Emergency Preparedness, Food Storage and Monthly Assigment (August 2017)

Physical Preparedness . . .

Most of us cringe when we think about physical preparedness. I know I did until about 4 months ago. I always had excuses for not being in shape physically and eating healthier. Being physically prepared is just as important as all the other areas we need to be prepared in, food and water storage, emergency supplies, etc..  After many months, years of giving excuses, I finally set some goals and am striving to accomplish them. I want to loose weight and be physically strong. When we are physically prepared we will be able to survive a disaster situation better.

Let me share my journey of striving to becoming better 
                                                                           physically prepared . . . 

• First, I had to realize that no one else can do this but me. My body is a temple, a gift from Heavenly Father. It is my responsibility to take good care of it so my Spirit can reside there. 

• Then I had to sat into motion a plan, just like setting up a food storage goal and plan. Find a buddy or family member to do this with. Our family, mostly my daughters and granddaughters, have sat up a team where we help and encourage each other. Since we all live far apart, we sat up a family Facebook page where we all weight in weekly, only our family members can see it. It is working great and great to have support from others.

• Then I sat small goals to accomplish the big one. 

• I figured out how much I needed to loose, then sat small goals to accomplish it.

• I found a diet plan I could work with, it was Weight Watchers. (I love the online app on my phone.) Not some crazy fad diet. Reasonable and practical. Eating more fruits and vegetables and staying away from all the junk foods, but allowing me from time to time to have a piece of birthday cake if I desire.

• I sat up an exercised program. I started out small, at first I could barely walk around my block. I kept increasing it until I could do 10 blocks. It hurt at first. I had problems with my sciatic nerve and arthritis in my knee, making walking painful at first. I kept pushing and increasing the distance. After awhile with losing some weight and exercising I noticed no more pain.

• Then after losing a certain amount of weight, 10-15 pounds, I decided to start doing aerobics.  I do an hour a day, except Sundays. At first, it was difficult. I thought I was going to pass out. I had to start small and increase as my strength and ability increased. Now I can get through the whole program, tried at the end, but I can do it. I always feel so much better after I am done.

The results--So far, I have lost 30+ pounds since April, no longer in pain, and am in much better shape physically. I have realized this is for a lifetime. Not just for a few months or a year.

Why did I want to do this? Of course, to look better and feel better, but also, because if a disaster or emergency situation comes, I will be healthier and stronger. I may need to walk some distance to safety. I may need to carry my 72 Individual Emergency Preparedness Backpack for some distance. I will have a higher chance of surviving an injury, which could turn into a serious infection.

Important: Always check with your doctor before starting a diet or exercise program.

May we each strive to be healthier by eating healthier and getting some type of exercise, no matter how small it may be. I know some of you physically cannot exercise as others. Talk to your doctor about an exercise program that will work for you.

August Monthly Assignments

Emergency Preparedness . . .

72 Hour Individual Emergency Preparedness

         Backpack . . . The Stressor Kit  

Updates . . .  

  

Backpacks: Several people have asked me where I got my backpack from. I found that the ones from emergencyessentials.com are really good. They have 3 different size, small, medium and large. I purchased the medium size one. It is great and has enough room for your 3 kits (food kit, hygiene kit and stressor kit), extra clothing and other needed items I will list after we complete the 3 kits. There backpacks are now black. Click here to see them. 

What is a Stressor Kit?  

The Stressor Kit contains items that will help you and your household family member better handle the stressful situation of a disaster or emergency situation. For the next few weeks will be adding 4 items, one each week for 4 weeks. You can purchase most of these items at the 99 Cent Store, The Dollar Tree, The Dollar General, Big Lots or other discount stores. A few items may need to be purchased at a regular store like Target or WalMart. Some you may have around your house. There are only 10 items in this kit. The complete list is below for those who want to complete this kit faster.

Remember: You will need one Stressor Kit per household member. Place each item as we add them into a large zip lock plastic bag, write each family members name on their Stressor Kit and put it into  their 72 Hour Individual Emergency Preparedness Backpack.  

Let's get started . . . 

         This month add the following . . . 

 

1st Week: Paper Pad and Pen and/or Pencil . The paper pad should be about 5x7 inches. If you have a pencil you will need a pencil sharpener.

2nd Week: A 5-in-1 Survival Whistle. You can purchase these at emergencyessentials.com for about $2.00.





3rd Week: Family Photo.  This helps the family member, especially children, to look at their family and know that there are loved ones who care about them, and if separated, praying for their safety.

4th Week: Activity Book. It can be a crossword book, a word search book or an activity book for children. Coloring books with a small box of crayons is a;so good for children. Something to keep their minds off the situation they are might be in.



72 Hour Emergency Preparedness Stressor Kit List:

Some of you like the whole list so you can purchase all the items at once. Here it is . . .

1. paper pad and pen
2. 5-in-1 survival whistle
3. copies of insurance
4. family photo(s)
5. activity book
6. list of family contact names and phone numbers
7. favorite reading book (soft cover for adult books)
8. small travel size board game or playing cards (different one for each family member kit so you have different ones to play)
9. Book of Mormon (soft cover, about $4 on church catalog website)
Added this week:
10. $3-$5 in coin change in small zip lock bag

11. Rain pouncho

12. Space blanket 

Emergency Preparedness Ideas  

Four great tips . . .

Don't assume it can't happen to you!
Be prepared!
Follow the Spirit!
Have Faith! 

Do not forget to check

out the "Postings" on the right for ideas and information on being better prepared.