Do the Math

Once you have your recipe book it's time to do the math!

The basic process is to multiple each recipe's ingredients by how many times you will eat it in a year.
For instance, say I have 7 items for breakfast I would multiple each recipe's ingredients by 52 to cover a full year's food supply.
I would repeat this for each of the other recipes.

When I did this I put it all in a spreadsheet to make sure the math was correct and to keep up with duplicate ingredients.
Some useful equivalencies to know are:

3 Teaspoons = 1 Tablespoon
16 Tablespoons = 1 Cup
2 Cups = 1 Pint
2 Pints = 1 Quart
4 Quarts = 1 Gallon

Doing the math takes a while, but it helps keep things accurate so that you don't end up with twice the amount of flour and not enough yeast for your year supply of food.

This is a great FHE activity (hint hint to get the men involved)!

Recipe Book

Once everyone has their list of meals it is easiest to put them in a book so you can physically see what each recipe requires and what you will need to buy for food storage. I made one for my family. This is just what our cover page looks like:

Breakfast
• Granola pg. 2
• Cinnamon Apple Oatmeal pg. 2
• Plain Oatmeal pg. 2
• Malt-O-Meal pg. 3
• Eggs and Toast pg. 3
• Jam and Toast pg. 3
• Cereal pg. 3
• Biscuits and Gravy pg. 3
• Pancakes pg. 4
Lunch
• Beans and Rice pg. 5
• Shepherds Pie pg. 5
• Cottage Pie pg. 5
• Tuna Casserole pg. 6
• Alfredo pg. 6
• Roast and Potatoes pg. 6
• Spaghetti pg. 7
• Chicken Pot Pie pg. 7
• Salmon and Rice pg. 8
Dinner
• Peanut Butter Sandwiches pg. 9
• Tuna Salad Sandwiches pg. 9
• Chicken Salad Sandwiches pg. 9
• Chicken and Rice Soup pg. 9
• Lentil Soup pg. 10
• Chili pg. 10
• Taco Soup pg. 11
Desserts
• Chocolate Chip Cookies pg. 12
• Brownies pg. 12
• Chocolate Lava Cake pg. 12
• Cake/Cupcakes pg. 13
Misc.
• Kool-Aid pg. 14
• Milk pg. 14
• Butter Milk pg. 14
• Bread pg. 14
• Egg Substitute pg. 14
• Instant Potatoes pg. 15
• Traditional Frosting pg. 15
• Chocolate Frosting pg. 15

I then proceeded to have a copy of each recipe.
I keep it all in a folder to keep it all in one spot.

I you want any of these recipes just let me know and I will email it to you.
Also a great source for food storage recipes is from Wendy Dewitt's book of Everything Under the Sun. (The same one she talks about in the video)

Here is the link:
http://theideadoor.com/Preparedness/everything_under_the_sun.htm

Then click on either the pdf or the word document. (it is 17 pages)

Wendy Dewitt Video

To get started I recommend you watch the Wendy Dewitt video. It is available on you tube. (I embedded them at the bottom in order to watch them.) If anyone would like a copy of the Wendy Dewitt Video let me know. I can either email it to you or burn a copy on to a disk for you to have. This is the process for which I use and what I am basing the blog off of. T
Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Part 7

Part 8

Part 9

Some Reason's Why Not

I've had a request for my Top 10 Reasons Why I Don't Have My Food Storage. (Wendy DeWitt)

10. My neighbors have a TWO year supply! No, they don't. They don't have any food. Did you know that 85% of the members of the church don't have any food storage at all? If your idea of food storage is to eat someone else’s food………..this is a really bad plan.

9. I've paid tithing for 20 years...the church can give me a little food. Many members believe that when the times get hard, the church is going to come through like Joseph in Egypt. Absolutely not true. All the church storehouses and welfare farms across the country would only feed 4% of the members of the church. The church has been asking YOU to store food for 75 years. They're NOT storing food for you. Thus, another bad plan.

8. I'm moving in with my children / parents! Really....that’s just a bad plan all by itself. But it points out that most members don't have a year's supply because they're PLANNING on eating someone else's food! Of course, since no one HAS any food, we have yet another bad plan.

7. I have a year's supply...and the bullets to go with it! I've heard time and again, "How dumb is that to go to all the time and expense of getting food...just to have some guy with a gun come and shoot my family to take it away?" Here's a better question. Are you afraid of the guy with the gun? Or are you more afraid of BECOMING the guy with the gun? What would you do if your children were starving to death? Would you lie? Cheat? Steal? Would you shoot your neighbor for his food? I guarantee....if you were watching your child starving to death, you would do anything you had to to keep them alive. If you don't have your year's supply, you are putting yourself in danger of losing not only your temporal salvation, but your spiritual salvation as well.

So far, all the reasons we don't have our food storage involve eating someone else's food. Please, don't put your family's temporal salvation in other people's hands. No one is storing food for you. Not your neighbors, not the government...not even the church.

#6. The boat and the 4 wheelers are taking up all my storage space! (priorities!)

#5. 3 letters....Y2K. Ok, that's 2 letters and a number....but they're always making way too much out of everything! This is never going to happen!” (Every prophecy that has ever been given WILL happen.)

#4. If anything DOES happen, the government will be here within hours! (insert laughter) Did you know the government has been telling us that we need to have food storage? They're actually CALLING it food storage! We now have the government telling us to store food, water, medicines...whatever we will need to be able to stay in our homes for several months.

#3. I can't afford scrap booking AND food storage. The average food storage can cost as little as a dollar a day. We live in the richest society in the history of the world, and while there are cases where money may be a problem, most of the time it is a matter of priorities. We have chosen bigger homes, nicer cars, more tv's, computers, vacations ...everything is more important than our food storage. If I asked, "Who has a cell phone?" most of you would say yes. You pay at least $30 a month to have a cell phone....that's about a dollar a day...the cost of one year's supply of food for your child. Is your cell phone really more important than your child's temporal salvation? You have to make food storage a priority.

2. I'm waiting for the cannery to sell Papa John's dehydrated pizza! Food storage has always had a stigma attached to it. If it's not wheat, beans and powdered milk, it's not food storage. With the system I use, food storage can be sweet and sour chicken, tamale pie, chile and cornbread, beef stew, shepherd's pie, minestrone...even chocolate chip cookies! Your imagination (and your pocketbook) are the only limitations you have.

And the #1 reason why I don't have my year's supply of food? A year?? I thought it was 72 hours!!

You KNOW you should have your food storage. You WANT to have it, but it can be so overwhelming! How much do I buy? Where do I store it? How do I cook it? It seems like an impossible task.... but it's not. It doesn't matter if you use my system or just start buying extra food, the important thing is to do something. Good luck in your efforts! Wendy DeWitt

May's Goal

Why is a year or at least a 3 month supply of food important. A system for creating and sustaining your food storage. Creating a recipe book to use your food storage items. Water, water, water!

I know this seems like a lot for one month so if we need to we can have it extend into June. I know we can do it, we just need to take baby steps!

Compiled

Are there any people who have not completely compiled their 72 hour kits?
If so what are you missing?

I think with all the things happening this month, we may not get to have an activity.
So let me know and I will help on an individual basis to make sure people's kits are complete.

I hope you are thinking about your year supply of food. Start thinking about the meals you eat and starting making lists to get an idea as to what you and your family eat on a day to day basis. It is okay if they are meals that don't seem like food storage type meals. I just want to get you thinking about what you eat.

Good luck everyone!
Dianna

April Goal

This month's goal is to compile our 72-hour kits. We want to have an activity to assist in this effort. Also I will try to watch the sales and post when there are good deals on items one would need for their 72 hour kit. If you see a deal and I miss it, just post it as a comment for all to see. Lets all be as informed as possible. I love a good deal, and I try to never buy things at full price!

Cannery Trip and Canning Session

I was curious to know if anyone wanted to do a trip to the cannery this Wednesday?

Also I was wondering if anyone would be up for doing some pressure canning this weekend?

Dave and I plan on doing this during conference. We also plan on watching conference while it heats and cools. (You're more than welcome to watch with us!)

If you are interested call me, email me, or post a comment, just let me know!

Thanks everyone!
Dianna Crest

April Activity

We would like to have an April Relief Society activity where we compile 72-hour kits.
If we do this, what would you want to see in the kit we compile at church and what are somethings you would be willing to do on your own? Also comparing all of the lists that we have seen for 72-hour kits what seem to be the most important items (to you)?

We would love feedback so we can gauge on how the activity should go and what its ultimate goal should be.

72-Hour Kit from past Church Activity

This is what I found.--However these were left in the church building for a while so some things may have been removed.

2 rolls toilet paper
all purpose first aid kit
2 emergency ponchos
6 bottles of water
2 cans of soup (4 servings total)
bottle of ibuprofen
18 oz jar of peanut butter
box of matches
6 Nature Valley Bars
6 sets of silverware
small bottle of insect repellent
40 sq ft of aluminum foil
flash light and batteries

For those who made them in the past, does this look accurate? Or is there something you remember that is missing from this list.

Got the Idea?

Now that we are starting to get a general idea about what and why 72-hour kits are important we need to start thinking about how we are going to make them. My understanding is that a few years ago the ward had an activity where 72-hour kits were made. Does anyone remember this? How did it work? Where there stations? Was everything provided for you including things like bags, first aid kits? Did you have to pay for a kit, if so how much? If anyone can answer these questions please do so, either call me or just post it as a comment on the blog. I got a hold of one of the kits and plan on seeing what exactly was in them. I'll post what I find.

Another Example of a 72-Hour Kit

The 72-Hour Emergency Kit should be individually tailored to meet the basic survival needs of your family for three days to a week. Most families prefer to store their emergency supplies in one location that is relatively safe, yet easily accessible if evacuation is required. Items may be stored in a 32-gallon trash can, suitcase, duffle bag, backpack, footlocker, or individual pack.

-Emergency Needs-
Battery Powered Radio
First Aid Kit & Manual
Sleeping Bags & Blankets (wool & thermal)
Manual Can Opener
Waterproof/Windproof Matches
Non-Perishable Foods
Flashlight
Water Storage (1 gal./day)
Water purification tablets
Utility Knife
Emergency Candles
Extra Eyeglasses/Contact Lenses
Essential Medications
Extra Clothing
Suggested non-perishable food items: Ready-to-eat goods in unbreakable containers, canned meats, juice, fruits & vegetables, powdered milk, infant care foods, crackers, peanut butter, freeze-dried & dehydrated goods.

-Sanitation Kit-
Plastic Bucket w/Tightly Fitted Lid
Plastic Bags & Ties
Disinfectant
Improvised Toilet Seat
Paper Cups & Plates
Personal Toiletries
Baby Supplies
Aluminum Foil
Paper Towels
Personal Hygienic Needs
Plastic Utensils
Soap

-Other Emergency Needs-
Pen & Paper
Money
Address & Phone Numbers
Work Gloves
Basic Tools

-Standard First Aid Kit-
First Aid Manual
Aspirin or Pain Relievers
Laxatives
Rubbing Alcohol
Diarrhea Medicine
Petroleum Jelly
Soap
Salt
Gauze
Band-aid
Triangular Bandage (36"x36"x52")
Elastic Bandage
Cotton Balls
Cotton Swabs
Safety Pins
Scissors
Thermometer
Sanitary Napkins (Pressure Dressing)
Disposable Diapers (Dressing/ Splint/Padding)
Micropore Adhesive, Paper Tape
Matches
Needles
Tweezers
Small Splints, Popsicle Sticks
Heavy String
Syrup of Ipecac
Individual Medical Needs
Baking Soda (1/2 tsp. soda + 1 tsp. salt + 1 qt. water for shock)

-Car Survival Kit-
Always Maintain at Least 1/2 Tank of Gas
First Aid Kit & Manual
Class ABC Fire Extinguisher
Radio & Batteries
Non-Perishable Food Stored in Can
Bottled Water
Bag of Sand, Shovel & Tools
Blankets or Sleeping Bags
Sundry Kit, Paper & Pencil, Map, Tissues, Premoistened Towels, Plastic Bags, Essential Medications
Flashlights & Batteries
Reflectors & Flares
Waterproof Matches & Candles
Jumper Cables
Short Rubber Hose for Siphoning
Shovel

-Make Copies of All Legal Papers-
Marriage License
House Mortgage
Vacation Home / Property Ownership
Automotive Ownership
Motor Home Ownership
Wills
Jewelry Appraisals
Drivers Licenses
Trailers, Snowmobiles, Boat Ownerships
Insurance Policies
Bank Accounts

One Example of a 72-hour kit

This is a list of items to store in a 72 hour kit so a family can be prepared in case of an emergency. Also learn how to make a first aid kit to put into your 72 hour kit.

Food and Water (A three day supply of food and water, per person, when no refrigeration or cooking is available)
-Protein/Granola Bars
-Trail Mix/Dried Fruit
-Crackers/Cereals (for munching)
-Canned Tuna, Beans, Turkey, Beef, Vienna Sausages, etc
-Canned Juice
-Candy/Gum (warning: things can melt)
-Water (1 Gallon/4 Liters Per Person)

Bedding and Clothing
-Change of Clothing (short and long sleeved shirts, pants, jackets, socks, etc.)
-Undergarments
-Rain Coat/Poncho
-Blankets and Emergency Heat Blanks (that keep in warmth)
-Cloth Sheet
-Plastic Sheet

Fuel and Light
-Battery Lighting (Flashlights, Lamps, etc.) Don't forget batteries!
-Extra Batteries
-Flares
-Candles
-Lighter
-Water-Proof Matches

Equipment
-Can Opener
-Dishes/Utensils
-Shovel
-Radio (with batteries!)
-Pen and Paper
-Axe
-Pocket Knife
-Rope
-Duct Tape

Personal Supplies and Medication
-First Aid Kit and Supplies
-Toiletries (roll of toilet paper- remove the center tube to easily flatten into a zip-lock bag, feminine hygiene, folding brush, etc.)
-Cleaning Supplies (mini hand sanitizer, soap, shampoo, dish soap, etc. Warning: Scented soap might "flavor" food items.)
-Immunizations Up-to Date
-Medication (Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, children's medication etc.)
-Prescription Medication (for 3 days)

Personal Documents and Money (Place these items in a water-proof container!)
-Scriptures
-Genealogy Records
-Patriarchal Blessing
-Legal Documents (Birth/Marriage Certificates, Wills, Passports, Contracts, etc)
-Vaccination Papers
-Insurance Policies
-Cash
-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!
-Infant Needs (if applicable)

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.
-Small toys/games are important too as they will provide some comfort and entertainment during a stressful time.
-Older children can be responsible for their own pack of items/clothes too.
-You can include any other items in your 72 Hour Kit that you feel are necessary for your family's survival.
-Some items and/or flavors might leak, melt, "flavor" other items, or break open. Dividing groups of items into individual Ziploc bags might help prevent this.

Why have a 72-Hour Kit?

This was an article in the New Era from 1977 and it still applies. It has a great story and a list of items for a 72-hour kit.


Lynn Tilton, “Emergency!,” New Era, Mar 1977, 25

Marlene Harris was ironing a skirt for the Halloween dance planned later that night when a knock thundered at the door. “Quick, get out, the building’s on fire!”

Her first reaction was, “Just a Halloween trick.” Then she smelled smoke. “Fire! Fire!” she yelled to her four roommates. The five began madly scrambling in seven directions as they scooped up various items to rescue from the flames before stumbling through the doorway and down the stairs.

Moments later Marlene, a bundle securely in her arms, was standing in the cold with 50 other college students. “At least I saved something,” she thought to herself as the firemen arrived. A chill wind caused her to shiver; she’d forgotten her coat.

Walter Steele, who lived in one of the basement apartments, stood next to her, apparently toasty warm in his overcoat, gloves, and winter hat. He was munching on pieces of a large bar.

“At least you’re prepared,” she commented, envying his coat.

“Yeah, it runs in the family. My great-grandfather used to hitch his mules each morning facing east, just in case he got the call for Jackson County. Have a bite?”

“What is it?”

“Survival ration bar, made for emergencies. Quite good, really. Here.” He broke off another chunk and handed it to her. Marlene shifted her bundle and took the piece. She mumbled her thanks as she nibbled the concoction.

“Made from oatmeal, powdered milk, sugar, honey, and flavored gelatin,” he commented. “Good emergency ration, about 1,000 calories, in one of these,” Walt added as he tried another bite. “Not really hungry, but this is the first time I’ve been in an emergency, and I’m going to make the most of it.”

“Not bad, I mean the bar.”

“Part of being prepared.”

“I guess you got that from your great-grandfather,” she answered, trying to break his smugness.

“Naw, I even flunked Scouting.”

Marlene smiled.

“It’s true, though. I’ve been prepared for emergencies for years. I have a couple of bundles of food and supplies on the closet floor. They’re good for three days. Then I have a two-week supply stashed under the bed. Now I’m working on my year’s supply. I’m ready for fire, flood, earthquake, famine, and just about anything else.”

“A flood here in these mountains?”

“Never know; it only takes one. Look at Idaho and Colorado. Anyway, I also rehearsed what I would do in case of different emergencies, and when the alarm came tonight, I was able to calmly evaluate my needs for this situation. I had enough time for my overclothes, this bar, and this knapsack of legal papers and genealogical research.”

Walt looked around at the crowd. “Nobody else here is prepared. Even the landlord failed to install product-of-combustion alarms in the complex. Fortunately I had a smoke detector with me, and I put it in my room. That’s how we learned of the fire.

“Look at that girl in the bathrobe, slippers, and wet hair. Then there is Art over there shaking in his shirt-sleeves, but he rescued his skis, boots, and poles.”

Marlene joined in the inventory. “My roommate there has all her books for the semester, Laura brought clothes from her closet, and Becky’s holding her record collection.”

“A real help in an emergency,” he commented dryly. “By the way, what’s in your arms?”

Marlene looked down and took stock for the first time. She blushed. “Ironing.”

He laughed, then apologized, unslung his knapsack and pulled off his coat. “Here, wear this until we can go back inside. I still don’t see any flames.”

“That’s fair enough,” she replied, mollified, “if you’ll wrap these around your bare feet.”

The fireman came out of the downstairs laundry room. The cause of alarm had been a pile of clothes left against the gas water heater. Marlene, Walt, and the others were able to return to their apartments and continue preparations for the evening’s activities. The emergency was over.

Preparing for the unexpected can range from something as elementary as the bar Walt was munching, to a complete year’s supply of food and other necessities. Some simple steps will help uncomplicate the disasters of fire, flood, high winds, or earthquakes.

It is recommended that in case of sudden evacuation, the three things to take with you are the other people in the building, your legal papers, and your book of remembrance. These generally cannot be replaced, but stereo tapes, skis, stamp collections, textbooks, and other such items can. Do not return to the home until you know it’s safe.

Should you have several minutes before leaving, a wise thing to do is to have emergency supplies ready to take with you, as well as a plan for determining the order in which you would want to rescue your other possessions.

It is advisable to keep an emergency kit in a place where it would be easy to grab should you have to evacuate. Some keep the supplies in a closet near the door. Others have them in the garage or in the trunk of their car.

Pamphlets for emergency preparedness are legion and detailed. They can be picked up at civil defense offices, fire departments, and other emergency centers, usually at no cost. Those who study these pamphlets and prepare for the various emergencies have a good chance of minimizing the effects of a disaster, whether individual or general.

Adequate food is necessary in case of emergency and must be planned for in advance. You might wish to concoct some nutritious bars such as Walt did. You will need 3 cups of rolled oats, barley, or wheat, 2 1/2 cups of powdered milk, one cup of sugar, 3 tablespoons of honey, one-half package of citrus flavored gelatin, and 3 tablespoons of water.

Place all dry ingredients, except the gelatin, in a bowl. Add the water to the honey and bring to a boil. Dissolve the gelatin in the honey-water mixture; then add it all to the dry ingredients. After mixing well, add water a teaspoon at a time until the mixture is barely moist enough to be molded. Shape into two bars.

Each bar will be about the size of a large match box and will be sufficient food for one day. The bar can be eaten dry, or cooked in about a pint of water. It may be dried in the oven under low heat, wrapped in foil, and placed in a covered container for indefinite storage.

A more comprehensive approach to emergency preparedness is to assemble a kit that contains sufficient food and other items for three days. You will want to include accessories, tools, and miscellaneous items. Civil defense and other organizations have suggested the following.

Two Persons—Three Days

Food
Cereal (dry)
-6 individual size
Milk
-6 small cans
Milk (dried)
-1 small can
Beverage (hot)
-1 small can or jar
Juices
-6 small cans
Fruit
-6 small cans
Meat
-3 small cans (Vienna sausage, beef, corn beef, ham)
Fish
-3 small cans (tuna, salmon, sardines)
Baby foods (strained)
-2 cans for spread
Pork and Beans
-1 small can
Spaghetti
-1 small can
Potatoes
-1 small can
Colored Vegetables
-3 small cans (peas, beans, corn, asparagus)
Soup
-3 cans
Crackers
-2 one-pound packages (sodas, grahams)
Raisins
-1 pound
Chocolate bar (sweet)
-1/2 pound
Hard Candy
-1 pound, tight jar
Sugar
-1/2 pound
Salt
-1 ounce
Medical supplies
-If illness exists
Water (boiled/purified)
-3 gallons


Accessories
Canned heat
-3 cans
Matches
-In small mustard jar or tin
Candles
-6
Soap (dual purpose)
-1 large bar, package, or liquid
Towels (bath and dish)
-2 each
Paper plates and cups
-1 dozen each
Knives, forks, spoons
-2 each
Paper napkins
-1 package
Toilet tissue
-1 roll
Kleenex
-1 small package
Paper bags
-1 dozen, large
Cooking pots
-2 small, lightweight
Can opener
-1
Personal items
-As required

Tools and Miscellaneous
First aid kit
Gloves (heavy)
Battery-run radio—extra batteries
Blankets and other bedding items
Flashlight with extra batteries and bulbs
Warm clothing
Scout ax, shovel, pliers, and pinch bar

Success in handling an emergency depends on being prepared, both in acquiring the necessities and in gaining knowledge. Classes in first aid and other emergency measures are also available through community agencies.

Welcome

Welcome everyone!

The reason this blog was started was to inform the people in the Lakewood Ward about being prepared.  Each month there will be a goal to try to achieve.  Hopefully this will help everyone get their 72 hour kits, 3-month supply and or their year supply of food.  It seems like an undertaking, but our monthly goals will make it a baby step process and before you know you will be fully prepared!  If you ever have questions feel free to post a comment on the blog or call anyone in the Relief Society Presidency or Sister Crest (The Provident Living Specialist for the Relief Society). We want this blog to reach and help as many people as we can.

So bookmark this page and visit it often!

March's Goal

This month's goal will merge with April's . It is 72 Hour Kits.
I would like everyone to think if they have 72 hour kits and will they really be useful in an emergency. I will be posting example lists and ideas. Also the Relief Society plans on holding an activity centered around this topic in April.