Welcome to a New Year!

Happy New Year, Sisters!

This will just be a short post...or it won't get done...lol!  I have so many New Years goals and projects that it's killing me to leave them to work on blog posts.  I have just a couple of things to share.  The following list, "Build Your Food Storage With Only $5 a Week," has been floating about Provident Living Land for a few years now.  Many things may cost more than the promised $5, but it's a way to get started.  I am picking up my 6 lbs. of salt tomorrow.  I have most of these things already, but I figure, what the hey?  It never hurts to have more than enough. For the January "Eating an Elephant" goal, check the right hand side of the post.  It will be there under "Featured Post."

A New Tip to Try...

Best Garment Whitener!

I found this on Facebook and though I haven't tried it yet, you may want to give it a go.  I cannot guarantee anything.

Combine 48 oz. powder Cascade with 3 lb. Oxi Clean White Revive.  Mix all together and store in a container.

To Wash:

Fill a kitchen sink or plastic storage container with hot, hot water and add 1 cup of Cascade/Oxi mic, 1 capful Persil Pro White Technology Power Pearls and 1 cup white vinegar.  Let garments or any white items soak overnight or several hours.  May want to give them a few stirs.

Next:

Drain and finish them with a rinse cycle in your washer, then dry.  Seriously supposed to make them whiter than anything the person who posted this has tried.  We'll see...lol!

Happy January!!

Eating an Elephant...March Provident Living Goals!

Eating an Elephant...

March Goals!

"The Lord has warned us of famines, but the righteous will have listened to the prophet and stored at least a year's supply of survival food." --Ezra Taft Benson

Spiritual Goal:

Have family prayer at least once a day.  Twice is better.

Provident Living Goal:

Learn a new skill or read a book pertaining to your career.

Storage Goal:

• 50 cans of soup, stew or chili per person.
• 5 pounds of salt per person.
• 20 pounds of fat, oil, or shortening per person.
• Aluminum foil, plastic wrap, storage bags, etc.
• At least 5 gallons of water per person--recommended is 14 gallons/person for 2 weeks.

72 Hour Kit

• 1 pound dried fruit or trail mix per person (or fruit leather).
• 1 package soda crackers per person (4 per box).
• 1 package graham crackers per person (4 per box).
• 2 liters tomato or orange juice per person. (to be rotated every six months...at conference time.)

Also make a goal to always have the fuel tanks on ALL vehicles at least half full.

Backyard Chickens...

Anyone wasting spending time on Pinterest these days will notice there is a lot of interest in darling chicken coops and tips for raising chickens in your own backyard.  It seems a lot more of my neighbors are getting on board...judging from the number of enthusiastic roosters I hear crowing each morning.  I know I wouldn't mind an adorable playhouse coop in my back yard.

This one is so cute!

The Stake Preparedness Committee is looking for ideas for workshops or presentations on things like gardening, food storage and other self-reliance topics.  Why not a class on chickens...the ins and outs...the do's and don'ts?  I know my husband is starting to show an interest and he would gladly attend something like that.  Is there anyone in the ward who would be willing to lead a discussion on chickens?  We could have it here at my house or at the church if it's available.  If so, I could let the committee know and we could invite interested people from other wards in the stake.

Another Tasty Bite!







Eating an Elephant...Provident Living!

One Bite at a Time!

I have been called to be a ward representative to the Stake Provident Living Committee.  I have never lost my interest in Provident Living over the past few years, but I have been able to use this blog to share new ideas on that topic.  I am excited to be able to share even more with you in the months to come.  Since we are a diverse group of Latter-day Saints we will of course be at different stages in our preparedness plans.  Some of you are just getting started.  It can be discouraging to compare your pantries to the Ready-for-Battle storehouses of us old "War Horses," but never fear!  Every seemingly impossible task or never-ending journey can be accomplished one step at a time.  I like to think of the task ahead as "Eating an Elephant."  And how does one do that?  One bite at a time!  So when you see a blog post with the heading "Eating an Elephant," you will know that I will be sharing with you goals and tips for that month.

January

New Year...New Preparedness Goals!

January Goals

"Let every head of household see to it that he has on hand enough food and clothing and, where possible, fuel also for at least a year." --J. Reuben Clark, 1937

Spiritual Goal:

Hold Family Home Evening (FHE) every Monday for one month

Provident Living Goal:

Review you retirement goals.  Are you putting enough aside to be able to support yourselves and do the things you want to do when you retire? 

Also:  Change the batteries on your smoke alarms.

Storage Goal:

• 24 cans of meat or fish per person
• 1 gallon of bleach per person
• can opener
• laundry detergent

72 Hour Kit:

• Gather a change of clothing including underwear and shoes for each family member--include warm coats and boots, or have them immediately available.
• Axe, shovel, bucket and utility knife.
• $20 in cash.
• $5 in change for pay phone (lol...if one can still be found)

That is that for now.  Some of you may think this is a bigger bite of elephant than you can swallow...not to worry...getting started is the hardest part.  I always feel encouraged at the first of the year.  I want to be more organized and it feels good to accomplish a goal.

Knives and Forks Ready, Sisters!

That Elephant Looks Delicious!





Provident Living...Meals in a Jar/Bag Class!

Meals in a Jar...Using Your Food Storage

 

Pinterest has many Meals in a Jar recipes

For the last while I have seen a lot of meals in jars on Pinterest.  It really piqued my interest, because I am having a hard time visualizing how to use all those cans of dehydrated and freeze dried foods in my store room.  If you are anything like me you would rather give your first born to the Gypsies than open one of those cans!  Last Thursday night, the Highland Stake sponsored a class on Meals in the Bag and Meals in the Jar.  It was held at the home of Leslie Heath.  Lisa Barker from Honeyville Farms taught the class.  While we were waiting to begin, she quickly put together a wonderful Pasta E Fagioli Soup in a countertop pressure cooker that takes only about 10 minutes to cook.  I will include the recipe later.  The following information is from Sister Barker's handout.  The handout will be sent to you in an email...it will include some recipes that I won't publish here.





I've stored it...now how do I use it?

Meals in a jar have been around for quite awhile.  We put together soup and cookie mixes for gifts for our neighbors and friends.  This takes it to a new level.  Many of the ingredient will come from those special cans we just can't bring ourselves to open...because...once they are opened they aren't good for 25 years any more!  Relax...once the cans are opened, the remainder can be resealed in canning jars using your Food Saver.  The Food Saver can also be used to seal the meal...or you can use oxygen absorbers.  Mylar bags are also used for this...but I like the pretty layers.  If you are worried about impending earthquakes...use the mylar.

 

Two books available...

"Dinner is in the Jar" and "It's in the Bag."

Both are available from Amazon.

Sample...Meal in a Jar

 

What to store...the basics

This is helpful...I've wondered about this.

 

Meals in a Bag...

Sample Meal in a Bag.

Everything...including water...is included in the bag.

 

A "Meal in a Bag" is everything needed to make a meal packed inside a color-coded shopping bag.  Breakfasts, dinners and desserts will each be a different color.  I like this idea because it uses the shelf-stable pantry foods that our families will eat.  It can be mixed with some long-term items such as freeze dried fruits and vegetables, as well as meats.  Fresh meats, vegetables and condiments can be added as desired. Colors can also be used to determine if a meal is a chicken dish or a beef dish.  Sister Barker said that her children are allowed to go down and  pick a meal from the shelf...that way they feel involved and that they have a choice.  The meal bags can be put together one at a time until you have the number that you want.  Once the meals have been put together they should be rotated.  Use them everyweek.

Recipes and instructions are included on the front of each meal bag.

 

Using a counter top electric pressure cooker...makes meals super fast!

 

 

Pasta e Fagioli Soup

1 c. FD sausage or ground beef
1 c. dehydrated onions
1 c. dehydrated shoestring carrots
1 c. FD celery
2 cloves garlic, minced
2  14.5 oz. cans diced tomatoes
2  15 oz. can red kidney beans, rinsed
1  15 oz. can great northern beans, rinsed
1  15 oz. can tomato sauce
28 oz. V-8 juice

4 c. water
2 T. rice vinegar (it's what makes all the difference)

3 t. Wayzata Tuscan Spice Blend
OR
1 1/2 t. salt
1 t. oregano
1 t. basil
1/2 t. pepper
1/2 t. thyme

1 1/2 c. ditali pasta

Put everything in electric pressure cooker and cook on HIGH for 9 minutes
with a natural release.  Delicious!

 

This recipe is a perfect Meal in a Bag...it just won't fit in a jar.  You could do it half and half with the FD veggies, spices and pasta in a jar.  Add the jar to the bag...easy peasy!  More recipes and information is on the way...check your email.

 

Note:  Remember that Conference Weekend is the time to rotate and update your 72 hour kits.