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How to Store Dried Food

Having a supply of dried food is a good strategy to include in your emergency preparedness plan. Many important nutrients can be found in dried food, and those nutrients are generally more concentrated in a smaller package, ideal for storage and transport if needed. Because the food is preserved when it is dried, there is no need for refrigeration or freezing, an important factor when electricity to run appliances may not be available. While dried food generally keeps very well, there are some special considerations that you can follow to ensure a long shelf life and optimal nutritional content of … Continue reading →

Flash Drives – Save Your Money Information

We all know that we should keep copies of our important financial papers in case of an emergency. If there’s a death in the family or loss of a job, a house fire or an earthquake, you will need those papers to make plans and to start putting things back in order. But it can be difficult to carry the paperwork for all your accounts, insurance policies, and deeds to your house, car, etc. That folder can get pretty thick, especially if you are also tracking social security information and birth certificates for your children. Have you ever considered scanning … Continue reading →

Creating a Pantry

When we moved into our current home five years ago, I was thrilled by the size of the kitchen. I’d cooked in a thin, counter-less galley kitchen for five years, and before that I’d cooked in a teeny tiny space-less basement suite. Yuck! So a kitchen that had counter space, cabinet space, and even a place to put a table…this was my dream. Over the last few years, I’ve finally gotten around to creating a working pantry in said kitchen. Here are a few things that I’ve learned about how to create and maintain a successful pantry: Create a rotation … Continue reading →

Trendy Home Made Christmas Gifts

Yes, I know Christmas is still two months away, but what better time to get started on making some great Christmas gifts. Forget the old crocheted pot holders. While they may be nice, they certainly aren’t the most requested on everyone’s wish list. Instead take a look at what the trends say are going to be the hottest requested and given gifts this Christmas season. Home made gifts are definitely in for this season, probably because everyone is so budget conscious. The best part of these trendy gifts is that you can make them yourself frugally. Give gifts of your … Continue reading →

Visit Your Home Storage Center

If you live near a church home storage center (also commonly referred to as a cannery), you should take advantage of this when planning and purchasing your food storage. Your ward may plan a trip or two every year, or you may be asked to volunteer your time at the cannery. Another option is to use the dry pack canner that your stake has and prepare your food that way. You may find that it is cheaper to purchase the food on your own, and then can it. You can order just the cans, lids and oxygen absorbers from the … Continue reading →

Gifts in a Can

You have all heard of gifts in a jar, right? Well, what about gifts in a can? Take your gift giving one step further with this easy and very frugal gift giving idea! Gifts in a jar are a nice way to show someone you care this holiday season. You basically create a food gift mix and place it in a large glass jar, which you’ve decorated with ribbon, raffia or fabric. A tag attached, tells your gift recipient how to prepare the mix. Here is a much more modern take on this idea that suits todays busy families who … Continue reading →

Relief Society: Five Ideas for Preparedness Enrichment Activities

Several meetings in my stake and ward have centered on preparing yourself and your family for emergencies. Some people may not know how to prepare or have the time to do everything themselves. You can form a preparedness group or just offer classes on the topic. Here are five ideas for preparedness enrichment activities. 1) You can have an activity that focuses on preparing emergency kits for your ward members. You can either provide a list or actually provide the items for the people to come and assemble the kit. You may be able to get discounts on food this … Continue reading →

Protecting Your Food Storage

Once you have begun your food storage you will want to protect it from pests and other risks that can spoil your food. You do not want to find that all the money and time you have spent collecting the food has gone to waste because the food was stored improperly. Here are three easy ways to protect your food. The type of food you are storing determines the best way to store it. If you are storing grains, flour, sugar or dry goods you will want to store these foods in an airtight container, made specifically for storing food. … Continue reading →