December 2010 Challenge

Congratulations if you have made it this far and have completed each month's challenge. You and your family should be much more prepared in case of an emergency! This month's challenge is to go over the "100 Item List" and see if there are any items that we are missing or need to update/re-purchase. These items do not do us any good if they are not in working condition. The second part to this month's challenge is to make sure that you are able to meet your pets needs in the event of an emergency. Go over the "Pet Grab N Go Bag" items.

1. Review the 100 Item List and get at least 1 item on the list that you do not currently have
2. Review the "Grab N Go" pet list and consider your pet's needs
3. Try New Food Storage Recipe - 5 Yummy Oatmeal Recipes

100+ Things That Disappear First in an Emergency

GENERAL

Generators

Gasoline

Gasoline containers (Plastic or Metal)

Propane Cylinders (Large and Small)

Water containers.

Fire extinguishers

Fishing supplies/tools

Hand Tools/ Saws/ axes and hatchets

Hats and cotton neckerchiefs

Knives and Sharpening tools:

Files/ stones/ steel

Dust Masks / Respirators

Plastic Garbage cans

Garbage bags

Backpacks/Duffle Bags

Portable Radios

CB’s/Walkie Talkies

Glue/nails/nuts/bolts/screws

Fire Extinguishers

Garden Tools/Supplies

Wagons and Carts

Mouse traps/ant traps/roach traps

Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Bleach (4% to 6% sodium hypochlorite

Water Filter/Purifier

Hand Pumps (for water/fuel)

HEAT & LIGHTING

Batteries (all sizes)

Flashlights

Candles/Matches

Coleman Lanterns

Oil Lamps

Lamp Oil

Mantle/Wicks

Lantern Hangers

Mini Heaters

Seasoned Firewood

FOOD AND WATER

Bottled Water (all sizes)

Bagged Ice

Prepackaged Meals

Canned foods, Fruits, Veggies, Soups, stews, etc.

Vitamins (Critical)

Chocolate/Cocoa/Tang/Punch

Hand pumps and siphons (for water and for fuels)

Water Filters/Purifiers

Snack Foods

All canned meat

Pet Food

Tuna Fish

Chocolate/Cocoa/Tang/Punch

Honey/Syrup/white and brown sugar

Soda/Sports Drinks

Milk (Condensed/Powdered)

Vegetable Oil

Rice/Beans/Wheat

Garlic/Spices/Vinegar

Baking Supplies

Flour/Yeast/Salt

Bouillons/Gravy/Soup Mix

Garden Seeds (Non-Hybrid)

COOKING

Paper plates/cups/utensils

Cook stoves

Coleman Fuel

Portable Grills / hibachis

Charcoal and Lighter fluid (Will become scarce)

Cast iron cookware (sturdy, efficient)

Hand can-opener

Hand eggbeaters/whisks

Insulated Ice Chests

Aluminum Foil

Grain Grinder (Non-Electric)

HEALTH AND HYGIENE

Prescription Medicines

Reading Glasses

Toilet Paper/Kleenex/ paper towel

First aid kits

Shaving supplies

Feminine Hygiene/Hair care/Skin lotion

Shampoo/ Toothbrush/paste/floss

Nail clippers

Deodorant

Baby Supplies: Diapers/Wipes

Formula/ointment/aspirin

Waterless Soaps

Washboard/Mop/Bucket

Laundry Detergent

Clothes Pins/line/hangers

COMFORT & SHELTER

Tents, canopies

Portable Toilets

Plastic Sheeting rope/spikes

Reading glasses

Cots and Inflatable Mattresses (for extra guests)

Clothing/Socks/Underwear

Work boots/Belts

Levis/Durable Shirts

Gloves/Work/Warm/Garden

Guns, Ammunition,

Pepper Spray,Knives, Bats

Sleeping bags and blankets pillows/mats

Board Games Cards, Dice

Pet Grab N Go Bag

• Food, water, 3 day supply for each pet
• Bowls - non-spillable
• Collar and leash - for dogs and cats
• Muzzle
• Poop scooper, bags
• Treats and toys
• Blanket, towel, or newspaper for warmth
• ID tag should always be on pet
• Extra name tag
• License number
• Pet carrier or crate for each pet labeled with pet owner's information
• Name, address and phone # of veterinarian, animal control agency and shelters
• People to contact to take care of the animal
• Vaccination and medical records - keep inoculations current
• In an emergency, pets may come into contact with diseased animals

Pet First Aid Kit

• Scissors
• Gauze pads
• Wipes
• Instant cold pack
• Adhesive tape
• Tweezers
• Soap
• Antiseptic cream
• Eye drops

Food Storage Recipe: 5 Yummy Oatmeal-based Recipes

Standard "formula" – 1/2 cup dry oatmeal to 1 cup water, cooked to your consistency.

• Blueberry Nut Oatmeal: Half cup dry Regular Oats, 1 cup water, mixed with 1 cup frozen blueberries, warmed in microwave for 1 minute, topped with 2 Tbsp cashews

• Banana-pecan oatmeal: Half cup dry Regular Oats, 1 cup water, cooked and mixed with one half cup sliced banana, sprinkled with cinnamon and nutmeg, topped with 2 Tbsp pecans

• Apple-almond oatmeal: Half cup dry Regular Oats mixed with water and cooked, sprinkled with apple pie spice, mixed with 1 medium apple, sliced, topped with 2 Tbsp almonds

• Peachy pecan oatmeal: Half cup dry Regular Oats (mixed with water to create consistency of your choice), cooked in microwave for 1 minute, mixed with 1 cup Sliced Peaches, sprinkled with nutmeg, topped with 2 Tbsp pecans

• Banana split oatmeal: Cook one half cup dry Regular Oats, mixed with water and cooked to create consistency of your choice and combine with 1/4 cup strawberries. Top with one quarter cup sliced banana, 1 Tbsp semi-sweet chocolate chips and sprinkle with 2 Tbsp peanuts.

November 2010 Challenge

We should have already put together our 72 hour kits back in February. This month the challenge is to get a large container (a new clean trash can will work) and fill it with enough supplies for our entire family in case of a 72 hour emergency.

1. Obtain Storage Barrel for Family 72 Hour Survival Pack
2. Inventory/Inspect/Update Existing 72 Hour Kits
3. Try New Food Storage Recipe: Fresh Pumpkin Pie

Here is a quick list of what you may want to include in your 72 hour Family Survival Pack:

FOOD STORAGE RECIPE: FRESH PUMPKIN PIE

Ingredients:                                       

1 1/3 cups fresh pumpkin cooked and cooled

1 1/3 cups sweetened condensed milk

1 egg

1¼ teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon nutmeg

½ teaspoon ginger

¼ teaspoon cloves

1 cup hot water

Directions:

Cut pumpkin in half without stem.  Scoop out seed and strings.  Place cut side down on foil lined baking sheet.  Cover with foil and bake in 350º oven until tender (1 ½ hours).  Cool, scoop out flesh and mash until smooth.  Drain if too watery.  Beat together just until smooth; 1 1/3 cup pumpkin, 1 1/3 cup sweetened condensed milk, egg, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger cloves and hot water.  Pour into 9 inch pie shell.  Bake at 375º for 55 to 65 minutes. (Center will still move slightly.)  Cool and enjoy.  (Mashed pumpkin will keep for 5 days in the refrigerator.)

4 ways to cook your pumpkin (from Cooking Light October 2010 issue)

• Basic Baked – Place halved pumpkin; cut sides down, in a 350º oven for 1 to 2 hours or until tender.  Cool, and then scrape out the tender flesh with a spoon, discard rind.
• Boil – Halve and peel pumpkin, then cut the flesh into uniform cubes and boil until tender, 15 to 30 minutes, depending on size of cubes.
• Microwave – Place pumpkin pieces in a glass bowl; cover with microwave-safe plastic wrap.  Cook on HIGH until tender, about 15 minutes.  Move the pieces around twice during cooking.  Cool, and then scrape out the tender flesh with a spoon, discard rind.
• Roast Whole – Hollow out the pumpkin.  Roast in a preheated 350º oven for 1 to 2 hours or until tender.  Scoop out the flesh.

Pumpkins can be stored a month or more in a cool dry place or in the refrigerator up to three months.  Cooked pumpkin can be mashed and stored up to16 months in the freezer.  There are dozens of pumpkin recipes including recipes for roasting pumpkin seeds, adding mashed pumpkin to pancakes, cakes, cookies, breads, smoothies and even recipes for cooking dinner in a pumpkin available on the internet.  Inexpensive this time of year and full of vitamins and minerals, this is a good time to stock up on pumpkin and try out some pumpkin recipes.

October 2010 Challenge

If there is a real disaster or emergency you cannot count on cell phones or land lines for your primary way of communication. About 2 years ago there was an earthquake that shook the Southern California area pretty well. Instantly the cell phone companies received an overload of calls and it completely shut down all phone lines for hours. You could have the same problem with land lines.

In case of an emergency, our family needs to have and know a plan. Make sure everyone, especially the kids, know what to do and where to go in case of an emergency. Our challenge this month is:

1. Review Family and Neighborhood Communication and Emergency Plan
2. Invest in a GOOD set of walkie talkies and check the batteries to make sure they work (check periodically)
3. Try the new food storage recipe - Microwave Carmel Corn

Food Storage Recipe:

Microwave Caramel Corn

Ingredients:

4 quarts hot air popped or Stove Top Method (see below) popped popcorn

1 cup packed brown sugar

½ cup butter

¼ cup honey

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon baking soda

Directions:

Combine sugar, butter, honey and salt in 2 quart microwavable bowl. Microwave on high power for 2 minutes until boiling. Remove from microwave and stir in baking soda. Put popped corn in a large brown paper grocery bag and pour hot syrup mixture over the popped corn. Close bag and shake vigorously. Cook in bag on high power for 1-2 minutes. Remove and shake bag vigorously again. Cook in bag for another 1-2 minutes on high power. Remove and shake bag vigorously again. May need 1-2 more minutes depending on individual microwave. Pour onto a cookie sheet to cool. When cool, about 5 minutes, break apart and store in any airtight bag or container.

Alternate Stove Top Method for popping corn:

• Heat ¼ cup cooking oil and 1/3 cup popcorn (enough to cover bottom of pan no more than 1 kernel deep) into heavy, 3 quart or larger pan with a lid.
• Cover pan and shake over medium high heat, allowing steam to escape while popping.
• Remove pan from heat when popping has stopped.
• Season to taste or leave plain for above recipe.

Popcorn kernels have a shelf life of about 5 years.

September 2010 Challenge

As we prepare ourselves and our families for a disaster, we cannot forget the importance of a portable restroom. If there is a large natural disaster, the city will most likely be forced to shut off all water access and we will not have any functional bathrooms to use. Then what? Are you prepared for that? If not, you will need to grab a shovel and start digging a hole. For those of us who are prepared, we will be very thankful that we took that time to get a "portable potty."

The most common portable potty I have seen are the seats that attach to a 5 gallon bucket. Add a little cat litter to the bucket and you will never regret it!

Our challenge this month is:

1. Purchase a "Portable Potty" Toilet Seat and Lid
2. Buy Extra Toilet Paper, Garbage Bags, and Hygiene Supplies
3. Try New Food Storage Recipe - Whole Wheat Bread

Here is a quick link where you can purchase a "portable potty":

http://beprepared.com/category.asp?start=12&c=420&c2c=ln&name=Sanitation&Hygiene&bhcd2=1284414671

There are also some other hygiene items listed in that section as well.

Food Storage Recipe - Whole Wheat Bread

Ingredients for a Bosch Mixer:

4 cups hot water
2 T yeast (room temp)
1/3 cup oil
1 cup honey
1 T salt
1 1/2 T dough enhancer*
1/2 cup gluten*
7 cups whole wheat kernels, freshly ground into flour (yields 9 cups flour)

Ingredients for a KitchenAid Mixer:

2 cups hot water
1 T yeast (room temp)
1/4 cup oil
1/2 cup honey
1/2 T salt
1 T dough enhancer*
1/4 cup gluten*
4 cups whole wheat kernels, freshly ground into flour (yields 5 cups flour)

Directions:

Place yeast and hot water in mixing bowl with dough hook. Let stand five minutes to proof yeast. Add oil, honey, salt, dough enhancer and gluten, mix until blended. Add all but 1 cup of freshly ground flour. Mix. Add just enough extra flour so that dough does not stick to sides of mixer. Mix for 12 minutes. Remove kneaded dough from mixer and place on buttered surface. (Spray counter with “Pam”) Separate into four equal parts (for Bosch recipe) or 2 equal parts (if using KitchenAid or smaller mixer.) Shape into loaves and place into greased bread pans. Cover with lint free cloth and let rise one hour. Bake at 325 degrees for 35 minutes. Remove immediately from pans and let cool on rack.

- Dough enhancer keeps bread from crumbling.

- Gluten help bread rise higher and fluffier and gives bread a chewy texture.

(Available at most Health Food Stores including Mother’s Market and Sprouts)