Smells Like…?
October 31st, 2007 by KimHave you ever wondered how long eggs are still safe to use? Or how long other items can be stored on your pantry shelves? Click here for a comprehensive list of products and shelf-life lengths. Recent research from Brigham Young University suggests that some of the items on the list (like rice, oats or dry milk) will actually last far longer than this list suggests if stored properly. However, it is a good resource to use as you inventory your current food storage and I hope you find it useful.
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Avian Flu
October 29th, 2007 by KimA friend of our family works for our local city offices. He was recently required to attend a training meeting on the avian (bird) flu. He was educated on the virus and how it would affect our community should it arrive in our area. Although there have not been large numbers of documented cases of avian flu being passed person to person, there is the possibility of this happening, resulting in an epidemic. The avian flu is an influenza A virus, which can mutate quickly, arousing concerns about strains becoming resistant to available drugs. If one of these health issues were to arrive in your community, residents could be required to essentially quarantine themselves at home until the outbreak was under control.
I promise, I’m not becoming a hypocrite! I still ally myself with the philosophy of preparation-not-panic, but I found the idea of having to be isolated due to a virulent outbreak good motivation to continue building a comprehensive food storage supply. It has made me think about the items I would really miss if I couldn’t leave my house to pick them up. Chocolate…or butter…or cheese…or toilet paper for instance. If education is motivation for you too, here is a link to more information from the CDC on avian flu: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/gen-info/facts.htm
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Food Storage Plans
October 22nd, 2007 by KimLike anything else, a comprehensive supply of food and preparedness essentials begins with a plan. One of my favorites is found at ChefNoah.com. It is an accelerated, month-by-month plan to not only build a year’s supply of food, but also educate your family about preparedness topics, make and achieve financial goals, and compile 72 hour kits. This really is a super plan for families.
Having a plan on paper helps couples to organize and monitor their efforts to prepare their households. I suggest creating an Emergency Preparedness Binder. I will be posting printable ideas for this soon, but in the meantime, check out ChefNoah for a printable food storage plan.
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Things to Know
October 21st, 2007 by KimI found this little list online from a 1990 publication. It has some simple, but easily overlooked, ideas to help our families feel more prepared in the event of an emergency. The article suggested that, as a family, we should know these things:
- The location of first-aid equipment in the home. (See your pediatrician or family doctor for a complete list of standard medications to have on hand.)
- The location of fire extinguishers (near doors).
- The location of shut-off valves for electricity, gas, and water.
- The location of emergency water supplies (storage tanks, water heater, waterbed mattresses).
- Where important documents and valuables are stored, both inside and outside the home.
- Where to meet if the home is so damaged or dangerous that family members must leave or cannot enter the home.
- The best method of escaping the home in case of fire (practiced at intervals).
- Who is responsible for which younger members of the family.
- How to perform basic first aid.
- In addition, most families keep near their telephones the numbers of the doctor, hospital, paramedics, fire department, police, civil defense authority, Church leaders, and neighbors.
The article lists other helpful ideas on safety, estate planning, and basic food storage as well.
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Canning Day
October 21st, 2007 by KimThis week, my church’s women’s organization hosted a “Canning Day” from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.. Our Church has a gym that is used for everything from basketball games to Christmas parties, but on Monday it was used to fill and seal over 300 cans for food storage. Long tables were set up and all necessary supplies were made available, including #10 cans, lids, and oxygen packets. At the end of each table was an electric can sealer, and a mylar bag sealer was also available. Women were invited to bring any bulk items they wished to can for long-term storage. I canned cornmeal, pinto beans and granulated sugar, but it was fun to see what everyone else brought to build their own storage. Some of the other items canned were a 16 bean soup mix, brown sugar, dehydrated carrots, cornstarch, baking powder, and even dried parsley.
The women loved having the convenience of being able to drop in at a time that worked in their schedule, and it was both fun and satisfying to socialize and complete food storage goals. The event was such a success, we’ll be doing it again in February. In the meantime we’re watching for case-lot sales and other bargains on bulk foods.
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Water Storage Needs
October 15th, 2007 by KimAside from oxygen, water is the most essential element for human life. To prepare for an emergency, each person is encouraged to have at least a 3-day supply of water (at least one gallon per person per day). A healthy, active person needs at least one-half gallon of water daily for drinking, but it would be nice to have that other half gallon for cleaning up. 
Here are some guidelines to determine your family’s water storage needs:
- Ages, physical condition, activity and special dietary needs in your home.
- Climate of your area. Very hot temperatures can double the amount of water needed.
- Children, nursing mothers, and ill people need more water.
- Medical emergencies can require additional water.
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Finding Water in an Emergency
October 15th, 2007 by KimIf an emergency were to occur, hopefully you would have at least a 3 day supply of water for your family, but if a situation finds you unprepared, there are some resources at home that you can use. One of those is to empty your hot water tank. To use the water in your hot-water tank, be sure the electricity or gas is off, and open the drain at the bottom of the tank. Start the water flowing by turning off the water intake valve at the tank and turning on a hot-water faucet. Refill the tank before turning the gas or electricity back on. If the gas is turned off, a professional will be needed to turn it back on.
Drinking water can also be found in ice cubes, frozen containers of water, or even the toilet tank (not the bowl, of course) provided a chemical disinfectant has not been added to the tank. An important point to remember is to keep water coming into the home shut off to avoid contaminants, until the emergency has passed.
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Another Savvy Shopping Tip
October 15th, 2007 by KimRecently, I blogged about combining coupons with grocery store loss-leaders to stock your pantry. As a follow-up, I wanted to share a great online resource to make this process simpler. If you aren’t already a PinchingYourPennies.com fan, you will be when you visit the site. It matches local grocery store ads and coupons up for you, and then even points out the very best deals for that week (denoted by red asterisks on the left) in your local stores. Use this link to take you directly to the Grocery Guide page where you can enter your zip code to find local stores. This week’s great storage find: free toilet paper (with a coupon) in my local Albertsons! I think this savvy shopping is a great way to increase pantry storage.
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Joseph’s Storehouse
October 15th, 2007 by KimLack of space is a common food storage issue for many families. Creative storage options can range from storing items under beds and on the top shelves of children’s closets, to purchasing storage rotation systems. A friend of mine recently started a company called Joseph’s Storehouse with a new solution for food storage space issues.
Joseph’s Storehouse encourages it’s customers to compile at least 1-3 months food storage in their own homes, and then offers a storage and rotation service for a membership fee. The memberships start at $29.95 per person per month. If finding space to store a year’s supply of food under your own roof is a problem, Joseph’s Storehouse may be a good option for you.
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Season’s Greetings with Peach Cobbler
October 9th, 2007 by KimFreezer peach cobbler is a great way to enjoy sweet peach flavor past its season. Pull one of these easily-assembled treats from your freezer for Thanksgiving dinner or for a Christmas gathering, and your guests will be asking for the recipe. This one comes from a great freezer cookbook, Don’t Panic-Dinner’s in the Freezer.
Western Slope Peach Cobbler
Filling:
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/3 cup cornstarch
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. almond extract
6-8 fresh peaches, peeled and sliced (enough to fill a 9 x 13 pan)
Topping:
1 cup sugar
1 cup flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 large egg
1 stick margarine
Mix 1 1/2 cups sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, and almond extract. Add fresh fruit to mixture, place in freezer bag, and freeze.
When you are ready to prepare the cobbler, thaw the fruit filling and pour into greased 9 x 13 baking dish. For topping, mix sugar, flour, and baking powder. Beat egg and mix with flour/sugar mixture until crumbly. Sprinkle over fruit. Melt margarine and drizzle over top. Bake at 350 degress for 45-60 minutes, until light brown.
This is a simple and delicious cobbler, and a fun way to preserve peaches.
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