Self Reliance Expo- Part 3- My Favorite Things!

Are you thinking of Christmas yet?  If you need some great gift ideas read on because there were some great booths, with great products, at the expo.  This is the 3rd installment of my trip to the Self Reliant Expo on Nov. 5th, and I have to admit these are some of my favorite booths.  If you missed the first posts then click HERE for part 1 and HERE for part 2.  

Carolyn Nicolaysen of TotallyReady.com

The wonderful woman above (I call her the queen of preparedness) is how I won tickets to the Expo.  Carolyn Nicolaysen has probably the most informative blog and website on preparedness on the web.  Carolyn writes a blog, has a radio show (click HERE to listen), writes a newsletter and has a website, all with preparedness in mind.  She also has a new book out called "Totally Ready For The Road" and it is a must have for every glove box.  Carolyn also heads up a yahoo group dedicated to preparedness, (click HERE to join the group), and I have had so many questions answered by people who are preparing just like me.  If you follow along with her blog you can create a general store in you own home.  Carolyn takes simple steps to get your general store stocked! Click here blog.totallyready.com to get informed!  Carolyn has a wealth of knowledge and she really wants to help everyone to be prepared.  I highly recommend you read her blog often and subscribe to her newsletter!

James Talmage Stevens signing my copy of the "Family Preparedness Handbook"

I met the rock star of preparedness and he is signing my copy of his book in the picture. (don't laugh, we all have idols :)  If you buy your loved ones only one book on preparedness this holiday I suggest "Making the Best of Basics-Family Preparedness Handbook".  I can't think of any topic that isn't covered in this book!  It was a really great read with MANY ideas and the motivation to prepare.  While I was reading his book I felt as if I were taking a college course on preparedness, I had my highlighter out and took notes.  That is how informative this book is!  You will have no excuse in the world to stall your efforts in getting prepared after reading this book.  James also has an award winning Blog Talk Radio show.  Click HERE to listen in and get more info. And also check out his blog at familypreparednessguide.com.  (you can order his book there as well)

Steve's Stackable Open Storage

This has to be my FAVORITE product at the whole expo!!  Steve's Stackable Open Storage has 
to be one of the most ingenious ideas I have ever come across in home storage.  These hanging wood shelves hold 120 soup can size cans (they hold 6oz-46oz cans easily) and hold hundreds of pounds!  These shelves fit into the under used space in the ends of your closet.  The assembly of this product is also unique because it has notches that allow you to slide the pieces together without nails or glue.  The shelves are also able to stand on there own.  Steve can custom build shelves for you for your entire storage room if you need even more storage space. There is NO excuse for you to say you have no room for storage.  Think of every closet in your home and how many cans you could have stored away if you had these shelving units! One shelving unit only costs $67.98, and would make a great Christmas gift! Check out Steve's website for more information, stevessos.com.   They are a Utah company, support your local economy!!

Emergency & Disaster Prep.

 The Emergency & Disaster Prep company will supply you for any circumstance.  They have amazing stoves and ovens that use kerosene to cook with.  They had single burners on up to standing units and they cooked so well.  I saw bread that had been made in the oven (the black box on the left in the picture) and it looked just like oven baked bread.The red/cream stove under the black oven sells for around $69 and the small green square burner on the right was only around $30!  They also sell much more than just stoves.  They carry all kinds of kits from first aid to 72-hour kits, power supplies, shelter ideas, food storage, water storage, etc!!  Check out their website emergencydisasterprep.com  and they can do group orders to save you money! These are definitely on my Christmas list!

Volcano II Collapsible Stove

The Volcano II Collapsible Stove has been on my wish list for awhile now!  This stove can (stay with me now) grill, dutch oven cook, wok, BBQ, pan fry, boil, skewer, bake, roast, deep fry, stir fry, broil, and steam!!  This stove efficiently burns fuel and uses only 12-15 briquettes per meal.  You can also change from charcoal to propane or wood in seconds.  If you stored 15 bags of charcoal you could have one hot meal a day for one year!!  (store charcoal in buckets to keep them dry) The stove also collapses to only 5" when not in use.  I want to own this stove along with the kerosene stove from above.  Check out the Volcano Stove at their website volcano2.com, they cost $134.95 right now.  

Mountain Valley Seed company

 The Mountain Valley Seed company is a local wholesale seed company.  I have sprouted wheat, but I still feel like I am a beginner in the whole sprout world.  These guys answered all my questions and they really knew their sprouts!  They distribute many seeds and also groups of seeds in #10 cans to local companies. (they also sell them on their website)  That would make a great gift for Christmas!  Many of us don't think about being able to grow our own food after the stored food is gone.  All of us need to store seeds!   Check out their website mvseeds.com for more information!  

Doug's Shoot N Sports

Last, but not least is Doug's Shoot N Sports.  I loved their banner (sorry for the blurry photo) because they sell a product that many don't think about, or do think about but don't want to ever have to use, a gun. Believe it or not, but the time may that you may need to protect your family and your food storage from those who felt they didn't need to prepare.  Doug's is a premier gun store and shooting range.  They offer all kinds of classes and have great prices.  They are located in Taylorsville at 4926 S. Redwood Rd.  Check out dougsgunstore.com for more information! 


After the Expo I felt so motivated to amp up my storage and fill in the gaps that I have.  I hope these posts have helped you to find products that will encourage you and help you prepare!  I don't endorse ANY of these companies.  I wanted to find any and all information that will make preparing easier and share them with you all!


IF YOU HAVEN'T COMPLETED THE STORAGE GOALS FOR NOVEMBER, THIS IS THE WEEK TO DO SO!!!  SMITHS HAS MANY BAKING ITEMS ON SALE AS DO ALL THE GROCERY STORES!  DON'T WAIT ANY LONGER!  DO IT TODAY! (check the grocery list for Smiths HERE and SAVE!)

November Goals:

1. Cooking essentials-yeast, baking powder, baking soda, spices, oils, flour, sugar,salt, etc. 
2.  Personal Hygiene supplies.  Watch for sales and buy enough to last for 3 months.  This includes all feminine hygiene items, diapers/wipes, soaps, shampoo's, deodorants, toothpaste, toothbrushes, floss, hand sanitizer,etc.  And if you don't have a portable potty, this is the month to finally get one put together.  Click HERE to view a previous post on luggable loo's.  

ENJOY THE JOURNEY!

ENJOY THE BLESSINGS!

FEEL THE PEACE!

"No Power....No Problem"

This month we are storing charcoal as one of our non-food storage goals. I must admit that I don't do a lot of cooking with charcoal, and I don't camp so I have not had huge experience with it. I am however, interested in finding out all things related to emergency preparedness and so I searched the web to find out all about cooking without power. There are actually several options when it comes to cooking without power and I found an amazing article that a woman named Debbie Kent (click here to view her website) put together for her stake. I urge you to read this article and print it out and find the cooking methods that will work for your family. If charcoal isn't the way for you, then plan on storing the items that do work for your family this month.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE "NO POWER....NO PROBLEM", BY DEBBIE KENT.

July Goals:

WATER: Store 14 gallons per person for a 2 week supply. This is the bare minimum for drinking, cooking, and cleaning. I would recommend storing water everywhere you can think of, under stairs, in the car, storage rooms, under beds,etc. Use soda bottles, laundry detergent bottles (for cleaning water) and any other container with the word "PETE" on the bottom of it. That means is will hold up over time and is safe to store water in.

OILS/FATS: Store 25lbs of oils and fats per person for a year storage. This includes mayonnaise,butter, oils, peanut butter, salad dressings, and shortening. Stock up this month while the prices are lower, watch for sales on ketchup and mustard as well.

NON-FOOD STORAGE: This month we are storing paper goods, which includes: paper plates, bowls, cups, utensils & napkins. I priced these items this week and found some great deals.
Big Lots:
paper plates 60ct $1.00
plastic cups 54ct $1.50
napkins 100ct $1.00
spoons 48ct $1.00

Dollar Store
forks 48ct $1.00
bowls 36ct $1.00

Both stores have great prices, make sure to watch the size of the product you are buying. Big Lots has a 36ct forks package for $1.30 and you get 48 forks for $1.00 at the Dollar Store.

CHARCOAL is our other non-food storage item this month. Store charcoal in 5 gallon buckets to keep it dry, and it will last indefinitely. Watch for charcoal to go on sale throughout the summer months. You will need charcoal to cook meals with especially if you don't have other ways of cooking with out electricity.
To cook 1 hour a day for a year you will need 24 #15 bags of charcoal.

Enjoy the journey!
Enjoy the blessings!
Feel the Peace!

July Goals

Happy 4th of July! With this in mind this is a new month and a great month to stock up on all the BBQ supplies that come with summer holidays. For the month of July we are focusing on storing water, oils/fats, and paper goods. July is a really hot month here in Utah, and having enough water stored should be on our minds all month long. You will need 14 gallons of water per person, and that is the bare minimum for 2 weeks.

WATER- Store your water everywhere that you can and in all sorts of different containers. Soda bottles are great water containers. The clear bottles can store drinking water and the colored bottles can store your cleaning water. (the color from the bottle can leak into the water) I even store water in my empty laundry detergent bottles, clearly marked as water. I will use that water for cleaning as well. (click here to view an earlier post on water) Watch for cases of water to be on sale this month, $2.50 or less is a great price for 24 bottles of water. If your family are not big water drinkers then make sure to store drink mixes in your pantry. The cannery sells a #10 can of fruit drink mix for $6.90 and Emergency Essentials sells Peach, Apple, or Orange drink mixes in #10 cans for $10.99.

If you store your water in 55 gallon containers don't forget to rotate it every 6-12 months, and store it up off of the concrete floor of your basement or garage.

OILS & FATS- 25lbs Per Person Per Year
I know, I thought how on earth could we be eating 25lbs of fats per year. It sounds like a lot, but think of all the times you use oil in cooking, or butter in baking. Or how many peanut butter and jelly sandwiches do you make in a year for your children? Here is a rough estimate of different fats and how much you will need for a year supply per person.

Butter 2lbs (can store in freezer up to 1 year)
Cooking oil 5lbs
Margarine 2lbs
Mayonaise 4lbs (2 jars)
Olive Oil 3lbs (can use for skin care as well)
Peanut Butter 4lbs (4 18oz jars)
Salad Dressing 2lbs (2 bottles)
Shortening 1 tub per person

This list is just a estimate of what one person would use in a year's time. If you don't like peanut butter then you wouldn't store it, and you may need extra in another category. I know I would need a lot more than the 2 packages of butter per person. Start keeping track of what you use and when these go on sale stock up. Look for condiments to be on sale this month for sure. With all of the grilling and holiday's this month, it is a great time to get your year's worth of mayo and salad dressing. Ketchup and mustard also go on sale, store those as well. I know that my children will be more likely to eat things with ketchup and ranch dressing on them. In stressful times I don't want to have to argue with my children about eating the food in front of them, ketchup may just save your sanity. Get your paper goods this month too. I don't want to worry about doing the dishes if our water is turned off, and it is just one less thing you'll have to worry about in a stressful situation.
Grilling is in full force during the summer months and now is the time to find great sales on charcoal. Even if you don't have a charcoal grill you will want to store it. Charcoal stores indefinitely is kept dry (5 gallon buckets work great). Remember to store newspapers, canned heat, or lighter fluid to start the charcoal. For an apple box oven or dutch oven: 1 hour a day = 24 #15 bags of charcoal to be able to cook one meal a day for a year. If you have a butane stove then store charcoal for extra help when cooking. Remember to never cook indoors with charcoal, it produces carbon monoxide and that is a deadly poison.
If you would like more information on how to build your own apple box oven, CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE INSTRUCTIONS.

or HERE FOR MORE INSTRUCTIONS


You now have your assignments for July. Even with summer travel and kids home from school, don't let preparedness get left behind. If you are overwhelmed start with the water storage. You feel immediately feel the peace of knowing you have water to drink and clean with. You will feel motivated to keep going and to slowly build your storage piece by piece. I know that everyone can do it and I am here to help if you need it.
Enjoy the journey!
Enjoy the blessings!
Feel the peace!