FOOD STORAGE--LITTLE BY LITTLE

Soon after we were married, Jeff and I signed up to work at the church cannery and were able to purchase our first food storage.  I think we bought 4-5 boxes worth of various dry-pack cans.  That next summer, I learned how to make jam...and I made jam.  Peach Jam, Strawberry Jam, and Blackberry Jam.  The few storage shelves we had our little 4-plex apartment soon filled up with food storage.  And, as our family grew, so did our food storage.  Our budget has always had a line-item for food storage, often we save up for a few months and then use it to buy what we need.  This method has worked very well for our family, allowing us to consistently build our storage without feeling like our budget has been stretched.

Section 12 of One for the Money encourages us to appropriately involve ourselves in a food storage and emergency preparedness program.  We are counciled not to go into debt to buy these items, but to prepare and gain our stores for a time of need. 

I firmly believe in this principle and hope that you can little by little gain your food and emergency stores.  If you need help, you can refer to a few of the steps I have outlined to help you.

3 Month Meal Plan:  Month1, Month 2, Month 3, Month 4
Long-Term Storage Plan:  Salt, Cooking Oil, Containers,  Grains,  Beans, Sugar and Honey, Milk 
Emergency Preparedness:  Fire, Earthquake, 3-minutes

I hope that any post I have written over the last year and a half will help you be just a little more prepared in some way.  You can find all my posts on my blog.  But remember, just reading will not help you be more prepared, you will have to do something too. 

I Challenge You:  Read section 12 of One for the Money.  Make a plan for your family to involve yourselves in food storage and emergency preparedness.  I promise you will not regret it.

3 MONTHS PREPARED--DONE?

Forgetting your toothbrush is the worst.  I remember so many occasions when that small little thing just did not make it into our "bathroom bag."  When this happens, I can hardly wait to get to the closest store to buy one!  I am sure you can relate!

Over the last few months I hope you have been working to get your 3 month supply.   Here is what we have done so far:

• January:  Plan
• February:  Organize
• March:  Purchase

This month:  Supplement

There are many other items that would help make life easier if we truly could not get to a store for 3 months.  Consider adding these (or other) items to your 3-month supply:  Water, medications, vitamins, TOOTHBRUSHES, Toilet Paper, Paper towels, laundry soap, hygiene supplies, feminine needs, shampoo, soap, etc.  

I challenge you to make a list and purchase (as your budget allows) the 5 most important non-food items to you.  

If you are still on step one, two or three, that's fine.  The important thing is to get started and to keep going until over time, you have a 3-month supply for you and your family.

Remember the church states, “We encourage [you] to prepare for adversity in life by having a basic supply of food and water and some money in savings. We ask that you be wise… [and] do not go to extremes... With careful planning, you can, over time, establish a home storage supply and a financial reserve.” (See All Is Safely Gathered In: Family Home Storage).

3 MONTH MEAL PLAN--MONTH 3

Early in our marriage, we tried hard to follow the words of good advice that came to us.  We especially listened to the advice coming from our church leaders.  The statements:  "Get a year's supply of food," "Pay a generous fast offering," "Get an education," "Build a financial reserve," and "Get out of debt" all seemed to contradict each other.  Yes, they were all great things to do, but doing them all at once we felt like was impossible.  We soon learned that it was, in fact, impossible to do it all at once.  But, by doing each a little bit at a time created great results!

President Hinckley asked us to do a little at a time in the November 2002 Priesthood session:

"I wish to urge again the importance of self-reliance on the part of every individual Church member and family.  None of us knows when a catastrophe might strike. Sickness, injury, unemployment may affect any of us.  We have a great welfare program with facilities for such things as grain storage in various areas. It is important that we do this. But the best place to have some food set aside is within our homes, together with a little money in savings. The best welfare program is our own welfare program. Five or six cans of wheat in the home are better than a bushel in the welfare granary.  We can begin ever so modestly. We can begin with a one week’s food supply and gradually build it to a month, and then to three months. I am speaking now of food to cover basic needs. As all of you recognize, this counsel is not new. But I fear that so many feel that a long-term food supply is so far beyond their reach that they make no effort at all. Begin in a small way, and gradually build toward a reasonable objective. Save a little money regularly, and you will be surprised how it accumulates."

Over the last several years, we have planned, talked, and budgeted every month to follow the seemingly contradictory words of advice. Some months we did more in one area and other months did more in another.  It is a constant effort to stay on top of these.

At the beginning of January, I challenged you to set aside a little bit of money each month for Food Storage.  I hope you did! Now after we have planned (month 1) and organized (month 2), it is time to take action!

March's Goal:  Purchase

Take your master shopping list hard copy and keep it in your wallet.  When you are at the grocery store, look for sales on the items you need and start buying them.  You should have 3 months of "food storage money" saved up, but be careful not to go beyond your means--or your budget!  Buy what you can afford.  If you can buy everything on your list, great!  If not, save some for next month, or maybe the month after that.  

3 MONTH MEAL PLAN--MONTH 2

I'm one of those people that you hate to see in front of you in a grocery line.  Yes, that person with the heaping huge cart that takes almost forever to get through the line.  What most people don't realize is that being able to get their cart to this state is an organizational feat that takes years to perfect.  It all depends on the store though.  When I go to Costco, I have a list.  I also know I am going to have to fit a huge amount of "stuff" in my cart.  I start organizing my cart with the first item and every subsequent one has a specific spot to maximize the amount I can fit.  Even the Costco checkers are amazed at how much I can fit.  My Target trips, on the other hand have zero organization.  As much as I try to  stick with my list, extra things inevitably jump into my cart, until it is all a heaping mess as I head to the checkout.  Personal experience tells me it is always best to have a list, and organize along the way.

Now that we have finished the first month (Find January's goal:  Plan, here),  here's the next step!  3-month preparedness, here we come!

February's goal:  Organize

(1) Recipe Compilation.  Get all your 3-month plan recipes in one spot and make a soft and hard copy.  Put these both somewhere where you can find it again.
(2) Ingredients list.  List everything you need to make your meals, along with quantities.
(3) Multiply your ingredient quantities by 12--yes you will be buying enough to make each meal 12 times.
(4) Make a master shopping list.  This is based on your multiplied ingredients lists and will include everything you need to make all your meals and snacks.  Some find it helpful to put the items in categories:  Spices, canned meat, canned vegetables, canned fruit, etc.  Don't forget the small things, EVERYTHING should be on your list.  Print (or copy) this list and put the original somewhere where you can find it again, and place the copy in your purse.
(5) Clear a spot where these items will be stored when you buy them.
(6) Report. Send me an email (raelynstoddard(at)hotmail(dot)com), text me 7six0-two24-721seven, or leave a comment on my blog post to let me know you have done this.  I want to hear!

3 MONTH MEAL PLAN--MONTH 1

Life is about adjustment...When we moved to Stoddard Valley almost 5 years ago, I found myself at least 20 minutes away from any grocery store (even Daniel's).  Those quick trips to the store for the forgotten or unplanned-for item were simply not an option anymore.  I learned to plan a little better, or adjust to meals we could make with what we had on hand.  Luckily I had a fallback.  Can I tell you how amazing it is to have family living next door?!  I knew that I could borrow a can of tomato sauce, a package of graham crackers, or just about anything else, anytime.  It was like having a grocery store next door!  Awesome.  Then, adjustment came again when my grocery store family next door moved away.  I cannot even begin to tell you what a bummer this has been, but we move forward.

The church is amazing, they have given us a plan to get in place to totally solve my dilemma.  It is called a 3-month supply and all we need to do is follow it.  The short version is that we are supposed to have food in our homes to last our family for 3 months.  Brilliant.  During 2018, I invite you to follow along as I challenge myself to build an amazing 3 month supply.  The blessings will be many-fold!  Some of them include: less last-minute trips to the grocery store, knowing you can always make a meal, food on hand in case of need, and much more!  LET'S DO THIS!

January's Goal:  PLAN

(1) Finances.  Determine an amount you can spend on Food Storage every month and incorporate it into your budget.
(2) Make a list.  Come up with 7 breakfast meals, 7 lunch meals, 7 snacks, and 7 dinners that can be made entirely from non-perishable food (think: cans and pantry items).
(3) Gather Recipes.  Make a recipe file (binder, cards, etc.) of these recipes.  If you need ideas, Pinterest has a plethora of them.  I searched for "LDS 3 month food storage recipes" and got more ideas than I can use!  I shared one dinner recipe for Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup awhile back, so you can for sure use that!  The #1 rule for this step is you can only list and gather recipes you KNOW your family will eat (and love).
(4) Follow up.  Visit my blog and leave a comment at the end of this post with a recipe or an item you have on your list (then check back to get ideas from other people).

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

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!

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!