PROCRASTINATION . . .
Not a good thing!
What does it take for you to be prepared for whatever may come your way?
What does it take for you to realize you cannot live of borrowed light?
What does it take for you to start now?
Procrastination is over!
Does it take a natural disaster like a blizzard, a tornado, an earthquake, a flood, water contamination, a drought? Does it take an event like one of these to make us realized we need to be prepared now, not tomorrow when the storm is upon us, but now? What does it take before you realize you need to start now to prepare for future events in your life, your family's life?
Just in the past few weeks in the United States Flint, Michigan USA main water supply was heavily contaminated with lead causing the drinking water undrinkable; Missouri USA received major rain causing rising waters along the Mississippi River USA which caused wide spread flooding; tornadoes hit the South USA causing major damages; a massive gas leak in Porter Ranch, California USA is effecting the residence health and has caused many to relocate; the Eastern Coast USA had a record blizzard shutting down roadways, highways, government buildings and causing an issued shelter-in-place for 3 days by local authorities and an order to stay off the streets. Even the snow plows could not get through in some areas. 
People in New York, Washington D.C and other surrounding states and communities were rushing to grocery stores for food and water and their local hardware stores for candles, flashlights and batteries. How many times do we see these event unfolding before our eyes on television news channels? How often do we hear people on the news upset the local and federal government they are not doing enough to solve the crisis problem? How many warnings do we need? I know, "it will never happen where I live", "I have plenty of time to prepare", "I am to busy". That's what everyone in these towns and states thought too. How many times do we say, "I'll do it tomorrow or next week", "I'm to busy", "Now is not a good time". When is it a good time? There never is really a good time, we need to start now, no more procrastination!
How much easier it would be if we all kept canned foods, bottled water and emergency supplies on hand all the time! Not having to run out to the grocery store or hardware store, fighting the crowds and finding shelves empty when a major storm or event is about to hit us. Why keep enough food and water supplies for 1-3 months and emergency supplies on hand ahead of time? Why not? It will make life so much easier!
It is not our local or federal governments job to bail us out if a natural disaster hits us, it is ours first to be prepared enough to take care of our own family. Could you shelter-in-place for several days if you were told too? You never know when it will happen. But you can be prepared for when it does.
New February Monthly Assignments
Food Storage . . .
Soups, Stews and Chili
This month we will be adding soups, stews and chili to our food storage. To determine how much to store for your family keep track for 2-4 weeks of how much of these products your family eats. Most families eat the same thing within a 2 week period. Then multiply that number by the number of months you have set your food storage goal, 1-Month, 2-Months, 3-Months, 6-Months, a year and work towards your goal. If you make your own soups, stews and chili figure out how many cans it would take to replace your home made soups, stews and chili. Only store the types of soups, stews and chili your family will eat.Try different varieties to see which ones your family likes.
Remember to store all canned foods in a cool, dry, dark place. Below 70 degrees if possible. The cooler the place the longer your food will last. Most canned soups, stews and chili will keep about 2-3 years. You can keep it longer as long as the can is not dented or bubbled on top, it loses it's nutritional value the older the canned foods become.
Emergency Preparedness . . .
Water, Water, Water
Water is our the most precious item to store. You can live without food for about 30-40 days but you only live without water for 2-3 days.
You should store at least 1 gallon per person per day, more if you plan to use it for medical needs, bathing or washing dishes. Preferably store paper products to use during an emergency so you do not have to use our precious drinking water. If you need to bath, only do sponge baths, use as little of your drinking and cooking water as possible. If you store dehydrated/freeze dried foods you will need to store more water.
You should have a good water filtration system if the water is contaminated. See under "Postings" on the right, "Water Storage and Water Barrels" for ideas.
We are continually reminded of how vulnerable our water is by the news stories we hear about how a communities drinking water supply has been contaminated. It can happen at any time.
To learn all about storing water click on the link under "Postings" on the right, "Water Storage and Water Barrels".
Emergency Preparedness Ideas
Great idea . . . Easy way to grow from tomato seedlings
using over ripened tomatoes
using over ripened tomatoes
Watch this video. I am going to try this.
Warning!!!
If you are trapped in your car in a blizzard or snow storm like the folks on the East Coast USA 2016, do not leave your car running with the windows up. The tail pipe may be blocked and you and your passengers will die from carbon monoxide poisoning. First, try to clear the tail pipe from the snow. Then crack your windows and only run the car for 10 minutes every hour.
Great article from Emergency Essentials regarding what we can learn from the January 2016 East Coast blizzard . . .
Click on the link . . . "What We Learned, ..."
What every car should have in it at all times . . .
1) Emergency Car Kit (click on the link or go to under "Postings" on the right.)
2) First-aid Kit
3) Drinking water and some food (snack) items
4) Blankets for each family member
5) Always keep a full tank of gas if you know a storm is coming and you could get trapped. We never let our gas tank get below half a tank just in case we have to evacuate.
6) Winter time: Cat liter and a small fold up shovel--If you put the cat liter behind the wheel that is stuck in the snow it will help give you traction to back out. Watch the video below.
7) If you have children keep some activity books, reading books and card games in your car.
Comments and Questions: Please share your comments below. We can all learn from each others experiences and knowledge. If you have a question please share it below or email me at theark.carsonward@gmail.com. I will answer it on my next posting or email you. Thank you for your comments.
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