72-Hour Kit Time Capsule

A friend and neighbor called one day and asked if I would want some old survival kits that were in her home from the previous owner.  Of course I wanted them!  Does a chocoholic like chocolate? I didn't even hesitate and ran over to pick them up.  I was excited to open them up and see what was packaged and what may be still useful.  (We'll get to that later)  My sister was visiting my home and she is interested in all things preparedness so we set up on the back deck with a screwdriver and excitement.

Survival Kits made by the Perma Pack company.

  The kits were sealed in a tin can and were made by Perma Pack in 1961!!!!  I know the date because there was newspaper stuffed into the top of each can with that date on it. I was excited because it said that all the contents fed 6 people and I couldn't wait to see what they had in there.  Well, after we pried the lids off the first thing we noticed was the smell.  I wish I had a scratch and sniff sticker so you all could participate.  You could say the smell was a little overwhelming, and what I really mean is A LOT overwhelming!!  It was very rancid, but we had to keep going to see what was inside.  

This was also fun to read what was going on in 1961.

1961!!!

Inside were packs of dehydrated and powdered food.  My favorite was the powdered multi-purpose food :)  What you would make out of that I don't quite know.  There were powdered drink mixes, cocoa  mix, syrup powder, pancake mix, crackers, rope, kleenex, hand wipes, a sewing kit, plastic spoons, dehydrated carrots, oats, honey powder, instant pudding, fuel tablets, alcohol wipes, instant chicken and beef soups, instant gravy, instant potatoes, powdered applesauce, dehydrated peaches, instant milk powder, camp stew mix, aluminum foil to make a pan with, water disinfectant tablets, multi-vitamins, salt packets, and a whistle.  We did come across the rancid smelling item and it was dehydrated peaches.  I tell you, I can still smell it just by thinking of it.  We actually had to go inside and take a break and get some water.  We all took deep breaths and headed back outside.  

I would love to know what you make with this :)

The source of the awful smell, rotten dehydrated fruit!

 I assume that the food was originally vacuum sealed since it was purchased from the Perma Pack company, but it hadn't held up and the bags all had air in them.  The food was all inedible and rotten.  So if any of you out there have kits that have been sitting in your basement or garage, I highly suggest you find them and go through them.

There was a package of crackers in each can.

We dared my daughter to eat one, and she couldn't do it.

 The only items of use were the plastic cups, spoons, sewing kit, rope, and the matches.  The kits were impressive because they were packed to feed a family of 6 and it was all contained in the tin can.  There were a lot of mixes though and you would need quite a bit of water to make all of the food.  I filled an entire garbage bag with the contents from these kits, so that shows how much actually fit in the cans.

These were all of the item in each can.

 It was like Christmas for me and I had fun opening a time capsule of survival ingredients from days past.  The lesson learned was to keep our 72-hour kits up to-date.  If you could have smelled what I did you would be adding to your kits on a weekly basis :).  

October Goals

 

Beans-60lbs per person per year.  Beans, peas, lentils, nuts, and sprouting beans.  Store in a cool dry place and dry beans will last 30+ years.  Canned beans have a shelf life of around 2 years.  Rinse your canned beans and soak dry beans to lessen the "effects" of beans.  Soak dry beans for 8-12 hours, rinse and add new water.  Simmer and cook as directed. 

 

Cold weather clothing and bedding-Take inventory of your coats, hats, gloves, boots, sleeping bags, long underwear, ski clothing, bedding and blankets.  Have a year supply of clothing for children.  Keep blankets and gloves in your car for emergencies. 

 

Enjoy the journey!

Enjoy the blessings!

Feel the peace!

Recipes Using Beans

Since we are storing beans this month I thought it would be helpful if I shared some great recipes to use them.  In the graham cracker recipe you will use white bean flour and this combined with the flour makes a complete protein.  This makes the cracker healthier and almost equal to the protein you would get from meat, nuts, or dairy.  In a situation where meat may be scarce using your beans a protein source will be helpful to keep your family healthy. 

Graham Crackers

1 ¾ C whole wheat flour
¼ C white bean flour
1/3 C powdered milk
¼ t baking soda
1 t (scant) baking powder
½ t cinnamon
pinch of salt
Mix all above ingredients and then add:
1/3 C oil
½ C warm honey
1 t lemon juice (or vinegar)
1 T vanilla
2 T water
Mix all until well moistened. Spray a jellyroll pan with cooking spray and roll out dough thinly onto pan. Prick with fork. (I actually flip my pan upside down and roll the dough on that side. It makes it easier to cut after cooking) Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes. Remove from oven and cut into graham cracker rectangles with a pizza cutter. It can be tricky finding the right depth to roll the dough. The thinner the dough the crunchier the cracker.


Black Bean Cakes with Mole Salsa (from tasteofhome.com)
1 can black beans rinsed and drained
1 egg beaten
1 C shredded zucchini
½ C dry breadcrumbs
¼ C shredded Mexican cheese blend
2 T chili powder
¼ t each salt, baking powder, and cumin
2 T olive oil
Mash the beans and add all ingredients and mix well. Shape into 6 patties and brush both sides with oil. Place on baking sheet and broil 3-4” from heat for 3-4 minutes.

Salsa-
2 med. Tomatoes chopped
1 T lime juice
1 small green pepper, chopped
1-2 t minced chipotle pepper in adobo sauce
3 T grated chocolate
1 t honey
1 green onion thinly sliced
2T minced fresh cilantro
Combine all ingredients and serve over patties.

October Goals
 
Beans-60lbs per person per year.  Beans, peas, lentils, nuts, and sprouting beans.  Store in a cool dry place and dry beans will last 30+ years.  Canned beans have a shelf life of around 2 years.  Rinse your canned beans and soak dry beans to lessen the "effects" of beans.  Soak dry beans for 8-12 hours, rinse and add new water.  Simmer and cook as directed. 
 
Cold weather clothing and bedding-Take inventory of your coats, hats, gloves, boots, sleeping bags, long underwear, ski clothing, bedding and blankets.  Have a year supply of clothing for children.  Keep blankets and gloves in your car for emergencies. 
 
Enjoy the journey!
Enjoy the blessings!
Feel the peace!

October Goals

Fall is here, Conference has started and we have a new month of goals to accomplish. If you have been procrastinating all year, today is the day to start. This month we are storing LEGUMES. Beans, peas, and lentils all fall into this category and you will need to store 60lbs per person per year. Many legumes can be purchased at the LDS cannery.

Black beans 25lbs $14.50
Pinto beans 25lbs $16.30
White beans 25lbs $14.10

Beans eaten with grains or nuts will make a complete protein. In a situation where you don't have meat or eggs you can still have a complete protein with beans and grains.

I found a great site that has sorted out all the different kinds of legumes and has great pictures and definitions. Click HERE to read this great information.
Our other goal for October is to store cold weather clothing, shoes and bedding. Could you live for a year without buying winter coats, boots, hats, mittens, etc? If you have children you need to have a year's worth of clothing stored. In the event of an evacuation or an emergency and you were in a car or tent over night in the middle of winter, would you be prepared with blankets and sleeping bags?

Don't hesitate! Prepare today!!

Before The Disaster Strikes

Earthquake Drill

Are you prepared? I hear this question more frequently and I feel an urgency that we need to be able to answer "yes" to this question. I found a step-by-step guide to help you have all the essentials ready in an emergency. Hopefully you will only need to accomplish a few of these, but it has quite a bit of useful information.

Personal & Family Preparedness

Before the Disaster Strikes
"If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear," D&C 38:30

1.Establish a system for knowing where your family members are in an emergency. Where will you meet?
2. Know how to contact community resources such as fire, police and ambulance services.
3. Have and maintain fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, gas/carbon monoxide alarms. Know how to use them and place them in effective places.
4. Know how to shut off the gas, electricity, and water to your house. Have the proper wrenches or tools available to use on these connections.
5. Prepare and have conveniently available a 72-hour kit of food, water, and first aid supplies.
6. Have available various kinds of clothing, blankets, fuel, tools, and useful things to repair to keep your house operating properly or livable.
7. Find and keep in a safe kind of storage: important documents, identity papers, papers that establish your accounts at banks, ret. funds, social security,etc.
8. Keep other personal valuables in some kind of safe fire proof container. Have it handy so you can get all of these kinds of things out to safe places an quickly.
9. Store and rotate a year's supply of food, water and fuel of various kinds, (wood/coal for the fireplace, fuel for your gas stove, propane for the bbq, kerosene for a heater, batteries for flashlights, etc.)
10. Get your hand on food seed of every kind, lots of them. Store them in a cool, dry place. (vacuum seal in a jar)
11. Develop some useful skills from the Red Cross, know CPR, take some classes if possible, in life saving, and first aid. Consider the CERT class program.
12. Know ahead of time, and have some communication devices if possible to report your condition and status to your family, civil authorities, neighbors, or block captains.
13. Get your financial affairs in order. Get OUT of debt a.s.a.p!! Have some cash on hand, at least several hundred dollars. Have it in small bills and coins. (Don't have several $100 gold pieces, that is hard to breakup for everyday goods)
14. Get a portable gas/propane generator, 3500 watts or more. You will be able to save the food stuffs in your freezer and refrigerator, even power your furnace.

LAST ITEM......keep quiet about all the provisions you have. Remember TMI.... (too much information)

Don't forget about the September goals.....

SEPTEMBER GOALS:

Case Lot Sales: This is the month for case lot sales at most grocery stores. It is a great time to stock up on items that you will use all year long. I love to get broth, cream soups, chicken noodle soup, canned fruit, mandarin oranges, honey, paper towel, toilet paper, etc. If you missed the Smiths sale don't worry, Maceys sale starts on the 29th and continues until the 13th of Oct.

Fruit: The recommended amount of fruit for a one year storage is 185lbs per person. This is a great month to get canned fruit at the case lot sales. Dehydrating fruit is another way to store fruit. Tell your friends and neighbors that you will take their extra bounty off their hands for them. Then you can dehydrate the fruit and store it is mason jars that are vacuum sealed with a Food Saver. Think of things like raisins, canned mandarin oranges, canned pears & peaches, dried apples, etc.

Non-Food Goal: Sewing Supplies-This month you will need to collect thread, scissors, needles, buttons, zippers and extra fabric. We could see a time when we will be wearing and using our clothing items a lot longer than we are used to. Kids grow fast and knowing how to sew and repair clothing will be a necessity.


Enjoy the Journey!
Enjoy the Blessings!

Feel the Peace!

Grocery Deals & Grab-n-Go List!

Would you be ready to evacuate your home in 5 minutes? Herriman residents were asked to do this and we need to take note of what happened and BE PREPARED!!! Today, write a list of the items that you would need to grab-and-go. This is called a grab-and-go list and should be posted in several places in your home. Have a trial run with your family and have your 72-hour kits ready and accessible. Don't procrastinate, do it today!!!

Grocery deals are slim this week. I wanted to mention that if you haven't been shopping for your 3-month supply, you could get many items in one stop and save a lot of money by shopping at Winco. They are located on 7200 S. just west of I-15. I LOVE this store. Many canned and boxed goods are the same price as the case lots sales. Their bulk bin area will save you money on spices, cocoa powder, pastas,etc. Produce is also cheaper in general at Winco. If you are ever out that way I would stop in and take a look. I will make my shopping list for about a month and then shop at Winco.

The following amounts are what a person or family would need for a year storage. I only show these so you understand what it will take for a family to live off of storage. Work on your 3-month storage until that is complete and then work toward the year long storage.
PP=per person and PF=per family

FRUITS AND VEGETABLES 185LBS EACH PF (fresh, canned, and dehydrated)
MEATS 20LBS PP(frozen, canned and fresh)
DAIRY 16LBS PP
GRAINS 300LBS PP (this includes pastas, cereals, crackers, rice, oats, wheat and flour)
OILS & FATS 25LBS PP (salad dressings, peanut butter, shortening, butter, mayonnaise, and oils)
SUGAR 60LBS PP (honey, white sugar, powdered and brown sugar, molasses, corn syrup, jams & jellies, flavored gelatin, and powdered drink mix)
WATER 14 + GALLONS PP FOR 2 WEEKS

**REMEMBER THAT I ONLY LIST THE DEALS THAT I FEEL ARE THE BEST PRICES.

• CANTALOUPE .39LB
• KROGER COTTAGE CHEESE, SOUR CREAM, DIPS .88EA
• BREYERS ICE CREAM $2.48
• MICHELINAS ENTREES .88

• APPLES .89LB
• CANTALOUPE .33LB
• YELLOW ONIONS .49LB
• SIRLOIN PORK CHOPS OR ROAST BONE-IN $1.59LB
• SHUR SAVING MILK $1.89
• WF PASTA 22OZ .99
• WF SALAD DRESSING 16OZ .99

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25TH MEAT SALE

• LEAN GROUND BEEF SOLD IN 2LB CHUB $1.79LB
• OVEN RUMP ROAST BONELESS $1.79LB
• SANDERSON FARMS WHOLE CHICKEN FRYER .89LB

SEPTEMBER GOALS:

Case Lot Sales: This is the month for case lot sales at most grocery stores. It is a great time to stock up on items that you will use all year long. I love to get broth, cream soups, chicken noodle soup, canned fruit, mandarin oranges, honey, paper towel, toilet paper, etc. Smiths stores start on the 8th and Macey's starts at the end of the month on the 29th.

Fruit: The recommended amount of fruit for a one year storage is 185lbs per person. This is a great month to get canned fruit at the case lot sales. Dehydrating fruit is another way to store fruit. Tell your friends and neighbors that you will take their extra bounty off their hands for them. Then you can dehydrate the fruit and store it is mason jars that are vacuum sealed with a Food Saver. Think of things like raisins, canned mandarin oranges, canned pears & peaches, dried apples, etc.

Non-Food Goal: Sewing Supplies-This month you will need to collect thread, scissors, needles, buttons, zippers and extra fabric. We could see a time when we will be wearing and using our clothing items a lot longer than we are used to. Kids grow fast and knowing how to sew and repair clothing will be a necessity.

Enjoy the Journey!
Enjoy the Blessings!
Feel the Peace!

Water 101

This month we are storing fruit, sewing supplies, and shopping the great case lot sales. It is the half way point of the month and I hope you are making great progress with this month's goals.

I am going to veer off from this month's goals to talk about water. Water is one of the most important storage items, yet for whatever reason it is often neglected. Many water storage barrels take up a lot of room, but many containers may be used for water storage. Store water only in food-grade plastic containers. Some containers like milk jugs will degrade over time, look for the PETE symbol on the bottom of the container. Soda bottles, 
Gatorade, Powerade, and laundry detergent bottles (for cleaning) can all be used to store water.

Before storing your water you must sanitize the container. Add 1 teaspoon of bleach (with no additives or scents) to one quart of water. After sanitizing your container fill with water, it is not necessary to treat the tap water that is already chlorinated. Store water in a cool, dark place to inhibit bacteria.

As with all emergency preparation it is a good idea to have a Plan A, Plan B, and a Plan C and have all the necessary supplies and skills that go with those plans. This also applies to water storage and purifying it. If you plan on boiling water you will need fuel, and if you have no fuel you will need a plan B. It is a good idea to double up on the purification options. Better to be safe than sorry!

In an emergency situation you must presume that ALL water is contaminated and NOT SAFE to be consumed! Before purifying the water it is a good idea to strain it through layers of paper towel or coffee filters to remove large particles. There are several ways to purify water.

Boiling-
Boiling is the most common and most recommended way to purify water. Bring water to a rolling boil for 3 minutes. The longer you boil the better chance of eliminating organisms and bacteria. As the water cools, stir it once a minute to mix air into it, which will help any bad taste.

Bleach-
Disinfecting with household bleach kills some, but no all, types of bacteria and organisms. The bleach MUST contain chlorine in order to work. Don't use bleach with additives, or scents, and the chlorine content will evaporate within a year so plan on rotating it yearly.
Add 8 drops of bleach for each gallon of water and stir well. Cover and let stand 3o minutes. Check and if there isn't a chlorine smell, repeat the dosage and let sit 15 more minutes. Double the amount of chlorine if the water is cloudy, colored or if the water is extremely cold.

Iodine-
This is less effective than bleach, but is better than no treatment at all. Add 5 drops of 2% iodine to every quart/liter of clear water. Add 10 drops if the water is cloudy and let the solution stand for at least 30 minutes.

Water Filters-
There are two different kids of filters. The gravity-based systems (Aquarian & Berkey) and the water bottle filter. The gravity-based systems are very good at purifying water but are expensive, while the water bottle filter can travel easier and are relatively affordable. (click here to see the filter the Church endorses) It is recommended that 2 drops of chlorine or iodine be used with the water bottles.



I strongly urge everyone to have a water storage in place and have several back-up plans to filter your water. You can only survive about 3 days without water and it is the first thing your family will be asking for in an emergency. Don't let another week go by without storing SOME kind of water. Every Tuesday at Harmons you can purchase 2 24packs of water for $1.99! That is a great stock up price! If you are close to a Harmons store on a Tuesday you have a perfect invitation to purchase bottled water!
SEPTEMBER GOALS:

Case Lot Sales: This is the month for case lot sales at most grocery stores. It is a great time to stock up on items that you will use all year long. I love to get broth, cream soups, chicken noodle soup, canned fruit, mandarin oranges, honey, paper towel, toilet paper, etc. Smiths stores start on the 8th and Macey's starts at the end of the month on the 29th.

Fruit: The recommended amount of fruit for a one year storage is 185lbs per person. This is a great month to get canned fruit at the case lot sales. Dehydrating fruit is another way to store fruit. Tell your friends and neighbors that you will take their extra bounty off their hands for them. Then you can dehydrate the fruit and store it is mason jars that are vacuum sealed with a Food Saver. Think of things like raisins, canned mandarin oranges, canned pears & peaches, dried apples, etc.

Non-Food Goal: Sewing Supplies-This month you will need to collect thread, scissors, needles, buttons, zippers and extra fabric. We could see a time when we will be wearing and using our clothing items a lot longer than we are used to. Kids grow fast and knowing how to sew and repair clothing will be a necessity.

Enjoy the Journey!
Enjoy the Blessings!
Feel the Peace!

Case Lot Sales

STOCK UP WHEN ITEMS ARE ON SALE!!

That is your mission this month. September is case lot sale month and you have the chance to buy food almost as low as coupon users can get with a good sale and a coupon. Don't buy only one item this month, buy a few or a whole case. Only purchase items that your family will use and stay within your budget. This month one of our goals is to store fruit. Now is the time to buy canned peaches, pears, and mandarin oranges at the case lot sales.

If you would like to view a great price comparison list, click HERE to download or print a Case Lot Price Comparison list from preparedldsfamily.blogspot.com. You will find the link in the box on the left side of the blog under case lot sales. I keep this list in my purse so I can check prices often.

I don't have prices as of yet, but Smiths sales start on the 8th. Look for these items:

Canned tomatoes
Broth
Canned fruit
Creamed Soups
Canned mushrooms
Tomato sauce
Spaghetti Sauce
Pasta
Paper Towel
Toilet paper
Ramen noodles
Honey
55-Gallon water containers (at Macey's)
Cake mixes and brownie mixes

I will post the prices on Wednesday! Are you excited as I am? (probably not, but that's ok)

SEPTEMBER GOALS:

Case Lot Sales: This is the month for case lot sales at most grocery stores. It is a great time to stock up on items that you will use all year long. I love to get broth, cream soups, chicken noodle soup, canned fruit, mandarin oranges, honey, paper towel, toilet paper, etc. Smiths stores start on the 8th and Macey's starts at the end of the month on the 29th.

Fruit: The recommended amount of fruit for a one year storage is 185lbs per person. This is a great month to get canned fruit at the case lot sales. Dehydrating fruit is another way to store fruit. Tell your friends and neighbors that you will take their extra bounty off their hands for them. Then you can dehydrate the fruit and store it is mason jars that are vacuum sealed with a Food Saver. Think of things like raisins, canned mandarin oranges, canned pears & peaches, dried apples, etc.

Non-Food Goal: Sewing Supplies-This month you will need to collect thread, scissors, needles, buttons, zippers and extra fabric. We could see a time when we will be wearing and using our clothing items a lot longer than we are used to. Kids grow fast and knowing how to sew and repair clothing will be a necessity.

Enjoy the Journey!
Enjoy the Blessings!
Feel the Peace!