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!