EMERGENCY PREP CLASS IN LOGAN

This looks like it will be really informative, hope you can make it!

The USU Extension Office in Cache County will present an Emergency Preparedness class about creating a family emergency plan is case of a natural or man-made disaster. We will also discuss how to use your food storage in your daily diet. The class will be held on Wednesday, January 5, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. in the Cache County Administration Building Multipurpose Room at 179 North Main, Logan. The cost is $3.00 per person or $5.00 per couple and includes handouts, binder, and food storage recipe samples. Phone 752-6263 for reservations.

DECEMBER PREPAREDNESS CHALLENGE

It's truly the most wonderful time of year! I've had a great year working on my preparedness and I hope you have also. I hope you have taken a few steps, however small, to finding that peace that you experience when you know you have laid up in store for your family.

After much reflection to determine my goals this month, I have decided that I will do a little organizing and inventoring, but overall, I will be enjoying the season with my family and a new little babe. What could better invite the spirit of Christmas? I have much to be thankful for this year; my efforts have been richly rewarded and I look forward to continuing in 2011.

Have a most wonderful, merry little Christmas filled with the Spirit of the Season.

ORDERS DUE NOV.13!

Hey if you still want to submit an order for oils/filters, etc., please do so by tomorrow, November 13! We want to have the orders filled and picked up well in time for the holidays so please send them right away to foodstoragenow@gmail.com. Thanks!

Correction on Silver/Oils order

In the group email I sent last week, I made a couple mistakes on the information. My bad! Here's the changes:

1) Important: The silver is ionic silver not colloidal...in other words, it's much stronger and more effective than colloidal because the molecules are smaller and better able to penetrate cells. It's highly concentrated and excellent for so many ailments, also it can be taken internally and tastes just like water!

2) The hand sanitizer: I listed it as being normally $20...my supplier let me know that is not correct. It is on sale for $8 this month.

Orders due November 13! Also remember this is the last chance to order water filters for the year! Email foodstoragenow@gmail.com for more info.

NOVEMBER PREPAREDNESS CHALLENGE

It's November, let the holidays begin! I know it gets crazy busy this time of year so I try to keep my monthly goals as do-able as possible without a lot of hassle. This is what I'm focusing on this month:

1) Stock up on baking goods with the holiday sales. This is the time of year when sugar, flour, nuts, butter, cream, chocolate, etc. comes on special and who can ever get enough baked goodies in the winter anyway? Not me! I will be making a list of the things that I am low on and watching for those great sales.

2) Add some ionic silver/oregano/hand sanitizer to my preparedness supply. It's on special right now and great to have for the winter sickness that comes around! If you would like some also, you can see the prices on the following post and email me at foodstoragenow@gmail.com. I can also send you more information on these if you have questions about their use.

Happy Thanksgiving y'all! I am thankful for you!

EXCELLENT GROUP PRICES ON SILVER/OREGANO/SPICE TRADERS/HAND SANITIZER

Our supplier is trying to get rid of some inventory, so right now we have prices on silver and oils the lowest we have seen yet! Get in on our group order as soon as you can before the inventory is gone! We don't have a firm date as to when these prices will no longer be available so if you are interested in ordering, please email us at foodstoragenow@gmail.com as soon as possible. Most likely we will close the order by Oct. 31, depending on how much product is available.

ARISE Silver (Can be used as a disinfectant, spray in nose, ears or mouth, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, great for clearing up problem areas and for preventative maintenance for your health)

• 1 qt..............$60 (Normally $85)
• 8 oz.............$20 (Normally $28)
• 2 oz travel..$6

OREGANO Blend (already diluted with pure olive oil)

• 2 oz............$20 (Normally $28)

OREGANO Concentrate (you can blend on your own 6 parts olive oil:1 part oregano) *OR* SPICE TRADERS/Thieves Oil (Same price for each)

• 15 ml.........$20 (Normally $27)
• 1 oz............$41 (Normally $51)
• 2 oz........... $73 (Normally $91)
• 4 oz...........$131 (Normally $164)
• 8 oz...........$236 (Normally $295)

SANI SHINE HAND SANITIZER (Non-alcoholic, silver impregnated)

• 2 oz...........$8

And don't forget our close-out on 55 GAL BARRELS! We are anxious to get rid of them for winter so we are offering them for....$10.00! Used, food-grade, perfect for water storage, come and get 'em!

DON"T FORGET ABOUT OUR FALL CLASS! WED, OCT 6

Our FREE quarterly class can help your family with the winter months coming on! Come learn how to maintain your families' health from home this season!

Fall Class: Using Spice Traders, Oregano Oil, Ionic Silver to assist in your Families' Home Health

When: Wednesday, Oct.6
Time: 7 PM
Where: Joan Elders', 4820 Hollow Rd, Nibley UT

Contact #: 435-245-9662

Oils and items covered in class will be available for purchase and pick up after the class.

***Note: This is NOT a medical seminar and we make no health claims. We are reviewing information from Dr. Cass Ingram's book, The Cure Is in the Cupboard, and methods that have worked with our families' health.

OCTOBER PREPAREDNESS CHALLENGE

Can you believe it's October already? This is when the holidays start creeping up, until, wham! the craziness hits and then the year is over. I can't believe how fast it goes. Before the madness begins, commit to being consistent with your preparedness and join me in my goals this month!

With the harvest season and winter coming on, I am still focusing on "gathering in" and securing a good food supply for the winter months when I just plain don't want to go out in the freezing cold and snow and go shopping. I like to have everything on hand and shop about once or twice a month. So, this month I will be

1) Re-stocking my three-month supply with case lot finds, and taking inventory of my years' supply with a plan to work slowly towards getting that re-stocked. (For some great ideas on planning, inventory, and rotating, check out http://foodstoragemadeeasy.net/)

2) Stocking up on paperware. In the event of water shortage, holiday run-around, a quick goodie plate for a neighbor, and the arrival of a baby and lack of time to do dishes I want to make sure I have plenty of paper plates, cups, napkins, bowls, utensils around to fill in the gaps. Not a really green way to live, I understand, but I only use them on occasion, and it prevents me from using the water to wash dishes, so...it's how it's gotta be. I'm always glad when I have some in my storage.

FIVE SHELF LIFE STUDIES FOR YOUR FOOD STORAGE

In your quest for knowledge on all things preparedness related, this is a good resource for updates on the shelf life of dry and canned foods. The link at the end has some fabulous information on many different preparedness topics. Enjoy!

Five Different Shelf Life Studies:
Two on Canned Food and Three on Dry Food

Summary Article Copyright 2007,2010 by Robert Wayne Atkins, P.E.
The following brief summaries are for fair use and educational purposes only.

Publication History:

After granting permission, my Entire Food Shelf Life Summary Article was published in the
Journal of Civil Defense, Volume 43, Issue Number 2, Year 2010.

The Journal of Civil Defense has an extremely wide distribution and readership including
all the Congressmen in the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives.

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Canned Food Study One
A Food and Drug Administration Article about a shelf life test that was conducted on 100-year old canned foods that were retrieved from the Steamboat Bertrand can be read at the following link:

http://web.archive.org/web/20070509153848/http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/CONSUMER/CON00043.html

Following is a brief summary of a very small portion of the above article:

"Among the canned food items retrieved from the Bertrand in 1968 were brandied peaches, oysters, plum tomatoes, honey, and mixed vegetables. In 1974, chemists at the National Food Processors Association (NFPA) analyzed the products for bacterial contamination and nutrient value. Although the food had lost its fresh smell and appearance, the NFPA chemists detected no microbial growth and determined that the foods were as safe to eat as they had been when canned more than 100 years earlier. The nutrient values varied depending upon the product and nutrient. NFPA chemists Janet Dudek and Edgar Elkins report that significant amounts of vitamins C and A were lost. But protein levels remained high, and all calcium values 'were comparable to today's products.'"

"NFPA chemists also analyzed a 40-year-old can of corn found in the basement of a home in California. Again, the canning process had kept the corn safe from contaminants and from much nutrient loss. In addition, Dudek says, the kernels looked and smelled like recently canned corn."

"According to a recent study cosponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and NFPA, canned foods provide the same nutritional value as fresh grocery produce and their frozen counterparts when prepared for the table. NFPA researchers compared six vegetables in three forms: home-cooked fresh, warmed canned, and prepared frozen. 'Levels of 13 minerals, eight vitamins, and fiber in the foods were similar,' says Dudek. In fact, in some cases the canned product contained high levels of some vitamins that in fresh produce are destroyed by light or exposure to air."

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Canned Food Study Two
A canned food shelf life study conducted by the U.S. Army revealed that canned meats, vegetables, and jam were in an excellent state of preservation after 46 years.

The Washington State University summary article can be read at:

http://www.whatcom.wsu.edu/family/facts/shelflif.htm

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Dry Food Study One
A scientific study conducted at Brigham Young University on the shelf life of a variety of different dry foods can be read at both of the following links:

http://ce.byu.edu/cw/womensconference/archive/2005/sharing_stations/pdf/52a.pdf
http://www.providentliving.org/content/display/0,11666,7797-1-4222-1,00.html

A brief summary of the above web site information shows the following estimated shelf life per dry food item:

Over 30 years for wheat and white rice.
30 years for pinto beans, macaroni, rolled oats, and potato flakes.
20 years for powdered milk.

All dry food items should be stored in airtight moisture proof containers at a temperature between 40�F to 70�F.
Salt, baking soda, and granulated sugar still in their original containers have no known shelf life limit if properly stored.

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Dry Food Study Two
http://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/2007/0208-keeping_food_for_years.htm

Following are some direct quotes taken from the above web site:

Food scientists now know that, when properly sealed, some dried food that's been sitting on shelves for years, could still be OK to eat.

"It lasts a lot longer than we thought," Oscar Pike a food scientist at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, tells DBIS.

Scientists have known certain foods like sugar and salt can be stored indefinitely, but wanted to learn the shelf life of other food like dried apples -- stored since 1973 -- tried by taste testers.

"I like to call it the emergency shelf life of the food, food that you'd still be willing to eat in an emergency," Pike says. "It's not as though it were freshly canned, but it's certainly edible."

He says the best foods to store are low in moisture, like wheat and powered milk. But keep all foods away from heat and light to stop it from going stale and losing nutritional value. "All the foods that we've tested have been stored at room temperature or below, so you want to avoid attic and garage storage."

In the study, researchers taste-tested rolled oats that had been stored in sealed containers for 28 years. Three-fourths of tasters considered the oats acceptable to eat in an emergency.

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Dry Food Study Three
http://beprepared.com/article.asp?ai=579&sid=INEM327&EID=ALL0608d&lm=emer&bhcd2=1213479534

Following are some quotes taken from the above web site:

It is important to first identify what is meant by "food storage" and "shelf life." "Food storage" that is intended to be held long-term is generally considered to be low moisture food packed in either #10 cans or in metalized bags placed within large buckets. "Shelf life" can be defined in the following two ways:

"Best if used by" shelf life - Length of time food retains most of its original taste and nutrition.

"Life sustaining" shelf life - Length of time food preserves life, without becoming inedible.

There can be a wide time gap between these two definitions. For example, most foods available in the grocery store that are dated have a "Best if used by" date that ranges from a few weeks to a few years. On the other hand, scientific studies have determined that when properly stored, powdered milk has a "Life sustaining" shelf life of 20 years. That is, the stored powdered milk may not taste as good as fresh powdered milk, but it is still edible.

Shelf life is extremely dependent on the following storage conditions:

Temperature: Excessive temperature is damaging to food storage. With increased temperature, proteins breakdown and some vitamins will be destroyed. The color, flavor and odor of some products may also be affected. To enhance shelf life, store food at room temperature or below; never store food in an attic or garage.
Moisture: Excessive moisture can result in product deterioration and spoilage by creating an environment in which microorganisms may grow and chemical reactions can take place.
Oxygen: The oxygen in air can have deteriorative effects on fats, food colors, vitamins, flavors, and other food constituents. It can cause conditions that will enhance the growth of microorganisms.
Light: The exposure of foods to light can result in the deterioration of specific food constituents, such as fats, proteins, and vitamins, resulting in discoloration, off-flavors, and vitamin loss.

EXAMPLES OF SHELF LIFE:

Recent scientific studies on dehydrated food have shown that food stored properly can last for a much longer period of time than previously thought. This research determined the "life sustaining" shelf life to be the following:
Dry Food Item Shelf Life
Wheat, White Rice, and Corn 30 years or more
Pinto Beans, Apple Slices, Macaroni 30 years
Rolled Oats, and Potato Flakes 30 years
Powdered Milk 20 years



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Revision History:

Revised September 1, 2010 - Added Publication History of my Summary Article at the top of the page.
Revised June 16, 2008 - Added a Third Dry Food Shelf Life Article.
Revised June 12, 2008 - Added a Second Dry Food Shelf Life Article.
Revised December 4, 2007 - Added a New Link to a U.S. Army Canned Food Shelf Life Article.
Revised December 4, 2007 - Added a New Link to a Brigham Young University Dry Food Shelf Life Article.
Fall 2007 - Created this new web page.

Click on www.grandpappy.info/indexhar.htm for more Hard Times Survival Tips.

OILS CLASS INFO AND PRICES...ALSO FEATURING IONIC SILVER!

Fall Class: Using Spice Traders, Oregano Oil, Ionic Silver to assist in your Families' Home Health

When: Wednesday, Oct.6
Time: 7 PM
Where: Joan Elders', 4820 Hollow Rd, Nibley UT

I failed to mention in the group email that Joan will also be discussing some of the benefits of Ionic Silver. All prices include tax and shipping.

Silver-Arise 8 oz: $28.00
Silver-Arise 1 qt: $85.00
Oregano Blend (2 oz): $27.00 (Oregano mixed with pure olive oil)
15 ml: Oregano Concentrate: $27.00
Spice Traders: $27.00
1 oz: Oregano Concentrate: $51.00
Spice Traders: $51.00
2 oz: Oregano Concentrate: $91.00
Spice Traders: $91.00
4 oz: Oregano Concentrate: $164.00
Spice Traders: $164.00
8 oz: Oregano Concentrate: $295.00
Spice Traders: $295.00

Questions about classes or ordering? Email foodstoragenow@gmail.com or call Joan 435-757-6854.

Difference between Oregano and Spice Traders Oils

What is the difference between this Oregano oil and the Thieve's oil?

Spice Traders (Thieves) is to put on you for PROTECTION from the bugs that make you sick. The name ‘thieves,’ came from the people who robbed the dead bodies that had fallen from the bubonic plague back in the 1300's. They didn’t get sick even when they touched the infected bodies. The trade routes are where the plague was the worst and spread to even remote areas. So the spice traders wore it for protection as well. They wore like a mask over their nose and mouth that had the oil on it. They put it on their clothes. Some places I have my family wear it are: on the sternum at the thymus place (midline of chest, just above the center of the breast). We also wear it on the feet lateral to the ball of the foot. During a pandemic situation, I will put some in a spray bottle, and add water, and spray it around the air, thus diffusion it everywhere to kill airborne bugs. I will have one of my kids go through and spray the air every few hours. I can also spray it on surfaces like faucets, light switches, doorknobs. In Melonie’s pandemic classes, she talks about a doctor who told her it was a good thing to spray on each side of a mask, let it sit for 1/2 hour, and that will make the mask more effective incase of air leaks.

The Oregano oil is what you eat when you ARE SICK. There is a great book called "The Cure is in the Cupboard." In the book, the doctor said it has been tested to kill Bird Flu Virus. And that the FDA has actually approved it to be one of the few oils you can take internally. I am very impressed about the wide range of problems the oregano oil addresses. It gives case histories of different ailments it cured, and how the people took it to get that result. He talks about the oregano killing viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Within our group, we've had some great testimonials about oregano oil in dealing with skin/acne issues, chronic coughing, etc.

SEPTEMBER PREPAREDNESS CHALLENGE

Each month I focus my preparedness efforts on two specific goals; it seems a lot less intimidating that way and a lot more do-able. So I invite you to join me with these goals or create some of your own; just make sure you're doing something each month to build your storage!

1-I have done a little canning already and found how unprepared I was with the basic supplies I needed. That is very irritating when you are up to your elbows in tomatoes and have to run to the store. So I am challenging myself to stock up on my years' supply of canning needs, since they are on sale right now. Here are some of the things I need to have on hand:
Canning lids (I'm ample for jars)
Vinegar; white and cider
Sugar
Pectin
Lemon juice
Pickling salt

2-Guess what is coming up??? Case lot! Some of the stores have already begun. I usually visit Macey's and the Providence location is starting their case lot sale on September 29, so I have almost a whole month to prepare! This means creating room in my budget, taking inventory in my 3 month supply, making sure I have space to keep it all, and making a great list of exactly what I need. Although it gets a little crazy for me to shop the case lot sale, it helps my peace of mind tremendously. I love the feeling of everything being "gathered in" for the winter. I am such a squirrel that way :)

Good luck with your goals this month!

COUPON CLASS-PART 2

An Invitation to learn how to save half or more off your grocery/household bills each month!

Heather from www.savvysistershops.com is coming to our area to show us how to save big bucks on our groceries and household items as well as build our food storage! I know I could sure use a few extra dollars each month, how about you? This is a couponing class that I can vouch for; I have seen the information and I myself have been able to save every month by using it. Come see for yourself, there is no cost. *For those that came to the previous class, this will be a good review and Heather will be able to answer your questions!

Where: Joan Elders' home, 4820 Hollow Rd, Nibley UT
When: Thursday, Aug. 5
Time: 7 PM
Contact number: 435-757-6854

AUGUST PREPAREDNESS CHALLENGE

1) Tis the season to get prepared for cold/flu season...ick. I need to stock up on tissues, pain reliever/fever reducer, Vitamins D and C, hand sanitizer, ionic silver, spice traders and oregano oil. Whew! That will keep me busy this month! But it's worth it when several family members get sick at the same time and I already have supplies on hand.

***If you are interested in ordering any of the last 4 of the listed supplies you can email me at foodstoragenow@gmail.com.

***I was just thinking, would anyone be interested in having a no cost class on home health care to prepare for the winter season? We have some knowledgable people that would be able to teach us about using oils, silver, etc. to prevent and treat sickness at home. Let me know at foodstoragenow@gmail.com!

2) Case-lot sales will be coming up soon. I will be making a list of the things I am low on so I can spot the deals and stock up! (I love the feeling of "all is safely gathered in" for winter, so I know I can be ready to hunker down and enjoy the snow!)

STRICTLY STORAGE: HOMEMADE ENCHILADA SAUCE

I got this recipe years ago and LOVE IT! Enchilada sauce from the store is so expensive, but this is easy to make right from your food storage and is just as tasty! One batch will make 3 cups, too, so it's definately more bang for your buck!

ENCHILADA SAUCE
2 Tb. veg oil
2 Tb. flour (white or wheat...wheat will add a little grainier texture)
2 Tb. chili powder
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce
2 cups water
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. garlic powder (I use garlic salt, it's what I've got :)

Heat oil in saucepan, stir in flour and chili powder, cook 1 minute. Add the rest of ingredients, bring to a boil, simmer 10 minutes. Done!

How easy is that???

WATER FILTERS AND BARRELS AVAILABLE

Hey folks! We are focusing on clean water for our preparedness efforts this month, and our supplier has stocked us with water filters, disinfecting items, and barrels that are available for purchase!

Prices for water filters are $45-$60 (these will filter several gallons at a time, the ceramic filter has proven to be effective against nearly all bacteria/viruses) Click here for more info about the water filters

Barrels are $20 each, food grade, used, 55 gal. plastic.

Disinfecting/conservation items to be announced

How to purchase: You can email me at foodstoragenow@gmail.com to submit your order or attend the water class on July 28 and purchase items there. All pickups will need to happen on July 28, whether you attend the class or not! We will do payment and pickup in the same transaction this time.

Class info:
When: Wed, July 28, 7 PM-8 PM
Where: Joan Elders' home, 4820 Hollow Rd, Nibley UT 84321
Teacher: Joan Elder
Cost: None!
Contact #: 435-757-6854

This is great information on storing, purifying, and conserving water during an emergency situation. Plan to be there! Q&A and items available for purchase following the class.

WATER STORAGE ADVENTURES

Ok, so in keeping with my July preparedness goal, I have been getting rid of the water from my 55 gallon drums in preparation for cleaning and refilling. (My plan was to siphon it out with a hose but my super tough husband just tipped them over for me...much easier!) I made some discoveries that I thought I would share.

1. I have water stored in both metal barrels and the plastic ones. The metal ones have an enamel lining so I didn't think rust would be a problem, BUT alas, they are beginning to rust anyway. So I will probably line them somehow and use them to store wheat bags or something. However, the water from those smelled and tasted much better (yes, my husband actually tasted it!) than from the plastic ones. Hmmmm...

2. Even though I left a good 10 inches of headspace at the top of each barrel to allow for freezing/expansion, those that were stored outdoors still bulged out the bottom from freezing. My husband explained to me that it was because the water freezes from top first, so it ends up expanding out the bottom instead. Why didn't I think of that? So, the barrels are now a little tipsy...but they'll still work. I guess the lesson learned here is to store them indoors if possible (like in a shed or garage).

3. Though I thoroughly disinfected each barrel before filling it, there was still some suspicious looking matter at the bottom of the barrels. Nothing a little Clorox won't fix, but this is why it's very important to have a filter (we are selling them this month! see above post or email me at foodstoragenow@gmail.com) to be able to clean up your water even if it has been stored well.

If you know some great tips for storing water in these huge barrels please post them in the comments so we can all figure it out together! Remember that water is one of the top three items to have in your storage! Don't be without it, summer is a great time to get it in order!

Safe Water Storage Class , July 28

Safe water/Water conservation class
Coming up July 28, 7 PM

This time of year we are thinking a little more of the importance of water and what shortages can mean. It's even more important to have an idea of what to do about water in an emergency situation, when it is very often scarce. Join us for a no-cost class taught by Joan that will show you how to store and purify your water, as well as teach you how to make your own filter and show you how to conserve water in some ways you might not be thinking about! The class is about an hour long, with a Q&A session and items available for purchase that will assist you in your water storage (water filters, barrels, disinfecting materials, menstrual cups, etc.)

Date: Wed., July 28
Time: 7 PM-8 PM
Where: 4820 Hollow Rd, Nibley UT

JULY PREPAREDNESS CHALLENGE

Happy summer everyone! Isn't the sunshine great? Here's what I'm planning to do for my preparedness in July, join me if you can!

*As the weather heats up and the water gets scarce, I am reminded that I need to revamp my water storage. I will empty and refill my barrels, get all my filtering supplies in one place, and restock my bottled water supply (it seems to dwindle very quickly in the summer months...) I have also heard that freezers will operate more efficiently when full, so I may fill up a few milk jugs and stick them in to fill in the empty spots as well as provide for more water storage and/or ice in the event of an emergency. There are other places in your home where water is available that you may not have considered, i.e. water heater tanks and toilet tanks. Of course, those should be used as a last resort. Remember, the recommended water storage amount is 2 weeks for each person, which is about a gallon per person per day.
Here are some guidelines on water storage: http://www.providentliving.org/content/display/0,11666,7534-1-4065-1,00.html
http://www.nationalterroralert.com/safewater/

Plug here: If you need help with your water storage/purifying/conserving during an emergency, come to the free water class we are holding on July 28! Info above.

*I need to do some planning for canning. I have a good idea of what my garden yield will be and will take inventory from my storage to see what I could use more of for winter. I'll also be watching for produce sales in stores and farmers' markets in case I would like to can anything that I am not currently growing. So many times in the summer, though, many generous people share their surplus so I rarely have to buy anything...what a help!

Good luck with your summer prepardness goals! Don't let the sun get you sidetracked! :)

A Personal Note from Joan on the COUPON CLASS

For those of you that have already received it, this is your reminder. For those of you who haven't decided yet, here is why it would be good to come check it out:

2 weeks ago, my daughter in Provo bought $100 worth of household goods, toiletries and food for $2.50!

Last week she lead me by the hand and she and I bought (4) $10 items for $ .99 ea! And some 'Always" pads that retail for about $5.00 for $ .50! And I have coupons for 2 months worth of FREE contacts for myself.

I thought it would take too much of my time to cut coupons out, ect. This is what she does WEEKLY:

She spends an hour making out her shopping list & cutting coupons

And an hour going to her 3 stores that are near each other, picking the items up.

This is an excellent way to build your supplies up at very little cost.

I thought it was un-ethical, too good to be true. My daughter spent an hour going over why it was honest and fair.

Manufacturers use their advertising dollars, and get a prime spot on the store shelf after a certain level of sales in a peticular period. It ends up being a win-win for everyone involved.

"But I don't get the newspaper." Michelle's ward has had a coupon class, and their Relief Society has a volentary program where those who get the paper bring their Sunday coupon booklet to R.S. and the couponer sisters can get free coupons. Also, Heather will be showing us how to get the best price on these coupons (like $ .75 a week).

Joan

Come to an absolutely FREE coupon class!

Thursday June 17th

1:00 p.m.

Joan Elder’s home

435-757-6854

Learn how to get organized & get the best deals with your coupons!

www.savvysistershops.com

Please forward this message/invitation to all your friends! Cut your monthly grocery bill in half- (or more!) Babysitting provided.

JUNE PREPAREDNESS GOALS

*Ok, due to the almost constant rain, this is the month I will actually be planting the bulk of my garden. Which is ok. Despite my best intentions, I usually don't end up planting most things until the first of June and I always end up getting a bounteous harvest anyway.

*I also need to check my canning supplies and replenish whatever I need in the way of jars, lids, etc. If you have a pressure cooker it would be a great time to get the pressure gauge checked at your local extension office. I also like to stock up on quart sized and gallon sized freezer bags (must be high quality like Ziplock) so I will be ready for freezing extra produce. Sometimes I will get a giant bucket of beans from a neighbor and I'm just not in the canning groove, so I do a lot of freezing.

*Last month, to make up for the garden goal I did not accomplish, I ordered a giant bag of 9 grain cereal from www.honeyvillegrain.com and it is DELISH! Even with morning sickness I can eat it and my kids gobble it right up if it's got a little brown sugar cooked in. So I totally recommend this delicious cereal for your storage and it is so nutritious-check out the link to see all the good stuff it contains! 1/2 cup will feed four people in my family-try getting that kind of a value from your cold cereal!

TO PREPARE MY PEOPLE TABERNACLE SEMINAR

Because I believe being informed is a big part of being prepared, I am posting this notice for a seminar that I believe will have a lot of great information.

When: Sat, May 22, 1-5:30 PM
Where: Logan Tabernacle
Who: 14 and older
Cost: $5 donation (optional)
Featured speakers: Scott Bradley (senatorial candidate for the constitution party), Farley Anderson, Janet Ashcroft Summit, Arlene K. Butler

I think there is also an optional dinner afterwards at the Coppermill for those who would like to attend.

For more info, see www.ToPrepareMyPeople.com

Should be great information! I have heard a lot of great things about many of the speakers. Hope you can make it.

MAY PREPAREDNESS GOALS

Is it May already? Yikes, I am behind...again! Here are my goals to accomplish this month. Join me if you would like!

*The young women in our ward are going to the dry pack cannery for a service project. All I have to do is sign up for what I want and write out the check. Love how easy that is!

*But this one is not so easy...gotta plant my garden this month, that is, if it ever stops snowing! (I am actually loving the snow because it gives me a great excuse to snuggle up with a book instead of doing yard work. I'm guilty!) I have some seeds left over from last year, and I'll run to the garden store to get the few that I need. Plus, I heard a great trick to keep the weeds down in your garden; spread used carpet, backing-side up, over the garden, then cut it as needed to plant, in rows, or circles for sqaush, etc. I have heard several people swear by this method, and if the carpet is ugly, no one has to know because the fuzzy side faces down! Brilliant! I am definately going to try it this year! (And I happen to know that carpet stores throw away TONS of old carpet every day...just ask them if you can go dumpster diving and I'm sure they will be happy to oblige you.) By the way, having a weed-free garden is more important to me than having a perfectly beautiful one, if you can't tell :)

FOOD STORAGE CONFERENCE AT WSU-MAY 1

Weber State is hosting a Food Storage Conference on Sat., May 1, 8AM-2:30PM at the WSU Student Union Building. Cost is $5. Register by calling 801-399-8207. Experts from USU, BYU, LDS Church Dry-pack will be giving workshops on shelf life, acquiring and managing food storage, containers and oxygen, dry milk, wheat bread, cooking with dry pack, cooking with dry beans, and more. Should be great!

APRIL SALE PICKUP INFO

Thanks for all who ordered with us this month, we had a great response and are excited for our product line-up. We will be sending out a survey really soon to see what kinds of things you would like us to make available for your family's preparedness needs.

PICK-UP INFO:
When: Saturday, May 1
Time: 9AM-12PM
Where: Joan Elders', 4820 Hollow Rd, Nibley UT 84321

See you there!

APRIL PREPAREDNESS CHALLENGE

Each month I am focusing on two areas of preparedness to work on and I invite you to join me or leave your comments if you have some great ideas. My focus for this month is:

1)Stock up my freezer. It's looking a little lean after the long winter. I know March was frozen foods month, but better late than never right? I like to store frozen fruits and vegetables, freezer jams, breads and buns, butter, juice, ice cream, frozen pies, and whipped topping (SO important for preparedness :) and meats of all sorts in my freezer. So I'll be scouting around for some *cool* deals.

2)Time to inventory my 72 hour kits again. I try to change things out with the changing seasons, so in the event of an emergency, I can "grab n go" with the things that will be really beneficial during that specific season, i.e. suncreen and extra water in the summer, heavy jackets and extra socks in the winter. I'll do another posting later on good things to include in your 72 hour kit and other ideas to help you get it put together. One of our group members happens to have a great deal of knowledge in this area so I will consult her and get some of her ideas.

OOPS! Hybrid and non-hybrid seeds...my mistake

Hey everyone,
In my excitement to get that last email out to you, I made some mistakes with my verbage in regards to the hybrid (regular, one-season seeds) and the non-hybrid (heirloom) seeds. My bad! So if you are confused...you are not alone. Here is the difference between the 2:

Hybrid = type of seed that you canNOT harvest seeds that will harvest/grow again and bear fruit. You grow it, eat it, the end. You may get a volenter plant come up from it a time or two. But you cannot harvest seeds from it. This is the kind sold nearly exclusively at our stores. They have been breed to have certain desirable qualities. I have heard that they do not have as much nutrition for you as the other kind of plants made from the other seed, but they can be more disease resistant.


Non-hybrid = Heritage. It has not been 'bred.' It is in it's original unchanged form. Man has not done his stuff to this plant. These two words non-hybrid and Heritage are the same. You can use these words interchangably. Many of these seeds came over from the Mayflower. They are hardy. You can harvest their seeds, and they will reproduce (and put the seed growers out of business). Supposedly they are more "pure", meaning the fruit has a richer color and taste.


**For our emergency preparedness purposes, we are offering the HERITAGE, NON-HYRBRID seeds. Vegetables, 25 varieties, $37. Herbs, 11 varieties, $32. If you are interested, email me at foodstoragenow@gmail.com

PREPAREDNESS FAIRS IN CACHE VALLEY

This Saturday
North Logan Preparedness Fair; Sat. March 20th; All invited! 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the LDS Church Building on 1800 N. 400 E. Will include info. about turning off utilities, food storage, power generators, 72-hr. kits, gardening, sanitation, financial aspects, fire extinguishers, building solar ovens and emergency handcarts etc. 12 and older. Direct questions: Jeff Jorgensen; City Administrator and Director of Emergency Services; 752-1310 ext. 14.

Next Saturday
CACHE COUNTY PREPAREDNESS FAIR
Saturday, March 27, 2010
1:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Mountainside Elementary
235 East 125 North
Mendon, UT

LESSONS LEARNED FROM A FIRSTHAND ACCOUNT OF THE CHILE EARTHQUAKE

I have a brother who experienced the earthquake in Chile, firsthand, as an LDS missionary. Not only that, he was in the most damaged area, Concepcion. So I wanted to take from his experiences and see if we could learn a few lessons that might help us in our preparedness efforts, since earthquakes seem to be happening on a more frequent and severe basis. It could happen to any of us.

1) They had to evacuate the area immediately because of the danger from aftershocks (falling buildings and debris) and even more perilous, the looters. From what I could gather, he only had time to grab a couple pair of extra underwear and his camera (the most important things LOL). Lesson learned: Have 72 hour kits and other important items accessible and ready to go at a moment’s notice. There may not be time to gather food, water, extra clothing if it is not close by.
2) They had to go to a neighboring city where the danger wasn’t so great and because public transportation was totally full, they ended up hitch-hiking and catching a ride with a horse drawn buggy (cool…but a little stressful under the circumstances. And last time I checked there weren’t a heck of a lot of horse drawn buggies in these parts.) Lesson learned: Have the car full of gas, an extra tank if possible, and even some cash available for travel (or to pay someone to get you there). Or even have another means of transportation available, i.e. four-wheelers, bicycles, etc.
3) The pre-determined meeting place was damaged to the point that they couldn’t gather there, so they ended up going to the neighboring city to find another. Lesson learned: Have a pre-determined plan in place of where you can meet up with your family; have a plan B and C also.
4) The utilities, including electric and phones, were out for a long period of time. Even cell phones were out of service. Lesson learned: Have back-up communication, and make sure you have a place to meet up if all communication is down. A good solar- or battery-powered radio is great to have when you need to know what’s going on. Also, be prepared to be without utilities and electricity. What will you do for warmth? Cooking? Light?
5) They had a major problem with looters which still continues. Lesson learned: Be prepared to be able to take care of your family and home in whatever way you think is best, and know that your home may be raided if you have left it.
6) Most stores are STILL not in operation, 2 weeks later. The group of missionaries pooled their money together to buy food and water, but many of the people are still struggling to find food; thus, the looting out of desperation in many cases. Lesson learned: Food and water storage are imperative, as well as all other items that you must have, i.e. medications, sanitation items, etc. How long could you live without a store? A good way to find out is to try it now; start small and learn to plan for longer and longer periods without visits to the store, i.e. start with one week, then 2, then a month, etc.
7) Aftershocks are happening on a daily basis; many are 6 and 7’s. They are constantly on the watch. Many of these happen during the night. Lesson learned: Once the “main” earthquake has hit, be prepared for more. Make sure falling hazards are secure, have an exit strategy wherever you are, have some shoes and a flashlight next to your bed in case you need to get out during the night.

CASE LOT DATES

If you miss out on some things during this months' caselot, or can't afford all that you want to get, Macey's is doing theirs during April so that may help in your planning. http://preparedldsfamily.blogspot.com/ has a great list of things that typically go on sale each month so you know what to be looking for.
Ridleys: March 2-16
Fresh Market: March 3 - 9
Macey's: April 7 - 27
Lees: March 1-14

MARCH PREPAREDNESS CHALLENGE

My goals for this month in preparedness...join me! I've heard of several people (myself included) that invest a portion of their tax return in preparedness each year...you might consider it for your family.

1) Stock up on food storage at case lot: If you saw my last post, you'll know that I'm actually excited for this...wierd. Anyway, case lot always seems to roll around right when my storage is looking pretty thin...so I'll go blow a couple hundred bucks and that might make me feel better :) We'll try and list some of the best deals.

2) Research back up cooking sources. We want to look at our options so when summer comes around with good pricing on camping gear, we will know what we want to purchase.

CASE LOT!

Hey folks, case lot sales are starting this week at Associated Food Stores in Utah! I know how strange I am when I get excited about this and it is re-affirmed when I get strange looks in the grocery store when I'm dragging around two carts full of goodies (like canned corn, yick :) Check out the ads and see what's on sale, and stock up while prices are good! If we see any fantastic, don't-miss-it-deals, we'll let you know. Happy shopping!

Another frugal idea for your storage-COFFEE FILTERS

Thanks to a group member who sent this to me...I think it would be a great idea to have a pack of these in your storage. So versatile! Good substitute for paper towels, cotton balls, paper bowls, etc. And cheap at the dollar store!

1. Cover bowls or dishes when cooking in the microwave. Coffee filters make excellent covers.

2. Clean windows, mirrors, and chrome... Coffee filters are lint-free so they'll leave windows sparkling.

3. Protect China by separating your good dishes with a coffee filter between each dish.

4. Filter broken cork from wine. If you break the cork when opening a wine bottle, filter the wine through a coffee filter.

5. Protect a cast-iron skillet. Place a coffee filter in the skillet to absorb moisture and prevent rust.

6. Apply shoe polish. Ball up a lint-free coffee filter.

7. Recycle frying oil. After frying, strain oil through a sieve lined with a coffee filter.

8. Weigh chopped foods. Place chopped ingredients in a coffee filter on a kitchen scale.

9. Hold tacos. Coffee filters make convenient wrappers for messy foods.

10. Stop the soil from leaking out of a plant pot. Line a plant pot with a coffee filter to prevent the soil from going through and clogging the drainage holes.

11. Prevent a Popcicle from dripping. Poke one or two holes as needed in a coffee filter.

12. Do you think we used expensive strips to wax eyebrows? Use strips of coffee filters..


13. Put a few in a plate and put your fried bacon, French fries, chicken fingers, etc on them. It soaks out all the grease.

14. Keep in the bathroom. They make great "razor nick fixers."

15. As a sewing backing. Use a filter as an easy-to-tear backing for embroidering or applique soft fabrics.

16. Put baking soda into a coffee filter and insert into shoes or a closet to absorb or prevent odors.

17. Use them to strain soup stock and to tie fresh herbs in to put in soups and stews.

18. Use a coffee filter to prevent spilling when you add fluids to your car.

19. Use them as a spoon rest while cooking and clean up small counter spills.

20. Can use to hold dry ingredients when baking or when cutting a piece of fruit or veggies... Saves on having extra bowls to wash.

21. Use them to wrap Christmas ornaments for storage.

22. Use them to remove fingernail polish when out of cotton balls.

23. Use them to sprout seeds. Simply dampen the coffee filter, place seeds inside, fold it and place it into a plastic baggie until they sprout.

24. Use coffee filters as blotting paper for pressed flowers. Place the flowers between two coffee filters and put the coffee filters in phone book...

25. Use as a disposable "snack bowl" for popcorn, chips, etc.

ALTERNATIVE TO PEPPER SPRAY/MACE-WASP SPRAY!

This was sent to me by one of our members. I'm not really keen on forwards because so many of them lack legitimacy and are created mainly for drama, but it sounded like common sense to me and could possibly be of great use someday. Not a bad idea to keep a couple cans around.

"A friend who is a receptionist in a church in a high risk area was concerned about someone coming into the office on Monday to rob them when they were counting the collection. She asked the local police department about using pepper spray and they recommended to her that she get a can of wasp spray instead. The wasp spray, they told her, can shoot up to twenty feet away and is a lot more accurate, while with the pepper spray, they have to get too close to you and could overpower you. The wasp spray temporarily blinds an attacker until they get to the hospital for an antidote. She keeps a can on her desk in the office and it doesn't attract attention from people like a can of pepper spray would. She also keeps one nearby at home for home protection. Thought this was interesting and might be of use.
Val Glinka teaches self-defense to students at Sylvania Southview High School.
For decades, he's suggested putting a can of wasp and hornet spray near your door or bed. Glinka says, "This is better than anything I can teach them."
Glinka considers it inexpensive, easy to find, and more effective than mace or pepper spray. The wasp cans typically shoot 20 to 30 feet; so if someone tries to break into your home, Glinka says "spray the culprit in the eyes". It's a tip he's given to students for decades. It's also one he wants everyone to hear. If you're looking for protection, Glinka says look to the wasp spray. "That's going to give you a chance to call the police; maybe get out."

PICKUP TIME

For those that placed an order in January, here's the pickup info:

When: Sat., February 13, 1-4 PM
Where: Joan Elders', 4820 Hollow Road, Nibley

Also...stay tuned, we're working on getting a seed order going in the next couple of weeks. Happy winter!

FEBRUARY PREPAREDNESS GOAL

Here are my goals for February:

TP: I am WAY WAY WAY low on this very important essential so I need to stock up this month. I will budget $20 for this purchase and get as much as I can. A lot of times I will get a nicer brand (say Charmin) in a super pack for our immediate use, and then get the dollar store (6 rolls for $1-yeah!) for emergency purposes...if it comes down to it, we will be very happy to have the generic version!
*Note: We sell a toilet paper kit that consists of a squirt bottle, some cloths that have been reinforced around the edges and a bucket...sounds gross but if you're unable to make it to the store, it would be a great alternative to TP. I need to have one of those on hand in my storage also. (If you are interested email me at foodstoragenow@gmail.com)

Emergency Medical Supplies: Seeing all the chaos in Haiti has helped me rethink and evaluate some areas in my storage that are lacking. One of our readers was asking me what supplies would be great to have on hand for disinfecting, etc., in order to possibly prevent infection and eventually, amputations. I consulted Joan, who knows a heck of a lot about preparedness, and she gave this list to start with:
Bandages (found bulk at the farm supply store)
Bag balm (also found at the farm supply store; contains great healing antibodies and is cheap)
Hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol: cheap at the dollar store, it also comes on sale during caselot, sometimes 2/$1
Lavender essential oil: for burns and cuts, won't sting
Ionic Silver: can be applied directly to a wound without stinging, we sell this
Epsom Salts: also cheap at the dollar store, last indefinitely

Here's a good place to start. I will probably budget another $20 for these supplies and see how far that gets me. Join me if you want, let's work out way into preparedness one month at a time!

FYI: Phillips class location

I've had a few requests for the address of the BATC (Bridgerland Applied Technology Center) for the Jim Phillips class tonight. Here it is: 1301 North 600 West, Logan, UT Enjoy!

JANUARY PREPAREDNESS GOAL-JOIN ME!

I decided that I am more likely to follow through on my preparedness goals if I am accountable to y'all, so each month I will be listing my preparedness goals and you are welcome to join me! Sometimes doing things with someone else helps you get it done! So here goes:

January-

• Get spare keys made (enough to have house/vehicle keys on each keychain as well as having some put away for "emergency" purposes.) This is something I've been putting off forever! Time to get it done!


• Get legal documents scanned and saved to a USB drive, put with my 72-hour kit. In the event of an emergency, if I don't have time or the thought to grab all my "important" papers, I will have them all with me!

Cost of items: spare keys (no idea), USB (already have an old one that will work). Minimal cost this month as I am still recovering from Christmas!

JANUARY ORDER

All of these items will be covered in the Jim Phillips classes (details below) so if you would like to know how to use them before purchasing, we would love to see you at the classes!

• New! Sanitation tablets that are used to make a disinfectant for food surfaces, faucets, doorknobs, dishes, ect. (these have an indefinate shelf life, are non-toxic (unlike bleach), and cheap! Putting 1-2 tablets in water gives you a whole gallon of disinfect you can spray). One bottle will make 75-150 gallons. $16
  
• 55 gal. water barrels - for storage, special price this month (used, food grade, triple washed). Recommended 2 week-3 month water storage, 1 gal per person, per day. $20 ***If we get enough interest from the Salt Lake or Provo areas, we can put a group order together on barrels and get them delivered to one location. So tell your friends!
  
• Polar Pure iodine crystals (water disinfectant that can be used multiple times). One bottle will disinfect about (10) 55 gal. water barrels. $12
  
• Moon cups -"reusable tampons" in the form of cups that catch your flow rather than absorb it. One of these will last at least 15 years, talk about saving money on feminine needs, plus they take up very little space and are environmentally friendly. $31
  
• To order any of these products during the month of January, please send an email to foodstoragenow@gmail.com.

WATER AND SANITATION CLASSES IN LOGAN

Water: The Liquid of Life –
What to do when the pipes run dry

Jim Philips teaches water preparation as the second preparedness parachute.

Everyone is invited. Cost is $5 per person.

Date: January 14, 2010 Time: 6 pm

BATC East Room 840

Correct water preparedness for emergencies is of extreme importance. Lack of proper water preparation will cause stress and great discomfort within hours. Without adequate sanitary water, injury and death will happen within two to three days.

Water is your second Preparedness Parachute. The issues and needs surrounding dependence on the water utility infrastructure (electricity, communications, pipes, pumps, reservoirs and purification) that delivers safe water to our homes is not well understood and respected by most people.

When the infrastructure is down and emergency services are not available, the lack of readily available safe water can quickly escalate all the interconnected issues into serious killers.

There is much more to understanding WATER preparation than just having a drum of water, a portable filter and some bleach on hand. There are many options available and many are low cost or no cost. You must have adequate supplies of safe sanitary water or you will become weak, sick or die.


Sanitation: The Hidden Disaster

- What to do when sewer, water and power fail

Jim Philips teaches sanitation as the third preparedness parachute.

Everyone is invited. Cost is $5 per person.

Date: January 19, 2010 Time: 6pm

BATC East Room 840


Sanitation is your third Survival Parachute. If you get this wrong, you die.

The issues and needs surrounding emergency sanitation are grossly overlooked and very underestimated. When something really serious happens and the infrastructure is gone and emergency services are not available, the lack of proper sanitation can quickly escalate into the biggest killer of all.

Seriously, if you get this wrong during an emergency, sanitation issues can turn very deadly in a hurry. You might have all the food, water, tools and other skills you need, but if you come down with typhus or crypto and die, then everything else you did to prepare is for naught.

There is much more to sanitation than storing toilet paper and bars of soap. In this class, we will explore the key principles of empowering sanitation for long-term self-reliant living:

- Why is sanitation a Survival Parachute

- Long-term emergency disposal of the world’s most deadly substance

- Protecting your home environment from sewer system failure

- Personal hygiene

- Personal protection

- Keeping things cleaned up

- Cleaners and sanitizers

- Disposal of trash & garbage

- Controlling vermin and pests