Emergency Preparedness, Food Storage and Monthly Assignments (Week of May 31/June 1st)

Hi Torrance Stake Family, Carson Ward Family, Family and Friends,

Hope and Faith in a Disaster . . .

Last Friday, May 22, 2015, was the 4 year anniversary of the devastating Joplin, Missouri USA category 5 tornado.158 lives were lost, some 1,150 were injured, there were damages amounting to $2.8 billion from homes, businesses, the local high school, hospital and churches being destroyed. Our daughter's family was not harmed by the tornado nor their property but the emotions of the devastation and loss of friends, homes, their community and their church sunk deep into their hearts and spirit.

Through all this the people of Joplin, Missouri USA held onto their strong hope and faith. Help came from many miles all around them with temporal needs and spiritual needs being meet at a very difficult time. People rolled up their selves to search for those missing, to help clear the debris, brought supplies of food, drinking water, medical supplies, clothing and bedding to help those in need. They held hands, hugged those in need of comfort and prayed together.

In tribute to the people of Joplin, Missouri USA please watch this wonderful video. It will touch your heart and bring tears to your eyes when you see the resilience of the people of Joplin, Missouri USA and give us all hope and faith that we too can get through a disaster when it hits us.
 
Note: Make sure you go back to the beginning of the video. Our granddaughter Alicia is in the dance group on the right and in the group around 10:20 on the right with the long pony tail. The performance was done by 4,000 LDS  youth throughout Missouri USA.



I'd Rather Be Over Prepared . . .

Many people ask me why I am so over the top about emergency preparedness and food storage.

Why am I?

I know from past experiences that things can change in an instance! Yes, those things you have prepared for  may be lost, but you have been obedient following the prophet and our church leaders in being prepared with emergency supplies and extra food and water. Because you have heeded the warnings Heavenly Father will bless you with the things you need.

Blessings that come from being over prepared . . .

1) If you are over prepared with more food, drinking water and emergency supplies you will be able to barter with the extra supplies you have for the things you need or services you need help with.

2) We are told in the scriptures to help our brothers? Are we not our brothers keeper? If we have extra supplies we can help others in need. If we help them we will be blessed. Miracles will happen.

3) You will have peace of mind and not fear future events in your life. 


I testify to you if you will pray for guidance the Holy Ghost (Spirit) will guide you and protect you and your loved ones. It will tell you the things you need to do to protect you and them. In the Book of Mormon, Alma 34: 26-27 we read--"...; ye must pour out your souls in your closets, and your secret places, and in your wilderness. Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around you."




Will you personally be able to survive an EMP attack? 

We hear many rumors about the possibility of the United States being hit by an EMP. Do you know what it is and how it can affect you and your loved ones? Could it happen in the USA? I want everyone to be prepared for what could happen at any time. Be informed, be aware and be prepared!

An EMP is an electromagnetic pulse that can be launched from many miles away. If one was launched on the East Coast, the West Coast and the Gulf of Mexico it would effect the entire USA and possible Canada and parts of Central Amercia. Structures would not be destroyed, people would not be killed, except in some instances. All computers, all electronics, electricity, cars, planes, trains, trucks, pumps, the power grid would cease to work. It would not recover in just a few hours or days, it would take many many years. Ships and planes could not bring in supplies from other parts of the world. There would be on communication. Nothing that relies on computers and electricity would work, which is just about everything now. Old cars, trucks and equipment that do not rely on computers to run them may work as long as you can pump gas into them, but the gas pumps will not work. There would be no prescription medications, they would run out quickly. Food and water would go quickly. You would be on your own to survive. It is predicted that 95% of Americans would die within in one year or sooner due to no food, drinking water, medications, etc. People in the back country would survive longer because they are use to living off the land and off the grid without the modern conveniences we have today.

If you are prepared with needed supplies like food, drinking water, a way to filter water, emergency supplies and medical supplies and knew basic survival kills there is a very good chance you would survive. Do the reach about an EMP attack and how to build a Faraday Box to protect your electronics. Watch the video below on how to prepared for an EMP.

New June Monthly Assignments

Food Storage: Pastas

Pastas are another economical item to add to your food storage. There are so many varieties of pastas to store. Only store the varieties your family eats. Figure out how much pastas and the types you eat for the number of months you have set you goal, 1-Month, 3-Months, 6-Months, 1-Year. Watch for sales. I find sales and the store brands at regular grocery stores, big box stores like Costco and Sam's Club, and if you have Trader Joe's (Western USA) in your area are great on prices. Emergency supply companies that sell dehydrated/freeze-dried pastas tend to be more expensive, but they are great for long term storage.

Storage: Pastas are easy to store. Pastas are like rice and bean, they attract moths.When you bring them home from the store, regular package types, put them in your freezer for 24 hours to kill any larva and moths. Let them warm up to room temperature before storing them away. Remember the rule: Store all pastas, no matter what type of container, in a cool, dry and dark place. Storage containers: You can store them in their original packages for up to the expiration date which is usual 1+ years. Or, you can purchase them in #10 dehydrated/freeze-dried cans for 20-25 years. You can also use the Mason jar canning oven  method or the Mason jar canning FoodSaver method to store them for 3-5 years. (Go to YouTube for instructions. Whole Wheat pastas: You cannot store whole wheat pastas in #10 cans or using the Mason jar canning oven method or the FoodSaver method due to their high moisture content. Store them in their original packages up to the expiration date.

Emergency Preparedness: Water Storage

Water is the most important thing you should store. As I have said many times, "You can live without food for 40+ days, but you can only live without water for about 2-3 days". 

The rule is 1 gallon per day per person for drinking and cooking. Some say you only need to store water for 2-3 weeks. But I think you should have enough water for 2-3+ months. If you store dehydrated or freeze-dried products you will need extra water to rehydrate them. If you store rice, beans and pastas you will need extra water to allow cooking time. If you want to include bathing, most likely just sponge bathing, you will need extra water. 

There are several ways to store water. In 5, 10, 15, 30, and 50/55 gallon water storage containers or barrels, in16 ounce individual plastic bottles like Arrowhead water, 2 liter or gallon plastic bottles. Another idea I love is the Water Bricks. They stack like bricks and hold about 3-5 gallons of water. You can create tables with them and cover them with a table cloth. Water rain barrels are also another great source for collecting and storing water.

Water Filtration: Each household should have 1-2 ways to filter water in case you need to use other water resources like a lake, river or stream, or you are concerned about the safety of your stored water.

To see more ideas on Water Storage and Filtration click here to go to the posting on the right.

Clever Emergency Preparedness Ideas

Clothes Washing Kit: Great idea so you can do your laundry during an emergency situation. You will need a 5-6 gallon plastic bucket, cut a hole in the lid to allow the plunger handle to go up and down, a toilet plunger, laundry detergent, bleach, stain remover, clothes pins and clothes line. Place water and laundry soap (and bleach if needed) in the bucket, place the toilet plunger handle through the hole in the lid, put in your clothes, place the lid on the bucket and use the plunger to agitate the clothes. Rinse with clean water and hang out to dry using the clothes line and clothes pins. 

Ambient light: Place a headlamp around a gallon bottle of water, turn on the headlamp and you have ambient light for your camping area, tent, house or night light when the power is out. Remember to store extra batteries for the headlamp.

Easy Portable Solar Oven: So simple and it works. Click here for the instruction how to build one. It can cook beans just as good as on top of your home stove, bake bread and heat and cook other foods.

Comments/Questions: Please share your comments below. We all learn from each others experiences and knowledge. If you have any questions you can leave them below or email me at theark.carsonward@gmail.com. I will research your questions and answer it on the blog next time. Thank you for your comments.

Emergency Preparedness, Food Storage and Monthly Assignments (Week of May 24th)

Hi Torrance Stake Family, Carson Ward Family, Family and Friends,

Could you survive a large disaster?

Have you prepared for a major storm, tornado, hurricane, flood, tsunami, typhoon, fire or earthquake that could hit your area? Would you be able to take care of yourself and your loved ones? If someone had serious major injuries would you know how to treat them? If a major infection set in would you know how to handle it? Do you know basic first-aid skills? Would you have the needed medical supplies on hand? Would you have good drinking water to drink? Would you have a way to filter out all the bacteria and contamination from the water? Would you have food to eat? Would you have a way to cook, have light, heat and a way to handle sanitation if you could not use your conventional ways? Would you have shelter if you could not stay in your home, or know how to build a shelter? Do you have your 72 Hour Individual Emergency Bags ready? Do you have a family evacuation plan? Are all your important papers and documents in a safe place together, easy to access if you have evacuate immediately? If you lost your income, became injured where you could not work, could you survive and provide for yourself and your family?

These are all things we need to seriously think about and make a plan so we are better prepared. The future can be a scary thing unless we are prepared for future events in our lives. Things can happen in an instant. Being ready for crisis times, and being spiritually prepared, can bring peace to our minds and make tough times a little easier.

So, are you ready for what may come your way? I just heard on a news report that 51% of the population in the United States has experienced a natural disaster and only 12% are prepared. Wow! That is really low. I also read awhile back that only 6% of the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are prepared. What? After many many years having been counseled and warned from our church leaders to be prepared with food storage, water and emergency supplies and an emergency savings account.

FABWODI! Years ago there was a contest at my husbands work and he won. He created the word FABWODI, "Find A Better Way Of Doing It". If what ever you are doing to be prepared or better prepared is not working, set new goals, find a better way of doing it and use this blog to help you. This emergency preparedness blog is here to help you and your loved ones become better prepared for those crisis times in our lives. Sit down as a family, with an extend family member, or a friend and make an emergency preparedness plan and set goals to accomplish it. It will not happen over night, it takes time.You will be well on your way and you will have peace of mind once you have done this and not fear the future. "If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear." (Doctrine and Covenants 38:30)

May Monthly Assignments

Last week!

Food Storage: Grains

What are grains?  They consist of wheat (both red and white hard winter), flours, oats, barley, quinoa, popcorn, etc. You can store them in #10 cans and 6 gallon buckets for long term storage (20+ years) and packages for short term storage (1+ years). You need 300 pounds of grains (store a variety) per person in your family for a year. Determine how much you need to store for your family and your your goal of 1-Month, 3-Months, 6-Months or a year. As all foot storage, store your grains in a cool, dry, dark place. You can purchase grains from your local grocery store, from long term food storage companies like the LDS Dry Pack Cannery, emergencyessentials.com, honeyville.com, foodinsurance.com, thrive.com, foodforhealthinternational.com, etc.

Emergency Preparedness: 
      Emergency Cooking, Lighting and Heating 

You should have in your emergency supplies at least . . .


One, or more, way to cook if you cannot use your conventional stove/oven. You should also have enough fuel for the type of cooking equipment you have to last for about 3+ months. Examples: Coleman Stove with propane, Butane Stove with Butane fuel, Gar BBQ with propane, Charcoal BBQ with charcoal, outside Fire Pit with wood and matches, etc.



One, or more, way to have lighting if the power is out. They can be battery operated or solar. It may be a good idea to have booth. You should have a working flashing in each room of the house with batteries and emergency lanterns. Examples: Coleman lantern, Battery or solar lanterns, Flashlights (battery and/or solar), candles (unscented) with matches, etc. A gas (DO NOT use inside the house) or solar generator would be great to have to since you can run electrically appliances and electronics from them.


One, or more, ways to provide heat for colder weather if you cannot use your conventional home gas or electric heater. I love the idea in the picture shown. It really does provide heat. Click here to see how to build it. Examples: Fireplace and heat candles. You can line a room with mattress to keep the heat inside the room. You should also have warm clothes and blankets. DO NOT use a charcoal BBQ inside the house, it will KILL you.

For more information and great ideas on Emergency Cooking, Lighting and Heating check out the posting on the right of this blog under "Postings", "Cooking, Heating and Lighting in an Emergency".


Clever Emergency Preparedness Ideas . . .

Emergency Stretcher made from two old broom handles and duct tape---Click here to learn how to make this.Such a simple cool idea. Everyone should have duct tape in their 72 Hour Individual Emergency Backpacks (or Bug-Out-Bags). If in the wilderness you could use two long sturdy branches for the side pieces. Keep a picture of this in your Backpack.

Baking bread on a BBQ grill--It is best to put a brick or paver stone under the pan and to use a metal bread pan, it holds the heat better. You can also use a covered Dutch oven on the grill to bake your bread. Any bread recipe will work. Click here for instructions. 

Emergency toilet made with a milk create--Take an old milk create, cut a hole in the bottom just a little smaller than the size of the toilet seat. Purchase a 5-6 gallon plastic bucket and a toilet seat from Home Depot, Lowe's or any home improvement store. Place the bucket underneath the milk create, put the toilet seat on top. You should also purchase heavy plastic black trash bags, cat liter and septic tank enzymes from WalMart or other stores that carry them to break down the waste. Instructions: Line the bucket with the heavy plastic black trash bag, pour in about 2-3 inches of cat liter, place the mild create over the bucket and place the toilet seat in place. Each time someone uses the emergency toilet sprinkle in some of the septic tank enzymes to break down the waste. Do not let the trash bag get to heavy, it may tear. Replace as needed. If in a disaster situation, bury the trash bag as deep as possible to eliminate contamination. 

Next week I will post some more clever emergency preparedness ideas. 


Emergency Preparedness Ideas

Water--

How important do you think water is to your survival and health? Click here to see a power point on the importance water..

Remember, besides drinking and bathing water, if you are storing dehydrated/freeze-dried foods you will need extra water to rehydrate them. 

The rule is 1 gallon person per in your house hold per day for just drinking and cooking, this does include sponge bath bathing or re-hydrating dehydrated/freeze-dried foods.

See the blog posting "Water Storage" on the right under "Postings" for ideas on water storage and filtration.

Food Storage--

How emergency food storage can see you through unemployment---Click here.

So many times we think of food storage in regards to a natural disaster, but it can also bless our lives when unemployment happens, a long illness that keeps us from working or an unexpected large emergency bill or situation. Our food storage has blessed our lives many times when times were tough and my husband could not work for 3 months due to being hurt on the job. Disability checks do not pay all the bills and put food on the table.

Comments: We love hearing from you and your comments. We all learn from each others experiences and knowledge. Please share your comments and questions below. You can also email me any questions or comments at theark.carsonward@gmail.com. I will research your questions and post the answers on next week's blog posting. Thank you for your comments and questions.

Emergency Preparedness, Food Storage and Monthly Assignments (Week of May 17th)

Hi Torrance Stake Family, Carson Ward Family, Family and Friends,

Follow the Light . . . 

In the last 185th Annual General Conference (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), Elder L. Whitney Clayton (Of the Presidency of the Seventy) shared a wonderful story in his talk, "Choose to Believe" . . . 

"Last January, seven-year-old Sailor Gutzler and her family were flying from Florida USA to Illinois USA in a private airplane. Sailor's family was at the controls. Just after nightfall the aircraft developed mechanical problems and crashed in the pitch-dark hills of Kentucky, upside down in very rough terrain. Everyone but Sailor died in the accident.  Her wrist was broken in the crash. She suffered cuts and scraps and had lost her shoes. The temperature was 38 degrees Fahrenheit (or 3 degrees Celsius)--it was a cold, rainy Kentucky winter's night---and Sailor was wearing only shorts, a T-shirt, and one sock.

She cried out for her mother and father, but no one answered. Summoning every once of courage, she set off barefoot across the countryside in search of help, wading through creeks, crossing ditches, and braving blackberry briars. From the top of one small hill, Sailor spotted a light in the distance, about a mile away. Stumbling through the darkness and brush toward that light, she eventually arrived at the home of a kind man she had never met before who sprang to her care. Sailor was safe. She would soon be taken to a hospital and helped on her way to recovery.

Sailor survived because she saw a light in the distance and fought her way to it---notwithstanding the wild countryside, the depth of the tragedy, she faced, and the injuries she had sustained. It is hard to imagine how Sailor managed to do what she did that night. But what we do know is that she recognized in the light of that distant house a chance for rescue. There was hope. She took courage in the fact that no matter how bad things were, her rescue would be found in the light."

He goes on to say that during her way through the night she probably could not see the light at times due to high hills,valleys, trees and brush, but she pressed on. Whenever she could see the light she knew she was on the right path. She did not know exactly what the light was but she had trust and hope that it would lead her to safety.

What does this story have to do with preparedness?

We need to be spiritually prepared, we need to follow and act on the promptings of the Holy Ghost. We need to follow the light, the light of our Savior Jesus Christ. We need to choose to believe, we need to put belief in to action and we need to never give up. Many of us have gone through or will go through things when we cannot see the light and we may feel like giving up. Those who have suffered in loss of loved ones, illness, economical disaster or natural disasters have probably felt this way at times.

"Then Jesus spake unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." (James 8:12)

If we can stay focus on the light of our Savior Jesus Christ and listen to and follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost we will be lead to safety, we will survive, we will be safe and home again.

Watch Out For Distractions . . .

Are you often distracted from your priorities? I know I am sometimes. Satan really tries hard to distract us from important things. There are so many things today to help us become distracted, television, video games, social media, the Internet, etc. How do we stay focused on our priorities? I find making lists of the things I want to accomplish like daily scripture reading, family daily scripture reading and praying, weekly Family Home Evening, regular temple attendance, a daily/weekly schedule, home maintenance/repairs, adding to our food storage and emergency supplies, etc., helps me to stay focused and accomplish my priorities. Be careful of distractions!

May Monthly Assignments

Food Storage: Grains

What are grains?  They consist of wheat (both red and white hard winter), flours, oats, barley, quinoa, popcorn, etc. You can store them in #10 cans and 6 gallon buckets for long term storage (20+ years) and packages for short term storage (1+ years). You need 300 pounds of grains (store a variety) per person in your family for a year. Determine how much you need to store for your family and your your goal of 1-Month, 3-Months, 6-Months or a year. As all foot storage, store your grains in a cool, dry, dark place. You can purchase grains from your local grocery store, from long term food storage companies like the LDS Dry Pack Cannery, emergencyessentials.com, honeyville.com, foodinsurance.com, thrive.com, foodforhealthinternational.com, etc.

Emergency Preparedness: 
      Emergency Cooking, Lighting and Heating 

You should have in your emergency supplies at least . . .



One, or more, way to cook if you cannot use your conventional stove/oven. You should also have enough fuel for the type of cooking equipment you have to last for about 3+ months. Examples: Coleman Stove with propane, Butane Stove with Butane fuel, Gar BBQ with propane, Charcoal BBQ with charcoal, outside Fire Pit with wood and matches, etc.



One, or more, way to have lighting if the power is out. They can be battery operated or solar. It may be a good idea to have booth. You should have a working flashing in each room of the house with batteries and emergency lanterns. Examples: Coleman lantern, Battery or solar lanterns, Flashlights (battery and/or solar), candles (unscented) with matches, etc. A gas (DO NOT use inside the house) or solar generator would be great to have to since you can run electrically appliances and electronics from them.


One, or more, ways to provide heat for colder weather if you cannot use your conventional home gas or electric heater. I love the idea in the picture shown. It really does provide heat. Click here to see how to build it. Examples: Fireplace and heat candles. You can line a room with mattress to keep the heat inside the room. You should also have warm clothes and blankets. DO NOT use a charcoal BBQ inside the house, it will KILL you.

For more information and great ideas on Emergency Cooking, Lighting and Heating check out the posting on the right of this blog under "Postings", "Cooking, Heating and Lighting in an Emergency".


Emergency Preparedness Ideas

We all should learn different types of basic skills like carpentry, electrical, plumbing, how to use power tools and other tools, camping skills, outdoor cooking, how to set up an outdoor fire, how to build a simple shelter, first-aid, safety skills, fire safety, water filtration, sanitation, auto mechanics, and some basic survival skills.

Skills, why are they important regarding emergency preparedness?

After a major disaster we may not have the use of our home, people will be injured, there may be no electricity or plumbing, there may be no way to cook using our traditional stoves, etc.. Basic skills will help us survive. It is also important to teach your children these basic skills too.

How can you learn these basic skills? Ask someone you know who knows how to do them. They will probably love to teach you.Read books, take classes and learn by doing them. Have your children beside you when you are making repairs to your home, car, etc. 

Not only can we use them after a disaster but by doing things our self we can save a lot of money. Set a goal to learn new skills that will help you during and after a disaster.

Comments: We love your comments. We all learn from each others experiences and knowledge. Please share your comments below. If you have any questions ask them below or email me at theark.carsonward@gmail.com.

Emergency Preparedness, Food Storage and Monthly Assignments (Week of May 10th)

Hi Torrance Stake Family, Carson Ward Family, Family and Friends,

There is an old saying, "God could not be here so he created mothers". 

May we each take the time this weekend to think about all the wonderful things our mothers have done for us and thank her. The most important thing she has done for us is give us life! 

There are many women who have never had the opportunity to have children while in this life but who have been great mothers to so many through their love, devotion, kindness and example.  

Some of us have not had the opportunity to have our mother in our life. May be it was our grandmothers, that special aunt, an older sister, a special teacher, a special neighbor. We are truly blessed to have these women in our lives.

If your mother has passed on like mine, then share her memory with others, especially with your own family, and reflect on her life and the things she taught you. 

Mothers are amazing! Take the time to let her know how special she is to you, not just on Mother's day, but all year long. 

May Monthly Assignments

Food Storage: Grains

 

 

Emergency Preparedness: Cooking, Lighting and Heating

Go back to the May 3, 2015 posting to see the information about these assignments.

 Have a wonderful Mother's Day and a great day with your mothers.

Emergency Preparedness, Food Storage and Monthly Assignments (Week of May 3rd)

Hi Torrance Stake Family, Carson Ward Family, Family and Friends,

Where are your priorities,
      what is important to you?



Is it buying a bigger house, more than you can really afford, not leaving room for major home repairs? Or, it is buying a modest home, giving you a little wiggle room for those major home repairs that come along without having to go into debt for them?



It is buying a bigger fancier car you really do not need, going more in debt? Or, is it buying a modest car that will provide you for your needs, not wants?

It is buying new clothes and shoes continually, where you need bigger closest? Or, it is only using up, wearing out, or only buying them when needed.



 
It is buying a bigger flat screen TV, more electronic and sports toys you really do not have the money or room for? Or, is it putting that money into an emergency rainy-day saving account?





Is it going into debt for expensive vacations? Or, is it saving for a less expensive vacation and putting the extra money into your saving account or buy some extra food storage?






It is spending more time playing on those electronic toys? Or, is it time spent with your family preparing them spiritually to have a strong testimony of the gospel by reading the scriptures daily, having family prayer daily and weekly Family Home Evening?






Is it going into debt for things you really do not need, but only want? Or, is it more important to save and buy more food storage and emergency supplies to provide for your family?





What are your priorities?

President Gordon B. Hinckley stated, "I am suggesting that the time has come to get our houses in order.... No one knows when an emergency will strike.... We cannot provide against every contingency. But we can provide against many contingencies.... We have been continuously counseled for more than 60 years, let us have some food set aside that would sustain us for a time in case of need. But let us not panic or go to extremes (get into debt). Let us be prudent in every aspect. And, above all, ..., let us move forward with faith in the living God and His Beloved Son.... I do not know what the future holds. I do not wish to sound negative, but I wish to remind you of the warnings of the scriptures (Matthew 24 and Luke 21) and the teachings of the prophets which we have had constant before us."

One day there will a time when food costs will be so high you cannot afford them. In Revelation 6:6 we read, "Then I heard a voice in the mist of four beasts say, a measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny, ...." What does this mean? There will be a time when it will take a days wages to buy a small portion of wheat or barley (food). Why not be gathering your food storage now to avoid the higher cost of food, which I promise you will come, and provide for your family?

How We Made it Work . . .

 

As I look back over our 43 years of marriage I am amazed at how we made it all work. About 8 months after we were married, and pregnant with our first child, we purchased a modest 1,350 square foot house with 3 bedrooms and one bathroom. As the next several years went by we added 6 children to our family. Many people asked how we made it work with 8 people in our family and only one bathroom. With a little scheduling and patience we made it work. We have lived in the same house for 43 years. Over the years we have not been without the occasional unexpected emergency bill (major car repairs, plumbing issues, house repairs, medical and others). My husband was the only one working. We decided it was more important for me to be home with the children that have a lot of things we really did not need. Throughout the years I supplemented the income by doing child care in our home, sewing costumes for a children's theater and decorating cakes. We did not go on expensive vacations, they were usually locally, museums, the park, the beach, picnic's, etc. We only went on 3 large vacation trips while raising our children, once to San Diego and twice to Utah, which we saved for before going. We focused our money on needs more than wants, but there were the occasional wants. Because of us being frugal we were able to put away cans and packages of food for our food storage, which came in handy a few times when money was tight. We even had enough whole wheat stored for the whole family, but at  the time no wheat grinder. We really did not start storing the more expensive long term food storage until children started leaving the nest. We had an 8 person tent, a charcoal BBQ, a couple of lanterns and flashlights if an emergency arose. We were comfort and happy. We listened to the guidance of Heavenly Father through the Holy Ghost. We worked hard and made it all work!

New May Monthly Assignments

Food Storage: Grains

What are grains?  They consist of wheat (both red and white hard winter), flours, oats, barley, quinoa, popcorn, etc. You can store them in #10 cans and 6 gallon buckets for long term storage (20+ years) and packages for short term storage (1+ years). You need 300 pounds of grains (store a variety) per person in your family for a year. Determine how much you need to store for your family and your your goal of 1-Month, 3-Months, 6-Months or a year. As all foot storage, store your grains in a cool, dry, dark place. You can purchase grains from your local grocery store, from long term food storage companies like the LDS Dry Pack Cannery, emergencyessentials.com, honeyville.com, foodinsurance.com, thrive.com, foodforhealthinternational.com, etc.

Emergency Preparedness: 
      Emergency Cooking, Lighting and Heating 

You should have in your emergency supplies at least . . .



One, or more, way to cook if you cannot use your conventional stove/oven. You should also have enough fuel for the type of cooking equipment you have to last for about 3+ months. Examples: Coleman Stove with propane, Butane Stove with Butane fuel, Gar BBQ with propane, Charcoal BBQ with charcoal, outside Fire Pit with wood and matches, etc.



One, or more, way to have lighting if the power is out. They can be battery operated or solar. It may be a good idea to have booth. You should have a working flashing in each room of the house with batteries and emergency lanterns. Examples: Coleman lantern, Battery or solar lanterns, Flashlights (battery and/or solar), candles (unscented) with matches, etc. A gas (DO NOT use inside the house) or solar generator would be great to have to since you can run electrically appliances and electronics from them.


One, or more, ways to provide heat for colder weather if you cannot use your conventional home gas or electric heater. I love the idea in the picture shown. It really does provide heat. Click here to see how to build it. Examples: Fireplace and heat candles. You can line a room with mattress to keep the heat inside the room. You should also have warm clothes and blankets. DO NOT use a charcoal BBQ inside the house, it will KILL you.

For more information and great ideas on Emergency Cooking, Lighting and Heating check out the posting on the right of this blog under "Postings", "Cooking, Heating and Lighting in an Emergency".

Emergency Preparedness Ideas

Many people have fire extinguishers in their homes and cars but do not know how to properly use one and check to make sure it is full. You can take your fire extinguishers to your local fire department and they will check them for you and possibly refill them. Please watch the videos below to know how to properly use a fire extinguishers. Keep them in a safe place away from children, but accessible.


 
Comments: We love and appreciate your comments. We all learn from each others questions, experiences and knowledge. Thank you for your comments.