GOT MILK?

This weeks focus is on powdered milk. Does anyone out there use this stuff on a day to day basis? I'm sure there are a few die hards and probably more that had to drink this stuff when we were kids. But if you are like me....it's much easier to just pick up a 4 litre at the store.

To be honest I've only ever used powdered milk in my baking. Hmmmm as I am writing this I have concocted an evil plan....as soon as the plastic milk jug is empty I am going to refill it with powdered milk....I'll see if the family notices.....and keep you posted.

Okay so even though I don't really drink this stuff....I realize the importance of having it in my storage. We do go through fresh stuff very quickly so if we couldn't get it at the store it would be a big change to our families eating habits.....bigger then say....using powdered milk. I realize that it is expensive. So if you don't have any, start with just a can....they cost about $20. If you are a vegan....they even have powdered soy milk available.....yum!! Either way this really needs to be in your storage. If you don't have any please consider getting some. If you already have some then add variety by picking up some milk flavorings....here are some yummy suggestions... chocolate, strawberry, or vanilla nesquick syrup!

Is Toilet Paper an essential?

How many rolls do you need? I don't know about you but my family goes through toilet paper quickly!! Maybe the kids are secretly flushing wads when I am not around....I don't know but it's amazing how they disappear. I remember as a child always sitting on the toilet screaming for someone to get me some toilet paper. After a hunt through all the bathrooms to discover there was none...a creative sibling would hand me a napkin or paper towel... I hated this. I never understood how we were always running out of toilet paper? Fast forward 20 years and two kids later...I realized that it can be difficult! But those child hood memories have ingrained in me a responsibility to always have a lot of toilet paper on hand....In fact I have over 400 rolls on hand on any given day! I am always prepared for a bathroom break. Consider your supply...are you always running out?? Take time to do an inventory and see if you could be adding more to your back up supply. I firmly believe this will become a new currency should there ever become a shortage! Ha Ha!

Not your usual preparedness tip!

I am confessing the below information for the greater good of beautiful women every where!
I dye my own hair!! There I said it! yes I spent a fortune for years and had more awful coloring experiences then I'd like to admit....but on one thrifty and "too impatiant to wait a week for a hair appointment" day...I went to walmart and found the perfect hair coloring kit in a box....I was so impressed with the color and how easy and inexpensive it was. So being the Preparedness person I was...when I saw it on sale I bought 4 boxes.
Here's the part I want everyone to know. Hair dye in a box expires!! I used the last box up a few days ago and there is a lot of orangy red tinge to my hair! Sure you don't notice it at first but in some lights it's VERY noticeable!
Morale of the story...dont store hair dye for long periods of time...

72 Hour Kits - On Sale

Costco.ca has a fantastic 4 person 72 hour kit on Sale....ONLY $125!!!

This is a really great deal! Plus you can just order on line and they will bring it right to your door! EASY AND DONE!!!

Sale is good until March 7

STEP TWO - WATER

If you are joining me on this journey and don't have STEP ONE done don't worry!! Just do what you can....use an old laundry basket or plastic bags.....just keep going! Don't be a perfectionist! Just do what you can!

Start compiling and eventually you will get everything!

So step 2 is simple......Water.
I added some water bottles, a water pump, and a water purifying straw. Do what you can right now! Anything is better than nothing!

Get Going!! Get Prepared!! Have Fun!!

STEP ONE - CONTAINER

Tonight I stopped by Walmart. While I was walking around a little thought said "get some back packs for your 72 hour kits". I picked up 2 and when I got home I felt soooo great!! I have been putting this off for way too long. I don't know why? I just haven't put a kit together yet. I guess just taking that first step made all the difference. Who knew??? Hopefully if you haven't done one yet you will join me! I am going to blog my journey into some easy steps!

Here are some ideas of containers to put your 72 hour kits in....hope this gets you started!

The classic backpack, light weight and easy to carry

The backpack with wheels

A suitcase


A large plastic bucket - durable, water proof, rodent proof, and can be used as a seat!

Same as above bucket with added bonus of a toilet seat!

Will store more - wouldn't be easy to "take with you" unless by car.

Money Matters!

I was reading a great book called Preparedness Principles that talked about how adding money to your preparedness shelf was usually something most people don't do. I am sure we have all thought about it but for some reason most of us don't do it. Maybe we have lot's of money in the bank but haven't taken it out and put it aside. Maybe we are struggling to make ends meet and can't find "extra money" to set aside. Maybe we fall somewhere in between the two. What ever your reasons may I suggest a goal? Find a jar or container and make a goal to start filling it. Here are some ideas for you to consider.

There are so many types of containers....buckets, jars, treasure boxes, cookie jars, plastic bins, boxes, vases, you could even use a #10 can from your food storage! Make it fun! But Make IT!!

Set aside a goal to add money to it.... maybe you could empty the change from your pockets, coats, wallets, car...once a week. Maybe the next time you go to the ATM you can take out some extra money and add it to the jar.

Find a simple thing once and a while to say no to and put that money in the jar. Have all your family involved and watch it grow.

I think it would be a great idea to treat you and your family from the jar once and a while. That way, you can all feel the benefits of having some spare money put aside. This might also help people feel better about adding to it!! It is important to have all types of money from $20, $10, $5, to twoonies, loonies and other change. I am sure many of you out there have great ideas about saving money...please share your ideas!!

GET GOING!! GET PREPARED!! HAVE FUN!!

Black Out

So my sister was telling me how their community had a blackout this morning. Their family of 6 were getting ready for the day. I laughed at the biggest dilemma...her girls couldn't get their hair done for school...ha ha no electricity for their flat iron....what an emergency!

She was telling me that today was her grocery day so they were out of a few essentials. We had fun thinking of what we would make with out electricity (no stove, microwave, toaster etc...) Before I let you know what I have right now available.....stop and think what is in your pantry, fridge and freezer. Have fun thinking of as many meals you could make right now with what you have right now. I was amazed at how much food I have but how much I reallied on electricity to prepare it.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE....take a moment and think about what you would make...

Breakfast

Okay so I have tonnes of oatmeal....but no hot water??? Or wait....I think you can still get hot water from the tap?? Can you?? Anyone know?

Pancakes - no

make muffins - no

eggs - no

toast - no

Fresh fruit - yes I have some

yogurt - yes

cereal with milk - yes

Lunch - cold soup

cold canned stuff

PB & J sandwiches

Tuna Sandwiches

crackers and cheese

Dinner - same as lunch

I know it's pretty sad...but I am sure with all that I have, I should be able to come up with a few other Non electricity meals....but I haven't really had to think about this...does anyone have any ideas for me?? I would love to do a whole blog listing non electricity meals......please help!

What treat can't you live with out?

So tonight I am having a craving for chocolate...which is something I don't normally do. I went on a hunt in my pantry and much to my wonderful surprise found a bag of M&M's. I vaguely remember letting the kids throw it into the shopping cart...and then sneakily hiding it into the pantry....until now. I just ate about 8 and was wondering what the expiry date on them were. Did you know that they are usually good for a year? That led me to think of this crazy blog... Let's take a break from the rice and wheat and think about what we can't "live without." Yes Yes of course I know we could technically live with out it.... but I was just thinking about those little things that our families love to indulge in. I'm not talking about crappy cheap candy that you saw on sale....I'm talking about the stuff our families gather round in anticipation for. Here are a few examples of essentials to me....

Popcorn!! I am so grateful that this is our family's top favorite. It's easy to store and also considered a whole grain. (Bonus!) I have a few large bags and we cook it in a pot with a little bit of oil. Yes I can cook it over a fire if necessary! Popcorn, oil, salt....Cheap, Easy...Done!

Now onto our next favorite non essential item.....chocolate chip cookies....you know those ooooey gooooey melt in your mouth kinds? I have a great recipe and use all ingredients from my food storage. Many times I am thankful that I have these ingredients always in my storage for obvious reasons!

I have just added a new favorite recipe that I would love to indulge my food storage in....they are those delicious cinnamon buns that we made in Relief Society Last month. They were so delicious that I want to make sure that I can whip up a batch when ever necessary.

Now if only I can buy freeze dried Haagen-Dazs??

BREAD

Home made bread is always a treat! I am sure I don't have to convince you of how good it makes your house smell....and how delicious it tastes still warm from the oven with butter. Now I know that it is much easier to just buy it...and I certainly do. I just think everyone should know how to make home made bread. Don't wait until the bread shelves are bare to experiment......start now! My first attempts to make bread was with a bread machine. This is a wonderful WONDERFUL machine! I mean really....just dump your ingredients into a machine press a button and walk away???? SERIOUSLY?? It's that easy...why don't we do it every day?

If you are using a machine....here are a few tips.

-Once all your ingredients are on the counter premeasure a whole recipe of your dry ingredients into some larger ziploc bags. I usually do 10 bags at a time. That way next time you just dump a baggie into the machine and add your "Wet" ingredients. And you thought it didn't get any easier??

-Don't like digging the mixer pieces out of your nice new bread? Try your dough setting and then take out of the machine and bake in your oven. It's practically cheating but I love it! You skip all the kneading and rising and just go right to baking. This works great if you are giving away a loaf....know one will know you used a bread machine.

CHEAP BREAD TODAY & TOMORROW ONLY

Hi Everyone, Katrina passed this message on....

McGavin’s Bread Basket on MacLeod Trail has pallets of bread left on order from a Walmart Superstore that didn’t open on time. Here is the super special:

Buy 10 loaves of bread (any kind) get 10 loaves free for only $10.00.

Pass this along to anyone you think might be interested. If you can’t use that much bread maybe split the order with someone. McGavin’s hopes to have all the bread sold by tomorrow, Wednesday, January 27th.

It is just past the Walmart on Mcleod trail by Southland

19-9250 MacLeod Trail Southeast, Calgary, AB T2J 0P5, Canada (403) 253-2284 (403) 253-2284‎

Fudge Brownies

Experts suggest having a good supply of quick and easy comfort foods to limit stress in an emergency.....let me suggest Thrive Fudge Brownies!! I ordered them from the Beehive bookstore and got them last week. We made them this morning and they are GREAT!! All you have to do is add water!

The can has a 20 year shelf life!

Bon Appetite!

Potato Flakes vs Potato Pearls

Every other person that signs up for the cannery asks me "Do they still have potato pearls?" to which I reply...only in bulk but they now have potato flakes. The next question is always "Are they any good?"

Since I started my food storage about 5 years ago all there was available at the cannery was potato pearls and everyone kept saying how great they were! I thought they were okay. They kind of had a funky taste to them. My family only agreed to eat them when I was in a pinch. I was afraid to try potato flakes because everyone said how much better the pearls were.

Well....today I was in a pinch for our Sunday dinner and thought...nows a great time to try the potato flakes.

WE REALLY LIKED THEM!!! In fact I felt like they tasted more like mashed potatos to me then the pearls!

I only added what the label said...water, salt, butter, and milk (and a little extra butter and salt) and they were great! I wont even hesitate to make them for company!

What's even more wonderful is that their shelf life is 30 years!!!! SOLD!! Potato flakes can also be added to soups to thicken and other recipes like breads. If you are off to the cannery don't forget to add this little luxury to your pantry!

They are only $3 a can!!!!

Over Night Bag

So I was just on the phone with a good friend (Sharla) and she mentioned starting your children's 72 kits by packing an over night bag. What a great idea! Get your kids involved! Pack pj's toothbrush and toothpaste. Throw in a change of clothes, some snacks and a bottle of water.....Done! Thanks Sharla!

Get Going! Get Prepared! Have Fun!

Organizing, Storage, Food Rotation

Many of you may have already seen these great Can Rotation organizers. I dreamed of these for years before I finally bought a couple. While these are great...they are also expensive. Around $400 a unit can be a bit much for "organizing your cans" PS my husband still doesn't know how much they cost. Some things are better left unsaid! Anyways I came across a new better value system. They are individual cardboard organizers that sell 4 for $16. Check it out at http://www.thecanorganizer.com/

Happy ORGANIZING!!!

Laundry Detergent

Okay so I hope the title didn't scare you away!!! Keep reading.... I actually like doing laundry! My favorite laundry detergent is GAIN....ISLAND FRESH. Occasionally when my children are being good at the grocery store I like to take time to sniff all the detergents to see if I find something better. There are so many wonderful choices it's hard to pick but Gain island fresh is still my favorite! So you will always see extra bottles of it in my food storage! If the stores are empty....well my clothes will still smell good!! But you know what ticks me off??? It is so darn expensive!!! Seriously, it's not fair! I only have 2 children and I do a tonne of laundry. I can't even imagine what 4 children would be like?? So curiosity led me to the Duggar website. Here is a family with 18 kids... what do they use?? Guess what....they make it! Yep that's right, and the recipe is really easy and cheap. And for just a few bucks you can do 640 loads!!
No this is not a typo!! So here you go...Add these ingredients to your next shopping trip!
Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap- Front or top load machine- best value
4 Cups - hot tap water
1 Fels-Naptha soap bar (you can use any non perfume type bar of soap)
1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda*
½ Cup Borax
- Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted. -Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken. -Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (will gel) -Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil. -Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons. -Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads) -Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads) *Arm & Hammer "Super Washing Soda" - in some stores or may be purchased online here (at Meijer.com). Baking Soda will not work, nor will Arm & Hammer Detergent - It must be sodium carbonate!!
Happy washing everyone!!!

72 hour Scavenger

I went on to numerous sites and found numerous lists for 72 hour kits. Basically you need Food, Water, and clothing for 72 hours. Most cases suggest that you will be in your home with these items but some suggest making these kits available in case you have to leave your home. Once you leave your home there are other items you will probably need considering you can't be in your house (shelter etc...)
This list is really extensive and I don't expect everyone to have all items. But it's better to list everything so you can consider your options.

Guess what?? I don't have a 72 hour kit!! Yes that's right....I love all this stuff and I probably have quite a few items on the list but I have yet to put it all together. So this post is for me too! My Goal is to see what I have and put it together. I will try to take a picture and post it once I can.

Food and Water
Protein/Granola Bars
Trail Mix/Dried Fruit
Crackers/Cereals (for munching)
Canned Tuna, Beans, Turkey, Beef, Canned meals, ravioli, spaghetti etc (with pop off tops)Utensils
Can opener
Flavored water packs (crystal light etc…)
Juice boxes
Candy/Gum
Water (1 Gallon/4 Liters Per Person)
Water Filtration Straw or Sport Bottle
Water Filtration Pump

Bedding and Clothing
Change of Clothing (short and long sleeved shirts, pants, jackets, socks, etc.)
Undergarments
Sturdy Shoes
Hats for warmth or protection from the sun
Rain Coat - All weather Poncho
Emergency Heat Blankets (that keep in warmth)
Hot pockets for hands and feet
Sleeping bags or blankets
Plastic Sheet
Gloves for working and carrying stuff
Temp Shelter
Tent
Tarp
Rope
Umbrella (for wind, rain, snow, sun)

Fuel, Light, Communications
Batteries
Lighting (Flashlights, Lamps, etc.) Don't forget batteries!
Extra Batteries
Solar or crank flashlights
Flares
Candles
Lighter
Water-Proof Matches
Flint
Radio crank or battery

Information
Survival 101 booklet for general safety and survival information.
First Aid Book
Maps

Equipment
Hand Shovel
Radio (with batteries!)
Pen and Paper
Axe
Pocket Knife
Rope
Tarp
Whistle
Duct tape
scissors
compass
Mirror

Personal Supplies and Medication
First Aid Supplies
Medical supplies (hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses, syringes, cane)
N95 or surgical masks
Toiletries, toilet paper, tooth brush, tooth paste, tampax, pads
Cleaning Supplies (mini hand sanitizer, soap, shampoo, dish soap, etc.)
Medication (Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, children's medication, children's tylenol etc.)Prescription Medication (for 3 days)
Wet ones (individual wipes)
Cloths
Towels

Personal Documents and Money(Place these items in a water-proof ziploc)
Scriptures
Patriarchal Blessing
Legal Documents (Birth/Marriage Certificates, Wills, Passports, Contracts, etc)
Insurance Policies
Cash and coin
Credit Card
Pre-Paid Phone Cards

Miscellaneous
Bag(s) to put 72 Hour Kit items in (such as duffel bags or back packs, which work great)
Make sure you can lift/carry it!
ziploc bags, put items in ziploc bags.
These always come in handy!
Entertainment items
Garbage bags
Extra set of car keys and house keys

Infant Needs (if applicable)Items for infants, such as formula, diapers, wipes, bottles, and pacifiers.
Pet supplies collar, leash, ID, food, carrier, bowl

Notes: Update your 72 Hour Kit every six months (put a note in your calendar/planner) to make sure that: all food, water, and medication is fresh and has not expired; clothing fits; personal documents and credit cards are up to date; and batteries are charged.

You can include any other items in your 72 Hour Kit that you feel are necessary for your family's survival.

Make sure you are mobile: Everyone shouldn't have to carry heavy bags. Use backpacks with wheels or keep a stroller handy for children or items.

While I am talking about storing an extra propane tank....don't forget to pick up a heater attachment. Especially with our cold winters, it would come in handy if the power went out in a storm. This is $40 worth spending!!

BBQ

It almost feels like spring is just around the corner. I smelled BBQ in the air when I was outside and had a blogging moment. It's always a good idea to have an extra propane tank (if you still use propane like us) In an emergency your BBQ is a great way to cook. Forget about emergencies....how often have you been in the middle of BBQ ing something and your propane tank runs out! Then you have to load it up....find a place that actually fills them and sit there for 20 minutes until someone qualified can do it!!! What a pain. Treat the man in your life with an extra propane tank. They will thank you for it!

Soya Sauce and Teryaki

Okay so a month of rice stuff and I've yet to suggest Soya Sauce and Teriyaki? Oooops! Well consider yourself informed! This is a great staple for your food storage. May I suggest don't buy in bulk! Just buy lot's of regular sized containers.