Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas To All!!

More 3-Month Recipes

How is all of your Christmas and holiday baking going?  I love this time of year and baking in the kitchen with my children.  We make gingerbread houses, cookies, pumpkin bread and sometimes candy.  I thought I would add a couple more recipes to the blog so you could expand your 3-month menu. These recipes are from some of my favorite food storage cookbooks. (don't think of food storage cookbooks to be only used on food storage.  They are wonderful, easy and delicious recipes!)

Easy Spanish Rice  (from "The Everyday Gourmet:  Cooking With Long Term Food Storage)
1-2 T oil
2 cups cooked rice
8 T Italian tomato sauce
3 t dried peppers (soaked in hot water and drained)
3t dried chopped onions (soaked in hot water and drained)
1/8t chili powder
dash of cayenne to turn up the heat

In a heavy skillet pour the oil and toss in cooked rice.  Stir well to coat rice.  Add the rest of the ingredients and stir well.  Once the tomato sauce has absorbed, it is ready to serve.

Chicken Capri (from "100 Day Pantry" by Jan Jackson)
1 can chicken, undrained
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can tomato juice
1 can mushrooms, undrained
1 can chicken broth
1 C couscous
1/2 C dried bell pepper
1/2 C dried onion
1 T garlic flakes
1/2 t rosemary
salt and pepper
Cook couscous in broth according to the directions on the package.  Combine the remaining ingredients and heat through.  Serve over couscous.
(for everyday cooking replace the dried veggies with double the amount of fresh.  Omit tomato juice)

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins (from "The Essential Food Storage Cookbook")
2 C whole wheat flour
1/2 t baking soda
2 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
1 1/2 C mashed banana
2/3 C brown sugar
2 large eggs (can use powdered eggs!)
1/4 C oil
1 t vanilla
1/2 C chocolate chips
Preheat oven th 400 degrees.  Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and brown sugar in a bowl.  In a small bowl, mix bananas (can use applesauce to make up the difference if you don't have enough bananas) oil, eggs, and vanilla.  Add wet to dry and mix.  Fold in chocolate chips.  Fill muffin cups 3/4 full and bake 15 minutes.  Makes 12 muffins.

Salsa Chicken and Rice  (not sure where I found this recipe)
1 lb chicken cubed and dipped in taco seasoning
1 T oil
1/4 t salt & pepper
1 can broth
1 8oz jar salsa
2 C instant rice
8 oz. cheddar
Optional:  add one can black beans and corn
Brown the chicken in oil and salt and pepper it.  Add the broth, salsa, and boil.  Turn off the heat and stir in rice.  Sprinkle cheese on top.  Cover and let sit 5 minutes.  Serve with tortillas.


December Goals:



1.This month we are storing FLOUR (75lbs per person) and SUGAR/HONEY (60lbs per person). Make sure to include brown sugar and powdered sugar, molasses, flavored gelatin, corn syrup, etc. in your supply. These are longer term storage items and the amount needed reflects the need for a year supply. Purchase enough for 3 months and then work your way to a year supply.


2.The non-food goal for December is to have a good stock of BATTERIES. There will be many deals this month with all the Christmas gifts that require batteries. Watch for sales and stock the size of batteries that you use. Place extra batteries by all flashlights, in 72-hour kits and make sure to buy 9-v batteries for your smoke detectors!




Enjoy the journey!


Enjoy the blessings!


Feel the peace!


I hope you have a wonderful Christmas!  I will post in 2 weeks.

3-Month Menu Ideas

Recently I have received some great feedback from those of you who are actively preparing.  This makes me so happy to hear!!!  One of the questions I have heard is that many of you just don't know what to have on your 3-month menu.  It is great to have the meals that you eat everyday, but sometimes these meals require many fresh ingredients and it can be hard to substitute a canned or dehydrated ingredient. 

I have some great recipes that I'll share in this post, but there are also great websites that have food storage menus.

• Check out a very informative website called Peace Of Preparedness,  {Click HERE to read a 30 day menu plan by Peace of Preparedness.}

• Everyday Food Storage is a wonderful website to get easy and useful information.  {everydayfoodstorage.net}

• Or you could order "100 Day Pantry"  {100daypantry.com}and have EASY, delicious recipes using only canned food storage.

Onto the recipes!  I hope these help you in putting together your 3-month menu plan.

Spicy Crunchy Chickpeas (from All You magazine)

2 T oil
1 t cinnamon
1 t cumin
1 t allspice
1 t salt
1/2 t pepper
2 cans chickpeas, rinsed and drained, thoroughly patted dry (for maximum crunchiness)  

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.  Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil.  In a large bowl, combine oil and spices.  Add the chickpeas and toss to coat.  Turn chickpeas out onto baking sheet and roast, stirring and shaking baking sheet often, until chickpeas are browned and crunchy, 45-50 minutes.  Let cool before eating.

Basil Tomato Soup (from 100 Day Pantry cookbook)
serves 4
1 can tomato soup
1 can diced tomatoes
2 cans vegetable broth (I used chicken broth)
1/4 C Parmesan cheese

1/2 C corkscrew pasta
1 1/2 t basil
1 T sugar

Combine all ingredients except Parmesan.  Simmer until pasta is done.  Sprinkle Parmesan on each serving.  (How easy is that AND it's delicious!!)

Mashed Cauliflower  (from All You magazine)
This recipe is also a great alternative to carb filled mashed potatoes.

 picture from foodnetwork.com

4 cloves garlic
salt & pepper
2 large heads cauliflower (using dehydrated cauliflower would work well!!)
3 T oil
1 C low fat buttermilk (add 1 T lemon juice or white vinegar to 1 C milk and let stand-you've now made buttermilk!!)
2 T parsley for garnish

Place garlic in a large of pot of salted water and bring to a boil.  Separate cauliflower and add to water.  Bring back to a boil and cook until cauliflower is very tender, 10-12 minutes.  Drain well and return to pot and cook over med-high, stirring constantly until dry, about 3 minutes.  Combine the garlic, cauliflower, oil, and buttermilk and mash with a potato masher until thick and pulpy.  Simmer over med-high heat until heated through, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and garnish with parsley.

Pinto Bean Burgers (from safelygatheredin.blogspot.com)

picture from foodnetwork.com

 makes 4 small burgers
1 can pinto beans
1 T whole wheat flour
1 1/2 t Worcestershire sauce 
salt and pepper to taste

Rinse the beans and mash with all the ingredients.  Form into patties and cook in oil in a skillet 3-4 minutes each side.  These are great with a slice of cheese on each patty!  Serve on buns with all the fixins' for hamburgers.

  
 December Goals:

1. This month we are storing FLOUR (75lbs per person) and SUGAR/HONEY (60lbs per person).  Make sure to include brown sugar and powdered sugar, molasses, flavored gelatin, corn syrup, etc. in your supply.  These are longer term storage items and the amount needed reflects the need for a year supply.  Purchase enough for 3 months and then work your way to a year supply.
2. The non-food goal for December is to have a good stock of BATTERIES.  There will be many deals this month with all the Christmas gifts that require batteries.  Watch for sales and stock the size of batteries that you use.  Place extra batteries by all flashlights, in 72-hour kits and make sure to buy 9-v batteries for your smoke detectors! 

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

December Goals: Flour, Sugar & Batteries!

I really can't believe it is December and that means we have concluded a whole year of food storage goals!  If you didn't finish look on the right side of the blog for the monthly goal list.  For our last goal this year we are going to store FLOUR & SUGAR.  

FLOUR:  75LBS PER PERSON (yearly amounts)

• STORES 8-10 YEARS IF KEPT DRY AND BUG PROOF
• USE 5 GALLON BUCKETS WITH GAMMA LIDS 
• EVEN IF YOU WANT TO ONLY COOK WITH WHEAT YOU SHOULD STORE WHITE FLOUR AS WELL. YOU MAY FIND OUT THAT WHEAT DOESN'T AGREE WITH YOU AND YOU MAY NOT FIND OUT UNTIL YOU EAT WHEAT.

SUGAR:  60LBS PER PERSON (yearly amounts)  AND INCLUDES:

• WHITE SUGAR 40LBS PER PERSON
• BROWN SUGAR 3LBS PER PERSON
• MOLASSES 1LB PER PERSON
• HONEY 5LBS PER PERSON
• CORN SYRUP 16OZ PER PERSON
• JAMS OR JELLIES 3LBS PER PERSON
• POWDERED FRUIT DRINK MIX 6LBS PER PERSON
• FLAVORED GELATIN 1LB PER PERSON

 Storing granulated sugar is really easy!  If it is kept dry it will last 30+ years.  If it gets damp and clumps, put it in a blender and blend until sugar again! Honey may crystallize but it is still safe to use.  Warm the honey jar in warm water and use as usual.  To keep brown sugar from hardening, place a small terracotta piece that has been soaked in water in the bottom of your container and the brown sugar will stay fresh!  **We are counseled to have a 3-month supply, but sugar and flour are long lasting and easy to store. The amounts listed for flour and sugar are all yearly amounts.**

The non-food goal for December is to store BATTERIES.  A  good idea would be to go through the batteries you have now and look at the expiration dates on them.  Then watch for sales and purchase enough batteries to last at least a year.  Store extra batteries with all flashlights, radios, and for smoke detectors. 

Emergency Essentials "Bee Prepared" from the Festival of Trees

**Have a Very Merry Preparedness Christmas!** Give the gift of preparedness!!! 

• "100 Day Pantry" by Jan Jackson (100daypantry.com)
• "The Essential Food Storage Cookbook" by Tami Girsberger & Carol Peterson
• buckets & gamma lids
• porta potty: bucket and lid with all the goodies that go with it :)
• water containers
• fun food in #10 cans (dried fruit, veggies, etc.)
• manual wheat grinder
• sleeping bags/tents
• 72-hour & emergency car kits
• shelves for the storage room (check out stevessos.com)
• The Ideas are limitless!!

Enjoy the journey!
Enjoy the blessings!
Feel the PEACE!

Homemade Granola Bars & More

A few years ago I decided that I wanted to eliminate processed food from my family's diet.  I started out thinking we would be so healthy and eat wonderful food.  What I didn't realize is that I would have to learn how to make quite a few foods from scratch that I use to just buy at the store.  During my learning curve (my poor family) I made graham crackers, yogurt, grape nuts cereal, bread, crackers, pretzels, pasta (which really is easier to just buy), and many dinners.  What I learned is that this all ties into food storage.  How many of you have buckets of wheat, flour, sugar, oats, etc in your basement and have them for a "just in case" type incident?  I know I did, but now I have learned how to make really fun things with my food storage.

This month we are storing baking goods.  This includes yeast, baking powder, baking soda, salt, oil, chocolate chips, etc.  Along with baking items I feel that we may all need a lesson in baking from scratch.  I know I have said it before, but we all need to know how to make food with our stored items before an emergency and we have to cook everything from scratch.  It took me MANY attempts to get my bread right and with 5 hungry children the bread needs to come out edible.  

Now I know we are all busy and we all can't spend hours every day (which is what pioneer women did) making all our family's meals from scratch, but I want everyone to make a goal to try one new food item a month and practice making it from scratch.  During my "from scratch" months I made marshmallows and graham crackers for our vacation.  Those were yummy s'mores!  If you couldn't run to the store what would you need to know how to make? (oh, and P.S.-I do buy some boxed items at the store now.  I couldn't keep up with the demand. :)

If you would like to try graham crackers click HERE to view my favorite recipe.  

This post has my favorite granola recipe. Click HERE to read. 

**A great way to learn anything is to google it.  This is how I got many recipes and learned how to make many items that I didn't know the first thing about. ** 

Every week I make bread, and I also make granola bars for my kid's lunches.  It is simple and quick and you don't even have to turn on your oven!

Easy Granola Bars

In a large bowl mix 2 C oats & 2 1/2 C crispy rice cereal and set aside.
In a small saucepan melt:
1/2 C brown sugar
1/2 C corn syrup
Let it come to a boil, stirring constantly, and remove from heat. Add:
1/2 C peanut butter (crunchy is a must!)
1 t vanilla 
Stir until the peanut butter melts.  Pour over the oat mixture and stir quickly because the sugar mixture will harden.  Pour into a 13x9 greased pan and press with your palm until flat and even.  I like to press on it until it is quite compact so it doesn't fall apart when you cut it.
Melt 1/2-1 C chocolate chips in the microwave and smooth over the top of the granola bars.  Once the chocolate has cooled cut into bars.

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! 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!  Grocery Deals will be back next Wednesday.  Enjoy the holiday with your family!

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!

Self Reliance Expo- Part 2

This week I wanted to continue with my time at the Self Reliance Expo.  There were so many wonderful people and so much information to gather.  If you missed the first post click HERE and you can read through it.

Tattler Reusable Canning Lids

 This is for EVERYONE who cans!! These canning lids are like none other. You can reuse them indefinitely!  I know, you think there has to be a catch, but this is for real!!  These lids can be used indefinitely, are BPA free, you can use them with a pressure canner, water bath, or vacuum sealer (Food Saver), FDA & USDA approved materials, and they use a standard metal band.  Plus they are dishwasher safe!  Does it get any better than this?  They had many bottles of canned food and I carefully checked them because I have been kind of skeptical of these lids, but even the pressure canned chicken was tight!  The man at the booth said he still uses some lids from 1974!  You have to put these on your Christmas list.  Visit reusablecanninglids.com to order some for yourself!  I bought a box of 12 lids for $7, not bad at all!

LDS Welfare Services Booth- Using oxygen absorbers to bottle your food!

LDS  Welfare Services

You couldn't have a Self Reliance Expo without the LDS Welfare Services there.  I buy the majority of my bagged food storage at the cannery.  You can't beat their great prices.  For those of you who aren't LDS you can go with your LDS friend and use the cannery or buy in bulk.  The trick that I found very interesting (because I have never thought to do this) was to use the little oxygen absorbers in plastic bottles to seal your food.  They had rice in one bottle and beans in another and you could see the absorbers at work because the bottles were sucked in.  I thought this was a great alternative to using only the #10 cans.  I wouldn't do this for 30+ year storage, but for keeping your food fresh, this was a great idea!!

The Salt Lake City Office of Emergency Preparedness were at the expo spreading the news about taking CERT classes.  I know many of you in the neighborhood just finished taking these classes and I am so excited to hear of your graduation.  (I hear it was quite a fun class)  The really important information that I got at this booth was to register your cell phone with the emergency alert reverse 911 service.  They can call your cell phone to alert you of any emergency's in your area.  (right now it is only good in SLC)  Go to slcalert.com to register your cell phone! One other tip that they gave me was to keep an old land line phone (meaning it has a cool, curly cord) under your bed so you could plug it in during an emergency.

Life Sprouts Booth

Sprouting is an area of preparedness that I am looking into and I really want to know more about.  Life Sprouts are the makers of the Sproutmaster.  "The World's Greatest Sprouter and Crisper".  I tried the sunflower sprouts and they were yummy!!  If you would like more information you can call them at 435-245-3891 or write Life Sprouts P.O. Box 150* Paradise, UT* 84329  

Global Sanitation Solutions

The Porta Potty and tent all fold into this compact case!!

The Global Sanitation Solutions company sells the item that everyone forgets to add to their storage, the POTTY!  This company has made a cardboard, fold-able, toilet that is portable and light.  They also sell the ChemiSan powder that turns human waste into environmentally-friendly soil.  This would eliminate the digging of holes to dispose of waste.  And don't laugh, but I want the OnTheGo privacy hut for Christmas.  It pops up fast and it weighs less than 10lbs.  You can use the hut as a shower stall as well, it has an open bottom.  Visit http://www.gottagotoilet.com/ (this site may not work, try this link for Deseret Books pricing) and chemisan.com for more information and pricing.  (this is a local company and it is great to support our local economy)

The Ready Store and the Water Brick!

The Ready Store is another local preparedness store.  They have many great items and options for your preparedness needs.  The item that I have to say is pure genius is the Water Brick.  These water storage containers can stack like bricks and are much easier to carry than any other water container I have ever tried.  You can use these bricks as a flood barrier and even build a shelter out of them.  Food can also be stored in them as they have a wider opening than the usual water container.  Check out waterbrick.org for much more information about this really cool product!  And to learn more about The Ready Store go to thereadystore.com or call 1-800-773-5331 Mon-Fri. (they offer FREE shipping! Think of holiday gifts)

Goal Zero power pack

Have electrical power anytime or anywhere with the Goal Zero products.  These are solar panels to charge the Power Hub.  You will get approximately 50 hours of light from a fully charged hub.  For more information check out goal0.com and beprepared.com/goalout

Preparedness Products- Providing the pieces to be prepared!

This woman is my idol.  :)  I am kidding, but she is the nicest, most talented lady when it comes to using your food storage and organizing your storage. She is the co-author of my favorite food storage cookbook.  It is called "The Essential Food Storage Cookbook" and it has delicious recipes.  One of my favorties is the Pumpkin Chocolate Chip muffins, and come to find out this recipe it the authors secret recipe that she used to never give out.  Every recipe that I have made from this book has come out wonderfully and it really helps to rotate your storage.  This is a great book to give as a gift, just ask my sister :)  Tami Girsberger sells ready to go luggable loos, manual washing machine in a bucket with all the necessities, rolling suitcase first aid kits, and Instafire buckets (these pellets are wonderful for fire starting)  Check out her website for all her products and pricing preparemylife.com  

The Berkey Guy

Have you heard of Berkey water filters?  They are top of the line and on many people's wish lists.  They are pricey but they are amazing!  Check out goberkey.com for more information!

Honeyville Grain

I hope that if you haven't already, you will take a trip out to the Honeyville Farms store.  They are located at 635 N. Billy Mitchell Rd in Salt Lake out by the airport.  They have great products and amazing customer service.  They also have classes at their location.  I went to a Sun Oven class taught by the maker of the Sun Oven and it was so fun to learn from the creator!  Go to honeyvillegrain.com to see a complete list of products available.

Jan Jackson-100 Day-Pantry

Jan Jackson came up with such a clever concept that I had to buy her book!  Her idea is that all you need for complete meals is what you can get from a can!  When you shop the case lot sales you can purchase many cases of food and then wonder what to do with it. This book has only recipes using food from a can.   I highly recommend this book.  I read it cover to cover the night I bought it!  In an emergency this plan allows you to feed your family quickly.  It also allows you to plan for a more long term food storage need, such as planting a garden.  You will have meals from cans until you can produce your own food!  Her plans helps you rotate your complete can storage in two years and it is also great for the nights when the kids want to cook!  To order her book, visit 100daypantry.com.  This book would also make a wonderful Christmas gift, especially if you included some cans to go with it :)
 

If you can believe it I have one more post saved for next Saturday, November 20th.  I will have the last booths that we saw and it will wrap up my visit at the Expo.  I hope you find helpful & useful information from these great companies!

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!

Self Reliance Expo-Part 1

Christmas came early for me this year!  I was able to spend 5 hours surrounded by food storage, portable potties, generators, water storage containers & purification containers.  Today I attended the Self Reliance Expo at the South Towne Expo Center and it has to be the best expo I have ever attended. I was so lucky to win tickets from one of my favorite blogs, blog.totallyready.com. Every booth was filled with products for and about emergency preparedness.  Of course I took my camera and documented my day.  You may want to get comfy because this could be a long post, but there was so much information that I wanted to collect to pass on to all of you.  I tried to get a website for each of the vendors that I am spotlighting so please visit their sites for more information.  

The fun started outside the venue where they had trailers set up with all the comforts of home inside.  They are from the Timberline Range Camp company and you can see more at their website trccamps.com.

The Humless Roadrunner Generator & The Ultimate Bag 72-Hour Kit

 The first booth to catch my eye was the Hummless Roadrunner company.  The small black box on the ground is a generator and is a silent, clean, safe, ultra portable unit.  You can charge it from a regular outlet, use solar panels, or hand crank/ bicycle crank.  It is safe to use indoors or in a tent and it has a 110AC outlet, 12VDC outlet, and USB ports.  There were different sizes and I believe they ran from $200-$1500.  Check out amazon.com for the portable lithium generator. 


The other item that really intrigued me was the 72-hour kit duffle bag that zipped open and can be hung up. It is called the Ultimate Bag and you can see it in the picture above.  What a clever idea to have all your kit supplies in a designated compartment and in such a small bag.  I thought this was such a great idea.  Check out www.theultimatebag.com for more information.

Kitchen Kneads

 Kitchen Kneads is a great local company that sells all things food storage related.  In the picture is the Sun Oven (they can answer any question you have about a Sun Oven), the Wonder Mill grinder and many food storage canned goods.  They are located at 7579 S. Redwood Rd.  and their number is 801-561-9616.   They have some great sales around LDS Conference times, but you should check them out before April :)

Augason Farms

 One of my favorite stores is the Augason Farms store (formerly the Blue Chip Group).  They sell the Maggie Moo's brand of milk and have many food items.  I buy applesauce powder, canned cheese, canned meat, oats, etc., AND they have a really fun outlet room with great prices.  They are located at 3431 S. 500 W, just west of I-15 off the 33rd south exit.  Check out their website augasonfarms.com .  We got to test the broccoli soup and the potato cheddar soup and it was delicious!  The small cans in the picture are only $2.50.

       Of course Emergency Essentials was at the expo.  They are a wonderful company that sell canned food, dehydrated food, MRE's, sleeping bags, candles, porta potties (with lids that seal),  water drums, wheat, oats, rice, you name it they sell it!  They have a really amazing food storage analyzer that will help you keep track of what food you have stored and the vitamins and nutrients that you may be lacking in your storage (check their website for more info).  My sister and I answered a trivia question and I received a reusable hand warmer.  It is like the one- use Hotties except you can boil it and it returns to it's original state. You can get 10 of them for $20.  Guess what my family is getting in their stockings this year.  You can find all of their info at beprepared.com or visit their store at 110 W. 33rd S.

Some of the best books on food storage are written by Peggy Layton.  Cookin' With Home Storage is one of my favorites and I refer to it many times when I am cooking.  She has also authored the Cookin' With series that includes Cookin' With Potatoes, Cookin' With Powdered Milk, Cookin' With Dried Eggs, and Cookin' With Beans and Rice.  I highly suggest owning these cookbooks and to get to know them.  Peggy really knows what she is doing when it comes to using your food storage and also maintaining your food storage program.  Her book Food Storage 101 "Where do I Begin?" is a great book to get you motivated on starting your food storage.  For more information check out peggylayton.com.

Easy Water Storage company

There were several companies with really great water storage ideas.  The Sure Water company sells the 260 and 525 gallon water tanks. They cost $395 & $525 and they ship free to Utah and SL counties.  For more information visit their website at easywaterstorage.com or call 1-800-797-2207.


I had such a great time at the Expo and I have much more to share.  There were many more vendors at the Expo so stay tuned for Part 2 of the Self Reliance Expo next Saturday, November 13th!!

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!!