I have not sent anything out lately. I've been swamped with the Tarrant County Birth Network. If it's any consolation, if something would have been a GREAT deal, we would have done an order anyway. No screaming deals this summer.

With that being said, there is one that I like going on right now through Shelf Reliance for 9 Grain Cracked Cereal.

It is $6.88 per can or $38.83 per case.

This is the description:

Enjoy a hearty breakfast by pouring milk over THRIVE 9 Grain Cracked Cereal. Incorporate more variety and flavor by adding fruit or berries. It will keep you sustained throughout the day. 9 Grain Cracked Cereal may also be used in bread/roll recipes.

To prepare one serving, combine 1/2 cup 9-Grain Cracked Cereal with 1 cup water; heat for 10-15 minutes or until tender. Serve with honey and milk.

Ooh, yum! Let's make it due in 2 weeks, Sunday, Sept. 19. Just let me know what you want and I'll order it. Pay me when you pick it up.

As always, if there is something else you want from Shelf Reliance, let me know and I'll add it on to the order.

Need more Strawberries and Veggies to meet order requirements

2010-06-22T11:29:00.001-05:00

If you contemplated ordering this month, but haven't, please do. We are short by 4 cans of Strawberries and 6 cans of Mixed Veggies for Stew. Please order right now by emailing me: donnaryan@juno.com. I have to call it in by Thursday, June 24. Thanks.

Strawberries and Mixed Veggies for Stew

2010-06-05T10:51:00.000-05:00

The group order for Emergency Essentials this month (that I think are a good deal) are:

Freeze-Dried Strawberries for $13.00/can
Mixed Vegetables for Stew for $11.00/can -- "Have a variety of healthy vegetables including potatoes, cabbage, onions, carrots, celery, red and green bell peppers, and tomatoes prepared for your favorite stew." I like this because, yes, I have a lot of these veggies in my food storage, but I hate to open several cans to make a pot of stew. This is a great solution.

As a group, we must have at least 12 cans of each to get these prices.

Orders are due by Sunday, June 20. Make your check out to me, Donna Ryan, for the exact amount. There is no shipping or tax on a group order.

Cannery 101

2010-05-02T16:09:00.001-05:00

I have talked with a number of people lately who have stated that they have no idea where to begin with their food storage. We have a date set for May 10 to go to the cannery, and I was thinking about having a Cannery 101 meeting at my house before we go on the 10th.

Cannery 101, Wednesday May 5, 10:00 a.m., Donna Ryan's house. Please let me know if you will be coming so I know what to plan for. I don't want to mop my floor if no one can come!

Put BACON in your food storage!

2010-04-18T14:52:00.001-05:00

I just found what I think is a pretty good deal on bacon for your food storage. Here's the description:

Yoder's Canned Bacon: Fully cooked, drained, and ready to eat. It has a 2-year manufacturer shelf life guarantee, but up to a 10 year shelf life. There is approximately 50 slices per can for $12.99/can.

This order is due Sunday, April 25. There are other items due that day as well. Broccoli is a good deal at $10/can, but we need 12 cans ordered to get that price. So, please order!

April Emergency Essentials Group Order

2010-04-06T20:33:00.002-05:00

First, let me tell you that I can add anything you want/need from Emergency Essentials to a group order so that you do not have to pay shipping.

Second, there are some deals to be had:

Mangoes ($16/can) and Carrots ($7/can) were carried over from last month. At least 12 cans of carrots must be ordered by the group to get that price. On the mangoes, the total is 6 cans.

Freeze-dried Broccoli: A can is just $10.00, regularly $13.50. We need to order at least 12 cans to get this price.

Potato Slices: A can is $4.99, regularly $6.95.

Popcorn is also on sale for $7.99/can, but the cheapest way to get canned popcorn is to buy a 50 pound bag at Sams Club (about $16.50), take it to Nancee Quinn's house (she has the stake canner in her garage and quite the work station), and can it yourself. Contact me for more details if you are interested.

SAF Instant Premium Yeast: On sale for $2.99, regularly $4.50.

Orders are due by Sunday, April 25. You can make your check out to me, Donna Ryan, for the exact amount of your order.

Order due Sunday, April 11 -- Hurry!

2010-04-06T20:10:00.002-05:00

Shelf Reliance is running a pretty good sale until this Sunday. I've included the items that I think are a good deal, things that I don't see very often, but would be good to have in your storage.

Shortening Powder: A #10 can is on sale for $8.61, regularly $12.30.

Fudge Brownines: A can is $10.33, regularly $14.75. A case (6 cans) is only $57.53. Just add water and bake.

Dehydrated Pineapple: A can is $10.80, regularly $13.50. Note that it is dehydrated, not freeze-dried. (I'll explain freeze dried in a minute.)

Freeze-dried Raspberries: A can is $22.02, regularly $31.45.

There are other items on sale too, but these are the ones that I thought were the best prices, and like I said, I don't see very often.

How is Food Freeze-Dried?

"To create freeze-dried food, the item is first flash frozen at the peak of freshness, then a low-level heat is applied inside a vacuum chamber. This process melts the ice crystals without changing the cell structure of the food. Finally, the food is packed for long-term storage. This process retains much of the color, texture, shape, flavor, and nutrition." -- Emergency Essentials

In addition, freeze-dried food, when properly stored, can be expected to last for 25 years! You can read more about it at BePrepared.com/shelflife

Carrots, Mangoes, and Reuseable Hand Warmers

2010-03-07T14:46:00.003-06:00

The group order for Emergency Essentials has some items again this month that I'd like to draw your attention to.

First, Carrot Dices are on sale for $7.00/can. This is the one vegetable we can buy at the cannery, and the price is about the same. -- .10 more at the cannery. If you get in on this order, you don't have to can it yourself or drive up to the cannery! 12 cans need to be purchased to get this price.

Second, Freeze-dried Mango Chunks are on sale for $16.00/can. Last summer I bought a case of mangoes (6 cans) and paid $103. A case right now is only $96. We LOVE the mangoes. This is Darcy's #1 choice of fruit for her school lunches. A 1/2 cup serving is only 25 calories, too. At least 6 cans need to be purchased to get this price.

They also have reusable hand warmers at a significant discount this month. They are usually $7.95, but are currently being sold for $2.49. Check out the video to see how they work: www.beprepared.com/hotspot.

The other item I want to point out is the famous Low-fat Cinnamon Almond Granola. It is on sale this month for $8.99/can, but I don't think this is a great deal. In the past, we've gotten it for $8 or less. The regular price is $10.95. I will be happy to order it for you if you'd like. We are going to do a Walton Feed order in the next few weeks and there will be granola on that order.

Group orders need to be placed by March 25. Thanks!

Golden Temple Granola Order due Feb. 28

2010-02-23T21:20:00.005-06:00

I just found out about a granola order tonight that is due on Sunday. I knew you'd want to know too.

I have a granola order form with MANY different kinds of granola, including:
Cranberry Orange Crunch, French Vanilla Almond, Cherry Vanilla, Country Pumpkin Spice,
etc.!

The order and money have to be in this Sunday. I am not sure how the 25# comes -- be it bulk, cans, who knows! We are trying to find out.

For those of you that have ordered the Provident Living granola (yummy!), we usually get
that at $8/can, so $48 for a case. Almost all types of granola on this list are actually
a bit less than that, even with the shipping. So many more types to choose from!

This would be a great thing to get a variety of cases and share with your friends.
Time is of the essence on this order. Email me (donnaryan@juno.com) for an order form if you haven't gotten one yet.

GET YOUR ORDER IN TO ME BY SUNDAY!

Hatch, NM Green Chile Order

2010-02-14T17:43:00.003-06:00

This may be a bit different than the usual food storage order, but as native New Mexicans, green chile is a vital part of our food storage! We usually eat about 90 lbs a year, but we have almost blown through it and we just got it in late August, chile harvesting season.

If you have ever eaten in northern NM -- Santa Fe, Taos, Albuquerque -- you likely had your food "smothered" in green or red chile. We put chile in/on everything -- sandwiches, soup, enchiladas, cornbread, pizza, you name it! -- or just green chile stew. Yes, this is the same "4 oz. can of green chiles" you see in your recipes. It's incredibly high in Vitamin C. When we were sick, growing up in Santa Fe, my mom made sure we ate plenty of chile!

I usually buy it at Central Market in late August, where they roast it, and you are in charge of peeling, de-seeding, and chopping it. This process takes hours. I freeze half of it, and with the other half, I make green chile "sauce" and pressure can it to later make stew or to smother those burritos.

I have found a company in Albuquerque who sells green chile wholesale to restaurants. Because I'm wanting to order so much of it, they are willing to sell it to me at the wholesale price. I can get five 5 lb frozen bricks for $55. It is already de-seeded and chopped! One brick is about the equivalent to one of the boxes from Central Market.

The shipping is more expensive than the chile itself because they send it on dry ice. We will save at least $10 to have it sent to Ft. Worth instead of Mansfield, so David will be picking it up on his way home from work! The shipping on one box of five bricks is about $60-$70. I'll pay about $20 more than I would for the same amount at Central Market, but this is not a bad deal because the work is already done.

I'm happy to answer any questions you might have. Just leave a comment. Others might have the same questions. I will leave this open for about a week. We'll just have all orders due next Sunday, Feb. 21.

Berry Order & Emergency Essentials Group Order Due Feb. 21

2010-02-06T14:34:00.003-06:00

This blog has not been written on since Lanni was released from her calling. I must admit, it had been a long time since I had been on here, and I can't believe all the work she put into it! Awesome! There is so much good information here that I'll encourage everyone to check out.

I'm Donna Ryan, and I am the new Family Preparedness Specialist for the Mansfield 2nd Ward. This is my coveted calling, but my husband said I would never get it because I wanted it so much! I must tell you, however, that I am in the process of starting a Birth Network for Tarrant County, so much of my time is being spent there. I am also writing a book and creating a website for online natural childbirth classes. Wow!

I love food storage and am passionate about it. I will only pass along deals that I think really are deals. No use in wasting your time or mine!

With that being said, there are some deals to be had right now:

First, the Berry Order is due Feb. 23, so I need all checks and order forms by Sunday Feb. 21. The order forms are in the binders at church. If you need more information, you can email me (donnaryan@juno.com) or leave a comment below.

Second, Emergency Essentials has some good things on their group order. It is also due on Sunday Feb. 21. There will be a copy in the folder at church so you can check out all the group orders. There are several items available on the group order this month. I'll give you a rundown of what I think is a good deal:

Shredded Hash Brown Potatoes: $5.99/can (40%off)

Freeze-Dried Zucchini Slices: $10.00/can (reg. $15.95) -- At least 12 cans must be ordered by the group to get this price.

Freeze-Dried Green Beans: $10.00/can (reg. $16.95) -- At least 12 cans must be ordered by the group to get this price.

Freeze-Dried Blueberries are also on sale for $24.00/can (reg. $32.95), but there is another company that has better deals on fruit. I'll let you know when those are a better price...

Mainstay 2400-Calorie Food Bar: $3.00/ea. (reg. $4.95) -- At least 20 bars must be ordered to get this price.

The Charger Flashlight & Mobile Phone Charger: $8.00 (reg.$11.95) -- At least 10 chargers must be order to get this price.

You can leave a comment here to order, or you can email me at: donnaryan@juno.com

Again, all orders are due Feb. 21.

freebie!

2009-10-22T17:52:00.003-05:00

(disclaimer: i totally stole this freebie from my friend karen's blog, but it's a goodie, so i'm passing it on)

you can get two FREE $10.00 gift cards from emergency essentials! click here for one and here for another one. well done, emergency essentials.

trail mix

2009-08-31T13:53:00.006-05:00

today, august 31st is national trail mix day. who knew? quick explanation: trail mix is a combination of dried fruits, grains, raisins, nuts and sometimes chocolate (like m&m's), a snack food commonly taken along on outdoor hikes.

so what's so great about it? first of all, it's delicious, lightweight, easy-to-store, and nutritious. and with a good nutritional mix, such as the carbohydrates in the fruit and the protein and fats from the nuts, it provides a good quick energy boost.

it's a great item to add to your stash at home, and also for your 72-hour kits. you can buy it pre-made at any grocery store, or google it and you'll find all kinds of variations on recipes for making it yourself at home.

but a quick warning, it's not really appropriate for long-term storage as it will go bad, so use it in your regular rotation. and if it's in your 72-hour kits, don't forget to switch out the food every 6-12 months (many use the idea of rotating every general conference, which is just around the corner).

how to: can chicken

2009-08-17T13:04:00.006-05:00

so this past year i've really been "growing up" as far as my food storage goes and have even bravely ventured into canned chicken. for just a few select recipes, and i always buy it at costco. but this past week, i learned how to actually can and preserve chicken at home! seems gross - i'm not going to lie, it kind of is. but i think it's a money-saver, and it's a great way to be able to have more protein in your home storage, especially if you don't have a deep freeze (or it's already full). so here goes:

(1) chop your RAW chicken into chunks and put in a large bowl, sprinkling a
layer of salt on in between each layer of chicken. at this time, also add about 1 1/2 inches of water to your pressure canner and turn heat to high.

(2) wash your jars before using, leave them in the dishwasher so they stay warm
until ready to use them. wipe the rims of the jars, making sure there is no dirt/specks of dirt on your rims (otherwise they may not seal properly). keep your lids in a pan of hot water until ready to use. spray inside of jars with cooking spray -- this will help your chicken come out easier.

(3) using a funnel, fill your clean and warm jars with chicken. do not add
water or anything else. using a plastic knife, stir it around to get out any air
bubbles. leave about 1/2 inch headspace. re-wipe your rims and put the lid on.
place jars in your pressure canner.

(4) place jars in your pressure canner. put the lid on, but do not put the
weight on yet. let the canner exhaust (blow steam out of the top) for 7
minutes.

(5) after 7 minutes of exhausting, put the weight on and then watch for your
gauge to get to 10 pounds of pressure.

(6) when it reaches 10 pounds, adjust your heat so the pressure stays even at 10
pounds. if using pint jars, then process for 75 min. if using quart jars, then process for 90 minutes.

(7) at the end of your processing times, remove jars and let cool until
completely cool. wash jars and write the date on top. you're
done!

alright, i hope you learned something. good luck!

wheat: an intro

2009-06-08T14:14:00.000-05:00

photo source

the time will come that gold will hold no comparison in value to a bushel of wheat. - President Brigham Young

the wheat grain is a staple food, and very versatile! wheat is used to make all kinds of food, including flour for bread, cereal, cookies, cakes, pasta, and many many other items. and with a shelf life upwards of 25 years or more, it's an essential part of your food storage program.

Q: how much should i store?

A: the church guidelines recommend 300 pounds of grain, per adult, per year. of this, at least 150 pounds should be wheat.

Q: but my family won't eat wheat. my kids say "yuck" and i don't really know what to do with it. 300 pounds per person sounds like 300 pounds too much. why should i store it?

A: great question! here's a few tips to get you started:

don't tell them it's wheat. they probably won't even notice. wheat flour is especially easy to disguise in recipes that already use "brown ingredients," such as brown sugar, molasses, bananas and so on.

start small - replace 1/2 of the white flour with wheat flour. again, they probably won't notice.

use it in your cookies and desserts

Q: how should i store my wheat?

A: in airtight containers, in a cool dry place. store it in a container that is free from any foreign materials -- a 5-gallon bucket that is food-safe will work great. or, you may also like to can your wheat - this can be done at the church cannery (family home storage center), and uses oxygen absorber packets. additionally, if you freeze your wheat at zero degrees farenheit for at least 48 hours, it will kill any and all bugs or eggs that could potentially be there.

Q: where can i buy this wheat?

A: you can buy and can it yourself at your local home storage center/cannery. or, you can order it straight from the cannery and it comes right to your door -- in a case, all canned and everything -- by clicking here. you can also purchase it from honeyville grains by clicking here or emergency essentials by clicking here.

and now for the teaser: you can learn tons more about wheat by coming to our enrichment activity on tuesday, june 30th at 7 pm. be there!

"the noah project" - june

2009-06-04T16:27:00.000-05:00

alright now, new month, so new to-do's on your list if you're keeping up with the noah project. so here's what you should be gathering this month.

june:

peanut butter - add 5 (16 oz.) jars of peanut butter to your storage

ziploc bags - add a variety of sizes of ziploc bags to your storage

crackers - add 6 boxes of crackers

granola - add granola to your storage

so keep going - we're half-way through the year and you're doing great! if you're just jumping on with the noah project now, click the label on the side that says "the noah project" for past months and you can catch up.

product review: shelf-reliance oranges & onions

2009-06-03T13:25:00.006-05:00

a few weeks ago shelf reliance had a great sale and all their freeze-dried fruits and vegetables were 25% off, so i bought one case of freeze-dried mandarin oranges and just one can of freeze-dried onions.

the oranges: they are kind of an odd texture (i have a weird thing about textures, so for it was a definite negative. they also have quite a kick to them and quite an after-taste. all in all, for us they were a thumbs down. i would say that we won't eat them, and not even my toddler will eat them. so that's a bummer, since i bought a whole case. but....

don't necessarily take just my word for it. a friend of mine bought a case as well and her and all 6 people in her family can't get enough of them! they love them! so i guess it's probably just a matter of taste. lucky for me - she's going to buy my case!

the onions: i am super super sensitive to onions - like my eyes will hurt for a good 48 hours after being in the same room as on onion, so i tend to just stay away. my poor, could-eat-an-onion-like-an-apple husband has resigned himself to onion powder in the jar and that's as good as it gets at our house, so i thought i'd give these a try. i love them! i've been using them to cook and they don't hurt my eyes at all, they taste just the same as the original and are a thousand times more convenient. i will definitely buy these again.

so if you're on the fence about some of these products - hope this helps!

public service announcement: raspberries

2009-05-28T13:58:00.008-05:00

for those of you in this area, this week kroger has raspberries on for $.99 per crate. they are usually like $4 or $5 per crate, so this a great deal - stock up! i love love love raspberries and bought 4 crates yesterday (4 is the limit) and let's be honest, i'll probably go buy 4 more today....and the next day and so on.

if you think you won't use them all up in time, freeze them. rinse and spread them out separately on a cookie sheet to freeze them initially, then you can put them into freezer bags when they're frozen, that way they won't all mush together.

what is freeze-dried fruit?

2009-05-17T10:53:00.006-05:00

Q: what the heck is freeze-dried fruit? should i spend my precious food storage budget on it?

A: excellent question. here's the details:

Freeze dried fruit can be a nutritional boon to anyone who wants to maintain a healthy diet through all four seasons.

Convenience

In some situations, freeze dried fruit is the most convenient option for getting your vitamins. Fresh fruit is only available in season, whereas freeze dried fruit is easy to get all through the year. Freeze dried fruit is lightweight, doesn't need to be refrigerated, and takes up very little space. These are a few of the reasons why freeze dried fruit is often the preferred snack of hikers, campers, and other outdoor enthusiasts looking for a durable, portable energy and vitamin boost.

Budget

Fresh fruit is often quite affordable, but all too often the money you spend on it goes down the drain. Fresh fruits spoil very quickly, even in the refrigerator, and those wasted dollars and cents can really add up. Perhaps the greatest advantage that freeze dried fruit has over fresh produce is its shelf life, which can help you get more for your dollar. Some fresh fruits, like berries, last only a few days in the fridge, which can make them an inconvenient part of your diet. When stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, freeze dried fruit can keep for up to a year. This makes freeze dried fruit a great way to keep an ample supply of fruit on hand for snacks at all times without having to worry about whether it has spoiled, and it means that you can be certain that the money you spend on fruit will be well spent.

Nutrition

Although the nutritional effect of drying food is minimal, when you have the choice between a fresh fruit in season and its dried counterpart, it is usually a smarter health choice to opt for the fresh produce. Some freeze dried fruits will not maintain their full amount of vitamin C through the drying process, but when a fruit is fresh, you can be certain that it contains the maximum possible nutritional value. In addition, fresh fruit contains a large quantity of water, which helps you feel full and satiated while it helps your system stay hydrated and efficient.

It's All Good

Although some freeze dried fruit is slightly lower in vitamin C, research suggests that the vitamin and nutrient content of freeze dried fruit remains roughly similar to that of fresh fruit. There are advantages to both fresh and freeze dried fruit, so whichever fits more conveniently into your lifestyle and dietary habits is the right choice for you. Whenever fresh fruit isn't practical or available, you can chow down on a piece n of freeze dried fruit and revel in the knowledge that you are doing right by your body.

Q: so where can i buy it?

A: shelf-reliance, emergency essentials, honeyville grains to name a few... and probably a whole bunch of other places too.

fruit cocktail

2009-05-13T14:24:00.005-05:00

today, may 13th, is national fruit cocktail day.

this is a great item to add to your food storage -- it's in cans, so it's easy to stack and store, and it will last for quite awhile. it's also a bit of a crowd pleaser because it has a little something for everyone. you don't like the pineapple? just pick them out, enjoy the cherries and the peaches... even the pickiest kids should be able to pick out something that they like.

so go ahead, add some to your storage.

how long can i keep ____?

2009-05-11T13:47:00.006-05:00

so i came across this great website and just had to share:

http://www.stilltasty.com/: "your ultimate shelf-life guide - save money, eat better, help the environment."

it has like every food you can think of or would want to store listed there and tells you the best way to store them safely and how to get the most out of your groceries. check it out!

how to: make your produce live longer

2009-05-09T14:21:00.007-05:00

so if you're like me, you inevitably end up throwing some produce away every time you clean our your fridge. and it hurts my heart... it's like throwing money right into the trash and it makes me feel so wasteful. and i hate waste! there are always a few peaches that i forgot were back there, or a bag of spinach that was hiding underneath everything else. so here is a list of produce and its shelf-life, with tips on how to store it to make it live a little longer.

apples (fresh): 6 months, store at 32 F, separated

beans (dry): 12 months

beets (fresh): 6 months, store at 32 F in mesh bag

cabbage (fresh): 6 months, store at 32 F in mesh bag

carrots (fresh): 6 months, store at 32 F in mesh bag

canned fruits: 24 months

dehydrated fruits: 6-12 months in airtight container

fruit juice (frozen): 12 month in freezer

fruit juice (canned): 24 months, keep cool

fruit juice (dehydrated): 12 months in airtight container

jam and jelly (unopened): 18-24 months

jam and jelly (opened): 12 months in refrigerator

lentils: 12 months in airtight container

mustard (unopened): 12 months, refrigerate for longer life

onions (fresh): 6 months, store at 32 F in mesh bag

oranges (fresh): 2 months, store at 32 F in mesh bag

pears (fresh): 4 months, store at 32 F in mesh bag

peas (dried): 12 months in airtight container

pickles (bottled): 12 months

potatoes (canned white): 30 months

potatoes (canned sweet): 30 months

potatoes (dehydrated): 30 months

potatoes (fresh white): 6 months, store at 40 F in mesh bag

potatoes (fresh sweet): 6 months, store at 60 F in mesh bag

potatoes (frozen): 8 months in freezer

pumpkin (fresh): 6 months, store at 55 F in mesh bag

spices (ground): 6 months, avoid sunlight

spices (whole): 12-24 months in airtight container

squash (fresh): 6 months, store at 55 F in mesh bag

tomato products (canned): 24 months

vegetables (canned): 24 months

vegetables (dehydrated): 6-12 months in airtight container

vegetables (frozen): 12 months in freezer

vegetable juice (canned): 12 months

source: food storage for the clueless, by clark & kathryn kidd, p. 277-279

pick your own

2009-05-05T14:02:00.006-05:00

i love love love me some fresh fruit, especially berries. vegetables aren't so bad either, but who can resist big juicy red strawberries? so there are a few area farms that let you go and pick your own fruits and vegetables. and here's the info:

Gnismer Farms: their hours are wednesday from noon till 5:00 and saturdays from 9:00 till noon. their estimated schedules cites that in may they have strawberries, onions, garlic, lettuce, blackberries, "and more." mmmmmm. for more info, click here to see their website and a map to their farm.

Henrietta Creek Orchard: located in roanoke, texas. they have apples, peaches, tomatoes, peppers, garlic and herbs. they also have a store selling all sorts of goodies. they are open daily from july to october, 9 am till 4:00. for more information on this farm, click here.

if you are reading this from beyond the dfw area, click here to find a farm near you.

and one more thing, those of you in my ward, we have the delicious opportunity to participate in the bithell farms berry order again. i will be handing out the forms this sunday, but please feel free to contact me before then if you have any questions.

"i just need a simple list!"

2009-05-02T14:10:00.005-05:00

photo source

oddly enough, i've had like 3 or 4 people tell me this week that they are wanting to start their food storage, or have put it on hold for a little while and don't know how to get back into it. someone told me that if they just had a "simple list" to get it going, it would be way easier.

so... it's not really a simple answer, but i'll tell you my opinion, for whatever it's worth. the church guidelines at this point are:

(1) store water, 14 gallons per person,

(2) get 3-months of food,

(3) save a "reasonable" amount of money, and

(4) then work on your "longer-term" (year) supply.

so.... the one that's easy to check off your list is water. it's easy to buy the water, count it and know if you have the recommended about. remember babies, elderly and pets will need more.

and for your three-month supply, really the best thing is to store what your family eats. i know that sounds so broad, and this was overwhelming for me when i started, but here is a list of the regular things i stock up on and make sure to include in my 3-month supply (this is totally just to get you brainstorming and thinking of what you and your kids would eat, if it's not helpful for you, ignore it):

cereal - i personally would be completely content to eat cereal for breakfast lunch and dinner every day, so this is easy to store and i'm always happy to have it

side note: since we do eat a lot of cereal, i'm also going to stock up on morning moo powdered milk on the next order (probably june or july when we'll do it again)

canned fruit - we don't normally eat canned fruit, b/c i always buy fresh, but i don't mind it, and i certainly would be happy to eat it if i couldn't get to the store for fresh.

crackers, fruit snacks goldfish, granola bars, graham crackers, raisins, teddy grahams ("kid snacks") -- these often go on sale and then i stock up b/c my kid eats them every day

spaghetti sauce

tomato sauce and paste

canned tuna

certain kinds of canned soup that we like

pasta

bbq sauce, ketchup, salad dressing

sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, chocolate chips (i buy at costco in 7 lb bags, it lasts forever, and you never know when you'll have a chocolate emergency!)

cooking spray

macaroni and cheese

canned chicken (which is a total turn-off, but i have found like 3 or 4 recipes where i've tried subbing canned chicken for chicken breast and it's close enough, so i figure it's a good protein to have on hand just in case

flour

salsa

peanut butter

rice

ramen noodlesand

i'm positive there's tons more, but that's what i can think of off the top of my head...

i also recently got a deep freeze and have been able to stock up on bread, meats and frozen vegetables (as i find canned vegetables to be an abomination).

i also personally hate beans, so i don't store them. but i know that these are a good item to store as they are versatile, cheap, easy to store and a good source of protein. ditto for canned chili.

as for your long-term supply - like your grains and stuff (all the "cannery" type things), i don't really know what would be the most important yet. i'm pretty much at the beginning of my food storage learning, so i haven't gotten there yet (i figure it's step 4, so i'm not beating myself up that i haven't quite gotten there yet).

this is a really great and thorough blog and has a spreadsheet of items you would probably want to include in your long-term storage and a calculator of how much inventory you need. here is the link.

what items do you stock up on in your regular rotation?

swine flu, part III

2009-04-29T08:40:00.004-05:00

as of this morning, a 23-month old toddler has died in texas, marking the first fatality in the US from the swine flu (also known as the H1N1 virus). the CDC is still advising that the best way to protect yourself is to practice good hygiene. wash your hands often (me - this means every few minutes, even if the last thing i touched was the kitchen faucet when i washed my hands 8 minutes ago - i'm a little crazy). cover your mouth with your arm or sleeve when you cough or sneeze and although it may not be as environmentally friendly, use disposable disinfectant supplies (sorry mother earth, i hope you'll understand). use paper towels and kleenex, not reusable hankies, cloths or sponges.

and perhaps the easiest, cheapest and most effective way to fight germs is alcohol-based hand sanitizer. seriously, stock up on this stuff today. here's how:
(1) go to wal-mart, the grocery store, walgreens, cvs, the dollar store, wherever
(2) buy tons of this stuff. gallons.
(3) put it in your car, in your purse, and in just about every room of your house
(4) use it all the time

here is the news story of the toddler. very very sad.

swine flu, part II

2009-04-28T13:36:00.004-05:00

as a quick update, i believe at last count that the US is now up to at least 68 confirmed cases of swine flu (including 2 deaths in california, which are "suspected," but not "confirmed" to be from swine flu). i just read an interesting article advising that the best prevention is basically to stay out of public places and to limit your contact with others (obviously, you will want to stay far far away from anyone who is infected) and to stay home.

an excerpt:

We're going to have a problem’“If it causes person-to-person transmission in the
community in a virulent form, we’re going to have a problem,” said Dr. Brian Currie, an infectious disease expert at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx.
In that scenario, public health officials would be called upon to enact voluntary plans that could keep people away from work, out of school and in their homes for as long as it takes to quell the threat of infection. Businesses would be advised to let workers telecommute, Longini said. Sports teams would be encouraged to cancel practices and games and parents would be urged to keep small children at home, avoiding even playgroups and parks.

so how long could you stay home with your current supplies? do you have everything you need in case you have to be in for awhile? if you have a minute, read the whole article here.

the church also has a great webpage to give you some additional guidelines on pandemic preparedness. click here to see it.

the swine flu

2009-04-27T14:21:00.005-05:00

so by now everyone is probably aware of the swine flu -- if you're not, then you live in a bubble, so turn on the news for 20 seconds and you'll hear it.
Q: what is the swine flu?
A: Influenza is a virus that infects people, birds, pigs and other animals such as ferrets. Swine flu, or swine influenza, is a form of the virus that normally infects pigs. There are many forms of flu, and the different varieties have the ability to exchange genes with one another. The form of flu that originated in Mexico is a genetic mixture of viruses that have been seen in pigs, birds and people. It’s being called a swine flu because the overall structure of the virus is of the type that affects pigs, said Keiji Fukuda, a WHO official.

some are saying that is this is the pandemic that we've been overdue for for a couple years, some are saying it's no big deal.

Q: What’s a flu pandemic?

A: Flu pandemics occur when new influenza viruses emerge that spread quickly and few people have immunity to them. While influenza viruses were only discovered about a century ago, researchers believe flu pandemics hit about
twice or three times each century. Some pandemics are relatively mild, killing
just a few million people globally. The most severe flu pandemic on record was
the 1918 Spanish Flu, and researchers estimate it killed about 50 million people
around the world.

i have no plans to debate whether or not we're all going to be wiped out, but i do know this: our prophets and leader have been counseling us for years and years build our food storage, be self-reliant, save some money for a rainy day and to be prepared so we can take care of our families and each other for when the time comes that it is necessary. this scare with the swine flu is a really great reminder for us to really evaluate or own levels of preparedness for ourselves and our families and to see if there is anything else we can be doing to be better prepared, just in case.

Q: so what should we be doing now?
A: keep working on your 3-month supply. if you had to stay inside for anywhere from a matter of days up until a few months, could you?
remember to think of ALL the things you would need - not just food. remember items like prescription medications, cash, diapers, baby wipes, and on and on. make a list of the things that your family specifically needs.
everyone should stock up on items like bleach, disinfectant wipes, trash bags, laundry detergent, paper towels, toilet paper, alcohol-based hand sanitizer and other items that you would need to keep your home as germ-free as possible.

at this point, the us government has declared this a "public health emergency," but has not yet declared the swine flu a pandemic, although has acknowledged that it could come to that. there is no need to panic, but let's all take extra precautions:

Q: How else can I protect myself from swine flu?
A: Personal hygiene measures, such as avoiding people who are coughing or sneezing and frequent hand-washing, may prevent flu infection. Those who aren’t health professionals should avoid contact with sick people, or those who are coughing or sneezing. People who get sick with flu symptoms should stay home. Studies have suggested that closing schools, theaters, and canceling gatherings in the early stages of a pandemic can limit its spread. Such measures would likely take place if health officials determine that the virus is spreading quickly enough and is deadly enough to cause a pandemic.

but really, this is a good kick in the butt to keep building up your supply and make sure that if this did become the worst case scenario, you and your family would be protected and prepared.

this article has a great q&a about the swine flu and it's symptoms, how it spreads and how to prevent it.

and this is kind of cool, it's a map that tracks confirmed cases of the swine flu. if it's going to freak you out and make you check every 25 minutes to see if it's near you, don't look at it. but if not, you can stay up to date.

"the noah project - april and may

2009-04-25T13:16:00.003-05:00

sorry i'm a little late with april for those of you who are following along, so i'll go ahead and put up both april and may so you can be planning ahead. to stay on track with the noah project, here's what you should be working on these days (i'm going to just add them as bullet points to do over the whole month, instead of one week at a time):

april:

add $10 cash to your emergency fund
banana slices - these can be a sweet treat for the family and can also be rehydrated to put in jello, muffins, bread and other baked goods, so add them to your stock
baby wipes - add 2 containers of baby wipes to your storage. if you have a baby, and go through baby wipes like water (as we do), then get 2 separate containers of wipes that you're not using on your baby. these are handy in an emergency, if your water is off and many other situations
vienna sausage - add 12 cans of vienna sausage, or any other canned meat that doesn't need to be refrigerated to your storage
add $10 cash to your emergency fund

may:

fruits and vegetables - add 5 cans of fruit and 5 cans of vegetables, per person, to your storage
fruit juice - add 12 (96 oz. cans) of non-carbonated juice or more to your storage
matches - add 5 boxes of matches to your storage
add $10 cash to your emergency fund

hopefully you've been keeping up. if not, jump in now. to see past months, click on the side label that says "the noah project."

mmm... candy.

2009-04-22T09:16:00.006-05:00

today is national jelly bean day. although jelly beans (or candy in general) will not really sustain life during times of crisis, it certainly never hurts to add a little sweetness to your stash. you know the mantra, store what you eat and eat what you store -- and if you're using your food storage as your primary source of food for some period of time (likely because of illness or loss of income for a little while - probably a time of stress), it's always good to have a little comfort food in there. plus, it's super annoying to make a midnight run to cvs because your kid needs a treat for school/church/a party/whatever by the morning.

if you're on a tight budget, certainly don't forfeit rice or pasta or some other staple to stock up on candy, but if you've got a little wiggle room, it's nice to toss it into your stash. and after any "candy holiday" (valentine's day, easter, halloween, christmas) stores are generally clearing out the seasonal stuff, so it's a great time to get a good deal!

and as a side note, it's earth day. so do something green today.

the lima bean

2009-04-20T14:20:00.006-05:00

today is national lima bean respect day. random. but lima beans, also known as the butter bean, are a great staple to add into your long-term food storage. guidelines recommend storing 60 pounds of dry beans and legumes per person per year. a little background info on this little gem of a legume:

- lima beans supposedly originated from peru - hence the name "lima" beans from "lima, peru." clever.

- it's known for it's seed, which is eaten as a vegetable

- lima beans make a great side dish, delicious when flavored with butter and/or salt

- if stored correctly (in a cool, dry place), they will store for an
indefinite time (so if you don't know how to use them now, you've got quite awhile to figure it out)

- beans and legumes are the richest source of vegetable protein and a great source of fiber

- a word of caution: do not eat them raw -- like don't toss back a handful like it was popcorn, in case you're thinking about it --, they can make you violently ill as they contain linamarin, but are totally safe when cooked

what to do with them:

-lightly rinse and then soak your dry beans in plenty of water

- then place your pre-soaked beans in a pot and cover with fresh, cold water. bring to a boil, then reduce and simmer for indicated length of time - see this chart for detailed instructions

- and they're not just for soups! for a list of more recipes than you ever thought of, click here for more ideas on using those lima beans
so by all means, respect the lima bean.

basic estate planning checklist

2009-04-17T20:50:00.001-05:00

so last night was the workshop, and in case you missed it, here is an overview (albeit a pretty shallow one) of what we talked about.

the 4 very most basic estate planning documents that every adult should have on file and accessible - like i said before, it's the responsible thing to do - these documents include:

(1) durable power of attorney: this names a person who is authorized to make financial decisions for you in the event that you are unable to. as long as you are mentally competent, you are free to revoke, change or create a new power of attorney at any time.

(2) durable medical power of attorney: same idea. this names a person who is authorized to make medical decisions for you in the event that you are unable to. make sure you choose someone you trust who understands your wishes and values.

(3) advance directive (also known as living will, physician's directive): this is a document that allows you to specify what medical care you do and do not want, generally for "end of life" care. this allows you to take control of your own medical care and as long as you are mentally competent, your instructions will control.

(4) last will and testament (also known as a will): instructs the distribution of your estate when you die. and more importantly, you can name a guardian for any minor children you have. allows you to make decisions about your property and your family for after you die. if you don't have a will, then the state law kicks in and directs where your stuff and even your kids go. for more reasons on why you need a will, see this post.

how do i get my hands on these?

2009-04-17T20:47:00.007-05:00

Q: so i wasn't able to make it to the workshop last night, so how would i come across these oh-so-important documents that every adult should have?

A: good question. if you missed the activity last night and would still like the info, please email me or comment here and if there is enough interest, we can do a repeat of the workshop. (i am hesitant to post the forms here. as an attorney, it's probably not the most responsible thing in the world for me to just send them out willy nilly without any accompanying instructions).

or... for help in getting started, you can hit up these websites and get a little more information.

www.nolo.com

www.legalzoom.com

www.buildawill.com

and finally, hear this and hear me well: to get a thorough, comprehensive and complete will, please please please consult an attorney. there is a price range, and attorneys generally charge by the hour, so call around and get a few quotes. if you get sticker shock from the first one you call, don't be discouraged, call another. for a directory to find an attorney in your area, click here.

basic estate planning: a glossary

2009-04-17T20:30:00.000-05:00

for a little help, below is a list of commonly used terms that you may come across when getting your act together:

- agent – a person who is authorized to act for another (the principal)

- beneficiary – the one who receives assets/property from a will, trust, estate

- community property – property and income that belongs jointly to a married couple

- estate – all that you own in property or assets

- executor- the person appointed to administer the estate of one who dies with a will

- guardian – a person appointed by the ct to take care of a child or incapacitated adult

- intestate – you die without a will

- personal representative – a generic term for an agent, an executor

- principal – the chief actor

- probate – the process of administering your will

- separate property – property that is owned separately by one spouse acquired through gift,
inheritance or property owned before the marriage

- testator- the one writing the will

- trust – something held by one party for the benefit of another- will – a written document directing the distribution of your estate

who needs a will? you do, that's who.

2009-04-14T14:00:00.006-05:00

Q: but i don't really even have any property or assets of value? do i still need a will?

A: yes! nearly every adult has reason to have a will. regardless of your age or net worth, you should have a will. it's simply the responsible thing to do. you will especially need a will if you have any minor (under age 18) children.

Q: but why do i need a will?

A: if you don't have a will, then it means that you are intestate*. this means that your estate will be distributed according to the intestacy laws of your state.

if you don't have a will, when you die, the state steps in and decides who gets your stuff and even who gets your kids. i guess it's possible that the state could get all this exactly right and exactly how you would have decided to divide up your hard-earned money (or the small fortune you inherited from your late husband, or your special collection of antiques that you were saving for your niece, or the pearl engagement ring that's been in your family for 6 generations) - but it's not likely.

and it's possible that the court system will consider all of the same values and factors that are important to you in raising your kids -- is your sister capable of raising your 3 kids? can your estranged mother give your kids the same upbringing that your 2nd cousin who lives two doors down from you give them? will your brother's new wife love your kids the way you do? will your mother-in-law take your kids to church if she became their guardian? there are so so many considerations that you have to think about for your own kids - and as the parent, you are the one that should be making these decisions. it's what's best for your kids.

and one more reason - going to court to figure out what to do with your stuff, your debts, your kids and the rest of your unfinished business is costly and time-consuming. do you really want to leave your family and loved ones to do what you could and should have done yourself?

*intestate: One who, having lawful power to make a will, has made none, or one which is defective in form. In that case, he is said to die intestate, and his estate descends to his heir at law

Q: where do i get a will? is it going to cost me a small fortune to hire a lawyer to draft it?

A: nope. you can do it yourself!

so what now? come to the basic estate planning workshop on thursday, april 16th at 7 pm in the relief society room and we'll go over it all in detail.

life caps

2009-04-10T14:22:00.005-05:00

i don't know if anyone has used these before (and neither have i), but these could be a great addition to your 72-hour kits. according to their website, these pills can give you the life-sustaining nutrients that you need if no food is available. this could be super handy in an emergency and are in fact designed to be taken on an empty stomach and they take up hardly any space. for more information, see their website.

and since i always love a bargain -- who doesn't? -- the following code can be used at http://www.lifecaps.net/ to receive $10 off per bottle of life caps. the code is: Good Life.

i looked out the window and what did i see?

2009-04-06T09:25:00.004-05:00

today is national caramel popcorn day. weird, i know. but it's true. popcorn is a great staple to add to your food storage:

it's easy to store and lasts for a long time - in a #10 can with an oxygen absorber, the shelf life is over 8 years!

and just on the shelf, it will last 12-24 months

plus, it counts towards your grains, and

your kids will love it - and it's delicious.

and for more than you could ever want to know about popcorn, click here.

72-hour kits: food packs

2009-04-01T14:20:00.000-05:00

to decide what to include in my food pack for my 72-hour kit, i looked around online and looked at other people's lists and stuff and then used those to decide what my family would eat. i did do some variations depending on if the pack was for a kid or a grown-up. i planned on eating the same thing for all 3 days (that's the simplest).

here is the list for the kid pack:

3 fruit cups
3 jif mini peanut butter cups
3 boxes of raisins
3 mini chef boyardee raviolis or mac-n-cheese (make sure you get the pop-top)
3 packets of fruit snacks
3 mini power bars
2 twin packs of pop-tarts (which is 4 single pop tarts)
2 twin packs of "oats'n honey" granola bars (which is 4 single granola bars)
3 10 oz. bottles of cran-apple juice

this brings us to a grand total of 1,610 calories per day. and since i'm nerdy and save weird things, i had one of those little plastic cases that you buy sheets in with a zipper, i was able to pack it all neatly into one plastic bag.

the adult pack is basically the same, with a little more. contents include:

3 chef boyardee ravioli or spaghetti (make sure it's pop-top)
3 fruit cups
3 jif mini peanut butter cups
3 boxes of raisins or craisins
3 twin packs of pop-tarts
3 mini power bars
3 regular-sized power bars
3 twin packs of "oats'n honey" granola bars
3 packs of fruit snacks
3 powdered drink mixes
30 jolly ranchers
3 packs of gum
i also included a single high-calorie meal replacement bar

this brings us to a grand total of 2,090 calories per day. i included plastic silverware in each pack and also hand sanitizer spray as most of it is finger food. oh, and i got it all at wal-mart.

so get gathering your food packs together and please note that the items i have listed here are not for long-term storage, but will need to be rotated every six months or so. it's a good idea to get into a routine so you don't forget to do so - general conference is a great reminder and with conference coming up this weekend, you'll be right on schedule if you get it done soon!

another option for food include MRE's ("meals ready to eat") which you can purchase with any of the companies listed on the post about equipment. the advantage to these is that they take up less space (and weight) and will keep longer. the disadvantage is that your kids may not eat them. so think about what would work best for your family as you build your kit.

sidenote: if you are looking for alternative ideas for your food packs, i have a pdf document that has a great menu for your 72-hour kits, and everything is broken down with all the nutritional information and will keep you in high-energy mode... but i don't know how to post it online. so leave a comment or email me and i'll email it to you if you're interested.

72-hour kits: equipment

2009-04-01T14:17:00.000-05:00

the list of equipment and stuff to include in your 72-hour kit can be overwhelming and exhaustive. i feel like i've looked over trillions of them in preparing for this month's activity and building my own and have come up with what i feel like is a pretty comprehensive list of all the stuff you could want and should think about including:

Hooded Poncho
Emergency Heat Blanket

Flashlight

Extra Batteries

Candles

Flares

Lighter

Water-Proof Matches

Dishes/Utensils

Shovel

Radio (hand-crank or remember to pack batteries)

Pen and Paper
Axe

Pocket Knife

Rope

Duct Tape

First Aid Kit

Toiletries

Toilet Paper
o Feminine Needs
o Toothbrush & paste
o Soap, Shampoo
o Hand Sanitizer
o Medication (Tylenol/Advil, etc. and a 3-day supply of any prescriptions)

Cash

Pre-Paid Phone Card

Paper Surgical Masks

Small lockbox or safe that you can carry all your documents in - for more details on this one, see the post entitled "72-hour kits: documents."

and you will of course need some sort of bag in which to haul it all. most people opt for the backpack, you could also use a bag with wheels that you can roll, a giant tupperware container (this one really only works if you have your car), or a duffel bag. keep in mind that if you are packing 72-hour kits for small children, they probably won't be able to carry it themselves. for that reason, my husband and i each used a backpack and packed a duffel bag with a shoulder strap for our toddler.

hopefully this about sums it up -- you can find most of it at wal-mart, target, in the camping section of any sporting goods store, emergency essentials or shelf-reliance.

72-hour kits: where can i just buy one?

2009-04-01T02:15:00.001-05:00

ok, so you've read all the stuff before this and you really just don't want to make one yourself; just reading about all that gathering really did you in. the good news is that it's really easy to purchase a pre-made emergency kit and they're pretty affordable. you've got lots of choices, so here are a few:

(1) emergency essentials - to see their selection, click here.

(2) shelf reliance - they will even help you custom-build emergency kits for you, your family and your pet! click here

(3) nitro-pak -- these guys can get you a kit for your car, for the wilderness, or just a simple 72-hour kit. click here.

(4) the ready store -- this site also has a range of kits, and right now they are 20% off! click here to see the selection.

so those are some sites to get you started. if you don't like any of those, google it. you'll find more.

photo source

just something to think about

2009-03-29T10:10:00.002-05:00

"many more people could ride out the storm-tossed waves in their economic lives if they had a year's supply of food... and were debt-free. today we find that many have followed this counsel in reverse: they have at least a year's supply of debt and are food-free."

- president thomas s. monson (church news. may 12th, 2001)

pets are people too

2009-03-25T19:48:00.005-05:00

this is our personal pug and it would be just about as hard to leave him behind or see him going hungry as it would my own kid. if you don't have a pet, this probably seems silly, but if you do, you get it. pets are family too. so a little planning today could make all the difference in the world for your furry family members.

whether you decide to evacuate or stay put during an emergency, you need to have a plan for your pet. generally, what's best for you is also what's best for your pet. if you must evacuate, take your pets with you if you can. and please understand that if you are going to a public shelter, your animal might not be welcome there. additionally, if they are welcome, you may be required to show some proof of good health and/or current vaccinations. so do a little research in advance for shelter alternatives that will work for you and your pets. some tips:

contact your vet for a list of preferred kennels
ask your local shelter if they provide emergency shelter or foster care for pets
identify hotels/motels that will accept pets in your area
try to find a friend or relative outside your area that could temporarily take in your pet

and since we're focusing on 72-hour kits this month, it's a good idea to make one for your pet as well. here are some items to include:

pet first-aid kit
canned or dry food (make sure to rotate this so it doesn't go bad)
disposable litter tray (such as an aluminum roasting pan)
litter or paper towels
disposable garbage bags
pet feeding dishes
extra harness and leash
photocopies of medical/vaccination records
bottled water
a traveling bag/crate/carrier
blanket (for warmth or scooping up a fearful pet)
recent photo of your pet
cats: pillow case, toys, scoopable litter
dogs: long leash and yard stake, toys

the aspca has a great website with tons of tips, as well as a pet rescue alert sticker that you can order for free and will let emergency workers know that you have pets in your home.

shelf reliance also sells individual packets of dog and cat food that would go great into your kits as well as preassembled emergency kits for both cats and dogs. click here to see them.

chicken tortilla soup

2009-03-22T18:21:00.006-05:00

when i decided to start gathering for my family's food storage, i did some looking around and checking out all types of food storage calculators and stuff to get some ideas of how to start and what kind of items i should be collecting. and i kept finding that canned meat was bascially on everyone's list. and i'll admit it -- i'm totally grossed out by any manner of canned meat that is not simply white tuna packed in water. so i figured i'd better come up with a handful of meals i can make -- and want to eat -- that use canned meat (ssshhh... don't tell my husband; he'd die). i have made this soup several times and it always gets rave reviews. it's easy, fast and uses basically only staples that you would already have at home.

chicken tortilla soup

so gather up:
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped (can also use dehydrated onions if you have them)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced or a TBSP or 2 of garlic spice
- 1 medium jalapeno pepper, chopped (if you have it, and if you like it spicy)
- 1/2 green pepper, chopped (you can leave this out if you don't have it at home)
- 2 cans of canned chicken (i like white chunk chicken breast)
- 1 can of corn
- 2 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 4 (14 oz.) cans of chicken broth
- 2 (14 oz.) can diced tomatoes
- 2 (8 oz.) cans tomato sauce

and then you:
- saute the onion, garlic, jalapeno and green pepper in olive oil in a big pot until soft (about 5 min) - dump in all the rest of the stuff and bring to a boil
- then simmer for an additional 45 minutes or so (if you don't have that much time, no worries)

this soup is great served with any or all of the following: tortilla chips, sour cream, shredded cheese, or avocado slices (whatever you've got on hand). you could also toss in some black beans for extra protein.

this recipe makes about 10 servings and is only about 3 g fat per serving - so enjoy!

a wet'n wild deal

2009-03-21T14:28:00.004-05:00

this week albertson's is having a "mix and match 10 items" type of sale and one of the items is this ozarka water. normally, it's like between $1.29-1.39 per bottle, so generally it's not the best deal but i usually buy it anyways because it is stackable and therefore is way easier to store than the regular-shaped gallon jugs. see what i mean?:

if you buy 10 bottles, they are $1.00 each AND if you buy 10 items from the sale, you automatically get $5.00 back. i'm no mathematical genius, but that brings your total to $.50 per bottle!

remember the recommendation is to store two weeks worth of water, which is at least 14 gallons per person in your household. more if you have a pet, a baby, or other special needs. so this is a great time to stock up.

click here to browse the rest of the albertson's sale for the week.

bleach

2009-03-17T14:19:00.007-05:00

so this is kind of random, but i think it's important and easy enough, so i'll talk about it. bleach is a useful and also super awesome item that we should all have in our home storage and i'll tell you why:

(1) laundry uses and general household cleaning -- clorox has a list of uses that i never would have thought of

(2) you can use it to disinfect water and make it potable for drinking - see here for step-by-step instructions on how to do that

(3) and these last two are the very best reasons: it can kill and kinds of bacteria, viruses, fungi and other harmful bugs that you really don't want around you or your family (for a list of all that cannot stand up to bleach, click here)

(4) in the case of a pandemic -- believe that it's coming or not, but many say it's only a matter of time -- you would really want some way to keep your home free of germs as best as possible, and bleach is the cheapest and most efficient way to kill germs

and at just a few dollars, i'd say it's a pretty smart investment.

and of course, the lawyer in me can't leave out this word of caution: bleach is hazardous if ingested or inhaled, and should be used and stored with care, and out of reach of your children or pets. oh, and don't mix it with other household chemicals.

be safe during... a twister!

2009-03-15T19:50:00.006-05:00

technically, a tornado can occur anytime. but texas tornado season is typically from march through june, but, so you'd best be gettin' ready.

so, if you chance to meet a tornado (and according to live science, texas is the tornado champion, with an average of 110 tornadoes per year!):

the best thing you can do for yourself and your family is to be alert to the onset of severe weather. do not ignore the weather because of indifference or over-confidence - pay attention!

Q: how do i know? what is the difference between a warning and a watch?
A: if a watch has been issued for your area, a tornado is possible. if a warning has been issued for your area, then it means that a tornado has been actually spotted, or is strongly indicated on the radar, and you should seek a safe shelter immediately.

Q: where is the safest place to go during a tornado?
A: unless you have a storm shelter specifically designed for this purpose, the best place to go is into a small, windowless room on the first floor, such as a bathroom or closet. if this is not possible, a hall closet is probably your next best bet. if possible, cover yourself with a mattress to keep flying or falling debris from injuring you or take cover under a sturdy piece of furniture.

Q: how should i prepare for a tornado?
A: make sure that you and your family conduct regular emergency drills - so everyone knows where to go and what to do. the last thing you need is to panic! if you are outside your home, make sure that you have all agreed on a "contact person," someone who is outside the area that you can all contact should you be separated from your family.

and of course, a tornado would be a classic example of when you would need your 72-hour kit. stay tuned for an entire post and checklist for your 72-hour kits. and of course, attend the meeting on march 31st for more details.

"the noah project" - jan thru march

2009-03-07T20:12:00.005-06:00

"the revelation to store food may be as essential to our temporal salvation today as boarding the ark was to the people in the days of Noah."

-- president ezra taft benson

the following plan has been sent to me by our sweet relief society president and i think it's super helpful in simply getting your mind wrapped around starting on your food storage plan. you can follow this week by week and really make some good progress on your home storage over the next year or so.

i really love it because it's a definite list that you can look at what's set for this week, do it, and then cross it off. it's way easier to know if you "added $10 to your e-fund" than if you "worked on your three-month supply."

so feel free to start at the beginning and hurry and catch up to now (it's only march), or just start in march and finish up with january-march in 2010 instead of 2009.

i'll go ahead and post up thru the end of march, and then each month i'll add the to-do's in monthly increments... so check back often so you can stay on track.

January

1/4 thru 1/10: cash. find a safe place to hide and store "emergency money." add $10 cash.
1/11 thru 1/17: salt. add 4 round containers of salt to your storage. (tip: according to church guidelines, this is the amount that should be stored, per person, per year. get more if you guys use more than this.)
1/18 thru 1/24: jello. add 4 large boxes of your favorite jello per person to your storage.
1/25 thru 1/31: flashlights and batteries: one flashlight per bedroom. calculate the correct amount of batteries you will need to power each flashlight and have those on hand. (tip: if your kids are going to be playing haunted ghost and other games with the flashlights, the batteries just might be worn out right when you need them. so you may consider investing in a flashlight that doesn't take batteries, but you shake it to charge it.

February

2/1 thru 2/7: cash. add $10 to your e-fund.
2/8 thru 2/14: tuna fish. add 12 cans of tuna fish or canned meat to your storage.
2/15 thru 2/21: can opener. add a can opener to your storage. it can be taped inside of a box of dry pack and then labeled so it can be easily located.
2/22 thru 2/28: water. add 14 gallons of water per person to your storage.

March

3/1 thru 3/7: milk. add 11 (12 oz.) cans of evaporated milk to your storage. you can purchase dry milk from the cannery, or almost any of the other links on the right side.
3/8 thru 3/14: split peas. add 2 lbs per person; shelf life is 10 years. if you happen to think split peas are gross, pick a different vegetable.
3/15 thru 3/21: toilet paper. add 24 rolls of toilet paper, per person, to your storage.
3/22 thru 3/28: soap. add 4 bars of soap to your storage.
3/29 thru 4/4: cash. add $10 cash to your e-fund.

and remember, it wasn't raining when noah built the ark!

be safe during... a flood.

2009-03-05T08:34:00.010-06:00

technically, any sort of freak accident could befall you at any time - snowstorm in june? not likely, but possible. but here in texas, we would most likely fall victim to:

flood,

hurricane,
tornado,

drought,

thunderstorm,

winter/ice storm,

of course a fire could happen anywhere, and

or perhaps some manner of disease epidemic

we'll go through these a few at a time. no need to get all gloom-n-doom and overwhelmed at once. so, if you chance to meet a flood, what should you do?

planning ahead -- well first let's address what you should have done already - have insurance. yeah, it's kind of a drag - but it's important. FEMA released a statement in 2005 saying: "flood insurance is affordable. everyone needs it. it is the first line of defense to protect against the cost of flood damage." since i'm no insurance pro, i won't go through the technicalities of the policies; i will leave it at this: insurance - it's important, so look into it. and then get it. if you don't know where to start, google it.

vehicle safety -- if you're at work, or outside your home and are worried about a flood coming, you may think you'd best be getting in your car to get home. ironically, this might be the most dangerous choice. texas has the highest number of flood-related fatalities, almost all deaths were vehicle-related. most cars will float and be swept away in 18-24 inches of moving water -- and don't think because you have a van or suv that you're safer than the mazda miata next to you. you're not really. if your car is swept away, it will likely roll or even flip over entirely. once this happens, you have only seconds to escape the vehicle - and can you even imagine trying to undo those tricky carseat buckles when really, all you want to do is panic?

so what should you do if you're out driving (or about to drive home)? just hurry up and wait for the rains to pass; resist the urge to rush home during heavy rain. remember: turn around, don't drown!

be safe at home -- even if you're dry and warm inside, there are still some hazards to be on the lookout for; here are some tips:

turn off your electricity - some appliances can shock you, even if unplugged. so don't use any appliance that has gotten wet unless you have cleaned and dried it

watch for animals - many small animals, including snakes, can be pushed from their homes and may try to join you in yours. so keep your eye out for them!

watch where you step - the ground can become covered with debris, including broken glass. or, it could be very slippery with mud - so tread lightly.

check for gas leaks

clean everything that got wet - in a flood, the waters can pick up sewage and chemicals from roads, factories, businesses, storage spaces and many other undesirable places. food, cosmetics, medicines can all become tainted if they get wet - when in doubt, throw it out!

have your emergency kits handy - if you are told to evacuate, do it. it will be way simpler and safer if you do it when first advised instead of holding out. and take your emergency kits with you.

make sure your whole family knows of your emergency communication plan and that you have all decided what to do in an emergency (where to go, who to call, where to meet, etc.). and if you have pets, don't forget to plan ahead for them as well.

most importantly, do not underestimate the destructive power of a flood. it is more than just a little rain.

safety tip source

photo source

car emergency kit

2009-03-01T14:35:00.000-06:00

so we'll kick off march - emergency month - by starting small, with a car-kit. small, but still very very important. ask anyone who's been stuck out on the road, with or even without kids, and it cam be super stressful, super cold, super hot, super scary, super long and so on. creating and stashing a car kit in your trunk can give you peace of mind and perhaps even save your life. hereand now, in the '00s, we pretty much all have cell phones, but what if your battery died? what if you had no service? if you had an emergency, hopefully you could call someone, but i wouldn't bet on it.

so what should be in your car kit?:

water
some emergency food and snacks
cell phone charger - you can even get a hand-crank charger in case your car has no power
lightweight wool blanket or emergency reflective blanket
hats and gloves
extra clothing
hand and body warmers
waterproof matches
flashlight with extra batteries OR a handcrank charging flashlight
road flares or light sticks
100-hour candle
reflectors
gas can (with extra gas)
cans of oil
jumper cables
jack and lug wrench
tire pump or fix-a-flat
tire chains
tow chain
basic tools, small shovel
ice scraper
extra fan belt, radiator hose, fuses
first-aid kit
multi-purpose knife
toilet paper
emergency money - at least $20 in small bills and coins
short rubber hose for siphoning

a few other tips -

always make sure your gas tank is at least 1/2 full,
in case of a gas leak it would not be safe to light a match,
if you have special needs in your family - such as an infant, diabetes, hypoglycemia, asthma, those with chronic illnesses, and the list goes on - you need to make sure you have planned for them as well
customize your car kit to meet your needs - think about what you would need and get started!

Q: but i really don't want to gather all this stuff myself, can't i just buy it somewhere?

A: yes! you can purchase pre-made car kits.

from emergency essentials by clicking here
walmart also has a variety of emergency kits; you can browse by clicking here
disaster necessities also has some, click here
if you don't like any of these, google it. you'll find more, i promise.

family home storage: a new message

2009-02-22T18:33:00.005-06:00

the march 2009 ensign has a great great great and encouraging section on self-reliance - everyone read it. no, everyone read it twice. but in case you don't have time to read it twice, i'll serve up the highlights:

We can begin ever so modestly, President Hinckley explain[s], We can begin with a one week's food supply and gradually build it to a month, and then to three months.

this is so perfect for families that are getting started on their food storage programs... if you're feeling overwhelmed, or like you don't really know how to get started, just don't! it's just not that difficult - i think that sometimes in our minds we psych ourselves out and say that we can never really have a year supply, so we do nothing.

A New Approach

in light of president hinckley's remarks, the church has published the pamphlet all is safely gathered in: family home storage. this new program is so simple - we can all do it.

so here are the steps:

(1) gradually build a small supply of food that is part of your normal, daily diet until it is sufficient for three months.

(2) store drinking water.

(3) establish a financial reserve by setting aside a little money each week, and gradually increase it to a reasonable amount.

we encourage you...to prepare for adversity by looking to the condition of your finances. we encourage you to be modest in your expenditures and save money gradually. all is safely gathered in: family finances.

(4) once families have achieved the first three objectives, they are counseled to expand their efforts, as circumstances allow, into a supply of long-term basic foods such as grains, legumes, and other staples.

i think that step 4 is the one that can be the real kicker - but do not despair. it is step FOUR. so get going on steps 1-3. and by the time you've mastered those, step 4 will be shan't be so daunting at all.

to sum it up, bishop burton encourages us: the new program is within everyone's grasp... the first step is to begin. the second is to continue. it doesn't matter how fast we get there so much as that we begin and continue according to our abilities.

so get started!

in case you missed it

2009-02-20T16:36:00.000-06:00

for those of you who didn't show, we partied hard with powdered (dry) milk this week. so here's the info you missed:

we taste-tested and the verdict is in - morning moo is (relatively) delicious. it is powdery and when chilled, can just about pass for actual milk.

Q: but my family won't drink the powdered stuff. why should i store it?

A: good question. you can use dry milk in tons more ways than just to pour on cereal or wash down a cookie. you can use it for:

Mashed potatoes – stir dry milk in with dry potatoes, add milk mix and the water to replace the same amount of milk. (1/8 c. moo milk mix and 1 c. water = 1 c. milk)
Cream based soups,
white sauce,
smoothies,
Orange Julius,
Pudding,
fudgesicles
Light cream,
Evaporated milk,
Sweetened Condensed milk,
Buttermilk (add lemon juice)

Here are the recipes that were handed out:

GRIDDLE MIX FOR PANCAKES

3 c. flour ¼ c. sugar
1 c. wheat flour 1 T. baking powder
1 c. non-fat dry milk 1 T. baking soda
½ c. cornmeal 1 tsp. salt
½ c. wheat germ (or oat bran or wheat bran flakes)
Optional: add ½ oatmeal and a Tablespoon ground flax)

Mix together and store in a ziplock or airtight container for up to 3 months. Makes about 6c. mix.

***

PANCAKES
2 eggs 1 ½ c. griddle mix
3 T. oil or melted butter ½ c. berries, grated zucchini, or nuts
3/4c. water

Mix together eggs, oil and water. Add the pancake mix and stir until blended. Gently fold in berries or other additions. Cook and enjoy! Makes about twelve 4 inch pancakes.

***

QUICK MIX

(use in place of Bisquick)

8 ½ c. flour 1 tsp. baking soda
4 T. baking powder 1 ½ c .non-fat dry milk
1 T. salt 2 tsp. cream of tartar
2 ¼ c. shortening
(variation: use 4 ¼ c. flour & 4 ¼ c. whole wheat flour. Increase baking powder to 5 T.)

Mix all dry ingredients together. With a pastry blender or heavy duty mixer, cut in shortening, until mixture resembles cornmeal in texture. Makes about 13 cups.

***

GOLDEN CORN BREAD

2 c. Quick mix 2 eggs
½ c. cornmeal 1 c. milk or water
2/3 c. sugar ¼ c. melted butter or margarine

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 inch square pan. Mix Quick mix, cornmeal and sugar in a bowl. Combine eggs, with milk or water in another bowl. Add to dry ingredients and blend. Add melted butter and stir to blend. Pour into pan and bake 35-40 minutes or until golden brown. Makes 8-10 servings.

***

MAGIC MILK SHAKES

(tastes like a Frosty)

1 ½ to 2 c. ice water 1 tsp. vanilla
1 ½ c. non-fat dry milk 1 to 1 ½ trays of ice cubes
2/3 c. sugar 2 T. vegetable oil
¼ c. unsweetened cocoa 5 second squirt of non-stick spray

Place all of the ingredients into the blender, including the oil and the non-stick spray. (remember your milk is non-fat and the oil is needed to make it creamy and thick, the spray emulsifies it) Use less water for thicker shakes. The blender should be ¾’s full. Place the lid on and process for a full 2 minutes. Pour into cups and serve. Makes 4 – 12oz. servings.

Variations: add a banana, or a big spoonful of peanut butter, add a few broken red & white candy mints for chocolate mint. For vanilla omit cocoa and reduce sugar to ½ c. and add 1 T. vanilla.

***

PEARL’S PERFECT HOT CHOCOLATE MIX

5 ½ c. non-fat dry milk 1 1/3c. powdered non-dairy creamer
1 ½ c. powdered sugar ½ tsp. salt
½ c. heaping unsweetened cocoa 2 c. instant chocolate milk mix (Nestles)

Mix all ingredients well. Store in air tight container in cool dry place. Mix 1/3c. (or 3 heaping Tbsp.) mix to 1 cup hot water.

***

SWEETENED CONDENSED MILK

(EAGLE BRAND)

On the stove, bring to a boil:
½ c. water 3 Tbsp. margarine
1 c. sugar dash of salt

Stir the mixture every now and then. When it comes to a full rolling boil, remove from heat. Allow to cool slightly. Add 1 c. non-fat dry milk slowly, using a whisk. Stir until smooth. Makes 1 can, store in fridge for 2 weeks or freeze.

Fast Fast Fudge

1 pound powdered sugar (3 ¾ c)
½ c unsweetened cocoa
½ c butter (one stick, unmelted)
½ c reconstituted powdered milk
1 t vanilla extract

Sift powdered sugar and cocoa into bowl. Add butter and milk. Do not stir. Microwave 2 minutes on high. Stir. Add vanilla, stir. Pour into 8” square baking dish. Refrigerate one hour before cutting and serving.
Serves 16
Source: http://www.mormonfoodstorage.blogspot.com/

***

Homemade Cream Style Soup Mix

2 c non-fat dry milk powder

1/2 c plus 2 T cornstarch

1/2 c mashed potato flakes

1/4 c chicken buillion granules

2 T dried vegetable flakes

1 t dried marjoram

1/4 t garlic powder

1/8 t white pepper

In a food processor or blender, combine all ingredients; cover and process until vegetable flakes are finely chopped. Store in airtight container in a cool dry place for up to one year.

Yield: 3 cups total

Use as a substitute for a half a 10-oz can of condensed cream of chicken, mushroom or celery soup. For half of a can of soup, in a microwave safe dish, whisk together 2/3 c water and 3 T soup mix. Microwave, uncovered on high for 2 to 2 1/2 minutes, whisking occasionally. For mushroom soup, add 1/4 c to 1/2 c sauteed sliced mushrooms. For celery, add 1/8 t celery salt or one sauteed sliced or chopped celery rib.

Source: http://www.tasteofhome.com/

for more information on how to use or order "morning moo," click here.

where do i put all this stuff?

2009-02-20T16:00:00.000-06:00

we also talked about how and where in your home to create your food storage. here are some tips for storing:

if you can't find it -you don't have it! know where you put it.
your sharpie is your best friend. label the tops and the sides of your buckets, boxes, etc so you don't have to move heaven and earth to find stuff; make sure labels are facing out
keep like items together
come up with a system - any system at all - that you will use. for example: always take from the left of the shelf and stock on the right... this will ensure that your food is getting rotated and you use the oldest items first - and be consistent

some ideas for storage if you're challenged for space:

under beds in boxes or on cardboard flats for easy retrieval
under baby cribs hidden by dust ruffle
between the couch and the wall
along the wall of a closet underneath hanging clothes
install a shelf on the top of your closet above the hanging clothes
look for unused space under the stairs or odd-shaped rooms
mount 12" deep shelves, floor to ceiling, along a wall - cover with drapes hung from the ceiling
convert an extra closet or half or a large closet to shelves -- either built-in or free-standing
buy or build a free-standing cabinet or armoire

a few words of caution:

do not store food in your attic if it heats up in the summer, as texas does, the food will spoil quickly in hot temperatures
remember, the further you store from your kitchen, the less likely you are to rotate and use it
make sure you have inspected any storage areas for cracks and/or crevices - bugs and/or rodents will find it, if you don't find it first and seal it up
if anything spills - clean it up immediately to avoid encouraging pests
if you are using a space with dirt or cement floors, do not put anything directly on the floor; use a wooden pallet or shelves. moisture can seep in from the floor and cause rust or spoilage
do not use any containers that were once used to hold chemicals, cleaners, paint, etc.
do not use trash bags; many have been treated with pesticides and are not food-safe

the following are enemies of your food storage:

oxygen
bacteria
insects
light
temperature
humidity and moisture

now, onto the can racks - we talked about these, and they were a hit. i am posting the link so you can get step-by-step instructions for how to build your own can-rotating racks. so for the tutorial with pictures, see here.