April Week 2: Toiletries and Pasta

This week we are collecting toiletries and pasta! Toiletries include shampoo, conditioner, face lotion, body lotion, soaps, deoderants, hair and makeup supplies, aftershave, shaving cream, razors, etc. This does NOT include toilet paper. We collect that in June. These items can be expensive to purchase in quantity on a small budget, so be sure to look for sales at places like Target, Walmart, and Walgreens. Make a goal to purchase at least 1 extra each time you have to replace a lotion etc. This will help you to grow your storage without breaking the bank!

Pasta: I love pasta! It stores well, it doesn't got bad, and it doesn't really matter what brand you buy because dry pasta is pretty much all the same. (some will argue that point.) Pasta is pretty much flour, water, salt, and sometimes an egg. Easy to make, even easier to buy and store! Pastas should be stored in airtight containers. They can get bugs if left to sit, but storing them in containers helps that problem. I usually buy the cheapest pasta on the shelf. Buy packages of spaghetti, fettuccine, macaroni, egg noodles, rotini, and penne. Buy other shapes that your family will like and to add variety. We like to make shrimp salad with canned shrimp and small pasta shells. I love creamy mac and cheese with the larger, ribbed noodles. There ares so many things you can do with pasta, so many ways to serve it, that it pays to stock up!

Good luck!

**Now until Tuesday, Smiths is having a case goods sale again. Also, Bath and Body Works is having a sale! **

Lazy bones!

I have been seriously lazy and lacking in keeping up with this blog each week. SO, let's try this again...

March week 4: spices!

This week(end) we are gathering our spices. Spices are important to have because they add flavor and variety to our food. When purchasing spices for storage, it is important to look at the shelf life! Spices will stay fresher in the freezer than they will on the shelf. Once they are opened, they loose their flavors much quicker than if they stay sealed. So, purchasing the huge bottle of italian seasoning at the local warehouse club may not be the best thing when, 3 months down the road it is flavorless. If you choose to go that route, separate the spice into smaller containers that you can freeze. You can also buy spices at the dollar store that will store on the shelf. Good luck!

Spices:
Pepper
Taco seasoning
Cinnamon
Ginger
Chili powder
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Season Salt
Paprika
Oregano
Basil
Thyme
Dill
Nutmeg
Cloves
Dry mustard
Cream of tartar
etc....

March week 3: Baking mixes

I'm such a slacker. My weeks are going by 2 at a time it seems. Anyway, for those of you who stocked up your first-aid and medicine chests in January, you can move on to this week's item: Baking mixes.

I make a lot of things from scratch, but sometimes it is nice to have quick mixes on hand. During times of hardship, having something comforting, like brownies or cookies, can keep the kids from feeling insecure. (yeah, I know. I shouldn't comfort with food, BUT it truly makes a difference when there is no money or a disaster.)

Baking mixes:
Boxed Cake mix
gelatin
pudding
pre-made cookie mixes
muffin mixes
pre-made potato mixes
pre-made box mixes for side dishes, dinners, etc.

Because these things are typically in cardboard boxes, it is VERY important to keep these in a cool, dry place. A plastic tote is excellent, because you can stack a TON of mixes in a small space. Most of these items will also have expiration dates. This is because there are oils and leavening in the mixes that will no longer work if left too long.

Good luck!
Next week: spices

The value of preparedness

In the last few months, and recent days, there have been devastating natural disasters that have tested the people of the world and their preparedness. The massive earthquakes in Haiti and Chile, the widespread blizzards and power outages on the eastern coast of the US, and the severe storms in Europe have shown us how important it is to be prepared. Many of us have been preparing in the event of job loss, disability, or economic factors. These personal disasters will often times still leave us with the luxury of running water and electricity. Natural disasters are not so kind. They often leave their victims not only without their homes, but without clean water and electricity. These people often lose all their belongings. I have asked myself the question recently, "How would I cope? Could I cope? Would my family be prepared?" The brutally honest answer to that is no! We have some food storage, but no emergency kits. We have camping gear, but not organized into a 72-hour evacuation kit. We have money in the bank, but not in cash for an emergency. These are things that we need to be aware of as we prepare our homes and families for emergencies. We are doing this, not just "in case" we lose jobs or have medical problems, but for all unforseen disasters that may befall us. Now is not the time to panic and hoarde like squirrels. Through careful, thought out planning we can each have what we need to sustain our families through crisis. I pray for those affected by the natural disasters we have had, and pray that we may all be "safely gathered in" as we are directed by the First Presidency of the church.

March Week 1: Solid oils and Juices

Last week completely got away from me! This week will will try to do 2 in 1!

Last week we were supposed to be stocking up on solid oils, like shortening, margarine, and butter. Margarine and butter have to be refrigerated and should be purchased in small amounts. These items will spoil if unrefrigerated, and have a tendency to absorb the smells around them. Shortening or lard is good for cooking, frying, some baking, etc. It can be stored quite a while IF it is stored properly. To properly store solid shortening, it needs to be kept in a cool, dark, and dry place. Cool is key! The oils will go rancid if they are stored in a warm place. During summer months, check your canisters frequently to avoid spoiled oils.

This week, we are looking for juices. Fruit and vegetable juices in the bottle can be stored up to their shelf date. These will need to be used and rotated regularly. Frozen concentrate can be kept longer. Before you run out and buy a freezer full of frozen juice, remember you have to have electricity to keep it frozen! If there is a lengthy power outage, how are you going to keep it frozen? Try to balance between both frozen and bottled.

Good luck, and happy storing!

February Week 3: Peanut Butter!

It's peanut butter jelly time!!! This is my favorite week. I don't even eat peanut butter very often, but this is my favorite week! Gather as much PB as your budget will allow. Remember, we are only buying what we have budgeted for food storage! In the last few weeks, there have been some really good coupons in the paper for peanut butter. Walmart and Winco both have excellent prices on this item. Also check coupons.com for more PB savings!

Storage:
Peanut butter must be stored in a cool, dark place to keep the oils from going rancid. Be mindful of the expiration dates on the jars, and only purchase what you will use by those dates! Because we don't eat PB very often, I only stock 4-5 jars at a time. Remember to replace the jars you use, and rotate according to expiration date. Happy shopping!