I Never Thought To Store That

Emergency Essentials - 3 days ago

Thinkstock.

Many recognize the value of storing food and water for emergencies. The following list is intended to jar your memory and increase awareness of a few other items that you might easily overlook when developing an emergency storage plan.

Emergency light - The old standby light source is a supply of utility candles and waterproof matches. While any light-source will be welcome in a dark and uncertain night, there are some better alternatives to traditional lighting. You may want to consider having some longer-life candles, usually known as 100-Hour Candles, which burn much longer than traditional wick candles. These small containers of liquid paraffin ,a refined lamp oil (kerosene), are a great option for use in the home. Hurricane lamps (or kerosene lamps) are also useful, although the smell may bother some people, especially those with asthma. The illumination power of a kerosene lamp will be enhanced if you place a mirror behind the lamp. Store your extra kerosene or lamp oil in a safe place away from heat sources, children, and pets. Don't forget to store extra wicks! You may also want to consider propane lanterns or hand-cranked lanterns and flashlights. For the hand-cranked options, simply crank the handle and depending on the model it will yield light for various times with no flame, odor or noise. For short-term use, there are devices that stay plugged into your power source, but only activate and give light when the power goes off. Purchasing any type of light that uses LED (Light-Emitting-Diodes) is wise because they require less energy, the bulbs (diodes) last longer than traditional flashlight bulbs, they are lightweight, versatile and most important have no filament to break. You simply do not have to replace a bulb, ever! A cheap and easy-to-use light source is the colorful light stick which is similar to what children often get at carnivals or parties. All you need to do to activate them is to snap a portion of the stick, which allows the chemicals to combine and produce light. In a home, if an earthquake occurred, these light sticks would be safe to use where anything requiring a flame or spark could be disastrous due to broken gas lines. They also can substitute in a pinch for emergency road flares. (See beprepared.com as a source for light sticks and several excellent flashlight options.)

Cooking - options when gas or electricity is unavailable, there are still many options for cooking. Charcoal or propane grills come in very handy at times like these--as long as you have fuel! Store your charcoal in a dry place, such as a plastic bucket or metal trash can in the garage. Make sure to store lighter fluid and lighters, as well as windproof and waterproof matches. Gasoline should be stored in a red container which is generally recognized as dangerous or flammable. Do not attempt to use either of these cooking methods indoors! If weather and conditions don't permit outdoor use, you may be able to use them in a well-ventilated garage (with the door open) or on a covered porch or patio, but be very careful. You may want to consider the versatile Volcano II Collapsible Stove, which can use charcoal, wood or propane. (See a video about this product at beprepared.com/volcanovideo.) Dutch oven cookery is excellent if conditions are good and a place is available for an outdoor fire. One good investment for short-term cooking would be a flat-folding stove which opens to proved one study burner that is heated by a heat cell fuel canister. Our ancestors knew how to cook in an indoor wood fireplace, but that requires some special equipment--heavy cast iron pots and a device to move them onto or away from the fire, tongs, heavy potholders--as well as some know-how. If you live in a rural area that often experiences long power outages, you might want to search out and install a wood-burning stove like grandma used. Learn to use it ahead of the need and don't forget to store wood! Always keep safety on your mind as you use anything that uses oxygen to produce heat.

Hand-operated can openers - How frustrating would it be to sit looking at all your cans of carefully-stored food, yet have no simple and safe way to open them? Keep a hand can opener in your kitchen and another with your stored supplies, just in case.

A basic tool kit - Think about including at least one hammer, several screwdrivers (Phillips and flathead), nails, tacks, and screws of various sizes, pliers, an adjustable wrench, glue (super-glue, wood glue, fabric glue, craft glue), tape (duct tape, electrical tape, masking tape, transparent tape), a utility knife, an awl or ice pick, a scraper, hoses and clamps You may also need outdoor tools such as hoe, shovels, ax, wheelbarrow, and hand saw. Think through your needs and the tools that would help.

Yeast - We know that storing wheat (and some kind of grinder) is good sense, but if you forget yeast, you'll be eating unleavened bread! Don't forget other baking supplies such as soda, baking powder, salt, sugar, dough enhancer and spices.

Sleeping bags - Make sure you have one for each family member. If you have to sleep outside, in your car or in an unheated building, you'll be very glad to have these. "Space" blankets or bags are also an excellent idea for warmth, and can easily be carried in your car. They can be a "heat preserver" because they reflect about 80% of you radiant body heat.

Tableware - Paper plates, cups, bowls, and plastic utensils are often forgotten when thinking about preparing for an emergency. If safe water is in short supply, you'll be happy to not have to waste any of it washing dishes and the ease and convenience of disposable dishes will be appreciated.

Health and sanitation supplies - Items such as toilet tissue, soap and shampoo, toothpaste, feminine supplies, infant needs, your usual prescription and over-the-counter medications (pain-killers, antibiotic ointment, anti-nausea medication, stool-softeners or laxatives, anti-diarrhea preparations, Benadryl or other antihistamine preparation), vitamin and mineral supplements, band-aids, tape and gauze, Burn relieving gel, aloe vera gel, rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, 1% cortisone cream, small scissors, safety pins, tweezers, disposable gloves, cotton swabs, elastic bandages, and contact lens cleaning supplies.

Drinking water - We can live weeks without food, but major health problems including death are possible if we are without water for a long period of time. In addition to storing drinkable water, include a way to purify dirty water.

Water containers - An empty gallon jug or other container can be used to transfer and store treated water. How essential to have a way to transport much needed water in case of an emergency.

Storage bags - Plastic bags of varied sizes and heavy-duty aluminum foil.

Pet supplies - Remember food and supplies, including collars and leashes, medications, litter, and carriers for cats and small dogs or other pets.

Cash - Make sure you have some cash tucked away where you can reach it quickly. Include small bills and don’t depend on ATM’s since they won't work during many emergencies.

Radio - A hand-cranked or solar powered radio will be especially useful to keep updated on news and weather reports.

Entertainment - A collection of non-electric games, books, coloring and activity books, crayons and pencils, puzzles, and board games for you and your children. Make sure to update items as your children grow.

Cell phone - Including the charger and a car charger.

Notebook and pens - These can be used for leaving notes to let others know that you are okay or to keep track of events during the emergency.

Laundry - A hand washing machine or washboard to scrub clothing will help keep morale high. Also have a supply of laundry soap and liquid dish soap.

Copies of your important documents - Have them packed in plastic, ready to grab and go if need be. Birth certificates, marriage certificate, wills, deeds and titles, insurance policies, passports, visas, social security cards, contracts, financial documents, diplomas, important medical information, and a list of important phone numbers, addresses, and account numbers. If you have your family history or other precious records or pictures on a computer, keep an updated thumb drive ready to take along with your documents. If you have a large amount of data on your computer, such as business records or manuscripts you might consider using the services of one of the internet companies that saves material for you on their servers.

Auto kit - If you are required to evacuate your home, your car may literally be your lifeline and should be kept in good repair and ready to go. A good basic repair kit should be kept in the car at all times and include items such as a spare tire, jack, tire iron, duct tape, a gallon of water, hose clamps, road flares, ice-scraper with brush, at least one can of oil, windshield washer fluid, engine coolant, jumper cables, fire extinguisher, a magnetic key holder to place under your fender (in case your keys get locked in the car), a sack of kitty litter or sand for traction on slick or icy places, a pry bar (in case you need to pull a fender away from a tire after a minor accident) and an empty gas can, siphon and funnel. It is not wise to carry around a full can of gas in your vehicle due to varying temperatures and conditions.

Education - A few good books on emergency preparedness and cookbooks for using your storage food could make all the difference in how self-reliant you ’re able to be in a difficult situation. Check out the selection available through beprepared.com.

Household products - Plenty of baking soda, white vinegar and hydrogen peroxide, as these items have multiple uses, both in the kitchen and for cleaning and personal care.

These essentials can make the difference in any long or short-term emergency. Think outside-of-the-box and then place those commonly missed necessary items in a box, backpack, and pantry or storage area. You will be glad you did!

© Emergency Essentials for LDS Living 2011.

© 2011 LDSLiving.com.

The Urban Farming Guys

Hi!

I came across these guys. They are farming in the inner city. This is an interesting project that they have been working on for the last several years.

Many interesting ideas that I find thought provoking. Check out their web site.

http://theurbanfarmingguys.com/

Web Sites from Dehydrating Class

Dehydrate2Store

http://www.dehydrate2store.com/

Canning Pantry

http://www.canningpantry.com/dehydration-of-food.html

Budget101

http://www.budget101.com/frugal/dehydrated-dried-food-mixes-186/

National Center for Home Preservation

http://www.uga.edu/nchfp/how/dry.html

Backpacking Chef

http://www.backpackingchef.com/dehydrating-food.html

The Survival Mom

http://thesurvivalmom.com/2010/02/10/my-top-9-reasons-for-dehydrating-food/

How to dehydrate and store food – several parts

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxVpIHre2ao

Pick Your Own

http://www.pickyourown.org/dryingfoods.htm

Forever foods: 9 cooking staples that can outlast you

Thursday, February 24, 2011
Forever foods: 9 cooking staples that can outlast you

• by Yahoo!Green, on Tue Feb 22, 2011 7:07am PST
By Laura Moss, Mother Nature Network













(Photo: jupiterimages)
Most weeks, you make a big grocery list and head to the store, prepared to buy loads of fresh food to make your family's meals. We often don't give a thought to stuff sitting in the kitchen cupboard or we automatically throw out anything that's been in there longer than we can remember.
But Janice Revell, co-founder of StillTasty.com, says "Look in your pantry and your cabinets and check whether the items really do need to go. You'll be shocked by what you really don't need to throw away."
So before you throw out that years-old sugar or replace that bottle of vanilla that's been gathering dust, consult this list of "forever foods." You may be surprised how many of your kitchen staples have a shelf life of decades — even after they've been opened.

1. Sugar
Regardless of whether your sugar is white, brown, or powdered, it will never spoil because it doesn't support bacterial growth.
The challenge with sugar is to keep it from hardening into chunks. To keep sugar fresh, store it in an airtight container or seal it in a plastic bag. If your brown sugar is more like a brown rock, you can revive it with just a minute in the microwave on low heat.
2. Pure vanilla extract
If you have pure vanilla extract in the back of the cupboard, there's no need to throw it out because it lasts forever. It may be more expensive than its imitation counterpart, but its shelf life certainly outweighs the extra cost.
Keep that vanilla flavor at its best by sealing the botttle after each use and storing it in a cool, dark place.
3. Rice
White, wild, jasmine, arborio and basmati rice all keep forever so there's no need to throw them out. Brown rice is the one exception because it has a higher oil content so store it in the refrigerator or freeze it to maximize its shelf life. Once you've opened a bag or box of rice, move it to an airtight container or resealable freezer bag to keep it fresh.
4. Corn starch
You can thicken gravies and sauces for years with just one box of corn starch because it keeps indefinitely. Store this kitchen staple in a cool, dry area and be sure to reseal it tightly after each use.
5. Honey
Whether you use it in your tea, on your toast or as an alternative sweetener, that jar of pure honey is good forever. It may get grainy or change color, but it's still safe to eat — and delicious — because its antibiotic properties keep it from spoiling.
You can help keep it fresh by storing it in a cool area, and you can improve the quality of crystallized honey by placing the jar in warm water and stirring it until the grainy parts dissolve.
6. Salt
The contents of your salt shaker will never spoil, regardless of whether it's basic table salt or sea salt. Simply store it in a cool, dry place and salt will keep indefinitely.
7. Corn syrup
If you come across a years-old bottle of corn syrup in your pantry, don't throw it out. This sweetener keeps indefinitely as long as you keep it sealed and store it in a cool, dry area.
8. Maple syrup
What good are pancakes or waffles without maple syrup? Luckily, this flavorful syrup will never spoil if you refrigerate it or freeze it. For long-term storage, seal it in an airtight plastic container and freeze it.
"The freezer is such a useful tool that can really save you money because there are very few foods that don't freeze well," says Janice Revell of StillTasty.com.
9. Distilled white vinegar
This wonder product can be used for everything, from making marinades and salad dressings to cleaning house and doing laundry. But the best thing about distilled white vinegar is that it lasts for years. Simply close it tightly after each use and store the bottle in a cool, dark place.

COOL! ~News Release

March 3, 2010
18 finish emergency response training at Northwest








Cribbing is used to raise the debris off of the victim. 18 people recently completed C-CERT training at Northwest

Left, rescuers pass cribbing material from a Maryville Fire and Rescue truck to the location of a victim trapped under heavy debris during recent Campus-Community Emergency Response Team (C-CERT) training. The cribbing, along with leverage bars, is used to raise the debris off of the victim. Right, 18 individuals completed the training, including three faculty members. (SUBMITTED PHOTOS)

MARYVILLE, Mo. – Eighteen individuals recently completed this trimester's Campus-Community Emergency Response Team (C-CERT) training at Northwest.

The C-CERT program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, including fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations. Using training learned in the classroom and during exercises, C-CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood, campus or workplace after an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help.

The training is open to all students, staff and faculty at Northwest.

It concludes with a disaster simulation. Fifteen role players, consisting of school guidance counseling graduate students enrolled in Dr. Linda Sterling's course, acted as victims of a disaster.

The following individuals completed the training:

Nathan Barnes
Larry Boller
Ann Cherne
Jackie Eckle
Mattew Engel
Alice Foose
Andrew Haring
Aaron Johnson
Heidi Johnson
Cynthia Perkins
Dylan Scobee
Melissa Searl
Jessica Seipel
Karna Shepherd
Mitchell Wahlen
Lauren Leach
Sunshine Sutherland
Christopher Edwards

The following people were trainers or safety observers for the program:

Dr. April Haberyan
Dr. John Fisher
Diana Pope
Dr. John Pope
Tanja Shimak
Regina Butler
Bryan Williams
JoDee Lantz
Chaz Johnson
Bradley Head

For more information contact Dr. April Haberyan, assistant professor in the psychology, sociology and counseling department, at 660.562.1305 or ahaber@nwmissouri.edu.



# # #

For more information, please contact:

Mark Hornickel
Media Relations Specialist
E-mail: mhorn@nwmissouri.edu
Phone: 660.562.1704
Fax: 660.562.1900

Northwest Missouri State University
215 Administration Building
800 University Drive
Maryville, MO 64468

CERT finished!

As I posted earlier, Yea! I finally was able to take CERT classes. Well now I think I’ll share my thoughts about the class and let you know what CERT is.

CERT stands for community emergency response team. And what you do there is learn how and what to do in case of an emergency in your neighborhood.

You learn very basic first aid, fire suppression, and light search and rescue. I had fun meeting new people and relearning and learning new procedures. I learned where my weaknesses were and what myy strengths are.

Some of the things you can do as a trained CERT person can help when you have a crisis in your community. I know of many examples that can help you think about where you can help.

When Elizabeth Smart was kidnapped many of the people searching the mountain side were trained in search and rescue.

In July 2009, there was a landslide in Logan, Utah. Cert personnel helped with the emergency.

Here in my own community, my first winter living here we had an ice storm that knocked out power to most people for a week. Some people lived in their offices and we had one household come to our house to take showers and eat. My house had power and I had plenty of heat because I had a wood burning stove. My house was taken care of because of my family’s preparation. This made it possible for my husband to keep his radio station on the air. And so that the people of this community could find out what was going on and where to go if they needed shelter. At this time in 2007 we didn’t have the CERT program here.

For this community, we have CERT available on campus. Check your local fire department or community government offices for a location near you. Or you can search for one close to you at:

http://www.citizencorps.gov/cc/searchCert.do?submitByZip

Emergencies "in a pinch"

While taking the First Aid part of my CERT, one of the ladies shared a story of an emergency that happened in her family. I asked her to email her story to me to share it here so you could be thinking about what you could use "in a pinch" in an emergency. Thank you Karna!





Emergencies don't always happen at convenient times or when you have the essential materials handy. Sometimes you have to make due with the materials you can gather around you. For example, if you don't have sterile 4x4 gauze pads, in a pinch a t-shirt will do or a pillow case can be used as a sling. The key is that sterility is preferable. Some common sterile household items that could be used as a dressing when nothing else is available are women's feminine napkins, tampons, sealed packages of diapers, or even incontinence pads. As long as these products are still in their sealed packages then they are sterile and can be used as an alternative sterile dressing. A word of caution: please note that if you decide to use these items to pay particular attention to any treatment they may have received. For example, my younger brother who is extremely prone to horrible nose bleeds had one such episode one afternoon while we were out with our mother. We didn't have anything readily available to put on his face to catch or stop the bleeding. What we came up with was to cut a tampon in half and put each half up each of his nostrils. Voila! Crisis averted, or so we thought. About 10 minutes after the initial insertion he began to become agitated. He began waving his hands in front of his face and told us that the inside of his nose was burning. After taking a better look at the tampon we used to stop the bleeding we found that it was a scented tampon. As the tampon began soaking up the blood the chemical perfume wicked its way up his nose and into his sinus cavity causing him pain. If we had paid better attention to what we were using as an "in a pinch" dressing we wouldn't have caused him any pain other than the embarrassment of being 17 and having a tampon shoved up your nose by your big sister. Love ya Matt!

Karna

CCERT!

Finally!

I am now taking the CERT program offered at my university. I am so excited to be able to finally take this class. I encourage you all take the course if you get the opportunity. You will at least be able take care of yourself.

Best wishes to you all.

Cynthia

Food Storage Cooking Made Easy

Food Storage Cooking Made Easy

by Debbie G. Harman

LDS cooks around the world have often looked at their freeze dried food and thought, “Can I actually make anything good out of this?” The answer is a resounding yes! Try out some of these delectable recipes and be surprised at how good food storage can actually taste.

Shepherd's Pie
* 3 cups dried potato slices
* 1 quart mixed vegetables
* Salt and pepper
* Paprika


Boil potatoes until tender and drain. Drain vegetables and pour into a greased 9 × 13 casserole dish. Spread potatoes over vegetables. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and paprika. Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes.



Beef Stroganoff
* 2 pounds ground beef
* Salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste
* 1 can cream of mushroom soup
* 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
* 1 can evaporated milk
* 3 tablespoons sour cream powder
* 1/4 cup water
* Egg noodles


Brown ground beef with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Drain fat. Stir remaining ingredients into browned meat. Simmer until heated through. Serve over hot cooked egg noodles.



Brown and Wild Rice Pilaf
* 1 (4-ounce) can mushrooms, chopped
* 1/2 cup green onions, chopped
* 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
* 3 1/2 cups water
* 3 teaspoons chicken bouillon
* 1 cup brown rice
* 1/2 cup wild rice
* 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
* 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
* 1/2 cup frozen peas
* 1 carrot, shredded


In a large saucepan, saute mushrooms and green onions in hot oil until tender. Add water and bouillon and bring to a boil. Add brown and wild rice, basil, and pepper. Cover and reduce heat. Simmer 40 minutes or until rice is tender and most of the broth is absorbed. Stir in peas and carrots and simmer 5 minutes or until heated through.



Split Pea Soup
* 1 pound dry green split peas
* 1 ham hock
* 1/2 cup minced onions
* 2 teaspoons chicken bouillon
* 2 1/2 quarts water
* Salt and pepper
* 1/2 cup dehydrated diced carrots
* 1/2 cup dehydrated diced celery
* 1 10 ounce can evaporated milk
* 2 tablespoon butter (dried or fresh)


Combine split peas, ham hock, minced onions, bouillon, water, salt, and pepper into a large soup pot. Bring to a boil. Cover and simmer 1 hour, stirring frequently. Add carrots and celery and simmer additional hour or until tender. Remove ham hock; de-bone and chop ham. Return chopped ham to soup. Stir evaporated milk and butter into soup and heat through.



Applesauce Muffins
* 2 cups applesauce
* 1/2 cup butter, softened
* 1 cup sugar
* 2 eggs, well-beaten
* 2 cups whole-wheat flour
* 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1 teaspoon ground ginger
* 1 teaspoon allspice


Mix first four ingredients until well blended. Sift dry ingredients together. Stir into applesauce mixture until just moist. Pour into greased or paper-lined muffin cups. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until tops are golden brown. Yield: 2 dozen muffins.



Lemonade Cream Pie

Pie crust
# 1 1/3 cups whole-wheat flour
# 1 1/3 cups unbleached flour
# 1 teaspoon salt
# 3/4 cup shortening
# 6 tablespoons cold water


Sift flours and salt together. Cut in shortening until coarse and crumbly. Sprinkle in water a few tablespoons at a time. Blend together with fork until dough forms into a ball. Roll out on lightly floured surface. Gently roll dough around rolling pin and lift over pie pan. Unroll dough and gently press down into sides and bottom of pan. Trim crust 1/2-inch wider than pan. Fold edge under and pinch to flute. Bake according to pie directions. Makes 2 9-inch single crusts.


Filling
# 1 1/2 cups sugar
# 1/3 cup cornstarch
# 1/3 cup powdered milk
# 1 pkg. lemonade punch powder
# 2 cups water
# 2 tablespoons lemon juice
# Pinch of salt


Blend first 4 ingredients in a medium saucepan. Add water, lemon juice, and salt, and stir until dry ingredients are dissolved. Bring mixture to a boil. Continue cooking over medium-high heat, stirring continuously until thickened (7-10 minutes). Pour into baked pie crust; chill.


---
Excerpted from Cooking with Food Storage Made Easy, Covenant Communications 2009. Available here.
Covenant Communications, 2009.

Out with the Old

Out with the Old

When looking at Debbie Harman’s food storage recipes, consider your own supplies.

Often we are quick to assume that our unperishables are . . . unperishable. But many of those items sitting in your food storage will not last forever. Here are guidelines for when some of the basics need to be thrown out:

Pancake mix: 6-9 months
Crackers: 6 months
Pasta (without egg solids): 1 year
Cereals: 6-12 months (but they can go stale quickly if opened)
Plain white rice, in airtight container: 2 years
Popcorn: 1-2 years
Canned fruit: 12-18 months (unopened)
Baking powder and soda: 6 months (opened)
Flour: 6-8 months
Sugar: 2 years (indefinite if kept free of moisture)
Prepared cake, pudding, and biscuit mixes: 9-12 months
Shortening: 18 months (unopened)
Vanilla extract: 1 year (opened)