Here is a good site to read through for oodles of information:
FOREWORD
This Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) file is concerned with those methods and techniques that have been found generally useful to extending the shelf lives of foods suitable for use in home food storage programs. It is not intended for, nor should it be used in, any commercial food applications.
While you are developing your food storage program, please don't overlook your water supply. Without safe drinking water a food storage program is useless for within a few days you must find water or perish. An excellent water storage and treatment FAQ may be found at http://athagan.members.atlantic.net.index.html
Top 10 Mistakes Found in Most 72-Hour Kits
(This was sent to me in my email...unfortunately I don't know by whom, so I can't give credit.)
I’ve tested and reviewed dozens of 72 hour kits and go bags for myself, friends, families, and clients and it amazes me how most of them have the same basic problems.
Fortunately, most of them are easy and inexpensive to fix and I’m going to tell you how you can identify and fix 10 of them.
1. Medications. If you have medications that you have to take on a regular basis, you need to keep at least 3 days worth in your 72 hour kit. Many drugs break down in the extreme heat of a car, so ask your pharmacist how long they’ll stay safe in your car and how long they’ll stay effective.
As an example, if your pharmacist tells you that a certain drug will last for 3 years at room temperature, but only 2 months if you keep it in your car, then you should use the drugs that are in your car every month or two and replace them with fresh drugs.
The life expectancy of your drugs will, of course, be different depending on where you live and the season of the year.
2. Footwear/clothes. If you ever wear flip flops, heels, or dress shoes, then consider carrying a pair of quality shoes/boots in your car.
Stick in at least one pair of quality socks and underwear as well.
Remember the pictures and videos after 9/11 of people running barefoot, holding their $500 shoes? Imagine how your body would feel after doing that for a few miles.
3. Clothes for the wrong season. You should either carry clothes for both summer and winter, carry convertible clothes, or change the clothing contents of your kit every spring/fall. Shorts won’t help much in the winter and insulated cover-alls won’t help much in the summer.
4. Young children. If you have young children, they add a HUGE level of complexity to any survival situation. Can/will they eat your survival food? Do you have spare clothes/diapers/wipes for them? Do you have a way to manage their pain from teething/injuries?
Do you have a way to transport them? It might be worth learning how to use a regular bed sheet to create a wearable baby sling. If you have a stroller with inflatable tires, do you carry spare tires and/or a tire repair kit?
5. Pain. If you aren’t good at handling pain, learn proven techniques from someone you know who has done natural child-birthing, a midwife, birthing coach, or doula.
In addition, consider carrying ibuprofen, anbesol, or even prescription pain medications. If you are concerned about a hurt pet, consider getting livestock lidocaine. (It requires a vetrenarian’s prescription, but costs a fraction of human lidocaine.)
6. Bad Equipment. Almost every 72 hour kit that I’ve bought or reviewed has had bad equipment in it. Some of the worst offenders have been multi-tools that don’t work, matches that are brittle and break, knives that are dull, band aids/tape that doesn’t stick anymore, survival blankets that are worn through, and pumps (both water and liquid fuel camp stoves) that have dried out seals. The only way to know that bad equipment won’t bite you in the butt is to test out all of your equipment every 6-12 months.
7. Can you use your equipment? If your fire starter is a glass or Fresnel lens, can you make it work? Will it work in the late afternoon/evening? On a cloudy/smokey day? What would you do at night? What happens when you eat your survival rations? Can you stomach them? Do they keep you full? (If not, throw in some fiber capsules) Do you know how to start a fire with your flint and steel? Does everyone fit in the emergency shelter that you have? Can you carry your 72 hour kit/go bag if you have to leave your car on foot?
In short, you bought a 72 hour kit/go bag to keep you alive in a worst case scenario. Does it do any good to carry around a bag full of stuff that doesn’t work and that you don’t know how to use? Don’t trust anything. Take the time to test out the equipment that you expect to save your life. If it doesn’t work, find a replacement that does work. Testing your equipment will mean that you’ll have to replace some and it means that you’ll have to repack it, but until you know everything works and that you can use it, it doesn’t do much good to carry it around in your car.
8. Water. Do you have 1 gallon per person per day and 1/2 gallon per animal per day? (2 people and 2 dogs would require 9 gallons for 72 hours. At 8.35 pounds per gallon, that’s almost 80 pounds of water taking up 2000 cubic inches!!) If not, do you have a way to collect and purify more? Do you have an empty 1 liter bottle, collapsible bucket, or water bladder? Do you have one for both dirty and clean water? Do you know if your body can handle water that’s been purified with iodine?
9. Pets. Do you have 72 hours of food for your pets? Are you going to feed them your emergency food? Will they eat it and can they digest it? Can you eat their food if you need to?
10. Bags that are all jumbled together. Most 72 hour kits have everything thrown in the main compartment. Every time you need something, you have to sort through all of the contents. Consider taking some zip lock freezer bags or packing cubes like Eagle Creek to separate the different categories of supplies. Make sure to mark everything VERY plainly. I like doing this by writing on a strip of duct tape or athletic tape. One method you can use to separate everything is the following system:
Fire
Shelter
Water
Food
Medical (prescriptions, pain, stomach, etc.)
Trauma (bandages, splints, tweezers, scissors, wound irrigation, etc.)
Security
Tools
Pets
Clothes
Here’s the trick to getting this all done. Print this page and underline or highlight everything that you need to do. Then, pick the easiest item, do it RIGHT NOW and then cross it off when you’re done! (Crossing off to-do items is great for the mind.) If you can fix more than one issue in a day, that’s great…keep going. If not, make a decision to fix one or more problems each day until they’re all taken care of.
After going through this process, two things are going to happen:
1. Your 72 hour kit(s) will be much better stocked.
2. You will have more confidence and peace of mind since you KNOW that your 72 hour kit will support you and your family in an emergency rather than just guessing and hoping that everything will work out.
I’ve tested and reviewed dozens of 72 hour kits and go bags for myself, friends, families, and clients and it amazes me how most of them have the same basic problems.
Fortunately, most of them are easy and inexpensive to fix and I’m going to tell you how you can identify and fix 10 of them.
1. Medications. If you have medications that you have to take on a regular basis, you need to keep at least 3 days worth in your 72 hour kit. Many drugs break down in the extreme heat of a car, so ask your pharmacist how long they’ll stay safe in your car and how long they’ll stay effective.
As an example, if your pharmacist tells you that a certain drug will last for 3 years at room temperature, but only 2 months if you keep it in your car, then you should use the drugs that are in your car every month or two and replace them with fresh drugs.
The life expectancy of your drugs will, of course, be different depending on where you live and the season of the year.
2. Footwear/clothes. If you ever wear flip flops, heels, or dress shoes, then consider carrying a pair of quality shoes/boots in your car.
Stick in at least one pair of quality socks and underwear as well.
Remember the pictures and videos after 9/11 of people running barefoot, holding their $500 shoes? Imagine how your body would feel after doing that for a few miles.
3. Clothes for the wrong season. You should either carry clothes for both summer and winter, carry convertible clothes, or change the clothing contents of your kit every spring/fall. Shorts won’t help much in the winter and insulated cover-alls won’t help much in the summer.
4. Young children. If you have young children, they add a HUGE level of complexity to any survival situation. Can/will they eat your survival food? Do you have spare clothes/diapers/wipes for them? Do you have a way to manage their pain from teething/injuries?
Do you have a way to transport them? It might be worth learning how to use a regular bed sheet to create a wearable baby sling. If you have a stroller with inflatable tires, do you carry spare tires and/or a tire repair kit?
5. Pain. If you aren’t good at handling pain, learn proven techniques from someone you know who has done natural child-birthing, a midwife, birthing coach, or doula.
In addition, consider carrying ibuprofen, anbesol, or even prescription pain medications. If you are concerned about a hurt pet, consider getting livestock lidocaine. (It requires a vetrenarian’s prescription, but costs a fraction of human lidocaine.)
6. Bad Equipment. Almost every 72 hour kit that I’ve bought or reviewed has had bad equipment in it. Some of the worst offenders have been multi-tools that don’t work, matches that are brittle and break, knives that are dull, band aids/tape that doesn’t stick anymore, survival blankets that are worn through, and pumps (both water and liquid fuel camp stoves) that have dried out seals. The only way to know that bad equipment won’t bite you in the butt is to test out all of your equipment every 6-12 months.
7. Can you use your equipment? If your fire starter is a glass or Fresnel lens, can you make it work? Will it work in the late afternoon/evening? On a cloudy/smokey day? What would you do at night? What happens when you eat your survival rations? Can you stomach them? Do they keep you full? (If not, throw in some fiber capsules) Do you know how to start a fire with your flint and steel? Does everyone fit in the emergency shelter that you have? Can you carry your 72 hour kit/go bag if you have to leave your car on foot?
In short, you bought a 72 hour kit/go bag to keep you alive in a worst case scenario. Does it do any good to carry around a bag full of stuff that doesn’t work and that you don’t know how to use? Don’t trust anything. Take the time to test out the equipment that you expect to save your life. If it doesn’t work, find a replacement that does work. Testing your equipment will mean that you’ll have to replace some and it means that you’ll have to repack it, but until you know everything works and that you can use it, it doesn’t do much good to carry it around in your car.
8. Water. Do you have 1 gallon per person per day and 1/2 gallon per animal per day? (2 people and 2 dogs would require 9 gallons for 72 hours. At 8.35 pounds per gallon, that’s almost 80 pounds of water taking up 2000 cubic inches!!) If not, do you have a way to collect and purify more? Do you have an empty 1 liter bottle, collapsible bucket, or water bladder? Do you have one for both dirty and clean water? Do you know if your body can handle water that’s been purified with iodine?
9. Pets. Do you have 72 hours of food for your pets? Are you going to feed them your emergency food? Will they eat it and can they digest it? Can you eat their food if you need to?
10. Bags that are all jumbled together. Most 72 hour kits have everything thrown in the main compartment. Every time you need something, you have to sort through all of the contents. Consider taking some zip lock freezer bags or packing cubes like Eagle Creek to separate the different categories of supplies. Make sure to mark everything VERY plainly. I like doing this by writing on a strip of duct tape or athletic tape. One method you can use to separate everything is the following system:
Fire
Shelter
Water
Food
Medical (prescriptions, pain, stomach, etc.)
Trauma (bandages, splints, tweezers, scissors, wound irrigation, etc.)
Security
Tools
Pets
Clothes
Here’s the trick to getting this all done. Print this page and underline or highlight everything that you need to do. Then, pick the easiest item, do it RIGHT NOW and then cross it off when you’re done! (Crossing off to-do items is great for the mind.) If you can fix more than one issue in a day, that’s great…keep going. If not, make a decision to fix one or more problems each day until they’re all taken care of.
After going through this process, two things are going to happen:
1. Your 72 hour kit(s) will be much better stocked.
2. You will have more confidence and peace of mind since you KNOW that your 72 hour kit will support you and your family in an emergency rather than just guessing and hoping that everything will work out.
"The best storehouse is the family storeroom..."Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing" (Doctrine and Covenants 109:8). ~President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910-2008)
Plant in a Pot
Container gardening is perfect if the weather isn’t cooperating—or you don’t have much outdoor space.
• Start thinking about the best containers for your plants. For example, lettuce does well in a 5-gallon window box while cucumbers do fine in a 1-gallon pot.
• Start thinking about the best containers for your plants. For example, lettuce does well in a 5-gallon window box while cucumbers do fine in a 1-gallon pot.
Container Gardening for Veggies 
Container gardening is an easy way to garden, especially when you lack yard space. Here are our recommendations on which vegetable varieties are container-friendly—and which container types are most suitable for each veggie.
For supplies, you only need a good container, the right soil mix, and appropriate seed (or transplant) varieties. In addition to providing 5 hours or more of full sun, watering is critical. You may need to water daily or twice daily; in hot weather the soil can dry out quickly. The good news: less weeding! Containers are generally low-maintenance.
Beans, snap
Container: 5-gallon window box
Varieties: Bush 'Blue Lake', Bush 'Romano', 'Tender Crop'
Container: 5-gallon window box
Varieties: Bush 'Blue Lake', Bush 'Romano', 'Tender Crop'
Broccoli
Container: 1 plant/5 gallon pot, 3 plants/15-gallon tub
Varieties: 'DeCicco', 'Green Comet'
Container: 1 plant/5 gallon pot, 3 plants/15-gallon tub
Varieties: 'DeCicco', 'Green Comet'
Carrots
Container: 5-gallon window box at least 12 inches deep
Varieties: 'Danvers Half Long', 'Short 'n Sweet', 'Tiny Sweet'
Container: 5-gallon window box at least 12 inches deep
Varieties: 'Danvers Half Long', 'Short 'n Sweet', 'Tiny Sweet'
Cucumbers
Container: 1 plant/1-gallon pot
Varieties: 'Patio Pik', 'Pot Luck', 'Spacemaster'
Container: 1 plant/1-gallon pot
Varieties: 'Patio Pik', 'Pot Luck', 'Spacemaster'
Eggplant
Container: 5-gallon pot
Varieties: 'Black Beauty', 'Ichiban', 'Slim Jim'
Container: 5-gallon pot
Varieties: 'Black Beauty', 'Ichiban', 'Slim Jim'
Lettuce
Container: 5-gallon window box
Varieties: 'Ruby', 'Salad Bowl'
Container: 5-gallon window box
Varieties: 'Ruby', 'Salad Bowl'
Onions
Container: 5-gallon window box
Varieties: 'White Sweet Spanish', 'Yellow Sweet Spanish'
Container: 5-gallon window box
Varieties: 'White Sweet Spanish', 'Yellow Sweet Spanish'
Peppers
Container: 1 plant/2-gallon pot, 5 plants/15-gallon tub
Varieties: 'Cayenne', 'Long Red', 'Sweet Banana', 'Wonder', 'Yolo'
Container: 1 plant/2-gallon pot, 5 plants/15-gallon tub
Varieties: 'Cayenne', 'Long Red', 'Sweet Banana', 'Wonder', 'Yolo'
Radishes
Container: 5-gallon window box
Varieties: 'Cherry Belle', 'Icicle'
Container: 5-gallon window box
Varieties: 'Cherry Belle', 'Icicle'
Tomatoes
Container: Bushel basket
Varieties: 'Early Girl', 'Patio', 'Small Fry', 'Sweet 100', 'Tiny Tim'
Container: Bushel basket
Varieties: 'Early Girl', 'Patio', 'Small Fry', 'Sweet 100', 'Tiny Tim'
Tips for Growing in Containers
§ Clay pots are usually more attractive than plastic ones, but plastic pots retain moisture better. To get the best of both, slip a plastic pot into a slightly larger clay pot.
§ Avoid small containers. They often can't store enough water to get through hot days.
§ Add about 1 inch of course gravel in the bottom of the container to improve drainage.
§ Vegetables that can be easily transplanted are best suited for containers. Transplants can be purchased from local nurseries or started at home.
§ Feed container plants at least twice a month with liquid fertilizer, following the instructions on the label.
§ An occasional application of fish emulsion or compost will add trace elements to container soil.
§ Place containers where they will receive maximum sunlight and good ventilation. Watch for and control insect pests.
Make a Window Box
Have you ever wanted a window box blooming with color in front of your kitchen window?
Boxes can be bought ready-made or you can build your own. Here are some tips:
§ Make sure it's securely fastened to your house.
§ Good drainage is essential: Drill some drainage holes and put a one-inch layer of rocks in the bottom of the box.
§ Add enough compost and good potting soil around the plants so they sit firmly.
§ Window boxes look their best if they're crowded with plants.
§ Start early in the spring with tulips or other blooming bulbs.
§ Later, replace with summer flowers. Some great choices are geraniums, lavender, sweet alyssum, and ivy.
§ Or, you might want to plant herbs like sage, chives, thyme, and mint. Just open the kitchen window when you need some fresh herbs!
§ Make sure to water and fertilize often.
§ Don't be afraid to replace plants that have finished blooming with others.
§ Mums are great in the fall, and if you leave the box out in winter, fill it with evergreens and pine cones.
Preparedness Pro by Kellene
Hey Folks. Rather than write a big, honkin’ article on this, I elected to simply post the radio show I did Wednesday night that covers it in-depth.
Earlier this week I felt that it was appropriate to begin counter-move measures against radiation poisoning. For some of you who are simply limited to a range of iodide/iodade/iodine pills, that may sound a bit radical. However, if you utilize natural remedies, then you don’t need to be concerned about what such option will do against your health, rather what such options will do FOR your health.
On this particular show, I come right out and share with you what my protocol would be, even in face of no-doubt-about -it radiation exposure. It’s actually quite simple regardless if you’re 3, 30 or even 90 years of age. And since you’re not isolating a particular constituent, the process doesn’t come with nasty, dangerous side effects. So, download the show, take a listen at your leisure, and take steps to be better prepared in the future. One of the most disturbing responses I saw to this was how many people were racing to the internet or health food stores trying to find the tablets. Well, these exact same natural methods I shared on my show were implemented after Chernobyl, Three-Mile Island, and continually due to the constant leaking at the Marshall Islands.
Here’s the link:
Take care and remember to act now in peace so that you have such a luxury in the future.
http://www.preparednesspro.com/blog/all-natural-defenses-against-radiation-poisoning/
Preparedness Pro Blog Radio Programs
The Self-Reliance Revolution Radio Show broadcast can be listened to LIVE every Wednesday at 6:00 p.m.- 8:30 p.m. Mountain time. If you’re unable to make that time, don’t worry, Click here (http://www.bepreparedradio.com/category/prepper-podcasts-self-reliance/self-reliance-revolution-show/) to listen to the recorded shows! Enjoy! To call in and ask questions of the hosts dial: (347) 326-9604
A Beginner's Guide to Coupons : How to Use Them and Where to Find Them
SPROUTING:
Learn all about this important way to provide greens with immense nutrient blasts to your family every week and during emergencies.
LUKE Chapter 6
47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:
48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.
49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.
*On my Heart by Marilyn Moll
Proverbs 21:20 says: "In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has." Obviously, no amount of food, fuel, and other tangible types of preparedness items would have protected those who found themselves in the direct path of the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami which hit the northeastern coast of Japan. Nevertheless, I do think we can prepare ourselves and our children for whatever difficulties arise in our future by broadening our understanding of the wisdom required to prepare.
We are reminded in Proverbs 21:30, "There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD."
As your family prayerfully considers in what ways you will prepare for the future both physically also consider spiritual preparation. Let's start with the Webster's 1828 Dictionary definiton of wisdom:
Proverbs 21:20 says: "In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has." Obviously, no amount of food, fuel, and other tangible types of preparedness items would have protected those who found themselves in the direct path of the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami which hit the northeastern coast of Japan. Nevertheless, I do think we can prepare ourselves and our children for whatever difficulties arise in our future by broadening our understanding of the wisdom required to prepare.
We are reminded in Proverbs 21:30, "There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD."
As your family prayerfully considers in what ways you will prepare for the future both physically also consider spiritual preparation. Let's start with the Webster's 1828 Dictionary definiton of wisdom:
“The right use or exercise of knowledge; the faculty of discerning or judging what is most just, proper, and useful... It is the knowledge and use of what is best, most just, most proper, most conducive to prosperity or happiness. Wisdom exercises sound judgment either in avoiding evils or attempting good. Sincere and uniform obedience to God's commands.”
You already have probably read up on what preparedness “experts” will tell you to do such as how much grain, oil, honey, salt, fruits and vegetables to store per person. They may also recommend that you have a fuel and a generator, etc, but ultimately, wise preparations must be based less on the wise formulas of experts, but more on the obedience to the clear direction of God through his word and through the leading of the holy spirit.
The answer for your family may not be instantaneous but shown to you step by step, day by day as you prayerfully walk with God daily. I have had several experiences lately, when the right course of action was shown to me only moments ahead of when I needed to take action.
The answer for your family may not be instantaneous but shown to you step by step, day by day as you prayerfully walk with God daily. I have had several experiences lately, when the right course of action was shown to me only moments ahead of when I needed to take action.
I have also been reminded over and over, in the recent months, by that still small voice, to ask myself, "Is this thought, idea, or course of action based on fear or faith?"
I believe this simple question helps me exercise sound judgment and to better determine what is best (wisdom) because I know how easily I can be “driven" to a course of action by the prevailing winds rather than “led” to the best, or wise path by the still small voice of God.
Now don't think I have this walk with God in day by day obedience mastered, but I can say I am growing in the ability to discern by determining if there is a spirit of peace rather than a spirit of torment that comes into my mind and heart behind a particular thought or plan of action.
Now don't think I have this walk with God in day by day obedience mastered, but I can say I am growing in the ability to discern by determining if there is a spirit of peace rather than a spirit of torment that comes into my mind and heart behind a particular thought or plan of action.
I am learning to live more in the present with a step by step dependence on God each day which helps me move forward in peace on a daily basis. I believe this daily walk is the beginning of the supernatural wisdom that will carry us through the difficult days ahead.
Food Shortage or Food Storage: Which do you Choose?
By Carolyn Nicolaysen Meridian Magazine
Japan’s 8.9 factor earthquake has set that nation reeling from its devastating impact. The twenty-three foot tsunami which followed a few seconds later swept away parts of the city of Sendai, four commuter trains, the airport, countless homes, cars, trucks, buses, ships, and businesses, and caused a nuclear power crisis. Even marinas in California were destroyed mere hours later. The quake left a 150 mile long and 50 mile wide abyss on the ocean floor, while the axis of the earth was changed and the earth's rotation was slowed by 1.6 milliseconds.
As we contacted friends and business associates in Japan to check on their safety, we were amazed but not surprised that several of them had the same comment – while they were glad to be safe, they realized they needed to store more food for emergencies. Even in Tokyo with all its resources, the distribution channels were damaged or at least hindered as highways and streets were closed and store shelves were emptied within hours. People panicked even 200 miles from the epicenter of the earthquake and resulting tsunami.
Could this happen here? You bet it could - it has and it will in the future. Food supplies quickly disappear when looming disaster is apparent. People will not only stockpile food, they will hoard it. What is hoarding? As those who are creating a self reliant lifestyle know, there is a difference between “preparing” and depriving others of needed supplies.
Storing food and accumulating a supply of the items we use each day is a way of becoming self reliant. It helps us to care for our family's needs during a personal, local or national crisis. We use the items we store and we rotate and add to them as needed. We are willing to share when times are tough for others. Storing food and supplies enables us to rely on ourselves and our family when challenges arise, instead of turning to the government. Those who prepare do so during times of plenty when food and supplies are available to all, in quantities sufficient for all.
Hoarding is acquiring food and supplies during a crisis in quantities far beyond what is required by the circumstance, making supplies less available for others to fulfill their needs. Those who hoard are not willing to share what they have, and often resort to violent means to protect their supplies. Hoarding deprives others.
After nearly every crisis we see hoarding, and too often, looting is normal. After Katrina we saw people taking things they could not possibly use. People did not just purchase enough for their immediate needs, but filled shopping carts full. Under these circumstances it has often become necessary for store owners to limit the number of items that an individual can purchase.
Once this happens, food suddenly becomes really valuable to people (even though they take it for granted today). Any small shipment of food that arrives will be quickly grabbed. It only takes one day without food to remind people how much they actually need it. Expect the atmosphere to be that of “near panic” if food is delayed by as little as a day. The level of panic will vary from city to city. Some cities and towns may experience very little difficulty receiving food. Others may face a crisis.
Cities depend entirely on food shipped in from farms and food processing companies. When a mass exodus from the disaster area begins, the highways may be jammed up at critical locations, causing gridlock for the trucking industry. If we're lucky, some trucks will continue to roll. If we’re not, nothing gets through.
Not only have Latter-day Saints been warned to prepare by their leaders for decades, but in North America and elsewhere, the church has provided a way to prepare through Family Home Storage Centers. If you have not already taken advantage of this resource, you should. Products are of the best quality and sold at terrific prices.
Cities depend entirely on food shipped in from farms and food processing companies. When a mass exodus from the disaster area begins, the highways may be jammed up at critical locations, causing gridlock for the trucking industry. If we're lucky, some trucks will continue to roll. If we’re not, nothing gets through.
Not only have Latter-day Saints been warned to prepare by their leaders for decades, but in North America and elsewhere, the church has provided a way to prepare through Family Home Storage Centers. If you have not already taken advantage of this resource, you should. Products are of the best quality and sold at terrific prices.
Last month I attended a ward conference in Southern California. During the Relief Society meeting the stake president shared that the use of their center was overwhelmingly greater by those who are not LDS members.
Last week I spoke at a conference with the service missionaries assigned to our local center. They shared a chart showing the use of the center by stakes, with an additional column for non-member use. The non-member column was more than twice the size of any Stake in the region.
When this information was presented one of the men in the meeting asked, "What do they know that we don't know?" Could it be that we are so accustomed to our bishops storehouses and welfare canneries that we just don't understand the gift these centers are? They do not provide all the foods we need for a great storage plan, but there is no better way to begin than with these fundamental commodities.
Storage centers provide basics such as wheat, rice, milk, oats, pasta and beans. They also address a few of the foods that provide "comfort" such as hot cocoa and apple slices. All of these are available at below market prices. They can be packed in #10 metal cans or mylar pouches. The products are even available in 25 pound bags for those with large families who do not need protective packaging because they are able to use their inventory quickly. For those with a small household, large bags can be purchased and the commodities canned using a vacuum sealer and pint sized canning jars.
Quality food at rock bottom prices, rodent and insect proof containers, and great people to help you - what more could you ask for? If you think you can't afford food storage, maybe it's because you haven't taken advantage of the Family Home Storage Center near you. Make an appointment today and get busy before you are the one caught without food and wishing you had listened.
Visit www.providentliving.org to see an order form and to get a list centers near you.
For more food storage and self reliance tips check out Carolyn's blog and listen to her weekly radio show, Ready Or Not, , every Tuesday night.
http://ldsmag.com/index.php?option=com_zine&view=article&Itemid=154&ac=1&id=7654
Building Your Garden
Traditional Gardens
"Building" a traditional garden simply consists of clearing and preparing the land. If you are lucky, you have inherited a garden plot and can go directly to working on the soil. If not, you will need to clear the land--remove any existing grass, plants, trees, or rocks.
If you are converting a spot in your yard that has grass, I highly suggest getting a sod cutter and removing it entirely. Grass is like a weed in the garden--any bits of roots that are left alive will grow and spread everywhere. If you want to keep the grass and earth to use, you will need to compost it thoroughly before adding back into the garden.
Remove all small rocks, till the soil (rototiller), and then remove all the small rocks again!
Raised Garden Beds
With raised garden beds you have lots of options. You might choose to build it out of wood, vinyl, or bricks.
Click here to read about building a square foot garden with vinyl.
Click here to read about building a square foot garden with wood.
There are also many options for purchasing raised garden beds. During the spring, many large box stores carry kits that make it very simple to buy and put together a garden bed.
Click here to read about sources and price comparisons for square foot gardens.
Want to compare the prices of buying versus building? Follow this link for a thorough cost comparison.
Soil
The next step is to amend or create your soil. If you are a traditional gardener, I suggest you take a sample of your soil to your local extension office to have it tested. This is usually free! They can tell you if it is sandy, clay, rocky, acidic, alkaline, etc. and make suggestions as to what you should add to the soil to improve it. If you have bad soil, adding compost and other amendments make it better over time--your first year may not be wonderful, but think of it as an investment.
Throughout the season, I suggest you save all your grass clippings, fruit and veggie peelings and scraps, eggshells, and plants from the garden. Creating a compost pile and then tilling all these back into the garden soil will make it better and better.
If you are gardening with raised beds or square foot gardens, you have some options for soil. Some people buy truckloads of dirt to fill the beds. This creates the same problems with traditional gardening--the soil may be low quality, or have little organic matter in it. Follow the steps listed above if this is the case for you.
Instead, I suggest you make your own soil by combining compost, peat moss, and vermiculite in a ratio of 2:1:1. You can garden in straight compost, or any combination of dirt, compost, peat moss, and vermiculite.
Click here for more information about the benefits of creating your soil.
Other Gardening Helps
Go here to learn more about supporting your plants with vertical and horizontal trellises, and how to build tomato cages.
z Interesting Read 1:
http://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/archives/you-call-this-an-economic-recovery-44-million-americans-on-food-stamps-and-10-other-reasons-why-the-economy-is-simply-not-getting-better
z Interesting Read 2:
http://www.preparednesspro.com/blog/the-necessity-of-water-storage-inside-your-home-2/
