Food Storage Tuesday

Every Tuesday, we post specific items you should gather in order to supplement your 72-hour kit, your 3-month supply, and your longer-term storage. If you are new to our blog, don't worry! You won't be left behind. Just start up where we are and follow along. You will eventually have everything completed! Once the 72-hour kit is complete, we'll be putting together emergency car kits again (week by week). Once those are done, we'll gather the 72-hour kits again. So don't worry, just jump on in and join us where we are today!


This week for your 72-hour kits, add some aluminum foil and some garbage bags (one per person should do the trick).  The garbage bags are necessarily FOR each person, but the bigger your family is, the more you will need in general.  As far as the tin foil goes... I have a confession to make, I don't remember what this is for!  I'm sure we added this to our 72-hour kit list for a reason - probably something we read online, but I can't remember.  Any ideas??  I'm sure it would come in handy for cooking, and may be useful if you could use it as a reflector for something... ?  Thoughts?


How's your three-month supply coming along?  I am wishing that I had bought a few more cheap turkeys and canned all that meat!  Did anyone can up any Thanksgiving food?  My mother-in-law cans up leftover roasts sometimes and I'm wondering if anyone else does this, and if you can do it with turkey.  I paid about 5 dollars for our 12 lb turkey and we have a TON of leftovers so I'll be making some meals and freezing them, but canning would be a great option for all you people with pressure canners.


It's the end of November, I can't believe it.  We were gathering BEANS for our longer-term storage in November, and in December we'll be moving on to RICE.

Motivational Monday

“The world would take people out
of the slums. Christ takes the slums out of
people, and then they take themselves out
of the slums. The world would mold men by
changing their environment. Christ changes
men, who then change their environment.
The world would shape human behavior, but
Christ can change human nature.”

~President Ezra Taft Benson (1899–1994)

Fall Cooking From Food Storage Guide

We hope you have a happy Thanksgiving holiday this week. If you are looking for some fun fall cooking (from food storage) recipes to use up before the Christmas season starts, here are some of our favorites.

We're thankful for our readers! Happy Thanksgiving!

Pumpkin Spice Cookies

Pumpkin Oatmeal

Pumpkin Granola

Fruit Pie

Buttermilk Biscuits

Whipped Topping

Baked Oatmeal

Food Storage Tuesday

This week for your 72-hour kits.....


haha, just kidding.  We're taking a week off!!  If you are anything like me, you have already gone over budget on Thanksgiving goodies! (Okay, most of you probably haven't done that.)


We hope you all have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving week!


And who knows, maybe you'll find some great Black Friday deals on some emergency prep or food storage items!

Happy Thanksgiving!

"Come, ye thankful people, come; Raise the song of harvest home.
All is safely gathered in Ere the winter storms begin.
God, our Maker, doth provide For our wants to be supplied.
Come to God's own temple, come; Raise the song of harvest home."



Come, Ye Thankful People
a harvest hymn written by: Henry Alford, 1810-1871
*Emphasis added

Food Storage Friday: Pinto Bean Burgers

I saw this bean burger recipe on Kath Eats Real Food and it looked SO good. I don't know why I'd never thought of using pinto beans before.


She has a whole tutorial up, so I won't waste time redoing something that's been done, but I'll just give a brief overview of what I did.


Rinse the pinto beans. Whenever you're using canned beans RINSE! Canned beans have a lot of sodium in them.


To my rinsed beans I added 1 Tb whole wheat flour, (about) 1.5 tsp worcestershire sauce (how the heck do you spell that word?), and pepper.

Mash mash mash. I probably would have lost patience if it hadn't been just one can.


Form into patties (they held together surprisingly well).


Place in a hot pan with a little olive oil. Cook 3-4 minutes and then flip.


Crusty! Cook another 3-4 minutes and then serve.


I served them on toasted english muffins. If you have not made this recipe, try it! They are amazing.

The burgers were delicious! What's even better? My kids LOVED them! I melted cheddar cheese on top of theirs and they gobbled them up. I guess it's kindof like a bean and cheese burrito on a bun!

Pinto Bean Burgers
adapted from KathEats.com

makes 4 small-medium burgers

1 can pinto beans
1 Tbsp whole wheat flour
1.5 tsp worcestershire sauce
pepper/salt to taste

Rinse beans. Mash with seasonings. Form into patties and grill in olive oil for 3-4 minutes on each side. Delicious.

Food Storage Tuesday

Every Tuesday, we post specific items you should gather in order to supplement your 72-hour kit, your 3-month supply, and your longer-term storage. If you are new to our blog, don't worry! You won't be left behind. Just start up where we are and follow along. You will eventually have everything completed! Once the 72-hour kit is complete, we'll be putting together emergency car kits again (week by week). Once those are done, we'll gather the 72-hour kits again. So don't worry, just jump on in and join us where we are today!


This week for your 72-hour kits, add some blankets.  The best option is probably something like emergency mylar blankets.  I personally have never bought these in the past but plan to soon.  Does anyone have any experience with these?  From what I hear they are a great option for warmth without taking up a lot of space in your kits.  They are not expensive, either, so don't hesitate too much on these!  They would be a great asset to your kits, especially if you live in cooler climates.


How's your three month supply coming along?  Don't forget cleaning supplies, toiletries, etc.


We're still gathering beans this month for our longer-term storage.  Yum!  


Can you believe that November is halfway over already??  Christmas will be here before we know it!  Buy some food storage for someone! :)

Inspirational Thought

The responsibility for our social, emotional, spiritual, physical, and economic well-being rests first on ourselves, second on our family, and third on the Church. Under the inspiration of the Lord and through our own labors, we should supply ourselves and our family with the spiritual and temporal necessities of life.

We are better able to take care of ourselves and our family when we are self-reliant. We are prepared to endure times of adversity without becoming dependent on others.

We can become self-reliant by (1) taking advantage of educational opportunities; (2) practicing sound principles of nutrition and hygiene; (3) preparing for and obtaining suitable employment; (4) storing a supply of food and clothing to the extent the law allows; (5) managing our resources wisely, including paying tithes and offerings and avoiding debt; and (6) developing spiritual, emotional, and social strength.

In order to become self-reliant, we must be willing to work. The Lord has commanded us to work (see Genesis 3:19;D&C 42:42). Honorable work is a basic source of happiness, self-worth, and prosperity.

"Welfare" LDS Gospel Library, emphasis added

Food Storage Friday: Pizza Sauce

Here is Tiffany with a Pizza Sauce Recipe
Hi y'all. We love pizza and I love pizza sauce. So here is our favorite pizza sauce recipe! All you need is tomato paste, water and spices. Well of course you need a pizza dough for the crust and to see Aleasha's pizza crust click here.
Mix the water and tomato paste together.
Then add the spices
And then you have a great sauce for your pizza! I like my sauce thick. But if you prefer yours thinner just add a little more water.

Pizza Sauce
4 6 oz cans tomato paste
12 oz water
1 tbsp paprika
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tbsp oregano
1 tbsp basil
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp sugar
Mix all together and enjoy on your pizza!

Preparedness Gift Guide

It's time for our annual "Preparedness Wish List" post!  Every year we post a gift guide of ideas for Christmas.  Whether you want to add some of these items to your own wish list, or add them to your "giving" list... here are some great options in many different price brackets.  Feel free to click on the links we have provided -- we searched high and low on Amazon to find some great deals on items with great reviews.


Not sure what to give to your kids this year?  Still need ideas for gifts for your parents/siblings/etc??  Here are some ideas of items that will help them get prepared.


Some items are listed under two price brackets because they may be different sizes or of a different quality. 

*Note: these prices listed below are based on quick online research. Shopping around or buying used will help you find the best deal on any of these items.

Under $20

this awesome food storage e-book :)
Small first aid kits (this is a pack of two... a great deal!)
Crank Flashlights (get ones for the whole family!)
Jumper cables
Fuel for your camp stoves or grills
water storage containers
spices and herbs
work gloves
seeds for the garden
bottles/jars for canning

$20 - 60

Water purifiers (or cheaper tablets)
good-quality sleeping bag
jumper cables

Dutch oven
Solar (or crank) powered radio (or solar radio/flashlight combo)
Wheat grinder (very small, hand cranked - useful if you lose electricity!)

small rotating shelf system

food dehydrator

$60-100
Ready-made 72-hour kits (this one's a 4-person kit)
Wheat grinder (small - hand cranked or automatics)
Pressure cooker (small)
Dehydrator (large)
55-gallon drum for water storage

$100-200
Rotating shelf systems (small)
Wheat grinder (small electric)
72-hour kit deluxe
Pressure cooker (large)

$200+
Rotating shelf systems (small to large)
 Electric wheat grinder (I hear this one is great!)
Pressure cooker (huge)
Good quality, large solar oven

$500+
Generators (for information on these, read a Popular Mechanics article here)

You could also just ask for some actual food storage - #10 cans of wheat, rice, beans, oats, powdered milk, etc.  Besides Amazon, there are many companies you can browse through as you make your wish list (or as you make your gift giving list). 

Any other gift ideas you can think of?? Share them with us!

Food Storage Tuesday

Every Tuesday, we post specific items you should gather in order to supplement your 72-hour kit, your 3-month supply, and your longer-term storage. If you are new to our blog, don't worry! You won't be left behind. Just start up where we are and follow along. You will eventually have everything completed! Once the 72-hour kit is complete, we'll be putting together emergency car kits again (week by week). Once those are done, we'll gather the 72-hour kits again. So don't worry, just jump on in and join us where we are today!


This week for your 72-hour kits, add some disinfectant and a can opener (if your food requires one).  Disinfectant includes hand sanitizer if you haven't added that yet, as well as something to wipe down surfaces with.  I really like Lysol wipes or things similar to that.


How's your three month supply coming along?  With the holidays coming up (and once they've ended), you should be able to get some good deals on traditional holiday canned items - pumpkin, cranberries, etc.  Stock up when you see a great deal!


This month for our longer-term storage we are gathering BEANS!  Thanks everyone for the comments last week about your favorite beans and how you prepare them.  If you didn't comment last week, comment today on this post and let us know what kinds of beans you like and how you prepare them.


Tomorrow we will be posting our annual "wish list / shopping list", full of great gift ideas for preparedness.  I look forward to writing this post every year, because it gives me a chance to price shop and see all the cool stuff there is out there!  Stay tuned!

Motivational Monday

"We are all self-reliant in some areas and dependent in others. Therefore, each of us should strive to help others in areas where we have strengths. At the same time, pride should not prevent us from graciously accepting the helping hand of another when we have a real need. To do so denies another person the opportunity to participate in a sanctifying experience."

Marion G. Romney, “The Celestial Nature of Self-Reliance,” Ensign, Mar 2009, 61–65

Food Storage Friday: Pumpkin Spice Cookies

Many of you may already be familiar with this recipe, but I had never made it before.  We try to keep food storage recipes pretty simple on here (mostly for our own benefits, I think), but I seriously don't think it could get easier (or yummier) than this.  Ready?


Would you believe that this:

Can equal these??:

Pumpkin Spice Cookies


1 box spice cake mix
1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree
1/2 bag chocolate chips (I prefer milk chocolate, but any kind is fine)


Mix the three ingredients together.  Bake at 330 degrees on a greased cookie sheet for 10-12 minutes.


Nope, it doesn't get much easier than that!  Enjoy!

Food Storage Tuesday

Every Tuesday, we post specific items you should gather in order to supplement your 72-hour kit, your 3-month supply, and your longer-term storage. If you are new to our blog, don't worry! You won't be left behind. Just start up where we are and follow along. You will eventually have everything completed! Once the 72-hour kit is complete, we'll be putting together emergency car kits again (week by week). Once those are done, we'll gather the 72-hour kits again. So don't worry, just jump on in and join us where we are today!


I can't believe it's November already!!  I don't know about you but I am so excited for the holidays coming up.  Hopefully everyone has a "healthy" stash of Halloween candy added to your food storage.  Now would be a great time to hit the candy sales and stock up your food storage, if that sort of thing appeals to you. :)  Aren't 'Milk Duds' a category of food storage??


This week for your 72-hour kit, add some mosquito repellent, as well as some candles/candle holders/matches.  If you have crank-powered flashlights, the candles may not be a priority for you, but be sure to add matches either way.  Waterproof matches are best: just dip the tips of the matches in some hot wax to make them waterproof.


How's your three-month supply going?  In all seriousness, you may want to consider adding some candy!  If you were ever in a situation where you were living off your food storage, a piece of candy here or there could really improve your attitude about it (well, mine would be better anyway).  I'm pretty sure your kids would be grateful, too.  And don't forget to store things like brownie mixes, cake mixes, and other fun treats.  Just be sure to get the ones where you only need to add water and/or oil, or invest in some powdered eggs.


Since it's a new month, we're gathering something else now for our longer-term storage.... BEANS!  I love beans.  There are so many varieties and thankfully my kids love them too (they're a great finger food for older babies and toddlers, too!). 


What's your favorite kind of bean, and how do you serve beans?  My favorites would have to be black beans and pinto beans.  I usually serve black beans just as a side dish, and with pinto beans I like to mash them up and make burritos.  I'd love to hear your ideas!

Motivational Monday

“The first step [in food storage] is to begin. The second is to
continue. It doesn’t matter how fast we get there so much as
that we begin and continue according to our abilities.”

Presiding Bishop H. David Burton