August 2010 Challenge

This months challenge is a fun one if you love to camp. If a disaster strikes we need to make sure that we have some sort of shelter to sleep in. Even if you like to sleep under the stars, you will want a shelter to keep you out of the sun, away from bugs and away from bad weather. Below is the monthly challenge with some interesting links to check out:

1. Acquire a Family Tent
2. Take the Family Camping
3. Try New Food Storage Recipe - Dutch Oven Peach Cobbler

Here are a few links to help in your search for a family tent with all different price ranges:

• http://www.hutshop.com/cateforbigan.html
• http://www.walmart.com/browse/Camping-Tents/_/N-2p57Zaq90Zaqce/Ne-2p4g?ic=48_0&ref=125872.125899&tab_value=35532_All&catNavId=4128&fromPageCatId=4128&catNavId=4128&adid=1500000000000023105360
• http://www.rei.com/category/4500001_Tents+and+Shelters
• http://www.thenorthface.com/catalog/sc-gear/equipment-tents.html
• http://www.lifecubeinc.com/

Food Storage Recipe - Dutch Oven Peach Cobler

2 cans peaches (homemade canned peaches are even better)

Butter

1 Vanilla Cake Mix

Cinnamon

Brown Sugar

Oil or Shortening

Directions:
1. Lightly coat the inside of the dutch oven with cooking oil or shortening
2. Pour contents of the 2 cans/bottles of peaches into the dutch oven
3. Pour the dry Vanilla cake mix on top of the peaches
4. Add several pats (thin slices) of butter evenly spaced on the dry cake mix – about 5-6 total
5. Lightly dust the top of the dry cake mix with the cinnamon and brown sugar

Place 8-10 hot briquettes on the bottom of the dutch oven and 18-20 pieces on top of the oven. This will create an oven-like cooking environment within the dutch oven. Cook the peach cobbler for ~38 minutes and check to see if it is done. It will be done if you can put a fork in the cake mix and the fork comes out clean. If it is not done, check again every 5 minutes.

Be extra careful that you don’t spill the ashes from the top of the oven when you are checking to see if the cake is done. There is nothing worse than having to dig out ashes from the top of a steaming peach cobbler.

July 2010 Challenge

This months challenge is all about FIRE SAFETY. Make sure you and your family (especially little children) know what to do in case of a fire. Do you live in a 2 story house? Do your children know how to safely get out of their rooms on the second story if a fire has trapped them in their room? These are critical questions that we need to ask ourselves and make sure that our families are prepared. Here is July's Monthly Challenge:

1. Purchase a Fire Extinguisher
2. Learn Fire Prevention Techniques
3. Hold a Family "Mock Fire Drill"
4. Try New Food Storage Recipe ~ Homemade Pizza

Food Storage Recipe ~ Homemade Pizza

• 4 cups flour
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp sugar (this is not a typo)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 1/4 cups lukewarm water
• 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/4 cup milk (can use reconstituted non-fat powdered milk)

Mix flour, 1 tsp sugar and salt and set aside

Mix water, 1 tsp sugar & yeast and set aside until it foams at top (5 min)

Add yeast mixture, olive oil and milk to flour mixture. Knead to form dough. Set aside for 30 min to rise. Then punch down and roll out. Spread cornmeal on bottom of preheated pizza pan and place dough on top. Add toppings. Makes 1 large 16" pizza or 2 medium 10" pizzas

Pizza Sauce
1 28 oz can San Marzano Crushed Tomatoes
1 Tbsp. olive oil
2-3 cloves of garlic
1/2 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
Salt and Pepper to taste

In medium saucepan saute garlic, oregano and red pepper in olive oil for 2-3 minutes. Puree tomatoes in blender, add to saucepan. Simmer 10 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Simmer 10 additional minutes. Makes enough for pizza dough recipe above.

Bake in preheated oven @ 450 degrees for 12 - 14 minutes

June 2010 Challenge

This month's challenge is pretty simple, but very much needed. In case of an emergency do you have the needed tools to QUICKLY turn off the gas? What if you needed to break through a door or garage? Do you have a power source or batteries to be able to run other tools? You will want some tools ready and available in a single location.

1. Assemble Emergency Tools (listed below)
2. Try new food storage recipe - Chicken Rice And Roni

Emergency Tools

(Suggested Items Include)

• Head Protection/Hard Hat
• Eye Protection/Goggles
• Heavy Gloves/Leather Gloves
• Dust Masks
• Flashlight/Extra Batteries
• Crow Bar/Pry Bar
• Claw Hammer/Sledge Hammer
• Phillips and Flat Head Screwdrivers
• Hex Tools
• Vice Grip Pliers, Normal Pliers, Wrench
• Shovel
• Hatchet or Axe
• Hand Saw
• 50 Feet of Sturdy Rope
• Duct Tape

Food Storage Recipe:

Chicken Rice And Roni

3/4 cup brown or white rice

1/4 cup spaghetti (broken into 1/4" pieces)

1 tablespoon dry onion

1 tablespoon dry parsley

3 chicken bouillon cubes or 1 tablespoon powdered bouillon

Combine all ingredients (store in Ziploc bags, label and seal, store in pantry). This is enough for 1 package of mix; make several at a time for greater convenience.

To prepare:

2 tablesppons butter

1 package of Rice-A-Roni Mix

2 1/2 cups water

1 tablespoon soy sauce

In a 2 qt. saucepan combine butter, rice mix, soy sauce, and water. Bring to a boil. Place lid on pot and reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer covered for about 45 minutes for brown rice, 20 minutes for white rice.

Oil Spill in th Gulf

The government estimates at up to 2.5 million gallons of oil spew from the well daily. And we can't overlook the 11 workers who died when the Deepwater Horizon rig exploded, triggering the worst spill in U.S. history.

Click HERE for more on the story

Click HERE to see photos of the oil spill

Earthquake off the Coast of Papua New Guinea

A 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Papua New Guinea Thursday June 24, 2010 at 5:32 GMT, but no tsunami warning has been issued.

Tsunami in Indian Ocean

On June 12, 2010 19:26:50 UTC an earthquake of magnitude 7.5 and depth 35km occurred in the Indian Ocean about 150km from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, belonging to India. GDACS issued a red alert, which was later revised to green when more information became available. Tidal gauge measurements from Sri Lanka confirmed the tsunami generation. Click HERE for more information.

Volcano Eruption in Iceland

April 17, 2010 - An increase in activity of the Eyjafjöll volcano in Iceland cause major disruption of air traffic and, with melting glacier water, local floods. Local population density is low, and likelihood for international humanitarian aid therefore too. Currently, GDACS relies on weekly updates from the Smithsonian Institute, which are available on Wednesdays.