Monday, October 22, 2012

Faith in Action - My thoughts

A few weeks back I left a link to a conversation from the Mormon Channel highlighting Barbara Salsbury, expert in Emergency Preparedness.  I am not sure if any of you have had a chance to listen to it so I wanted to share some thoughts I had while listening. 

I am finding myself getting more and more passionate on this subject as the Spirit guides me to information and ideas.  My testimony has grown leaps and bounds in Emergency Preparedness and I sincerely hope that I can help YOU and your family as well as my own family in getting prepared.

When I thought of Emergency Preparedness a few months back my thoughts turned exclusively to preparing to survive the aftermath of a natural disaster.  I thought of storing and grinding wheat and canning garden produce.  It's been interesting to learn that while a natural disaster could happen here in Idaho Falls and we do need to prepare, the more likely crisis we should be preparing for would be an ill family member unable to provide for the family, a death, a job loss.  Essentially the preparation of food storage would be the same.  Maybe the thought process and urgency changes for you though?

As I listened to Sister Salsbury, she mentioned there are usually 2 main excuses people have for not getting prepared:

#1 Not Enough Room
#2 Not Enough Money

I want to talk about these a little bit from what I have experienced and the advice she has given.  These are real and legitimate excuses however, both can be easily overcome.

I think the first thing we all need to realize is that Emergency Preparedness is a commandment.

 Here is what she says:  "When it comes to Emergency Preparedness, it is a commandment. If we believe in following the prophet, then you do what you are asked to do - and in your budget, in your state, in your closet, in your place.. you will be blessed."

I love this insert from a talk by L. Tom Perry called, If Ye Are Prepared Ye Shall Not Fear
“In reviewing the Lord’s counsel to us on the importance of preparedness, I am impressed with the plainness of the message. The Savior made it clear that we cannot place sufficient oil in our preparedness lamps by simply avoiding evil. We must also be anxiously engaged in a positive program of preparation.”
 
He also said: “The Lord will not translate one’s good hopes and desires and intentions into works. Each of us must do that for himself” (The Miracle of Forgiveness, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1969, p. 8).

I have also learned through experience that the Lord will provide a way to accomplish His commandments.

1 Nephi 17: 3 And thus we see that the commandments of God must be fulfilled. And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and astrengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them.

Excuse #1  I don't have any room to start storing. 
Have you considered the space under the beds?  How about adding a temporary or permanent shelf in a closet where cans could be stored?  Get creative!  Pray about it.  Heavenly Father will guide your mind to be creative in finding room to store the necessary items.

Excuse #2  I don't have enough money.
I loved what Sister Salsbury taught that when there is a case lot sale, you don't have to buy the whole case.  Maybe you can only afford 3 extra cans.  The response to that is, GREAT!  The Lord recognizes your efforts and will bless you.  A bag of dry beans or a container of salt is like $.50.  If that is all you can afford extra that pay check, then get it.  It's more than you had before. 

I mentioned in church recently that 4 years ago I had hardly anything prepared for a crisis or disaster.  However it was one of my 2009 New Years Resolutions to save money on groceries and start learning how to use coupons.  I really put a lot of effort into researching the grocery store deals and memorizing the prices of things so I would recognize a good deal vs. a not so good deal.  I realized I was slowly saving money on our monthly groceries and with the same money I was using before, I was stockpiling the sale items that our family normally uses such as laundry and dish soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste.  I have continued this process over the last 4 years and now am pretty confident that my family will be able to more comfortably survive.

I wanted to mention this because the thought of preparing is an overwhelming thought.  There is so much to get gathered and so much to purchase.  It doesn't need to be done all at once.  Just start small and stay consistant.  Over time you will be so glad you did and I testify the Lord will bless you for keeping his commandment.

Flip-Top Water Purifier

A few years back a member of our ward, Jozet Richardson Hulley was selling these water filtration cups at a discount cost.  I talked with her at Jared's mission report and she said she'd be willing to offer them to our ward again for $21 which is $1 more than they were before because she will have to ship them.  She sent me a cup for anybody who is interested to see and I have fliers with more information that I will be trying to pass out soon.  Please comment on this post or email or call me if you are interested in more information or purchasing one.
 
Here is a little blurb from the flier: 
 
There is nothing more important in your storage program than clean, pure, water!!  You cannot live without water!
 
You Must have an Efficient Water Purifier in your storage!!!
 
Introducing the New "Flip-Top Water Purifier"
The Most Laboratory and Field-Tested Product of its kind in the World!  The ONLY personal water filtration system capable of reducing over 99% of all known contaminants in the world!!!
 
Now selling in major retail outlets for $49-$69 each!!
 
Chance of a lifetime!  Buy now through this special group purchase order only $21 each!  The Flip-Top Water Purifier is capable of purifying from 100-200 gallons of water.  Replacement Filters cost only $10-$15 each, depending on the model.

Some Weekly Sale Items - Updated

Hi Friends,
I apologize it's been hit and miss the last few weeks.  I wanted to give you a heads up to some good prices I have scouted this week.  These would be a great addition to your food storage.

Smiths Food - this sale goes until Tuesday
48 oz vegetable cooking oil $2.49
2 lb powdered and brown sugar $1.39
5 lb flour $1.59
4 lb sugar $2.29

12 oz Nestle Chocolate Chips 2/$4 - print $.50 off 2 coupon from www.coupons.com = $1.75/bag
*Smiths will only allow you 2 like printable coupons per day.  Just a heads up!

Keep in mind we have access to the stake canner so if you decide you'd like to put any of these items in a #10 to last many more years, we can do that!  Please contact me if you have interest in this and I'd be happy to help you.

Fred Meyer - this sale goes until Saturday
18.5-19oz Progresso Soup $.99 -limit 5
12-16oz Barilla Pasta or 24 oz Hunt's Pasta Sauce $.79  - limit 4
$1 off 2 Barilla Pasta coupon was in Sunday's paper = $.29

 With both of these deals there is a coupon in the Fred Meyer ad you will need the cashier to scan.  The ad can be found at the check out stand, front of the store or in Sunday's newspaper. 

Like always please feel free to comment on the posts with questions or call or email me. 

I just quickly wanted to add some little price comparisons on here for you to know.  I headed to Sams Club today so here are their prices compared with Smiths sale.  Hope it helps some of you.

Sugar:
$2.29 at Smiths for 4 lbs = $.57/lb
$27.98 at Sams for 50 lbs = $.56/lb
$13.78 at Sams for 25 lbs = $.55/lb
$6.16 at Sams for 10 lbs = $.62/lb

Flour:
$1.59 at Smiths for 5 lbs = $.32/lb
$7.69 at Sams for 25 lbs =  $.31/lb

Powdered/Brown Sugar
$1.39 at Smiths for 2 lbs = $.70/lb
$5.56 at Sams Club for 7 lbs = $.79





Saturday, October 20, 2012

Homemade Yogurt - June RS

Written & Taught by Sister Kammerman
In our area, cups of Yoplait usually cost $.50 on sale. If the five of us (the kids and myself) ate a cup of Yoplait five days out of seven, the cost per week would be $12.50. Over the course of a year, that adds up to $650. On yogurt! And this is even assuming that I could manage to procure that much yogurt at the $.50 price(if I had to pay $.75 for each container, the yogurt would cost us over $975 in a year...the horror!).                                           
*If I make my own yogurt, a week’s worth costs us $4, saving us $11 a week. Over the course of a year, this will save us $572 compared to the $.50 Yoplait cups.  Yeah, sweating the small stuff is totally worth it. $.50 here, $1 there, $5 over there…it all adds up when you look at things in the space of a year instead of in the space of a day.
Yogurt made with lower fat milk will not be as firm as yogurt made from whole milk.
Homemade Yogurt (makes 4+ quarts, which will keep for at least a month in the fridge)
Ingredients
1 gallon of milk         1 cup yogurt starter use a small cup of plain (Dannon/greek/Yoplai) or a cup from your previous batch.
1. Place four quart glass canning jars, four lids, and four screw-tops in a large pot. Fill with an inch of water; cover with lid and heat to boiling. Boil for ten minutes. Leave the lid on the pot and move it off the heat until you are ready to use the jars. (IF not sanitized in dishwasher)
2. Pour one gallon of milk into a large, heavy bottomed stockpot or Dutch oven. Heat the milk to 185-190 degrees Farenheit
3. Place the pot in a sink filled with cold water and let the milk cool to 120 degrees fahrenheit
4. Stir one cup of yogurt starter into the cooled milk, using a whisk. Stir well to ensure that the starter is thoroughly incorporated into the milk.
5. Pour the milk into jars, and put the lids and bands on. Place them into a cooler.
6. Heat one gallon of water to 120-130 degrees F and pour into cooler.
7. Shut cooler lid and leave in a warm place for three hours. When the three hours are up, place the yogurt in the refrigerator.
To make a delicious vanilla version of this yogurt--- add ¾ cup of sugar to the four quarts of milk when it’s cooling in the sink. Then stir in 2 tablespoons of vanilla, depending on your preference, and proceed as usual with the recipe. 
Add fruit, grape nuts or granola or what you like! We use extracts and stir in dry pudding mix to add a variety  & touch of flavor as we use it. (almond extract with peaches)  banana cream pudding, orange extract, lemon, extract.    You can even try it frozen for summer treat.

FAT-FREE YOGURT from POWDERED MILK  (size of thermos will determine if you can double)
2 cups lukewarm water
1 cup powdered milk
2 TBL. Plain yogurt
Mix all together in mixer or with whisk—(not in thermos yet)
After mixing well—no lumps,
**Pre-heat your thermos  by putting hot water in it while waiting… POUR OUT before putting in milk/yogurt mixture.
Pourmixture into 1 quart stainless steel thermos—screw on lid.
Let stand on counter overnight or 8-10 hrs.  It is ready! Pour into airtight container & refrigerate.   (I like to do this in the morning after kids are off to school and put in the fridge in evening so it’s cold and ready to enjoy by morning.
Add fruit, grape nuts or granola or what you like! We use extracts and stir in dry pudding/jello mix to add a variety & touch of flavor as we use it. (almond extract with peaches is good!)  banana cream pudding, dry flavored jello, orange extract, lemon, extract.  
You can use as sour cream or dip—just add seasoning.

Homemade Cream Cheese
Two items that we seem to buy every week from the grocery store are cream cheese and sour cream. Why I haven't already started making these myself sooner is beyond me…These recipes are so easy, you'll wonder why you never tried them before.

Homemade Cream Cheese  (makes aprox. 2 cups) 

1 quart homemade yogurt (whole milk or low-fat)

 Instructions
Place a clean kitchen towel, cheese cloth, or clean muslin in a colander. Place the colander in a bowl or cake pan that is large enough to hold it. Add the yogurt to the lined colander and wrap the towel over the top to cover (or use a plate). Leave this to drain for about 5 hours in the refrigerator. If you want a thicker consistency, leave it longer, making sure to empty what is draining so it doesn't reach the bottom of the colander and get reabsorbed. Store your finished cream cheese in a resealable container in the fridge.  Add flavors/seasoning if desired.
Sweetened Condensed Milk
 
1/2 c water
1 c sugar
3 T butter
1 c powdered milk
 
Heat water, sugar and butter until boiling. Allow to cool slightly. Pour into a blender and gradually add the powdered milk, through the hole at the top. Blend until smooth. Can store in refrigerator up to 2 weeks, makes slightly more than one can of sweetened condensed milk.
 
 
Cottage Cheese
 
To make your own delicious and nutritious Basic Cottage Cheese, use the easy directions which follow. This recipe utilized rennet or Junket tablets (usually found next to the jello) to help produce low-acid cottage cheese with minimal effort:
 
1 rennet tablet (or Junket tablet)
2 cups Basic Yogurt
 
1 gallon Basic Rehydrated Powdered Milk.
 
·        Dissolve rennet tablet in warm water. (set aside)
·        Pour Basic Rehydrated Powdered Milk into a large heavy pot and heat to 90 degrees F.
·        Add Basic Yogurt, stirring to mix.
·        Add dissolved rennet.
·        Cover pot and leave overnight in a warm place.
 
·        The next day, a gelatinous, almost solid mass, like firm yogurt, has formed in the pot. This is the curd.
·        With a silver knife, cut through this curd to break it into small pieces.
·        Place pot on top of a large cake pan so you can pour the water around it. (double boiler)
·        Shake the pot gently while it is being heated to help distribute the heat more evenly throughout the curd.
·        When the curd temperature reaches 110 degrees F, turn off the heat, leaving the cheese bowl in the water for about 30 minutes.
·        Then pour the cheese into a cloth bag (can use a pillow case) or several layers of cheesecloth and hang it up to drain. When the curds have drained, mash the cheese with a form, work in a little sweet or sour cream or moisten it with a little basic Yogurt if you don't want the extra fat.

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Home Storage Center

This week I had the opportunity to experience the Home Storage Center for the first time with some great company.  I must say it was a really good time.  Do you see those smiling faces? 
 
I wanted to take a few pictures for those of you who haven't had a chance to go yet.  At the beginning of the assembly line our first worker gets the #10 cans and fills them with whatever food you are currently working on.  We weigh them, put an oxygen absorber in the can (except for sugar because it makes it hard) and then seal the lid on.
 
 
 
Here is Zoe sealing cans with a big happy smile. It's as easy as settling the can and pulling the handle.  It takes about 10 seconds.
 
The last person will put a date stamp on the sticker which tells what is inside the can.  Then they add the cans to the shelf in their proper places.
 
Way easy and way fun!  Especially with good company.  Click HERE for a link to the cannery sign up sheet.  We will be making an appointment to attend again in January and hopefully continue to go bimonthly in the coming year so you can have more opportunities to go there and buy smaller amounts more often if desired.  If you have a desire to go sooner, please call myself or the cannery! 
 
Also, please remember that we have located our stake canner so you can purchase your own food and make an appointment with the Olivas family to use the canner in their garage.  I just heard Broulims is having their case lot sale until October 16th.  Sugar & flour are a great price and certainly worth stocking up on to can! 
 
As always, please feel free to contact me with questions.