Five Things That Changed The Way I Do Food Storage

*This is a repost from 2011
There are so many topics to cover when it comes to Food Storage and Emergency Preparedness.  So when I attended a great class Tuesday at Honeyville Grain called "Five Things That Will Change Your Mind About Food Storage", taught by the store manager Lisa Barker, it got me thinking about how to narrow down the list of all the topics of preparedness to just 5.  Lisa's 5 things are very similar to the 5 things that changed the way I do food storage and also how it has simplified my food storage. (I'll list her ideas at the end of the post) My food storage journey really began on September 11, 2001.  I remember the panicked feeling after watching the Twin Towers fall and then watching the other planes crashing into the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania, and thinking this is it!  The world is ending!  The reason I felt so panicked was I had a 6 month old, 22 month old and a 4 year old and I didn't have more than a week's worth of anything.  My baby was strictly on formula and I only had the one can of formula we were using. I grabbed the kids and went to the grocery store and bought food, paper goods, formula, you name it and I probably bought it.  

As time went by and life looked like it was going to continue I really felt the need to start and continue a food storage program.  I started with basics and had things like flour, but I really didn't know how to store it and rotate it.  I went through several ways of storing my long-term items like a Rubbermaid container, buckets etc.  What I didn't realize was I needed to have a meal plan to create my 3-month supply and at that time I was still cooking whatever sounded good that day for dinner.  I wasted so much food and was really frustrated.  Contemplating what I should do; I know that I was inspired by the Spirit when an idea came to me one Sunday afternoon, and that was to create a menu plan with an ingredient list.  I wrote down every meal that my family ate and then I made an ingredient list of all the items from those meals.  That ingredient list became a built in shopping list. I could buy my ingredients when they went on sale and have a pantry full of food that I used on a daily basis.  This is all kept in a binder with sheet protectors and there’s one for each meal.  This plan has worked for my family for several years now.  What’s great is I can tweak it as I go and add or subtract recipes when we need a change.

My ingredient list that goes with my dinner meal plan.

The ingredient list helps me to see exactly what I need to have in my storage room for a 3-month supply.  I just multiply the item by 3 (which is more than a 3-month supply, but more is better, right?)  and I purchase that quantity.  The CASE LOT sales that are a PERFECT time to purchase items for your pantry!!!  (Because if your food storage plan is to come to my house in an emergency you will probably be disappointed to find that I make you work for free food)  hahaha :)  All kidding aside you really do need a plan for your family!!


Here is my list of the 5 things that changed my mind about food storage:

1. Making a meal plan, ingredient list and shopping for items when they are on sale!!
2. Using the Food Saver to preserve my dehydrated food, spices, chocolate chips, candy, etc. 
3. Gamma Lids!!  These lids have made my life sooooo much easier!  I can open a bucket of wheat just by unscrewing the gamma lid and the resealing it without having to pry open those lids that come with the buckets. 
4. Canning and dehydrating my own food at home!  I never knew how easy it was to can your own meat!  Click HERE to view a previous post on canning meat.  I have also learned to dehydrate almost anything I can get my hands on and then sealing the food in a mason jar with the food saver.  
5. Wheat!  I have loved learning about all the things that wheat can do!  You can grind it into flour, cook it into a cereal, sprout it into a vegetable, crack it and cook it, even ice cream. I am continually amazed at what wheat can do! Making my own bread has been such a fun learning experiment.  Click HERE to see the recipe I use. 

There you have it!  The five things that changed my mind about food storage. These are Lisa's 5 things:

1. Store what you eat...eat what you store!
2. Canning my own foods.
3. Freeze Dried Foods
4. FoodSaver, Meals in a jar
5. I Dare You To Eat It, and It's In the Bag Plans 

EDUCATION IS POWER!!!!

January Case Lot Sales

For those of you in Utah, there are several stores having case lot sales right now.  

Smiths,
Harmons,
and Ridley's are all having sales. Check the prices and take stock of what your family uses before going to the store.  

Check out the link below for an amazing price comparison list.

Click HERE to read that list!

I'm purchasing:
Smiths
peanut butter
campbell's chunky soup
Kroger toilet paper
Hunt's pasta sauce

Harmons
tomato paste

Utah Case Lot Sale Price Comparison List

Here in Utah we are so blessed to have our local grocery stores participate in case lot sales.  Most items are a great deal, but others are not.  Valerie, from Prepared LDS Family, has created a price comparison list for the case lot sale stores, along with the LDS Cannery, Walmart, and Sam's Club.  This list is invaluable and she spends hours making and updating it.  I know I have used it for several years now and I truly appreciate all her hard work in updating it.  

Check out Prepared LDS Family's case lot price comparison list HERE.

September Goals

This post is really late!  My youngest sister got married today and we had a day full of family and fun!  I am exhausted though, being part of a wedding makes me so tired.  But even though I am tired the storage goals must go on.  September is here and it is my most favorite month of all for food storage!!  It is National Preparedness Month AND Smiths is having their semi-annual case lot sale!!!  Woohoo, it's like Christmas in September for me!

3-Month Supply/Financial Goal/Long-Term Supply goals are:


The goals for this month are pretty simple.  (I hope)  You need to inventory your pantry or storage room and see what you need!  Use the case lot sales to add to your storage while also saving money.  I always feel so at peace after unloading all my cases to my storage room.  It gives me a feeling of being prepared and ready for anything {have I told you what a food storage nerd I am}.  So make a list, check it twice and head to Smith's starting on Sept. 7th.  The sale lasts for 2 weeks or until supplies last.   

Our emergency preparedness goal is to can and dehydrate.  Canning is making a comeback and so many people are learning how to bottle their own food.  If you already do this you are one step ahead, keep going and don't let anything go to waste!!  If not, google search canning or check out some books from the library.  My favorite thing to pressure can is chicken.  I feel so much peace knowing my protein source for my family is tucked away in my storage room and not in my freezer!  Check out a post HERE  on canning or HERE to see a video on canning chicken.  I also love to water bath can maple syrup!

Dehydrating your garden produce is another great way to have fruits and veggies in your long-term storage.  I have talked about the Food Saver before, but I just love this little machine.  I can fit a ton of dehydrated food into a mason jar and seal it with my Food Saver and it will last for years!! An amazing website dedicated to all things dehydrated is dehydrate2store.com  and it is FULL of amazing videos to go along with all of the useful information!!


I hope you get as excited as I do about saving money and stocking up during the case lot sales!!  If not, call me, we'll go shopping together!!  It should be fun to be prepared!!

April Goals

April is here and it's time for new goals.  This month will be relatively easy.  It is case lot sale time and that makes it really easy to stock up on canned goods, etc.  Read the blog on Wednesday's to see the great deals at the grocery stores. See this week's deals HERE!

April Goals

3-Month Supply Goal:  Use your ingredient lists (made from all the recipes that you are including in your 3-month menu) to shop the case lot sales.  Buy at least one case of food for your storage.

Water Storage Goal:  Look for deals on water. (Smiths has a 24ct case of water for $2.50).  Also use this month as your water rotation month. Empty those large water containers and fill them with fresh water.

Financial Reserve Goal: Use some of your savings (from Feb. & March) to purchase a few cases of food from the case lot sales.

Long-Term Goal:Purchase food and supplies from the case lot sales.  Do you see a trend?:)  It is your choice as to what to purchase, but don't let the sales end without purchasing a few items. I love to get all my paper towel and toilet paper from Maceys grocery store.  I try to get at least 6 months worth (the next case lot sale will be in Sept. to restock)
 

Emergency Preparedness Goal:  April and October are our 72-hour kit months.  You will need to get yours out and go through them.  Eat the food near expiration and rotate warm and cold weather clothes.  If you don't have a 72-hour kit PLEASE have a basic kit with a backpack, water, and at least some granola bars.  Then work on expanding your kit.  Look on the side bar of the blog for more ideas to add to your kits. 

This is such a great time to catch up if you haven't been stocking your pantry!  Don't waste any more time, get those cases of food and start cooking with them!  

Enjoy the journey!
Enjoy the blessings!
Feel the peace!!

Before The Disaster Strikes

Earthquake Drill

Are you prepared? I hear this question more frequently and I feel an urgency that we need to be able to answer "yes" to this question. I found a step-by-step guide to help you have all the essentials ready in an emergency. Hopefully you will only need to accomplish a few of these, but it has quite a bit of useful information.

Personal & Family Preparedness

Before the Disaster Strikes
"If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear," D&C 38:30

1.Establish a system for knowing where your family members are in an emergency. Where will you meet?
2. Know how to contact community resources such as fire, police and ambulance services.
3. Have and maintain fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, gas/carbon monoxide alarms. Know how to use them and place them in effective places.
4. Know how to shut off the gas, electricity, and water to your house. Have the proper wrenches or tools available to use on these connections.
5. Prepare and have conveniently available a 72-hour kit of food, water, and first aid supplies.
6. Have available various kinds of clothing, blankets, fuel, tools, and useful things to repair to keep your house operating properly or livable.
7. Find and keep in a safe kind of storage: important documents, identity papers, papers that establish your accounts at banks, ret. funds, social security,etc.
8. Keep other personal valuables in some kind of safe fire proof container. Have it handy so you can get all of these kinds of things out to safe places an quickly.
9. Store and rotate a year's supply of food, water and fuel of various kinds, (wood/coal for the fireplace, fuel for your gas stove, propane for the bbq, kerosene for a heater, batteries for flashlights, etc.)
10. Get your hand on food seed of every kind, lots of them. Store them in a cool, dry place. (vacuum seal in a jar)
11. Develop some useful skills from the Red Cross, know CPR, take some classes if possible, in life saving, and first aid. Consider the CERT class program.
12. Know ahead of time, and have some communication devices if possible to report your condition and status to your family, civil authorities, neighbors, or block captains.
13. Get your financial affairs in order. Get OUT of debt a.s.a.p!! Have some cash on hand, at least several hundred dollars. Have it in small bills and coins. (Don't have several $100 gold pieces, that is hard to breakup for everyday goods)
14. Get a portable gas/propane generator, 3500 watts or more. You will be able to save the food stuffs in your freezer and refrigerator, even power your furnace.

LAST ITEM......keep quiet about all the provisions you have. Remember TMI.... (too much information)

Don't forget about the September goals.....

SEPTEMBER GOALS:

Case Lot Sales: This is the month for case lot sales at most grocery stores. It is a great time to stock up on items that you will use all year long. I love to get broth, cream soups, chicken noodle soup, canned fruit, mandarin oranges, honey, paper towel, toilet paper, etc. If you missed the Smiths sale don't worry, Maceys sale starts on the 29th and continues until the 13th of Oct.

Fruit: The recommended amount of fruit for a one year storage is 185lbs per person. This is a great month to get canned fruit at the case lot sales. Dehydrating fruit is another way to store fruit. Tell your friends and neighbors that you will take their extra bounty off their hands for them. Then you can dehydrate the fruit and store it is mason jars that are vacuum sealed with a Food Saver. Think of things like raisins, canned mandarin oranges, canned pears & peaches, dried apples, etc.

Non-Food Goal: Sewing Supplies-This month you will need to collect thread, scissors, needles, buttons, zippers and extra fabric. We could see a time when we will be wearing and using our clothing items a lot longer than we are used to. Kids grow fast and knowing how to sew and repair clothing will be a necessity.


Enjoy the Journey!
Enjoy the Blessings!

Feel the Peace!

Case Lot Sales

STOCK UP WHEN ITEMS ARE ON SALE!!

That is your mission this month. September is case lot sale month and you have the chance to buy food almost as low as coupon users can get with a good sale and a coupon. Don't buy only one item this month, buy a few or a whole case. Only purchase items that your family will use and stay within your budget. This month one of our goals is to store fruit. Now is the time to buy canned peaches, pears, and mandarin oranges at the case lot sales.

If you would like to view a great price comparison list, click HERE to download or print a Case Lot Price Comparison list from preparedldsfamily.blogspot.com. You will find the link in the box on the left side of the blog under case lot sales. I keep this list in my purse so I can check prices often.

I don't have prices as of yet, but Smiths sales start on the 8th. Look for these items:

Canned tomatoes
Broth
Canned fruit
Creamed Soups
Canned mushrooms
Tomato sauce
Spaghetti Sauce
Pasta
Paper Towel
Toilet paper
Ramen noodles
Honey
55-Gallon water containers (at Macey's)
Cake mixes and brownie mixes

I will post the prices on Wednesday! Are you excited as I am? (probably not, but that's ok)

SEPTEMBER GOALS:

Case Lot Sales: This is the month for case lot sales at most grocery stores. It is a great time to stock up on items that you will use all year long. I love to get broth, cream soups, chicken noodle soup, canned fruit, mandarin oranges, honey, paper towel, toilet paper, etc. Smiths stores start on the 8th and Macey's starts at the end of the month on the 29th.

Fruit: The recommended amount of fruit for a one year storage is 185lbs per person. This is a great month to get canned fruit at the case lot sales. Dehydrating fruit is another way to store fruit. Tell your friends and neighbors that you will take their extra bounty off their hands for them. Then you can dehydrate the fruit and store it is mason jars that are vacuum sealed with a Food Saver. Think of things like raisins, canned mandarin oranges, canned pears & peaches, dried apples, etc.

Non-Food Goal: Sewing Supplies-This month you will need to collect thread, scissors, needles, buttons, zippers and extra fabric. We could see a time when we will be wearing and using our clothing items a lot longer than we are used to. Kids grow fast and knowing how to sew and repair clothing will be a necessity.

Enjoy the Journey!
Enjoy the Blessings!
Feel the Peace!

What I Am Buying

I had a friend this week ask me where I buy some of my food storage. I realized that I haven't done a post of what I buy and where I buy it from. Most items can be purchased at the grocery store, but to get the best price when you are buying in bulk there are better deals out there. I will go through the items that I use for my family so this is not a comprehensive list by all means. It just helps to know what my bottom line price is and what I will and won't pay for certain items. Buying items at their cheapest price point allows you to save a LOT of $$$.

If you would like to read a wonderful price comparison list click HERE . The list was put together in April during the case lot sales, and compares the case lot prices to Walmart, Costco, Sam's Club, & the LDS Cannery by preparedldsfamily.com. I actually printed it out and keep it in my purse so I am prepared at the store if I find an item on clearance and I know whether or not it is a stock up price. FYI: case lot sales are in April and September for Smiths and Macey's grocery stores.

Here's What I Am Buying: Prices are from May 2011 (add about 10% for 2013 prices)

Frozen Items

• I buy frozen veggies at the grocery store and I wait until they are .88 or less for 16oz.
• I buy Kroger frozen chicken in bags and I wait for it to go on sale for $6.96 or less.

Meat- I have to add a disclaimer here. I don't eat meat and my family really only eats chicken. I buy ground beef TVP, aka "fake" meat at Honeyville grain in 25lb bags.

• Tuna- .50 or less at the grocery store during case lot sales. Fresh Market & Macey's is where I purchase it.
• Canned chicken is the best price at Costco. You get 6 12.5oz cans for $9.99 (bottle your own chicken and buy chicken in bulk on sale to save the most money)
• The best way to get meat for cheap is to wait for a sale and buy enough for 3 months and freeze it well.

Beans

• Canned beans are cheapest at Smiths during the case lot sales. .50 a can
• Dry beans are cheapest at the cannery. Black beans 25lbs $14.50, white navy beans 25lb bag $14.10, pinto beans #10 can $4.65
• Pinto beans are cheapest at Costco 25lb bag $13.99

Pasta

• I always get pasta during the case lot sales 8 48oz bags for $14.55
• I also found great sales at Smiths this year and got 1lb bags for .29-.49 and with coupons I got 25 boxes of spaghetti for free (it is really worth it to coupon)
• Mac'n Cheese is also cheapest at the case lot sales. WF mac'n cheese. 24 boxes for $6.00 at Macey's, If you have to have the Kraft brand it is cheapest at Walmart.

Soups

• Ramen noodles I buy at the Smiths case lot sale. 12ct for $3.00
• Kroger broth at the case lot sale. 24ct for $11.99.
• Chicken Noodle soup, WF at Maceys 24ct for $11.28
• Kroger Tomato soup at Smiths case lot sale 24ct for $10.68
• Creamed soups I bought at Macey's. 24ct for $11.76
• Progresso soups I buy in the winter during sales at Smiths and Walgreens

Vegetables

• Canned tomatoes from Smiths case lot sale. 24ct for $11.99
• Kroger tomato sauce 8oz cans from case lot sale. 24ct for $5.99
• Kroger tomato paste from case lot sale. 24ct for $7.99
• Hunt's pasta sauce from case lot sales and other sales during the year. I don't pay more than .75 a can.
• Canned veggies from Macey's case lot sale. 24ct for $10.56
• Dehydrated carrots from LDS cannery. #10 can for $7.10
• Canned mushrooms from Winco .45 ea and Walmart for .46
• WF diced green chilies from Macey's case lot sale. 24 for $12.00 (these go on sale all year for .50, don't pay more than that)
• Dehydrated onions from LDS cannery. #10 can $6.00 (I rarely buy real onions, I use these in all my cooking)
• Potato flakes from LDS cannery. #10 can $2.85 (shelf life of 30+ years)

Fruits

• Raisins are cheapest at Macey's during the case lot sale and at Sam's Club for 32oz for $3.49ea. Costco's bag is only one penny more at $3.50 for 32oz.
• Dehydrated apple slices from LDS cannery. #10 can for $4.90
• Applesauce from Costco in #10 cans are $3.xx. I can't remember the actually price, but it is natural applesauce with no sugar and it is great for substituting for oil in baking.
• Kroger mandarin oranges from case lot sale. 24ct for $7.99
• WF canned pineapple is cheapest during the Macey's case lot sale, but I have found Dole pineapple for under .70 with coupons during the year.
• I buy canned pears from the case lot sales and it is always a little different between Smiths and Macey's, but I don't pay more than .68 a can.

Sugars

• Sugar is cheapest during Nov. and Dec. I stock up when there are sales. I don't like to spend more than $12 on a 25lb bag.
• Powdered sugar and brown sugar are cheapest during the holiday's as well. Don't pay more than a $1.00 for a 2lb bag.
• Honey can be found at Costco all the time for 6lbs for $11.99. Macey's also has really great prices during the case lot sales. 6 5lb containers for $59.88

Grains

• I buy rice from Costco in 50lb bags for around $15.00. The price goes up and down all the time. You just have to watch it. Sams Club has 50lbs for about the same price. The cannery has 25lb boxes for $8.45 and are really easy to store.
• Oats I buy at the cannery. 25lbs for $7.60. Winco also has oats in their bulk area for .58lb!
• Flour is cheapest during the holiday's but there are also great sales during the year. I like to wait until I can get 5lb for $1.50 with coupons.
• Hard White Wheat is a great deal at Macey's case lot sale. 45lb bucket with lid sealed for $11.99. LDS cannery 25lb bag for $5.80.

Milk/Dairy

• Powdered milk from the cannery. #10 cans for $7.05. I bake with it a lot and make yogurt from it. Mozzarella cheese and cottage cheese can also be made from powdered milk. You will need it whether you like to drink it or not. It also has a shelf life of 25-30 years.
• Morning Moos dried milk alternative. I bought a 50lb bucket a Costco last year for around $60.00, now the best price is a 37lb bucket at Costco for $39.97. #10 cans for $10.99 can be found at Macey's during the case lot sale.
• Evaporated milk at Smiths case lot sale. 24ct for $15.60
• Cheese- don't pay more than $1.50 for a pound of cheese. It goes on sale ALL the time and is good for a LONG time. Look at the expiration dates on it when you buy it. Tillamook goes on sale at Winco for $3.98 for 2lbs all the time, and it lasts for months.
• Dried eggs-I cook with these now instead of real eggs. I only use real eggs for boiled eggs. Canned eggs are best at the Macey's case lot sale, #10 can for $14.00. I found some at Honeville Grain for $12.00 last month, so keep a look out for sales. Don't pay more than .99 for a dozen of eggs. Costco has great deals and so do the grocery stores.

Baking Items

• Salt is cheapest at Walmart. 26oz for .38
• Yeast- I use instant yeast and wait until it is $2.99lb. Emergency Essentials had it in May on sale. I stocked up. Yeast keeps indefinitely in the freezer. Costco and Sam's Club have great prices on yeast.
• Lemon juice, vanilla I get at Maceys during the case lot sales.
• Cake mixes and brownie mixes from case lot sales at Macey's and also during the holidays. .78 is an awesome price for mixes. With coupons I have gotten them for .50 and less.
• Baking cocoa is the best at Costco. 23oz for $5.59. It also has an indefinite shelf life.
• Spices are cheapest at Winco in their bulk area. You can fill a whole spice container for mere pennies. I filled my chive container for .11, it really is an awesome store!!

Oils and Fats

• Kroger oil was $2.00 for 48oz at the last case lot sale, but they had a sale in April and I got them for $1.48 so watch. (This is why it is great to have the price list printed out and with you)
• Cooking spray-Pam goes on sale, but Walmart has it all the time for $1.58 for 8oz.
• Peanut butter is cheapest at Smiths during the case lot sales. 18oz for $1.00 and it is the Kroger brand or Skippy.
• Olives are cheapest during Thanksgiving time for .88. Case lots and random sales during the year also have that price. I found some at Reams today (5/29) for .88.
• Ketchup is cheapest during Memorial day and Fourth of July sales. Try not to spend more than .80 for 24oz. Case lot sales have them as well.
• Mustard is cheapest during summer holiday's as well. Under $1.00 for 32oz is a great price.
• Salad dressing goes on sale all the time. It doesn't have a long shelf life so watch the dates if you are stocking up. With coupons you can get it free a lot of the times too.

Water

• 24 packs of water for $2.50 or less is a great deal. It goes on sale all year long, just watch for the price.Costco has a 35ct of water for $3.45 if you don't want to wait for a sale.

Misc.

• 5 gallon buckets with lids- $3.99 at Macey's during the case lot sales
• 5 gallon Gamma lids (these are amazing) Don't pay more than $5.99 for these. Macey's and Honeyville have these on sale during the case lot seasons.
• 55 water drum- don't pay more than $39.99 for these. During conference these go on sale at Emergency Essentials and Macey's has them at the case lot sales.
• Paper towel and toilet paper I buy at Macey's during the case lot sales. It was $3.98 for 12 double rolls of TP and 8 big rolls of paper towel. I buy enough for 6 months which is the time until the next case lot sale.
• Laundry det. goes on sale all the time. I wait for sales with coupons so your best bet would be to watch for sales and learn what the bottom line price is for the brand you use.
• Dishwasher detergent I also get for free with coupons but watch for sales for what brand you like to use.

Ideas to get the best price:

1. You can't be brand specific, a lot of store brands are made in the same facilities as name brand.
2. Know what you use. Buying 50 cans of stew because it is cheap and finding out no one likes it, saves you no money.
3. Know what price you are willing to wait for and pay for.
4. Be patient and know that food goes on sale about every 3 months. You will catch the good deal the next time around.
5. Watch the blog on Wednesday's for the weekly grocery sales. Knowing what is a good price will help in saving you a lot of money.

MAY GOALS

1. PURCHASE VEGETABLES THAT FIT INTO YOUR 3-MONTH MENU. THINK OF CANNED, DEHYDRATED, FREEZE DRIED, AND FRESH. (185lbs per family is a year supply)
2. PLASTIC BAGS OF ALL SIZES, ALUMINUM FOIL, AND PLASTIC WRAP.

Enjoy the journey!
Enjoy the blessings!
Feel the peace!

April Goals & Homemade Cleaners

April is great so far and I hope you are all ready for a new month of goals. Today's warmer weather made me feel like organizing, cleaning out, and getting the garden started. We have 3 goals this month. They are:

1. Shop the case lot sales at Smiths or Maceys and stock up on items for your 3-month menu plan. Click HERE to view the case lot prices for each store.
2. Plan a garden, plant a garden or container, and learn how to sprout seeds/grains for nutritious sprouts.
3. Stock up on cleaning supplies. Whichever you prefer. I like to make some of my household cleaners so if you do too then stock up on vinegar, baking soda, ammonia, rubbing alcohol and bleach.

I found a very interesting post on container gardening with soda bottles and milk cartons. Click HERE to read and see the great pictures. And click HERE to see another post by the same ladies on milk carton gardening. If gardening seems too intimidating these ideas are simple and look like they will give you great results.

April is a great month to plant the cold weather plants like spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, peas, lettuce, onions, and cabbage.

Sprouting wheat is a great way to get to add nutritious nutrients to your food without having to buy vegetables. This is great if we had an emergency and fresh produce was not available. Click HERE to read my previous post on sprouting wheat. Sprouting is a great way to get your children involved with gardening too. Check Amazon.com for some great sprouting kits. To learn more on sprouting other seeds besides wheat, click HERE.

Cleaning supplies vary vastly from home to home so this area is going to be mostly personal preference. When I find a good deal on cleaning items I stock up and hope another sale comes before I run out. I don't like paying a lot of money for them. I also don't like the harmful smells and toxins that are in many cleaning supplies. I found some great "recipes" online that I use to clean with.

Laminate Floor Cleaner
1/3 part rubbing alcohol
1/3 part water
1/3 part white vinegar
I marked a spray bottle with the lines for each third and then I have floor cleaner that lasts a long time. I use a micro fiber mop that I can throw in the washer after I clean.

All -Purpose Cleaner
1/2 gallon water
1/2 C vinegar
1 C ammonia
1/4 baking soda
Add enough water to make 1 gallon. Shake well, use in spray bottle. I keep this in an old juice bottle labeled cleaner and pour into my spray bottle when needed.

Window Cleaner
1 pint rubbing alcohol
4 T ammonia
1 T liquid detergent
Add enough water to make a gallon. Add blue food coloring if you want it to look like the store's brand.

Aprils Goals:
Shop the case lot sales.
Garden, garden, garden!
Gather cleaning supplies.

Enjoy the journey!
Enjoy the blessings!
Feel the peace!

April is Here

Welcome to a new month, April is here! Next to December, April is one of my favorite months. This is the month of case lot sales, Conference, Easter, and maybe some warmer weather. This is the month to take inventory of your 3-month supply. There are many sales on canned goods that make it very easy to stock up for at least 6 months worth of food. If you need canned oranges or pears, or maybe tuna this is the month for you!

I want to give everyone a challenge this month. Make a list of ingredients from the recipes that you are going to use for a 3-month supply. (If you haven't already made one) These can be recipes that you use now or maybe some simpler recipes that you could make without a lot of prep. Which ever you choose, make a list of ingredients. Use this list to shop from and you will have stored food quicker than you thought. (Click Here if you need more info.)

Case lot sales start on April 7th and go for 2 weeks. This is a great opportunity to save a lot of money and get a lot of food. I will list the prices and deals as soon as they are available.

April's other goals are to gather seeds/sprouting supplies and to have cleaning supplies stored. Gardening is a wonderful way to become self-reliant. Being dependent on the grocery store for our food is not a safe insurance policy for food storage. Learn how to garden or plant something new this year. I have just gotten into gardening and am excited to plant more than I did last year.

Cleaning supplies are items that you will really want to have on hand if you aren't able to get them from the store. Disinfectants and sanitizers are a necessity when there is sickness around. In a disaster this becomes even more important as cleanliness will help to keep infection and disease from spreading. Storing ingredients to make your own household cleaners is a topic we will cover in later posts.

Watch the blog this month for case lot pricing and posts related to cleaning and gardening. This will be a really fun month and hopefully many of you will get a great start or add some great items to your storage.

Caselot Sales Begin!

The cartoon picture is exactly how I feel when I hear that we are going to have a case lot sale. The grocery stores must have heard about our food storage goals and wanted us to get a head start. All kidding aside, this is a great opportunity to stock up on some canned goods and sugar before the food prices start to climb.stop in and grab a few things. 


Case Lot sales usually occur in September, January, and April in Utah.  Check your local grocery stores to see if they have them as well.  Sometimes your grocery manager will order cases for you, if you ask!


Storage Goal: Powdered Milk 16lbs PP

Non-Food Storage Goal: Bleach 1 gallon per person. This will be used for cleaning and water purification.

72-Hour Kit Goal:
Gather a change of clothes including underwear and shoes for every family member. Include warm coats and boots or have them immediately accessible. Also put $20 in cash in small bills in your kits.

Enjoy the journey!
Enjoy the blessings!
Feel the peace!!

3 Month Supply and Case Lot Deals

 The Church strongly encourages us to all have a 3 month supply of food. Take note that 3 months is the time frame of a quarantine. Hmmmm.....If we were to be quarantined in our homes for 6-8 weeks, and we were all prepared, then we could feed our families and have the necessary non-food items at our finger tips. When our 3 month supply is complete we are encouraged to keep adding to our food storage until it becomes a year supply. So....how exactly do we get a 3 month supply?

1. Start with meal planning. Plan a week's worth of breakfasts, lunches and dinners and write them all down. Make 2 columns, in the first column list the ingredient. The next column lists how much of that item is needed for each meal. (If 4 different meals contain rice, write down the amount for each meal and add them up)
2. Now you know how much food you need to make these meals one time. For a 3 month supply, multiply the amount by 13. Now you have the amounts needed for 7 days worth of food (repeated) for 3 months.
3. I personally have 5 weeks worth of meals planned out because a lot of dinners contain similar ingredients and can be switched around to seem different. Plan as many meals as you would like to have in rotation.
4. Now that you have your list of ingredients you also have your shopping list. When the items on your list go on sale you need to buy your 3 month supply amount, or as many as your budget allows. As time goes on and different sales happen, you will accumulate all the items on your list. (Sales rotate about every 3 months)
5. Once your list is complete and all the items are in your home you need to USE them. The meals that you planned should be meals that you already enjoy. And since you are using your storage and replenishing the items when they go on sale, nothing is wasted.
6. I took this one step further and keep enough food for a years worth of my meals. Once you get into the swing of things with your 3 month storage a years worth isn't so daunting.

One of the reasons I started this blog was to help you find the items that you need for your 3 month supply AT a great price. I will list sales and prices when I feel they are a great deal, so you can choose which items work for your menu. If planning many meals and calculating seems too daunting then some items such as canned soup, stews, chili, and other items that have a great shelf life need to be in your house.  I love this quote....."If you want to save money, then you're gonna have to learn how to cook". I believe in making a lot of my family's food from scratch and that also saves my family money. Having basic baking items is a big part of food storage and if your meals have side dishes of muffins or breads, I encourage you to know how to make them from scratch and not only from a mix.

September through December are the months to purchase food storage items. These months include the biggest holidays for baking and cooking and sales coincide with those ingredients, like sugar, flour, chocolate chips, and oil. September is case lot month in Utah, and October-December are baking item sales galore. For example, canned pumpkin goes on sale in November and you won't find it on sale for the rest of the year.  Stock up when food items are at their lowest price point!!  Come January your pantry will be ready for any situation and you will have the peace of mind that you have prepared and can handle a difficult situation.