LONG TERM STORAGE GOAL MONTH 4--GRAINS

If I try to imagine my life without grains, it might look something like this:  No whining from 3 or 5 year olds that we are having oatmeal for breakfast again! But also not excited squeals when I say Lucky Charms and Cheerios are on the breakfast menu.  No need to make homemade bread to keep grocery costs low, but no warm fresh-from-the-oven bread to melt butter and honey over.  Almost everything we eat has some grain form...and it is important.

"All grain is ordained to be... the staff of life..." (D&C 89:14).

Grains are the most basic part of our everyday diet--or at least it should be.  This part of food storage is possibly the most overwhelming.  The basic food storage requirement is at least 400 lbs of grains per person.  For my family that is a whopping 3,800 lbs.   There are several varieties of grains ranging from wheat to wild rice.

I store mostly wheat, rice, and oats as that is what my family eats (and these tend to be the least expensive).  If you love quinoa, millet, and barley those are also great grain options.  If you are on the gluten-free spectrum, spelt is a great wheat replacement.

The most important rule to follow when deciding what grains to store is the question:  "What will me and my family eat?"  That should dictate your purchasing.  Oldways Whole Grain Council has a wonderful website describing different types of grains, where you can buy them and how to use them.

I have found that flour and white rice are the best price at Costco, while wheat (red or white), oats, and much more is available at Winco.  I will say again that Winco is our best local resource for food storage.  Anything they carry in their bulk bins is available to buy in a large bag or box.  You can order a few things on their website, but most of their stock is in-store.  It is worth going by to have a look!  Once you order, they will call you to come get it at your local store.  Do be aware that they only take cash, check, or debit card.

Hopefully you have decided what containers to use and where to store your food.  You are going to need this when you get your grains!

I challenge you to begin your grain storage, and for an extra-added challenge:  Finish your grain storage.  This month is probably the most difficult, but I promise it can be done!

(Prior Challenges:  May, June, July)

Additional Storage Items

If you would like to add more to your long–term storage and preparedness, consider the following:

• Oral higiene:  toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, floss
• Laundry:  Detergent, dryer sheets, bleach, spot removers
• Cleaning:  dishwasher detergent, dish soap, soap, ammonia, favorite sprays or cleaning supplies