Spread the word, and invite others to participate in "LDS Preparedness," a new website hosted by ProvidentLiving.org. If you have some ideas to share on preparedness, please contribute to "LDS Preparedness." Here is the welcome letter:
"To those of you who are passionate about preparedness, we at Church headquarters invite you to join us in creating a new web site.
We envision a site that not only teaches the principles behind being prepared, but also motivates our worldwide audience to become better prepared. We appreciate what you are doing to inspire others in their preparedness efforts, and we hope to draw from your experience and creativity to enhance the Church’s message of preparedness.
This blog is intended to be a gathering place for ideas, advice, and inspiration as we build a new preparedness-focused web site. Please comment on the different posts that interest you. Help us understand the needs of our audiences throughout the world, and ways you think we could better address their needs. Also, please share with us your success stories or lessons learned concerning preparedness. We desire to help families become prepared, and we recognize that your passion for preparedness will help us reach a larger audience.
We look forward to hearing from you.
The Provident Living Web Site Team"
This is not an official site of the LDS Church
Go to http://preparedness.ldswelfare.org/
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
New LDS Preparedness Blog hosted by ProvidentLiving.org
Friday, June 26, 2009
Participate in the "My Grain Mill Is The Best" Poll
Let's find out which electric grain mill my readers think is the best. I have a lot of readers who are new to food storage. Those of you who have been using an electric grain mill for awhile can really help them as they decide what type of electric grain mill to purchase. Please Participate in the PreparedLDSFamily "My Grain Mill Is the Best" poll on the right sidebar. Also, tell us why you think your grain mill is the best. Then, at the end of the poll, I will compile all comments and the poll results in a post.
Please vote on the right sidebar and add your comments to this post!
Please vote on the right sidebar and add your comments to this post!
Wheat Storage: How Long Can I Store Wheat Flour?
1. Grind your own wheat for the freshest wheat flour. Turn your #10 can of wheat upside down. It's much easier to open on the bottom with a hand can opener. My electric can opener doesn't seem to like these cans.
2. Pour your wheat into your grinder. I hope you have something newer. Mine is a very ancient Magic Mill, but still works great! I check it for weevils every time I use it, and if they are there, they are sure hiding. Of course you can add wheat from a bag or bucket!
3. It's fun to watch the wheat kernels funnel into the hole that reaches the grinding stones. It takes about 8 minutes for me to grind a #10 can of wheat.
4. Here is the beautiful, warm sweet-smelling wheat flour. Make sure you dust off the wheat flour inside the mill. Never clean with water!
5. Transfer the wheat into a container for the freezer. Burp the air out of the container, and seal.
6. You can also use freezer bags.
7. Store the container in your freezer to help the wheat hold its nutrients, prevent rancidity, and to kill any weevils. (Maybe it shouldn't be on this pizza box for very long as it will pick up the flavor. :-) But I'll use it quickly.) I keep the small freezer bag in my kitchen freezer to make waffles and use in my baking, and the large one in my full-sized freezer for bread making. Always nice to have some on hand.
How long can I store wheat flour?
- Freezer = up to 12 months
- Refrigerator = up to 6 months
- Room Temperature = up to 3 months
How much wheat flour do you get from one #10 can of wheat?
One #10 can of wheat = about 17 cups of wheat flour. (My #10 can was canned at an LDS cannery and weighs 5.8 lbs.) (Sources: Univeristy of Georgia College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences )
More information on wheat storage can be found from the Utah State University Cooperative Extension: Home Storage of Wheat.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Where can I buy small-sized food storage powdered products while in Utah?
If the #10 food storage cans are too large for your family, there are a few companies that carry smaller sized items. However, before you invest in powdered food storage products, think why you are doing so. I try to keep a variety of products in my food storage that we use regularly. "Don't keep your eggs in one basket" theory. It helps me learn to use what I store, and helps my family learn to like what we store.
Because water is so essential for our bodies, I store most foods that already have the water in them (not talking about grains here). And a few powdered items for baking such as powdered shortening and powdered eggs since you add water when you bake anyway. I have never used powdered peanut butter, and buy regular peanut butter in the 18 oz. size instead, because we don't use peanut butter as quickly as some families. That way it doesn't go rancid. I also have never used honey powder since regular honey has a GREAT shelf life and has the liquid already in it. The only reason I have powdered shortening is for times I don't have Bisquick, so I can make a Magic Mix (more on that coming soon).
I buy most of my items at Macey's grocery store.
To my California friend who asked the question: While your friend is in Utah, she may want to stop by the Macey's grocery store in Ogden as it is "the food storage focus store" in the Macey's chain. They have food storage items regularly on their shelves. Call them 801-392-1842 for the products you need, and they will hold them for pick up. They generally carry food storage items year round, though they bring in more during their case lot sales in March and September.
The Blue Chip group is a food storage supplier to Walmart and Macey's here in Utah. Call (800) 878-0099 or visit their retail store at 32 West 3440 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84115. They have the smaller sizes you mentioned, but they are in bags. They are listed as 1.75# http://www.shop.bluechipgroup.net/main.sc
Another resource is WaltonFeed.com in Idaho which can ship to you, but you will pay for shipping. They have the smaller food storage cans you mentioned. Smaller cans are more expensive than #10 cans by weight, but may be what works best for your family. Thanks for your question. I love to help my California friends!
Because water is so essential for our bodies, I store most foods that already have the water in them (not talking about grains here). And a few powdered items for baking such as powdered shortening and powdered eggs since you add water when you bake anyway. I have never used powdered peanut butter, and buy regular peanut butter in the 18 oz. size instead, because we don't use peanut butter as quickly as some families. That way it doesn't go rancid. I also have never used honey powder since regular honey has a GREAT shelf life and has the liquid already in it. The only reason I have powdered shortening is for times I don't have Bisquick, so I can make a Magic Mix (more on that coming soon).
I buy most of my items at Macey's grocery store.
To my California friend who asked the question: While your friend is in Utah, she may want to stop by the Macey's grocery store in Ogden as it is "the food storage focus store" in the Macey's chain. They have food storage items regularly on their shelves. Call them 801-392-1842 for the products you need, and they will hold them for pick up. They generally carry food storage items year round, though they bring in more during their case lot sales in March and September.
The Blue Chip group is a food storage supplier to Walmart and Macey's here in Utah. Call (800) 878-0099 or visit their retail store at 32 West 3440 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84115. They have the smaller sizes you mentioned, but they are in bags. They are listed as 1.75# http://www.shop.bluechipgroup.net/main.sc
Another resource is WaltonFeed.com in Idaho which can ship to you, but you will pay for shipping. They have the smaller food storage cans you mentioned. Smaller cans are more expensive than #10 cans by weight, but may be what works best for your family. Thanks for your question. I love to help my California friends!
Monday, June 15, 2009
Book Review: "Emergency Food in a Nutshell"
When I heard Leslie Probert speak at the BYU Education Week in 2008, I knew I wanted her “Emergency Food in a Nutshell” book. Even though speakers don’t promote their books during their talks, I ran over to the BYU bookstore to see what she had written. This book is a GREAT learning tool for those wanting to understand what food storage is, and how to use it. The beginning of the book answers questions about food storage such as: “Can I get enough nutrition from dried or canned foods? Or “How can I afford the expense of acquiring my food storage?”
The next section teaches you how to make a food storage plan. Various charts help you create your own four and five week food storage menus, and the appendix contains sample menus which are invaluable. And there are 200 recipes created with storable foods! The useful index helps you find recipes by ingredient. This one is a keeper in my food storage library.
Emergency Food in a Nutshell by Leslie D. Probert and Lisa L. Harkness, 2003
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Muffins: Food Storage Recipe
Adapted from LyndasRecipeBox.blogspot.com
1 1/4 c. flour (I used 1/2 c. wheat, and 3/4 c. white)
1 c. oatmeal, quick or old fashioned
1 t. baking powder
1/2 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt, optional
2/3 c. low-fat buttermilk (Put 2 t. vinegar in 2/3 c. milk. I used skim shelf milk. Stir.)
1/4 c. vegetable oil
1/2 c. honey
1 egg, lightly beaten (or add 2 T. dry egg to dry ingredients, 2 T water to wet ingredients)
1/2 c. regular or 2/3 cup mini chocolate chips
1. Heat oven to 350 degrees and grease, or paper cup, 12 muffin or 6 large muffin pan.
2. By hand, mix flour, oats, baking powder, soda and salt in bowl.
3. In another bowl combine buttermilk, oil, honey and egg and mix well.
4. Then add wet ingredients to dry mixture, and chocolate chips. Mix until just blended. Do not over mix!
5. Spoon mixture evenly into muffin cups, about 1/2 full.
6. Add a few more chocolate chips to the top of muffins and sprinkle with sugar.
7. Bake for about 20 minutes. Remove muffins from pan after about 5 minutes. Serve warm and enjoy!
Made these this morning. Finger-licken good! Passed with 5 stars in my family. 100% food storage ingredients.
Printable pdf doc. of recipe
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
3-Month Food Storage: 90 Menu Ideas
As you plan your 3-Month food storage menus, ask yourself this question:
“What type of adversity could come into our lives which our 3-Month food storage supply could help us with?” Here are some possibilities:
Job Loss: If you or your spouse lost a job, do you have enough food stored to help reduce your expenses while you are searching for a new job?
Medical Emergency: If a member of your family became seriously ill, do you have foods, and menus, that your family could easily prepare?
Power Outages: If you were without power for a week or two, do you have enough easy-to-prepare foods to get you by?
Major Natural Disaster: If a major natural disaster occurred and you had to campout at home, do you have some foods you could prepare outdoors? And do you have enough fuel or a way to cook foods for a few weeks?
Creating food storage menus is a simple way to help you decide what to store. Consider the counsel to “Gradually build a small supply of food that is part of your normal, daily diet until it is sufficient for three months.” (Family Home Storage: A New Message, Ensign, March 2009.)
Below are 90 Food Storage Menu Ideas. Adjust to suit the needs of your family. The x indicates how many times you serve the menu. These menus use a combination of small canned, packaged and long-term foods. Some bread may be stored in your freezer; however it may also be homemade. Menus have homemade spaghetti sauce, AND spaghetti sauce in a jar for times when you need simple preparation or emergency cooking. You decide. Snacks are included as many of us need to eat something between meals. Many of these meals are simple enough for teens or a spouse to prepare. Include a few freezer foods, but don’t depend on your freezer unless you have a generator. Menus that require freezer foods are italicized. Most menus use shelf-stable products.
90 BREAKFAST MENUS
3 x Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Muffins, water
3 x Whole Wheat Zucchini Muffins, water
6 x Applesauce Spice Muffins, water
12 x Blender wheat pancakes, water
12 x Wheat waffles, butter/syrup milk
24 x Oatmeal w/raisins, water
30 x Cold cereal, powdered milk, water
90 LUNCH MENUS
12 x PB & J sandwich, fruit cup, boxed drink or Tang
12 x PB & J sandwich, pears or mandarin oranges, water
12 x Chicken salad sandwich, applesauce cup, water or Gatorade
12 x Tuna sandwich, baked beans or applesauce cup, apple juice or water
6 x Chili w/beans, saltine crackers, water
6 x Tomato soup, saltine crackers, water
6 x Ravioli's, banana chips, water
6 x Spaghettios, saltine crackers, Gatorade
6 x Canned Stew, Ritz crackers, applesauce, milk
6 x Cup o’noodle soup, V8 juice
6 x Macaroni & cheese, fruit cocktail, Gatorade
90 DINNER MENUS
6 x Clam Chowder 19 oz., bread/butter
6 x Chicken Noodle soup 19 oz., bread/butter
6 x Vegetable Soup 19 oz., bread/butter
6 x Chicken, Vegetable, Pasta Soup 19 oz., saltine crackers
6 x Spaghetti w/jar sauce, canned corn, milk
6 x Spaghetti w/homemade sauce, canned green beans, milk
6 x Quick Beef Chili w/corn *73 Biscuits
3 x Pineapple Chicken *92, rice
3 x Italian Pasta Salad *67, Biscuits
3 x Chicken & Rice Casserole, Biscuits
3 x Tuna w/ Egg Noodles, canned corn, milk
3 x Chicken w/ Egg Noodles, canned corn, milk
3 x Chicken a la King *94, rice, canned green beans
3 x Creamy Chicken and green beans *160, mashed potatoes
3 x Tuna, Noodles and peas, canned pears
3 x Teriyaki Pineapple Beef, rice w/broth
3 x Bisquick Vegetable pot pie, canned peaches, milk
3 x Barbecue Beef Casserole *160, canned peaches
3 x BBQ chicken on hamburger buns, canned peaches milk
3 x Sloppy Joe's with canned meat on hamburger buns, applesauce
3 x Enchilada Casserole w/corn, canned peaches
3 x Beef Nacho Casserole, Spanish rice *98
3 x Meat and gravy on mashed potatoes *88, canned green beans, milk
90 SNACK MENUS
18 x Food bar
3 x Pretzels
6 x Fruit snack
6 x Graham crackers
6 x M & M's or taffy
6 x Hot cocoa drink(has milk)
3 x Corn Chips w/homemade salsa
3 x Chips w/refried beans & homemade salsa
12 x Homemade popcorn
3 x Simple Scones
3 x Caramel Popcorn *114
3 x Cake (from mix) w/frosting
3 x Brownies (from mix)
3 x Snicker doodles *110
3 x Chocolate Chip Cookies
3 x Chewy Oatmeal Cookies *109
3 x Apple Crisp w/shelf whip topping
3 x Light and Easy Fruit Cobbler*100
* Indicates a recipe in "Emergency Food Storage in a Nutshell" by Leslie Probert and the number indicates what page it is on. I love this book because her recipes use shelf stable foods. Of course you could substitute fresh meat for canned meat.
“What type of adversity could come into our lives which our 3-Month food storage supply could help us with?” Here are some possibilities:
Job Loss: If you or your spouse lost a job, do you have enough food stored to help reduce your expenses while you are searching for a new job?
Medical Emergency: If a member of your family became seriously ill, do you have foods, and menus, that your family could easily prepare?
Power Outages: If you were without power for a week or two, do you have enough easy-to-prepare foods to get you by?
Major Natural Disaster: If a major natural disaster occurred and you had to campout at home, do you have some foods you could prepare outdoors? And do you have enough fuel or a way to cook foods for a few weeks?
Creating food storage menus is a simple way to help you decide what to store. Consider the counsel to “Gradually build a small supply of food that is part of your normal, daily diet until it is sufficient for three months.” (Family Home Storage: A New Message, Ensign, March 2009.)
Below are 90 Food Storage Menu Ideas. Adjust to suit the needs of your family. The x indicates how many times you serve the menu. These menus use a combination of small canned, packaged and long-term foods. Some bread may be stored in your freezer; however it may also be homemade. Menus have homemade spaghetti sauce, AND spaghetti sauce in a jar for times when you need simple preparation or emergency cooking. You decide. Snacks are included as many of us need to eat something between meals. Many of these meals are simple enough for teens or a spouse to prepare. Include a few freezer foods, but don’t depend on your freezer unless you have a generator. Menus that require freezer foods are italicized. Most menus use shelf-stable products.
90 BREAKFAST MENUS
3 x Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Muffins, water
3 x Whole Wheat Zucchini Muffins, water
6 x Applesauce Spice Muffins, water
12 x Blender wheat pancakes, water
12 x Wheat waffles, butter/syrup milk
24 x Oatmeal w/raisins, water
30 x Cold cereal, powdered milk, water
90 LUNCH MENUS
12 x PB & J sandwich, fruit cup, boxed drink or Tang
12 x PB & J sandwich, pears or mandarin oranges, water
12 x Chicken salad sandwich, applesauce cup, water or Gatorade
12 x Tuna sandwich, baked beans or applesauce cup, apple juice or water
6 x Chili w/beans, saltine crackers, water
6 x Tomato soup, saltine crackers, water
6 x Ravioli's, banana chips, water
6 x Spaghettios, saltine crackers, Gatorade
6 x Canned Stew, Ritz crackers, applesauce, milk
6 x Cup o’noodle soup, V8 juice
6 x Macaroni & cheese, fruit cocktail, Gatorade
90 DINNER MENUS
6 x Clam Chowder 19 oz., bread/butter
6 x Chicken Noodle soup 19 oz., bread/butter
6 x Vegetable Soup 19 oz., bread/butter
6 x Chicken, Vegetable, Pasta Soup 19 oz., saltine crackers
6 x Spaghetti w/jar sauce, canned corn, milk
6 x Spaghetti w/homemade sauce, canned green beans, milk
6 x Quick Beef Chili w/corn *73 Biscuits
3 x Pineapple Chicken *92, rice
3 x Italian Pasta Salad *67, Biscuits
3 x Chicken & Rice Casserole, Biscuits
3 x Tuna w/ Egg Noodles, canned corn, milk
3 x Chicken w/ Egg Noodles, canned corn, milk
3 x Chicken a la King *94, rice, canned green beans
3 x Creamy Chicken and green beans *160, mashed potatoes
3 x Tuna, Noodles and peas, canned pears
3 x Teriyaki Pineapple Beef, rice w/broth
3 x Bisquick Vegetable pot pie, canned peaches, milk
3 x Barbecue Beef Casserole *160, canned peaches
3 x BBQ chicken on hamburger buns, canned peaches milk
3 x Sloppy Joe's with canned meat on hamburger buns, applesauce
3 x Enchilada Casserole w/corn, canned peaches
3 x Beef Nacho Casserole, Spanish rice *98
3 x Meat and gravy on mashed potatoes *88, canned green beans, milk
90 SNACK MENUS
18 x Food bar
3 x Pretzels
6 x Fruit snack
6 x Graham crackers
6 x M & M's or taffy
6 x Hot cocoa drink(has milk)
3 x Corn Chips w/homemade salsa
3 x Chips w/refried beans & homemade salsa
12 x Homemade popcorn
3 x Simple Scones
3 x Caramel Popcorn *114
3 x Cake (from mix) w/frosting
3 x Brownies (from mix)
3 x Snicker doodles *110
3 x Chocolate Chip Cookies
3 x Chewy Oatmeal Cookies *109
3 x Apple Crisp w/shelf whip topping
3 x Light and Easy Fruit Cobbler*100
* Indicates a recipe in "Emergency Food Storage in a Nutshell" by Leslie Probert and the number indicates what page it is on. I love this book because her recipes use shelf stable foods. Of course you could substitute fresh meat for canned meat.
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