Emergency Preparedness, Food Storage and Monthly Assignments (Week of October 2nd)

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

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

186th Semiannual General Conference

Saturday, October 1st, 9:00am and 1:00 pm  (PST)
General Priesthood Session 5:00pm (PST)

Sunday, October 2nd, 9:00am and 1:00pm (PST)

(You can watch conference on the BYU channel on your location cable or satellite
channel or go to lds.org and click on listen to conference.)

The First Presidency, members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles,

and other General Authorities and General Offices of the Church will 

deliver messages of inspiration and guidance.

Do not miss out on being spiritually prepared, comforted, uplifted and inspired! 

Neighbors! 

Why are our neighbors an important part of our 

emergency preparedness?

Just a few days ago I was thinking about what a fantastic neighbor we have lived in for the last 45 years. Yes, we have lived in the same house for 45 years, unheard of these day. We moved in as a young couple expecting their first child. Now 45 years later, 6 grown married children, 24 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild we are so richly blessed to live in such an amazing neighborhood. From day one our neighbors have looked out for us and us for them. A few of us have been here from the beginning, some before us and some are new. It does not take long before we are all good friends watching out for each other. We have comforted each other in times of loss and life's trials and have celebrated special events and holidays together. Serving each other binds a neighborhood together.

We each have skills and talents that help our neighborhood and make us a great team, who we know we can rely on if disasters, civil unrest or whatever happens hits us. We know we will be there for each other.

What can you do to help and unite your neighborhood:

1) Encourage each family to have extra food and water on hand. Do not tell them how much you have or where it is stored. If each family is prepared it will take less strain off of you.

2) Encourage each family to have emergency supplies on hand, like flashlights, lanterns, medical supplies and what ever else they might need.

3) Know about each family member, their special needs so you can help if an emergency happens.

4) Make sure each family has a first-aid kit and knows basic first-aid. Maybe have a neighborhood BBQ and talk about first-aids skills.

5) Encourage each family to have 72 Hour Individual Emergency Backpack (Bug-out-bags) and a 72 Hour Emergency Family Bag. See under Postings on the right for information.

6) Share this blog with them so they can learn how to be prepared.

7) When a disaster or emergency situation hits, check on each family, especially the elderly, single parents and those with special needs.

8) Work together when a disaster hits. Set up teams, someone over medical, housing, how to shut off utilities as needed, sanitation, etc.

Make your neighborhood great and become like a family! Watch out for each other! Knowing we have neighbors watch out for us brings great comfort!

October Monthly Assignments

Food Storage . . . Pastas

A great inexpensive addition to our food storage. 

How much to store: Determine how much pasta your family uses in a month, including going out for meals. Then figure out how much you will need for the amount of food storage months goal you are working towards. Store a variety of pastas according to what your family eats.

Short term and long term pasta: Short term pasta (commercially packaged) will last about 1-2 year in their original packaging. Long term pasta (#10, super pail buckets) will last about 25 years. Keep both in a cool, dry, dark place.

Commercially packaged pasta: When you bring it home from the grocery store place the pasta in originally packaging in the freezer for 24 hours to kill any months or their larva. Then bring back to room temperature before storing in your cupboards or pantry. 

Water: Remember, you will need to store extra water to cook the pasta. 

Emergency Preparedness . . . 
                         Spiritual Preparedness

Being spiritually prepared is a very important part of 

emergency preparedness. 

It will bring us peace when there is turmoil around us. 

This weekend we have a great opportunity to be filled spiritually and prepared for future events by listen to the 186th Semiannual General Conference from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (See the dates and times at the top) Even if you are not a member of our church you can listen and be uplifted, comforted and find peace in the messages presented. 



We need to fill our lamps like the 5 Virgins did in the parable of the 10 Virgins. We need to be spiritually and temporally prepared at all times.





We need to pray and read our scriptures (individually and as a family) daily so we can stay close to the spirit. The Holy Ghost will guide us and protect us. 





Emergency Preparedness Ideas 

72 Hour Individual Emergency Backpacks 
                  and 72 Hour Emergency Family Bag . . .

When was the last time you check your 72 Hour Individual Emergency Backpacks? It you store yours in the car the food needs to be rotated every 6 months. If you store them in the house, every year. Make sure the clothes you might store in them still fits, growth changes, especially for children.

Check your 72 Hour Emergency Family Bag to make to see if anything you might have used needs replaced. Update as needed. 

If you have not put together a 72 Hour Individual Emergency Backpack and 72 Hour Emergency Family Bag check out the posting on the right under "Postings" and put together one for each family member. You only need one family bag.

Comments and Questions: Please share your comments and questions. They are most appreciated. We all learn from each others experience and knowledge. Thank you for sharing. Email: the ark.carsonward@gmail.com

Next Blog Posting: November 6, 2016

Emergency Preparedness, Food Storage and Monthly Assignments (Week of September 18th)

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

A loaf of bread for a days pay . . .

"... A measure of wheat for a penny [Matthew 20:2] ,

 and three measures of barley for a penny; ..." 

                   (Revelations 6:6)  

Imagine if it took your full days pay to purchase a loaf of bread . . . Would you be able to afford it? Would you be able to feed yourself and your family? The scriptures predict this in the last days. Are we already starting to see this?

It has been on the television and radio news that Venezuela's economy is collapsing.  The cost of food, if you can find it, and other resource are outrageous. One reporter stated a dozen of eggs cost $150. Click here to read an article posted on the Emergency Essentials Blog.

Between 1921-1924 the Weimar Republic (modern-day Germany) was effected by a hyperinflation epidemic. It took a wheelbarrow of money to buy a loaf of bread. Click here to read the article.

Germany is telling its people to stock pile food and water. Click here to read the article posted on the Emergency Essentials Blog.

What is going on in our world? I will not allow this blog to be political but I do want to warn those who read it to be aware of what is going on around them and to be as prepared as they can with extra food, water, medical supplies and other emergency supplies you might need. 

Are we ready for these types of events in our lives? How prepared are you and your family? Wouldn't you find peace in knowing you have food, water and other emergency supplies stored for when and if an economic collapse might happen (hyperinflation), civil unrest arises and Martial Law is called, or a natural or man made disasters happen or many of the other things that can happen to effect our lives?

What will you do if and when the prediction in Revelations 6:6 comes to past? Will you be able to take care of yourself and your family? I sure hope so!

September Monthly Assignments
 

Food Storage . . . Fruits

Fruits are an important part of our food storage. Other foods do not give us the vitamins and nutrition we need in our diet.  Fruits can be stored in a variety of ways.

How much should I store? Determine how much fruit you or your family eats in a month and multiply that by the number of months you have set your food storage goal. Store a variety of fruits.

Shelf life of fruits: Commercially canned 1-2 years, home canned 1-2 years, home dehydrated in mason jars 6 months-1year, commercially dehydrated 1-2 years, commercially freeze-dried long term storage 20-30 years. Watch the expiration dates, especially when you purchase items from discount store.

Of course these all depend on how you store them. All fruits should be stored in a cool, dry, dark place. The temperature should be below 70 degrees if possible. The higher the temperature the less time is will keep.

What types of fruits should I store? Only store the fruits your family will eat. It is a studied and proven fact, that even in a disaster, especially children, your family will not eat what they do not like. Store a variety of fruits in a variety of different ways.  You can also store fruit juices. I usually work on these separate, but you can add them at this time too.

Different ways to store fruits:

 

Commercially canned: Store a variety, only the ones your family will eat.  Do not forget the apple sauce.Do not purchase or store dented or cans with the lids bubbled.

 

Home canned: To home can fruits use the water bath method. Click here to learn how to can fruits. Purchase fruits in season to save money.  Do not eat if the lid is springy.

  



 

 

Dehydrated:  Home or commercially packed. Storage life is different. Home dehydrated, 6 months-1 year. Commercially dehydrated, 1-2 years. Keep your home dehydrated fruits in mason jars in cool, dry, dark place.  Do not forget apple, banana chips, raisins and other dried fruits.                                               

Frozen: Another great way to preserve fruits is to freeze them. You can purchase them frozen, limited in variety, and you can purchase in season and freeze in plastic freezer zip log bags for future use. They will keep for 1 year. They are great to use in jello salads, smoothies, over oatmeal and cereals and may other ways. 

 

Freeze-dried: If in #10 cans they will keep for 20-30 years, depending on the temperature you keep them, remember, cool, dry and dark. To rehydrate just add water, let sit for about 15 minutes and enjoy by themselves or in recipes.



Fruit trees and berry bushes are another great way to produce your own fruit to can or freeze.

 
Fruit Trees: If you have the space plant a fruit tree or two. Checkout which types of fruits you can grow in your area. You cannot grow all fruits in all areas. If you do not have a large space try dwarf fruit trees or in large pots.






Berries: Also try to grow berries (blueberries, etc.) in your yard or large pots. I planted 2 blueberries bushes in large pots last year and they are doing great. I freeze the blueberries I cannot use at the time.





Emergency Preparedness . . .
                          First-aid and CPR 

Every family member should learn first-aid and CPR. Each household should have a good first-aid kit in their home and in each vehicle. Take the time to practice first-aid and CPR skills regularly as an individual and family. Family Home Evening is a great time to review them. Practice first-aid skills on each other or a friend. Review symptoms and treatments in a first-aid book. Try to become first-aid and CPR certified. It could save a life. 

Emergency Preparedness Ideas

Two items everyone should have attached to their key chain, or in their purse and in your children's school backpack. Make sure your children understand it is only to be used in emergencies not as a toy or distraction at school.

 


Whistle   

 
 




Small LED flashlight 

 Or a small LED pen light (for your key chain)









These items may save your life. If you are trapped or buried your voice will not last long when yelling for help and cannot be heard sometimes. A whistle travels far and can easily be heard.

If you hare in a building when the lights go out, especially after a natural disaster like an earthquake, the small flashlight will help you find your way and avoid further injuries from falling and sharp objects. It can also be used as a signally device to show where you are located.

Comments and Questions: Please share your comments and questions below. Or, you can email me at theark.carsonward@gmail.com. We appreciate your comments and questions. We all learn from each others experiences and knowledge. Thank you

Emergency Preparedness, Food Storage and Monthly Assignments (Week of September 5th)

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

How prepared are you?

A few days ago I was changing channels on the television and caught the tail end of a program about a major earthquake in California USA. The person talking, whose name I did not get, stated even though there will be deaths from a major earthquake it is the aftermath they are most concerned about. People do not understand the lack of resources they will have after a major earthquake. They think first responders will be there in a few minutes to help them. They think drinking water, food, medical help, shelter and other needs will be provided within hours. Unfortunately, this is not the case!

We have seen unfold before our eyes on news programs reporting various natural disasters throughout the country, earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, flooding, wildfires, etc. The Katrina and Sandy hurricane and water damage took days/weeks before help could arrive with clean drinking water, food, medical help and emergency shelter. First responders and volunteer organizations could not get into the areas to help.

What can we do to help a situation like this before it happens?

Be as best prepared ourselves as we possibly can. We will to be able to take care of ourselves, our family and help our neighbors the best we can. If we are prepared it will lessen the need for first responders and volunteer organizations and give them an opportunity to help those who have not prepared.

There probably will be no immediate first responders, volunteer organizations, running water, electricity, medical help, food available, access to ATM machines, roads and freeways will be blocked, stores, gas stations, banks will be shut down due to no electricity, etc.. The experts say it will take 6 months to 1+ years to repair our water aqueducts, electrical grid and infrastructure.

We will need to have extra food on hand (some canned and snack foods you can eat without cooking), bottled drinking water on hand, emergency medical supplies on hand, flash lights and lanterns on hand, shelter items on hand, emergency cooking and heating on hand, first-aid skills, we will need to help ourselves and our neighbors to survive.

Are you ready for such an event? What do you need to do to prepare or be better prepared? Have you evaluated your situation and what emergency supplies you have or need? Do you have a plan?

Now, not tomorrow or next week, is the time to get prepared! Do not procrastinate anymore!

New September Monthly Assignments

Food Storage . . . Fruits

Fruits are an important part of our food storage. Other foods do not give us the vitamins and nutrition we need in our diet.  Fruits can be stored in a variety of ways. 

How much should I store? Determine how much fruit you or your family eats in a month and multiply that by the number of months you have set your food storage goal. Store a variety of fruits.

Shelf life of fruits: Commercially canned 1-2 years, home canned 1-2 years, home dehydrated in mason jars 6 months-1year, commercially dehydrated 1-2 years, commercially freeze-dried long term storage 20-30 years. Watch the expiration dates, especially when you purchase items from discount store.

Of course these all depend on how you store them. All fruits should be stored in a cool, dry, dark place. The temperature should be below 70 degrees if possible. The higher the temperature the less time is will keep.  

What types of fruits should I store? Only store the fruits your family will eat. It is a studied and proven fact, that even in a disaster, especially children, your family will not eat what they do not like. Store a variety of fruits in a variety of different ways.  You can also store fruit juices. I usually work on these separate, but you can add them at this time too.

Different ways to store fruits:

 

Commercially canned: Store a variety, only the ones your family will eat.  Do not forget the apple sauce.Do not purchase or store dented or cans with the lids bubbled.

 

Home canned: To home can fruits use the water bath method. Click here to learn how to can fruits. Purchase fruits in season to save money.  Do not eat if the lid is springy.

  



 

 

Dehydrated:  Home  or commercially          packed. Storage life is different. Home dehydrated, 6 months-1 year. Commercially dehydrated, 1-2 years. Keep your home dehydrated fruits in mason jars in cool, dry, dark place.  Do not forget apple, banana chips, raisins and other dried fruits.                                               

Frozen: Another great way to preserve fruits is to freeze them. You can purchase them frozen, limited in variety, and you can purchase in season and freeze in plastic freezer zip log bags for future use. They will keep for 1 year. They are great to use in jello salads, smoothies, over oatmeal and cereals and may other ways. 

 

Freeze-dried: If in #10 cans they will keep for 20-30 years, depending on the temperature you keep them, remember, cool, dry and dark. To rehydrate just add water, let sit for about 15 minutes and enjoy by themselves or in recipes.





Fruit trees and berry bushes are another great way to produce your own fruit to can or freeze.

 
Fruit Trees: If you have the space plant a fruit tree or two. Checkout which types of fruits you can grow in your area. You cannot grow all fruits in all areas. If you do not have a large space try dwarf fruit trees or in large pots.






Berries: Also try to grow berries (blueberries, etc.) in your yard or large pots. I planted 2 blueberries bushes in large pots last year and they are doing great. I freeze the blueberries I cannot use at the time.





Emergency Preparedness . . .
                          First-aid and CPR 

Every family member should learn first-aid and CPR. Each household should have a good first-aid kit in their home and in each vehicle. Take the time to practice first-aid and CPR skills regularly as an individual and family. Family Home Evening is a great time to review them. Practice first-aid skills on each other or a friend. Review symptoms and treatments in a first-aid book. Try to become first-aid and CPR certified. It could save a life. 

Emergency Preparedness Ideas

Food storage Tips . . .

If you are just starting out with your food storage only concentrate on the foods your family eats on a regular basis, not the long term (freeze-died and dehydrated #10 cans and super pails) food storage. Set a goal for 3-months. Keep track of what your family eats in a month, including all ingredients in recipes, snacks and eating out. Once you have this information you can figure out how much it will take to meet your 3-month goal. 

First start by getting 1-month supply of everything, then move on 2-months and then 3-months. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints advises us to work towards a 3-month of food and drinking water as needed. If 1-month seems overwhelming then do 2 weeks and keep increasing by 2 weeks as you go along until you have your 3-months supply of food. 

An easy way to keep track is to make out a 2 week menus for your family, including all ingredients in each recipe, snacks and eating out. Most families eat the same thing within a 2 week time period. Do not forget the treats too. 

After you have your 3-months food storage then you can start adding the long term freeze-dried and dehydrated #10 cans and super pails. 

Remember, to rotate your 3-month food storage. As you use a can or package replace it right away. I keep my caned foods in line by date. The oldest in the front and newest in the back. That way I use them first. Also remember, even if a can of food has expired, as long as it is not dented or the ends bubbled, it is still good for awhile. It will loose some of its nutritional value over time, but still good to eat. Also, only purchase food items you know your family will eat. Do not purchase some thing just because it is on sale. It is a waste of your hard earned money, your family will not eat it and it will just go to waste.

The success of food storage is "rotation, rotation, rotation" and keep all canned and packaged foods in a cool, dry, dark place with the temperature under 70 degrees or less if possible. The higher the temperature the less time it will last. 

Keep a record/chart of what you have. I keep a food storage notebook. I like to do inventory every 3 months just in case I do not see I am low on some items. 

Remember, the best advise on food storage is to just start now. A few cans and packages at a time and before you know it you will have your 3-months food storage. 

Note: Of course, the photo above is our ideal food storage space and shelving, but we can create areas in our home to store our food storage. Be creative. When you purchase end tables, coffee tables, or any type of table try to purchase ones with storage. Under beds, closets and cupboards are other great places. Go through them and throw out what you do not need, we all have to many things we do not use. Try to not store food in your garage, it can get too hot and dismiss the shelf life of your food. 

Comments and Questions: Please share your comments and questions below. Or you can email me at theark.carsonward@gmail.com. Remember, we all learn from each other. Thank you for your comments and questions.