Case Lots & Classes

I had a week full of case lot shopping and emergency prep classes.  I love learning more about preparedness and seeing how others organize their food storage.  

I attended two classes at Honeyville Farms in Salt Lake City.  They are free and open to anyone.  In April they have a class every Tuesday at 11:00 a.m.

This past Tuesday Glen Weeks (a retired Major in the Army & Preparedness Consultant) gave a lecture on emergency preparedness and getting through the first 72 hours of an emergency.  He  explained how sanitation would become our biggest problem if there were no more working indoor plumbing.  Everyone needs to have a portable loo.  Click HERE to view a previous post on luggable loo's.
My favorite quote from Glen was "Everyday is practice day for doomsday!" You can read more from Glen on his website HERE.


Today I attended another class at Honeyville taught by Liesa Card.  She has written a wonderful book titled "I Dare You To Eat It" and she describes her journey of food storage and obedience.  I learned how she keeps 30 meals in her kitchen by storing her food by recipe.  So in one cupboard are her rice dinners with all the canned goods together for that recipe.  She does this for wheat, pasta, rice, beans, and potatoes.  What I took away from hearing Liesa is that we, as members of the church, are commanded to prepare and in doing so we can help others along the way.  We can be the person to bless others in time of need along with being prepared for our own families.  Check our Liesa's website HERE.  


Remember you have until Tuesday to shop the case lot sales! Stock up and get great prices on food before they soar even higher.


April Goals

3-Month Supply Goal:  Use your ingredient lists (made from all the recipes that you are including in your 3-month menu) to shop the case lot sales.  Buy at least one case of food for your storage.

Water Storage Goal:  Look for deals on water. (Smiths has a 24ct case of water for $2.50).  Also use this month as your water rotation month. Empty those large water containers and fill them with fresh water.

Financial Reserve Goal: Use some of your savings (from Feb. & March) to purchase a few cases of food from the case lot sales.

Long-Term Goal:Purchase food and supplies from the case lot sales.  Do you see a trend?:)  It is your choice as to what to purchase, but don't let the sales end without purchasing a few items. I love to get all my paper towel and toilet paper from Maceys grocery store.  I try to get at least 6 months worth (the next case lot sale will be in Sept. to restock)
 

Emergency Preparedness Goal:  April and October are our 72-hour kit months.  You will need to get yours out and go through them.  Eat the food near expiration and rotate warm and cold weather clothes.  If you don't have a 72-hour kit PLEASE have a basic kit with a backpack, water, and at least some granola bars.  Then work on expanding your kit.  Look on the side bar of the blog for more ideas to add to your kits. 

This is such a great time to catch up if you haven't been stocking your pantry!  Don't waste any more time, get those cases of food and start cooking with them!  

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

April Goals

April is here and it's time for new goals.  This month will be relatively easy.  It is case lot sale time and that makes it really easy to stock up on canned goods, etc.  Read the blog on Wednesday's to see the great deals at the grocery stores. See this week's deals HERE!

April Goals

3-Month Supply Goal:  Use your ingredient lists (made from all the recipes that you are including in your 3-month menu) to shop the case lot sales.  Buy at least one case of food for your storage.

Water Storage Goal:  Look for deals on water. (Smiths has a 24ct case of water for $2.50).  Also use this month as your water rotation month. Empty those large water containers and fill them with fresh water.

Financial Reserve Goal: Use some of your savings (from Feb. & March) to purchase a few cases of food from the case lot sales.

Long-Term Goal:Purchase food and supplies from the case lot sales.  Do you see a trend?:)  It is your choice as to what to purchase, but don't let the sales end without purchasing a few items. I love to get all my paper towel and toilet paper from Maceys grocery store.  I try to get at least 6 months worth (the next case lot sale will be in Sept. to restock)
 

Emergency Preparedness Goal:  April and October are our 72-hour kit months.  You will need to get yours out and go through them.  Eat the food near expiration and rotate warm and cold weather clothes.  If you don't have a 72-hour kit PLEASE have a basic kit with a backpack, water, and at least some granola bars.  Then work on expanding your kit.  Look on the side bar of the blog for more ideas to add to your kits. 

This is such a great time to catch up if you haven't been stocking your pantry!  Don't waste any more time, get those cases of food and start cooking with them!  

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

The Celestial Nature of Self-Reliance

Many thoughts have gone through my mind as I hear and see more images and information from Japan.  The thought that has stuck with me is the need to become self-reliant.  Self-reliance is a prerequisite to service.  "Without self-reliance one cannot exercise these innate desires to serve.  How can we give if there is nothing there?  Food for the hungry cannot come from empty shelves.  Money to assist the needy cannot come from an empty purse.  Support and understanding cannot come from the emotionally starved."  President Marion G. Romney Ensign March 2009

There are so many in Japan that are in need of assistance, but there are also many others that weren't affected and are hopefully in a position to be of service. 

Many people see preparing as hoarding or unnecessary, but I see it as a way to be of service to others.  When I was first called as the Emergency Preparedness contact I felt as if I were doing what I was suppose to do, and there was no way I would take food from my own family to help others who weren't prepared.  I have changed my feelings on this!  I know if an opportunity to serve came my way I would help those around me in time of need.  And being self-reliant would mean more than just having food storage. There are several areas we are taught to become self-reliant in:

"We are all self-reliant in some areas and dependent in others.  Therefore, each of us should strive to help others in areas that we have strengths."  Marion G. Romney
(To read the entire talk by President Romney click HERE)


MARCH GOALS:

3-Month Supply Goal:  Make 1 meal per week that uses only food from your pantry and food storage.

Water Goal: This month you need to fill all your used juice and detergent bottles with water.  Label them and store them for cleaning water.


Financial Goal:  Last month we wrote down everything we spent for a week.  Now that you know where you could be saving money, you need to put that money away to use towards your food storage.  Next month is case lot sale month and you could save your money for that sale!!


Long-Term Storage Goal:  This month is frozen food month and we are going to focus on MEATS & FROZEN FOOD!  Your freezer is your friend when it comes to a 3-month supply.  Most meats and vegetables can be frozen to extend the life of the food.  Use your freezer as an extension of your pantry


 

Wavelength Emergency Radio/Cell phone charger/flashlight

Emergency Preparedness Goal:  This month you need to add a radio and a crank cell phone charger to your storage.  Both are inexpensive (radios can be as expensive as you want) and can be found online and in many stores.  Make sure the cell phone charger you purchase has a plug that fits your phone.  Emergency Essentials sells a radio/charger/flashlight combo for $12.95!!  Click HERE to see that product.


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

Plan AND Prepare!!

Unreal!!  I have, like most of you, been watching the videos and pictures coming out of Japan.  It is unreal and so heartbreaking.  It goes without saying that being prepared with food, shelter and water is more important than ever!  I know some have said that what is the use of preparing if a flood just sweeps it all away, but what if your home was further away and not affected.  You could be the one to bless others in time of distress!!  You would also be blessed because you followed the counsel to prepare!  

FEMA has a great website with very important information on planning and preparing.  Click HERE to see the FEMA page on planning and preparing.

Food-Water-Shelter:  The three most important things to have for an emergency!  Take the time now to prepare for what may come!

MARCH GOALS:

3-Month Supply Goal:  Make 1 meal per week that uses only food from your pantry and food storage.

Water Goal: This month you need to fill all your used juice and detergent bottles with water.  Label them and store them for cleaning water.


Financial Goal:  Last month we wrote down everything we spent for a week.  Now that you know where you could be saving money, you need to put that money away to use towards your food storage.  Next month is case lot sale month and you could save your money for that sale!!


Long-Term Storage Goal:  This month is frozen food month and we are going to focus on MEATS & FROZEN FOOD!  Your freezer is your friend when it comes to a 3-month supply.  Most meats and vegetables can be frozen to extend the life of the food.  Use your freezer as an extension of your pantry!  

Wavelength Emergency Radio/Cell phone charger/flashlight

Emergency Preparedness Goal:  This month you need to add a radio and a crank cell phone charger to your storage.  Both are inexpensive (radios can be as expensive as you want) and can be found online and in many stores.  Make sure the cell phone charger you purchase has a plug that fits your phone.  Emergency Essentials sells a radio/charger/flashlight combo for $12.95!!  Click HERE to see that product.



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

March Goals!!

It's March!! We are starting new goals this month.  It is National Frozen Foods month and usually there are great deals on frozen food this month.  We will focus on purchasing food for our freezers!  Meats and vegetables are great items to always have in the freezer.  Take inventory and maybe clean out your freezer and use this month to stockpile frozen food!!

 MARCH GOALS:

3-Month Supply Goal:  Make 1 meal per week that uses only food from your pantry and food storage.

Water Goal: This month you need to fill all your used juice and detergent bottles with water.  Label them and store them for cleaning water.


Financial Goal:  Last month we wrote down everything we spent for a week.  Now that you know where you could be saving money, you need to put that money away to use towards your food storage.  Next month is case lot sale month and you could save your money for that sale!!


Long-Term Storage Goal:  This month is frozen food month and we are going to focus on MEATS & FROZEN FOOD!  Your freezer is your friend when it comes to a 3-month supply.  Most meats and vegetables can be frozen to extend the life of the food.  Use your freezer as an extension of your pantry!  

Wavelength Emergency Radio/Cell phone charger/flashlight

Emergency Preparedness Goal:  This month you need to add a radio and a crank cell phone charger to your storage.  Both are inexpensive (radios can be as expensive as you want) and can be found online and in many stores.  Make sure the cell phone charger you purchase has a plug that fits your phone.  Emergency Essentials sells a radio/charger/flashlight combo for $12.95!!  Click HERE to see that product.

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

Last Week For February Goals!!

February is almost over!! I know it's a quick month, but it really flew by!  Take one last look at the goals for this month and see if you can finish one or more :)

  FEBRUARY GOALS


3-Month Supply Goal:  Write down all the meals your family enjoys and make an ingredient list from those meals.  You will notice a pattern of similar ingredients, and your goal is to purchase those ingredients this month.  When I went through my recipes I noticed we used cream of mushroom soup in quite a few recipes.  This month my focus would be to purchase a 3-month supply of that soup.

 




Water Storage Goal:  You will need to have 1 gallon of bleach per person to treat contaminated water.  Bleach will only last about 6-12 months for water treatment, so make sure to rotate!

 



Financial Reserve:  Take one week this month and write down every penny you spend.  This will show you exactly where you could be saving and also how much you could be saving.  Use your new found savings to purchase food storage!! 

Long-Term Storage Goal:  Our goal for February is to store vegetables.  This is a tricky topic because I know that most people like fresh veggies versus the canned version.  Your task is to find out which canned versions your family will eat and store those.  Don't forget about dehydrated and freeze dried options.  I use my dehydrator to dry my extra produce and then seal in a mason jar using my Food Saver.  I won't last 30 years but does give me more options than having canned veggies.  There are many options at emergency preparedness and even at some grocery stores for you to have dehydrated and freeze dried veggies in your storage.

Check out Emergency Essentials HERE or Honeyville Grain HERE.
They both have great options and sales on #10 cans of dehydrated and canned veggies.  

Emergency Preparedness Goal:
This month you need to store fuel and a heat source.  It can be a Mr. Buddy heater (click here to read more about Mr. Buddy), fireplace, kerosene heater, newspaper logs etc.  The fuel needs to be stored outside of your home or basement!!!  There are also limits on how much you can store!
Utah State Code for Fuel Storage  

Quantities of flammable & combustible liquids not exceeding 10 gallons can be stored in proper containers.  Gasoline should not exceed 30 gallons and will need a fuel stabilizer if storing more than 30 days.   Do NOT store fuel in your home or garage!!!  Store in a shed in the backyard.  Keep an ABC fire extinguisher on your property!!


To read an AMAZING hand out on fuel and heat sources, CLICK HERE.  There is a section on lighting in an emergency, but we will focus on that in December.  Heating information starts on page 8!


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

Vegetables

Our long-term goal for February is to store veggies!!  Not always the easiest thing to do.  There are many options in dehydrating and freeze-dried vegetables and I found a blog post from the Survival Mom that I found interesting.  She has found a great option to storing veggies. 

Check out her post HERE. 

FEBRUARY GOALS


3-Month Supply Goal:  Write down all the meals your family enjoys and make an ingredient list from those meals.  You will notice a pattern of similar ingredients, and your goal is to purchase those ingredients this month.  When I went through my recipes I noticed we used cream of mushroom soup in quite a few recipes.  This month my focus would be to purchase a 3-month supply of that soup.

Water Storage Goal:  You will need to have 1 gallon of bleach per person to treat contaminated water.  Bleach will only last about 6-12 months for water treatment, so make sure to rotate!


Financial Reserve:  Take one week this month and write down every penny you spend.  This will show you exactly where you could be saving and also how much you could be saving.  Use your new found savings to purchase food storage!! 

Long-Term Storage Goal:  Our goal for February is to store vegetables.  This is a tricky topic because I know that most people like fresh veggies versus the canned version.  Your task is to find out which canned versions your family will eat and store those.  Don't forget about dehydrated and freeze dried options.  I use my dehydrator to dry my extra produce and then seal in a mason jar using my Food Saver.  I won't last 30 years but does give me more options than having canned veggies.  There are many options at emergency preparedness and even at some grocery stores for you to have dehydrated and freeze dried veggies in your storage.

Check out Emergency Essentials HERE or Honeyville Grain HERE.
They both have great options and sales on #10 cans of dehydrated and canned veggies.  

Emergency Preparedness Goal:
This month you need to store fuel and a heat source.  It can be a Mr. Buddy heater (click here to read more about Mr. Buddy), fireplace, kerosene heater, newspaper logs etc.  The fuel needs to be stored outside of your home or basement!!!  There are also limits on how much you can store!
Utah State Code for Fuel Storage  

Quantities of flammable & combustible liquids not exceeding 10 gallons can be stored in proper containers.  Gasoline should not exceed 30 gallons and will need a fuel stabilizer if storing more than 30 days.   Do NOT store fuel in your home or garage!!!  Store in a shed in the backyard.  Keep an ABC fire extinguisher on your property!!


To read an AMAZING hand out on fuel and heat sources, CLICK HERE.  There is a section on lighting in an emergency, but we will focus on that in December.  Heating information starts on page 8!


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