Weekly Assignment, Food Storage and Emergency Preparedness Ideas (Week of September 23rd)

Hi Carson Ward Family, Family and Friends,

National Emergency Preparedness Month

Quotes:

"Our Heavenly Father created this beautiful earth, with all its abundance, for our benefit and use. His purpose is to provide for our needs as we walk in faith and obedience. He has lovingly commanded us to 'prepare every needful thing' (Doctrine and Covenants 109:8) so that, should adversity come, we may care for ourselves and our neighbors and support bishops as they care for others."  (The First Presidency)

"Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) have been counseled for many years to be prepared for adversity. Preparation, both spiritual and temporal, can dispel fear. With the guidance of Church leaders, individual members and families should prepare to be self-reliant in times of personal or widespread emergency." ("books and things, Especially for Families")

All of us need to have at least a 3-month supply of food that is a part of our normal daily diet, drinking water in case the water supply may be polluted or disrupted, emergency supplies (like medical, shelter, sanitation, cooking and lighting equipment) and financial reserves (cash in small bills and change kept in a safe place in your home, and some in your car, in case the electricity is down and you cannot get cash from your bank).

I hope of each of you are using this Emergency Preparedness Blog to help you accomplish your goals. We all know the scripture saying, "If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear".

FREE Monthly Giveaway Drawing Question: What has Heavenly Father lovingly commanded us to do? Please email me the answer to theark.carsonward@gmail.com to have your name entered into this Sunday's, September 23rd, drawing. Please include your name if not in your email address.

September Goals: Emergency Supplies and Adding Breakfast Items to your Food Storage

This is the last week for our September goals. I hope you have been working on our September Goals by adding emergency supplies and breakfast items to your food storage. See the last three blog postings for information and ideas on the September goals. Of course, you can continue beyond this month and come back it to it when need to add more items.

Weekly Assignment...Emergency Supplies:

Please see the September 2nd posting for a list of the emergency supplies you should have on hand. Also, see September 9th and 16rh for more ideas and goals.

1) This week add at least one of the emergency supplies from the list.

Weekly Assignment...Adding Breakfast Items to your Food Storage:

Please see the September 2nd posting for a list of breakfast items to add to your food storage. Also, see September 9th and 16th for more ideas and goals.

1) This week add more breakfast items to your food storage from the list.

Food Storage Ideas:

"Dinner Is In The Jar" recipe...these recipes use dehydrated/freeze-dried vegetables. Follow the instructions in the September 9, 2012 blog posting.

Taco Soup

In the Jar...

1/2 cup dried sweet corn

2 tablespoon chopped bell peppers

2 tablespoons dried minced onions

1/3 cup ranch dressing mix

2 tablespoons chili powder

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoons onion powder

1/4 teaspoons oregano leaves

1/2 teaspoon paprika

2 teaspoons cumin

1 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

In a baggie in the Jar...

1/2 cup pinto beans (remove rocks!)

1/2 cup great northern beans

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

Add-Ons...

1 pint cooked beef

2 cans diced tomatoes

16 cups water divided

Shredded cheese

Sour Cream

Crushed tortilla chips

Directions: Remove oxygen absorber if ingredients stored in a Mylar bag/pouch. Soak beans and soda in 4 cups water overnight. Drain and rinse. Simmer beans in 6 cups of water covered for 2 hours on low heat. (This can be done in advance) Drain. Return beans to pot, add 6 cups of water, tomatoes (undrained) and beef. Bring to a boil. Turn heat off. Put remainder of jar contents into pot. Cover and let sit 5 minutes. Return to a simmer. Cover and simmer about 10 to 15 minutes. Top individual bowls with shredded cheese, sour cream and crushed tortilla chips. Usually serves 8-10 cups.

Emergency Preparedness Ideas:

If there is an emergency where you need to evacuate immediately, it is critical that important legal documents and records are at hand and ready to go with you. We have all learned the lessons from the Katrina hurricane---having documents that prove you are who you say you are and you own what you say you own can mean the difference between getting the government aid that you desire and being on your own.

Keep a copy of each document, or the originals, in a water proof container, all sealed in a large zip lock plastic bag. Keep them near your 72 Hour Emergency Kits.

We will discuss this more in detail next week in the October goals, Emergency Disasters.

Weekly Assignment, Food Storage and Emergency Preparedness Ideas (Week of September 16th)

Dear Carson Ward Family, Family and Friends,

National Emergency Preparedness Month

Quotes:

"The revelation to store food may be as essential to our temporal salvation today as boarding the Ark was to the people in the days of Noah." Ezra Taft Benson

"It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark." Brigham Young

Wow! It has been three years, August 1, 2010, since I started this blog to help our Ward members, family and friends to become better prepared both temporally and spiritually. I know some of you are using the information found here to help your family, but I also know there are many who are not. I have tried to create this blog to simplify emergency preparedness and food storage. To show you you can do it! You just need to start. Please share this blog with family, friends and neighbors. The blog is now reaching throughout the United States and into Russia, Canada, England, France and a few other countries.

Warnings...

As quoted above, "it wasn't raining when Noah built the ark." Many people at the time of Noah thought he was crazy, they laughed at him and thought it foolish to built such a large ship, there was no rain. They would not listen to the counsel he had been given by the Lord, to prepare. But when the rains began and the flooding started, they pounded on the ark to get it, but it was too late. They had not heeded the words of the Lord, they had not prepared temporally and spiritually.

We too have been warned and warned by our prophets, general authorities and leaders to get ready, to have water and food storage. Many years ago it was a year's supply, which it still is, but our leaders lowered it to three months, thinking this might be easier for some to accomplish, and then continue until you have a year's supply. Listen to their counsel...

“Maintain a year's supply. The Lord has urged that his people save for the rainy days, prepare for the difficult times, and put away for emergencies, a year's supply or more of bare necessities so that when comes the flood, the earthquake, the famine, the hurricane, the storms of life, our families can be sustained through the dark days. How many of us have complied with this? We strive with the Lord, finding many excuses: We do not have room for storage. The food spoils. We do not have the funds to do it. We do not like these common foods. It is not needed -- there will always be someone to help in trouble. The government will come to the rescue. And some intend to obey but procrastinate.”   (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p. 375)

 "We continue to encourage members to store sufficient food, clothing and where possible fuel for at least one year. We have not laid out an exact formula for what should be stored. However, we suggest that members concentrate on essential foods that sustain life, such as grains, legumes, sugar, salt, cooking oil, powdered milk, and water. Most families can achieve and maintain this basic level of preparedness. The decision to do more than this rests with the individual. We encourage you to follow this counsel with the assurance that a people prepared through obedience to the commandments of God need not fear." The First Presidency

What if...

What if you went to the grocery store and found the shelves empty? What if you had to evacuate in 15 minutes? What if there was no good running drinking water? What would you do? If you have not already, please start today in storing food, water and emergency supplies for you and your family! President Gordon B. Hinckly stated, "Are these perilous times? They are. But there is no need to fear. We can have peace in our hearts and peace in our homes" (October 2001 General Conference). There is peace in knowing we are prepared!

Weekly FREE Monthly Giveaway Drawing Question: What warnings to our church leaders give us? Please email the answer to theark.carsonward@gmail.com. Please include your name in the email if not in your email address.

September Goals: Emergency Supplies and Adding Breakfast Items to your Food Storage

Weekly Assignment...Emergency Supplies:

Check the last two week's blog postings, September 2nd and 9th, for emergency supplies you and your family will need in case of an emergency situation. Assess what you have and what you need. Set goals as a family or with another family member or friend to acquire the items you need. What will you do if a disaster hits, would you be able to take care of yourself for 1-3 months?

Weekly Assignment...Adding Breakfast Items to your Food Storage:


This week add more breakfast items from the list on the September 2nd posting. To determine how much you will need per family member per month, keep a list of the breakfast items your family eats in a month, then multiply by the number of months you have set for your goal, example three months. Remember to include items for family members, such a baby or an elderly person, that may eat differently than the rest of the family.

New Emergency Preparedness Website:

Food For Health International has created a new emergency preparedness website at http://www.survivalbased.com/  . Some of there prices are higher than other companies, but they have high quality food and other items. Watch for sales. Also, watch the great video on their website.

Because this month is National Emergency Preparedness Month many emergency preparedness and food storage companies have many items on sale, click on the links, http://beprepared.com/ (EmergencyEssentials.com), http://lowestprices.shelfreliance.com/home, http://www.costco.com/ (Costco Online), and the link above.

Food Storage and Emergency Preparedness Ideas:

Last week I mention a book, "Dinner Is In The Jar". See the September 2nd and 9th postings to see more about this book and how to put together a "dinner in a jar or Mylar pouch". Here is another great recipe... Remember, if you make the dish for your family, then make up three jars or Mylar pouches for your 90 day supply.

Pea and Lentil Soup

1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons split peas

1/4 cup _ 2 tablespoons lentils

1/4 cup + tablespoons barley

1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons macaroni

2 tablespoons rice

1 1/2 teaspoon bouillon

1 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

2 tablespoons celery flakes

2 tablespoons parsley flakes

1/4 teaspoon thyme

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

1 tablespoon butter powder

1 1/2 teaspoons dried minced onion

1 tablespoon tomato powder

1 bay leaf (slide along the side of the jar)

Add-On: 8 cups water and 1 pound cooked beef (optional)

Directions: Remove the oxygen absorber if the ingredients are in a Mylar pouch. Empty jar or Mylar bag into soup pot. Add cooked meat and water. Bring to a boil. Cover. Lower heat and simmer for 40-50 minutes. Note: Also delicious without the meat.

Weekly Assignment, Food Storage and Emergency Preparedness Ideas (Week of September 9th)

Hi Carson Ward Family, Family and Friends,

National Emergency Preparedness Month

Quote:

"...set your houses in order. If you have paid your debts, if you have a reserve, even though it be small, then should storms howl about your head, you will have shelter for your wives and your children and peace in your hearts."      President Gordon B. Hinckley, October 1998

Could you take care of yourself and your family if an emergency situation arose? Would you have the necessary emergency supplies, food and water? How long could you last by yourselves?

"And out of small things proceedeth that which is great." (Doctrine and Covenants 64:33) What a wonderful scripture, and the quote by President Hinckley! If we just start by adding a couple of cans of vegetables, fruits, meats, soups, etc. each week when we go grocery shopping, in no time at all, what started out small, will become great. Just a few extra cans a week, that is all it takes! When we were a young family, with only one income, Robert was hit while driving his service truck, his injuries kept him home for three months. As you know, Disability does pay you your full pay check. Because of us being diligent in adding a few cans of food each grocery day, we were able to have enough food to get us through the next three months, to be able to pay our bills and take care of our small family. What a blessing it was to have our Food Storage!

Just start, that is all you have to do! You will be so excited to see your Food Storage grow, just like a savings account, and you will desire to add more and more.

September Goals: Emergency Supplies and Adding Breakfast Items to your Food Storage

In last week's posting I listed several items you should have in your Emergency Supplies. There is also a handout of the list on the display table in front of our church chapel, or you can cut and paste and print out the list for yourself.

Weekly Assignment...Emergency Supplies:

1) This week inventory your emergency supplies from last week's emergency supplies posting list. Make a chart of what you have, what you need, and where they are stored in your house, garage and/or shed. This would make a great Family Home Evening activity, or Family Saturday activity. 

2) Sit down as a family or with another family member or friend not in your household. Review the chart. Set goals to add the items you need.

3) Set a goal to replace or repair any items that need your attention.

4) As I mentioned last week, some items will be easy to gather together. Some items you will be able to organize in a day or a week, some may take longer. Set a goal to work on one or two on the items in the list each month. Involve the whole family.

5) Check off the items needed on your chart as you complete them. I love lists and checking off items as completed! Keep the chart visible so it will remind you what needs to be done. Review the chart at each Family Home Evening. Once one item is check off, set a new goal to accomplish the next one, and so on, until you have completed all your goals.

Weekly Assignment...Adding Breakfast Items to your Food Storage:

 

1) This week add 1-2 items for each family member for a one week to one month supply from the breakfast food list on last week's posting. Remember, only store what your family will eat. Keep the food items in a cool dry location.

Weekly FREE Monthly Giveaway Drawing Question: What happens when you start out small? Please email me your answer to theark.carsonward@gmail.com. Please include your name if not in your email address. Your name will be entered into our FREE Monthly Giveaway Drawing each week you answer the question, giving you four chances to win.

Food Storage and Emergency Preparedness Ideas:

"Dinner Is In the Jar" by Kathy Clark   http://dinnerisinthejar.com/

I received the book I wrote about in last week's blog, "Dinner Is In The Jar".  I love this book! I would suggest everyone order the book on line. Click on the link above to review and order the book. I will post one recipe from the book each week. But first you will need some equipment to complete the "dinner in a jar". You can either place the contents for the dinner in a quart Mason canning jar or a Mylar bag.

If you use the quart Mason canning jars you will need to purchase quart and pint (some recipes call for both) canning jars and a Food Saver Sealer. I purchased my Food Saver Sealer on EBay for about $20 (maker sure it has the port hole for the hose that attaches to the jar sealer caps. I also purchased the Jar Sealer caps (a large and small one) for about $15 on EBay.

If using Mason jars you place the ingredients in the jar, then seal the lid as instructed with the Food Saver Sealer. Place a label, with the instruction, on the jar and store up to 90 days. Note: If the ingredients are powdery, you cannot seal them in the Mason jars, when you seal the jar the jar sealer cap will clog. If sealing in the Food Saver, put all the powdery ingredients, like seasonings, in the bottom of the jar, then the rest of the ingredients.

If you use Mylar bags you will need to purchase the Mylar bags and the oxygen absorbers. You can purchase them from the LDS Dry-Pack Cannery or from EmergencyEssentials.com (not the large ones). Cut the Mylar bag in half length wise, then seal the longer edge with your hot iron (no steam), fill the Mylar bag with the recipe ingredients and then seal the top of the bag, leaving about 3 inches, with a hot iron. Vacuum out the air in the bag with a vacuum cleaner hose, then seal the remainder of the top with a hot iron. Place a label, with instructions, on the front and store up to 90 days.

The regular "dinner in a jar" or "dinner in a Mylar bag" will feed about 4 adults. The soup recipes make between 8-10 cups. Biscuit recipes make about 12 biscuits.

A great tip in the book. Make the recipe for dinner that night. Then put the same ingredients together in 3 jars or Mylar bags. One dinner jar for each months. If you make all the recipes you will have 90 days of "Dinner Is In The Jar" (or Mylar bags).

Add-ons: Most of the recipes have "Add-ons". These are ingredients like meats, poultry, water, etc. You can purchase cans of meats, chicken and other meats to add to your recipe. Watch the expiration dates, rotate as needed. Or, you can can ground meat, other meats and chicken in Mason jars with a pressure cooker canner. Probably much to hard for most of us. If you check out Wendy Dewitt online she has a UTube video that shows how to do it.

Chicken Noodle Soup

2 tablespoons minced onion

2 tablespoons bouillon

2 tablespoons celery flakes

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

1/3 cup dried carrots (dehydrated or freeze-dried)

1 bay leaf

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 cup dried mushroom slices (optional)

2 cups macaroni

3/4 cup rice

Add-on: 1 pint of cooked chicken, 12 cups water.

Directions: Remove the oxygen absorber from the Mylar bag if using them. Mix jar contents with chicken and hot water. Simmer 15-20 minutes. Remove Bay leaf, serve. Remember to never get hot water from the tap, it comes from your hot water heater which has sedatives at the bottom of it. Heat the water on the stove first.

(All of the above information under Food Storage and Emergency Preparedness Ideas is from "Dinner Is In The Jar", by Kathy Clark)

Comments: Most welcome!