"Passport To Survival"

Let's say that you have followed only part of the advice from our Church leaders and stored wheat, powdered milk, honey, and salt.  You never felt the urgency to prepare but bought your year supply of wheat and powdered milk from the Church and stuck the #10 cans in your basement, hopefully to never see them again.  From the looks of your storage it doesn't seem like you'll be eating too well in an emergency....unless you buy this book on Amazon;)

"Passport To Survival"

The premise of Esther Dickey's "Passport To Survival" is that we can survive, and not have appetite fatigue, with four survival ingredients stored. "Thus it is these four emergency foods, wheat, powdered milk, honey, and salt- nutritionally sound, readily storable, highly adaptable, and pleasingly palatable- in which I place my trust as the basis of my passport to survival" -Esther Dickey p. 14. She does go on to list 40 other foods that she stores for her family but the book uses only those 4 survival ingredients in the recipes.

I only purchased this book because I thought it would be fun to read about how preparedness was done in 1969.  Little did I know what a wealth of information Esther has in this book!  I found myself marking passages and turning down pages to mark things I wanted to try.  What this woman does with wheat is amazing!!!

Esther calls wheat, powdered milk, honey, and salt the Survival Four.  There are over 100 recipes using just those four ingredients. 

 Here are a few examples: 

• gluten (in all sorts of shapes and sizes)
• steamed wheat
• sprouted wheat
• making yeast
• batters and doughs
• soups and gravies
• cookies, crackers, candies
• ice cream and wheat pudding?!
• waffles, cereals
• caramel syrup, honey frosting
• cottage cheese and yogurt

Dessert anyone? Do you see the spoon shaped crackers?  Esther took a thin batter and using a squirt bottle made those spoon shapes on a cookie sheet.  After baking she uses them for dessert with a sweet topping on them.  She is so creative!!

There are many recipes that use the basics and are then turned into a meal. 

Included in the book after all the recipes are given, is a 7 day menu.  There is also a section on advanced preparation that helps plan out the cooking so meals will come together quickly.  Whether in an emergency situation or not, this is very useful time management information. 


Steamed wheat is turned into ice cream?!  I think this is the the reason I need this book...haha. But I really can't wait to try it out!

This book is FULL of tips, preparedness techniques, water and food storage ideas, and positive thinking for the future.  If there will ever be a time where food is scarce but we have prepared properly with survival foods....we will be able to keep our families alive. Esther cooked these meals for 10 days for her family of 7 and they were filling and nutritious. While reading this book I kept telling my husband how inspired this woman was!  To be able to take those four ingredients and come up with the recipes that she did, she had to have help from above.  This is one book that I will always have in my food storage library.  

Here is a link to buy this book on Amazon. 
I do not make money on this link.  It is purely for you to find it easier on Amazon.

Self-Reliant Saturday-- Food Storage Basics

Basic Storage is the foundation of any good food storage program. It is composed of life-sustaining foods that store well for long periods of time. 

While shopping at a local thrift store I found a really cool preparedness book. 

Written in 1969 it was a jewel of a find. While it doesn't have all the latest information on food storage it did have over 100 recipes that ONLY used 4 basic foods; wheat, powdered milk, honey and salt.  The whole concept of this book is that by storing only the basics you would be able to stay alive and survive in an emergency.  The author made meat wheat and all forms of gluten, sprouted wheat, candy, cookies, crackers, cereal, cottage cheese, yogurt, etc, and even had a seven day meal plan.  I'll have to read the whole book and do a proper review of it later, but it got me thinking of the basics in any food storage plan.  

The LDS Church does recommend that we store the basics found in the book above and now I know why.  There is so much that can be done with those four foods. I found a chart in my files, and I do not know where I got it from, of the amounts needed for food storage basic supplies.  This includes a more well-rounded meal plan than just wheat, powdered milk, honey, and salt.  Take a look and see where you could maybe fill in the gaps in your storage.  If you bought the amounts listed below once a month, for 12 months, you would have a year supply for one person.  Multiply the amounts by the number of people in your family to have food storage for every member of your family. 

One Month Supply

Based on a suggested amount, a month's supply for one person would consist of the following:

(the amounts are based on a 2300 calorie diet)

Grains (wheat, rice, oats, pasta etc)   25 lbs.

Powdered Milk   6.25 lbs.

Sugar or honey  5 lbs.

Salt  1/4 box

Fats & Oils  1 2/3rd lbs.

Legumes  5 lbs.   

Estimate 1 gallon of water minimum per day/per person

Purchasing in cans would be:

(1 Case of 6 #10 cans)

1 can wheat

1 can rice

1 can rolled oats or macaroni

1 can popcorn 

1 can non-instant dry milk

1 can dry beans 

PLUS:

5lb bag flour

4-5 lb bag sugar

26oz box salt

32oz bottle oil

One Month Supply of Shelf Stable Foods

Based on the MINIMUM of 1600 calories for one adult

18 oz. box oatmeal

1 lb rice

20 oz pasta 

5 lb flour

1 lb popcorn

34 cans vegetables (or freeze-dried equivalent)

26 cans fruit (or freeze-dried equivalent)

2 lb Velveeta (or freeze-dried cheese equivalent)

4 cans evaporated milk (12oz)

3.2 lbs powdered milk 

1 jar peanut butter (18oz)

4 cans tuna

4 cans chicken

4 cans ham 

8 cans cooked beans

PLUS:  oil-shortening-nuts-sugar-syrup-jam-molasses-salt

NOTE:  For a 2400 calorie diet add 1 more box of oatmeal, 1 lbs of rice, 40 oz pasta, 1 lb popcorn, 17 cans of veggies, 8 cans fruit, 1 can chicken, 1 can ham, and 5 cans beans

When the numbers get broken down into monthly amounts it seems a little easier to buy food for a food storage plan.  Don't get frustrated...please just start small and take it a step at a time.  

(watch for a book review this week of  "Passport To Survival" that I found at the thrift store)  

Back-To-Basics Frugal Food Storage Part 3: Bread Recipes

One of the ways that I am able to save money is to make my own breads at home.  The ingredients used for making bread are dirt cheap, have you noticed how much they charge you in the grocery store for artisan breads, even french bread.  It's outrageous to pay that much for flour and water. 

Here are a few of my favorite bread recipes.  Don't be scared of yeast, some people think it's tricky, but after using it a few times you'll get the hang of it.

Click HERE to view my all-time favorite bread recipe. 

Click HERE to see my favorite french bread recipe.

After you've made your bread, try this yummy french toast recipe.

Don't spend money on bagels either....click HERE for a bagel recipe that works for me.

If you try a new recipe give yourself time to learn it.  I remember trying to make bread the first time without a Bosch mixer and hand kneading.  It.took.forever.!!  And the final result was less than appetizing.  It took me almost 2 years, I'm a slow learner, to get my bread to a point of looking and tasting the way we like it.  Don't get frustrated and give up if it doesn't work the first time. Make a goal of trying a new bread recipe this week!

Back-To-Basics Money Part 2: Frugal Food Storage

Stocking up on life's essentials, plus food storage, can cost quite a bit. Being frugal is something I take pride in (my email is jrfrugalmom@gmail.com) and it's also how I am able to feed a family of 7 and still stock up on food storage and emergency preparedness supplies. For the most part I watch grocery sales and ONLY buy things on sale.  We don't eat out very often and hardly ever go to a movie, but we do rent movies and have cookouts in the backyard for family fun.  It's all about priorities and realizing that even if you miss the latest movie, life goes on, and most likely that movie you missed will be online or tv later.

I have written a few posts on frugal food storage because I feel no one should go into debt to acquire food storage.  Here are some of the ways that I save money while still stocking up.
 
 Click HERE to view a post on Frugal Preparedness.  It's all about shopping for preparedness items in the least likely places. 

Click HERE to view a post on inexpensive First Aid Supplies.

Click HERE to read all about making your own cleaning supplies.  The granite cleaner is my FAVORITE!!!!!!

Make your own crackers and save a ton of money!  Click HERE to see my favorite recipe.

Save money by making bulk mixes.  Click HERE to see that post.

Extend the life of your fresh produce by using these tricks.  Click HERE to see how!!

And click HERE to see how one blogger friend of mine affords her food storage....for only $10 a week.  

Excuses, Excuses, Excuses............
One of the excuses that people have for not having their food storage is that they can't afford it. I am here to tell you that you CAN afford it.

• Eat out less
• Take advantage of sales
• No impulse buying
• Cook from scratch (anything a manufacturer can make, so can you)
• Plan menus!!
• Entertainment: stay home, use the library, buy second hand
• Keep your car longer
• Have a money jar for spare change (cash in the change and use for your 72-hour kit or to buy food storage items)
• Be Thankful: if you are constantly thinking of things you have to have you won't appreciate what you are blessed with.

Most of us DO have money we could channel into food storage but without focus it is all too easy for the money to slip through our fingers. Keep this in mind: (all the cans are #10 cans size)

• magazine subscriptions for a year can be around $40=1 year supply of canned spaghetti
• Wii games are $49.99=6 cans of sugar, 6 cans of pinto beans & 3 cans of oats
• Movie tickets for 1 child and 1 adult (no snacks) $17.50= 6 cans of potato flakes
• DVD's cost $19.99=7 cans of white rice
• E-books cost $14.99 (average)=8 cans Hard Red Wheat
• Red Lobster dinner for 2 $50= 9 cans of apple slices
• New hardcover books $17-$25= 6 cans macaroni

Just keep in mind where the money spent is going and think of some alternative ways to find the items that you feel you have to have. Renting dvd's and borrowing movies and cd's from the library are some options. If you make your food storage a priority you will find ways to finance it. I love this quote:

 "The money slips through our fingers as we munch our way through life's countless Burger-McWendy's or avert our attention from the fact that PayPal really isn't always our pal". 

All we have to do is to decide, commit to it, and then keep that commitment. Blessings and miracles will happen!

Back-To-Basics: 3-Month Supply Part 3- Storage

Click HERE for part 1 and HERE for part 2 of the 3-month supply posts.  Today's post will be....

Storing food has two rules:

1. Store food properly to maintain the nutrients, keep it edible, and save you money.
2. Use the containers, jars, buckets, #10 cans, etc. that work FOR YOU!

Although I said to store food in containers that work for you please only store food in containers that were manufactured to store food.  Plastics will absorb what's in them.  If a bucket had some kind of chemical in it, don't use it for food.  Same goes for used buckets that had food with vinegar, garlic or other strong flavors.  It will be almost impossible to get those smells out of the buckets.  Vinegar flavored oats does not sound appetizing.

Most foods that will be in your 3-month storage will be smaller and can be stored in their original packaging.  But there are ingredients that I use in my daily cooking that I buy in bulk and need to be stored properly.  Wheat, flour, oats, millet, sugar, brown sugar, rice, are all bulk items that I use regularly.  I am going to show you what works for me and how I store my food, both short and long term.  It may or may not work for you.  Hopefully I have convinced you that #10 cans of "just in case" food aren't the best plan.  Your stored food needs to be foods you use daily, and they will need to be accessible, or you won't want to bother getting it out and using it. 

Now, hard core preppers may think I'm crazy to show you what I have and how I store it, but I am comfortable in showing my storage room.  It's to help you, I hope ;)  I am lucky, very lucky, to have a storage room just off of my garage. It is just steps away from my kitchen and it holds A LOT!  The bottom row all around the room are 5-gallon buckets.  Around 70 of them.  I know this because I carried them into the moving truck and back out again.  I keep wheat, rice, sugar, oats, millet, and flour in them.  Most, if not all of them have gamma lids for ease.  I use these buckets to fill my smaller kitchen pantry containers.  It's soooo much easier to have a gamma lid when I need to refill a smaller container. 

I tried using different colors for different items, but it turned into just using what I had when I needed a bucket.  I am kind of OCD when it comes to organizing and I really want the lids to all match....some day.  

Buckets are great for long-term storage.  I do have #10 cans of long-term wheat and milk that will last 25-30 years, but I like buckets for most of my storage. Mylar bags inside of the buckets will give you another barrier against air, light, and rodents.  I live in a very dry climate and so far, no rodents.  I'm OK with no Mylar bags, see rule 2 above.


 Pastas and other grains....

 

For my pastas I use these bins that I found at a local discount store.  We use this food in a year or less, so I feel a #10 can would be overdoing it.  I take the pasta out of these bins and put them in my kitchen pantry in vertical storage containers. 

I can pour directly from these containers, also found at the same local discount store, into a pan of boiling water.  Plus I love the way they line up and have labels. 

 

I also have a variety of these containers for mixes and larger amounts of food like rice and wheat.  The brown nuggets are actually beef tvp, not dog food, like my kids call it.

There are a few items that I store in mason jars.  I am a big fan of the foodsaver! I love to seal up dehydrated foods that I have dehydrated at home, and also food from #10 cans that I won't be using in a timely matter before they go bad. (click HERE to view all my posts on using the foodsaver)

Oh, and I like to seal chocolate too.  Click HERE to see that post :)

I opened my #10 can of freeze dried cheese to use it one night, but needed to make sure the remaining cheese stayed freeze dried.  I sealed the remaining cheese in mason jars.  We use a lot of cocoa powder at my house and I make sure it stays fresh by sealing it in jars with the foodsaver. 

Storage Re-Cap

-BUCKETS:  Decide how often you are going to use certain foods, long-term or short-term, in your storage and use containers that are appropriate for that use.  Don't buy sealed buckets, or #10 cans,  if you are going to need to use an item often, this is where gamma lids come in handy!  Decide if buckets, #10 cans, or a little of both work for you.

-#10 CANS:  #10 cans are perfect for long-term storage and for items that you aren't going to use on a daily basis.  I have powdered milk, freeze-dried fruits and veggies, freeze-dried cheese, rice, oats, and wheat stored in #10 cans.  If they were canned properly, all of those items are good for 25+ years in a #10 can.  Sugars, pastas, and other grains I prefer to keep in buckets. I use them more frequently and feel having them canned would waste money.

-ORGANIZATION:  Having shelves organized and labeled will allow you to rotate through your food before it's expiration.  I have buckets, #10 cans, plastic bins, smaller canned food, mason jars, a little of everything, stored on shelves, in buckets in my storage room, and smaller containers in my pantry,  and I rotate bulk items from the larger containers to the smaller containers.  This is what works for me and allows me to find what I need quickly.  There are many can rotater shelving units on the market and even a few homemade versions on pinterest.  I store my smaller cans in a Can Organizer.  Click HERE to view a post on how I put them together.  It's another area you need to research to find what works for you.  *Remember rule #2 :)

-STORE PROPERLY:  When I purchase food I immediately put it away.  This is a not a time for procrastination!!  Get the buckets out and fill them. Put cans away.  Don't let food sit out.  Label cans with dates, if that helps you to remember when to rotate it. Remember FIFO- first in first out- older cans go up front and newer cans go behind.  Don't assume you'll remember when you bought things.  (that's from experience too :)

-EAT IT:  Most importantly....eat what you store!!! Don't store foods just because a website or book says you are suppose to have x amount of something.  I detest most canned veggies, I'm sorry, but I can't eat them, so I have dehydrated and freeze dried versions, and extra water stored instead.  I do have #10 cans of milk and buckets of wheat that I don't use everyday, but almost everything else in my food storage gets used, almost daily!  That is how it has to work for rotation.  Store what you eat....eat what you store!!

Back-To-Basics: 3-Month Supply Part 2

Part one of the back-to-basics 3-month supply was all about WHY and HOW to begin a 3-month supply.  Click HERE if you missed that post.  Today we are going to learn....

So, how do you acquire all of this food storage??

After you have planned out your meals, made an ingredient list, and know how much to buy, you will need to go shopping.  

-Unless you have the budget, DO NOT go out and buy everything you need at once and put it on a credit card!  Slow and steady wins the race. But DO put aside a little every month for your food storage.  Or put off your wants until you have fulfilled your needs. Will that fancy vacation or fun new boat feed you in rough times? Priorities!

-Peruse the local grocery ads weekly and keep your eyes peeled for the items you need for your family.  Shopping when items are on sale will save you money!!  Purchase only the amount of items that your budget allows! Even if you only buy a couple of extra items each time you shop, you'll have food storage.  Remember.... "A Case of food is you can...A Can if you can't."  Coupons can also help tremendously, if you want to go that route.

-The grocery store sales cycle about every 3 months, so if  you missed a good deal this time, it will most likely be back in 3 months.  Plan ahead when to spend your money and save up for bigger purchases.

-In Utah we are lucky to have Case Lot sales at our local grocery stores.  Food is sold in cases at a discounted price. Check with your local grocery manager, they might be able to order cases for you if you don't have case lot sales.

-Group orders and buying in bulk.  Plan with friends, family, or neighbors and split the cost and bulk. Most food storage retailers have an online store.  Sign up for emails and you'll get a heads up on sales! Black Friday, last November, had some amazing online food storage deals.

-When buying dehydrated or freeze-dried food/meals, make sure you have tried them first before buying in bulk.  Every manufacturer is slightly different and you don't want a room full of dehydrated apples that no one wants to eat because the peeling is still on them. (guess how I know :) 

-Plant a garden to save money and also to learn.  Gardening is hard work and definitely has a learning curve.  Practice now while mistakes won't cause hunger. Store seeds!!

-Share and glean fruits and veggies from neighbors, family, and friends.  This is a great way to have extra food for canning and dehydrating.  And who doesn't love getting homemade jam from a friend!

 -Learn how to dehydrate and can.  Saving money sometimes requires buying something in bulk that may have an expiration date.  You can dehydrate almost anything and store it for use later. Click HERE to see how I store my dehydrated foods using a foodsaver. Canning also allows food such as meats and veggies a much longer shelf life in storage.

-The LDS Cannery is a great place to buy bulk items.  If you have a friend that is LDS they can go with you to purchase items.  There are also several staples that can be ordered online and shipped to your home for a very reasonable cost.  Check out lds.org for more info. 

-In the western United States there is a store called Winco.  They have amazing prices on food.  I especially love their bulk bin area for spices, cocoa powder, couscous, orzo, etc.  Spices are really affordable in bulk and I highly recommend checking this store out if you live near one.  

-Be on the lookout for stores that are closing.  There was a store this week in my town that was discounting everything 20-40% off.  I got medicine, feminine products, paper goods, trash bags, and deodorant for less than shopping with coupons!  There are also great savings at closeout stores, and dollar stores.  Just being aware of what is around me, I am able to save money and stock up!

 -Walking around the grocery store today I noticed many closeout prices on medicine and personal hygiene.  The stores don't like to keep inventory around when it isn't selling. Keep a look out for sales that aren't advertised. 

It really is quite easy to accomplish a goal of having food in your home that will last three months.  It will take a minute of your time to organize your recipes and shop but, if you commit to doing this, and do all you can, you will be blessed.

Back-To-Basics: 3-Month Supply Part 1

Every memory I have of food storage always included lots and lots of #10 cans of food in my parent's basement.  They were never used and my parents actually moved some of those cans, across the country, four times.  Last year I helped my dad clean out the basement and we threw away many of those cans from the 1960's.  

Thank goodness there is a more efficient and affordable way to plan out and use food storage today! Those of us who are Mormon have been raised with the idea that we need to have our one year supply of food on hand.  It has been that way since I was little (almost 40 years ago) and at one time we were also asked to have a 2 year supply.  In 2007 a new pamphlet came out from the Church that described a new approach to storing food.  We are now asked to have a 3-month supply of everyday, "normal", food.  When that is accomplished we are encouraged to continue and store longer-term items. This is sound advice for everyone, not just Mormons....emergencies, disaters, and job losses don't discriminate.

 Now, take a moment and consider WHY you personally want to have food storage?  

-Do you feel the need to be obedient to the counsel given by our Church leaders to become self-reliant?

-Do you want a feeling of peace that comes from having food and supplies stored away for a rainy day?

-Do you want the feeling of comfort if there is a job loss or sickness in your family, and you can still provide for your family?

-Do you want to be ready for any kind of weather related emergency? Know what weather may threaten your area!

-Do you fear an economic collapse and want the peace of knowing you could thrive in a time of despair for most?

-Or are you a hard core prepper that wants to be ready for the end of the world? 

-My main reason is....I don't want to see my children suffer from anything and if I can store extra food and supplies....I will do it now while I can!

Any one of those reasons is reason enough to store food for your family!  But take this into consideration......No one else is going to be there to rescue you, not the government, not the LDS Church, not even family.  If there is an earthquake in Utah, you may not be able to reach family and use their food storage.  Don't count on anyone but YOU to feed your family!!  Once you have the "WHY I am doing this"....you should be motivated to do it! I'm not comfortable relying on others to have food for my children.  How will you feel, watching your family go without food, knowing you could have done something to prevent that NOW?!  

The "new" way to do food storage is to store what your family eats on a regular basis.  Foods that are normal for your family and foods that fit within your dietary restrictions.  You get to customize what goes into your food storage!  The foods you use everyday are the foods you'll store and rotate because you're using them regularly.  Think of what is in your fridge and freezer, that is part of your 3-month supply.  

Some people also like to store in a way of "what ifs?" and that is ok too.  That means you don't want to rely on having electricity to use your 3-month supply.  You think in what if  scenarios, what if this or that happens?  How would I use my 3-month supply without electricity to cook and cool it?  What if I had to bug out somewhere besides my home?  I do count my refrigerator as part of my supply, but I also have canned and dehydrated options to fill in for those fresh foods, just in case. 

Three months is an interesting time frame, if you think about it.  If there was a quarantine, and you were forced to be in your home the whole time, it would probably last 8-12 weeks.   If you have 3 months worth of food and supplies you will be ahead of the rest, and it will give you time to figure out what to do after the 3 months is up.  If there was a disaster and there was a long term effect on food supplies, the 3 months would be a kind of buffer between what you know to do and what you will have to figure out to do later.  

 Planning.  That really is the key to a successful storage plan.  You have to know what your family eats and how much to buy.  Otherwise you end up with a room of food you don't use, or no one will eat.  Oh, and you will need to know how to cook, at least a few basic meals.  Sorry, but that is how it goes. Prepackaged food from the grocery store only lasts so long, and is quite expensive to stock up on and count it as your storage.  Learn to make bread, muffins, pizza dough, crackers, granola bars...you get it.  Follow the guidelines below and you'll be on your way to food storage success! This is what works for me and it may not work for you.  But try it out and see if works for you! I started with just dinners, but you can make a master list of all the meals, breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and shop for them all the time.  Starting with just one mealtime is a little easier.

It's really all about buying extra whenever you find a good deal at the store.  Sometimes my grocery shopping looks kind of odd.  I'll have 10 packages of butter and 4 packs of toilet paper in my cart, and that's all I'll need that week.  Once I bought 20 bags of chocolate chips and the cashier asked what I was making.  I replied that the price was too good to not stock up for my food storage.  She was surprised and said what a good idea that was.  Don't let strange comments or looks bother you, maybe you'll influence someone to start storing too!

Once you have your dinners complete make a list of recipes and ingredients for breakfast and lunch.  Or, you can only do breakfast and dinner.  If there wasn't electricity, cooking would be done mostly with a sun oven for me.  I would do my baking in the morning and early afternoon.  No sun=no cooking in a sun oven so no dinners started at 5:00 p.m. I am  planning on having a big afternoon meal and then a snack type meal of breads or muffins for dinner.  I have breakfasts and dinners planned for my family but you can plan all three meals.  Not all reasons for having a 3-month supply will mean we don't have electricity.  Having 3 square meals a day planned would be routine and your family would have a sense of normalcy.  Decide what works for YOU, plan it, and commit to do it!! 

Back-To-Basics Water Storage 3: Bathing & Filter Options

If you missed the first two posts on storing water click HERE and HERE to review.

One of the ideas I had for conserving water in an emergency would be to use a solar shower.  Owning a solar shower used to be pricey and I didn't want to pay a lot for one but, I found something that works for me.  I have tried using a 2-liter bottle to wash my hair, and it's really difficult to angle the bottle over your own head and rinse without getting water everywhere.  Taking a shower is something I don't want to do without in an emergency, and a way to clean up when so many other things will be out of control, will be comforting to those in your family.  A few years ago I discovered an attachment that fits on a garden sprayer to create a shower.  

This was before solar showers became more mainstream and a little more afforadble, but I think it's still is a frugal way to create a shower in an emergency.  It's not heated by the sun, but it could be painted black to absorb the heat from the sun, or add heated water to the base. (that would use up fuel in an emergency)

Four years ago I paid $13.00, with shipping, for 4 shower heads.  I gave two of them to my sister and kept the other two.  I bought the sprayer in the picture for $8.00 during a sale at Ace Hardware.  I have two of these emergency showers because there are 7 people in my household.  They will conserve our water, each sprayer holds a gallon of water, when water will be at a premium.  Controlling the water flow is as easy as letting go of the handle. When the handle isn't held down the water stops flowing.  It was easy to hang it on a branch outside, but it could be used inside in a shower/tub if your house wasn't compromised by a storm or earthquake. An outside shower tent is on my preparedness wishlist.

 After filling the base with warm water, simply pump the handle a few times until you feel resistance, and press the handle down on the attachment for the water to being flowing.  I timed how long the water ran before having to pump again, and it was around 35 seconds.  Now, that doesn't sound like a long time, but in-between shampooing and conditioning you don't need the water to be flowing.  It's long enough to rinse your hair, or your body, off.  Pumping the handle isn't difficult either, a child could easily do it. It won't take a lot of effort to take a shower. 

 The original source that I purchased my shower head attachments from is no longer available, but I found another source HERE and they are still reasonably priced at $5.20.

There are also solar showers available from emergency supply stores and online.  Check them out and see what would work for you.   

  This is something that I learned from a friend.  Store baby wipes and use them as a type of sponge bath. Use your shower as a weekly cleaning and the baby wipes as a daily refresher.  You will feel clean and more like yourself.  Nothing refreshes a person like being clean!!

 How are YOU planning on bathing in an emergency??

Water Filters

My last thought on water for this week:  Have a PLAN for when your stored water runs out!

Research filters both homemade and manufactured:
 The Berkey water filter
The Survival Still
An affordable ceramic gravity fed water filter
Other Water Filter Ideas
Low-cost homemade options 

Filter Water From Natural Sources:
  Know how to filter water from streams, lakes, and rivers.  

Back-To-Basics Water Storage Part 2: 55-gallon Water Barrels

How is your water storage coming along?  Did you take the challenge from my first post and store water for your family?  I hope you did, but if not, get going today!  I took my own advice and got around to a project that I have needed to do since I moved into my home a year and a half ago.  

When I moved, in January, we (I say we, but it was really my husband) emptied two 55-gallon water barrels, that were frozen solid.  My husband, bless him, never complained, just added more hot water and loaded the empty barrels on the truck.  And empty is how they remained until this past week.  

  

I needed to move the empty barrels from the garage into the storage room.  Right where that pile of junk is.  It took some maneuvering but I got them in there.

 

After the 2 barrels were put into place, they needed to be filled up.  Empty barrels defeat the purpose of owning them!!  One of the barrels was pretty dirty and so I added some water, swished it around and dumped it out. 

 

 And let me tell you what....I am so glad that I flipped that bad boy over....there was an entire family of spiders living on the bottom of this barrel.  There was even an egg sack!  If I hadn't checked they would have moved into my storage room....yuck!!!

After the spider removal I used a bung wrench (make sure you have one!!) to open the barrels.  

Then I filled them up.  I am really lucky that I have a hose hook up in my garage that uses culinary water.  The hose isn't used for yard work and I felt it was safe to use to fill up our water barrels.  

 

I thought I was going to be there all day filling up these barrels, but I was completely done in about an hour and a half.  That included moving all the stuff around, cleaning them, and filling them.  The actual filling only took about 20 minutes for two barrels. 

 

 After they were filled I put the caps back on and they were good to go.  There is no need to add cleaners or purifying ingredients if you use culinary water to fill up water containers.  The water is already treated and if your container is clean, you shouldn't have an issues with bacteria. 

Don't forget that if you ever need to get the water back out of the barrel, that you'll need a pump, siphon, and a bung wrench to open the caps.  I keep my water barrel paraphernalia close by but out of the way.  I would also suggest having a few 5-gallon water containers with a spigot to siphon the water into.  Five gallons is a manageable size to carry after filling it.  I have no intention of moving my 55-gallon barrels for a long time, but if I needed to get water out they aren't too far away from my kitchen or backyard.  Lugging a 5-gallon container from the big barrel to wherever we need the water is something I thought about before filling the 55-gallon barrels. 

Okay, it's your turn!  Did you get any water stored this week??  

Back-To-Basics Water Storage Part 1

Welcome to the first post in my Back-To-Basics series.  My goal is to have a new topic up each week, but today we're starting with.....

I think everyone will agree that we all need water to live.  Our bodies can't survive longer than three days without it and that's why it is number one when it comes to food storage. This is also the easiest part of food storage to accomplish because water is fairly inexpensive, easy to get, and most containers for storage are easily found. 

If you don't have any food storage at all, I urge you (silently begging you) to get your water storage done today!!  

A gallon per person per day is the bare minimum that you will need to store. Youngsters, nursing mothers may need more. My water was shut off one day, due to construction, and it took almost 3 2-liter bottles of water to just wash my hair.  That made me pause and realize how much water I was going to need with 4 daughters.  But in all seriousness I'm thinking that 2 gallons per person would give each person enough water for hygiene, laundry, cleaning, and drinking.  See if you can get 2 weeks stored away (that's 28 gallons per person) and that would be a great start!  It's only a start because there really isn't a feasible way to store a year's worth, or longer, of water.  You will need to find water from another source after your stored water runs out. 

• 2-liter soda bottles, juice bottles, laundry detergent bottles....NOT milk containers...they will break down and leak.  Clean the soda and juice bottles with soapy water, or a small amount of bleach, and let air dry.  Fill them with tap water and they are good to go.  The detergent bottles will store water used for cleaning. Make sure to mark them clearly as WATER.
• Mason jars that aren't being used at the time.  

• Smaller water bottles that come in 24 packs are great for everyday water needs.  
• 5-Gallon water jugs, with a spigot
• Water bricks (look online)
• 55-gallon water barrels

Just remember to use clean containers and plain old tap water will be safe to fill them all up.  Keep a variety of water containers in different sizes.  If you only have 55-gallon barrels, you'll be sad when you have to evacuate and you can't lift one of those!  The smaller the container, the easier to transport.   Store your water in different places in your home.  If all of your water is in one area and that area gets damaged....I hope you have some strong men and lots of shovels.  Keep water in the garage, basement, kitchen, cars, under the bed, etc.  Try to store your water in cool, dry places.  The sun will encourage bacteria to grow.  (I would rotate water at least once a year that sits outside in the sun, but I don't rotate my water if it's in my house)

• Lakes, streams, rivers in your area
• Water heaters
• Toilet tanks (not the bowl!)
• Wells
• Rain barrels
• Liquid from canned foods
• Melted ice from your freezer
• Pools & spas, but use it for cleaning only!
• NOT a water bed!!

Some of the above sources will most likely need to be purified.  If in doubt...treat it!!  Do you have the supplies to purify water?

Bleach:  

1. Filter the water through a coffee filter, t-shirt, or any clean cloth.
2. If you have a heat source, boil the water for a minute, but let cool down completely before adding the bleach.
3. If you have clear water add 1/8 t-1/4 t (8-16 drops) of bleach and shake/stir.  Use 1t for 5 gallons of water.  Double the amount for cloudy water.  Make sure the bleach doesn't have any added perfumes or dyes. (1/8 t per 2-liter bottle)
4. Wait 30 minutes.
5. The water must smell like bleach to be safe to drink.  If is doesn't smell of bleach, repeat step 3.

Bleach does have an expiration time of about 8-12 months.  Make sure you are using and rotating it. I write the date I bought it with a sharpie before putting it on my shelf.

Boiling:

1. Boil water for at least one minute. Water is purified the minute it reaches the boiling point, but if you let it boil for 1 minute, you'll be safe.  
2. Make sure to filter the water first if it is cloudy or has debris in it.  
3. Let it cool before drinking.  Boiling does leave a taste to the water.  Add oxygen back in it by pouring it between two containers before drinking. 

My theory is...if in doubt....purify it!!!  

Calcium Hypochlorite: AKA "Pool Shock"

1. 1lb bag will treat 10,000 gallons of water.
2. C.H. doesn't degrade like bleach does
3. Only buy the granular type...not the liquid...it will degrade.
4. 1 gallon bag will treat 1 gallon of water per day for a family of 4 or 6-7 years. 
5. First make a chlorine solution of 1 C. of water and 1/4 t of C. H. (78%)*, mix until dissolved and DO NOT DRINK THIS SOLUTION!  It will be used to purify your water.
6.  Add a 1/2 t of chlorine solution to 2 gallons of water. Stir or shake.
7. Let sit for one hour minimum before drinking.
8. Calcium hypochlorite can be found in pool supply stores, or where ever pool supplies are sold. (I found some at Wal-Mart)
9. *C.H. does come in different strengths.  The store brands are usually about 52% and the stronger stuff, 78%-99% will be found at pool supply stores.  If you use the lower percentage you might need to purify the water more then once.  

There are also many water filters, and water bottles with built in filters, on the market today.  Do the research to find what works best for your family, or research a product called Steramine, found on Amazon. It purifies water too.  We are so lucky to live in a day in age where a couple clicks of the computer, or phone, and we get instant information.

• buy a solar shower to conserve water when bathing
• use spray bottles for hand washing....one bottle has soapy water and another bottle has clean water to rinse hands with
• keep sanitizers in your storage for cleaning hands in times when water isn't really needed
• use the juices from canned goods in cooking
• use cups and a large container of water to dispense drinks. If you hand out water bottles to everyone, they will drink part of it and most likely waste the rest.  Picture your campsite/bug out spot full of the same water bottles and no one knows whose is whose.  (pack a sharpie to write names with your water supply)

Your goal is no more procrastination!!!  My next post will show you how I follow my own advice!  If you don't have water stored, start today!  If you do have water stored, add a gallon or two more. Knowledge is power, but that knowledge won't quench your thirst....commit to DO something today!! 

Back-To-Basics: A New Series on Food Storage

 Sometimes you have to get back to the basics and re-learn something you thought you already knew.  I started this blog about 5 years ago and in the last year, or so, I haven't blogged as frequently.  Hopefully I haven't forgotten too much about food storage!  But my church calling (job) changed and I didn't have the focus on food storage that I had before.  But, that will change now!  I am back in the prepping mode and with new motivation.  So, I've decided it would be helpful to get back-to-basics, and get a refresher course in all things food storage related.    

 

For starters we are going to learn all there is to know about storing water and then all about having a 3-month supply of food.  It can be intimidating and I feel I lose a lot of people before they have even started, just because they don't know where to begin. I will break it all down and explain how I do food storage, and hopefully that will help all of you!  Cause there isn't just on way of doing things.  I learn so much from others and find new ways of doing things that I wouldn't have thought of by myself.  Check back next week for part one of my Food Storage Back-To-Basics Series!!