I just saw this article online and wanted to share it. I have already mentioned the rise of prices twice lately, so you might be sick of it, but I just wanted to share this in case you haven't been scared into getting all you need yet. Click here to see the actual article.

Price inceases on April 4th at the LDS canneries show inflation up between 11 and 49% for many basic food staples. These rise in prices are a strong barometer for the overall economy since the LDS facilities are usually the last to raise prices for their communities, which provides food in bulk that they can collect through their vast networking operations.

According to the new price list from April 4th, many food staples have increased by more than 20% since the last price list came out just 3 months ago on January 3rd.

Beans. Black 13.69%
Beans, Pinto 12.13%
Beans, White 11.88%
Milk, Non Fat Dry 25.00%
Rice 38.99%
Sugar 33.81%
Wheat, Red/White 44.54%
Apple Slices 24.53%
Carrots 21.31%
Macaroni 40.25%
Oats, Quick 48.90%
Oats, Regular 49.19%
Onions 21.60%
Potato Flakes 33.33%
Spaghetti 38.99%
Beans, Refried 27.72%
Cocoa Mix 40.69%
Flour 29.70%
Fruit Drink Mix 26.20%


LDS churches and organizations have long been at the forefront in preparedness for families and communities. As one of the wealthiest corporations in the world, their network of companies and church affiliations allow them access to cheaper food sources, and the capacity to store them for long periods of time through their canning facilities.

As the government and Federal Reserve continues to tell the American people that inflation is low, and contained by their monetary policies, the real barometer of inflation in the economy comes from the grocers, markets, and institutions that deal with food sales and production, and must monitor prices daily as commodities continue to climb.

The LDS's raising food prices at their canneries by 11 to 49% in just three months should be a serious wakeup call to all Americans on the true inflationary conditions that exist in our economy, and that we need to constantly look outside government reports for the true data affecting our spending and finances.

Case Lot Sales

There is an awesome blog that you should check out. She has gone through and made a list of all the case lot sale prices. I think she might live in SLC, so some of the stores on her list aren't close to us, but it is an awesome price comparison sheet that she has put a lot of time into for people to use. It compares the prices of all the case lot sales going on right now. I am a little slow in getting this out as the sales all end on Tuesday, but that leaves today and tomorrow to shop if you haven't already. Check out here blog here. And if you have time, browse around her blog. It is amazing. She is a much better blogger than myself:).

First Aid Kit

I can't believe I am actually posting. It has been 5 months. I have felt the biggest push to get all my 'stuff' done and basically just 'get it together'. It has been like this for a month or so. I want to get everything I have all completely organized, make sure I have what I need in terms of our 72 hour kits, year long storage, etc. I realized today when trying to bandage up my 19 month old for finding a razor, that we don't have a band-aid the size of her thigh (ouch) and thought we could really use bandages like this in an emergency. This made me think we need a better first aid kit than the $10 one we bought at Wal Mart. I looked up some do-it-yourself first aid kits as they might be cheaper than buying a big heavy duty one yourself. Not sure if it will be cheaper or not, but I'm thinking I'll do this with a couple other people to share the costs of packages that contain more than we need. Here is a first aid kit list and small blurb from the Red Cross.

Anatomy of a First Aid Kit

A well-stocked first aid kit is a handy thing to have. To be prepared for emergencies, keep a first aid kit in your home and in your car. Carry a first aid kit with you or know where you can find one. Find out the location of first aid kits where you work. First aid kits come in many shapes and sizes. You can purchase one from the Red Cross Store or your local American Red Cross chapter. Your local drug store may sell them.

You may also make your own. Some kits are designed for specific activities, such as hiking, camping or boating. Whether you buy a first aid kit or put one together, make sure it has all the items you may need. Include any personal items such as medications and emergency phone numbers or other items your health-care provider may suggest. Check the kit regularly. Make sure the flashlight batteries work. Check expiration dates and replace any used or out-of-date contents. The Red Cross recommends that all first aid kits for a family of four include the following:

2 absorbent compress dressings (5 x 9 inches)
25 adhesive bandages (assorted sizes)
1 adhesive cloth tape (10 yards x 1 inch)
5 antibiotic ointment packets (approximately 1 gram)
5 antiseptic wipe packets
2 packets of aspirin (81 mg each)
1 blanket (space blanket)
1 breathing barrier (with one-way valve)
1 instant cold compress
2 pair of nonlatex gloves (size: large)
2 hydrocortisone ointment packets (approximately 1 gram each)
Scissors
1 roller bandage (3 inches wide)
1 roller bandage (4 inches wide)
5 sterile gauze pads (3 x 3 inches)
5 sterile gauze pads (4 x 4 inches)
Oral thermometer (non-mercury/nonglass)
2 triangular bandages
Tweezers
First aid instruction booklet

Onion Soup Mix Make your own

Onion Soup/Dip Mix
Compliments of www.Budget101.com

2 C. powdered milk
3/4 C. cornstarch
1/4 C. beef bouillon crystals
2 T. dried onion flakes
1 tsp. dried basil leaves, crushed

Measure all ingredients into a Ziploc Bag. Shake well, transfer to vacuum seal bag, seal and store up to a year.

To Use:
1/3 c. Onion Mix per recipe. Blend with water for soup, sour cream for dip, etc.

Beans & Cherry/Grape Tomatoes

I have green beans & both cherry and grape tomatoes that are ready for the picking. I need them gone by this weekend. Any takers? (There are lots of regular tomatoes too, but I have plans to use those, sorry:).

Beans can be eaten fresh, or canned.

Tomatoes can be eaten fresh, or dehydrated (think sun dried tomatoes), & I'm sure there are lots of recipes out there where you can can them somehow? I've only ever dehydrated them so I'm not sure on the canning. But let me know what you find-I'm interested.

The best thing would be for you to call me 757-3274. Just come pick until you are happy!

Chicken

Ok. I am back from the blogging hiatus I claimed to be in need of (not sure why said hiatus was necessary, but....) Macey's is having a 'Back to School Blast' or something along those lines and is having their chicken tenders/ breasts (you choose which you'd like) on sale for $1.49/lb. This is a killer deal. Let me repeat THIS IS A STELLAR DEAL. Go get some. If you are not sure what to do with a plethora of chicken once you've obtained it, let me give some ideas-and please feel free to add to my so-called list in the comment section. I'd love some other ideas on what to do with it.

* Freeze it
* Cook it, bag it, freeze it (cooking methods: diced, grilled, fried in batter-not so sure that would be that good re-heated). At any given time I have at least 4 little snack sized baggies chuck full of diced cooked chicken ready to be put in a chicken pot pie, chicken casserole, etc.)
* Eat it-well, cook it first. Please
* Can it- If you weren't aware that chicken can in fact be preserved other than the freezer method, it can! Super super easy to do as well. Google search it, or call me. I've been doing it for years now and it's easy. I'll guide you through it over the phone or come help you:). Quick run-down on the how-to of canning chicken. Thaw it, cut it (or don't, it doesn't really matter as it will cook while canning and end up shredded. But it might be easier to put in the jars if its cut-and I prefer to cut mine as I KNOW it gets cooked in smaller portions rather than a massive breast that is the same size as your canning jar-yikes), put it in the jar of choice (quart or pint-I prefer pint since I have a rather small family and the pint size really is plenty), put in salt: 1t= quart jars 1/2t.= pint jars, fill with hot water (or don't, the chicken will excrete plenty of liquid while cooking. Should use a different word then 'excrete'....the chicken will.....um......there will be juice that comes out of the chicken? Did that sound better?--I never add water to my chicken, I leave it alone and empty) Pressure cook for 75 minutes. If you're a little nervous to follow my 'by memory' instructions, google search 'how to can chicken' or 'canning chicken instructions' or something of the like.

That's about all I can think of. But go. Get some chicken. The sale dates are only Friday & Saturday. And the ad said 'while supplies last' They are selling them in 10 lb. boxes... Good luck! I"ll see you there, early Friday morning:).

Website

www.unclutter.com

Online Food Storage Tracker

I practically struck gold just now. Oh my. This really is the greatest thing that has come along since chocolate and peanut butter. I have been trying to find ways to have an easier time inventory-ing my food storage. I was just browsing around google searching for 'food storage inventory list' and this is what I stumbled across:
trackmyfoodstorage.com
It's free (there is another 'cooler' option that you can purchase, but just choose the free one for now and see what you think before jumping in too fast.) The 'cooler' option has a few more things to offer, but not completely necessary.

It is an online inventory tracker for you to keep up on what you have in terms of food storage, what you need, your goals for your particular family, charts to show you what you have/need, dates that things will expire in your food storage so you know when to rotate, etc. HOLY COW this is soo cool! You might feel like it'll be a little hard to keep up with (constantly having to run to the computer) there is a way around that, May I suggest having a piece of paper on your fridge or down with your food storage that you can quickly jot down what you are taking out/adding to your storage and then update only once a week-taking that paper to the computer and inputting everything you've added/taken away for the week?

Oh I am so glad to have stumbled across this. Let me know what you think. I know it might seem like a lot of work up front, but keep up with it and it'll be something so useful-at least I know it will for me. Good luck:)

Again, the link is www.trackmyfoodstorage.com

Homemade Mayonnaise

Homemade Mayonnaise
source: Jessica Ringle

Start to Finish: 15 minutes
Makes: about 2 cups

1/2 t. dry mustard
1/4 t. salt
1/4 t. paprika (optional)
1/8 t. ground red pepper
1/4 c. refrigerated or frozen egg product, thawed (or 2 egg yolks)
2 T. vinegar or lemon juice (or both)
2 c. salad oil or 1 1/2 c. salad oil and 1/2 c. olive oil

1. In a medium mixing bowl combine the mustard, salt, paprkia, and red pepper. Add egg product and vinegar. Beat mixture with an electric mixer on medium speed until combined.
2. With mixer running, add 2 T of the oil, 1 t. at a time. Slowly add the remaining oil in a thin, steady stream. (This should take about 5 minutes.) Cover and store in the refrigerator up to 2 weeks. (If needed: Beat in 1 T. hot water)

Food Processor Directions: Use only half of each ingredient, except use the 1/4 c. egg product. In a food processor bowl combine all ingredients except oil; process until combined. With the processor running, add 1 cup oil in a thin, steady steam. (When necessary, stop processor and scrape down sides of bowl.) Makes about 1 cup.

Blender directions: Use only half of each ingredient, except use the 1/4 cup egg product. In a blender container combine all ingredients except oil. Cover and blend for 5 seconds. With blender running slowly, add 1 cup oil in thin, steady stream. (When necessary, stop blender and scrape down sides of blender.) Makes about 1 cup.

Nutrition Facts per tablespoon: 122 cal., 14 g. total fat (2 g. sat. fat), 0 mg chol., 22 mg sodium, 0 g carbo., g fiber, 0 g. pro.
Exchanges: 2 1/2 Fat

Food Storage binders

Did you miss our last mini-class on 'Food Storage 101-the basics' or 'What to do with your Food Storage now that you have it'?

During our class, we made up food storage binders, talked about all sorts of 'food storage' questions. I have multiple copies of what we went over and learned, and put together if you are interested. Please let me know and I will get you a copy and help you get yours set up. (Totally easy!)

Do this! It is going to be so nice to have a place where ALL you food storage stuff can be put. I know how it is, I had papers all over the house. Old handouts, things I've printed out, etc. Once this binder is made, make it your own. It will be so nice to have everything organized and all in one place for you to use as a resource.

Help?

I am by no means an expert, a clean freak, an organized person, etc. But if there is anyone that needs help figuring out how to start your food storage, where to put your food storage, when to start, how to start, etc. (even if you've missed any previous classes I've put on) please know that this is my calling-to help out the ward ladies in any way I can. Namely, what I've stated above. I will come over to your house, map out an area and how to get it all set up and ready for your food storage you are going to start acquiring, or already have and don't know where to put it.

Please use me! That is why I am here!!

Baked Oatmeal

I just made this for breakfast. It was so yummy! I have really been in to oats lately (hence the 'spotlight on oats' for the month of May) so I wanted to find more and more recipes to use with my oat supply. I had every intention of posting on our wards recipe blog (yes, we do have a ward recipe blog!) but couldn't figure out the password, and how to post...?) Make sure to bookmark both blogs so you can be self reliant and a good cook...ish:).

Until I find out how to post on the recipe blog, here is that recipe for
Baked Oatmeal (adapted from King Arthur's Whole Grain Baking cookbook)
1 c. steel cut oat groats
4 T. unsalted butter
4 c. water
3 c. old-fashioned rolled oats
3/4 c. brown sugar
1 t. salt
2 t. ground cinnamon
1/4 t. ground nutmeg
2 large eggs
1/2 c. milk
1 t. vanilla extract
1-2 c. fresh or frozen assorted berries (I used ~1 1/2-2 c. fresh blueberries & blackberries)

Preheat oven to 350. Butter/spray a 9 in. square baking dish. In a separate bowl, boil water, pour over steel-cut oats and butter. Cover. Let sit for 20 minutes. Stir in old fashioned oats, brown sugar, salt, and spices. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and vanilla. Stir into the oat mixture. Fold in berries. Transfer to the prepared baking dish. Bake until the center is set ~45 min. Remove from the oven, and serve warm with milk or cream for breakfast, or warm with whipped cream, ice cream or frozen yogurt for dessert.

Andy topped his with strawberry yogurt, I ate mine with milk (the first time) and plain (the second time-So I had two servings...I did mention it was good didn't I?) Pyper ate hers plain as did Ginger. Any way you like it goes. Let me know if you try it and what your thoughts are!

Honey Prices

I know we have talked about buying fresh honey before on this blog, but wanted to get you the prices. You can take your own Mason jar (or whatever else you'd like to transport honey in) into Cox Honeyland and pay per pound. I called today and got the prices, here they are:

Cache Valley $2.50/pound
Clover $2.60/pound
Mountain ____ $3.00/pound

I don't have a brand preference. I just go with the cheapest. You are probably asking right now "well, is that a good deal?" During the case lot sale at Macey's just a month or so ago, I got a 5 lb. bottle of honey for $9.xx (almost $10). So, my view on it: Cox Honeyland is a decent deal, but not something you should rush out to get first thing tomorrow morning. If you run out of honey and want some, then yes I'd give them a try because generally honey is a little more expensive than that, but like I said, nothing to hurry and go get. The prices quoted above aren't a sale price, those are the everyday prices.

In a nutshell: When you are between case lot sales, go to Cox. But stock up on the sealed stuff from Macey's during the case lot sales-and get enough to last you.

Making your own glass cleaner

I ran out of Windex, and was in a pinch. I needed something to use so I didn't have to run to the store (and the store price for Windex in insanely expensive! So I wanted to do this anyway.) So, here is a recipe for making your own glass cleaner. Use those old spray bottles too. No need to go get a new spray bottle.

A little dab of this and that from your kitchen cupboard will provide you with the best window cleaner!

Around Earth Day 1990, many newspapers offered recipes for non-toxic cleaning with the basics we all have in our kitchen cupboards, and the recipe was just plain vinegar and water with the option of drying the windows with old newspapers.

People by the thousands tried this but ended up swearing off cleaning with homemade recipes because the formula left streaks on their windows. Unfortunately, the commercial products they had used for so many years had left a wax buildup and vinegar alone wouldn’t do the job of removing the residue.

The good news though: Adding a dab of dish soap to the vinegar and water will remove the buildup.

THE BEST WINDOW CLEANER
Make a great all-purpose window cleaner by combining 1/4 cup vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon liquid soap or detergent, and 2 cups of water in a spray bottle. Shake to blend and spray on your windows!

Honey

Honey is an ingredient many of us use on a daily basis. Kids love it on sandwiches, (heck! even adults love it on sandwiches, or on a hot piece of bread right out of the oven), you may use it when baking bread, cookies or other such recipes. There are many reasons we use honey and for that reason, a lot of people will buy bucket loads of it during a case lot sale.

Storing: Stockpiling honey is fine, however it may crystalize on you. This is totally normal, you just need to know how to get it back to normal and usable for your particular recipe, sandwich, etc.

De-crystalize: If honey crystalizes completely or even get a little cloudy (not a cause of concern), all you need to do is re-liquify, it in some hot water in a pan. It is not a good idea to de-crystalize a large container over and over again. If you do plan to buy a big container, or even bucket of honey and store it, you may consider putting it in separate glass jars (mason jars work wonderfully). If worse comes to worse and you can't heat your honey-you can put it in your hot car with the windows rolled up-like a sauna in your car. It'll be ready in an hour or so:).

Where to buy: Cox Honeyland right off the highway and 800 west sells honey if you bring in your own mason jars. I have never done this, but Tiffani Buck from our ward was who told me about this. (It's been a couple years since she told me this). She mentioned it being a cheaper and yummier option than store bought. You can also buy honey either at Smiths or Maceys during their case lot sales. (**Side note on case lot sales- I prefer Maceys for the case lot sale over Smiths. Maceys allows you to buy 1 can or 1 case of the particular item you are looking for where Smiths doesn't. At Smiths, you have to buy the entire case to get the 'case lot sale price'. Because I don't want to buy 12 cans of every type of canned bean out there (which you'd have to do at Smiths) I can get 4 of each can at Maceys and still pay that cheap case lot price. Maceys might have a couple cents higher on their prices (on some things-not all) I am ok with that because I feel like I can get a better variety for the money I spend).

Storage: If honey is stored in an air-tight container in a dark cook place, it can store your whole life and possibly your children's lives as well. I have read on some accounts of 2000+ year old honey found in tombs that is still edible.

Cooking with Honey: You can switch out honey for sugar interchangeably (with the exception of meringues). However you will want to use just a little less honey than sugar because of the liquidity of it. 1c. sugar = 3/4 c. honey.

Health Benefits of Honey:Oh this is good. I should've put this all first because DANG! It's good stuff. I copied and pasted some of this article from this site because it was just too good to summarize. Read the whole article! It's good! Here goes: Honey is much more healthy and nutritious than cane or beet sugar. Honey has 15 nutrients whereas refined sugar has essentially none, other than "empty carbohydrates". Honey contains healthful enzymes, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. The minerals in honey include zinc and selenium, which could play a role in preventing the spread viral infection. The enzymes in honey include glucose oxidase, invertase (sucrase), diastase (amylase), catalase and acid phosphate, which help predigest our foods, lessen the work of digestive organs and relieve the stress on the digestive glands. Honey is an aid to digestion when taken in the raw state because of its enzyme content while sugar interferes with digestion. Honey enters the bloodstream slowly, at about 2 calories per minute. In contrast, sugar enters quickly at 10 calories per minute, causing blood sugars to fluctuate rapidly and wildly. Sugar causes calcium leakage from bones, contributing to osteoporosis while honey does not.
While sugar is produced in only a few states, honey is produced in every state. So it makes sense to get used to using and storing honey, since that will be the form of sugar that will be most commonly available after the balloon goes up.

Storing wheat flour

I love to grind my own wheat. I will usually set aside a day to do all my grinding for 2 weeks. I have a fairly small family (1 3 year old, 1 8 month old), so we don't go through food as fast as a family of say, 6 does. It is nice to get it all done and not have to worry about needing to grind flour when I need it for a recipe. That grinder is sure loud and takes some prep working getting it all ready to go, so like I said, I like to do it only once every other week. I get enough done to last me and I don't have to get everything out (usually) until my next grinding day.

I'm sure you've heard all sorts of things about flour/wheat losing its nutrients if it sits on the counter, or in the pantry. I've researched a few facts for storing wheat flour. Once ground, flour can be stored in an airtight container, a #10 can, a zip top bag, etc. Freezing is nice as it will kill any weevils.

Wheat flour can be stored without losing nutrients or going rancid:
In the freezer for up to 12 months
Refrigerator: up to 6 months
Room Temperature: up to 3 months

How many cups of flour will you get out of a #10 can of wheat (weighing 5.8 lbs.)?
About 17 cups.

source: preparedldsfamily.blogspot.com *awesome blog!

Emergency in a #10 can

I am finding some really cool self reliance blogs out there. I am loving it. I only touch on some things here, but if you just search (look at my link list on the right hand side-toward the top of this blog) you will see some of the best blogs out there! They are dedicated to making self reliance easy and fun. This, I got from theideadoor.com. It is really cool. Check out her blog-she does a great job!

Emergency Kit in a number 10 can

INSTRUCTIONS FOR PACKING 72 MEAL CAN

Place 2 juice boxes in bottom of can at right angles to each other.

Place 1 cup in the space between the juice boxes.

Inside the cup place: 6 hard candies

1 package gum

2 packages fruit snacks (may need to be folded)

2 packages apple cider mix (may need to be folded)

Place 2 packages of granola bars beside the cup (I package on each side in the empty space).

Place 2 packages of hot cocoa mix in the spaces between the juice boxes and the cup (you will have to gold the cocoa packets in half).

Place 2 sticks of beef jerky in any spaces in the bottom of the can.

Place 3 plastic spoons across the top of the juice boxes/cup.

Place 2 packages of oatmeal on top of the spoons.

Place 2 packages of soup mix on top of the oatmeal.

Place 1 package of trail mix beside the oatmeal/soup packets.

Fold menu and place on top of food.

Close kit with 1 plastic lid.

This is all the food that you will need for 72 hours. You will also need 3-4 liters of water per kit.

*****The beef jerky, trail mix, and juice boxes should be rotated every six months. (If you don't rotate them, they could go bad and then they will not be of any use to you when you need them.) The other items in the kit will probably last 2-3 years.

REMEMBER TO DATE YOUR KITS AND ROTATE THOSE ITEMS.





72 HOUR MEAL CAN


SUPPLIES:

#10 CAN WITH PLASTIC LID

1 PLASTIC CUP (16 oz works best)

2 JUICE BOXES (BOXES, NOT POUCHES)

6 HARD CANDIES

1 PACKAGE GUM

2 INDIVIDUAL PACKAGES FRUIT SNACKS

2 INDIVIDUAL PACKAGES APPLE CIDER MIX

2 INDIVIDUAL GRANOLA BARS

2 INDIVIDUAL PACKAGES OF HOT COCOA MIX

2 STICKS OF BEEF JERKY

3 PLASTIC SPOONS

2 INDIVIDUAL OATMEAL PACKAGES

2 INDIVIDUAL PACKAGES OF SOUP MIX

1 PACKAGE OF TRAIL MIX

(SOME OF THESE ITEMS YOU WILL NEED TO BUY IN A LARGER PACKAGE AND THEN PUT IN A ZIP LOCK BAG OR SOMETHING OF THAT KIND)

YOU SHOULD DO ONE CAN PER PERSON IN YOUR FAMILY.

This 72 hour meal can will fit in the bottom of a backpack along with 3-4 liters of water. The following list contains suggested items you might want to put in your backpack. You will then be the happy owner of a "Complete 72 Hour Pack".

Toothbrush

toothpaste

hair brush

shampoo

hand towel

wet wipes

aluminum blanket

small flashlight or candle

hat or cap

extra pair of socks

1st aid kit to include:

band-aids

tape and gauze

Tylenol

Ace bandage

Triple Antibiotic Cream

Chap stick

Hydrogen Peroxide

set of garments or underclothes

1 pair of pants

1 long sleeved shirt

Class Feb. 11

I just got this email from Linda Barnes, Nibley 6th ward Emergency Preparedness Specialist. Mark Andersen is the owner of Anderson Seed & Garden! This will be an awesome class. He is very knowledgeable and will help explain things to us on whatever topic we want so long as it refers to our families, food, etc. (see below email)

Please come tomorrow night. Stay as long as you can, leave when you must. This is the last time this presentation will be made. Bring your gardening questions and concerns. You will be able to ask questions about your specific problems as long as they have to do with vegetation used to sustain the family. In other words, we will not be addressing ornamental or shade trees, or landscaping bushes, etc.
See the announcement below.
Linda Barnes

Just a reminder that Mark Anderson from Anderson's Seed and Garden will be doing a presentation for our Emergency Preparedness class this month. This presentation will be held Thursday, February 11th at the LDS church house on 3200 South from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Anyone is welcome to attend. Please join us. He will be addressing advanced gardening techniques. In addition Mark will be teaching us about certain varieties of fruits and vegetables that can be planted and harvested and stored over winter as opposed to having to be processed by canning, freezing or drying.

Many members in the Nibley 6th ward tried their hand at gardening for the first time last year because of the gardening class and help from ward members. Remember to support each other as we learn new skills.

Linda Barnes
Nibley 6th Ward Emergency Preparedness Specialist
363-0091

Food Storage-Have you thought about this?

Neat Ideas for Dried Emergency Foods to Keep on Hand

Do You Have Astronaut Ice Cream in Your Stockpile of Emergency Foods?

Following an emergency situation nonperishable foods are one important item to have on hand. Dried foods are a great option because they don’t require any preparation and have a very long shelf life. One particular dried food that can be used when an emergency situation arises and nonperishable foods are a must is astronaut ice cream. I know it sounds a bit space age, but astronaut ice cream, along with being a popular novelty item, also provides a unique taste and flavor above and beyond some other dried emergency foods.



Just Desserts

You can think of astronaut ice cream as a dessert food. How cool is it to have ice cream that requires no refrigeration? Cost might be a prohibitive factor for some individuals. Just one pouch of astronaut ice cream can cost about $3, but there are some positive reasons you might want to include astronaut ice cream in your supply of emergency food. If you order astronaut ice cream in bulk, your cost per package will be a bit less.

If you have kids, astronaut ice cream can be a helpful product. Following a difficult emergency situation that forces you to rely on emergency food, your children might be very upset. Astronaut ice cream can be a fun and enjoyable product for them when they are faced with having to eat foods they might find less than appetizing. Astronaut ice cream can be ordered from online retailers and is actually a pretty neat creation. It is freeze-dried and dissolves upon tasting.

On The Healthy Side

Of course, it is helpful to have a variety of dried emergency foods on hand in case of an emergency situation. Dried fruits are also a great choice for “dessert.” You can literally find many dried fruit selections: bananas, papayas, cherries, cranberries, blueberries, and apricots just to name a few. Keep a variety of dried emergency foods including astronaut ice cream, so that you can still enjoy dessert even when a disaster strikes.

www.emergencypreparednesstips.org

Changing a Flat Tire-everything you need to know

What You Need to Know about Changing a Flat Tire

Have You Ever Changed a Flat Tire?

If you are traveling via car, you always need to be prepared for a flat tire. Having a spare tire in trunk is only half the battle. You must have all of the necessary equipment required to actually change your tire if needed. A flat tire can present itself at the most inopportune time, so be prepared.


Are You Prepared?

One of the first things you need to check in advance of a long car trip (and on a routine basis) is your spare tire. Modern cars typically have a donut as opposed to a full spare. Regardless of what you hear, there is nothing inherently unsafe about a donut compared to a full spare. It is really just a convenience issue that goes both ways.

The donut gives you convenience of not taking up a lot of space in your trunk. However, the donut can only be driven for a minimal amount of miles. Typically this distance is only about 50 miles, but you should consult your owners manual to learn how long you can drive before the donut needs to be replaced with a full spare. On the other hand, the full spare will allow you to drive until that tire wears out. So, you don’t have to immediately replace that tire like you have to with a donut.

Regardless of whether you have a donut or full spare, you must make sure that it is properly inflated. It makes no sense to replace a flat tire with a tire that is flat.

The other most important tool needed to change a flat tire is a car jack. The car jack will be needed to jack up your car to change your tire. You should inspect this jack to make sure it works properly. The jack can become rusted in your trunk over the years and will not be in working condition.

The final tools required to change a flat tire are a flashlight and socket wrench. Although not required during the daytime, a flashlight is imperative for flat tire situations that occur during the nighttime. The socket wrench must be able to fit over you lug nuts on your tires, so make sure you have the right size stored in your trunk. With the above advice, you should have all the tools necessary to change a flat tire when you experience one.

www.emergencypreparednesstips.org