Earthquake survival night was a success! Thank you to everyone who came and thank you to all who helped put this together. I tried to get some pictures of the information that was presented so those who were unable to attend could still benefit from the information that was presented.
Maralin Hoff was a wonderful presenter and was quite comical as well. I will highlight some of the things that I found interesting.
If you need more information click here to get to the bereadyutah.org website or click on the link on the right hand side of the blog.
Maralin had great ideas when it comes to preparing for the "big one", but I loved her little suggestions. In the picture she is holding a grocery cart and she explained that if you are in the store when an earthquake is happening that the cart is your friend. You can tuck your head underneath the cart or even tip it on the side and get your head covered that way. Always put a child or baby in first and then yourself.
She also went through car kits and how important it is to have one. If there is an earthquake it may take HOURS to get home. You will need water, food, shovel, flashlight, batteries, matches, etc. in your car. Don't forget to rotate your items as well. A great tip she shared is to wrap your water in one of the foil blankets and it will help to keep it from going bad as quickly. Maralin also suggested to buy a mylar insulated lunch box from the dollar store to keep your first aid items in. The mylar will help regulate the temperature and you won't loose your band aids or first aid ointment to the heat. The lunch box will also save your duct tape as well.
- Use the Hot/Cold bags found at the grocery store to grab food quickly out of the fridge/freezer in an evacuation.
- Put nylon grip liners on all your shelves to prevent things from sliding.
- Use sticky velcro on the back of pictures to keep them hanging straight in an earthquake.
- Use bungee cords on storage shelving to keep contents in tact.
- Place cardboard between mason jars to prevent breakage.
- Tie whistles to wheel chairs, strollers, anywhere someone may need one to call for help.
Make sure your water heater is secure using the proper metal fasteners.
This is probably my favorite idea from the whole presentation. Keep kitty litter in a 2-liter bottle to sprinkle in your portable potty. I have been debating on what to use for our portable potty and this is so much easier than all the chemicals. Maralin reminded us all to NEVER use kitty litter in ANY toilets. It will clog your plumbing like cement. Maralin gave portable potty's to all of her family for Christmas. Giving preparedness items as gifts is a great way to help family members get prepared.
The displays were so complete and a great visual on how much, and what to put in the different kits. The kit above is a 72-hour kit with all the goodies that go inside.
Another kit that you should have is a workplace kit. The chances of an earthquake happening while you are at work is very likely. Being prepared with first aid items and water and food will help you until you are able to get home.
***If you click on the photos they will pull up in another screen and they are a little bigger. That way you can see some of the smaller items on the boards.
I thought that this evening was so informative and it was so great to have so many of you come. I hope you were able to take away some great ideas. We will be having a block captain meeting in the near future to follow up on what still needs to be collected.
The Earthquake night is almost here. We are busy putting together packets and making sure everything is ready for Wednesday's meeting. I hope you have had time to go over your fliers and will fill out the emergency information. Make sure to bring this with you to the meeting. It will be a great night and I hope that you will spread the word to your neighbors!!
Since we are storing wheat this month I am going to include a recipe that will get most people to eat wheat..... BROWNIES! This is one of my family's favorite recipes and it makes your dessert a little healthier. :)
Homemade Wheat Brownies
From Wheat Cookin' Made Easy
1/2 C butter melted
1/4 C cocoa
1 C sugar
2 eggs
1/2 t salt
1/2 t baking powder
1 t vanilla
1 C whole wheat flour
1/2 C chopped nuts, optional
Melt butter in microwave and add remaining ingredients one at a time, beating after each addition with the exception of the nuts. Stir in nuts last. Pour batter into greased 8x8 pan and bake at 350 for 25 minutes. This can be doubled and made in a 13x9 pan.
We love to eat these brownies with...
Chocolate Butter Cream Frosting.
6 T butter 4 1/2 C powdered sugar
1/2 C cocoa powder 1/4 C milk or cream
1 1/2 t vanilla
Cream together butter, cocoa powder and vanilla and then gradually beat in powder sugar in 1 C at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition. Stir in milk or cream until frosting is of spreading consistency.
JUNE GOALS
WHEAT: 150LBS PER PERSON PER YEAR. #10 CAN FROM THE CANNERY IS $2.60 AND 25LB BAG IS $5.80.
VITAMINS, MEDICINE: GET EXTRA PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION IF ALLOWED. STOCK UP ON OVER THE COUNTER MEDICATION. PURCHASE VITAMINS FOR YOUR STORAGE. THEY ARE 50% OFF AT SMITHS THIS WEEK.
KEEP STORING WATER. WE ARE IN THE SUMMER MONTHS NOW AND MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER TO HAVE EXTRA WATER.
ENJOY THE JOURNEY!
ENJOY THE BLESSINGS!
FEEL THE PEACE!
This month we are adding wheat to our home storage. I love to find ways to use my wheat besides just making bread. I was able to attend a food storage fair in May and the pizza recipe below is from one of the classes that I attended.
Whole Wheat Pizza Dough
Heidi LeBlanc
Less than 20 minutes!!!
2 C whole wheat flour
1 1/2 T yeast
2 t yeast
1 1/2 t sugar
3/4 C water
1 t canola oil
Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Let rise for 10 minutes while covered with a towel. Roll out into pizza shape. Add favorite toppings. (options below)
Greek-puree 1/2 C raisins, 2 T onion, and 1/3 C water for the spread. Top with 2 C fresh spinach, 1 C scallions, 1 T pine nuts, 1 T olive oil, 1/4 C lemon juice, 1/8 t allspice, 1/8 t pepper, salt to taste, 1/2 C feta cheese
Italian-cook 16oz canned tomato sauce, 1 grated carrot, 3 T fresh basil, 1/2 t oregano, 1/4t pepper, Top with 1 C artichoke hearts quartered, 1/2 C thinly sliced tomatoes and 2 T black olives, 1/2 C mozzarella cheese.
Mexican-1 C refried beans. Top with 1/2 C cheddar cheese, 1/2 C each green onion, chilies, tomatoes, bell pepper and 1 C salsa
Bake pizza at 425 for 10-15 minutes.
ENJOY THE JOURNEY!
ENJOY THE BLESSINGS!
FEEL THE PEACE!
I think that I over estimate the amount of food storage that I have. After reading an article in the LDS Preparedness Manual, I realized that I have a lot more to store to have enough food to sustain my family for a year. Click HERE if you would like to read this manual. (It is not endorsed by the church)
To make 2 loaves a bread every other day for one year, using 6 cups of 
wheat flour, requires 275lbs of wheat. That is 5 1/2 buckets of wheat just for bread. You would also need 4 gallons of oil, 46lbs of honey, 8lb yeast. 61 cups of gluten, 3 2/3 quarts of lemon juice and 7.3lbs of salt. When it is laid out for you like that it really makes me think of how much I REALLY need of each ingredient.
When planning your 3-month menu you multiply ingredients to make sure you have enough for the whole 3 months. The same applies to a year's supply. The yearly amounts of food that the Church recommends for our food storage are the bare minimum that you should store, so your family doesn't starve. You will be fed, but still hungry! We're talking about a small loaf of bread and a handful of beans everyday. That doesn't sound too appetizing, but it would be life sustaining.
The numbers below are calculated for one adult and that equals 400lbs of grains. (Children under 6 only need 75lbs of wheat per each.)
So, just how much do you need?Two 5 gallon buckets will hold about 75lbs of wheat, rice or other grains. This means that you will need 11 buckets of grain for each person in your family.
If you store all your grains in #10 cans...
Wheat, Rice, Corn, etc..
You would need 64 cans or 10.5 cases per person.
Pasta
You would need 32 cans or 5.25 cases per person.
Rolled Oats
These are lighter but bulkier, so they require more storage containers and space. You would need 124 cans or 21 cases per person.
Beans
A 25lb bag of beans will about fit in a single 5 gallon bucket, with a little space over, so 2 buckets would hold a one person supply, or 12-13 #10 cans.
Reading this really made me think of how much I really had. I give you this information only to make you think of your storage, not to stress you out. Plan out your menus and add up the numbers so you know exactly what you will need. It also puts into a visual perspective that living off a tiny loaf of bread, and a small amount of beans, everyday would lead to appetite fatigue rather quickly. You need to store a variety of food beyond the basics in your storage.
Try storing 100lbs of wheat at a time. On the right side of the blog there is a link for a food storage calculator so you can calculate how much food you will need for your storage. Try it to see, I was surprised by the numbers.
If you have wheat allergies there are many other options out there to store. Honeyville Grain has alternate flours, as well as Whole Foods and Winco, they have bulk areas that allow you to purchase any amount of flour that you need, such as spelt, rice, oat, barley, etc.
Yo
u may want to think about how you will grind your wheat. If you don't have a grinder you may want to do a google search for one that will work for you. I own a Nutrimill grinder and I love it. A manual grinder will be a must without electricity.
Enjoy the journey!
Enjoy the blessings!
Feel the peace!
June Goals
This month we are collecting WHEAT for our storage. You will need 100lbs of wheat per person for a year supply and that is the bare minimum. That may seem like a lot and it is :) so remember to only purchase the amounts that your budget allows. Wheat from the cannery costs $5.80 for 25lbs. That is a really easy way to stock up. Store the wheat in buckets to keep the bugs out.
If you have wheat allergies there are many other options out there to store. Whole Foods and Winco both have bulk areas that allow you to purchase any amount of flour that you need, such as spelt, rice, oat, barley, etc.
Also, you may want to think about how you will grind your wheat. If you don't have a grinder you may want to do a google search for one that will work for you. I own a Nutrimill grinder and I love it.
This month we are also stocking up on MULTI-VITAMINS AND MEDICINE. Right now at Walgreens they have Nature's Bounty vitamins on sale for buy one get one free. Most of the vitamins I have purchased have a 3 year expiration date.
Prescription medicines will have to be brought up with your doctor. Sometimes you are able to purchase a couple months worth, and other times not. Check to see if your medications allow you to do this.
Over-the-counter medicine is a little easier to stock up on. Walmart has a store brand that is very affordable and has the same ingredients as the name brands. I buy a children's ibuprofen and acetaminophen every time I go to there. I also make sure to have adult strength on hand. They are easier to buy in 500 count than children's liquid medicine.
Enjoy the journey!
Enjoy the blessings!
Feel the peace!
If you need more information click here to get to the bereadyutah.org website or click on the link on the right hand side of the blog.
This is probably my favorite idea from the whole presentation. Keep kitty litter in a 2-liter bottle to sprinkle in your portable potty. I have been debating on what to use for our portable potty and this is so much easier than all the chemicals. Maralin reminded us all to NEVER use kitty litter in ANY toilets. It will clog your plumbing like cement. Maralin gave portable potty's to all of her family for Christmas. Giving preparedness items as gifts is a great way to help family members get prepared.
