Self-Reliant Saturday-- Kitchen In A Box Add-Ons

A few weeks ago I made a kitchen in a box to keep with my 72-hour kits.  Click HERE to view that post. I had most of what I needed for my kitchen on the go, but I did need a few more items that I have since added to my box. Have you made a kitchen in a box for your 72-hour kits?

These are the items that I added to my kitchen in a box:

• pancake spatula
• travel size bottle that I filled with dish soap
• sponge
• matches
• spice container (it's a tackle container from the fishing section of Wal-Mart and it was on clearance for $1.96)
• And one more stack-able container to hold the new goods 

Kitchen In A Box-- An Emergency Essential!

Before we get to the kitchen in a box, let me give you a little background on why I made one.  If you have read the blog for awhile you know what a big fan I am of the Saratoga Jacks Thermal Cooker. The thermal cooker is great for emergency preparedness BUT it is also one of my favorite kitchen appliances to use daily.  Click HERE to view a post on the thermal cooker. I have had fun experimenting with the thermal cooker but it is always helpful to have a cookbook to guide me along.  Cindy Miller has recently published a brand new thermal cookbook called "Let's Make Sense of Thermal Cooking".  (click here to see her website) 

It is a gorgeous cookbook with color photos, spiral bound binding, and so many helpful tips and tricks to use with the thermal cooker.  There are also recipes that will help you gather and use your food storage.  She has recipes for grains, beans, pastas, meat, and veggies.  It is the most complete book on thermal cooking to date!! I highly recommend you own this book if you own a thermal cooker or wonderbox/oven.

I have attended several classes taught by the owners of Saratoga Jack's thermal cookers, Amy & Jack, and they are always so organized with everything they need to cook, and demonstrate the thermal cookers. Amy calls it her kitchen in a box.  I always thought it was a great idea for them because they travel and teach so often, but I never really considered making one for myself. While reading Cindy's book she writes about using a kitchen in a box as well when she teaches, but it also is part of her 72-hour kit.  When I read that I felt prompted that I really needed to have one of these kitchens in a box for my emergency kits.  

It really just makes sense to have all the basic cooking utensils in a grab-n-go type container.  What was I planning on using in an evacuation type situation to cook our food in our 72-hour kits?  I really hadn't thought this through very well.  The kitchen in a box is very easy, and inexpensive to put together. 

If you have a Wal-Mart or Dollar Store near your home you can find everything you need for your own kitchen in a box.  Wal-Mart had most items for around .88 each.  I bought a stack-able plastic container (in the office supply area of Wal-Mart) and it was the perfect size to fit the longer spoons.  I really want a stack-able container that has separate layers that snap together, but this will work until I can save up for that.  This is what I included in my kitchen in a box.  It isn't finished quite yet, but I found the basics. 

• kitchen scissors
• can opener
• jar opener
• vegetable/fruit peeler
• complete set of measuring spoons/cups
• small knife with a cover
• large stirring spoon
• smaller wooden spoons
• cutting board (found in the camping section)
• whisk
• two dish towels
• plastic gloves
• sanitizer 

I wanted the absolute basics that would allow me to make a meal on the spot without having to make-do with a utensil that wasn't proper for the job.  I still need to add:

• spices
• spatulas
• pancake turner
• camping pots
• hot pads
• cleaning scrubbies and soap
• grater

As you cook your next meal, think of what you use the most to get the meal prepared.  Make a list of these items and keep a look out for them at the store.  We are all different and cook differently, but I think we all use the basic measuring cups and knives. 

My kitchen in a box now sits along side my butane stove and fuel.  They are ready to go with our 72-hour kits.  These along with my thermal cooker will allow me to prepare and serve meals to my family in any situation.  The days following a disaster will be filled with chaos and making meals will be a huge stress for everyone.  But preparing beforehand and knowing that you have a 72-hour kit, food, and a way to prepare the food will give you peace of mind.  

Self-Reliant Saturday-- Earthquake in Vegas

A 4.5 magnitude earthquake was felt in Las Vegas Friday Morning (5/22/15).  One has to wonder how many warnings we will get before it happens closer to home.  Please take the time to have a family emergency plan, 72-hour kits ready to go, and your food storage up-to-date.  

Click HERE to view a post on emergency evacuations and a link to print out a family emergency plan.  

And check out the left side-bar of this blog to see a list of items that may work for your 72-hour kits. 


For food storage and water basics CLICK HERE.

It's never to late to start a food storage program for your family!  If you go out right now and buy a case of water...you are on your way!!!

"Are we prepared for the emergencies of our lives?  Are our skills perfected?  Do we live providently?  Do we have on hand our reserve supply?  Are we obedient to the commandments of God?  Are we responsive to the teachings of the prophets?  Are we prepared to give of our substance to the poor, needy?"
               -Thomas S. Monson April 1986 General Conference

Self-Reliant Saturdays

Saturday is the one day of the week where I feel like I can catch up on life, and maybe have a minute or two to focus on finishing up the many projects I have.  It is also a great day to take a few moments and accomplish a food storage related task.  I was inspired by the Mormon Channels January of Self-Reliant Saturdays.  I am going to run with this idea and post a Self-Reliant Saturday idea/goal/quote, every weekend here on Prepare Today.  I will also link you to the Mormon Channels posts every week. Sometimes the larger goals that we make can overwhelm us and we don't ever complete them. My hope is that by sharing a few of the smaller self-reliant goals and ideas that I have, maybe you will feel inspired to accomplish them, and then feel motivated to move onto the larger goals.  

Today's Goal

 Gather a change of clothing (winter clothing if necessary), including underwear, shoes, and socks, for each family member.  Include winter coats, boots, gloves, hats, etc. Store them in your 72-hour kits, or in an accessible plastic bin that is ready to go at a moments notice.  (Remember that it's easier to turn winter clothing into summer clothing. ie: cutting pants into shorts and longer sleeved shirts into short sleeved t-shirts. You can store clothing for both summer and winter, but if you're short on space go with winter clothing only.)

Here is the link for week 2 of the Mormon Channel's Self-Reliant Saturday post.  Click HERE

Post Disaster Meals - No Cooking Required!

*This is a a re-post from Oct. 2012

{While talking to a neighbor last night this post came to mind and I thought it would be a good reminder for everyone. We were discussing what we would eat in the days immediately following a disaster.  Even those of us who like to eat fresh food most of the time, the hours and days after a disaster will require a different approach to eating.  The concept of having at least three days worth of food will go right along side your 72-hour kits.}

Post Disaster Meals--No Cooking Required! 

I read a great post over at Homestead Revival and it got me thinking about the minutes, hours, and first days after a disaster.  What would I be doing?  What would my family be eating, drinking, sleeping on, etc?  Amy, from Homestead Revival, described a situation just like Hurricane Katrina and the aftermath that ensued.  I was inspired by her words and her challenge to come up with enough meals for 3 days that required NO cooking.  This is definitely a challenge!  I do  have ways to cook without power, but in the hours following a disaster I don't know if I will be able to get to my butane stove, and have the sense to even want to think about cooking a meal.  

The first meal that Amy put together was tuna, crackers, a small container of mayo, pickle relish, canned fruit, and small bags of trail mix.  She keeps this in a Rubbermaid type container and has it labeled.  Everything required for the meal would be contained in the box, even a can opener, and there is no cooking needed.  Amy then challenged her readers to come up with their own meals to add to a disaster kit.  I sat and thought what could I possibly have on hand for breakfast, lunch, and, dinner without cooking.  Here is what I came up with......

Breakfast would include:

• Cereal
• Shelf-stable milk
• bowls and spoons

 Lunch  #1 would include:

• Tuna
• Saltine crackers
• Mayo
• Pineapple (for in the sandwich or a side fruit)
• Chex Mix

Lunch #2 would include:

• Peanut butter
• Jelly
• Saltine Crackers
• Oranges

Lunch or Dinner idea:

•  Soup (different kinds for picky family eaters)
• Saltine Crackers
• Spoons & bowls
• Pears

The soup wouldn't be warm, but it is edible.  

 Dinner would include:

• Taco shells
• Black beans
• Olives
• Salsa
• Oranges
• And I forgot the utensils in this pic :)

Now I need to put all this food into a water safe container with a variety of crackers, more silverware, napkins, and utensils.  I added some peanut butter and crackers at the top of the picture for a snack.  I might just add a few pieces of Halloween candy to keep our sweet tooth happy too!

And don't forget a......

What meal ideas would work for your family??  This is only the beginning, I will have to ponder this subject some more and see what else would work for us!  This idea will supplement our 72-hour kits nicely and having it all in one bin will allow me to rotate it easier, and I know that all our food is in one place.   

72-Hour Kits and What Not To Do!

Knowledge is power...only if you apply that knowledge to your goal.  I know a lot about 72-hour kits and what to put in them.  But maybe not so much about updating them :)

This weekend was the semi-annual General Conference for members of the LDS faith.  This conference is held in April and October of every year.  Many of us use the bi-yearly time to change out batteries in smoke detectors, inventory our food storage, and change out our 72-hour kits.  It's funny that April and October seem to come around a lot faster then we think.  I swear it wasn't that long ago that I had gone through all of our 72-hour kits.  But the proof will show you......that wasn't the case.  

Case in point #1

 My daughter said that even if that was all there was left to wear, she couldn't fit into it.

Case in point #2

 My son is 11 and I'm pretty sure he doesn't wear diapers anymore.  It was hard to take a picture because we were laughing so hard!

Case in point #3

 This child is 18 and had a coat that fit my 6 year old.  We were laughing really hard by this point.  I could hardly take the picture when she zipped it up.  She laughed and said at least she would be partly warm if she had to wear it.  haha!!

Case in point #4

My 6 year old had a bottle and baby formula in her kit.  She would probably have fun drinking out of the bottle, but the formula not so much. She didn't even have a toothbrush in her kit like the rest of us. She didn't even have teeth when I made her kit...haha...now she is losing her front teeth. 

How did I not go through these kits in the last 5 years?!?!?!  I did move a year and a half ago, but still, I'm a slacker.

 This was most of the expired food from all 7 of our kits.  It was mostly yucky. The smells...I can still smell them.  My kids added new clothes, in the correct sizes, in their kits, and I have a list of things to buy to bring them all up to date. I think that these kits were not on my mind because I feel that an evacuation in my area wouldn't be likely, it could happen, but not likely.  So I probably put the thought of updating them out of my mind. Having a 72-hour kit, or grab-and-go kit, or a bug-out-bag is a smart thing to have though. I'm not saying that they aren't important. No one knows what the future will bring and it's always a good idea to be prepared for whatever may come our way.

Frugal Emergency Preparedness

Emergency preparedness can be an overwhelming and expensive, but there are ways around each of those barriers.  I covered the overwhelming feeling of food storage HERE a few weeks ago.  But today I want to cover the expense of emergency preparedness. 

Most of you probably recognize this store front from the Dollar Tree Dollar Store.  I noticed a sign they had in the window advertising their emergency supplies.  They do have quite a few items that work great for emergency preparedness.  I have found duct tape, bungee cords, water, batteries, canned food (they carry canned strawberries that are really great for pureeing and dehydrating into fruit leather), small organizing containers for my storage room, lots of first aid items, baby items, solar yard lights, etc.

Some of the items from the dollar store may have fewer in a box or not as much tape on a roll, but the quality, I feel, is pretty close to other brands.  

Don't shy away from discount stores like Big Lots and the Dollar Stores.  There is nothing to be afraid of shopping at these stores and no one is judging you for it either.  Big Lots even has 20% off days where everything in the store is 20% off.  Read about one of my shopping trips to Big Lots HERE.  Just sign up for email alerts and you'll know when the next sale day will be.  

If you don't have a Dollar Store or Big Lots try your local Army Navy store, or camping store.  In Utah, Recreation Outlet carries a large variety of camping and emergency prep items for a fraction of retail prices.  I purchased all 7 of our sleeping bags from them and they were all under $60 dollars.  The children's bags were only $39.95, and they are quality sleeping bags with a -20 rating.
 
Keep your eyes open wherever you shop for clearance bins and percent off baskets.  Especially check stores the week after a holiday for deeply discounted items.  I found LED small flashlights at Walgreens after Halloween for .50.  They had vampires on them, but they were the same as any other LED flashlight. They had the same metal casing that non-vampire flashlights have and work just as well.  Plus, they are kind of fun to talk about when people give you weird looks :)

After holiday sales are also a great time to stock up on candy.  I store my candy in mason jars and then I seal it with my foodsaver. 

Have an open mind when you are shopping and don't look over something because it may have a vampire picture on it :) Think outside of the box when it comes to prepping and you'll be able to save money.

Vital Records

With all the destruction that occured during Hurricane Sandy imagine trying to find your insurance information among all the debris.  Imagine now that you have made copies of all of your important papers and had them laminated and sent off to a trusted friend or family member.  Barbara Salsbury recommends you seal this information in a large envelope, tape it closed, and mail it to someone you trust.  If the tape is ever torn, you know someone opened it but at least you will have this information available in a stressful time.  This way you will have all of your information in one location, safe from a flood, tornado, or earthquake. 

I also suggest that you keep your birth certificates, SS cards, insurance info, marriage license, etc. all together in one location, or even in a fire safe box within your home.  I try to make copies of all our photos onto cds and flash drives, and I keep them in our important information box.  Everyone in my family knows where this box is and to grab it if we had to evacuate.

Don't forget to include:

• birth certificates
• SS cards
• immunization records 
• marriage license
• home and auto insurance information
• wills or other testaments
• investment information
• bank accounts
• credit card information
• life insurance 
• medical information, list of family doctors
• list of medications  
• anything else you wouldn't be able to reproduce or prove you own without documentation   

Reality Preparedness with Barbara Salsbury

Knowledge is power!  I don't think you can ever be done learning and studying.  I love to find new preparedness gadgets and books.  So, when I found out Barbara Salsbury was speaking at Honeyville Grain, I was so excited!!  Barbara is what you would call, an emergency preparedness expert.  She has lived through major earthquakes, family job losses, and has written several books on her experiences.  Click HERE to view her website with all of her information and books. 

Barbara has so much knowledge about how to survive AFTER the disaster, and with her sense of humor, we had a fun class!

 As you cans see by her real Preparedness Basics, Barbara is hilarious!  But she really does know her stuff.  Depending on the type of disaster there will be different ways of cooking, heating, and hunkering down.  If you are staying at your home or packing up and leaving, there will be very different things you will need for each situation.  Evacuating will require backpacks and portable foods and necessities.  Hunkering down will hopefully allow you to use your storage, and in worst case scenario you can live in a tent in the backyard.  It was really interesting to listen to someone who lived through a major earthquake and to know what really happens.  After the initial shock the city was silent, and it was days before help arrived to those that needed it.  Does that sound familiar??  Hurricane Sandy is in that same situation!

The sign in the picture says it all:  "You're really on your own!  It's called responsibility.  There is no knight in shining armour!  What the government (city, state, federal) won't/can't be...."  You need to be prepared for the weeks following a disaster.  No one will be there to help you, but you and your family!! Take her advice seriously and be ready.

 Make all crises and disasters more bearable!  Having the visual of a teddy bear will help you think of what things provide comfort for your family.  For one family it may be a generator so movies can be watched, or chocolate/candy for another family.  Know what it is for your family and be prepared.  It may sound silly to have comfort items, but think about the stress and uncertainty if your world was torn apart.  And the only thing that seemed normal was having some chocolate after dinner.  

I learned so much from Barbara and had such a good time!  Are you jealous yet?  Don't worry, you are in luck! If you would like to hear her speak come this Saturday, November 10th at 4:00 pm at Honevyille Grain in Salt Lake City.   1850 S. 389 W.  She will be speaking about having to evacuate your home and all the details that go along with that situation.  In light of recent hurricanes I would highly suggest you get your homes and families prepared, and this class is a great way to begin, or supplement what you already have. 

Preparedness Begins With You!

Images from Hurricane Sandy are everywhere and they are shocking!  The nightly news is filled with victims who are in shock and don't know how they are going to start their lives over again.  My heart goes out to all of these people and I hope some sense of normalcy will come to their lives soon!  

While watching one news story I listened to a woman who lived on the 19th floor of an apartment building and she had to walk down 19 flights of stairs to try and find water.  When she got to her neighborhood store there wasn't any water to buy.  

Gas stations are out of gas!  Cars are lined up for miles waiting because news of more gas was coming, but none has shown up yet.  
 Homes are literally gone in some areas.  One woman walked a mile to finally find what was left of her home among the debris.   

 Each of these stories led to an angry rant from the people in them.  They were yelling at the cameras that the government needed to be there to help them immediately! I couldn't get that out of my mind.  Yes, these people were in shock, but to blame the government for not being there the next morning to fix everything, was not going to solve anything !!  Being prepared will allow you to survive the days and weeks following a disaster.  YOU will be responsible for your own well-being, not someone else or some agency.  The woman who lived on the 19th floor had proper forewarning of the storm, but didn't she think that she would need enough water for a week or so after the storm?  Did she not play the what if game?  What if the power goes out?  How many times will I need to walk up and down 19 flights of stairs?  If the whole city is in chaos will I have enough food and water until there is help on the way? How will I get my dog outside for bathroom breaks? And the questions could go on and on!!  I don't think many of these people asked themselves the basic questions like these, or even thought they would be without power or gas!!  I thought Katrina was a wake-up call, but it obviously didn't wake up too many people in America.  It CAN happen, it CAN happen to you, and YOU need to be prepared!!!!! 

Have a 72-hour kit ready to go! Many people left their homes with nothing but the clothes on their backs!  Keep a car kit in your vehicle!!  If you were working in downtown New York and the subways were flooded, how would you survive until you got home?  These situations can be applied to more than just a hurricane.  I live in earthquake territory and the same applies here too.  My husband and children could very well be at work and school when an earhtquake hits.  They need emergency kits!!  Think ahead, plan ahead, and be prepared!! YOU can do it!!  YOU can help yourself and your family!!  

After watching several news stories I was watching a late night talk show and Jamie Lee Curtis was a guest.  She came out onto the set with a backpack filled with emergency supplies that you should keep under your bed for an emergency situation.  I was so excited that she was promoting this on national television!! Maybe, just maybe, people in America will start to get prepared!!  Watch the video clip below.

For more information:
Before The Disaster Strikes  
Preparedness 101  
Cold Weather Preparedness  
Several posts on preparedness...

Or check out the 72-Hour kit list on the side bar of this blog.

Preparing For The Storm

I have been thinking a lot these past few days of the warnings the people on the east coast are getting right now.  The storm of the century is suppose to hit early next week and it looks and sounds pretty scary!  What I also thought about was how prepared would I be if I lived there.  I think we have all the food an water to ride out a storm, but I would really like a portable heater.  It is actually what I want for Christmas this year, so I hope there isn't a disaster before that.  A friend of mine lives in New York and she said as a side note, we better fill up the milk jugs with water there is a storm coming.  I think this is the thinking of many, many people.  We will just run to the store or fill up a few milk jugs a few days before the storm hits.  What's wrong with this thinking is that everyone else is doing the same thing.  Grocery stores will be cleared out!!  Many people are not actively preparing before a disaster.  What if this storm is as bad as they are predicting??  Electricity and water could be out for weeks before they get around to fixing everything.  Scary situations!!!

I wrote a post on preparing for winter with suggestions of things to do BEFORE the storm.  CLICK HERE TO READ THAT POST.

 And if you had to shelter in your car, check out THIS POST.

Do you have all the essentials for an emergency?

And click HERE to view a post on Cold Weather Preparedness.

Take the time NOW before the storm arrives to prepare your family!!

Affordable First Aid Supplies

I am always on the look out for a good deal, especially when it comes to stocking my pantry and emergency supply closet.  With five children I only have a small part of the budget left each month to spend on items for our emergency kits. I am always keeping my eyes peeled for emergency supplies that are on sale, and sometimes I find them in places that I wouldn't normally think of as an emergency supply store.

About 3 times per year, Big Lots stores have a 20% off day.  On the sale day you will get 20% off your entire purchase!  I wait for this day to do my "basics" shopping.  I purchase napkins, paper goods, snacks, storage bags of all sizes, cleaning supplies, sponges, small birthday presents for kids parties, gift bags, tissue paper,  rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, cotton balls, Qtips, and believe it or not, first aid supplies. 

Band aids are always on my list when I go to Big Lots, but this time I took a little time to look at what else they had.  My favorite find was the Disney Ice Patches.  If I was in an emergency situation and we needed ice for an injury this would take the place of actual ice.  Each box has 3 adhesive patches that last up to 4 hours and can be applied directly to the skin.  The patches can even be cut to fit a certain area.  Whenever I get a migraine I apply an ice pack to my forehead and the back of my neck to relieve the pain, and now I can still have relief without electricity!  I also purchased pain reliever gel, band aids, elastic bandage wraps (like Ace bandages), and first aid tape that sticks to itself.  The best part, the ice packs were the most expensive item at around $3.00 after the 20% off discount. They also had first aid cremes, surgical gloves, and pain reliever medicine but we are already well stocked with those.

 If you are worried about durability, don't be!  We have used the Royal brand of band aids for a couple of years from Big Lots and they are really good.  They are a fabric type band aid and they hold up to my kids cuts and scrapes.  A lot of the items are name brand but are at clearance prices.  I added all of these items to our first aid bag, and while I hope I will never need any of them, I feel secure knowing I have them.  If you have a Big Lots store near you check it out and see if any of these items will work for you.  If you sign up for Big Lots emails, you will get a heads up on the next 20% off sale day, plus other deals as well. 

Honeyville Grain's New Store!!!

If you don't know, I am a HUGE Honeyville Grain fan :)  I love the people, the products, and the preparedness mindset that Honeyville promotes.  I have been attending cooking and preparedness classes at Honeyville for over a year and a half now out by the airport.  Some people have commented to me that it is too far to go for a class, so NOW you have NO excuses!!  The new Honeyville Retail store will be open on Monday, September 24th!!  I had the privilege of attending the grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony and I couldn't wait to let you all see the brand new store!!  Lets take a tour....

 

The ribbon was cut and excitement was felt all through the crowd.  I wish you could have seen the smiles on all the faces there, we were all so happy to be a part of this day!

 Honeyville is located very conveniently between Home Depot and Costco in Salt Lake City (right between Zurchers and The Dollar Store in the strip mall).  If you visit Costco frequently then you will have no reason not to stock up on your food storage, Honeyville is right next door!  The address is 389 West 1830 South.  You can take the 21st south exit off of I-15 if you are coming from the south, OR take the 13th S exit if you are coming from the north off of I-15.  

 The new store is beautiful and has all of your food storage, bulk grains (go in just to look at all the different grains), and emergency preparedness items that you may need.  They even carry gluten free items as well.  The new store is light, bright, and so well stocked!

 And you MUST sign up to attend one of Honeyville's classes!!  They are free and you learn soooo much from each and every class.  The new teaching kitchen is gorgeous and will make teaching and learning much more efficient. Isn't it pretty!! There will be a large mirror so everyone will be able to see what is being cooked.  Click HERE to see what classes are coming up.

Picture yourself here, learning everything you ever needed to know about food storage!!

 The next few photos showcase all the amazing products that Honeyville carries in their store.  You will find everything you need to cook with, bake with, and complete your food storage. And they also have fun kitchen gadgets that we all just need to make us smile :)

If I haven't sold you on this store yet, come by next week and meet Doug Wright and the Food Nanny (Liz Edmunds).  Doug will be airing live from Honeyville on the 28th and there will be giveaways and prizes all week long.  

Lisa chats with Liz Edmunds the Food Nanny!!

 What time you may ask????  Monday, September 24th at 9:00AM-6:00PM  and Saturday 9-5.  The whole week will be filled with fun, food, prizes, and amazing people!!  Don't miss out! 

Honeyville Farms
Salt Lake City Store

389 West 1830 South
Salt Lake City, UT 84115

Phone:(801) 839-7576
FAX: (801) 972-8412

Hours of Operation

Monday - Friday: 9:00AM - 6:00PM
Saturday: 9:00AM - 5:00PM

Honeyville on Facebook

And you would think that I work for them, but I don't.  I was not compensated for this post, I truly love this company and the people that do work there!!