2018 NEW YEAR RESOULUTIONS--PREPAREDNESS

I have a friend who takes New Years Resolutions very seriously.  She and her husband come up with amazing goals.  But what is even better...they keep them.  One year they resolved to lose weight, and they did!  She remarked near the end of the year that they had lost a whole person (about 110 lbs) between them.  Another year, she determined to play the piano better and pick up where she left off about 30 years earlier.  I was her piano teacher and it was amazing to see her work ethic as she practiced and came to lessons week after week.  When the recital came around, she really did not want to play, but decided she would--but thought seriously of wearing a sign that said, "This is what happens when you quit piano as a kid, and your mom says you will always regret it."  I want that sense of purpose as I make my 2018 goals.

Remember as you set your goals to make them S.M.A.R.T.   Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound.

Provident Living (my calling) includes helping you--and me--become self-reliant, helping us help ourselves so that we do not have to rely on others, and so that we are in a position to help others when they need it.  The categories of provident living provide a wonderful outline for goals to set.  I challenge you this week to make resolutions to help you and your family become more self-reliant in 2018.  Here are a few ideas:

SPIRITUAL SELF RELIANCE  Increased Church and/or Temple attendance, Meaningful Scripture Study, Purposeful Prayer.
PHYSICAL HEALTH Exercise, Good Eating Habits, Good Sleeping Routine.
EDUCATION Learn A New Skill, Obtain Knowledge by Reading Good Books or Attending Classes,  Increase Job Proficiency,  Receive Know-How for a New Job.
HOME STORAGE AND PRODUCTION Plant a Garden, Preserve Food, Store Clean Drinking Water, Obtain a 3-Month Food Supply, Build a Year Food Supply
FINANCES Make and Stick To a Budget, Work Toward Getting Out of Debt,  Gradually Build a Financial Reserve.
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS Make 72 Hour Kits, Have Plans for Several Types of Emergencies, Build a Family First Aid Kit for Home or Car.

“All of us are responsible to provide for ourselves and our families in both temporal and spiritual ways. To provide providently, we must practice the principles of provident living: joyfully living within our means, being content with what we have, avoiding excessive debt, and diligently saving and preparing for rainy-day emergencies.”

--Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

2 Weeks Post Fire

On Tuesday I drove down Lilac Road.  It was sobering, to say the least.  The scorched ground, pink ribbons tied to mailboxes and fences, signs thanking the firefighters and first responders and the smoke smell still in the air was a fresh reminder.  Driving down Redondo Drive was also severe.  Seeing the melted vinyl fencing and the fireplace that was once a home was a vivid reminder that fire is a real threat and it can break out very quickly putting any (or all) of us at risk.

So here we are, 2 weeks post-fire.  I am determined this time to not forget what we learned.  I analyzed the fire last week, but I think it is important for you to do the same with your family.

THIS WEEK, I challenge you to : (1) Make a list of 5 things you did right during the fire.  (2) Make a list of 5 things you wish you would have done during the fire.  (3) Make a list of ten things you would absolutely want to take with you and tape it to the inside of a cabinet.  (4) Make sure your house has 100 feet of defensible space around it--clear brush, debris, trash, trim trees etc. (Firefighters have always made it clear that if there is no defensible space, they cannot even try to save your home).

I know it is Christmas, but it may give you a bit more time together as a family to meet these goals.

Shari Kooyman sent me some great tips for getting the smoke smell out of your home--Thank you Shari!  There is a product called Bad Odor Sponge.  Several years ago I purchased mine from Major market.  I have used it to remove smoke damage to clothing and to papers of grandsons home that burned down.  Major Market is sold out, but in stock has one called the Wizard.  The manager said you could try it and if you did not like it you could return it.  Or you can find Bad Odor Sponge on the internet.  When I was finished using I just screwed the lid back on the container and was able to use it again.  I also used this to remove musty odor from genealogy record that had been stored in totes for years.  Also you can put a couple of briquette in paper bags or bowls and they will absorbs the smoky odors.  I have used this to remove musty odors from old books and papers.
A couple of tablespoons of real vanilla in a bowl will also absorb the smoky odor without adding artificial odors to the air.  Vinegar put in bowls placed in different rooms will also help to remove smoky odor.

Fire...what we learned and what to do

The Lilac Fire.  Wow, are y'all still reeling?  I am.  We were lucky to be with good friends in San Marcos.  The kids had a fun day with a giant tree swing, trampoline, and bocce ball.  I hope all of you were able to find good places to go.

This is our second evacuation.  After the first one, we talked and made some plans for if it happened again.  But, when the fire broke out Thursday, I couldn't remember any of them.  I've had some time to think it over, and here's some good and bad things that we did was well as lessons learned and ideas for the future.

The Good:  (1) We had a designated place to go.  Actually we had several.  people are so kind.  It saved a lot of time knowing right away where we should evacuate to.  (2) I had signed up my cell phone to receive emergency alerts.  This helped me know when the evacuation order went out and where I could find more information.  (3) My car had gas.  I try to keep my car with 1/4 tank of fuel at all times.   (4) All the house windows were closed.  I had the presence of mind to check all the windows.  Homes often burn from the inside out when embers are sucked in through open windows , open garages, or old roof vents.  (5) I made sure my visiting teacher and ward leadership knew we were fine and told them where we were going. (6) Staying calm.  Even though I was pretty much freaking out inside, I knew that a calm, confident demeanor from me is what my kids needed.  I was in charge of 10 children--they all got their cues from me.  My 3-year-old got scared and started to cry, but because I was acting conifdent and calm, she only needed a small reassurance that we were going away from the fires and that we would be OK.  

The Bad:  (1) I did not have a written plan.  My brain turned off when I saw how close the fire was.  We were one of the first potentially in its path.  All I could think of to do was to get everyone out.  We left the house pretty quickly, but once I got to where I was going, I wished I had grabbed a few irreplaceable items.  (2) No food or clothes...I had meant to put together 72 hour kits for my family after the last fire, but it didn't happen.  Luckily I was able to hit Costco (Everyone got new Christmas PJs early!) and our hosts were more than generous, but I still felt like I should have been more self-reliant. (3) I did not check on those I visit teach right away.   I was so wrapped up in my own evacuation that I didn't even think about it.   I was able to touch base with a few of my sisters after we returned home.  (4) Power outages were not something I had even thought of...we should have planned what to do if we were able to return home with no power.

Things I learned:  (1) Texting is always best in an emergency.  Thank you to all of you who contacted us to make sure we were OK.  However, I found it challenging to try to answer phone calls while I was trying to coordinate things with my husband, find out where all the kids were, and get everyone all packed up and gone.  I was able to respond to those who texted eventually, but the phone calls were tricky to deal with (I did not even check my voicemail until 4 days later).   Also, as a result, I did not answer the reverse 911 evacuation call.  I suppose that's why they send texts and emails also.  (2) Have a wifi call app.  The friends we evacuated to live in a place where my carrier does not have cell service. We did have WiFi, so we connected to the WhatsApp which allows us to call or text over WiFi instead of the cell networks.  (3) Many forms of communication were helpful.  I was able to receive texts from Bishop and an email from Bro. LeBlanc.  

What I am going to do... (1) Make a list of all the things, in order from most important to least, that I would want to take.  These would include, photos, journals, and my 4 year-old's blanket.   Also include what items would be good to have--Bro. LeBlanc made a great list (Assemble documents, birth, SSN, insurance, medical, accounts, Gather cash and credit cards, Jewelry, pictures, heirlooms, Clothes for several days, include a jacket, Sleeping bags, Water, Food, Medications, Pets and pet food. Keep your cell phone charged, bring your chargers with you, Sturdy shoes or boots, Flashlights with spare batteries, Hygiene items)  I will put this on the inside of one of my cabinets so that I can have something to go off of when my brain dies.  (2) Make 72 hour kits!  This would have helped with food (we evacuated before we ate lunch and my kids were starving!) and if I would have had 72 hour kits complete with toiletries and changes of clothes, it would have helped on several levels (watch for an upcoming 72 hour kit assembly activity!).  Luckily I was able to hit Costco and Wal-Mart for some food and clothing, but getting things for 11 people adds up quickly!  (3) Prep my family for several types of disasters and what people's roles were in different scenarios.  After the Hurricanes hit Florida this summer, we talked about emergency preparation for Earthquake and an in -house fire.  We did not discuss a brush wildfire at that time, we also did not discuss protocol if my husband was not in the area (which he was not for this fire).   Prepare better for power outages--have working flashlights and ready-to eat food (72 hour kits again!).

Blessings Received:  Throughout the fire, I felt that Heavenly Father was watching out for us.  There was no loss of life.  The winds that were supposed to be so gusty on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, were not.  Fire Crews from all over (even Utah!) came to help and did a marvelous job.  I watched church members, friends, and homeschool groups, gather together via text, email, etc to help each other and provide support.  There was a true spirit of concern and love conveyed so sincerely.   I felt so much power of the human spirit, the watchcare of church leaders, and the Lord's love poured out in abundance.  I am glad for the opportunity to serve and help clean up our community and to take this experience and become more prepared for the next time.

HOMEMADE BREAD

Years ago, Grandma Stoddard was famous in Salmon, Idaho for her bread.  The story goes that when the members were asked to raise money to build the first church building in Salmon, Grandma made bread to sell, and it always went first.  My sister-in-law asked for her recipe before she passed away, and Grandma wrote it all out--I think it was 6 pages long.  Sometimes Jeff will pull out our copy of the handwritten recipe, but luckily another sister-in-law simplified it so I can make bread quickly for our everyday use.  About 10 years ago, I started making bread on a regular basis to help stretch our grocery budget.  Now, except for a bought loaf here or there, it's about all we eat.

GRANDMA'S HOMEMADE BREAD

6 c. water
3 T yeast (4 T if whole wheat) + 1 T sugar
*Put in mixer, stir with spoon and let sit for a few minutes
1 c. oil
10 c. flour (can be whole wheat, or half wheat/white)
1 c. sugar
1 c. potato flakes
1/2 c. dry milk
4 eggs
3 T salt
 *Mix for 4-5 minutes or until smooth like cake batter
*Add wheat flour (about 6-10 cups, depending on humidity) until not sticky
Let rise for 30 minutes, shape into loaves and let rise (covered) in loaf pans for 30-45 minutes (until it is the size you want your loaves to be)
Bake at 350 for 35 minutes.  Makes 5-6 loaves.

Now, I realize that bread-making is sometimes overwhelming.  Here's a few hints I have learned over the years:
Use good yeast.  The best yeast I have found is SAF Instant yeast (found at WinCo, Costco Business Center or online.  Red Star from Costco works almost as well)  Keep your yeast cold, I keep mine in the freezer in an air tight container.
Wheat!  I find that newer freshly-ground flour works best.  If you have older wheat, never fear!  There is a product called Vital Wheat Gluten, available at several sites online, and probably at Sprouts (I haven't looked recently).  Substitute 1/2 c. vital wheat gluten for 1 c. flour.  It works wonders and helps your bread be more light and fluffy!
Practice:  Just like anything else, good bread takes some practice.  The ingredients are cheap and bread-fails can easily be made into french toast.  AND, if the loaves turn out rock-hard and totally inedible, I'm sure the missionaries would appreciate them to chuck at mean dogs if they find themselves in a life-or-death situation.

I challenge you to make bread once between now and the new year.  It is a great thing to know how to do, and if you already know how, I promise it will be a great treat for your family to make it again.

THANKSGIVING LEFTOVERS

Thanksgiving is an amazing day.  I love not being expected to be anywhere or to do anything, except cook all morning and visit with friends and family.  Yesterday was a day like this.  Jeff's parents and a nephew were in town and we had our new-member friend Mike over also.  After dinner, I surveyed the food...there was a TON left, it hardly looked like we put a dent in anything!  I then realized that I subconsciously cooked for our former neighbors--that amazing family of 14 that just moved.  We have had Thanksgiving with them for so many years now, that I guess it was just ingrained.

Thanksgiving dinner is great, but after a couple of days it feels like it is time to mix things up a bit.  Here are a few recipes and ideas to use up those Turkey Day leftovers.

Turkey Pot Pie: 
 3 Cups Chopped Turkey
 Leftover Gravy
 Leftover Veggies
 Leftover Stuffing or Potatoes
 Combine Turkey, Gravy and veggies and put in a 9x13 pan, top with stuffing or potatoes.  Bake at 350* until bubbly (about 30-45 minutes).
 
Turkey Noodle Soup:
  In a stockpot, boil the turkey carcas or neck for about an hour.  remove meat and skim fat.  Add 1 chopped onion, 2-3 chopped potatoes, 4-5 chopped carrots and 2-3 cups of cooked turkey.  20 minutes before serving add noodles of your choice.

Smashed Potato Soup
1/2 c. coarsely chopped carrot
1/2 c. coarsely chopped celery
3-4 cups mashed potatoes
1 can (14.5 oz) chicken broth
1/2 c. milk
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
1/2 c. sour cream
2 T fresh snipped parsley
Optional toppings: sliced green onions, cheese, bacon
1.  Place potatoes in medium saucepan.  Gradually add broth and milk, whisking until mixture is smooth.  Stir in carrot, celery, garlic, salt and black pepper.  Bring to a boil; reduce heat.  Simmer, uncovered, 10 minutes.
2.  Remove from heat; stir in sour cream and parsley.  Serve, top with desired toppings.
Yield:  4 servings.

Use the Freezer:  Debone your turkey and bag meat into portion-sized freezer bags.  Use as a substitute for chicken in recipes.

THE GIFT OF PREPAREDNESS

I think my dad is one of the hardest people to shop for.  And if that isn't bad enough, he always tries to guess what the gift is before he opens it...and he is right 99% of the time!  One year for his birthday, I came up with a great idea while I was at a field trip with my kids at the Denver Mint.  I got him the never-been-touched-by-human-hands collector's edition coins for that year.  It was all packaged up so nicely and just a fun unique gift that I knew he would love.  I wrapped it up and told my kids that they absolutely could not tell grandpa what was in the package.  The day of gift-giving came and after inspecting the present, he looked up and said, "I have absolutely no idea what is in here."  YES! I was so excited to finally see a surprised look his face when he opened a gift!  But before he could unwrap it, a little voice said, "Grandpa, I can't tell you what it is, but we got it at the Denver Mint!"

If you have a hard-to-shop for person on your list this Christmas, why not give them the gift of preparedness?  There are so many items in any price range that would come in useful for everyday use or in case of an emergency.  Here are a few ideas:
FOOD STORAGE:  ldscatalog.com sells cases of food in #10 cans.  You can get anything from wheat to spaghetti all packaged up and ready to go.  Beready.com also sells a myriad of food, from freeze dried to whole year packages.  And, if you are a super generous giver, Costco also has full year supply pallets.
72 HOUR KITS:  So many places have pre-packaged kits, there are several different kits (and prices!).  I have always thought the backpack kits would be great gifts.  I found kits at Costco, be prepared.com, and Amazon.
WATER:  Whether it is a filtration bottle, 55-gallon drum, accessories, or packaged water, do not leave this out of your emergency kits!  Check out Emergency Essentials, our local Be Ready Store and Costco.
KITS:  A car kit, first aid kit, or even a basic tool kit can come in handy for everyone!
GEAR:  Sleeping Bags are always useful and a flashlight can make the difference between getting where you need to go, or being left in the dark.
GREAT TOOLS TO AID IN EVERYDAY PREPAREDNESS:  Some great items to help your loved ones become more self-reliant can include a steam canner, wheat grinder, applesaucer, or dehydrator.
GIVE A CUSTOM GIFT:  These buckets from Costco are a pretty good deal (the Gamma lids are amazing!).  You could fill them with your own 72 hour kit items or choose a single food storage item you know they will use.
OTHER EMERGENCY OR FOOD SUPPLIES:  Some of the best places I have found to buy all kinds of useful things are Emergency Essentials, Lehmans, and Walton Feed.

This is by no means an exhaustive list, but hopefully enough to get your mind working to check off that Christmas List!

FREEZER FOLLOW UP

On Saturday, I spent 4 hours attending a regional preparedness conference.  My mind is swimming.  I have so many ideas, but (as always) the limitation is time and resources.  I have been thinking a lot about my "job" to help you all become prepared--not only with preparedness items and food you have in your home in case of an emergency, but also to help you gain the skills to function if you and your family are truly on your own.

I will continue my weekly Grapevine snippet (and as a reminder, past snippets can be found at www.byesboos.blogspot.com).  But as we head into this new year, I really want to know what YOU want!!  Do you want to learn how to make jam, can fruit/veggies/meat, or start a garden?  Do you want to do group food storage orders, and make 72 hour and first aid kits?  Would you like to have classes in finance, spiritual preparedness, gardening, breadmaking etc?  Would you like me to include in my weekly snippet what to buy to build a 3-month storage, would you like recipes and tips to use your food storage?  I would love to hear from YOU!  I do not want to send out a survey...I figure if there is something you want help with, you will let me know! Please email me at raelynstoddard@gmail.com to tell me what you want.  Because, when one person speaks out, it usually means there are 5 more that wanted to, but didn't.   May the emails pour in!

2 weeks ago, I gave the challenge to get me a freezer meal by November 4.  Sister Shari Kooyman wins the prize as she was the only one to get me not only a meal, but also some freezer-friendly tips!  I will share these with you!  Thanks Shari!

Herbs in the Freezer
When there is a sale buy these and chop up and put in freezer.  Then break off a chunk to add to Denver scrambled eggs, meat loaf, casserole, stews, etc.
Chop up bell peppers and/or onions.  Put in ziplock bags.  Sunset freezer cookbook says do not blanch.
Freezer PARSLEY LOGS which is simply tightly rolled parsley foliage you can slice a wedge off anytime:  Rinse, put in salad spinner to dry thoroughly.  Wet foliage does not freeze nicely.  Start compressing the mess into log shape at bottom of ziplock bag and gradually squeeze out the air as you go.  The log should be firm.  You can really pack a lot in.  Secure with elastic band or bull clip and freeze.  Packing densely means that even one slice will yield a lot of parsley.  Rewrap tightly, moving elastic band in from edge to eliminate air pocket and return to freezer.  (more hints on freezing Basil-Rosemary-Thyme-Oregano-Cilantro:  genius kitchen.com/basil-3157)
Too Many Tomatoes
No need to can!  Chop up slightly (enough to allow to lay flat in ziplock bags.  Fill bags with the amount you might use in a recipe that calls for canned tomatoes.  You could even add bell peppers or onion at this time.  Date, Label, lay the bags flat and stack up in the freezer.

Chile Relleno Breakfast Casserole
Ingredients:
2 14.5 oz cans whole mild green chiles or fresh green chiles roasted and skinned.
1 lb monterrey jack cheese, whole brick cut into finger-sized long strips
1 lb cheddar Colby cheese shredded
5 large eggs
1/4 c. flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. powdered dry mustard
cooking spray
Instructions:
1.  Preheat oven to 350* and spray a large rectangular glass baking dish (9x13) with baking spray
2.  Open and drain each can of chiles.  Stuff each chili with finger sized pieces of Monterey Jack cheese and arrange in the bottom of the baking dish.
3.  Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar colby jack over chilis
4.  In a separate medium sized bowl combine eggs, flour, milk, salt, and dry mustard and whisk until most of the clumps are gone (some may remain)
5.  Pour egg mixture over chiles.
6.  Bake uncovered for 40 minutes.  Add remaining cheese to the top of the casserole and return to 350 * oven for an additional 5 minutes or until firm.
7.  Remove and allow to sit for 5 minutes before serving.
Recipe Notes:
You can order Hatch Green Chiles and other varieties from chilemonster.com.  It is the only site I trust for fresh and flavorful chiles.  Canned chillies will give you anywhere from 8-12.  If you prefer to use cream of tarter to fluff up the eggs instead of four, use 1 tsp.

Pumpkin--Not in a can

My aunt and uncle have been in the foreign service for almost 20 years.  It is fun to hear about all the amazing places they have lived.  But, it is also fun to see the perspective that the United States is a pretty amazing place too!  Several years ago, they were "home" doing a training in Washington, D.C. before they went to their China post.  We were living in the DC metro area at the same time, and we had such fun together as their youngest kids are the same age as our oldest ones.  One autumn day we all went the pumpkin patch and I loved watching all 6 of their kids scout out their perfect pumpkin.  As it was the first Halloween they had celebrated in the states in several years, my aunt planned a fall party and when we showed up, it was so festive!  8 big Jack-o-lanterns met us, carved into amazing faces.  We also ate soup out of hollowed-out mini pumpkins on a table topped with black plastic bags and fall leaves.  A few days later, they left for Bejing, but just before they went, my aunt told me to turn all the jack-o-lanterns and pumpkin bowls into puree.  I had never heard of doing that before, but we did it, and we have done it every year since!  And it was amazing!  Here's how it is done:

• Wait to carve your pumpkin until no more than 3 or 4 days before Halloween.  After it is carved, keep it in the fridge as much as possible.
• Cut up your Jack-o-lanterns and bake the pieces on a cookie sheet at 375* for an hour.  Let it cool.
• Scoop pumpkin out of skins and puree with a blender (or mash with a potato masher) until smooth.
• Freeze 2 cups of pumpkin in ziplock bags (or process in jars using a pressure canner).
• Use your pumpkin to make pies, bread, muffins, pancakes, etc.

As an extra treat, make salted pumpkin seeds after you gut your pumpkin.

• Remove seeds from as much of the pumpkin strings as you can (sometimes rinsing the seeds helps).
• Spray a cookie sheet with baking spray and arrange seeds in a single layer. Spray the tops of the seeds with a light mist from the baking spray and sprinkle the seeds with salt.
• Bake at 400* until seeds are brown (anywhere from 5-20 min, depending on the size of the seeds).

I challenge you to use your Halloween pumpkin in a way you haven't before!

Ah Nuts!

As a 5 and 6-year old I would overhear my grandma talk about making candy.  In my little mind, I imagined packages of Now & Laters, Skittles, and Milky Way candy bars all packaged up; and I wondered how she did that!  By the time I was about 10, I realized that making candy meant fudge, caramels, divinity, and hand-dipped chocolates.  This realization came when she invited us kids to help her "make candy" by dipping chocolates.  I had never seen anyone melt chocolate and use fondant, nuts, and caramel like that before.  It was amazing!

So whether you are into making your own candy, or just buying yummy nuts, raisins, or already-made chocolate; this month's stake bulk order is for you!

Money is due to me by OCTOBER 22.  Order forms are in the RS binders (and a few are going around Primary and YW), but you can also email me your order.

NUTS--2 lb bags

Raw shelled Walnuts $18

Raw shelled Almonds $17

Raw shelled Cashews $23

Raw shelled Pecans $21

Roasted Salted in shell Pistachios $20

Shelled roasted salted Cashews $23

Shelled Roasted Salted Mixed Nuts $23

(These nuts prices are higher than you may find in other bulk storage places, but there are several differences.  The walnuts, almonds, pistachios and pecans have not been fumigated with Bromide which preserves their nutritional value.  The walnuts have not been soaked in chlorine.)

RAISINS

5 lb box $13

CANDY--1 lb bags

Milk Chocolate Turtles $19

Milk Chocolate Almost Clusters $19

Milk Chocolate English Toffee $19

Dark Chocolate Turtles $19

Dark Chocolate Almond Clusters $19

Dark Chocolate English Toffee $19

Solid Carmel pecan Log Roll (3/4 lb roll) $17

You can email orders to me (raelynstoddard@hotmail.com) or give me the form.  Make checks payable to RaeLyn Stoddard.  Questions?  Call/Txt me at 760-224-7217.

OCTOBER GARDEN

When we lived in Aurora, Co (elevation 5471 ft), a family from Northern California moved into our ward.  The brother asked my husband what we plant for our winter garden in Colorado.  Jeff just stared at him, not quite knowing what to say....  We could only grow our garden from Memorial Day to Labor Day.  Our "summer garden" was the same as California's "winter garden."  We wondered what it would be like to be able to plant year-round.  Little did we know then that soon we would be living it!  Hurrah for So Cal!

Hopefully you have your garden spot all prepared (I'm still working on  mine) because the WINTER GARDEN Season has begun!

According to Mr. Ledgerwood, the best things to plan in October are:  Beets, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Celery, Cauliflower, Endive, Kale, Kohl Rabi, Leek, Lettuce, Mustard, Parsley, Parsnip, Peas, Radish, Rutabaga, Spinach, Swiss Chard, Turnip, Collards, Favas, Winter Zucchini.

Ready...Set...Plant!!  

(um, can anyone tell me what Kohl Rabi and Favas are?)

IT'S CONFERENCE TIME

Twice a year, we have the opportunity to learn at the feet of our prophets and apostles.  I am so looking forward to this weekend!

Since Conference happens regularly twice a year, at exact 6-month intervals, this is a great time to do a couple of quick preparedness things.

(1) Replace the batteries in your Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Detectors.  These little gadgets are designed to save lives...if they are working properly.  The best price on 9-volt batteries I have found is the Amazon Basics 9 Volt batteries, 8 for $10.  At the very least, you can avoid that annoying "chirp" that seems to happen at the most inopportune times!

(2) Replace your drinking water.  Whether you have a 55-gallon barrel or old soda bottles full of water, this is a great time to dump and fill it up for an emergency.  Water is essential, we can only live 3 days without it!  Aim for 14 gallons per person.

Enjoy Conference Weekend!

THE THREE MONTH SUPPLY

Getting a three-month supply of food is one step our church leaders give us to become self-reliant. I admit, this can be overwhelming. I have often thought, "I have to get 3 MONTHS of food in my home? I don't even know what we are having for dinner tonight!"

There are a few approaches for gathering your 3-month supply. All of us are different, so no two supplies are going to be the same. Hopefully one of these resonates with you.

 (1) Figure out 30 recipes you could eat from your shelf. Times the ingredients by 3 and, over time, get enough canned goods to always have 90 meals ready to make in your house. I highly suggest that you choose meals that your family really likes, not just meals that can be made from items on the shelf. I have done this method a couple of times. It does work well, but please choose meals that you will eat (and enjoy!), for rotation's sake. Once upon a time I planned for that one recipe that no one in my family really likes...yah, tuna and noodles is still in my pantry. It becomes cat food when no one tells me that the meow mix ran out 2 days ago.

 (2) Buy a little extra each time you go to the store. If 3 cans of tomato sauce are on your list, buy 6 instead. Need a bag of powdered sugar? Buy 2. If your family loves Stove Top Stuffing year round, stock up on 10 boxes while it is on sale for Thanksgiving. Do you usually buy treats for your kids' lunches? Hit Wal Mart or Target the day after Halloween and score 3 months of lunchtime dessert for HALF OFF! (or use that chocolate as a 3-month--or 1 day--supply of personal stress-relief, either way it's a bargain).

Set a budget on how much can be spent on storage items. If you have a good idea of what you buy anyway, use that budget to buy a little extra when it is on sale.

 If you still don't know what to get, some ideas of non-perishables good for storing are: pasta, canned fruit, canned vegetables, beans, honey, muffin mixes, baking powder, vegetable (or olive) oil, ketchup, popcorn, granola bars, cold cereal, etc.

 And, it is good to think about non-food items that you know you will need: toothpaste, laundry soap, feminine supplies, soap, paper goods, cleaning supplies, vitamins, etc.

 We are counciled not to go crazy or beyond our means to obtain a 3-month supply. By doing things bit by bit, it adds up!

NATIONAL MUSHROOM MONTH

Did you know that September is National Mushroom Month? Well, I just brought that up for trivia, but it is also NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH. This has got me thinking a little bit. On a hot day in May 2014, 9 separate fires were burning in San Diego County. I remember looking out of my window at a very large plume of smoke thinking it was very close. It was. We thought we better voluntarily evacuate, so I packed my 6 kids, 1 dog, enough clothes for overnight, all my finished quilts, a box of vital documents, 1 gallon of milk, a box of Cheerios, and as many photographs as would fit in my Toyota minivan. We headed to a friend's in San Marcos and spent the day there while my husband was home monitoring the fire. We returned later that night when that particular fire had quieted down. Later I realized that where we lived was actually under mandatory evacuation. I didn't know because we don't have a home land line and no one knew our phone numbers to tell us. The next day, I registered our phone numbers with the reverse 911 service. If you do not have a home land line, I encourage you to register your cell phones and/or VOIP service so you can be notified and receive instructions in case of an emergency. (The important button is at the bottom of the article). http://safetyinformed.org/blog/what-federal-wireless-emergency-alerts-cant-tell-you-your-local-reverse-911-can/ Here in San Diego, our biggest natural disaster threats are fire and earthquake. Do you have a plan for your family? This Week for Family Home Evening, I challenge you to talk with your family about where to go and what to do in case of an emergency. Please tailor this to your specific family needs and location. Always assume phone coverage is not available. Some questions to consider are: Where do we meet if we cannot get home or our home is not safe? What items do we need to take quickly in case of an evacuation? Where would we go for an extended evacuation (2-5 days). What food and WATER would we need if we need to leave home? What food and WATER would we need if we need to shelter in place (stay home)? What would our pets need? How fast would it take us to get everything we need to get out? Half the battle is preparedness. Having a plan can save time, property, and lives. A sample of family disaster plan outline can be found at: http://www.readysandiego.org/Resources/Family-Disaster-Plan-English.pdf

BREAKFAST

In another lifetime (when we had one child), our family was asked to stay with a family in our ward while the parents went to Europe for 2 1/2 weeks. There were 5 kids, and they were awesome. Before they left, the mom showed me where the cold cereal was. I was shocked, there must have been 30 boxes. The thing that shocked me even more was that by the time the parents came back, I think it was just about gone. Cold Cereal is way expensive, and to be honest, not that great nutrition-wise...so here's a few ideas for breakfast, food-storage style! Granola: Buy it, or make your own (if anyone out there has an amazing granola recipe, I would love to have it! leave it in the comments! Oatmeal: Add cinnamon and cut up apples, diced peaches, nuts, raisins, craisins, any fruit your family loves! Cracked Wheat: A nutty taste--I love it with honey 6-grain rolled: Gives a variety of whole grains with the texture of oatmeal--Probably my kids' favorite 9-grain cracked: Gives a variety of whole grains with the texture of cracked wheat Muselex: An oatmeal-y texture with raisins and nuts When we started using whole grain for Breakfast, I would bribe my kids by saying if they ate 4 days of "whole grain breakfast," they could have any cold cereal they wanted on Friday. At first they picked the sugariest, yummiest ones they could get their hands on. Over time, they went to more the raisin bran/corn flakes type, until today when I have a few kids who don't like cold cereal at all (but a few that still beg for fruit loops). WinCo Grocery Store (Located in San Marcos or Temecula) is a great resource for these awesome breakfast items. They have all of them (and more!) in their bulk section, so the cool thing is that you can get a little bit of each and see what your family likes. I picked up some cracked wheat the other day for $.46 a lb. I think I can make breakfast for a week with just a pound or 2! If you find something you love, you can order a big bag or box from WinCo and store it at home so that you never run out. Sprouts also has some of these in their Bulk Section. Think of what you can save by eliminating most of that cold cereal! And, these are all grains, so they fall under that "store 400 lbs per person--it's not all just wheat! This week's challenge: Try one or 2 types of "Hot Cereal." Find one that your family will eat at least once a week. Tell me about your experience!

Stake Dehydrated Bean Order

The Stake Provident Living Leader is doing a BULK ORDER of dehydrated beans. The bean flakes are pre-seasoned and make wonderful refried beans. The whole beans can easily be added to soups or other dishes without having to think ahead and cook them! Prices are as follows: Dehydrated Bean Flakes Black Bean $2.02/lb Pinto Bean $2.04/lb Navy Bean $2.11/lb Dehydrated Whole Beans Red Beans $2.16/lb. Black Beans $2.11/lb Navy Beans $2.14/lb If you are interested, contact RaeLyn Stoddard. Monies are due Sunday Aug 13.

Paying for Food Storage

Getting an entire year's supply (or even a 3-month supply) can be daunting, especially when it comes to spending the money. Setting aside a small amount each month in your budget can help for when you are ready to purchase food storage in bulk or a preparedness item (wheat grinder, applesaucer, juicer, etc). As you consistently use your food-storage staples, most find their grocery bill goes lower, and they have more to set aside for future food storage and preparedness items. This week's goal: Determine an amount to set aside in your monthly budget for Food Storage and Preparedness. The Stake is doing a dehydrated bean order (think: just add water to get yummy re-fried beans). I was skeptical at first, but these are pre-seasoned and very good. Watch for coming information and pricing.

LONG TERM STORAGE SUGGESTIONS

On January 20, 2002, The First Presidency sent a letter urging the importance of home storage. As part of this letter, suggested amounts of certain storage items were given as basic foods that would "be required to keep [members] alive if they did not have anything else to eat." The letter also states that "When member have stored enough of these essentials to meet the needs of their family for one year, they may decide to add other items that they are accustomed to using day to day." These food and amounts are per person:

•  Grains 400 lbs. 
•  Legumes (dry beans, split peas, lentils, etc.) 60 lbs. 
•  Powdered milk 16 lbs. 
•  Cooking Oil 10 qts. 
•  Sugar or honey 60 lbs Salt 8 lbs. 
•  Water (2 weeks) 14 gal. 

 As a general rule, half these amounts for children and 1 1/2 times the amount for teens. This week's challenge is to calculate how much food storage you need for your family. In coming weeks, I will share where to buy and how to use these basics.

TOMATOES

Tomatoes were considered poisonous in Elizabethan-Era England. I'm sure glad that someone discovered that they are safe to eat! I remember my grandpa growing his tomatoes in big flower pots on his porch when they lived in a condo without garden space. He did it because he loved fresh tomatoes so much! Growing tomatoes in San Diego County is easy! All you need is a bit of dirt (even dirt in a large planter works great), water, seeds, a tomato cage (optional, but very helpful), and sun! These plants grow well, are super hearty, and gophers do not like them. We purposely plant LOTS of tomato plants so that we can have the "fresh tomato" taste all year round. I freeze my tomatoes, here's how it is done: 1. Pick ripe tomatoes 2. Wash tomatoes, and cut out the stem and any blemishes 3. Put several in a ziploc bag and put them in the freezer. When you are ready to use them: 1. Run tomato under hot water and pull off the skin 2. Chop 3. Add to soups, spaghetti sauce, etc! Easy stuff! Add planting tomatoes to your "to-do" list this week and in a bit, you will be harvesting tomatoes that are so yummy!

BUILDING A 3-MONTH MEAL PLAN

We have been asked to "Build a small supply of food that is part of your normal, daily diet." I do this by choosing recipes my family likes and buying 3 to 6 times the amount of non-perishable ingredients. I have one of these recipes for you to try out! CREAMY CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP (12 servings) 4 cans (10oz each) RoTel Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies 4 cans (14/5 oz each) Chicken Broth 1 can (30 oz) Refried Beans 1 can (15 oz) Corn 2-3 cans (12.5 oz each) Chicken (or use frozen chicken breast and cook, if desired) optional: Fried corn tortilla strips or chips Shredded Cheese 1. Combine tomatoes and broth in large saucepan. Stir in beans and corn. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low and simmer 5 minutes. 2. Add chicken; heat through. 3. Top with Tortilla strips and cheese. If your family will eat this twice a month; this is what you will need to buy for a 3 month supply: 24 cans RoTel Tomatoes 24 cans Chicken Broth 6 cans Refried Beans 6 cans Corn 12-18 cans Chicken Challenge: This week, pick your own recipe and buy all the non-perishable ingredients needed 3-6 times the regular amount to build your 3 month supply! If you have a good "food storage recipe" to share, leave it in the comments!

A New Purpose

Well hello there! It has been over 5 years since my last post and to say that life got too busy for this blog is an understatement! I recently got called to be the Provident Living Leader for my church congregation and as part of my responsibilities, I send out (almost) weekly tips and tricks with food storage, meal planning, preparedness, etc. I want a place to gather these so I can remember what I have already written and give a place to send people who want to read past blurbs. So, this is it. The purpose for this blog has changed for a bit. Life is busy now. We have 8 kids ranging 17 down to 6 months. Our oldest is away at BYU Provo and we are living in beautiful San Diego County, trying to enjoy all the amazing things our little farm has to offer while working to not get crushed by California taxes and regulation. I hope you find some of my provident living thoughts helpful as you help your family prepare for the best...and the worst. Enjoy!