72 hour kit-insect repellent

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

-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

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

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

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

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.