Prepare Today for Tomorrow

Flashlight

2011-05-16T16:43:00.002-06:00

I had one of those really "great" virus's recently, so it has been awhile since I have blogged. I wondered if anybody really looked anyways, so I didn't rush. Ever since I got it back different things have been going wrong. Like I can't figure out why all of my links on the right side are not showing...

If you are still working on your kit then a flashlight would be my next suggestion. I have some walmart ones that I pack in my bag with extra batteries in a plastic baggie. I also keep a wind up flashlight that is also a radio in my pack. The one I found at Emergency Essentials is $17. I keep smaller ones that can be found mostly anymore for the kids packs.

72 hr kit- poncho

2011-04-25T11:36:00.004-06:00

An emergency poncho is small, cheap and essential in your kit. You can't keep warm if you are wet.

You can find one at http://www.emergencyessentials.com/...

If you are building a car kit, this would be great to add to your glove compartment.

72 hr kit-Emergency blanket

2011-04-15T22:45:00.003-06:00

I think the next important thing besides food and water is an emergency blanket. You can find them pretty cheap, about $1.25, for each member of your family; add some to your car as well if you don't have something already.

Read more info on blankets here. I have a bungy cord hooked to my kids backpacks and if time permitted they would be able to roll up their "blankies" and carry it that way. They have the emergency foil blanket in their pack but I felt that they would need that security and warmth of a real blanket, and this is the only way I could fit it. I also carry light weight blankets in my trunk at all times, but they are not the special ones they love:) BUT they would be available if we were not able to grab their own blankets in time.

Food for 72 hrs

2011-04-08T11:48:00.004-06:00

What you put in your pack for food depends on what you like and what you can carry. If you are sticking with the bare minimum than this is what you need: These food ration squares are intended to keep fed for 3 days. Tastes like a powdery cookie I think. Not awful, but not that tasty BUT you will live:) They have different kinds and are about $7. They also have individual flavored calorie bars that taste similar and are $1 each. The great thing about these are that they can be stored for a lot longer than regular food like granola bars.

You can also try Life caps which are intended to keep you full by taking 3 caps a day.

For other ideas check out my breakfast, lunch and dinner link for my meal plans.

Where do we put it all?

2011-03-31T10:36:00.002-06:00

If you have started a collection of items, hopefully at least water for your family, then you need to figure out what to put it in... What one person has does not work for another person. We are all in different stages of life and have different needs. Go HERE to find what works best for your family:) Hope you are enjoying caselots the next two weeks in Utah! If you ever wonder what is a good deal and what isn't....a lot of the time you can get it cheaper other times or places, try out www.dealstomeals.com she is locally based and takes the grocery ads, turns the deals that week into great meals AND tells you the great deals to stock up on storage---she got me excited and going a couple of years ago!

The Bare Minimum

2011-03-30T07:01:00.000-06:00

I know you have probably all seen 72 hour kit lists that differ from each other and it is difficult to figure out what is essential. I think that there are a few things that are essential while others will be beneficial, and others would be nice to have.

So here is what I think is the most essential items...if you get nothing else at least have these in your pack!

1-Water....at least 1 water bottle a day in your pack. Really though, if you can carry it then pack it. ......cost is about $4 for 24 bottle pack

2-Food....at least 3 days worth of food. Look at the food link for ideas. The easiest and most convenient is to get meal / calorie bars. At Emergency essentials you can taste them to see what kind you like best. I think they are chalky and bland, but I would eat them to survive. I also like Life Caps which are pills that give you what you need to survive for about 10 days. .....about $7

3- Emergency blanket ......about $1-2

4- Emergency poncho-- or large kitchen trash bag......about $1

5- flashlight with extra batteries .....anywhere from $2 and up depending on type

6- Medications- I used to be on some pretty strong medication and if I didn't have it I would get dizzy, sick and delusional....not something you want to experience in an emergency.

7- Hand sanitizer--this is cheap to add and it is important to keep yourself free from sickness....$1

8- first aid kit----you can make your own and put in a plastic bag or get a premade one for about $10

Check out the dollar store first---you can find a lot of things for your first aid kit, hand sanitizer, flashlight and batteries, and sometimes the poncho and blanket as well.

Once you get all of this in your kit you may start thinking of things that would be nice to include....hair elastic to keep my hair back, chapstick for dry lips that can be painful, and other items that are also imporant like change od clothes, pocket knife, rope....I don't know off the top of my head what I would do with the rope and knife but when you are in an emergency you learn to be resourceful and wish you had more supplies.

Water for 72 hr kits

2011-03-25T15:29:00.004-06:00

Let's start at the beginning for the most essential item of all--Water. I have updated the other items on the list to your right if you want to start on some other items as well.

***Pack at least 3 - 16.9 oz bottles in your pack for each person.

*If you have a pet make sure he has some too. I have a Chihuahua so I won't have to carry much:)

*If you are feeling good about getting plenty of water for your packs, toss a bottle in your car for each person as well for a future car kit:)

Extra water info----My favorite preparedness book "It's Time to Plan Not Panic" by Barbara Salsbury(check it out at the library!) says this:

"When deciding how much water to take with you, the question may not be how much should you carry, but how much can you carry"

Water is confusing because everyone seems to say different requirements. We should all have 2 weeks of water stored for 2 weeks that is seperate than this amount. The purpose of the 72 hr kit would be to take it with you in an evacuation situation. I can not take 55 gallon drum on my back:)

You can get those little 8 oz packets of water where emergency prep stuff is sold. On the back of those it says it is recommended that you drink at least 8 oz a day to survive. But your body would need more to be in good health. If nothing else is in your kits, water is a must so carry as much as you can.

For my oldest kids I put in 2 water bottles in their pack....that is simply all they can carry without falling over. Since I want each kid to have 3 bottles at least I will carry the bulk of the water in my pack.They say that when people are in an emergency they drink more because of the stress, although I think I would freak out and ration myself.

I put water bottles in the fridge and gave each of my kids one of the 16.9 oz bottles to carry around for the day. By the end of the day, they hadn't even finished one. They were playing pretty rough all day and were in great shape at the end of the day. Of course this wasn't in the hot summer day either. But I felt comfortable knowing that my kids would be comfortable on one 16.9 oz bottle of water per day. I made sure each one of us had at least 3 bottles in our kit, and then I put in more bottles until it was pretty heavy but manageable. I know we should drink 8 glasses a day of water and eat all of our veggies, but the focus here is too stay hydrated.

Cleaning water is another thing. I don't think I have packed that much for cleaning personally. I have my 2 week water of I had access to my home. I think that I would put off washing the laundry if I knew I needed that water to drink. (That is why you have a extra pair of clothes) Don't get me wrong hygiene is very important in a situation like this to avoid sickness. Along with water I have a lot of wipes, sanitizer, bleach, disinfectant, these cool washclothes that go from the size of a quarter until dropped in a little water and they turn into a full size washcloth. We will get into all of that stuff later. Boy this was supposed to be a short, simple post "get some water" :)Yes, the national guard, Red cross and other federal help will bring water in, but not immediately. We can't go without water for more than 3 days. After Katrina hit some residents did not recieve water assistance for over a week! It is not the governments job to provide for our families!

I'm back:)

2011-03-24T09:26:00.008-06:00

As I updated my 72 hr kits the last 2 days, I got that excited feeling again...I know it is strange but I LOVE that feeling that I am prepared for whatever may come. As an anxiety prone person, my food storage and 72 hr kit are like my prozac:)

I also came across people who tell me they don't have 72 hr kits still or any food storage and it really worries me. I know I can' control everyone elses choices BUT I can make it easier for them. I believe that the #1 reason that people aren't prepared is because they feel overwhelmed. #2 reason is that they think it is too expensive, and they feel overwhelmed again.

With a family of 6, if I think about everything I need all at one time I will freak out. For me I break it apart piece by piece and day by day to make it manageable. Look at 1 month of food storage instead of the whole year....Get the very essentials in your 72 hour kit first and then work up to the rest.

There really isn't a good excuse that we aren't all prepared---we have heard it a million times from our government officials and from many church leaders.

A couple of years ago I was the Emergency preparedness specialist for my neighborhood and it involved a lot more than what I will do now. I just want to keep this blog more open for times when there are great deals to stock up on for your food storage, or to help you build your kits. *FYI Smiths grocery store has American Beauty pasta for $.49 a bag right now when you buy 10. This is an amazing deal to add to the 300 lbs of grain that is part of your 1 yr food storage plan. Dn't worry about it going bad too fast. Pasta is great for at least 2 years. I have had up to 100 bags of pasta and we eat it 2 times a month and I am able to rotate it just fine.

Powerade is .39 and great for dydration and to add to your water supply.

I love preparedness and I love getting awesome deals...so I try to stock up for things when the prices are awesome so I can save our family money at the same time. Everyone has different situations but I like to set aside $20 every paycheck for food storage and it makes a huge difference.

On the right hand side of this blog I have already done a list of things to add to your kits, so feel free to start there, or I am going to link to it at times as I kind of start from a different perspective...simple, simple, simple.

Seriously though, if you have some tax return money laying around:) and want to keep it simple and basic then buy an already prepared kit for each family member. I think I can do it less costly myself and personalize it for my family's needs--for instance none of my kid nor myself will eat MRE meals and those calorie bars are pretty gross as well. My kids will be stressed enough in an emergency I don't want to deal with fighting them to eat. Some say they will eat if they are starving, when it comes to food storage and 72 hr kits, but I think that is the wrong approach. You can store things your family likes and give them the comfort in a time of emergency. You can get one of these kits and add personal stuff to it as well.

If you want to start right away and have a few extra dollars, go and buy a 24-pack of water bottles. I have at least 1-16 oz bottle per day for 3 days for my kit. My kids are young and they can still carry a backpack with 3 bottles in it. I also read that if you are restricted on water thn don't drink anything for the first 24 hours unless sick, and then at least 8 oz every day after for survival.

I stock up in summer when the prices get less than $2 but it really isn't a huge expense now and the most important item in an emergency! Everything else is good and useful, but without water there is %0 survival. During the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina residents found themselves surrounded by water by worried they would not have enough fresh water to survive. Seriuosly, during a disaster it will be scary enough for ourselves and our family we shouldn't have to worry about surviving and knowing we could have bought $5 worth of water months before for our family.

A cheaper substitute for eggs

2010-01-28T17:12:00.004-07:00

I just wanted to pop in to spread some good ideas I just read for egg substitute. There are powdered eggs that you can buy for your food storage but they can get pretty expensive, and being cheap, I have not even bought them to try. I was excited to run across these good ideas...I haven't tried them all out yet, but will soon.

-Take one tablespoon of milled flax seed. You can get this in the baking aisle at Walmart for a few dollars (also great for an oil substitute or to sneak more fiber in your meals) Add 3 tablespoons of water (amount of water may vary per recipe, but this is a pretty basic measurement).
Stir together and then let it sit for a few minutes so it can become gelatinous

-Mix 1 tsp unflavored gelatin, 3 tbsp of cold water, 1/2 cup coiling water. (This equals to one egg.)

-For two eggs: 2 tsp gelatin, 1/3 cup cold water and 1/2 cup boiling water.

OR......

-Dissolve 1 tsp baking soda in 1 Tbsp vinegar. makes enough for 1 or 2 eggs

-1 T. soy flour + 1 T. water

-Ener-G- can be found at health food stores, it has a great shelflife and for $5 it replaces 110 eggs. it is great in baking (except for brownies...the only substitute for that seems to be black or pinto beans-cooked and mashed)

Time to bake a few batches of cookies, just to experiment:)----Tiffanie

A new start

2010-01-22T19:29:00.005-07:00

Many of you know Tiffany has moved from the neighborhood.
I would like to keep up the blog she began. She has given us a great start.
I will be sharing with everyone what I am doing to build my food storage, put a 72 hour kit together, and prepare for an emergency. I hope together we can become more prepared.

Interesting info for swine flu

2009-10-19T13:59:00.000-06:00

Some interesting swine flu prevention techniques that can't hurt to try...

Prevent Swine Flu - Good Advice
Dr. Vinay Goyal is an MBBS,DRM,DNB (Intensivist and Thyroid specialist) having clinical experience of over 20 years. He has worked in institutions like Hinduja Hospital, Bombay Hospital, Saifee Hospital, Tata Memorial etc... Pre sently, he is heading our Nuclear Medicine Department and Thyroid clinic at Riddhivinayak Cardiac and Critical Centre, Malad (W).
The following message given by him, I feel makes a lot of sense and is important for all to know.The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible to avoid coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is. While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu):
1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications).
2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat, bathe or slap).
3. *Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don't trust salt).
*H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate
and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation.
In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that
Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.
4. Similar to 3 above, *clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water. *Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga asanas to clean nasal cavities), but *blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.*
5. *Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (Amla and other citrus fruits). *If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.
6. *Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc) as you can. *Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.

Add HONEY to your storage!
The Utah Valley Produce website has been repaired and we are pleased to announce the annual honey order. There are two ways to get this wonderful raw alfalfa honey from Utah, the same thing we offered lastyear. You can buy 5 gallon buckets (60 lbs) for $104 or a case of 6 small5-pound containers for $58/case (30 lbs. in all).Please go toutahvalleyproduce.com, log in, and make your order. New customers will needto register first by clicking on the "log in"; button and following directions.Please feel free to pass this message on to anyone, includingwards and stakes. Deadline: October 31, 2009

Sorry

2009-09-16T09:48:00.000-06:00

I know that I have not posted for a week now and I feel bad for anybody who may have been waiting for some more info. I mentioned before that things were going to get crazy around here and that time has begun. I am packing like crazy right now, and dealing with morning sickness and 3 little ones running around. Topped off with my husband having surgery tomorrow and my 4 year olds shark birthday party to pull off next week. I volunteered at my daughters school twice next week before I knew all of this was going on. So, I figured anyone reading this blog would survive without my input:)

Since I don't know when or if I am going to get back on track I will direct you to other blogs that basically I get my info from anyways.

My favorite blog to get all of the great deals locally, plus some great menu ideas is www.dealstomeals.com. You can try it out for free for 2 weeks as well, and then it cost $4.95 each month. Which is what most of us waste just walking into Walmart:) There is also a blog www. dealstomeals.blogspot.com for more great info. She also has a website www.myfoodstoragedeals.blogspot.com that gives you great tips, ideas and recipes for food storage. She really is a food storage genius and has recently been on local news stations.

Also a great site to prepare for emergencies, get food storage recipes, and get your 72 hr kits and car kits put together is www.safelygatheredin.blogspot.com. It has links to the side, as well as mine, that will help you know what items to gather each week in your kits. I wanted to start on the car kits next and they have already done that on their site as well. I will keep my blog up and running and add things once in awhile when things come up, but as for now these resources are the very best. Good luck!!!!

Canning Tips

2009-09-08T00:07:00.000-06:00

Here is some basic Do's and Don'ts of canning to start you off.

How do you get all of the equipment needed? It may seem like you aren't saving money when you have to spend money first right? You need to find some great prices and that will help even more. But if you can each year, you will save on buying fruit, jams and vegetables at the store. I noticed walmart has quite the display of canning items right now. The basic items you need are bottles with lids(12 for less than $10), sealing lids($2), and a canner.

There have been a lot of changes since our Grandma canned, actually since 1990 and new rules have been set. A canner can cost about $20 to $100. For all of my supplies I paid $10. How---I went to the thrift store a few years ago and found one for $7. My mom and grandma supported my cause, as well as yard sales of older people, and added to my bottle supply--I have 40. Each year I pay less than $5 for canning! I just buy the sealing lids (these cannot be reused each year) and can about 40 jars of pears, applesauce, tomatoes, apple pie filling) All of this fruit is free from my garden, my grandpas garden or by word of mouth.

Here are some basic instructions to can just about anything.

I did tomatoes this year and I really feel that it is the easiest to do. I grew my own tomatoes but the bulk came from grandpa.

First you find your fruit or veggie you want to can. If you want to make jam, you need pectin--found with all of the canning supplies--- and they have all of the recipes inside.

Then we washed all of the bugs, dirt, a snail slime off:)

I wash all of my jars in hot water or the good ol' dishwasher.

Then I boil a big pot of water. I turn off the stove and put my tomatoes inside for about 10 minutes. This helps get the skins off. From there I toss them in the sink of cold water. I really don't know if this is what everyone else does, but I grew up watching my mom do it. Now the tomatoes skins come off. This is the kids favorite part! They put their chairs up to the sink and the peels come right off. I cut out the stem part and the kids love to squish them in the jar. Well, my girls love to get dirty---my little boy, oddly enough, really hates the feel of it:) We leave about 1 1/2 inch of space at the top.
While this is going on I take the sealing lids that you buy at the store for about $2 and keep them in a pan of hot, not boiling water until I am ready.
Then I add 1 tsp vinegar to the tomatoes for safe acidity(this did not need to be done in my mom's days) and we take a non-metal utensil and hit down any air pockets. My 6 year old has been canning since 20 mths and she really loves to help me. It is my 21 mth olds first year canning and she seems to really enjoy squishing the tomatoes between her fingers:)

We put the lids on, and put the jars in the canning rack. I fill the pot about halfway---I learned one year not to feel it up too high or you have a lot of mess to clean up when it overflows from the jars being added. I turn it on high and get the water boiling (lid is on). Once the water starts to boil, I set the timer for 45 minutes. Other fruit like pears are shorter amount of processing time. Once done, remove the rack from the pot. I learned this today actually:) I usually leave it in the pot a bit so I don't burn myself, but apparently it can overcook your food if left in the heat too long. I don't care too much since my tomatoes will be pureed and cooked into pasta sauce later anyway. But other items may be affected by this. Once they are out don't tighten the lids, since it could break the seal. Int he next few ours make sure the lids are sealed. If it makes a popping noise when you push on the top then it needs to be done again. In this case I don't want to do it all over again for one jar so I just make dinner with it that night:) I also had one jar shatter yesterday, and since I am just a beginner I am not sure why this happened this particular.

If you have any questions you can ask me---or if you want to have a professional opinion you can google it:) I figure they seal every year, I haven't died from eating anything year after year, so it seems to be working good enough for me:)

Food Storage recipe

2009-09-01T00:17:00.000-06:00

Honey Glazed Pork Chops
2 lbs of boneless pork chops
1/3 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon pepper
5 TB butter
1/3 cup honey
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 c. soy sauce
1/3 c. lemon juice
1 tsp. ground ginger
Cayenne Pepper to taste-depending on how spicy you like it

Serve over rice Heat oven to 350. In a shallow dish combine the flour, garlic powder and salt & pepper. Dip each pork chop in flour mixture and coat evenly.Melt 2 TB butter in a shallow baking dish, large enough to accommodate pork in a single layer. Arrange pork chops in pan and bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes (depending on how thick your pork chops are) at 350 degrees. Don’t over cook or pork will get tough.Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, melt remaining butter and add honey, lemon juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, ginger and cayenne pepper. Boil for several minutes until sauce begins to thicken.After pork chops have baked for 15-20 minutes, turn each piece over and pour sauce mixture evenly over pork. Bake another 20 to 30 minutes, or until cooked through. Serve over rice. This recipe is also great on chicken

Fruit leather recipe

2009-08-24T20:21:00.000-06:00

This is the basic recipe I have been using to make fruit leather with all of my apricots this week. Yes, still working on that. Some of the apricots need to ripen more, so I took a break for the weekend.

First I wanted to share my opinion on why I think it is important to take the time for things like this. At the same time I share some of my recent annoyances-I can because it is my blog and I can do what I want:)

1st, food storage is important and the more food storage you can acquire the better.

2nd, I realize that this can take a lot of time, and people are busy. I can think of 100 other projects in my home and with my kids that will always be there, but I believe we can make time for anything. If there is time to find out the newest American Idol, or who is Dancing with the stars, you can't be that tight on time. No rudeness intended, just that we all different priorities. I have a difficult time sitting still and watching tv when I know I have so many things that need to be done. So I use this as my down time and turn on a movie while I pit and cut them.

3rd, it is also a great teaching lesson for your kids. My kids enjoy this tradition each year, and actually get upset if they both can't help me pick the fruit. When I got home, I had other things that needed to get done before I started on apricots. When I got downstairs my 5 year old had laid out the blanket and her and my 3 year old had pitted 2 bowls of apricots by themselves and laid them on the dehydrator screen!

4th As mentioned we are teaching our kids, but also ourselves to be self-reliant. I understand that we have a Walmart down the street with dried apricots that I can pick up in 10 minutes. I can pick up a loaf of bread, instead of make it too. BUT I think it is important to know how to rely on our own skills and storage, in case one day those resources aren't available. Disaster strikes and a loaf of bread will cost you $10 if you can find anything left on the shelf. Note-I do not make all of my bread myself:) but get 95% of it at the grocery store. But once a week I try to bake bread, rolls or such to keep my storage rotated as well as teach myself how to be better at it.

5th and final gripe:) A small bag of dried apricots at the store cost about $4. For the amount of apricots I have dried so far and the fruit leather I have made would have cost me about $50---but I have paid nothing. Also, I know what goes into the food I make homemade, and not what has been used to preserve and maintain color, and sweetness.

Fruit Leather Recipe

Ingredients:
Fresh fruit (apricots, peaches, plums, berries, apples, pears, grapes)
Water
Lemon juice
Sugar (if needed) --I figure if my kids enjoy it without sugar, than why add it
Spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg (optional)
Method:
1 Rinse the fruit. If you working with stone fruit, take out the pits, chop the fruit. If working with apples or pears, peel and core them, then chop. If working with grapes, de-stem them.
Taste the fruit before proceeding. Note how sweet the fruit is. If very sweet (ripe Concord grapes for example) you will not need to add any sugar. If still a little tart, you may need to add some sugar in the next step.
2 Place fruit in a large saucepan. Add a half cup of water for every 4 cups of chopped fruit. Bring to a simmer, cover and let cook on a low heat for 10-15 minutes, or until the fruit is cooked through. Uncover and stir. Use a potato masher to mash up the fruit in the pan. Taste the fruit and determine what and how much sugar, lemon juice, or spices to add. Add sugar in small amounts (1 Tbsp at a time if working with 4 cups of fruit), to desired level of sweetness. Add lemon juice one teaspoon at a time to help brighten the flavor of the fruit. Add a pinch or two of cinnamon, nutmeg, or other spices to augment the flavor.
Continue to simmer and stir until any added sugar is completely dissolved and the fruit purée has thickened, another 5 or 10 minutes (or more).

Note if you are working with grapes - strain the juice out of the mashed grapes to make grape juice. Force what is left behind, after straining, through a food mill, to make the purée for the next step.
3 Alternatively purée it thoroughly in a blender or food processor. Taste again and adjust sugar/lemon/spices if necessary. The purée should be very smooth.

4 Line a rimmed baking sheet with sturdy plastic wrap (the kind that is microwave safe). Pour out the purée into the lined baking sheet to about an 1/8 to 1/4 inch thickness.

5 Place the baking sheet in the oven, try to keep any plastic wrap from touch the sides of the oven or the oven racks. Also try to make sure that the plastic wrap hasn't folded back over on top of the purée. If this happens, the purée won't dry out. Heat the oven to a low 140°F. If you have a convection setting, use it, it will speed up the process and help dry out the purée. Let dry in the oven like this for as long as it takes for the purée to dry out and form fruit leather. We usually keep it in the oven overnight, so about 8-12 hours. The fruit leather is ready when it is no longer sticky, but has a smooth surface.
Alternatives to the oven. If you have a food dehydrator, this would be a great use of it. Also a reader posted that she spread them on the cookie sheet and then put them outside all day. Get it out by 9 in the a.m., it's done by or 4 in the afternoon! That seems like a good idea to cut down on power and also not heat your house up using the oven.
6 When the fruit leather is ready, you can easily peel it up from the plastic wrap. To store it, roll it in its plastic wrap, put it in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator or freezer.
4 cups of fruit yield about one baking sheet of fruit leather.

72 hour kit- gloves

2009-08-22T00:25:00.001-06:00

This week put in a pair of gloves for each member of your family. I put in some work gloves for me and my husband. After a natural disaster there will be a lot of debris that will need to be hauled away. I put little winter gloves in for the kids, to keep them warm and also keep hands safe around debris--I just don't see them doing much hard labor:)

Food Storage Recipe

2009-08-18T00:36:00.000-06:00

If any of you have eaten at the Lion House (historic home of Brigham Young) you know these rolls are great. My mother in law makes them for special occasions.

Lion House Rolls
Ingredients:
2 cups warm water (110 to 115 degrees)
2 tablespoons dry yeast
2 teaspoons salt
1 egg
2/3 cup nonfat dry milk powder (instant or non-instant)
1/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup butter or shortening
4-4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour or bread flour

Directions:
1-In large bowl of electric mixer, combine water and milk powder, stir until dissolved.
2-Add yeast, then sugar, salt, butter, egg, and 2 cups flour.
3-Mix on low speed of mixer until ingredients are wet, then 2 minutes at medium speed.
4-Add 2 cups more flour; mix on low speed until ingredients are wet, then for 2 minutes as medium speed. (Dough will be getting stiff and remaining flour may need to be mixed in by hand).
5-Add about ½ cup flour and mix again, by hand or mixer.
6-Dough should be soft, not overly sticky, and not stiff.
7-(It is not necessary to use the entire amount of flour.)
8-Scrape dough off sides of bowl and pour about 1 T.vegetable oil all around the sides of the bowl so it is covered with oil.
9-Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise in warm place until double in size.
10-After dough has risen, sprinkle cutting board or counter with flour and place dough on floured surface.
11-Roll out and cut rolls in desired shape and size.
12-Place on greased (or parchment lined) baking pans.
13-Let rise in warm place until rolls are double in size (about 1 to 1 ½ hours).
14-Bake at 375 for 14 to 20 minutes or until browned.
15-Brush with melted butter while hot.

72 hour kit-insect repellent

2009-08-15T00:40:00.001-06:00

This week add insect repellent for the family and some chapstick. I don't know about you but there are times I can't find my chapstick and my lips are literally in pain. If we have to be outside for a long period of time we will be exposed to bugs, wind, and other extreme temps that can cause havoc on your lips. It won't save your life but can prevent a lot of discomfort in a disaster situation when there are already too many thing to have to worry about. As for chapstick it may not be the most practical in hot weather. Something like those tubes of blistex or a travel vaseline should be ideal. If necessary pack a lip gloss to maintain that glow after an earthquake:)

Recipe

2009-08-11T00:28:00.000-06:00

Are your gardens producing a lot of zucchini? Mine is doing pretty good, plus my grandpa keeps insisting I take some when I visit:)

Chocolate Zucchini Bread- recipe from www.myfoodstoragedeals.blogspot.com

3 cups all-purpose flour (I used 1 c. wheat flour)
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups white sugar
3 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil (I used 1/2 oil and 1/2 applesauce)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups shredded zucchini
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips (or more)

DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease two 9x5 inch loaf pans. In large bowl, combine flour, cocoa, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder and salt, mix well. In separate bowl, combine sugar and eggs, beat until well blended. Add oil and vanilla; beat until combined. Stir in zucchini. Add flour mixture; stir just until moistened. Stir in nuts and chocolate chips. Spoon evenly into loaf pans. Bake in preheated oven for 55 to 60 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans for 10 minutes. Remove bread from pans; cool completely on wire rack.

72 hr kit-radio

2009-08-08T00:09:00.001-06:00

It is a good idea to have a radio in your kit for a couple of reasons.

1-To stay informed in an emergency- The radio I like is a hand crank radio/flashlight. If I can get an object that does more than one thing and saves space I go for it. It is also great to not have to worry about batteries dying when you need it the most. You can use this radio to keep informed after a local or national disaster, and what steps your family needs to take next.

2-Entertainment- This isn't essential of course but I think my kids would need some distraction in a disaster. I went to the local dollar store and found these tiny head sets. Sometimes at teh dollar store you get lucky and other times you spend a $1 on pure junk. I was really excited by the quality of these little radios. The sound isn't fuzzy at all even if I move around. The ear pieces wrap around the radio and and it fits compact in the kids backpacks. It takes 2 AAA batteries so I packed a few extra as well.

Wacky Cake

2009-08-03T00:44:00.000-06:00

I married into Wacky cake...this says a little about my in-laws as well:) Anyway, I noticed this same recipe elsewhere but it was called food storage cake. I am pretty sure my husband told be it was a family recipe, but apparently the secret is out:)

This cake calls for no eggs, but everything that should be in you storage. Plus, it is somewhere between amazingly moist chocolate cake and heavenly brownies. It doesn't need to be frosted because it has this fudgy, moistness that stands on it's own. Just try it, and you'll understand:)

Wacky cake (or food storage cake)
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 1/4 cup flour
1 tsp baking soda
6 TB salt
1 1/2 cups water
1 1/2 TB vinegar
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup oil

Mix all ingredients until smooth. Bake in ungreased 9X13 pan at 350 for 35-40 minutes. Cool before cutting. Can be topped with ice cream of cool whip.

72 hour idea

2009-08-01T00:09:00.000-06:00

First off I wanted to remind all of those locally that CERT training is beginning again September 10th---every wednesday for 7 weeks. Register at http://www.unifiedfire.org/ and to get more info. It is great for you as an individual, keep your family safe or to help in your community. Even if we never have a natural disaster, it is skills I will use with my own family. Having little kids means that one or another will need my medical attention at one point. Really I feel like it is something I should keep taking so I can keep it all fresh.I told my husband that he would be on the list for the next class, but the poor guy is getting his tonsils out in September and would miss too much class---there will be more classes after this one though that I will jump on.

This week you can add something personal for your needs that maybe I haven't mentioned but is vital for your pack, maybe add some cash, or catch up on some of the other items. I got an email from Darla about another idea for 72 hour food that I thought you might be interested in. I am not sure my little ones would be able to carry it if it had cans of soup but you could substitute any of these ideas for items your family prefers. You could also fit the bucket in a backpack to keep your arms open or a yoke of some sort to carry two around your shoulders.

I think about going to the grocery store the other day and my daughter wanted to bring her little purse, but five minutes into it she was tired of holding it. So in my particular family, I hold the bulk of the items in a rolling suitcase and they have backpacks with their extra clothing, entertainment, snacks and hygiene needs that they carry.

I just like the way it is broke down and seems pretty simple to do--so whether you put it in ice cream buckets stacked in your closet or in a backpack, or duffle bag, or cardboard box, just make sure you get enough food for your family!

72 Hour Emergency Kit List
Fits in Ice Cream Bucket

List of Food for 3 Days:
1 small can apple juice
2 foil juice packets (Capri Sun)
1 piece beef jerky
1 package Trail mix
2 chocolate-covered granola bars
1 package fruit snacks
2 packages crackers
2 packages cheese and crackers or sticks
3 cans of soup (ready to eat)
or 2 cans of soup and 1 can of Vienna Sausages
3 packages raisins
1 package gum
6 pieces of hard candy
2 boxes Hershey's chocolate-flavored drink
1 can snack-pack fruit
2 breakfast granola bars
3 spoons
napkins (As many as you can fit)
3 foil packets of water (I really worry that this might not be enough water --although it is the minimum amount is has been said that in emergencies people want to drink more---plus keep in mind beef jerky will make you pretty thirsty. Things like juice and chocolate milk will hydrate you as well, but for me personally it makes me more thirsty becasue of the sweetness. Remember that it isn't how much water should you carry but how much can you carry--more is always better, but don't make it impossible to carry.

What to Eat:

Day 1
Breakfast: 1 box Hershey's chocolate drink, 1 breakfast granola bar
Lunch: 1 chocolate granola bar, 1 fruit snack
Dinner: 1 can soup, 1 package crackers
Snacks: 1 package raisins, 2 pieces hard candy, 1 stick gum
1 cheese and crackers and 1 foil packet of water

Day 2
Breakfast: 1 small can apple juice, 1 package trail mix
Lunch: 1 granola bar, 1 foil packet juice
Dinner: 1 can soup or Vienna Sausage, 1 snack-pack fruit
Snacks: 1 package raisins, 2 pieces hard candy,1 stick gum,
1 foil packet of water

Day 3
Breakfast: 1 box Hershey's chocolate drink, 1 breakfast granola bar
Lunch: Beef Jerky, 1 foil packet of juice
Dinner: 1 can soup, 1 package crackers
Snacks: 1 package raisins, 2 pieces hard candy,
1 stick gum, 1 cheese & crackers
1 foil packet of water.

This kit is "ready to eat" and requires no extra water or heat source.

Place a copy of this list inside the top of the bucket so you know what to eat and be sure to stick to the daily intake so as not to run out before the 72 hours is up.

Meds should also be placed in zip lock bag and crammed in cracks between food. (Adults Only)

Put date assembled on side of bucket and change out perishables every 6 months.

Keep by the door to grab in case of emergency. Easy for children to carry

Welcome Africa!

2009-07-29T20:38:00.000-06:00

I know I am weird but every time I look at the map of the visitors I wonder why Africa never visits:) Today I noticed that we have a visitor from South Africa! Little things like that get me excited:) Now I am wondering where all of our South American visitors went:)

Food Storage Recipe

2009-07-28T00:24:00.000-06:00

Chocolate Pudding Mix

3/4 c. powdered milk

7/8 c. cornstarch

1 1/2 c. sugar

3/4 c. cocoa

1/4 t. salt, rounded

Combine dry ingredients and store in airtight container.

To make the pudding:

Add 2/3 c. mix to a saucepan. Add 2 cups of milk and stir until blended. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer while stirring constantly until thickened. Cool and serve.

72 hr kit

2009-07-25T00:02:00.000-06:00

Add some more cash to your kit. Remember to keep it in small bills.In a disaster ATMS, bank service and credit cards will not work. Stores will not have the ability to give change either in that situation. I heard that $200 is a good amount to have. Work gradually and add $5, $10, $20 at a time. Keep it safe in plastic bag and/or accessible safe. Don't keep all of you money in one members kit, in case one get lost or stolen.

Food Storage Recipe

2009-07-21T00:04:00.000-06:00

Recipe taken from www.dealstomeals.com

Crescent Rolls
Makes 2 cookie sheets,
48 rolls, 24 on each pan-
(Recipe can be halved to only make 1 cookie sheet (24 rolls)
4 T. yeast
½ c. + 2 T. warm Water

Mix together and allow sitting for 10 minutes. While yeast is growing, mix together very well

in separate bowl: 6 eggs
1 c. oil
1 c. sugar

Also warm milk in the microwave only until warm NOT scalding.
2 c. warm milk
Add egg mixture and warm milk to the yeast mixture. Mix all together until combined.

10-11 c. flour
4 tsp. salt
Add 1 cup of flour at a time until combined together.
Continue to mix/knead for 5 minutes on med-high speed. Dough will be sticky to the touch. Allow to raise 2-3 hours. Separate dough into 6 even balls. Roll out each ball until the size of a dinner plate. Cut into 8 pizza wedge slices. With each wedge, roll down ward wrapping bottom skinnybottom piece down and around to make pretty crescent shape. Place 3 rolls across and 8 down, 24 on each cookie sheet. Allow to double in size while covered with clean dish towel. While raising on top of oven, preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Bake one sheet at a time. Bake 6 minutes on bottom rack and then 5 minutes on middle shelf until light golden brown. Brush tops with melted butter once removed.

72 hr kit

2009-07-18T00:56:00.000-06:00

Put a small sewing kit in your kit this week. You can creat your own or even find a simple one at the dollar store. I don't plan on sewing matching outfits for my family in an emergency so I kept it simple. Maybe to patch up small holes in clothes, fix buttons or blankets or maybe medical stitching. Emergency Essentials has one for $.95 that comes with 8 spools of thread, scissors, needle, thimble, pins, pin cushion, 2 buttons and safety pins. In my non-sewing world I think the safety pin is essential--that and a glue gun:)

Food Storage recipe

2009-07-14T07:02:00.000-06:00

If you have cornmeal in your food storage and not sure what to do with it....I only touch it for cornbread, here is a fun idea.

I like this recipe for homemade corn dogs because you can buy hot dogs with less fat. My kids love corn dogs but I don't buy them often because I feel guilty for feeding them something so unhealthy:)

Homemade Corn Dog Batter
hot dogs of choice
popsicle sticks or similar
1 c. corn meal
¼ c. sugar
1 ½ c. milk
¾ T. oil
1 egg
1 ¾ c. flour (I am going to try doing half wheat flour as well and add some honey to sweeten)
1 T. baking powder
Pinch of salt
Place franks on stick and dip in combined batter. Deep fry until brown.

72 hr kit

2009-07-11T00:43:00.000-06:00

This week add rope to your 72 hour kit. I found some thin rope that fits perfectly in my pack, at the dollar store. I got a few of them. There are plenty of reasons why you would use them: tie water bottles around your waste to carry, leash for your pet, first aid, line to dry your laundry(pick up some clothespins at the dollar store to for convenience), tie things down, etc.

Pizza on the Grill

2009-07-07T00:35:00.000-06:00

Pizza on the grill

2 1/4 c all purpose flour
1 c cake flour (or omit and use 2 3/4 cup all purpose flour instead of 2 1/4 cup)
1 T kosher salt
2 T olive oil
1 c warm water (105-115 degrees)
1 package yeast
1 tsp sugar
Add yeast and sugar to warm water. Mix flours and salt together. Add oil to yeast mixture after it is proofed then pour into flour mixture. Knead 10 minutes on low speed. (Or by hand about the same amount of time.) Let rise till double (1 hour). punch down then separate into 4 equal parts. Let rise again till double. Roll each part out to 12" circle. Heat up a grill with one side on medium high heat and the other on low. place the dough directly on the grill and cook till the bottom is starting to get crisp. Flip the crust over and move it to the cooler side of the grill. Brush with oil and add toppings. Cook til cheese is melted.

72 Hr kit

2009-07-04T00:58:00.000-06:00

Add a utility knife, or pocket knife this week. You can just get a simple knife or one that has all of those fancy tools in it.

This one at Emergency Essentials is only $2.95 and includes:
This pocket knife includes
-2" stainless steel blade,
-phillips and standard screwdrivers,
-reamer punch,
-nail file and nail cleaner,
-sewing eye, 2"
-double-cut saw,
-spring-loaded scissors,
-can opener,
-bottle opener,
-corkscrew,
- scaler and hook remover,
-and key ring.

A lot of things that would be great in your kit, but saves you the room.

Food Storage Recipe

2009-06-30T00:13:00.000-06:00

Oatmeal Bread
Makes 2 loaves

1/2 cup warm water
2 tbsp. dry yeast
3/4 cup water, boiling
3/4 cup rolled oats
1 cup buttermilk (or 1/3 cup powdered milk, 1 cup water, and 1 tbsp. vinegar or lemon juice) 1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup honey or molasses
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tbsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
3 to 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

In small bowl, stir yeast into 1/2 cup warm water; allow to stand until yeast dissolves and bubbles up. In medium saucepan, bring 3/4 cup water to boiling; stir in oats and cook several minutes. Remove from heat; add buttermilk, oil, and honey or molasses.

Sift 2 cups flour, salt, and baking soda into a large mixing bowl. Add yeast mixture and oats mixture and beat with wire whip or slotted spoon; let stand 5 minutes. Gradually add enough of remaining flour until dough is stiff enough for kneading. Turn out onto floured surface and knead 8 to 10 minutes or until a soft, elastic ball forms.

Place dough in clean, greased bowl; cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise until double in size, about 1 ½ hours. Punch down dough and divide into two portions; cover with bowl or towel and allow to sit 10 minutes.

Form into loaves and place in greased 8 x 4-inch pans. Cover and let rise until double in size. Bake at 350° to 375° for 45 to 50 minutes or until done. Remove from oven and from pans, and leave on wire rack to cool.

72 Hour Kit

2009-06-27T00:30:00.000-06:00

-This week add garbage bags to your kit.
-This is a great item to add to your pandemic supply as well. Use for all trash and possible contaminated materials.
-Costco has 200 13 gallon bags for $10.
-Bags will be essential for your emergency toilet. You will use these bags inside the 5 gallon bucket.
-I put most of my 72 hr items like clothes, blanket, food, in the backpack or suitcase after I place it in a bag to keep items dry.

Child Safety

2009-06-25T18:21:00.000-06:00

Keep Your Child Safe!

-A child goes missing every 40 seconds
-An estimated 114,600 stranger abductions are attempted each year, with 3,000 to 5,000 of these attempts succeeding.
-Teenagers are most frequent victims of stereotypical kidnappings and non-family abductions.
-34% of U.S. parents do not know their child's exact height, weight and eye color.

According to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC):
-The first three hours are most critical when trying to locate a missing child.
-The single most valuable tool in finding a missing child is a good current digital photograph. Create an ID kit for your children -Fill out the info, attach a recent picture, and mark on your calendar 6 mths from now to update it, or sooner if any distinct changes. My daughter recently lost 2 teeth and got a short haircut so she looks different from her recent photo. Sexual exploitation of children is a serious problem, and it may be one of the most underreported crimes.

-An estimated one in five girls and one in ten boys will be sexually victimized before reaching adulthood
-Less than 35% of child sexual assaults are reported to law enforcement
-Just as it’s difficult to pinpoint the number of sexually exploited children, it is also hard to identify potential exploiters. That’s because molesters and sexual offenders come from all walks of life, races, and backgrounds. The dangers to children are greater from someone they or you know, than from "strangers."
-Given all the unknowns it’s important to create an open environment of communication in which your children feel safe to ask questions without shame or judgment. That way they’ll come to you when things aren’t right

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children recommends a program called Take 25....take time to teach these 25 things to your children.
-Teach your children their full names, address, and home telephone number. Make sure they know your full name.
-Make sure your children know how to reach you at work or on your cell phone.
-Teach your children how and when to use 911 and make sure your children have a trusted adult to call if they’re scared or have an emergency.
-Instruct children to keep the door locked and not to open the door to talk to anyone when they are home alone. Set rules with your children about having visitors over when you’re not home and how to answer the telephone.
-Choose babysitters with care. Obtain references from family, friends, and neighbors. Once you have chosen the caregiver, drop in unexpectedly to see how your children are doing. Ask children how the experience with the caregiver was and listen carefully to their responses.

On the Net
-Learn about the Internet. The more you know about how the Web works, the better prepared you are to teach your children about potential risks. Visit www.NetSmartz.org for more information about Internet safety.
-Place the family computer in a common area, rather than a child’s bedroom. Also, monitor their time spent online and the websites they’ve visited and establish rules for Internet use.
-Know what other access your child may have to the Internet at school, libraries, or friends’ homes.
-Use privacy settings on social networking sites to limit contact with unknown users and make sure screen names don’t reveal too much about your children.
-Encourage your children to tell you if anything they encounter online makes them feel sad, scared, or confused.
-Caution children not to post revealing information or inappropriate photos of themselves or their friends online.

At School
-Walk the route to and from school with your children, pointing out landmarks and safe places to go if they’re being followed or need help. If your children ride a bus, visit the bus stop with them to make sure they know which bus to take.
-Remind kids to take a friend whenever they walk or bike to school. Remind them to stay with a group if they’re waiting at the bus stop.
-Caution children never to accept a ride from anyone unless you have told them it is OK to do so in each instance.

Out and About
-Take your children on a walking tour of the neighborhood and tell them whose homes they may visit without you.
-Remind your children it’s OK to say NO to anything that makes them feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused and teach your children to tell you if anything or anyone makes them feel this way.
-Teach your children to ask permission before leaving home.
-Remind your children not to walk or play alone outside.
-Teach your children to never approach a vehicle, occupied or not, unless they know the owner and are accompanied by a parent, guardian, or other trusted adult.
-Practice "what if" situations and ask your children how they would respond. “What if you fell off your bike and you needed help? Who would you ask?”
-Teach your children to check in with you if there is a change of plans.
-During family outings, establish a central, easy-to-locate spot to meet for check-ins or should you get separated.
-Teach your children how to locate help at theme parks, sports stadiums, shopping malls, and other public places. Also, identify those people who they can ask for help, such as uniformed law enforcement, security guards and store clerks with nametags.
-Help your children learn to recognize and avoid potential risks, so that they can deal with them if they happen.
-Teach your children that if anyone tries to grab them, they should make a scene and make every effort to get away by kicking, screaming, and resisting.

72 Hr kit Item

2009-06-20T00:29:00.000-06:00

It is important to have all of your personal documents safe in a disaster.

Copies of important documents: driver’s license, Social Security card, proof of residence, insurance policies, wills, deeds, birth and marriage certificates, tax records, etc

It is recommended to put them in a safe to protect them. Also to make copies and send them to someone outside your area. I sent copies of my documents out of state to my sister.

I am obsessed with taking pictures of my kids and capturing all of those moments.I would be devastated if they were lost. My husband jokes that in an emergency I will run back in to save the scrapbooks:) I will be sad to see them destroyed, but they are to heavy to save. But all of those pictures have been saved on discs and kept in the safe as well. I also sent 2nd copies to my sister:)

Cannery simplified

2009-06-18T00:22:00.000-06:00

There aren't too many amazing deals at the grocery stores this week. I am excited becasue I wanted to post my cannery trip this week anyway:)

This is mostly for those who live locally, considering I am refering to the Sandy LDS cannery. but you can click here for directions to a cannery near you.

This is the cannery closest to me and it's info.
Phone
(801) 561-8104

615 East 8400 South in Sandy

So how simple is it?

You simply drive to this location. I get lost most of the time and I found it fine. It is a grey concrete building. Not beautiful by any means, but it fulfills it's purpose:)

They are closed Mondays. Open Tuesday-Friday 9am-9pm and Saturday 9am-5pm ----pretty reasonable.

When you walk in there will be a cute old lady at the desk. She has order forms on that desk that you fill out according to what you want. You can be prepared and have one ready now. I have no idea why they are not more up to date but they can only take checks or exact cash. They ask you to write your ward and stake name on a list, but if you are not a member just say so.

As you finish up paying a cute old man is getting your order ready from the room in the back.

10 minutes later another cute old man loads it in my car.

Simple----100 lbs of grain to add to be my food storage for only $31. I was done in 10 minutes PLUS I had my 3 kids under 5 years old with me! I didn't feel the least bit stressed out during my cannery experience. A trip to walmart NEVER takes 10 minutes with kids and always stresses me out:)

What do I do now? I choose to get my food in bulk because it is cheaper. 25 lbs of red wheat in the bulk is $6.05. If I was to get 24 lbs of red wheat in the individual cans it would cost $11.80.

I personally think it is a pain to store all of those cans. I have either 5 gallon buckets or rubbermaid totes I store it in. I like that I can fill it up with more, less containers to move around, and stack nicely. A 5 gallon bucket that you can get for $4 on a Macey's sale holds one-25 lb bag. My 10 gallon totes hold 50 lbs. In Utah there is little moisture and this works for us and keeps any vermin out. Store your items such as wheat, flour, sugar, oats in cool, dry place. I have limited storage space but avoid the garage at all costs. I have food under dressers and beds, and in closets:

Another option: Buy it in bulk and stay and can it yourself. I was told you can no longer bring in your own food to can, but must buy it right then to can. As long as you are not a huge group you don't have to make an appointment to can your food. You will pay for the price of the food and will need a can, metal lid, plastic lid, moisture absorber--about $1 for each can you do.

Another option: Buy the supplies and rent the canner. You can "rent" it for free for 24 hours and do all of your canning at home. This works best when you get a large group of friends and family and set it up in your garage. Talk amongst yourselves if this is what you want to do and set a date:)

Food Storage Recipe for your BBQ

2009-06-16T00:40:00.000-06:00

This recipe was taken from one of my favorite sites Deals to Meals

Baked Beans (food storage recipe)
3 28 oz. Cans of baked beans (or 5-6 cans pork & Beans)
1 medium green bell pepper, diced
1 small onion, diced
½ c. Worcestershire sauce
½ c. brown sugar
½ c. favorite BBQ sauce or ketchup
2 T. mustard
1 lb. bacon (optional)

Sauté bacon until crispy. Drain most of the grease from the pan. Add the onions and green pepper. Saute until tender. Add the rest of the ingredients and simmer in pot for 30 minutes. If needs more kick add Tabasco or red pepper flakes. This recipe makes a lot! You can 1/2 this recipe if needed.

Declared a Global Pandemic...

2009-06-15T16:15:00.001-06:00

In the World news...The World Health Organization declared Swine flu a global pandemic on June 11th. The first in 41 years, so I guess we are making history. Read more on MSNBC. Yes, it is considered mild and not deadly at this time but considered unstoppable to prevent spreading. We are advised to be vigilant for the next year or more as some may expect a 2nd and more deadly wave of the sickness.

Our State...Out of 50 states, Utah is number 8 on the list of having the most cases--688 cases. Wisconsin being number 1.

Even more local... I went to the doctor this morning at 11 am for back problems and my doctor told me he already had 2 positive cases that morning. 24 confirmed last week in his office alone. 4 out of his 6 children have already had it. My neighbor down the street has it. Since a student at my daughters preschool was diagnosed, he advised it wasn't worth going the last week and risk her getting sick. It is not deadly at this point but is certainly not pleasant to have. Watch for fever, runny nose, cough, basically flu-like symptoms. I am not in panic mode but have reached the mode that my kids will take a break from McDonalds play land:)

I thought this article entitled "Why is Swine Flu such a Big deal" was informative as well.

What about the kids?

2009-06-13T07:00:00.000-06:00

Well for those of you who have kids, and not pets, maybe we should figure out what they need. They need something to keep their mind off of the disaster around them. I know there are some that say in an emergency the kids will learn to deal with it. Who says they will though? In CERT training the last class is learning how to help the victims, witnesses as well as the rescuers after a disaster. We take care of them physically with food, water and clothing, but emotionally they will be going through a lot. This is one reason why it is suggested to have soft blanket in their kit as well.

Think of entertainment. You need a way to keep their mind off of what may be going on around them. In my kids packs I put in a coloring book, colored pencils, picture book, bag of marbles, a Polly Pocket, action figure, etc. You don't have to pack up the play room- just a couple items that they enjoy. I also included a small sandwich bag with hard candies, chewing gum, and some snacks like fruit snacks, granola bars,cheese and cracker pack, etc. This is seperate from my 72 hours meals and intended to be comfort food if we had to evacuate.

In an adult pack you can pack a notebook and pen, book, etc. You may want to journal the events around you to remember later, pass time at an evacuation center or to keep your mind busy. Grown adults can suffer from emotional trauma after an event and it is important to take care of yourself.

Swine flu update and sale

2009-06-12T15:00:00.000-06:00

In the event of a pandemic, N-95 respirator masks would be important to have. I hope we never see a pandemic of the swine flu---but wouldn't it be nice to know you were prepared just in case. You may never need your 72 hr kit or your life insurance, but it is all "just in case".

Do your research on swine flu, the pandemic of 1918 , swine flu in your area and what you would need in your home.

The pandemic of 1918 began mild in late spring and put a lot of people in bed feeling sick but tolerable. By fall, the sickness mutated and approx 50 million died. 2 mths later it was wiped out like it never came.

Utah had it's first case diganosed May 2nd--I remember because those individuals were in Park City and I was going there the next day. Less than 6 weeks later our numbers are 688 diagnosed swine flu case and 2 deaths. My daughters' preschool sent a note home today informing us a student in her class was diagnosed with swine flu. Class will continue but precautions have been taken and children are being watched closely.

When do you need to use a respirator? These are n-95 respirator masks, not just regualr face masks. One common mistake in 1918 was to make it a law to wear masks---but these masks did nothing to filter the airborne particles. If you and your family was quarantined at home for 3 mths you would not need to wear a mask unless you were a caretaker for a sick individual. It would be necessary if you were to go into a large crowd. My husband is a mailman and there is a swine flu case in his office. He is told that masks and gloves may soon be required. Kind of makes me wonder what the mailman could be coughing on to my mail:(

Harbor freight is having a weekend sale on n-95 masks--2 piece for $.99. You can also order a pack of 20 masks for $14.95 from Emergency Essentials.

What about Tito?

2009-06-06T07:00:00.000-06:00

Do you have a 72 hr kit for your pets?
In a disaster you might not think of anything but making sure you and your children are safe. If you are a pet owner though, most of you consider your pets as a member of your family. As for me, if I had to choose between my child and my Chihuahua, there is no contest. But...if I could do both I will certainly try to do my best for my dog's safety as well.
As for the tadpole, turtle, and snails-they can fend for themselves:)

This is Tito (named after the Chihuahua on Oliver and Company:)

I figured out how much he eats and drinks each day and put in enough for 3 days. Luckily my little guy doesn't have much to store:) A disaster may be stressful for a pet as well, so a bone or a favorite toy would be good to calm him.

- It is also recomended to have a pet carrying case so it will have shelter if you needed to evacuate. Pets will not be allowed inside a evacuation shelter. You may even have a small tent for your pet to put outside of the shelter. As for my 7 lb dog, I have a box with a soft blanket and a rope.
-Apparently they have backpacks specifically for dogs to carry their own stuff-Mostly for medium and larger dogs--Tito would fall over:) The design doesn't look too complicated, so I am sure you could even save money and create something on your own. I just carry Tito's supplies in my bag.
-Small plastic bags are good for picking up after any waste.
-An emergency blanket may also be a good idea---those silver ones.
-It all depends on what kind of pet owner you are now. If you dress up your dog and it sleeps with you each night then you may want to include his favorite sweater and a pillow:)
-Others may think the last thing on your mind will be your pet. Keep in mind, if you are at home and living off of your storage, will you be sharing your food with your dog or starving him.... Eating your food storage will most likely make him sick, but it will also take valuable resources meant for your family. Buy an extra bag of food next time, so you can feel confident you have 72 hours of food for him as well as a longer term supply.

On ready.gov they advise a plan:
Consider family or friends willing to take in you and your pets in an emergency. Other options may include: a hotel or motel that takes pets or a boarding facility, such as a kennel or veterinary hosp ital that is near an evacuation facility or your family 's meeting place. Find out before an emergency happens if any of these facilities in your area might be viable options for you and your pets.
Develop a buddy system. Plan with neighbors, friends or relatives to make sure that someone is available to care for or evacuate your pets if you are unable to do so. Talk with your pet care buddy about your evacuation plans and show them where you keep your pet's emergency supply kit. Also designate specific locations,one in your immediate neighborhood and another farther away, where you will meet in an emergency

Food Storage Recipe

2009-06-02T00:59:00.000-06:00

I found this recipe on http://www.safelygatheredin.blogspot.com/

Ingredients: Canned Chicken, Mayonnaise or equivalent, Craisins, Almonds or other favorite nut

Drain your chicken and place in a bowl. Take two forks and shred the chicken.

Now add some mayo. I add a little spoonful at a time and mix around until its a nice salad consistency.

Add some salt and pepper here too.

Stir in the craisins, or you could use raisins, and add the almonds .

Make yourself a sandwich or eat it plain.

72 HR Item

2009-05-30T07:02:00.000-06:00

This week add a change of clothing to each members pack. I know what a pain this is if you have kids and they grow overnight,and it gets expensive. But like other items in your kits, like food, it should be rotated every 6 mths to a year. It is best to have something for warm weather and cold. I have to keep in mind extreme Utah temperatures-you don't want to freeze or overheat.

All I did was go through my kids closets and look for come clothes they don't wear that often or at all. Don't forget socks, and underwear as well. I found an extra pair of shoes for each child at the thrift store for $3 each. I bought 1 size bigger than they are now. My baby was the easiest since she has so many hand me downs from her sister and cousins:) It annoys me that the kids clothes don't match or look that great, but it is an emergency not a fashion show!

For me, I put in a pair of old scrubs---that way I can adjust them if I am pregnant.

This is essential since you may only have time to grab your bags and evacuate. If you are in your pj's and barefoot, you may have a problem.

Updated Printables

2009-05-25T17:48:00.001-06:00

I had it come to my attention that some of the printables were not accessible. I learn something new every day:) Hopefully it will work for you now!

This blog doesn't get a lot of comments, although according to the map we have visitors from all over the U.S.A, China, Italy, Canada, Puerto Rico, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia.....How cool is that? It is amazing for a girl who has never been outside of Utah! I hope if anyone has any questions or comments, you feel free to talk to me! I am amazed that more than 5 people are even looking at this little neighborhood blog, and it keeps me motivated to keep working on it. Thanks for that!

72 Hr Kit Item

2009-05-23T00:22:00.000-06:00

If you take any medications on a regular basis, make sure you put about a weeks worth in your kit. All the food and water in your kit isn't going to do any good if you can't survive without specific medications. When I used to take my "crazy" meds I made sure I had at least 3 days worth in my pack. A disaster is not a good time to see how you would do weaning off of it:)
I know it can be difficult with prescriptions to get extra. I remember my insurance wouldn't let me get a new bottle until I was almost out of the last one. Maybe talk to your doctor about gettign some samples-that way they are in teh convenient packaging as well.
Now I keep medications like ibruprofen, tylenol for the kids, their excema cream, prenatal vitamins (since I am usually pregnant or nursing:). They are a great vitamin even if you aren't of course. You will not be eating as much or getting as much nutrients during a disaster most likely, so make sure you have vitamins for the whole family. I just bought a container of chewable animal vitamins at the dollar store for the kids.

Water storage idea

2009-05-22T15:20:00.000-06:00

You may have seen those individual drink mixes that you can just pour into water bottles. It is convenient and will make your water taste good, even if it has been stored for a few years. I jsut went to Smiths down the street and they had Koolaid pack of 12 packets for .99. This is a great deal---I have been keeping my eyes open for a good deal and these are usually $3-$4. They have 4 different flavors. The sale is probably going until next Wednesday if you are interested. I put a bunch of them in the backpack that carries my 72 hr water bottles.

If you have 55 gallon water containers, I hope you also bought a siphon. I bought a siphon last year, but hadn't gotten around to trying it out. I was anxious how it would work, so while I was outside next to a 55 gallon barrel of cleaning water I decided to test it out. I just filled it up last week and forgot that it should have 6 inches in the top for freezing space. I was surprised at how easy it was, and actually kind of fun. So of course the kids wanted to try it out:) You simply put the stick like part in the barrel, secure the lid, and pump at the top. You get tons of water out the "straw" on the other side.

French Bread

2009-05-19T00:07:00.000-06:00

I found this great recipe on deals to meals blog and haven't tried it until now. It looked and tasted awesome. It makes 3 loaves so I decided to try cooking one in the barbeque to simulate being without power. I struggle making bread in a regular oven, so I didn't have much confidence. I bought this bread dutch oven pan and decided today was the day to try it. I just put in the dough, let it rise for 20 minutes. I turned one side of the bbq on low-med and let it heat up. Then I put my bread in and watched it closely. In approx 25 minutes it was done. Of course the bbq only has heat on the bottom so I was worried that it would burn on the bottom and be doughy on top and middle. It was light on top but it was cooked. The bottom was a nice golden brown. I was so proud! I used the propane this time but next time will rely on the charcoal for heat just in case I was to run out of propane.

French Bread
2 1/2 c. warm water
2 T. yeast
3 T. sugar
2 T. white vinegar
Add these ingredients together and let sit until bubbly
1 T. salt
1/3 c. oil (anykind will do)
6 c. flour (or a little more if it's too soft)

Knead for 2-5 minutes and then put in the oven with a small pot of boiling water. The water will keep the dough moist. Watch the dough and punch it down when it gets to the top of the mixing bowl. Do this every time it gets to the top of the bowl, as long as you have time to babysit it (2-5 times). Put the dough on a greased countertop and divide into 3 sections. Spray a cookie sheet with cooking spray and sprinkle a thin layer of cornmeal on the bottom of the sheet. Roll the dough balls into rectangle/long French bread shapes. Slash tops of bread diagonally 3-5 times and cover with a beaten egg. Let rise 30 minutes (or until doubled). Bake at 375 for 30 minutes.

72 Hr cash

2009-05-16T00:59:00.000-06:00

It is important to have cash on hand in an emergency. It needs to be in small bills and kept water proof in a small bag. If you were to go to the store to buy a loaf of bread they would not be able to give you change and you may pay $10 for bread.(if there is anything left on the shelf)

I try to put aside $10 here and there but regret I keep finding other items to buy for my kit instead. I read somewhere that it is a good idea to have about $200 on hand. I would put it in a few different places in case the bulk of it gets lost, destroyed or stolen.

Of course we would still have credit and debit cards, but after a major disaster the machines will no longer be in service. Banks will not be dealing with a crazy rush of people wanting their money out when the computers are all down. If you have a lot of cash just laying around, put a bit in your kit:) If you are like the rest of us you will have to take a little out of each paycheck until your stash adds up. If you don't already have a safe for documents and such, it would also be a good idea to buy one to store your money in. They have some with that are small with handles that would be easy to grab in and emergency.

Growing Your Own Storage!

2009-05-14T00:07:00.000-06:00

It is a great time to plant a garden! You can add all of your produce for your short and long term storage either by canning or drying. Even with this crazy Utah weather I think we may be officially done with the snow:) Even if you don't have much space, you can still plant a little.

Find a small spot and till it up and add some compost. We are still working on getting our soil good, but this clay and rocks never seem to go away. I hear that square foot gardening works well for some, but I have never tried it personally. We have a seperate area for our garden that we till and add to each year.

Start with something you eat regularly. We like pasta, salsa, and pickles, so this year I wanted
to plant a lot of tomatoes, onions and cucumbers. It is tons of fun for the kids because they get to pick what they want to plant each year as well. It is so much fun to go out in the summer and bring in your own cantaloupe, eat fresh peas from the garden, or carve the pumpkin you grew yourself. Each year we like to try something new as well. This year we are trying asparagus and potatoes.

It is all about trial and error. Sometimes we have a great garden, but there is usually something that struggles. I have yet to grow successful cucumbers. Maybe this will be the year.

1st- find a spot for your garden
2nd-figure out what you want to grow this year.

3rd-Look at directions that come with most plants to see how far they need to be spaced, to see if you have enough room for everything you want.

4th-plant according to directions
5th-water and watch grow! -This year my husband has rigged a sprinkler system to water each plant indivivually to it's needs.

We tried these poles for our tomatoes this year to conserve space. The plant needs to be wound up as it grows. They are $5 at IFA.
If you don't know what to do with them once they are grown we will have a canning post during that time:) Tomatoes are really easy to can. I canned 35 jars last year and have set my goal higher this year since it only lasted about 9 mths.

I am planting tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, potatoes, peas, carrots, zucchini, watermelon, cantaloupe, pumpkin and radishes. I don't eat the radishes but plant them in between plants to keep bugs away. The bugs devour the radish leaves and leave my other plants alone:)
I use this area for my melons and pumpkins since they usually grow so big. In a couple of months the big vines will be covering my window wells and covering most of the dirt as well.

If anything, plant some peas--they are easy and fast to grow and the kids love to go out and pick them for a snack. I can't eat them to eat any other peas, but straight from the garden. It is a great way for the family to work together and see what they can do from a simple seed or small plant!

Pandemic update and Deals

2009-05-13T00:47:00.000-06:00

Last info I sent out was the basics of Swine flu, but this is the "now what do I do?" portion:)

Keep Healthy-build your immune system up with vitamins, proper diet and exercise

-Avoid unecessary traveling

-wash hands for at least 20 seconds as often as you can; between taking care of kids, driving, grocery store, bathroom, yard work, there are countless ways we can be spreading germs *Carry hand sanitizers for trips to the store, park or playland

*Take advantage of the bleach wipes offered at most grocery stores for carts

*Be extra aware of childrens washing habits since they tend to be in more messy situations and wash less often and not as thorough

Get your 3 mth Supply of Food Storage

-This isn't new information of course. If there was a major pandemic alert, we would be required to stay in our home for approximately 3 mths. This means no trips to the store and relying completely on your food storage. In a major pandemic there may not even be a lot of stores open as well due to lack of employees and necessity.

-This should include all of the non food items as well that you use every day such as soap, deodorant,kitchen supplies, cleaning items, diapers, etc

*I have posted on our blog ideas to help you get started

Build up Your Water Supply

-From what I have been told our water supply shouldn't be contaminated with bird or swine flu. BUT in a major pandemic millions will die and the chances are many of these people could be those maintaining our utilities. I didn't even think about that sad truth until I talked with Chris from http://www.ldsavow.com/. For the same reason, prepare to be without electricity.

- For those of you who are patiently awaiting your 55 gallon water containers that I was arranging... I contacted the source and she said her company has slowed down production drastically on these containers that she is not able to reach our goal. Technically she told me she could obtain 100 barrels in a few months time and I have received none.

So here are some options that I have found on KSL:

- Blue 55 gallon in West Jordan $20 Previously held food sauce

- White 55 gallon in Salt Lake $10 Previously held non toxic chemicals

- Blue 55 gallon in Riverton $20 Food grade barrels

- White 55 gallon in Provo $15 pickup $18 delivery Previously held juice

I recently talked with a man who sells both white and blue barrels and learned that the U of U has done a study with these barrels to test for algae. They showed that even after 7 years these barrels, even uncovered white ones, did not have a problem. It is recomended that you empty them for the best taste and quality before 5 years though. He also keeps his outside surrounded by wood boards to keep from sun and leaves a 6 inch gap to allow for freezing. He sells his barrels white or blue for $25 and delivers to the area. I can give you his email if you are interested. He recently sold us the Life caps and delivered them personally to my home 12 hours after I placed my order!

* I will be getting your money back to you of course that you have paid for the other barrels:) I am letting you all take over from here to avoid any more money and pickup confusion.

I am on a list for free barrels from Coca Cola but I can't rely on that- it could be months...

Work place-Ask your employer how your company would function in a pandemic situation. Some jobs will have to continue, but will do so with the least amount of social contact with others as possible, wearing protective clothing.

Plant a Garden-We rely on our food storage to eat during this time, but my family would miss fresh vegetables. Plant now to avoid buying vegetables that have been handled by others at the grocery stores and shipped from all over the world.

-Your garden can be used for fresh veggies now as well as canning for your food storage. We will be posting about gardens and canning how-to's on our blog.

-If you were quarantined to your home for 3 mths this would also include your backyard, as long as you were at least 20 ft away from any neighbor who may want to chat, you can enjoy being outside.

Pandemic Supply list

N95 Masks- these are said to filter 95% of airborne particles. You would need these if the flu continues to spread and may be needed to wear in public areas. If major pandemic occurs they would be mandatory. If you are isolated in your home for 3 mths and a family member gets sick, you would not be able to enter the room without this as part of your gear. I will be taking orders for these masks next week in a bulk order.

Sterile gloves-used for same purposes and can also be purchased in bulk through me. Money will be due June 1st- more info to come.

Antibacterial soap- obtain a 3 mth supply or more

Hand Sanitizer- Dollar Tree had a great supply of scents and sizes. Pack the mini ones in your diaper bag, purse or childs backpack for now. I keep it on the counter since I know my 3 year old is not the best hand washer but loves to rub on sanitizer. I figure with both he may actually get clean:)

Bleach- Pandemic or not, bleach is essential in your supply for cleaning as well as purifying water. I am also a huge fan of bleach wipes.

Toilet Paper- I have a handout that says to have 100 rolls per person, but I can't imagine needing that much! Estimate how much your family uses in at least 3 months, keeping sickness in mind... Toilet paper is on sell this week at Peterson's:) 4-pack Western Family for $.78. Albertsons has a pack of 12 double roll Charmin tp for $4.88 with in-ad coupon

Paper Towells- for clean ups that can be easily disposed of easily.On sale for $.50 at Petersons this week

Large trash bags- use for all trash and possible contaminated materials as well.

Provisional Toilet- No utiliites, no water, no toilet. Use a 5 gallon bucket and 13 gallon bags13 gallon kitchen bags-use for contaminated trash as well as provisional toilet.

Large trash bags- use for trash and contaminated materials as well.

Dish soap- wash dishes by hand...

Provisional Washer- You may need to wash your laundry by hand and have soap, clothesline and clothespins as well.

If a family member becomes sick, they must be isolated--preferably in a room adjoined to a bathroom.They say that no one should be in contact with this individual, but if it is your child in there you will find a way to take care of them. Take precautions and use the following items as well as the gloves and masks mentioned earlier.

-Duct tape-100' roll of clear 4 mil plastic

-safety glasses

-disposable surgical gown or Tyvek suit--I don't know where to find these yet, but the suit is apparently at painting stores. You would need to cover yourself before entering room and undress in a particular order as well to avoid contamination.

*If you want a list on how to create a isolation room and how to properly care for a person safely, please email me for a copy of the Pandemic packet. A information packet was given to me by Riverton City and is toolengthy to make copies for everyone or to list everything online.

I realize some of these ideas may seem extreme...keep in mind,

"It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark".

We have a great opportunity here to prepare for any disaster that may occur. This pandemic could just be a scare and go away, or it could put our families in jeopardy.As of now the total confirmed cases has gone from 1 to 63 in Utah, in less than 10 days.It can't hurt to use this opportunity to prepare now as if a major pandemic was approaching. For updates on the pandemic and tips continue to watch our blog as well as the Center for Disease Control.

72 Hr kit

2009-05-09T21:29:00.000-06:00

I know I usually post a lot earlier, but it has been crazy around here and I have been sick. Not swine flu sick, but feels like it:) Anyway I hope no one has been waiting anxiously by their computer for this post:)

This week let's put a flashlight in each members kit. There are some simple options and some more expensive but better options as well.

Simple flashlight with AA batteries- I put one of these smaller ones in each kids backpack. They are less than $2 at Walmart. I put the batteries in seperate since it isn't good to store batteries inside things. We have had batteries ruin a few things that I forgot about and stored in the attic.

- these are cheap enough you could get a few for the house as well as in your cars. It is recommended that you have a pair of shoes/slippers under your bed with a flashlight in them.(turn them upside down so no debris/glass can fall inside) You don't want to wake up to a disaster in the dark and step into glass. Even for a simple power outage you need to know where a flashlight is.

Head light- These work great and you are still able to use your hands. I found this one at Harbor Freight for less than $3. These are good for adults but also adjust to little heads. Plus the kids think they are really fun:)

The kids were asleep so my model wasn't too excited about posing:)

Hand crank flashlight and radio combo- You can get these at Emergency Essentials for $16. It is an impressive flashlight and great reception for little radio. You never have to worry about batteries dying--just wind it up more. You should also have a radio in your kit to keep informed during an emergency, so this is a great deal.

Honestly, there are a lot of cool flashlights out there. You do need to keep in mind that bigger doesn't mean better. It still needs to fit in your kit along with everything else.

3 Mths without Grocery Stores

2009-05-07T00:27:00.000-06:00

Today I want to get you thinking specifically about what you would do if you couldn't go to the store for 3 mths. For example, let's pretend that there is a pandemic of some sort and you and your family are quarantined in your home, like the rest of your neighbors. Get a notebook and pen and walk into each room.

Kitchen:
-What foods does your family eat the most? cereal, ramens, oatmeal,pasta, pb&J, tuna or honey sandwiches, canned foods, mac and cheese, etc. Think of breakfast, lunch and dinner meals that you eat frequently. We use chicken for a lot of meals and also cheese and bread, and the kids could live on cereal if I let them. Include any spices you use frequently on your list, oils, condiments, desserts even. What about items like paper towells ($.50 at Harmons this week)and kitchen cleaner, or bleach wipes(best price at Cosco)- whatever you clean up messes with.
-Once you establish what you eat regularly, figure out how much of it you eat. One can of tuna can make me and my kids lunch, but if I plan on my husband as well, we will plan on 2 cans. Estimate how much bread you go through, how far you can make things spread, etc.
-Now look in your storage and see if you have enough to keep your family fed for 3 mths time. If not make a list of what you need to add to your storage to make those numbers a reality. They may not be a grand variety, but they will take care of your needs. You can freeze most items like bread, cheese(2 lbs for $3.99 at Albertsons), milk and meat(chicken $1.89lb boneless/skinless at Smiths). Or you can plan on making your bread from scratch and mixing up powdered milk. Just make sure you have all of the ingredients to make bread if that is the case. The one thing that is really hard to store would be fresh fruit and produce, so make sure you have plenty in your freezer or canned in the pantry. We will have fun with gardening soon- if you were quarantined to your homes you would still be able to go into your backyard and have access to your garden- as long as you stayed 20 ft away from other neighbors. In some homes the yards are so close that this isn't possible.
Next, take your list to...

Bathroom:
-Write down what is in your shower or on your tub, in your drawers and cupboard right now. Do you have enough shampoo, body wash, hand sanitizer, hand soap, toilet paper, body soap, shavers, deodorant, face wash, toothpaste, extra toothbrushes, lotion, plus any medication that you may take. Food is essential but many of these items, though pleasant, may not be as important. *We could use regular soap for our faces, have dry skin and hairy legs--but it is important to have the basics such as soap and sanitizer in a great supply. Please at least get toilet paper!

Laundry room: Do you have enough supplies to wash your clothes and keep your home sanitized? I keep items like bleach, laundry detergent, toilet cleaner, bleach wipes, and other cleaning supplies in this room. *These items would be essential for keeping a sanitary home. Please at least get toilet paper! I would focus on bleach especially if you have only one container. Bleach wipes to me are the best to have on hand. If you have ever potty trained a child, these are a lifesaver:)

Next to my laundry room is...
The medicine cupboard. Make sure you not only have your current medications, but vitamins since you may not be getting as much vitamins with this adjusted diet. Also include any bandaids, your first aid kit, tylenol for children as well as adults. You will need a thermometer as well to monitor the health of your family.

Garage:
-Do you have garbage bags for all of the trash that will build up?
-Do you have enough food for your pet?
-What about duct tape? We all know duct tape can be used for everything and it may come in handy:) I will go into details later, but duct tape would be essential in creating an isolation room if a family member got sick.

Bedrooms:
-My baby would need a supply of diapers, wipes and cream.
-I can't think of anything that is overly essential that we keep in our rooms. If we wondered what we would do for entertainment for 3 mths in our home, maybe you could make a list of ideas. Yes, the tv will still work, you can read, play games, play with toys, the computer---just don't leave the house. Think of how busy facebook would be if we were all home:) I think I would get a little stir crazy but I am the kind that would be satisfied most days hanging out at home and avoiding stores and playlands.

Now you should have a list that is probably pretty long and no doubt overwhelming. Take a colored pen and check those that are essential and label others less important, and maybe some others are not necessary at all. First work on purchasing those that are the most important on your list, then take it from there.

I am not suggesting that we go into debt to get all of these supplies! I know I want to go out and get it all so I can relax BUT it is something that we should focus on, not obsess and go into debt. I think we could all think of a few things that we buy that aren't that essential. I could have skipped Cafe Rio yesterday and bought a few gallons of bleach:)

“You do not need to go into debt to obtain a year’s supply. Plan to build up your food supply just as you would a savings account. Save a little for storage each paycheck. Can or bottle fruit and vegetables from our gardens and orchards. Learn how to preserve food through drying and possibly freezing. Make your storage a part of your budget. Store seeds and have sufficient tools on hand to do the job. If you are saving and planning for a second car or a television set or some item which merely adds to your comfort or pleasure, you may need to change your priorities. We urge you to do this prayerfully and do it now. I speak with a feeling of great urgency.” -Ezra Taft Benson

Recipe

2009-05-05T14:33:00.000-06:00

This recipe is by no means healthy, but it is a good way to use the wheat, white flour and cornmeal in your storage. It doesn't fall apart like other cornbreads and it is awesome! Most items can be completely from storage if you buy powder eggs, milk and butter. For now I just freeze the butter when it is on sale. I do use the powdered milk for this as well. This recipe was taken from http://www.dealstomeals.blogspot.com/

Cornbread Cake
1 c. sugar
1 c. margarine
1 ½ c. flour (can use half white and half wheat flour as well)
1 c. cornmeal
2 t. baking powder
2 t. salt
2 beaten eggs
1½ c. milk
Cream sugar and butter. Add rest of ingredients. Put in a greased 9x9 pan. Bake 350 for 30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Can be doubled and baked in 9 x 13 for approximately one hour.

72 Hr Kit item this Week

2009-05-02T14:07:00.000-06:00

The past 2 weeks at CERT training we have been learning first aid. I think a first aid kit should be the next on our list to add. This is also a personal item to do simple or elaborate.

I started with a basic First Aid kit that you can get from Walmart or Emergency Essentials from $5- $10. I put it in a small backpack and gradually add things that I think would be important. Buy one of these kits for your car as well!
-sunscreen
-chapstick
-medications for family members
-infant and child tylenol
-wipes
-tissues
-lotion
-thermometer
-hand/toe warmers

Since taking CERT I have learned how to bandage and splint and I have added more guaze wraps, sterile bandages, splinting material, rubber gloves, plastic bag, cardboard, a pocket knife and more as I learn.

You can buy really big kits for up to $100 or more BUT it is pointless if you don't know how to use the material. I feel more confident in my skills in an emergency since taking CERT. I think it is useful even if there wasn't a large disaster. I know one of these days my kids are going to come to me bleeding or with a bent arm and I will know how to handle it.

2009-05-01T13:59:00.000-06:00

How to protect yourself DURING an earthquake

If you are indoors:
DROP
COVER
HOLD ON
If you are not next to a desk or a table, drop to the floor against an interior wall and protect your head and neck with your arms.
-Avoid exterior walls with windows, hanging objects, mirrors, tall furniutre, large appliances, and cabinets filled with heavy objects.
-Do not go outside until well after shaking stops!

In Bed:Hold on and stay there, protecting your head with a pillow.You are less likely to get injured staying where you are. Broken glass on the floor can cause injuries; be sure to put shoes on before stepping on the floor. It is recommended that you put a pair of shoes/slippers upside down, or in a bag under you bed for this reason. Put a flashlight inside the shoe as well.

At Work:Always do DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON. Know your workplace's earthquake safety plan. Don't use elevators. Don't be surprised if sprinkler systems or fire alarms activate.

If you are Outdoors: MOve to a clear area if you can do so safely; avoid buildings, power lines, trees, and other hazards. Always assume fallen power lines are live.

Near tall buildings: Windows, facades, and architectural details are often the first parts of a building to collapse. Take refuge in a safe building or an open space.

Driving: When able, safely pull over to the side of the road, stop and set the parking brake. Avoid overpasses, bridges, power lines, signs, trees, and other things that might collapse or fall on the vehicle. Stay inside the vehicle until the shaking is over. If a power line falls on the vehicle, stay inside until a trained person removes the hazard.

In a stadium: Stay in your seat and protect your head and neck with your arms. Don't try to leave until the shaking is over. Then exit slowly, avoiding debris and watching for anything that could fall in aftershocks.

There has been a rumor passed around, online especially, that states the DROP, COVER AND HOLD ON method does not work as well. The Red Cross issued a statement saying this is false and we should continue to use this method for the best protection.

-They also mentioned that going under a doorway is not as safe or practical. Apparently homes that are being built now do not have as strong of door frames as in the past. Have a family meeting this week and then practice!!!! My kids are familiar with the "earth shakes" on Land Before Time, so my 3 year old understands what I am talking about. I "shake" them and tell them it's an earthquake. We all run under the table and hold on. We practice in other rooms in the house as well as outside. They think it is a lot of fun and I feel it is something they will remember when the real thing happens. Make it a goal this week:)

Swine Flu Preparedness

2009-05-01T00:22:00.000-06:00

I am not sure if it a coincidence or not that I planned on focusing on Pandemic preparedness for the month of May. I received an email a few weeks ago that introduced me to the idea of a pandemic being something that could affect us today. Now the swine flu has got us all thinking and perhaps worried, I am going to see if I can take all of the info and help us prepare and not panic!

Swine Flu: The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu.

How can you get it? It is contagious and is transmitted like the regular flu, through sneezing, coughing of the infected person on or near you. Germs are spread more quickly when you touch an infected surface and then your eyes, nose or mouth. Infected people may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 7 or more days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.You can not get it from eating pork!

What do you do if you get it? For now it is treated like the regular flu- rest, TLC and a visit to the doctor can get you an antiviral shot that can lessen symptoms and get you better at a faster rate.

What can I do to protect myself from getting sick? There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu. There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza. Take these everyday steps to protect your health:
-Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
-Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
-Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
-Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
-Don't go to Mexico right now!
-Don't go to the doctors right now if you don't have a problem- chances of getting more germs there

Why should we not worry right now? (less worry, more preparing:)
-40,000 people die from the regular seasonal flu each year, with the vaccine, and it hasn't made headlines like this swine flu has that has 109 sick in the U.S. and only one death.
-it is not potent and symptoms are mild to moderate
-the antiviral medication seems to be controlling the symptoms

Pres. Obama said Monday that the threat of spreading swine flu infections is a cause for concern but "not a cause for alarm" .

The LDS church has stated:
"Church leaders are closely monitoring news, security and medical reports regarding the swine flu outbreak.
The Mexican government has requested that all churches and organizations in Mexico City and affected areas suspend public meetings and has asked residents to follow basic sanitary precautions to guard against infections.
We have asked our members and missionaries to follow these precautions and Church leaders have cancelled meetings until further notice.
All missionaries in the affected areas are reported to be safe."

Why should we Worry? Sometimes we get to comfortable and think it couldn't happen to us, and then don't prepare, so for that reason I add the "scare factor":)

-If you listened to the news they asked the question, "is it overblown to compare this flu with the pandemic of 1918? Not really. The pandemic of 1918 didn't present itself to be deadly until the 2nd year. This flu could "burn out" or mutate into something similar to the 1918 pandemic.

*Now is the time to prepare! Lets get everything in order in our homes, just in case it doesn't "burn out". There are some basic things we can do now, and I will break that information down this month. I really don't know any more about this then the average person, so I am taking as much info as I can from Federal and LDS church site. I will always give you a link to where I find the info so you can look it up as well.
- The 1918 pandemic spread more or less simultaneously in 3 distinct waves during an 12-month period in 1918–1919, in Europe, Asia, and North America. http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/swineflu_you.htm
-An estimated one third of the world's population were infected and had clinically apparent illnesses during the 1918–1919 influenza pandemic. Total deaths were estimated at 50 million and were arguably as high as 100 million.

Food Storage deals this week

2009-04-30T07:00:00.000-06:00

This week would be a great week to stock up on Peanut Butter for your year supply.

Smiths has Kroger peanut butter for $1.00 for 18 oz---you need 3-4 jars per person for a year. I think this is such a great high protein, filling food that is also good for 72 hour kits, and car kits in an emergency. I put a jar with some spoons in my car kit:)

Macey's has Refried beans for $.50 this week---even better than last weeks price. It is Western Family Brand and can be regular, fat free or vegetarian.

Macey's also has great price on Tropical Jam 32 oz bottles for $2.39. I went today and found raspberry, razzleberry, apricot, & strawberry

You can always take in your ad to Walmart and ad match most things. If it is a store brand like Western Family you can get the Walmart store brand instead. I ad match if I only have a few things, so I don't annoy the cashier or people behind me. Maceys has great deals on meat this week, so it was worth the drive to go to Maceys instead of ad matching.

Recipe time

2009-04-28T10:34:00.000-06:00

For those of you who bought tons of pasta when they were $.50 a bag a month or so ago, here is a recipe for you. This uses most things you can find in your 3 mth supply. You can omit or add whatever you lie. I have added sugar snap peas and usually omit water chestnuts for my family's preference.

Mandarin Chicken pasta salad
2 breasts chicken, cooked and shredded
3/4 cup Yoshidas marinade( you can find this by other bottled marinades at the grocery store-I have not been able to find it at walmart- also at Cosco for the bulk container that has been worth it for me. It stores for a long time in fridge and can be used for meat as well)
1 can mandarin oranges, drained
1 can olives, drained and sliced
4 TB sugar
2 tsp salt
2 tsp accent(optional)
1 tsp pepper
½ cup oil
6 TB vin
1-2 boxes pasta cooked and drained(I think bowties and penne together are the best)

Add Yoshidas marinade to cooked chicken and let sit for at least an hour.
In a large bowl mix all other ingredients together. Add chicken when it is at his desired flavor and mix.

This is great for all of the barbeques coming up!

Earthquake Safety

2009-04-27T09:00:00.000-06:00

I forgot to post this last week, so looks like I am behind a week now:) Sorry if I am overwhelming with info lately:)

What do we do BEFORE an Earthquake hits?

PREPARE YOUR HOME:
-Fasten shelves securely to walls.
-Place large or heavy objects on lower shelves.
-Store breakable items such as bottled foods, glass, and china in low, closed cabinets with latches. -Hang heavy items such as pictures and mirrors away from beds, couches, and anywhere people sit.
-Brace overhead light fixtures.
-Repair defective electrical wiring and leaky gas connections. These are potential fire risks.
-Secure a water heater by strapping it to the wall studs and bolting it to the floor.
-Repair any deep cracks in ceilings or foundations. Get expert advice if there are signs of structural defects.
-Store weed killers, pesticides, and flammable products securely in closed cabinets with latches and on bottom shelves.
-Identify Safe Places indoors and outdoors like under sturdy furniture or against an inside wall away from where glass could shatter around windows, mirrors, pictures or where heavy bookcases or other heavy furniture could fall over.

10 item checklist that each family should work on:

Get a printable checklist on the right:)

1) Be part of a functioning Community response plan and CERT training

2) 72 hr kit: Every family member needs a complete kit and it is stored in a convenient place3) Family Emergency plan: Every family has a plan and it is practiced regularly. I have attached some cards in the "pritables" area that can be filled out and given to each family member

4) Extra water:Each family should have at least a 2 week supply of water

5) Food Storage: 3 month supply minimum. Longer supply when possible

6) First Aid kit: Every home and car should have a kit and everyone knows how to use it(CERT training spends 2 weeks in this area)

7) Water and Sanitation kit: You will need water to keep clean and wash as well as drinking water. Also supplies to use for a toilet and to keep things as sanitary as possible. I will focus on sanitation on our blog in the near future as well.

8) Utilities shut off: Know how to shut utilities off and have any necessary tools9) "Grab and go kit": Have a transportable file system of vital records (social security cards, legal papers, birth certificates, etc)

10) Car Emergency kit: 72 hr kit, 1st aid kit, tow rope, & small mechanics kit EXTRA CREDIT: Emergency equipment: pick and shovel, Generator, CERT stuff, smoke detectors/extinguishers, gloves, chain saws, etc, etc, etc

Life Caps for $16

2009-04-26T09:00:00.000-06:00

Any one who would like to order Life Caps for your survival kits can order them through me for half price. I will order them in bulk and will be $16 ($14.95 plus tax)

For a bottle of 30 capsules

10 packets with 3 capsules in each

You can buy these same pills at Deseret book or online at www.lifecaps.net for $30.

-These unique capsules can help sustain your life in an emergency, wilderness survival or even when food is not readily available for whatever reason.
-LifeCaps works on a simple principle. When your body receives pure nutrients, it no longer feels hungry and can function as normal. If energy is needed, your body feels free to burn its naturally-stored fuel, or body fat.
-contains no harmful ingredients of any kind, such as stimulants.
-It has a shelf life of 3-5 years and should be rotated along with your other 72 hr food. It can be taken as a vitamin/mineral replacement or meal replacement at that time.

Contact Tiffanie at tiffsterzer@hotmail.com and we can work out payment. I can take cash, check, or even paypal for anyone that is interested:) If you live outside my nieghborhood you can buy them for this price as well. Just email me and we can work it out:)

72 hr kits--hygiene

2009-04-25T07:00:00.000-06:00

Each week I look through the list and try to decide what is the next important thing to add. There are different aspects of important, so it is hard to say one is better than another. I remember being told by an emergency preparedness specialist that a lot of the sickness that occured after the Hurricane Katrina disaster was a result of improper hygiene. So this week lets try to gather stuff to keep us clean and prevent sickness.

-Sanitizer for hands

-Toilet paper

-Baby wipes: quick and convenient "bathing"

-Washcloth:some of you may have seen those little washcloths that start as hard circles(size of quarter) and when you add a little water it turns into a full size washcloth. I bought a bag at Walgreens for $4

-Diapers for the baby

-Toilet. You can use your 5 gallon bucket or a portable toilet. Toilets can get pricey, but are also good if you are regualr camper as well.It would be great to get a bucket($4.99 at Harmons this week) and put all of your hygiene items inside. You can also buy a toilet lid for about $10. You can gradually build your supply as you find more items.They have a little bag of enzymes that they sell at Emergency Essentials for $.60 that breaks up the waste for less smell.

-Trash bags. You would need some bags for your toilet for obvious reasons. Also for any soiled clothes, it would nice to have some ziplocs, or regular grocery sacks to maintain any bacteria or smells. I carry these with me now in case of "potty accidents" while visiting grandmas and having soiled clothes to deal with.

-Masks. These are great for filtering out smoke, dust from debri, or passing sickness. Get 12 for $1 at Dollar Tree

-Lysol: they sell those small lysols that fit in your purse.Although they tend to be the same price as a regular size the convenience and easy fit is worth it.

-Bleach. I bought one of the smallest containers to fit in my bucket. Although you should have extra bleach in your 3 mth supply in case of water contamination and cleaning.

-Latex gloves.Good way to prevent touching and spreading bacteria.Whether it is cleaning soiled clothes or helping your neighbor with a cut, gloves are the safest. (In CERT the instructor says that if it is wet and sticky and not yours, then don't touch it:) I bought a pack of 10 at the dollar store)

-Feminine supplies. You are already going to be having a bad week, lets not make it worse:)

-Trial size shampoo, soaps. I am not promising there will be a time or place available for this in a disaster but if the opportunity arises I want to be prepared. You can also include a solar shower in your 72 hr kit if that is a priority. There are basics and then there are comforts. You can also purchase a little privacy tent for about $50 to shower, dress and use the restroom for privacy. I personally plan on adding this to my supply one day, because we always rig a privacy tent out of tarp each year we go camping anyway. If it is just a few days I won't be worrying about a shower. but for others it is a must.

-Baking soda,vinegar for cleaning and nuetralizing smells. I have used these two plenty of times during the potty training phase:) This has done a better job than any store bought cleaner.

-Washing machine: This is not something that is on the basic 72 hour list, but a great extra if you have only one pair of clothes and they are getting gross. I don't know what the chances are for your washing machine to be up and running if the earthquake leveled your house:)For the machine, drill a hole in the lid and insert a plunger through hole. This is used as your agitator when you move it up and down. Inside your bucket you can store your detergent, clothes pins, rope to line dry and other cleaning agents. There is a woman in South Jordan that sells these premade for $25. She also sells toilet kits for $40 if anyone is interested let me know. She can come do a presentation to our neighborhood if there is an interest. She has a lot more great kits as well.

Start with a 5 gallon bucket and when you think of hygiene items for you, toss them in. I add more things each month.

*There may be some more items as well, but this is some ideas. Pick a few that are essential for you. Keep in mind you have to have room in your pack as well

Deals this week

2009-04-23T07:00:00.000-06:00

There are some good deals this week to add to your storage.

One of the best ways to get your water supply is to get it gradually. It is great to have the 55 gallon barrels of water, or other large containers. It is more convenient however to have some water bottles as well in your storage.

-Maceys has Aquarius water 24 pack for $2.50 which is great. You will see this often throughout the summer so it is prime time to get a few everytime you go to the store. Put them in your 72 hour packs, 3 mth water storage, and in your cars.

-Legumes are a good source of protein that you need in your storage

Albertsons has Taco Bell Refried beans this week for $.60 when you spend $10. There are a few other items that you can buy to reach the $10 total if you wanted more than just refried beans. You need 5 lbs of legumes per person for 1 month

-Kroger salsa is $1 at Smiths and can go towards your supply of vegetables

Food storage recipe

2009-04-21T09:00:00.000-06:00

This recipe is taken from www.dealstomeals.blogspot.com. When bananas are on a good deal I usually buy a lot for my fmaily. I am a picky banana eater and love them only when they are barely ripe. When they go brown I throw them in the freezer. When you are in the mood for banana bread just take them out to defrost. Great way to avoid wasting old bananas, and use ingredients from your storage.

It is fabulous as a bread..or you can put the batter in a 9x13 cake pan and frost with homemade cream cheese frosting!

Banana Bread
1 ¼ c. sugar
½ c. margarine
1 c. banana pulp (2 bananas)
4 T. sour cream
2 eggs
1 ½ c. flour (wheat flour tastes great in this recipe! You could also do 1/2 white & 1/2 wheat)
1 t. soda
1 t. vanilla
½ t. salt
Cream butter and sugar together. Beat in eggs and add. Dissolve soda in sour cream and add with flour and rest of batter. Grease bread pan and flour. Cook at 350 for 1 hour and 10 minutes (or until toothpick comes out clean). Check at 1 hour.

72 hour warmth

2009-04-18T09:00:00.000-06:00

A critical part of your 72 hour kits will be some kind of blanket for each member of your family. They provide warmth and give a feel of security. It can also be used as a screen to provide some privacy in a crowded area or evacuation center. Blankets are especially important if you live in a place like Utah where it snows all Spring:)

There is a difference between those Emergency blankets and a real blanket in your kit. The difference is comfort in a time of disaster. Children and adults will be afraid and the warmth and comfort of a blanket could make a hug impact. It is recommended that everyone have an emergency blanket in your kits and use it over your regular blanket for extra warmth. You can buy these for about a dollar at Emergency Essentials or most likely Walmart as well.

Not every blanket is a good choice. You need something that is lightweight and dries quickly. I looked around my house for all of my blankets and found plenty for each member(including the dog:)

-Virgin acrylic blankets: many of these car blankets can be found in discount drug or department stores

-Fleece throws: You can find these blankets at just about any store.

Blankets like wool, polyester, sleeping bag, thermal and comforters are bulky and take a long time to dry. These are good to have in your home in case of a power outage but not practical for a 72 hr kit.

How to Store it? The major problem with blankets is how to fit them in your kit.

- Duffel bag: I put all of my blankets in a large duffel bag with a handle and wheels. We had it around the house from some company giveaway. I put all of my families blankets in here as well as mine, Robs and baby's clothes. I put it in a tash bag first to protect from moisture. It is light and easy to strap around me.

- If your kit is a blanket you can wrap your blanket in plastic and wrap and fasten it around your bucket.

-Backpack with frame: if this is your 72 hour kit you can easily attach a rolled blanket(after covering it with a plastic bag to protect it form water)

-Space saver: My brother in law has one of those food saver machines that sucks the plastic out of the bags provided. All of his clothes, blankets, hygiene items and food are so compact and he can fit a lot more in his kit---this is my next step for my kits.

Hand and toe warmers:These can ne nice to have to put in pockets or shoes to keep warm. I found this 4- pack at walmart for about $1.50. Each one has up to 10 hours of heat

Canned heat: can be lit and have up to 10 hours of heat. They are $4.50 at Emergency Essentials

Poncho: It is a great idea to have a poncho in your pack to keep warm and dry. Wish I had one this week...Also about a dollar each.

Do what works best for your family!
(It's time to Plan Not Panic by Barbara Salsbury)

Deals this Week

2009-04-16T07:00:00.000-06:00

There aren't any great food storage deals this week. But there is great deals on laundry detergent. Imagine not being able to leave your home for 3 mths. You have electricity to wash your laundry BUT do you have everything you need for it? You should have a supply of items such as laundry and dishwasher detergent(or soap for those amazing people who wash dishes by hand:), body soap, shampoo, deodorant, toilet paper, bleach (not just for laundry but for cleaning and purifying water) diapers, wipes and other cleaning or hygiene items you use regularly.

Some people are particular about detergent so this weeks deals may not be for you. I am cheap as they come, but my kids have pretty awful excema and I have to use the "clear" kind of detergents that is free of dyes and other additives to make it smell pretty:)

Smiths: Sunburst Laundry Detergent(41-50 loads) for $1.88( liquid or powder)
Albertsons: Shoppers Value Laundry detergent for $1.79 (liquid)
Harmons: Suave naturals shampoo or conditioner for $.79 (works great for me:)

Those of you who have Costco memberships can find the name brands for good prices as well. If you aren't particular about dishwashing soap you can pick up a couple extra boxes at Walmart. It is all the same to me. It shouldn't be too much strain to take $10 a week and focus solely on getting supplies for your 3 mth storage.

Go to the store this week and spend it on soap,detergent or shampoo, or buy a couple deodarants. At least focus on the tp:) It is awesome to have a extra box of diapers so I don't have one of those moments where I have 3 diapers left and shopping day isn't for 2 more days.

We need to rely less on the stores to be down the street and accessible 24/7. If a disaster occurs we will not be able to drive around town on a whim, neither will the stores be stocked with anything. Focus on 3 mths of food and supplies if you couldn't leave your home. Throughout the day write down things that you use on a regular basis and add it to a list of things to stock up on.

Cooking with no power

2009-04-14T12:58:00.000-06:00

I didn't know what recipe to post today, but as my husband is outside setting up the dutch oven, I got an idea:) I want everyone to stop and evaluate what source you would have if you had no power to cook. All of the food storage recipes won't be any good if you have no way to cook it. So here are some ideas:

Barbeque: I use my barbeque at least twice a week throughout the winter, and a lot more in the summer. Everything just seems to taste better. *Right now make sure you have enough propane to last you. Also some briquets and matches just in case. Also practice now to cook a variety of different things now instead of when you have to.

Dutch Oven: We have collected quite a bit of dutch oven supplies throughout our marriage and it is really fun to see what you can do. I recently bought a dutch oven bread pan to test it out today. I will add some pictures later -Rob is just barely putting the dutch oven on the coals. We use our barbeque tray to put the briquets in, but have also done it camping or just in a pile of rocks. The trick to the dutch oven is to know how many briquets and where(top or bottom). We are no way near experts, but it is fun to experiment. I found this site that gives great tips and recipes, so we use this as our cheat sheet. Print some off today because if there is no power to cook than there is no power to print them off later:)

Sterno stove or canned heat: I bought a couple of these cells at $4.50 each at Emergency Essentials. The stove unit is $8.00, or 2 cells and stove for $14.95. It is a safe alcohol gel that can cook for 5 hours once lit or provide 10 hours of warmth. You can read more about it at Emergency Essentials. You can buy it online and pay shipping or pick it up locally in South Jordan. Boils 1 cup of water in about 15 minutes. It takes a little longer and you can't expect to cook gourmet meals on it. It burns smoke free and can be used inside.

Portable stove: These are $25 at Emergency Essentials and you would need some extra butane canisters as well. I don't have one personally but I am tempted:) My barbeque as the stove on the side so it has that same effect. Yet, this is portable and could be taken with me if needed. If you plan on using it inside make sure you have one that is approved to be used indoors.Fireplace: This is a great way to keep warm while the rest of us are without heat. We had a gas fireplace before and I can't see how that would be possible to cook in. Many builders don't even allow them anymore--we asked:) If you have a wood burning one you could place a dutch oven in it or use the roasting stick technique. I did read that you should never burn charcoal in the fireplace, because it can create lethal carbon monoxide that will not be removed completely by the chimney. If this is your option practice up!

Let me know if there are any more cooking ideas that you can think of!

Dinner for 72 hours

2009-04-10T22:27:00.001-06:00

You can use a lot of the breakfast ideas and lunch ideas for your dinner meals so this is a bit of a repeat. Go for lightweight, tasty, convenient and familiar food. It is not as important to have balanced meals as it is to have high calories and nutrition.
When it comes to food for your kits it is completely up to what your family prefers and what you can carry.
Here are some ideas:
-Granola bars
-cereal bars
-pop tarts
-dried fruit
-fruit cups
-oatmeal to go
-fruit leather
-Energy bars
-cup of noodles+ water+ cooking equipment+ utensils
-tuna fish
-tuna to go pack
-pb and jam sandwich
-instant soups+ water+ cooking equipment
-vienna sausages
-MRE (meals ready to eat) found at Emergency Essentials
-freeze dried meals+ water+ cooking equipment+ dishes

Keep in mind if you choose things such as freeze dried meals, you will need to include the water and any dishes and cooking equipment needed.

Here is my dinner meal plan:

Day 1:
Tuna-to-Go and Applesauce cup:

Tuna-to-go is convenient and includes a mini tuna can, mayonnaise packet, and crackers. They are about $2.00. Applesauce cups come in 6 packs for $2 as well.

Day 2:

Crackers with Peanut butter and Dried Fruit: You can buy these MRE style crackers for $.75 each at Emergency Essentials- they taste just like saltines with less salt. They are vaccum packed and least likely to break in your kit. The peanut butter packs are excellent protein source and cost $.50 each. You can find the dried fruit at Walmart for $3-$4

Day 3:

Crackers with Tuna and Cheese Spread with Pineapple- I bought a box of saltines for $1 and these tupperware at the dollar store for a pack of 2. This will keep them from getting squished and has room for my mayo packets(from a fast food restaurant:) as well. You can get cheese spread packets for $.75 at Emergency Essentials and pineapple MRE for $1.25. I bought the can of tuna for $.50 (make sure to pack the can opener)

Deals for food storage this week

2009-04-08T21:12:00.000-06:00

Smiths is still having some great case lot sales this week so check out last weeks post here for those deals to add to your food storage.

Another great deal is at Albertsons if you need to stock up on your fruit storage for your family. One family would need 85 lbs of fruit a year. That is 15 lbs for 1 month for your entire family.

Albertsons has Del Monte 20 oz pineapple and canned fruit for $.70. It hasn't been that low in years apparently. You can get this price if you buy 10 in a transaction.

Earthquake Safety

2009-04-06T14:43:00.000-06:00

I thought each week in April we could focus on earthquake safety. This week to start us off, I wanted to give you all of the info you need to know about earthquakes and Utah. Not meant to scare you entirely, just prepare you. First of all, if you are curious about why Utah is overdue for an earthquake, check out this video on Utube done by geology.utah.gov. It shows an arial view of the valley explaining the fault lines across the wasatch front. Here is the info we were taught in CERT training. Also found at at Deseret News archive. If Utah was to have a 7.0 earthquake this is what we could expect:

-90,000 people injured
-up to 6,200 people dead
-42% of local buildings moderately damaged
-older bridges on I-15 will collapse
-280,000 homes will be without utilities
-East and west corridors for travel distrupted by damage
-$40 billion dollars in economic losses

There are a lot of things we need to prepare for not only for the quake itself but our economy afterwards. If our families survive we will have to plan on surviving in a community that has literally been ripped apart. This month I will focus on different aspects of earthquakes and hopefully get all of us to feel a bit more prepared. We can't live in fear of bad things happening, but we can prepare ourselves to be ready when they do happen!

Southwestern Egg Rolls

2009-04-06T14:37:00.000-06:00

This is one of my favorite recipes! I didn't know if I would like some of the ingredients combined but it was perfect. I took this recipe from my http://www.myfoodstoragedeals.blogspot.com/

Southwestern Egg Rolls (like the ones at Chilis). Another added bonus is that almost ALL of the ingredients are staples in your food storage, or items I recommend having a 3 month supply of in your freezer (these items have a * next to them). It makes for a quick meal in a hurry

Southwestern Egg Rolls

1 chicken breast fillet, diced

*½ red bell pepper, minced

*2 T. green onion, minced

¼ c. white onion, minced

1 can corn (or frozen about 1 c.)

*1 can black beans, rinsed and drained

*2 T. spinach, sliced very thinly (optional)

1 small can green chilies

*½ T. parsley

*½ t. cumin

*½ t. chili powder

*¼ t. salt

*dash cayenne pepper

*1 c. Ceddar Cheese, shredded

*Flour Tortillas

*Avocado-ranch dipping sauce:

1 c. ranch (any style)

*1 whole avocado, mashed (Or more if you like it!)

1 tsp. minced onion

*Salt & Pepper

*Blend together with blender.

Cook chicken and dice. In large bowl mix all ingredients together.Sauté all ingredients (including chicken) until warm. Remove from heat and add shredded cheese. Mix well. Warm tortillas. Place ½ c. or so of mixture inside a tortilla. Fold completely together so mixture can not escape. Place inside a panni grill or George Forman to grill and melt cheese. You can also make like a grilled cheese sandwich, just put something heavy on top of burrito to grill. Serve with dipping sauce.

72 Hr water

2009-04-03T19:16:00.001-06:00

***Pack at least 3 - 16.9 oz bottles in your pack for each person.

If you have a pet make sure he has some too. I have a Chihuahua so I won't have to carry much:)

If you are feeling good about getting plenty of water for your packs, toss a bottle in your car for each person as well for a future car kit:)

Extra water info----
My favorite preparedness book "It's Time to Plan Not Panic" by Barbara Salsbury(check it out at the library!) says this: "When deciding how much water to take with you, the question may not be how much should you carry, but how much can you carry"

Water is confusing because everyone seems to say different requirements. We should all have 2 weeks of water stored for 2 weeks that is seperate than this amount. The purpose of the 72 hr kit would be to take it with you in an evacuation situation. I can not take 55 gallon drum on my back:)

You can get those little 8 oz packets of water where emergency prep stuff is sold. On the back of those it says it is recommended that you drink at least 8 oz a day to survive. But your body would need more to be in good health. If nothing else is in your kits, water is a must so carry as much as you can.

For my oldest 2 kids I put in 2 water bottles in their pack....that is simply all they can carry without falling over. Since I want each kid to have 3 bottles at least I will carry the bulk of the water in my pack.

They say that when people are in an emergency they drink more because of the stress, although I think I would freak out and ration myself. I put water bottles in the fridge and gave each of my kids one of the 16.9 oz bottles to carry around for the day. By the end of the day, they hadn't even finished one. They were playing pretty rough all day and were in great shape at the end of the day. Of course this wasn't in the hot summer day either. But I felt comfortable knowing that my kids would be comfortable on one 16.9 oz bottle of water per day. I made sure each one of us had at least 3 bottles in our kit, and then I put in more bottles until it was pretty heavy but manageable. I know we should drink 8 glasses a day of water and eat all of our veggies, but the focus here is too stay hydrated.

Cleaning water is another thing. I don't think I have packed that much for cleaning personally. I have my 2 week water of I had access to my home. I think that I would put off washing the laundry if I knew I needed that water to drink. (That is why you have a extra pair of clothes) Don't get me wrong hygiene is very important in a situation like this to avoid sickness. Along with water I have a lot of wipes, sanitizer, bleach, disinfectant, these cool washclothes that go from the size of a quarter until dropped in a little water and they turn into a full size washcloth. We will get into all of that stuff later. Boy this was supposed to be a short, simple post "get some water" :)
Yes, the national guard, Red cross and other federal help will bring water in, but not immediately. We can't go without water for more than 3 days. After Katrina hit some residents did not recieve water assistance for over a week! It is not the governments job to provide for our families!

Food Storage Recipe perfect for this cold weather

2009-03-30T14:19:00.000-06:00

Here is a different twist on chili, that tastes nothing like chili:) It is a good way to cook with the beans in your food storage to keep them rotated.

White Bean Chicken Chili

(from http://www.myfoodstoragedeals.blogspot.com/)

6 cans of white navy beans, drained (or about 1 lb. dried white beans--soak them overnight or boil for 1 hour or until tender)
2 c. water or chicken broth (or more depending how thick you want it)
1 jar of salsa
1 can green chilies
2-4 chicken breasts
1/2 onion, diced (or you can use dried)
1 c. shredded colby or cheddar cheese
1-2 cloves garlic (or you can use powdered)
1 T. cumin (or more, I like a lot of cumin)
Salt & Pepper to taste
1 T. McCormick Chicken Base (or you can use chicken bouillon)
Cayenne Pepper if you like more of a spicy soup

Garnish with fresh cilantro, sour cream, diced avocados, fresh lime squeezed & more shredded cheese.
Put all of the above ingredients into a large pot. Simmer until beans and chicken are tender and cooked through (I just throw my chicken breasts in raw and let them cook in the water. When they are cooked I take them out and chop them up. They give the broth more of a chicken flavor). Garnish with the above ingredients.

Be superwoman(man) and makes some homemade bread to go with it!

Lunch for 72 hrs

2009-03-27T22:23:00.002-06:00

You can use a lot of the breakfast ideas for your lunch meals as well. Go for lightweight, tasty, convenient and familiar food. It is not as important to have balanced meals as it is to have high calories and nutrition. When it comes to food for your kits it is completely up to what your family prefers and what you can carry. Here are some ideas: -Granola bars, cereal bars, pop tarts, dried fruit , fruit cups, oatmeal to go, fruit leather, Energy bars , cup of noodles+ water+ cooking equipment+ utensils , tuna fish, tuna to go pack , pb and jam sandwich, instant soups+ water+ cooking equipment, vienna sausages ,MRE (meals ready to eat) found at Emergency Essentials ,freeze dried meals+ water+ cooking equipment+ dishes. Keep in mind if you choose things such as freeze dried meals, you will need to include the water and any dishes and cooking equipment needed. I had these previously and it weighed down my pack quite a bit. I had MRE'S(meals ready to eat) in my pack when I was married and it was fine just for me, but having 3 kids with those meals weighed more than I could carry. Also MRE's really gross me out personally and I am pretty sure my kids wouldn't go for chicken in a pouch. Canned items are really convenient but it adds up quickly. It was determined that if you used canned foods for your kit for 2 people it would be 55 lbs. I have to carry the bulk of the weight for 5 people, so I eliminated all cans from my pack. Water is essential and heavy, so you need to plan on the bulk of the weight for the water. Here is my lunch plan if it gives you ideas: Day 1:

Energy Bar and Applesauce cup-Energy bars can be found at Emergency Essentials for $1 or in the nutrition aisles of most grocery stores. Applesauce cups are sold in packs of 6 for $2.

Day 2:

Peanut Butter and jam sandwich with dry fruit-These slices of bread are typically sold with MRE packs but can be bought at Emergency Essentials for less than $1. They last for about 5 years. The peanut butter and jam packs are less than $.50 a pack. I bought a 24 pack of dried fruit at Costco for $13, but they are found at most grocery stores individually for about $1.

Day 3:

Poptart and fruit leather- Poptarts can be found at most grocery stores for about $2 for a 4 pack. To avoid crushing put it a tupperware. All a dollar has a 2 pack of tupperware for $1. Fruit leathers are found at Costco, or sold by the fruit snacks at Walmart for $3.

Food Storage for 3mth supply

2009-03-25T12:51:00.000-06:00

There aren't any amazing long term food storage deals at the stores this week. There are good deals on food like milk and cheese and meat. This would be part of your 3 mth supply.

I like to buy cheese and milk on good deals and freeze it since we go through it so fast here. You can basically freeze anything, although I have never tried eggs:) It grossed me out when I was a kid and my mom froze everything but really it is nice to know that when I run out of something I have a supply in my freezer.
-You can get milk for $1.50 this week at Smiths---Pour a little out so it has room to expand in the freezer.
-Cheese is $3.99 for 2 lbs this week at Maceys (you can also ad match at walmart)With the cheese I grate it and put in freeezer bags. Cheese can get really expensive so it is great to stock up when you get it cheap. If you freeze it in the block it has to defrost competely in the fridge and it will not crumble. It tastes and has the same texture as before!

It is a good idea to have a good suppply of meat in your freezer as well. It saves in the end when you buy it at a great price and get extra for other meals. -lean ground beef at Albertsons for $1.99
-Alberstsons has a lot of meat choices for $1.88 that is a great deal to stock up on: boneless pork loin chops/roast, beef roast, boneless chicken breasts, pork country style ribs.

If you need ideas on great meals check out http://www.dealstomeals.com/ She takes all of the sales for this week and turns them into meals. I have tried 3 new meals from last week and they were awesome- carne asada tacos and tonight a mock Kneaders turkey avocado sandwich. Sometimes I don't buy the meat on good deals because I am not sure what I can make with it, so this adds some variety to our menu.

Recipe Tuesday!

2009-03-23T13:59:00.000-06:00

I learned something new about wheat last week that I thought was important to share. There are 2 really important reasons why we should get used to cooking with wheat now.

1- Wheat can be tricky to cook with. Whole wheat bread is not like ordianry dough and takes some practice. In my case it would help if I didn't half everything in the recipe except for the sugar:) It was sweet and moist but heavy. I was annoyed becasue it took me 30 minutes to grind the wheat and then I end up messing up the recipe:) Anyways, if we had to rely on cooking all of our food ourselves by using our food storage, we need to know how. I will try again using the right measurements...

2- Apparently wheat is something your digestive system needs to get used too. I also learned this after my wheat bread experience last week. My kids and husband liked it despite my ingredient mishap:) Rob ate several pieces to my one piece but I had some stomach pain the rest of the night. I was told a few days later by an expert that it would not be a good situation if we went from eating no wheat in our diets to relying on it daily. I seem to be one of those who needs to break in gradually. I have added half wheat to my white flour but never tried whole wheat until lst week.

So here are a couple options to try this week. If you have a grinder for your wheat you can try that or straight wheat flour from the store. If you don't have a grinder (I bought my first last week at Macey's for $60) you can still use the wheat whole in the chili recipe. I will try it later next week as well.

Makes 2 8/4 inch loaves.
Whole Wheat Bread

3 c. whole wheat flour

1/3 c. vital wheat gluten (helps retain moisture, extends shelf life)

1 1/4 T. instant yeast

2 1/2 c. steaming hot water (120-130 F)

1 T. salt

1/3 c. oil

1/3 c. honey or 1/2 c. sugar

1 1/4 T. bottled lemon juice (acts as a dough enhancer)or 3T dough enhancer

2 1/2 c. whole wheat flour

Mix together the first three ingredients in your mixer with a dough hook. Add water all at once and mix for 1 minute; cover and let rest for 10 minutes (this is called sponging). Add salt, oil, honey or sugar, and lemon juice and beat for 1 minute. Add last flour, 1 cup at a time, beating between each cup. Beat for about 6-10 minutes until dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl. This makes very soft dough.Pre-heat oven for 1 minute to lukewarm and turn off. Turn dough onto oiled counter top; divide, shape into loaves place in oiled bread pans. Let rise in warm oven for 10-15 minutes until dough reaches top of pan. Do not remove bread from oven; turn oven to 350 F and bake for 30 minutes. Remove from pans and cool on racks.

Wheat Chili-

I assume you could just do your regular chili recipe and just add the wheat portion to it, or to other casseroles, tacos, soups, etc.

4-6 cups steamed wheat

1 lb ground beef

1 qt. whole tomatoes

1 tsp chili powder

1 tsp garlic powder

1 clove garlic, diced

1 qt tomato juice

1 large onion

2 cups tomato sauce

Brown meat, onion, garlic, and drain. Drain excess water from wheat and combine all ingredients in crock pot. simmer for at least 2 1/2 hours.

Steamed wheat-add 2 cups wheat in 6 cups water. bring to a boil for 5 miuntes then turn off heat and let sit overnight. Drain and rinse or

2 cups wheat and 4 cups water in crock pot 2-3 hours on low until wheat is tender.

Breakfast for 72 hrs

2009-03-21T13:46:00.006-06:00

Anyway, when it comes to food for you kits it is completely up to what your family prefers and what you can carry. I actually exchanged a lot of stuff a few months ago because I realized the weight of the packs would be too much for my kids and for me since I was carrying the bulk of the stuff. I also has stuff that I wondered if my kids would eat. I don't want to chance that in emergency. I went for lightweight, tasty and familiar food.

Here are some ideas: Granola bars, cereal bars, box cereals(serving size) ,instant oatmeal+ water, freeze dried foods + water, trail mix, pop tarts, dried fruit, fruit cups, oatmeal to go, fruit leather, Energy bars.

Keep in mind if you choose things such as freeze dried breakfasts, instant oatmeal, you will need to include the water and any dishes and cooking equipment needed. I had these previously and it weighed down my pack quite a bit. Can fruits will also be heavier. If you have those mini cereal boxes you may decide if you need milk to go with it and will need a instant milk pack plus water as well. I assumed that in a disaster I will be stressed and my children will be scared. I want the flexibility to reach into my pack and grab their breakfast instead of setting up a hot plate, waiting for it to boil and making a freeze dried meal that was foreign to them. I have a hard enough time cooking dinner now without them getting impatient and cranky:) Here is my breakfast plan if it gives you ideas:

Breakfast: Day one: Granola bar with fruit leather -both can be found at Walmart. Granola bars average $3 a box. Fruit leathers are $3 a box as well an found by fruit snacks.I get the big box at Costco which has all flavors. Approximately $6 to feed my family of 5 for breakfast. I also put in a extra granola bar for my husband since it will take more to fill him. Day 2: Energy Bar and Applesauce cup -I bought this meal bar at Emergency Essentials for $1. I have seen bars similar to this as well in the grocery stores. They have a selection of different flavors and provide all of the calories you need for a meal. Applesauce cups are $2 for 6 cups. It cost $7 for my family of 5 for this breakfast.

Day 3:Oatmeal-to-Go and Dried fruit

-I bought both of these at Walmart. The oatmeal-to-go has tons of fiber and a lot easier and less mess than cooking instant oatmeal. They are also very filling. They cost about $3-$4 for 6. The dried fruit comes in a box of 12 for $3, so I had extra for other meals as well. Cost $7 for my family of 5.

*I use these items for lunch ideas as well, because they are so convenient and lightweight. You will spend less of course if you are only doing a kit for 1. You could buy a pack of granola bars and use it for all 3 days instead of buying these other food items. If your kids won't eat these foods then try one of the other options. It is important they eat these foods not only too avoid pickiness in a disaster, but in a year you need to rotate these foods. After 1 year these were still in good condition and we rotated them with new ones and put the old stuff in the "snack drawer" that the kids can pick from once a day.

Recipe Tuesday

2009-03-16T16:43:00.000-06:00

This recipe was taken from www.myfoodstoragedeals.blogspot.com. I made it with my kids and they thought it was so much fun. It is a great snack or good with milk for breakfast.

All of the items for granola can be found in your food storage, so it is a great recipe to have on hand to use up and rotate items in your food storage.

Homemade Granola:
1 c. sliced almonds (or any nut you prefer-I tried whole almonds)
5 c. oats (quick or old fashioned)
1 c. shredded coconut
1 c. raisins (I used a mix of dried blueberries, cranberries)
1/4 c. sesame seeds (optional)
1/4 c. sunflower seeds (optional)
1/2 c. flaxseed (optional--good for you and you can't even tell it is there)
1/2 c. REAL maple syrup(This is about $5 for a small bottle but you can use it for 2 batches of granola. I have not tried but I bet you could use regular syrup too)
1/2 c. honey
1/3 c. canola oil

Mix ingredients all together until all ingredients are covered in the honey, maple syrup and oil. If you need to add a little more honey you can do that. You don't want it very sticky, just enough to keep the granola together. Place granola on a baking sheet (don't spray) and put in the oven at 150-170 degrees and bake for approx 2 hours (or until COMPLETELY dry and crunchy). Every 30-40 minutes take the granola out of the oven and stir around to make sure all of the granola is evenly cooked. You can also put the granola in a dehydrator for 3-4 hours on medium heat until dry. By not cooking the granola at a high temperature you are keeping all of the nutrients and healthy enzymes in tact--it is the healthiest way to eat your grains. Let granola cool and then store in ziploc bags, Tupperwares or canisters. Will last for several months in your pantry (as long as it is completely dry).

Family Idea

2009-03-16T15:30:00.001-06:00

There is this great site that I link to this blog that had family night ideas for families the 3rd monday each month. It could be adapted for all faiths. Check it out and see if it works for your family and helps you get prepared! Check out www.safelygatheredin.blogspot.com

Thursdays deals

2009-03-11T17:38:00.001-06:00

Maceys is still having their case lot and emergency prep sale this week. So look at last weeks post here for those great deals that are good for one more week.

Also Smiths is having an amazing deal on American Beauty pasta this week. Usually it is a great deal when it is $1 for a 16 oz bag. But if you buy 10 bags they are only .50 each!!! You need 25 lbs of grains per person for a month of food storage. Look here for more suggested amounts.If you eat a lot of pasta this would be as low as you will see it for a very long time. They have a big variety as well. I keep my pasta in those rubbermaid totes and stack them in my storage room. Pasta is good for 2 years and can be easily rotated. Just make sure you date them. I have my kids put labels with the dates on them to keep track, or when they are feeling less helpful:) I use the magic marker.

Recipe Tuesday!

2009-03-09T12:25:00.000-06:00

This recipe idea is taken from www.myfoodstoragedeals.blogspot.com There are tons of great tips for emergency preparedness, deals, recipes and of course food storage!

Wheat is intimidating to me. I bought 50 lbs at the cannery for $6 each and now I wonder what am I going to do with it! It stores for over 30 years, but I would like to incorporate it into our meals now. The other problem is that you need a grinder to make it into flour. Those are pretty pricey if you can't find one to borrow.So I was excited to run across this idea:

Put 2 c. of wheat in a crock pot with 4 c. water. Turn on medium heat for 2-3 hours, or until wheat is tender and soft. Watch to make sure the crock pot does not run out of water. Add a little extra water if the wheat absorbs the water more quickly than is expected.

When wheat is soft and tender, serve with milk and honey for cereal or add to several of your recipes. Wheat is great to help many recipes stretch. Add a 1/2 c. to your meatloaf, taco meat, meatballs, etc. and you will NEVER know it is there. Not only will the wheat help your recipes stretch but it will add extra nutrients to your meals as well. Keep a tupperware full of cooked wheat in your fridge and you will be surprised at how many recipes you can throw it into.

Life Caps and Toilets

2009-03-06T22:27:00.000-07:00

These two topics don't go together except for the fact they are both useful in your 72 hr kit:)

I mentioned in my first container post that it is important for each family to have at least one 5-gallon bucket in their 72 hr supply. It can be used to hold your 72 hr kit supplies for now and also can be used for a toilet in an emergency. A bucket can be transformed by simply putting a garbage bag inside and securing it with a large rubberband. There is a also a enzyme you can buy that breaks up waste and helps eliminate odor. The tiny bag of enzymes is $1.50.

These buckets are at a great price at Macey's right now for $3.99 including the lid. These buckets are also perfect for holding food storage. A bucket can hold a 25 lb bag of flour, sugar, wheat, etc. and keep it protected from moisture, rodents and and gettign stale. A toilet can be found at Emergency Essentials for $17 as well and it comes with the toilet seat, enzyme packet, and a 5 gallon bucket. It is $10 more but would be worth it if you used it for other purposes such as camping, hunting trips, etc.

I also wanted to mention a product I ran into recently. Another alternate to food in your 72 hr kit are "Lifecaps".
It is a pill that you take for each meal and it provides the same nutrients to keep your body satisfied for up to 10 days. It must be taken with your emergency water for survival. It can be swallowed or chewed and can be for adults or children. It states that it can eliminate hunger pains within 20minutes. I think these would be great in car kits in case of emergency as well as 72 hr kits becasue they are light and easy to store. I plan on getting a 72 hr supply for all members of my family to add to their current 72 hr kit. 72 hrs is just an estimate between the time the disaster strikes and when Red cross can establish help and resources. There is no guarantee it won't be longer, so I figure if we run out of food after 3 days we will still have another 3 days of nutrients to keep my family satisfied.It is all natural. Packing more food is also an option, but my bags are already pretty heavy. Check out the site www.lifecaps.net if you are interested. There is a short clip from Good Things Utah about it. They are typically sold for $1 a pill and can be sold in 72 hr packs for $10, or a container of 30 for $30. Right now the small packs are $6 at Maceys. You can get a raincheck for later if they are out. Deseret book also sells them for $10. If there is a big interest I am able to order a large quantity of the bottles online for $15 each(for 30 pills).

Water containers

2009-03-03T21:07:00.000-07:00

If any of you still want to sign up for 55 gallon water containers, it is always open for additions. I have found another source who has agreed to sell them to me in large quantities for $11. They previously held propylene glycol:

Propylene glycol is a clear, colorless, slightly syrupy liquid at room temperature. Propylene glycol is practically odorless and tasteless.

Propylene glycol is used to make biodegradable antifreeze and de-icing solutions for cars, airplanes, and boats; as an ingredient in termite control; to make polyester compounds; and as solvents in the paint and plastics industries.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified propylene glycol as an additive that is "generally recognized as safe" for use in food. It is also used to absorb extra water and maintain moisture in certain medicines, cosmetics, or food products. It is a solvent for food colors and flavors.

The seller assured me it is safe and non toxic and he has stored and used water in it personally. He said it is cleaned just like the other juice ones and leaves no taste or odor.

So here is the info. I personally would have no problem storing my water in these and feel good about it. If you want a guaranteed water source and don't want to wait for the other ones, please pay $11 instead of the $10 and as soon as I have all of the money I will call him. I am still collecting them from the other source as well but feel it will take a long time to get everyone set. I don't know his demand for these 20 so let me know if this is what you want. I would love to get them right now, but I don't want to pay $$$ out of my pocket and have 20 barrels in my yard:) He says he has 40 each month to sell. If you need to know where to drop off payment email me at tiffsterzer@hotmail.com If you are not in my neighborhood I am happy to help you out as well, but will not drive around the valley to deliver them:) I will have them delivered to my house and we can make arrangements.

Recipe Tuesday!

2009-03-02T15:37:00.000-07:00

All of these items can be found in your food storage. This recipe is just one of many you can find on www.myfoodstoragedeals.com. You can try her program free for 2 weeks and then it is $4.95 after that. She gives you a menu for the week using the sales in the weekly ads. She has a system that tells you the best deals at every store so you don't have to do the work. You just print off the sheet and ad match it at walmart or go to the other 5 grocery stores. She tells you how much of each item you should buy to get your year supply. I give her the credit for getting me excited and building up my storage.She has a family of six and lives in the same city as me, and she has a goal to help as many people as she can. She was recently featured on the local news as well! She also has a blog at www.myfoodstoragedeals.blogpspot.com (Both of these sites are linked on the right)

Tortilla White Bean Soup

3 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded (you can use your storage in the freezer or even canned chicken added later. I think it may get to soft if it is in the crockpot too long)
24 oz Great Northern Beans (white beans)
8 oz Pace picante salsa
2 c shredded cheese (can use powdered cheese if you didn't have any in the freezer)
2 t. cumin
2 cans chicken broth

Throw all into your slow cooker and simmer for at least an hour. Add just before you serve:

1/4 cup cilantro (from garden, store or dried)
1/2 cup fresh lime, squeezed (or lime juice from food storage)

Garnish with:
corn chips
sour cream (powdered or fresh)
guacamole (don't think this can be in food storage but it is only optional

Simplest way

2009-02-28T15:33:00.000-07:00

I will add a list of everything to put in your 72 hr kits soon. It's been a long day:)
I wanted to tell you about a great thing to put in your 72 hr kits, and in your cars. At stores such as Emergency Essentials there are 3600 calorie bars. They have several different kinds and are about $6. They also let you sample them at emergency essentials. If you were in an emergency you would be able to survive on these bars for 3 days. 3 squares a day will give you all of the calories you will need to survive. I have one of these in my car, but chose to not use them in my 72 hr kits just because I wanted to find a more variety of things for my children to eat each day that they were used to.

If you choose to not get them for your 72 hr kit(I will have more options for food on a later post) I would recommend them for your cars.

They are a bit crumbly and have a powdery texture and taste like a pecan sandy cookie.For a sample you can go to Emergency Essentials in South Jordan 968 W. South Jordan Parkway (10600 s.)

Your year supply one month at a time

2009-02-25T14:28:00.000-07:00

Let's begin by saying I am not a professional in this area. I begin seriously last year after joining a friend's food storage program(www.myfoodstoragedeals.com). It got me excited and helped me to stress less and start simple. So that is what I am trying to pass on.
I took the information from the LDS church website, although I want to stress that this is a city wide program and not a church program. The LDS church has boundaries of neighborhoods already in place and the city thought this would be the easiest route.
It is less overwhelming for me when I look at it monthly instead of the full year
Suggested amount for 1 month for one person:

Grains: 25 lbs per person of any of the following:
-cold or hot cereal
-cornmeal
-flour
-mixes(muffin, cornbread, pancake)
-oats (quick or old fashioned)
-Rice
-wheat(grind to make wheat flour)
*For a family of 4 you could get a 25 lb bag of flour, 25 lbs of oatmeal, 25 lbs of rice, and 25 lbs of wheat- then you have a good variety. I know this seems a no-brainer but don't get things your family won't eat!

Legumes: 5 lbs per person
-Black beans
-chili beans
-kidney beans
-lentils
-pinto beans
-pork n' beans
-refried beans
*Beans are an important part of your diet. If you don't know what you would do with these, I have a lot of good recipes that I will pass on every Tuesday. They have gotten as low as .50 a can and if possible get as many as you can. I am getting low but right now they are a bit too much per can so I have been focusing on other stuff on sale.

Milk: 1.5 lbs per person
-Evaporated milk
-powdered
-sweetened condensed
*Powdered milk can come in handy when you run out and need some for a recipe or to drink. My kids can't tell the difference when I make it. In fact they think it is cool that I can make milk myself:)

Sugar: 5 lbs per person
-brown sugar
-corn syrup
-powdered syrup
-honey
-jam
-jello
-maple syrup
-molasses
-pudding
-white sugar
*Watch for good sales on all of these items and you will be able to stock up on more. I will let you know when there are great deals on Thursday.

Oils/fats:2 lbs per person
-butter
-oil
-margarine
-mayonaise
-peanut butter
-salad dressing
-shortening
*These items are essential in cooking. If you don't cook much then you could get a lot of peanut butter! I figure that if we had nothing we will at least have peanut butter and a spoon:)

Salt: 1.5 lbs a personIf you want to start simple start with the salt. It will cost you less than a dollar:) If you had the bare minimum to eat you would at least have salt to make it taste better.

Meats: 1.5 lbs per person
-canned chicken
-canned tuna
-canned turkey
-meat soups
-clams
-stew
-spam
-vienna sausages
-TVP
Fresh meat/freezer
-bacon
-beef/roast
-chicken
-pork
-sausage
-seafood
*It has helped me so much to have a supply of meat in the freezer. It makes it convenient as well as less costly. You get the meat when it is on sale then you can get more of it for other meals. Of course it is good to have canned meats as well in case the power to your freezer is out and it spoils.

Fruits: 15 lbs for ENTIRE family
-applesauce
-dry fruit
-fruit cocktail
-peaches
-pears
-pineapple
-mandarin oranges
*This is another easy place to start. 15 cans of the fruit your family enjoys most. I would get about 30, because my kids like to have a fruit with their dinner each night.

Vegetables: 15 lbs for ENTIRE family-beets
-carrots
-corn
-green beans
-green chili's
-instant potatoes
-mixed veggies
-mushrooms
-onions
-peas
-pickles
-pumpkin
-salsa
-spaghetti sauce
-tomato paste
-tomato soup
-tomatoes
-yams
*If you plant a garden this year you will save tons of money in this area. Last year I canned 35 jars of tomatoes and it cost me $2 for the lids. If you have never done this, I will post about it closer to gardening time! My family doesn't eat canned vegetables so I focus on frozen vegetables, salsa, tomato products for pasta sauce, and we love pickles.

Cooking essentials: At least one of each that you would need for cooking
-baking powder
-baking soda
-cocoa
-vanilla
-vinegar
-yeast

Auxillary foods:-Spices
-vitamins
-cake mixes
-crackers
-marshmallows
-casserole mixes
-chocolate chips
*These are just things to make your life a little more pleasant, and make your food a little tastier

Condiments:
-bbq sauce
-ketchup
-mustard
*You would be able to survive with all of these but it helps to have them on hand when you run out. I bought ketchup for $.50 a bottle last year and got a year supply. It is just one less thing I have to buy full price on grocery day.

Now you know what you need to buy, now you just wait for great deals and stock up! Maceys case lot sale is coming up and they may have some great deals. I will try to get a price comparison on later between the LDS cannery, walmart and cosco. If you have a cosco membership they have the best deals on Peanut butter, flour, brown sugar, and sugar most of the time.Sometimes case lots can beat them. Wheat and oats can't beat beat at the LDS cannery. A lot of the "cooking essentials" are the best prices at the Walmart price.

Recipe Tuesday

2009-02-24T11:03:00.001-07:00

So once you start building up your food storage, what do you do with it? You cook! For all of you who are fans of quick, easy, and fast food are just going to have to start somewhere! It may seem extreme to have hundreds of lbs of flour in your pantry if you only use one bag of flour in a year. The storage is there for you when you don't have the option to get the stores.
1- there is a disaster in your hometown and you are unable to get to the stores for a long period of time.
2-There is a disaster somewhere else and the cost of food skyrockets to a point where you can't afford it.
3- You are faced with unemployment and your family cannot afford the groceries for the time.
Whatever the situation, you should have your own little "grocery store" in your own home.
Lets start with the basics. Even if you aren't a gourmet chef, you know how to make a peanut butter sandwich:) Do you know how to make a loaf of bread from scratch?
I am putting the most simple recipe for white bread that I have. It has simple ingredients that should be in your long term storage. We will do a wheat one later for those of you who have wheat but aren't sure how to use it in your recipes.
Many of you may have great bread recipes that you can share as well. I try to make bread of some sort each week, but that doesn't make me good at it:)

White Bread
2 Cups warm water
1 Tbsp yeast
2 Tbsp sugar
2 tsp salt
5-6 cups flour

Add yeast to the water in a large bowl. Let sit for 5 minutes. Add the rest of the ingredients. Add flour one cup at a time between mixing.
Knead for 9 min and rise for 40 minutes. Place in a greased loaf pan.You can let rise again for another 30 minutes, but is not vital. Cook at 350 degrees until lightly browned. You can also roll it out thin and use it for a pizza crust.

Now once you have peanut butter, jam, flour, yeast, salt, sugar in your food storage you can live on peanut butter and jam sandwiches for months if you had to:)

How Long Can You Survive without Water???

2009-02-21T21:55:00.000-07:00

As I review the surveys, I have noticed that many families have little or no water supply.Establishing a supply of food is essential in many ways, but water is more important than any food you may have.
A person can go without food for several weeks or more, but without water you can survive only a few days.
How much water do you need? For a 2 week supply you need 28 gallons a person- 14 for drinking and 14 for washing, per person.
You may need more if:
-you have pets
-you have a baby in need of water for formula
-you have any dehydrated foods that will need water prior to eating
-you live in extreme hot temperatures
What if a disaster struck today and you have no water supply? There is some other options.

1. Hot water heater: can hold up to 50 gallons of water. The trick is to getting it out. Opening the drain faucet at the bottom of the tank can access the water. To get the water to flow, you have to turn the faucet on somewhere else in the house to release the pressure. BUT if the source of your "emergency situation" is an earthquake your water heater could tip or break and lose all of your water. Also, in my case it is in the basement and may not be accessible in an emergency.

2.Toilet tank: I am talking about the tank in the back, not the bowl:) It can hold anywhere from 3-5 gallons of water. I personally don't want to rely on my source of water coming from the toilet, but I would use it for my pet or for cleaning. It IS clean water but still...it's the toilet.

3.Can foods: You can get liquid source from can fruits, vegetables, soups that may be on your shelf. It will sustain you but may not be the most refreshing or the most practical for washing purposes.

Anyway, there is no need for any of those options if we start now to prepare.
There are plenty of options for all budgets.

1. Milk jugs- This is the cheapest but not a long term solution. After you finish a gallon of milk, rinse it in cold water and fill it up to store. This plastic is thin and disintegrates quickly. I bought water in the gallon containers and in less than a year they collapsed and leaked all over my garage.

2. 2-liter soda pop bottles- These containers or juice containers are made of a thicker plastic and last longer. This is economic if you drink these on a regular basis and have them laying around anyway. It would take a lot of them to equal the suggested 14 gallons. I have a few of them and they have stored well for many years.

3. Single serve water bottles- These are the most convenient, although you would need quite a bit of them as well. For one person's 14 gallons you would need 5 of the 24 packs. I have these and stack them up in my garage. When summer comes they get to amazing prices to stock up on. You shouldn't pay more than $3 for a 24 pack of water. In the summer they can get to just under $2 and you could easily get your supply. Every 2 weeks I would buy 4 of them and spend less than $10.

4. 5 Gallon water jug. There are a lot of different sizes that you can get to store your water. They all range in prcie as well. These containers are square shaped which makes it convenient to stack. Although you will need quite a few for your family.You will need 5-6 per person to meet the suggested amount. These can be found at Emergency Essentials for $11 each. I am currently trying to see if they will give me a group discount.
5. Water barrels- This is a great way to store a lot of water without having tons of containers around.I keep them against my garage wall. They need to be inside in our Utah temperatures. For a family of 2 you would need one 55 gallon container for both your drinking and cleaning. Once you fill it though it can be over 400 pounds. Every year you can empty it and water your grass, and put fresh water inside. They may seem bulky but I have 3 of them in the far end of my garage and I can still park my SUV and open my trunk and have plenty of space to walk around.

A siphon hose pump is the easiest and most logical way to get it out.I bought one for $6 when Macey's has their preparedness sales. You may have seen these barrels and noticed that they range around $50 a piece. But because I am cheap I looked for another option:) I found a woman on KSL who sold them previously used for juice concentrate. I bought 3 of them for $10 each. I now have enough water for all of my family and another one in the future. It is an amazing piece of mind. I talked to this same person last week and she told me she can get more of these containers if any one is interested. Because she now works full time she cannot keep up with the cleaning of them. This should not be a problem for any of us. It is a simple solution and water and you are set.We could even plan a day to do it in the park in warmer weather. LET ME KNOW IF YOU WANT TO BE PUT ON THE WAITING LIST! She will start collecting them depending on the need.

Rotation- Water can be stored up to 5 years at a time or more. It may not taste that great but any stored water is without oxygen will not maintain a overly pleasant taste. Think about it- tasty water or no water at all...With my bottle waters I use the oldest ones first for our current use. When I see a good deal I will get another one to replace it.

Place all water containers on top of a wood board if it is stored on top of cement. My husband just used some 2x4's and created a platform pretty simple. He can help out anyone as well who needs some assistance with that.I do not know the scientific reason, but the concrete can contaminate your supply.

Blog schedule

2009-02-21T21:52:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking of ways to get the info out that I want without mass blogs. I think I will start off the week with a recipe on Tuesdays to help you implement your food storage into your meals.
On Thursdays I will focus on food storage items and tell you of any awesome deals to stock up on that week.
On Saturdays I want to focus on 72 hr kits and Emergency Preparedness tips
We will see if I can stick to that and if it works out:)

Surveys

2009-02-17T16:45:00.000-07:00

I know it seems like I have forgotten about the blog, but I am just trying to get everyone on board first. Our neighborhood consists of 200 homes and I am gradually getting our info out. There is a survey link to the right that we need all of our neighbors to fill out and give back to me.

Who has their tax return back? Out of the chunk of money we got back, I was able to take $200 and get a good amount of food storage to add to my supply. I tried to get more out of my hubby, but alas I was grateful for this:) It is important to set aside money for a cash reserve as well as a little out of each paycheck to get supplies. I take at least $20 every 2 weeks from our one income family paycheck and I don't even notice it. But it greatly increases my storage. Some will have more or less to spend, but it is something. I don't really believe that getting one can every time you go to the store is going to build th esupply you need. If that is all you can do for now, than it is great. Think about what amount of money you can actually set aside specifically for preparedness. THEN when good sales come you stock up on that. You can get twice as much for your money.I will let you know when some of those awesome deals come each week as well. I will blog soon about how to get started and figure out what and how much you need to buy for your family.

Finding the Right Container for your 72 Hour Kit

2009-01-30T15:34:00.005-07:00

Access the needs of your family! I did not buy any new containers–I just looked around to see what I had already. If not then take advantage of the sales. Keep in mind they should be sturdy but don’t have to be beautiful—go to a thrift store and see what they have. A friend found her family's backpacks for less than $3 each! The containers should be lightweight and compact, yet have enough room in them to carry what you need. No single container meets all of the needs of everyone. You need to look at your family’s individual needs. For example I have 4 children under 7 and my husband will most likely be at work like usual. Small children will not be able to carry a large bucket on their own or even a heavy backpack. I have to assume for the worst–that I will be carrying the bulk of the weight. Although, it is recommended that you don’t try to cram supplies for your entire family into one large container. You may not be able to move it when a critical situation arises.

These fit my families needs:

The older kids have a backpack that I made sure they could carry

I would like to say this is my little backpack, but it is my husbands. He is usually at work and if he was not home during an emergency I would need to carry the backpack with all of the babies stuff as well.

I packed this pretty full of my things, the babies things and any water the kids could not carry on their own. I can still manage to haul it around and still hold the baby if needed----although I will keep a small stroller near our kits as well....he is not a light baby:) The dogs kit is in here as well. If you have a large dog I havc seen kits that you can strap on them. My dog is 7 lbs and not pulling his own weight during an emergency:)

This bag I call the "extra bag". It has items in that would be usual but not essential. I could not fit a change of clothes in my bag like the kids and baby, but I figure I do have a poncho to keep me dry and a emergency blanket to keep my warm. BUT it would be nice to have extra clothes and soft blankets. I also have a portable potty in here as well as some f my CERT supplies if I was needed. I also put in a little extra water bottles, dry milk, and play dough for the kids. If at all possible this bag will come with me, but it all depends if my husband is home and my kids are managing on their own. It rolls and has straps so I feel confident it will not be problem.

When choosing a container for your kits, don’t worry that you find the perfect one the first time you look. You can always change your mind along the way as you find better options or it is more financially possible for your family. The following are options that could be used for your emergency kits. They are graded by how practically they are suited for an emergency kit. Polyethylene Buckets- You can find these buckets, typically 5 gallons, at hardware stores, Emergency Essentials ,Walmart or even at the grocery store during their Case lot sale. They average around $5 but are on sale at Macey' s occasionally for $2.99. I bought several of these last year to hold wheat, flour, oatmeal that I bought in bulk for food storage. You will also need a resin-type wrench to open the lid easily. They are usually sold next to it and cheap. Duct tape this outside of your bucket for easy access.

Pros: These are the best containers for several reasons. They can hold all of the essential items, stack well, and waterproof. They can also be used for a wash basin, a seat, or as a toilet if needed (we will talk more about this during the hygiene section:) For this reason it is recommended that you have at least one bucket for your family.

Cons: It is too bulky and heavy for a small child to have to carry. I tried it with my young ones and it just isn’t possible. I also wouldn't have much use for this because I prefer to have my arms free to hold children or other items.

Plastic storage tubs-

Pros:The 10/20 gallon rectangular storage tubs WITH carrying handles are a great choice. They also stack well and can hold water if needed. Avoid using tubs that are larger than 18-20 gallons because it can become to heavy.

Cons: Also to heavy for a child to carry. I had one of these and it was quite heavy when full .It was not convenient for me to carry if I have to carry more than one kit and my baby as well.

Backpacks- Pros:Most are easy to carry and are water repellent. If you used a hiking backpack with frame you could expand your kit capacity as well. School type backpacks are the most popular and depend on the quality. Although I have seen huge kids backpacks that have wheels and these would be a great option.

If you have small children this is the easiest for them. They also hang on a hook in the garage for easy and convenient storage.

Cons: They tend to be too small to fit essential items for one kit. With small children they will still not be able to hold all of the weight.

I put the childs change of clothing, snacks, coloring book and pencils, their 3 days of food, 2 water bottles, and their hygiene items in the backpack and it is just right for them. They are not water proof, so I put everything inside a garbage bag first. Duffel Bags- Heavy- duty, shoulder-strap-style bags or gym bags make fairly good emergency kit containers.

Pros: They are usually quite sturdy. Many have wheels or handles and multiple compartments. I put fabric blankets, mine and my husbands clothes, and the portable potty, in our wheeled, strapped duffle and it is light and easy to move about. I put all of the items in a trash bag before to keep moisture out. The items I put in here would be nice to have but not essential.

Cons: The drawstring bags like those used for laundry are not recommended. They can be cumbersome and difficult to carry. Plus they are usually thin and not water resistant.

Luggage-

Pros: You can find luggage in all types of sizes. Some come with wheels and retractable handles. They are usually big enough to carry your supplies but not so heavy that you can’t lift them.

I had my kits in these for 2 years, but I overheard someone say that in rocky terrain or other bad conditions I would be better off being able to carry my kit on my back. These were heavy and although they rolled they wouldn't even fit in my SUV without difficulty. Plus I tried to imagind how I would roll both of these with another backpack on my back, AND hold my huge baby!

Cons: Just because you find a huge suitcase that can fit all of your supplies doesn’t mean you should:) You have to remember lightweight is best. It is also recommended that you put your items in a large trash bag before putting in the suitcase.

Boxes- Pros : A sturdy produce box is a adequate way to get started on your kit if you are ready to get started right away. Get one with handles.

Cons: this is not a long term solution. Cardboard boxes get wet and will fall apart. If this is your option for right now place the contents of your kit inside a trash bag and then put the whole box into another trash bag.

Trunks, footlockers, and ammunition boxes-Not recommended: Too heavy and unmanageable for one person to move. Plus the lids are insecure.

Garbage cans- Not recommended: This is what I had for years. I had a wheeled one that stored my blankets, clothes and first aid. Then I read the latest information and switched my container.

Cons: They become to heavy when full, even if on wheels. A 30 gallon garbage can full of supplies can weigh up to 200 pounds! They would be almost impossible to get into a car. Also, if you were to take your garbage can to a shelter, it would be difficult to get to the items in the bottom of your can. The lids are also insecure.

*Resource-It's Time to Plan not Panic" by Barbara Salsbury