Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Tuna Sandwiches
Well with this wonderful menu I have planned for this week.... out the door it went. Brian started a new job and he is gone at dinner. Needless to say we are having tuna sandwiches and fruit for dinner. It's mutual and scout night and we need something really quick. Oh well ! No complaints from the kids, or from me for that matter.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Menu for the Week
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| Black bean tostados of course with fried ice cream for dessert |
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| Herbed Turkey Breast with Orange Sauce served with rice and gr. beans |
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| Chinese Chicken Stew served with rice |
 |
| Mexican Chicken Spaghetti served with salad |
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| Meatloaf with garlic mash potatoes and salad |
There are so many wonderful couponing websites to check out. I try to find lots of great deals when I can and then stock pile. Matching up ads with coupons is the one way to maximize your savings and build your food storage. I can't wait for one of my favorite sites to get to Kansas. She is from Utah and I used to use all her info to get great deals. Here check her blog out!! http://www.dealstomeals.blogspot.com/
Another great site is Pinching your pennies. They have great couponing info, how to get started they also include forums about crafting, recipes, food storage, they have a classifieds section. It is based in Utah but have a list for each and every state! Check them out. http://www.pinchingyourpennies.com/
Another great site is Pinching your pennies. They have great couponing info, how to get started they also include forums about crafting, recipes, food storage, they have a classifieds section. It is based in Utah but have a list for each and every state! Check them out. http://www.pinchingyourpennies.com/
Finding Money for Food Storage
June 1998: Finding Money for Food Storage from Food Storage and Provident Living
"Food storage, what a joke," a mother of a large family once said to me. "It's hard enough buying groceries; how do you get far enough ahead to buy food storage?"
This mother expressed a common concern: finding money for food storage. There's no one easy solution, but there are many ways to approach the problem. This newsletter offers some ideas on finding money for food storage.
Shop the Sales
It sounds basic. But shopping sales aggressively can often double your buying power. If you do it systematically over time, you can get a lot of food storage out of your regular grocery budget. Here's how it works.
Always scan the grocery stores' sale flyers. (In our area, these come with the newspaper on Sundays and Tuesdays.) Note the prices for things you know your family uses. When there's a good sale (30-50% or more off the usual price), buy up. If the item stores well -- such as canned goods, frozen goods, pasta, rice, other grains -- buy a 3-month, 6-month, or year's supply, depending on how good the sale is and what your budget allows. If money's really tight, just buy two instead of one (if the item's 50% off, you can do this without spending any "extra" money). If the item is perishable (fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products), buy as much as you think your family can use. (Plan meals around these items so you can use them up in time.)It takes only about 15 minutes a week to scan the flyers and make notes. After two or three months, you will have a very good feel for prices; you'll know right away if something is a good deal or not. Using this method, you can almost always buy groceries and household items for 1/3 to 1/2 off the usual price. Buying in bulk when there is a good sale automatically ensures that you have a good supply of food storage for family staples you'd have to buy sooner or later anyway. You might as well buy in bulk at the best price, and make fewer trips to the store.
Buy and Use Basic Food Storage
Basic food storage items, such as whole grains and cereals, are among the cheapest and most nutritious foods there are. If you're having trouble finding money for food storage, one effective solution is to buy some basic food storage and begin using it.The savings can be dramatic. For example, a 50-lb bag of oatmeal that costs $17 yields approximately 400 servings (1 serving = 1/2 C dry oatmeal, or approx 2 oz). That's about 4.2 cents a serving. In contrast, 400 servings of a dry cereal that costs 30 cents a serving would cost $120. If you eat the oatmeal instead of the dry cereal, you'll save $103 -- enough to buy 6 more bags of oatmeal!As another example, whole wheat bread made from scratch costs approximately 25 cents a loaf. Buying an equivalent loaf costs anywhere from $2 on up. If your family eats ten loaves of bread a week, baking bread instead of buying it would save at least $17.50. That's enough to buy about 75 pounds of wheat. 75 pounds of wheat will make many, many loaves of bread, freeing up even more money for food storage.Admittedly, using basic food storage foods takes some work. If all of this sounds too overwhelming, just pick one food that fits into your lifestyle and that you know your family will eat. Even if you start out small, you'll begin realizing savings immediately.
Have a Cheap Meal Once a Week
Certain foods make very inexpensive meals. If the budget's tight, one approach to finding money for food storage is to dedicate one night a week to a budget meal, and put the money you save towards food storage. Here are some ideas.
Potatoes. In our area, you can buy a 10-lb bag of potatoes on sale for 79 cents. What can you make out of potatoes? Baked potatoes with toppings; potato soup; scalloped potatoes; potato wedges with cheese; mashed potatoes; hash browns, and more. A 10-lb bag of potatoes will make approximately 20 average servings, putting the cost of a serving at about 4 cents for the potato part of the entree.
Beans. Beans are about the cheapest food there is. If you use dried instead of canned beans, the cost is lower still -- literally pennies a pound. What do you make with beans? Baked beans, bean soup, refried beans, chili, 3-bean salad, beans and rice, and the list goes on. If you serve your family baked beans and a green salad for supper, the cost to feed a family of 6-8 can be as little as $2; the cost of the beans alone would be about 2 cents a serving.
Bread. A loaf of good whole-wheat bread accompanied by a salad or vegetables feeds about four. At 25 cents a loaf, that's just over 4 cents a serving for the bread. Other bread-based entrees include things like sandwiches, home-made pizza, calzones, scones, muffins, pancakes, and waffles. With a green salad or a
vegetable, any one of these could make an inexpensive meal.
Pasta. Pasta can be the basis of many inexpensive meals -- spaghetti, manicotti, stuffed shells, macaroni and cheese, cold pasta salads, etc. Pasta is also a good item to include in your food storage, one that may be more familiar and appetizing to your family than things like bulgur wheat.
Eggs. Eggs are usually under $1 a dozen, and sometimes as cheap as 33 cents a dozen. Inexpensive meals made out of eggs include things like scrambled eggs, omelettes, deviled eggs, and egg-drop soup.
Go Vegetarian Once in Awhile
Meats and poultry are among the most expensive items in the average family's budget. In fact, it's estimated that the average American family spends 25% of its food dollar on meat. The cheapest meat I know is hamburger on sale for 80 cents a pound; on average, meat costs at least $2 a pound, and it can be much higher. In contrast, whole grains and vegetables cost literally pennies per serving. Cutting back on the meat in your diet can free up grocery money for food storage.
Have a Family Fast
Latter-day Saints fast once a month and give offerings to relieve others' hunger. What about fasting occasionally now to prevent our own potential hunger later? What about having a family fast every month or every other month, and dedicating the money saved to food storage?
Cut Back on Eating Out
Eating out is great for entertainment, but it's a very expensive way to obtain food. If the food storage budget is tight, but there's money for eating out, consider cutting back on eating out. For example, instead of buying a bag of fries for 79 cents, buy ten pounds of potatoes and make the fries at home: ten pounds of potatoes will make about 20 servings of french fries for your 79 cents, instead of just one serving. Instead of buying a burger for $1.50, buy a pound and a half of hamburger on sale and grill the burgers at home: you'll get six burgers instead of one.
Don't Always Shop at the Grocery Store
The grocery store isn't always the best place to buy food. In any given community, there are typically many alternative sources of food. Some are cheaper than the grocery store, some are not. A quick look through the yellow pages may turn up sources such as the following: wholesale outlets, discount stores, grain mills, dairies, egg factories, food co-ops, and farmers' markets. All of these can be evaluated to see how they might fit into your food buying and free up money for food storage.
Work for Food
There are ways to get food that involve more work than money. For example, I know of some women who clean at a local grocery store in exchange for the store's leftover produce. A friend once received bushels of free fruit in exchange for cleaning up fruit that had fallen on someone's lawn. Gardening can provide a great deal of low-cost food. In our area, the Lindon cannery provides a wonderful source of low-cost food in exchange for work.
Try It!
Every family is different. What works for one might not work for another. The important thing is to try different ideas, find what works for you, and stick with it. You'll be amazed at how little things add up.
"Food storage, what a joke," a mother of a large family once said to me. "It's hard enough buying groceries; how do you get far enough ahead to buy food storage?"
This mother expressed a common concern: finding money for food storage. There's no one easy solution, but there are many ways to approach the problem. This newsletter offers some ideas on finding money for food storage.
Shop the Sales
It sounds basic. But shopping sales aggressively can often double your buying power. If you do it systematically over time, you can get a lot of food storage out of your regular grocery budget. Here's how it works.
Always scan the grocery stores' sale flyers. (In our area, these come with the newspaper on Sundays and Tuesdays.) Note the prices for things you know your family uses. When there's a good sale (30-50% or more off the usual price), buy up. If the item stores well -- such as canned goods, frozen goods, pasta, rice, other grains -- buy a 3-month, 6-month, or year's supply, depending on how good the sale is and what your budget allows. If money's really tight, just buy two instead of one (if the item's 50% off, you can do this without spending any "extra" money). If the item is perishable (fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products), buy as much as you think your family can use. (Plan meals around these items so you can use them up in time.)It takes only about 15 minutes a week to scan the flyers and make notes. After two or three months, you will have a very good feel for prices; you'll know right away if something is a good deal or not. Using this method, you can almost always buy groceries and household items for 1/3 to 1/2 off the usual price. Buying in bulk when there is a good sale automatically ensures that you have a good supply of food storage for family staples you'd have to buy sooner or later anyway. You might as well buy in bulk at the best price, and make fewer trips to the store.
Buy and Use Basic Food Storage
Basic food storage items, such as whole grains and cereals, are among the cheapest and most nutritious foods there are. If you're having trouble finding money for food storage, one effective solution is to buy some basic food storage and begin using it.The savings can be dramatic. For example, a 50-lb bag of oatmeal that costs $17 yields approximately 400 servings (1 serving = 1/2 C dry oatmeal, or approx 2 oz). That's about 4.2 cents a serving. In contrast, 400 servings of a dry cereal that costs 30 cents a serving would cost $120. If you eat the oatmeal instead of the dry cereal, you'll save $103 -- enough to buy 6 more bags of oatmeal!As another example, whole wheat bread made from scratch costs approximately 25 cents a loaf. Buying an equivalent loaf costs anywhere from $2 on up. If your family eats ten loaves of bread a week, baking bread instead of buying it would save at least $17.50. That's enough to buy about 75 pounds of wheat. 75 pounds of wheat will make many, many loaves of bread, freeing up even more money for food storage.Admittedly, using basic food storage foods takes some work. If all of this sounds too overwhelming, just pick one food that fits into your lifestyle and that you know your family will eat. Even if you start out small, you'll begin realizing savings immediately.
Have a Cheap Meal Once a Week
Certain foods make very inexpensive meals. If the budget's tight, one approach to finding money for food storage is to dedicate one night a week to a budget meal, and put the money you save towards food storage. Here are some ideas.
Potatoes. In our area, you can buy a 10-lb bag of potatoes on sale for 79 cents. What can you make out of potatoes? Baked potatoes with toppings; potato soup; scalloped potatoes; potato wedges with cheese; mashed potatoes; hash browns, and more. A 10-lb bag of potatoes will make approximately 20 average servings, putting the cost of a serving at about 4 cents for the potato part of the entree.
Beans. Beans are about the cheapest food there is. If you use dried instead of canned beans, the cost is lower still -- literally pennies a pound. What do you make with beans? Baked beans, bean soup, refried beans, chili, 3-bean salad, beans and rice, and the list goes on. If you serve your family baked beans and a green salad for supper, the cost to feed a family of 6-8 can be as little as $2; the cost of the beans alone would be about 2 cents a serving.
Bread. A loaf of good whole-wheat bread accompanied by a salad or vegetables feeds about four. At 25 cents a loaf, that's just over 4 cents a serving for the bread. Other bread-based entrees include things like sandwiches, home-made pizza, calzones, scones, muffins, pancakes, and waffles. With a green salad or a
vegetable, any one of these could make an inexpensive meal.
Pasta. Pasta can be the basis of many inexpensive meals -- spaghetti, manicotti, stuffed shells, macaroni and cheese, cold pasta salads, etc. Pasta is also a good item to include in your food storage, one that may be more familiar and appetizing to your family than things like bulgur wheat.
Eggs. Eggs are usually under $1 a dozen, and sometimes as cheap as 33 cents a dozen. Inexpensive meals made out of eggs include things like scrambled eggs, omelettes, deviled eggs, and egg-drop soup.
Go Vegetarian Once in Awhile
Meats and poultry are among the most expensive items in the average family's budget. In fact, it's estimated that the average American family spends 25% of its food dollar on meat. The cheapest meat I know is hamburger on sale for 80 cents a pound; on average, meat costs at least $2 a pound, and it can be much higher. In contrast, whole grains and vegetables cost literally pennies per serving. Cutting back on the meat in your diet can free up grocery money for food storage.
Have a Family Fast
Latter-day Saints fast once a month and give offerings to relieve others' hunger. What about fasting occasionally now to prevent our own potential hunger later? What about having a family fast every month or every other month, and dedicating the money saved to food storage?
Cut Back on Eating Out
Eating out is great for entertainment, but it's a very expensive way to obtain food. If the food storage budget is tight, but there's money for eating out, consider cutting back on eating out. For example, instead of buying a bag of fries for 79 cents, buy ten pounds of potatoes and make the fries at home: ten pounds of potatoes will make about 20 servings of french fries for your 79 cents, instead of just one serving. Instead of buying a burger for $1.50, buy a pound and a half of hamburger on sale and grill the burgers at home: you'll get six burgers instead of one.
Don't Always Shop at the Grocery Store
The grocery store isn't always the best place to buy food. In any given community, there are typically many alternative sources of food. Some are cheaper than the grocery store, some are not. A quick look through the yellow pages may turn up sources such as the following: wholesale outlets, discount stores, grain mills, dairies, egg factories, food co-ops, and farmers' markets. All of these can be evaluated to see how they might fit into your food buying and free up money for food storage.
Work for Food
There are ways to get food that involve more work than money. For example, I know of some women who clean at a local grocery store in exchange for the store's leftover produce. A friend once received bushels of free fruit in exchange for cleaning up fruit that had fallen on someone's lawn. Gardening can provide a great deal of low-cost food. In our area, the Lindon cannery provides a wonderful source of low-cost food in exchange for work.
Try It!
Every family is different. What works for one might not work for another. The important thing is to try different ideas, find what works for you, and stick with it. You'll be amazed at how little things add up.
Monday, February 14, 2011
sugar - additional items for longer-term storage
Sugar is a fantastic addition to longer-term storage. In tough circumstances, it would be great to make a batch of cookies and put smiles on your family's faces. Sugar makes everything a little more palatable and versatile.Sugar stores well unless it gets wet. If you live in a humid climate, it's a good idea to store your sugar in a PETE container or #10 can so that the moisture in the air doesn't turn your sugar into a brick. But even if that does happen, your sugar is still usable. Sugar, stored in a #10 can in ideal conditions can last up to 30 years.
Storing sugar does not just mean white sugar. You can store honey, brown sugar, powdered sugar, molasses, maple syrup, corn syrup, jam, jello, and powdered fruit drink (with sugar already added). Most of these items, however, are more suitable for a three-month supply because of the short shelf lives. Brown sugar is also not recommended for longer-term storage because of potential microbial growth as a result of the moisture content.1 Honey will crystallize over time, but can be warmed and returned to a liquid state. Do not use honey that has developed mold in storage.
baking soda - additional items for longer-term storage
Baking soda is a great item to have for longer-term storage. Not only is it important for cooking old, dry beans (see information on cooking old, dry beans here), but baking soda can also be used for cleaning, as a toothpaste substitute and as a laundry boost. Baking soda is also a great leavening agent and is an important ingredient as such in many recipes.Baking soda has a long shelf-life.1 Steer clear of those small cardboard boxes in which baking soda is often packaged. Instead
Provident Living
ELDER ROBERT D. HALES
"The first building block may be described as provident living. This means joyfully living within our means and preparing for the ups and downs of life so that we can be ready for the rainy-day emergencies when they come into our lives. Provident living means not coveting the things of this world. It means using the resources of the earth wisely and not being wasteful, even in times of plenty. Provident living means avoiding excessive debt and being content with what we have."
"It is important to understand that self-reliance is a means to an end. Our ultimate goal is to become like the Savior, and that goal is enhanced by our unselfish service to others. Our ability to serve is increased or diminished by the level of our self-reliance. As President Marion G. Romney once said: “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. Teaching cannot come from the unlearned. And most important of all, spiritual guidance cannot come from the spiritually weak” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1982, 135; or Ensign, Nov. 1982, 93)."
"As Latter-day prophets have counseled, some of the most important welfare building blocks have to do with preparing for the future. Preparing for the future includes making a spending
and savings plan with our income. . . Preparing for the future also includes obtaining an education or vocational training and finding gainful employment. . . If you are seeking a new job, increase your faith in the Lord’s desire and power to bless you. Also seek counsel from those you trust, and don’t be afraid to network and ask for help in finding a new job. If necessary, change your lifestyle—and possibly your place of residence— to live within your means. Willingly seek additional training and learn new skills, regardless of your age. Maintain your health and stay close to your spouse and children. And, above all, be grateful. Express your gratitude in prayer for all that has been given to you."
"Every year Church members contribute to the digging of wells where there is no other source of drinking water. Consider the benefit of just one of these wells, dug in a remote village. While some might characterize it as a strictly temporal blessing, what are the spiritual blessings to a mother who had previously walked hours to get water and more hours to bring it back to her children? Before the well was dug, what time did she have to teach her children the gospel, to pray with them, and to nurture them in the love of the Lord? What time did she have to study the scriptures herself, ponder them, and receive strength to bear the challenges of her life? By putting their faith into action, Church members helped quench the temporal thirst of her family and also provided a way for them to drink freely of the water of life and never thirst again. By being faithful in living welfare principles, they were able to help dig “a well of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14)."
JULIE B. BECK
“Self-reliance means using all of our blessings from Heavenly Father to care for ourselves and our families and to find solutions for our own problems.” Each of us has a responsibility to try to avoid problems before they happen and to learn to overcome challenges when they occur."
"How do we become self-reliant? We become self reliant through obtaining sufficient knowledge, education, and literacy; by managing money and resources wisely, being spiritually strong, preparing for emergencies and eventualities; and by having physical health and social and emotional well-being."
As I cut and paste these quotes, I find myself tempted to post everything. The entire talks are worth reading!
"The first building block may be described as provident living. This means joyfully living within our means and preparing for the ups and downs of life so that we can be ready for the rainy-day emergencies when they come into our lives. Provident living means not coveting the things of this world. It means using the resources of the earth wisely and not being wasteful, even in times of plenty. Provident living means avoiding excessive debt and being content with what we have."
"It is important to understand that self-reliance is a means to an end. Our ultimate goal is to become like the Savior, and that goal is enhanced by our unselfish service to others. Our ability to serve is increased or diminished by the level of our self-reliance. As President Marion G. Romney once said: “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. Teaching cannot come from the unlearned. And most important of all, spiritual guidance cannot come from the spiritually weak” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1982, 135; or Ensign, Nov. 1982, 93)."
"As Latter-day prophets have counseled, some of the most important welfare building blocks have to do with preparing for the future. Preparing for the future includes making a spending
and savings plan with our income. . . Preparing for the future also includes obtaining an education or vocational training and finding gainful employment. . . If you are seeking a new job, increase your faith in the Lord’s desire and power to bless you. Also seek counsel from those you trust, and don’t be afraid to network and ask for help in finding a new job. If necessary, change your lifestyle—and possibly your place of residence— to live within your means. Willingly seek additional training and learn new skills, regardless of your age. Maintain your health and stay close to your spouse and children. And, above all, be grateful. Express your gratitude in prayer for all that has been given to you."
"Every year Church members contribute to the digging of wells where there is no other source of drinking water. Consider the benefit of just one of these wells, dug in a remote village. While some might characterize it as a strictly temporal blessing, what are the spiritual blessings to a mother who had previously walked hours to get water and more hours to bring it back to her children? Before the well was dug, what time did she have to teach her children the gospel, to pray with them, and to nurture them in the love of the Lord? What time did she have to study the scriptures herself, ponder them, and receive strength to bear the challenges of her life? By putting their faith into action, Church members helped quench the temporal thirst of her family and also provided a way for them to drink freely of the water of life and never thirst again. By being faithful in living welfare principles, they were able to help dig “a well of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14)."
JULIE B. BECK
“Self-reliance means using all of our blessings from Heavenly Father to care for ourselves and our families and to find solutions for our own problems.” Each of us has a responsibility to try to avoid problems before they happen and to learn to overcome challenges when they occur."
"How do we become self-reliant? We become self reliant through obtaining sufficient knowledge, education, and literacy; by managing money and resources wisely, being spiritually strong, preparing for emergencies and eventualities; and by having physical health and social and emotional well-being."
As I cut and paste these quotes, I find myself tempted to post everything. The entire talks are worth reading!
We can begin ever so modestly.
We can begin with a one week's food supply and gradually build it to a month, and then to three months.
A comparison chart of hard white wheat prices (per pound):
$.23 - Family Home Storage Center (LDS Cannery), 25 lb bags - needs to be repackaged.
$.29 - Morning Moo, 45 lb. bucket ($12.99 - sale may end on Wednesday).
$.30 - Costco, Lehi Mills, 45 lb. bucket ($13.50).
$.45 - Family Home Storage Center (LDS Cannery), #10 cans.
$.82 - Emergency Essentials, 45 lb. super-pail (lined with a mylar bag), shipping is extra.
$.89 - Honeyville Grain, 50 lb. bag - needs to be repackaged, shipping is $4.49 extra.
current as of 2010
“Set your houses in order. If you have paid your debts, if you have a reserve, even though it be small, then should storms howl about your head, you will have shelter for your wives and children and peace in your hearts”
President Gordon B. Hinckley "To the Boys and to the Men," Ensign, Nov. 1998,
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Monthly house in order
So originally my plan was to every Wednesday blog about what I am doing to get my house in order and build my food storage. Then I decided that it's just not interesting enough to merit four blog posts per month. Maybe one blog post per month. So here's what I did in January:
Doing:
Food Storage/Emergency Preparedness Additions:
- Worked an extra shift to have money to put towards debt ( extra Saturday )
- Took inventory
- Read Prophetic Statements on Food Storage for Latter-Day Saints
- Read Emergency Food Storage and Survival Book (We were out of town multiple times, reading was as much doing as could be happening.)
- Changed all of the burned out bulbs through the house. (ok, actually my husband did those.)
Food Storage/Emergency Preparedness Additions:- Wheat and more wheat-Sam's
- Vegetable Oil- Sam's
- Enough salt to reach a year supply for my family- $4 at Walmart
- Hormel Chili- 29 cents each with coupons
- Hunt's Diced Tomatoes- 16 cents each after coupon
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
WATER
Got Water?
With clean water being so vital to our existence, I’d like to know who in our family is still lacking adequate water storage for your family (this information is strictly confidential and will only be used to help you get prepared)….
It is recommended that you have 14 gallons MINIMUM for each member of your family. SO here’s the question??
Do you have the minimum recommended amounts of drinkable water? Remember that this is not for cooking, washing clothes, showering, cleaning or flushing toilets, just drinking and very minimal hygiene like hand washing and teeth brushing.
Please inventory your water supply and let me know if you aren’t yet to your minimum levels. I can give you some simple ideas for storing water. Also, I’d be willing to do another water barrel order for those of you who don’t have one yet. The used barrels are $15. Also consider a water filter so that when your store of water run out (and at these levels, they will) you have a way to filter water for drinking.
If you have your minimum storage levels at your home, don’t stop there, please add to them. Skip the soda and buy cases of bottled water. Grab a case of bottled water each time you go to the grocery store and just start making a pile in your home. If you must have soda, at least save the bottles, clean them out and fill with water for storage.
Please let me know your progress in this area.
Keep plugging along, we're getting there.
It is recommended that you have 14 gallons MINIMUM for each member of your family. SO here’s the question??
Do you have the minimum recommended amounts of drinkable water? Remember that this is not for cooking, washing clothes, showering, cleaning or flushing toilets, just drinking and very minimal hygiene like hand washing and teeth brushing.
- For a couple you’d need 28 gallons
- Family of 4 = 56 gallons (think 55 gallon barrel)
- Family of 5 = 70 gallons
- Family of 6 = 84 gallons
- Family of 7 = 98 gallons
- Family of 8 = 112 gallons
- Family of 9 = 126 gallons
- Family of 10 = 140 Gallons (you might find grown children coming back to roost in an emergency ;o)
Please inventory your water supply and let me know if you aren’t yet to your minimum levels. I can give you some simple ideas for storing water. Also, I’d be willing to do another water barrel order for those of you who don’t have one yet. The used barrels are $15. Also consider a water filter so that when your store of water run out (and at these levels, they will) you have a way to filter water for drinking.
If you have your minimum storage levels at your home, don’t stop there, please add to them. Skip the soda and buy cases of bottled water. Grab a case of bottled water each time you go to the grocery store and just start making a pile in your home. If you must have soda, at least save the bottles, clean them out and fill with water for storage.
Please let me know your progress in this area.
Keep plugging along, we're getting there.
What can't you live without?
20 pantry items I can’t do without . . .
- oatmeal
- pasta
- cocoa powder and chocolate chips :)
- sugar – white, brown, powdered
- olive oil, canola oil, Crisco butter-flavored shortening
- lentils and dried beans
- rice
- diced tomatoes and tomato sauce
- canned fruit – pineapple chunks, mandarin oranges, applesauce
- peanut butter
- powdered milk for baking
- Frosted Shredded Wheat
- yeast and other leavening
- flour and wheat
- salt
- crackers – saltines, Wheat Thins, graham crackers
- condiments – salsa, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise
- cleaners – vinegar, dish soap, bleach
- paper products – napkins, paper towels, toilet paper
- aluminum foil, plastic wrap, trash bags
Thursday, February 10, 2011
New GoAls thIs YeaR!!!
I have set goals this year to really focus on our 3 month supply. It has been fun, but I didn't realize how tedious it would be to plan 3 months of menus using shelf stable items, including toiletries. UGGHH! It has been fun and quite an experience. I almost think long term storage is much easier. The following pictures are my inspiration.
Change is in the Air
Brian has let me take over his blog, he isn't doing much with it and my blog has been hacked into or something. I will try to post pictures of the family as well as events, but my main focus will be on building our food storage as a family and emergency preparedness. Hope you like the changes, and thanks hon!!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
2010 - A Retrospective
I for one welcome a new year and bid good riddance to one of the worst years I have ever had. Don't get me wrong, there were some wonderful moments for us as a family but for me personally it was not one for the books. Here is a look back at 2010.
January: 2010 was ushered in with bitter cold temperatures, record snow, and broken water pipes. And that was the good part! Diana got walking pneumonia and I was diagnosed with arthritis in my back. After years of unbearable back pain Diana made me go to the doctor and get it looked at. I hate it when she's right!
March: We took a weekend trip to Omaha to visit the Winter Quarters Temple visitor center and Pioneer Cemetery. We also took in the Henry Doorly Zoo (which is awesome) and downtown Omaha. Of course it was very cold and snowy most of the time, but we had fun despite mother nature. Around that same time I left my job as a juvenile corrections officer to pursue CDL training. That didn't work out due to some dishonesty on the school's part and I found myself unemployed. Plus, my last night at work we had an emergency and I fell down a flight of metal stairs which got me a free trip to the local ER. On a positive note; Diana had a birthday and turned 37.
April: We had dealings with the Olathe Police Department when Andrew was shot by a neighbor punk while he was walking in front of their house. He was shot with an air soft gun and it left a pretty nasty welt. I went over to the house yelling for the kid to come outside but he wouldn't. Fortunately, the police showed up about then. One night while we were asleep Diana woke up with terrible pains in her side. They were bad enough that we went to the ER. It was determined that she was having a gall bladder attack and was referred to our doctor for follow-up. The next day our doctor wound up referring her to a surgeon because the x-rays did not look good. Needless to say, the surgeon scheduled her for gall bladder surgery.
May: May was a pretty good month. Brandon and Emily came down to visit and we took their kids to the Liberty Jail Visitors Center in nearby Liberty, Missouri. It was a great experience and we all learned a lot about Joseph Smith and patience. I highly recommend a visit. Spencer turned 14 and became a Teacher in the ward. I was very pleased to perform the ordination of my son. We did have some excitement with squirrels in the house (literally in the rooms and in the walls). There was a squirrel in Spencer and Jordan's room hiding in the blinds, so I got a pair of heavy leather gloves and captured it. It was not very happy and began to bite and squeal! I ran to the door and tossed it across the yard. To this day we have squirrels in the walls, but we are waging war with them.
June: Diana and I celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary on the 1st. I can't believe that we have been married that long. But then again, it seems like we have always been married. I hope that makes sense. We are still very much in love and feel very blessed to have each other. I finally found a new job thanks to a member of our ward. I am a (seasonal) traffic maintenance worker with the City of Olathe and my main duties are maintaining the city street lights. It is fun but it is taking a toll on my body. Diana finally had her gall bladder removal surgery and it was a little scary sitting with her in the recovery room because she didn't want to wake up very easily. She recovered quickly and was back on her feet the next day. She can't sit still!
July: Independence Day was a wash, literally. About an hour before we were to leave to watch fireworks a huge thunderstorm moved in and it poured for several hours. We didn't get to see the fireworks, but we heard them from our living room (along with the squirrels). Chase had a milestone in July. He caught his first fish! A tiny small mouth bass. It was smaller than his hand.
August: August was a big month for us. School started and we have been busy ever since. Chase is a third grader, Andrew is a sixth grader, Spencer is a Freshman, and Jordan is a Senior. Spencer also started early morning seminary and really enjoys it. Spencer was elected by the scout troop to join the Order of the Arrow (Scouting's Honor Society) and went through the "ordeal" (outdoor training) with flying colors. Chase and I celebrated our birthdays and Chase (8) was baptized, and became a Cub Scout. Brandon and Emily came down for it and that was special for Chase. He was very excited to have them there. Towards the end of the month Spencer joined the wrestling team at his school, and Andrew became French Horn First Chair (best in section). We like that the boys stay active in the schools.
September: Chase had oral surgery to repair several things in his mouth and both Diana and I went with him. I think we were as scared as he was. Nobody likes to see a loved one go under. Chase was a goofy little dude when he was coming out of surgery. He was slurring and laughing, and couldn't remember the names of things. He even noticed that my "girlfriend" was driving the van while I sat in the back with him. It was pretty funny! Andrew turned 12 and became a Deacon. Again, I was very pleased to perform his ordination. He now passes the Sacrament each Sunday. Chase earned his Bobcat badge and is working hard on his Wolf.
October: My job finally started taking a toll on my body and I have been having a lot of joint pain. I suffer from back, shoulder, elbow, knee, and foot pain. I found out that I have gout in my right foot. I thought I had broken it, but gout hurts a lot worse! It hasn't stopped hurting. Andrew had a milestone this month. He went on his first temple trip to St. Louis with the youth. He had a great time with Spencer. I had a nice little experience with Chase at his school during "Daddy's and Doughnuts" I got to have doughnuts and chocolate milk with Chase before school and we had a good little visit. It made me feel all warm inside.
November: During the November Court of Honor for the Boy Scouts Andrew was awarded his Star rank and Spencer was awarded his Life rank. Spencer is almost an Eagle Scout. Andrew will be short on his heels. Chase was honored by the school district as a featured artist at the annual Student Art Exhibit at the school district offices. It was a very elegant event and he was so proud of his painting that was on display with his name and grade. Chase is pretty talented and we are pretty proud of him. A few weeks later Chase fell on the playground at school and got a mild concussion. He is doing just fine. Diana and the boys spent Thanksgiving at her parents house while I was at home with my foot elevated. Gout strikes again!
December: Jordan turned 18 and is a legal adult. What happened to time? It seems like just yesterday he was in Kindergarten. He has grown into a fine young man and we are just as proud of him as we can be. He doesn't spend much time with us anymore because he works alot and goes to visit his father in Wichita when he can. But he still lives with us. He will graduate from high school in a few months. Christmas was a very spiritual time for us. We were greatly blessed because the boys had a great Christmas when we didn't know where it would come from. Let's just say that angels are among us. Diana and I shed a lot of grateful tears this month.
I know that I haven't mentioned Diana or Jordan very much yet, but they are very much alike in that they like to stay busy and work themselves to death. Diana has worked her rear end off this year holding down two jobs, serving as a Cub Den Leader, attending school functions, working on her food storage projects, keeping the wolves at bay, and still finding time to be a great wife and mother. She is an amazing woman and she doesn't give much thought about herself. She deserves a great new year! Jordan is 18 and is pretty independent. He works a lot of hours, attends school, helps with the boys, and doesn't give us any trouble. Like I said, he is a wonderful young man and he will probably be out on his own as soon as he can. He likes to be his own person. We do have a special family and that is what has kept us going this year. The boys are pretty humble and know that we struggle. They only ask for what they need and do without alot. They deserve a great new year as well.
Even when the walls come tumbling down I feel blessed to have the family that I do. The Lord has blessed us and will continue to do so. I wish you all a Happy and Blessed New Year.
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