Fall is in the air! The mornings are cooler and my children want something warm to eat for breakfast. One of my favorite blogs to get kid friendly recipes from is called Super Healthy Kids and that is where I found a few great pumpkin recipes. Nothing says fall like pumpkin, and with all the super food nutrients in pumpkin, I am always looking for new ways to use it.
I made pumpkin oatmeal today and it was delicious. I really like oatmeal but it can get monotonous eating it the same way everyday, but with oatmeal that tastes like pumpkin pie, I couldn't wait to try it!!
This recipe couldn't be easier! Add all ingredients go into the pan, heat until thickened, and eat! I had all the ingredients on hand in my storage so I know we will be eating this for breakfast a lot this fall.
Pumpkin Oatmeal (from blog.superhealthykids.com) 1/2 C oats (I used quick oats) 1 C milk (1 C water + 3 T non-instant powdered milk) 1/3 C pumpkin puree (canned or dehydrated pumpkin) 1/2 t pumpkin pie spice 1-2 t honey Add all ingredients into a saucepan. Cook over medium heat around 5 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and oatmeal is thickened. Makes about 2 servings.
Amy and Natalie, from Super Healthy Kids, have several other pumpkin recipes that are healthy and delicious.
I have had many people tell me over the last few years that they don't have food storage because it is just too overwhelming to deal with. I have thought a lot about that feeling and have wondered why I don't feel that way about food storage. I came to the conclusion that I make food storage a way of life and not a one time obstacle that I have to overcome. Just like we shouldn't diet, but make eating healthy a way of life, food storage should be a lifestyle.I believe in having food storage for emergencies, BUT I truly believe it is a principle of provident living. "
personal and family
preparedness should be a way of provident living, an orderly approach to
using the resources, gifts, and talents the Lord shares with us. So the first
step is to teach our people to be self-reliant and independent through proper
preparation for daily life." -Victor L. Brown, Ensign 1976
So, how do you make food storage a way of life?? There are MANY ways to store food and rotate food storage. This is what I do andit's what works for my family. It may not be right for your family but there might be a few things you could try out.
Have a meal plan that includes easy to prepare recipes.
Know what ingredients you use on a daily basis and keep those in stock at all times.
Watch the grocery sales and know what "a stock up price" is for every item you use in your recipes. Don't stress out about this....it took me a few months to know what a good deal was, but after some practice of comparing prices I know off hand what the low prices are.
Have freeze-dried or dehydrated equals to the fresh produce you like to eat. They come in handy a lot more then you think they will. They are worth the price and cook up almost like the fresh counterpart.
Make pantry meals that only use shelf-stable foods in your pantry 1-2 times per week.
Rotating food becomes easy when you are eating what you store.
Learn to bake crackers, fruit leather, snacks,breads, etc. to save money and also to use food storage basics.
Store long term items in a proper bucket or mylar bag to prolong their life. Nothing is more frustrating then knowing you have food, opening it to use, and find it has become rancid.
Be patient with yourself!! I have a system down and know which foods I make every week. I make granola bars, bread, and snacks on a regular basis. It becomes natural and stress-free after a few times of making a recipe. Give yourself time to learn something new.
Plan and grow a garden year after year. I have only had small gardens and I really don't know what I am doing, but it gives my family fresh food. I feel that we spend time together as a family, and it really helps with our food budget in the summer.
I don't have foods that will only be used in a "SHTF" scenario. I use all the food in my storage all the time. Some of my dehydrated foods don't get used as often, but they do get used, and when I store them properly they last a long time.
Learn to can and preserve. There are so many times I run out of chicken in the freezer and open a bottle of canned chicken to save dinner.
Add beans, tvp, and veggies to sauces, meat dishes, and casseroles. It extends the amount of food your serving,and it uses your food storage. There is also the added nutrition when you are sneaking veggies into dinner. Cooked wheat can be added to many meat dishes and no one will know it's there.
There are so many ways you can implement food storage into your daily life. Keeping food storage in the back of my mind all the time I see things that maybe wouldn't have caught my eye otherwise. While shopping, keep your eyes peeled for clearance and discount items that will work for your family. I have come across many items that I would have passed up if I hadn't been in a prepper frame of mind ;)
This is a re-post from 2011 but the ideas are still relevant. Keep warm and safe in the cold weather. It was -22 this morning where I live. Be prepared before the storm!
I think winter may be on its way!! It snowed today and my kids thought it was really fun, but as adults we know how long winter can be. When it gets colder I always think about how we would cope if the power went out. I personally don't enjoy being cold and having no heat would sure make life uncomfortable. There are many ways of preparing for a cold weather emergency and I want to give you some ideas of what you could do before hand so you are well prepared.
Winter Preparation To Do List:
Have a portable heater, such as a Mr. Buddy heater, kerosene heater and lamps with oil, or wood for a wood burning stove.
Emergency radio: crank or battery operated. Store it in a location that is easy to access and always have extra batteries.
If possible have a generator. A 5000 watt generator will run almost any appliance. It has a 6 gallon gas tank that will run for 14 hours.
During the winter if it is cold enough outside you can put food in coolers and leave them by your back door. Store coolers that will fit the food you typically have in your freezer and fridge.
A great way to stay warm is to pitch a tent in your living room or other room with a heat source. The kids will probably enjoy this, but it is to keep the most heat in the area you are all sleeping.
Sleeping bags and warm weather clothing. I recently stood in line for 2 hours (by choice) in a snow storm and wore long underwear to keep warm. I thought I was going to be cold but I didn't feel cold and I know it was the long underwear. Have a pair for everyone in your family. Wool socks also kept my toes from freezing! Hats, gloves, coats, scarves, socks, and warm sleeping bags are all important for every member of your family.
A To Do Box of non-electric games, toys, coloring books, cards, jump ropes, paper, pens, pencils, etc to keep everyone occupied during a power outage. I know that my kids nagging me with "I'm bored" would literally drive me insane if I had to hear it all day long. Keep a box ready for power outages or emergencies to save everyone from boredom.
A great idea that I got from somewhere (I can't remember, sorry) is to have a menu written out, BEFORE the emergency, with the meals you could make if the power was out. Have at least a weeks worth ready to go. If you have a small butane stove you would probably have meals like soups, stews, or rice dishes. Or if you have a Volcano Stove you could grill, or bake a dish. Knowing what your menu will be will alleviate the stress of making food when it is cold, dark, and miserable!!
Have a corded land line phone in your home. When the power goes out so do your cordless phones. Cell phones may or may not work in an emergency.
Snow shovels are also an item that will be gone from stores when a storm hits. Have 1 or 2 shovels ready in your garage.
Before the Storm: If you know a storm is approaching there are a few things you can do to prepare your family. I am assuming you already will have food and water.
Put gas in your car.
Do the laundry and dishes and put away. Folding laundry in the dark is never fun :)
Charge all phones, DS games, computers, dvd players, ipods, etc.
If you have a wood burning stove or fireplace, have all the wood cut and placed in an area that is easy to access.
Get out all flashlights, batteries, candles, and matches so you aren't searching in the dark for light.
Bathe and shower the kids and yourself. Starting off clean will make life more pleasant for everyone. :)
Make sandwiches, gather some soup cans, or cook some food if the power is expected to go out. I would pull out some snacks and keep them out so we don't have to search in the dark for food.
IF you aren't prepared for any emergency I would then tell you to get yourself to the store and buy food, water, flashlights, and batteries. Although so will most of the general population, so go early to get any kind of a selection.
If you travel frequently during the winter months it is important to have a car kit in your vehicle. Click HERE to view a previous post on winter weather preparation and car kits.
"Have faith, unemcomber your life, lay up in store"-Keith B. McMullen
