Short-Term Storage: Step 1

If you couldn't go to the grocery store for a few days, a few weeks, or a few months, what would you need in your pantry to eat the foods you use on a regular basis?  THIS is SHORT-TERM STORAGE.

Step 1:
(this should only take 3 minutes).  List the foods you eat regularly for each meal of the day.  Keep the list small.  Even if you can only think of one or two each, that's a great start.

Here are some of mine for an example:

BREAKFAST:

• pancakes
• oatmeal
• cereal
• scrambled eggs/sausage/hashbrowns
• french toast

LUNCH

• Grilled cheese sandwich
• Quesadillas
• PB & J
• Chicken Nuggets
• Nachos

DINNER

• Spaghetti
• Mexican Soup
• Minestrone Soup
• Penne Casserole
• Chicken Pot Pie 

(If you want to get ahead, write down the ingredients needed for several recipes)

Baby Steps!

Let's face it.  We all have good intentions of getting prepared for emergencies and starting -- or finishing -- our food storage.  But when it comes down to it, life gets in the way and we get side-tracked.  Others might feel overwhelmed by the task and not know where to start entirely.

For those who need that little nudge and some guidance, I'll be posting a monthly goal with weekly "to-do" lists to complete it.  They will be SHORT and EASY.  And I'll be doing them with you.

This is in preparation for National Preparedness Month in September where I'm going to have some really fun and exciting activities for you and your family to participate in to put your preparedness skills to the test! (Did I mention, fun?)

Here's the schedule for the next 3 months: 

• July:  Short-term food storage 

• August:  Emergency Kits 

• September:  How well would you do in an emergency?

Be sure to "like" the facebook page on the right for quick and easy updates

FREE Give-Away Drawing

To welcome you to my new blog on emergency preparedness, I'm giving away a 326-Piece OSHA First Aid Kit, ($45 value) to one lucky winner!  The drawing will be held on July 31st.  All you have to do to enter is complete #1 below.  For additional entries, complete more of the steps below:

1.  "Follow" this blog by email or subscribe using the button in the right column. (those who previously clicked on follow will also be counted).  (note: google's 'follow' gadget is sporadically working -- share this post on your blog and we'll give you 3 extra entries! -- be sure to comment with a link to your blog so I can check it out!)

2.   Share this post on your facebook wall by clicking on  the facebook 'share' button below (leave a comment below to let me know you did)

3.  "Like" my NEW page on facebook by clicking on the "like" button to the right or go to: My Family Thrives

Online Resources

Here are some online resources for emergency information & preparedness:

• FEMA: Plan and Prepare

• Ready.gov:  Prepare, Plan, Stay Informed

• American Red Cross

• Center for Disease Control and Prevention

• National Weather Service

• Arizona Division of Emergency Management

• Emergency Preparedness for KIDS (games & activities)

• Preparedness Resources for teachers & classrooms

• Dept. of Ed: Emergency Planning for Schools

Freeze Dried Foods

I recently found several articles focusing on the health effects of freeze dried foods -- this is really amazing!  Many of the benefits I already listed in my previous post, but here are some others:

• concentrated antioxidants
• high in fiber 
• color, shape, flavor and nutrients are maintained
• diets high in fruit and vegetables reduce risk of disease
• long shelf life
• convenient for backpacking, camping and traveling
• a healthy, fun and nutritional snack for kids
• no extra flavors, additives or sugars -- ALL Natural!!

For an interesting read on Freeze-dried foods:

1. Nutritional Effects of Freeze-Drying Foods
2. Health Effects of Freeze-Dried Food 
3. Ever wonder how Freeze-Dried Ice Cream is made?