Food Storage Recipe for your BBQ

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...

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?

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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!

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Pandemic update and Deals

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.