Ark Prep 101 - CONTEST!

Are you ready for a TEST?

We have covered quite a few different subjects under the topic of

Emergency Preparedness.

So . . . I thought NOW would be a great time to see

what you've learned.

The First Two People to finish the TEST with 100% will

WIN a Thanksgiving Surprise!

Are YOU Ready?

Question #1:

What is the most inexpensive and accessible,

but most often forgotten

Emergency Preparedness Item YOU should have stored?

Question #2:

How much of this item should YOU store per person?

Question #3:

What is the first thing YOU should do if a fire starts in your home?

Question #4:

A _______________ is a plan that families should have ready

in case of an emergency.

Question #5:

If your home were to burn to the ground, what is the one

thing YOU would need to take with you . . . besides your family,

to make the process of starting over again an easier process?

Question #6:

Name 10 items you should have stored in your 72 Hour Kits.

This question may have several different answers,

but as long as the 10 you have are on the list,

YOU'RE GOOD!

Question #7:

According to the LDS Cannery Order Form . . .

How long can YOU store wheat?

Question #8:

Name 5 things you can do with wheat.

Question #9:

If I were canning green beans, would I use a

Steamer, Waterbath Canner, or a Pressure Canner?

Question #10:

How long should you process a pint of chicken?

Bonus Question:

Explain the difference between Freeze Dried and Dehydrated.

Here's the Test PDF:

Ark Prep 101 Test PDF

Good Luck EVERYONE!!!

Winners will be posted by:

3:00 pm TODAY!

Ark Prep 101 - Top 100 Items List!

Top 100 Items
You Might Want to Store!

I found this list in with some of my preparedness stuff

and thought you might like to see what items

made the TOP 100 LIST!

So, Here Goes . . .

1. Generators

2. Water Filters/Purifiers

3. Portable Toilets

4. Guns, Ammo, Pepper Spray, Knives, Clubs, Bats, Slingshots.

5. Duct Tape

6. Cook stoves (Alcohol, Propane, Coleman, Kerosene)

7. Fuels

8. Garden Seeds (Non-Hybrid A MUST)

9. Feminine Hygiene, Skin products, hair care, deodorant

10. Shampoo, Toothbrush/paste, Mouthwash, floss, nail clippers

11 Shaving supplies (razors, creams, talc, aftershave)

12. Baby wipes, oils, waterless & Antibacterial soap (saves water)

13. Propane Cylinders (Urgent: Definite shortages will occur)

14. Flashlights, LIGHTSTICKS, torches

15. Lantern Hangers

16. Mantles: Aladdin, Coleman, etc

17. Candles

18. Matches {"Strike Anywhere" preferred.)

19. Lamp Oil, Wicks, Lamps

20. Charcoal, Lighter Fluid

21. Carbon Monoxide Alarm (battery powered)

22. Coleman's Pump Repair Kit

23. Propane Cylinder Handle-Holder (Urgent: Small canister use is dangerous without this item)

24. Gasoline Containers (Plastic & Metal)

25. Hand can openers, hand eggbeaters, whisks

26. Cast iron cookware (sturdy, efficient)

27. Insulated ice chests (good for keeping items from freezing)

28. Aluminum Foil Reg. & Heavy Duty (Cooking and Barter Item)

29. Garbage Bags (Impossible To Have Too Many)

30. Toilet Paper, Kleenex, Paper Towels

31. Paper plates/cups/utensils (stock up, folks)

32. Clothes pins/line/hangers (A MUST)

33. Washboards, Mop Bucket w/wringer (for Laundry)

34. Laundry Detergent (liquid)

35. Bleach (plain, NOT scented: 4 to 6% sodium hypo chlorite)

36. Paraffin wax

37. Fire Extinguishers (or Baking Soda in every room)

38. Batteries (all sizes...buy furthest-out for Expiration Dates)

39. First aid kits

40. Boy Scout Handbook / also Leaders Catalog

41. Survival Guide and Emergency First Aid Books

42. Water Containers (Urgent Item to obtain.) Any size. Small: HARD CLEAR PLASTIC ONLY ( food grade if for drinking)

43. Garbage cans Plastic (great for storage, water transporting - if with wheels)

44. Hand pumps & siphons (for water and for fuels)

45. Atomizers (for cooling/bathing)

46. Writing paper/pads/pencils, solar calculators

47. Journals, Diaries & Scrapbooks

48. Board Games, Cards, Dice

49. Reading glasses

50. Scissors, fabrics & sewing supplies

51. Canning supplies, (Jars/lids/wax)

52. Knives & Sharpening tools: files, stones, steel

53. Bow saws, axes and hatchets. Wedges (also, honing oil)

54. Tarps/stakes/twine/nails/rope/spikes

55. Garden tools & supplies

56. Sleeping Bags & blankets/pillows/mats

57. Cots & Inflatable mattresses

58. Backpacks, Duffel Bags

59. Fishing supplies/tools

60. Rice - Beans - Wheat

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

62. Milk - powdered & condensed

63. Popcorn, Peanut Butter, Nuts

64. Dehydrated fruits, vegetables

65. Graham crackers, saltines, pretzels. Trail mix/Jerky

66. Chocolate/Cocoa/Tang/Punch (water enhancer's)

67. Honey, Syrups, white/ brown sugar

68. Garlic, spices & vinegar, baking supplies

69. Soy sauce, vinegar, bouillon, gravy, soup base

70. Canned Salmon Fish

71. Vegetable Oil (for cooking)

72. Flour, yeast, salt

73. Teas
(Herbal . . . of course!)

74. Coffee
(Hot Chocolate . . . Yeah, that works for me!)

75. Chewing gum/candies

76. Vitamins, Minerals, Medications, etc.

77. Sweatshirts/pants

78. Hats & cotton neckerchiefs

79. Gloves: Work/warming/gardening, etc.

80. Socks, Underwear, T-shirts, etc. (extras)

81. Woolen clothing, scarves/ear-muffs/mittens

82. Work boots, belts, Levis & durable shirts

83 Thermal underwear (Tops & Bottoms)

84. Rain gear, rubberized boots, etc.

85. Baby Supplies: Diapers/formula, ointments/aspirin, etc.

86. "Survival-in-a-Can"

87. Mosquito coils/repellent, sprays/creams

88. Mousetraps, Ant traps & cockroach magnets

89. d-con Rat poison, MOUSE PRUFE II, Roach Killer

90. Screen Patches, glue, nails, screws, nuts & bolts

91. Glue, nails, nuts, bolts, screws, etc.

92. Roll-on Window Insulation Kit (MANCO)

93. Cigarettes
(I'm thinkin' fire starters might go here instead!)

94. Wine/Liquors (for bribes, medicinal, etc.,)
(Dr. Pepper works for ME!)

95. Lumber (all types)

96. Wagons & carts (for transport to and from)

97. Seasoned Firewood.

98. Bicycles...Tires/tubes/pumps/chains, etc

99. Big Dogs (and plenty of dog food)
(I'm kind of partial to little dogs myself!)

100. Goats, chickens

Phew . . . we made it!

So, how did you do?

Here's the PDF:

(Just in case you want to check the things you have, off of the list!)

Top 100 List PDF

I have to say . . . there were a few things
I won't be stocking,

BUT it did give me a lot to think about!

Ark Prep 101 - Beyond the Basics!

I promised INFORMATIVE and FUN as part of today's posts,

So . . . we'll start with the informative!

Every good food storage starts with the

BASICS

Wheat

Rice

Beans and Legumes

Oats

Oil

Salt

and Milk!

I don't know about you, but I would like a little bit more variety

in my menu options . . . for sure!

DEHYDRATED fruits and vegetables

would be a great addition to any food storage and . . .

 YOU can do it at home.

This website:

Dehydrate 2 Store

 Is where I learned how to dehydrate my own

fruits and veggies.

She is a GREAT TEACHER!

You'll be amazed at the possibilities.

Plan on spending some time watching her

How To Videos

She'll take you through the process

STEP BY STEP!

The website will also teach you how to

store the fruits and veggies you dehydrate.

Give it a try . . . You'll be pleasantly surprised at the results,

plus you'll save money

by doing it on your own!

Good Luck!

Ark Prep 101 - Infant Care!

It's all about BABIES TODAY!

I think that in an EMERGENCY, taking care of our children

should be High On Our List.

Can you imagine NOT having any Formula, Bottles, or Diapers?

(I seriously have a soft spot for babies . . . soooo cute!)

Here's a List of the Basics

You Should Have On Hand:

Formula

Diapers

Wet Wipes

Diaper Rash Ointment

Bottles

Binky's

Blankets

and

A Few Extra Outfits

You Might Also Think of Including:

Medicine for Fever Relief

Pedialite

Ear Drops

A Bulb Syringe

and

A Few Toys

Keep these items in an extra diaper bag or duffel bag.

So . . . What do you do if you CAN'T get Formula?

So Stinkin' Cute . . . I can't stand it!

Here's a Recipe for

Emergency Baby Formula:

Ingredients:

1/3 cup plus 2 Tbsp. Instant Powdered Milk

OR

1/4 cup Non Instant Powdered Milk

1 1/2 cup Boiled Water

1 Tbsp. Oil

2 tsp. Sugar

Instructions:

Mix Powdered milk and water together.

Blend thoroughly.

Add oil and sugar.

If baby bottles are not available,

milk can be spoon fed to an infant.

Here's a Recipe for Soy Milk Formula:

Soy milk is a good substitute for any one that is allergic

to cow's milk.

Soak 2 cups Soybeans for 12 hours.

Change the water frequently.

Grind soaked, raw beans with a fine blade in a food grinder.

Add 6 cups water to the beans in a large pan.

Cook until foamy for 1 hour.

Put through a blender, then strain through a cheesecloth.

Refrigerate.

Emergency Baby Food:

Ingredients:

3/4 cup Cereal Grain

1/4 cup Beans

Instructions:

Boil until soft, then press through a sieve.

Boil again to insure that it is bacteria free.

This will provide good protien and iron, as well as calories.

This can be fed to infants under 6 months if adequate milk is not

available, but it must be pureed to a fine texture.

(Vicki Tate)

Teething Sticks:

Ingredients:

2/3 cup Milk

1 Tbsp. Brown Sugar

1 cup Whole-Wheat Flour (approximately)

4 Tbsp. Butter, Melted and Cooled

1 cup Untoasted Wheat Germ

Instructions:

Beat together the milk, butter, and sugar.

Stir in the wheat germ and enough flour to make a dough.

Knead until smooth and satiny, about 8-10 minutes.

Pinch off balls of dough and roll them into sticks

about 1/2-inch thick and 4-inches long.

Bake on a greased cookie sheet at 350 degrees

for 45 minutes or until browned and hard.

Cool the sticks before giving them to your baby to teethe on.

ALWAYS supervise any child with a teething stick.

(Lorraine Dalton)

(Yep . . . that's a Muggins!)

Diaper Rash Reliever:

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp. Powdered Chamomile Flowers

1/4 cup Cornstarch

Instructions:

Add cornstarch and FINELY powdered chamomile

to a container with a shaker top.

Cover, and shake it into a mix.

At every diaper changing, shake the mixture on baby's bottom

until evenly dusted with a thin coating.

*HINT*

If rash persists, dab garlic oil onto rash areas.

It might be stinky . . . but I hear it works!

Make sure you take some time this week

to put a few things aside for YOUR BABY just in case!

Grandma's . . . It wouldn't hurt to have a few

extra baby items on hand for when the tinies come to visit. 

You're one more VERY IMPORTANT STEP closer

to being PREPARED NOT SCARED!

Ark Prep 101!

Filling our Spiritual Arks is just as important as filling our

Temporal Arks.  Each will be important for your family's survival.

The talks given this past weekend during Conference

were filled with council and guidance that will help us to

be prepared for each.

HERE'S YOUR CHALLENGE:

Take a few minutes TODAY

to see where you are.

What areas could use a little bit of work?

What can you do to be more Spiritually Prepared?

What can you do to be more Temporally Prepared?

Set some goals that will help you to keep your focus

and help you follow through.

I know that during the next couple of months I would like to:

Up-Date My Cold Weather Clothing,

Spend MORE TIME Teaching My Boys About

THEIR Priesthood Responsibilities,

Increase My Scripture Reading To More Study Time,

Continue Working Toward Becoming

COMPLETELY Debt Free,

Attend the Temple WEEKLY,

and

Make Sure That My Home Is In Complete Order.

With the help of my Heavenly Father, I know that I will be

able to reach my goals.

Take the Challenge . . . See what happens in your HOME!

When you include the Lord in your plans,

GREAT THINGS CAN HAPPEN!

(P.S.)

I posted a comment I received under my

Vital Records Post on Sunday.

It was NOT SO VERY POSITIVE . . . AT ALL,

BUT I think that the intentions were meant to help others.

I have a lot of fun ideas for Halloween, but I don't want to take

away from the importance of being prepared.

I feel like we are meant to have fun along the way, but was

told in this comment,

that this was not the appropriate place to do so.

Please know that I pray daily for help in knowing what I should post.

I feel a great responsibility to TEACH and ENCOURAGE

the people I care about . . . so that they can BE PREPARED.

I always make sure that I post those things

that are of most importance first.

I am grateful for the talents I have been blessed with

and I love to share. 

That's why I give EVERYTHING I create FOR FREE!

My intentions are not to make money or become famous.

I just want to do my calling to the BEST OF MY ABILITY!

If you feel like there is an area of preparedness

that I need to spend more time on . . . let me know

and I will make it my priority!

Sincerely, Trish

Ark Prep 101 - Inventory!

Conference time is the PERFECT time to do an

INVENTORY UP-DATE!

I'm sure you've been looking forward to this one with

great anticipation and excitement!

In Fact . . . it's probably keeping you up at night just thinking

about how much FUN the whole process is going to be.

(OK, so maybe that's just me!)

I LOVE INVENTORY DAY . . . JUST HANGING OUT IN

"MY SMITH'S!"

(Seriously, that's what I call my food storage room . . . Smith just happens to be my last name, so it works for me!)

Taking stock of what you have stored can be a long process

for some, while others can be done in 10 minutes.

I hope you spend the whole day taking inventory!

(Unless you're Food Storage is UBER ORGANIZED.  The 10 minute plan has me a little concerned about how much food you have stored.)

The Macey's case lots sale is happening NOW,

and some of the others stores have already had their sales,

so NOW is the PERFECT TIME!

I did a post a while back that included different inventory sheets

and ideas for keeping track of what you have stored.

Here's that Link:

Food Storage and Emergency Preparedness Inventory List Link and PDF

This is a great opportunity to share your testimony

about the importance of being obedient to the counsel given by

Prophets and Apostles,

BY EXAMPLE as well as BY WORD

by making sure you include them in the process.

Do a quick check of your Emergency Supplies while you're at it.

72 Hour Kits

Check to make sure you can still recognize

the food you have stored.

72 Hour Kit Conference Picnics

are a great way to keep your food

from going bad.

Just DON'T FORGET to add

the new food at the same time!

Shelters

Do you have a tent?  Does it still have all the poles?

Do a quick check to make sure all the parts and pieces

are still there and that your shelter plan still works.

If you don't have a tent,

Make sure you have either some tarps, or heavy plastic

and some rope.

One last thing . . . Make sure you know

where everything is!

Heat

Blankets, Sleeping Bags, Fire.

(DO YOU HAVE MATCHES to start the fire?)

How will you stay warm if the power goes out this winter?

Just a little something to think about!

Water

Water is soooo important to have on hand.

It's needed for cooking, cleaning, and drinking.

Now is the time to fill those EMPTY barrels

you've had in your garage

FOREVER!

Add a few cases of bottled water and don't throw away

your laundry soap containers. 

They're a perfect way to store water

for cleaning and sanitation.

If you've had your water barrels filled for a while,

now is the time to add new water.

Light

Time to check the batteries in the flashlights,

assuming you HAVE flashlights and batteries.

Candles and Lanterns are also great options.

Make sure you have the fuel for your lanterns

Ways to Cook WITHOUT Power

Solar Ovens, Dutch Ovens, Camp Stoves and Butane Stoves

are great options for cooking.

Are you ready?

Do you have a way to cook or prepare meals?

Do you have the fuel to use with the equiptment you have?

If your answer was "NO!" Now is the time to add this part of

preparedness into your planning and budget.

Challenge:

Prepare a meal this conference weekend

WITHOUT POWER!

It's a great time to practice!

Warm Clothing

The key to staying warm is LAYERING!

Make sure you have warm winter coats, gloves, boots,

scarves, hats, wool socks, and lots of layers.

Most importantly . . . make sure you are

storing the right sizes!

Fuel

Storing fuel can be a little bit more difficult, but if

you can store at least a little, you will be in better shape

than if you have stored nothing at all.

The price of fuel just seems to keep rising, so get what

you can store and make sure that it is stored properly.

One more thing . . .

NEVER LET YOUR CAR GO PAST HALF-FULL!

Long lines of cars waiting at gas stations

before or after emergencies are definately something

I want to avoid!

Make sure you have posted your

Grab 'n Go List as well as your

Emergency Evacuation Information!

Last but not least . . .

Make sure you are caught up on your

Vital Records Binder!

Looks like it's time to GO TO WORK!

Check back later today

oops . . . I mean tomorrow

for a

SpOoKy FuN

Halloween Decoration!

Ark Prep 101 - Things Change When Emergencies Hit Close to Home!

Photo By:  James Wray

The fire in Herriman was a 

sad reminder of just how quickly

things can go from a regular day

to an

EMERGENCY SITUATION.

We were in the Cove Fort Fire in 2007.

We had gone to visit my husband's parents

who were serving their mission in that area.

The fire that at first seemed so far away,

surrounded us in a matter of minutes.

The campground was filled with smoke which

made the evacuation even more difficult.

We had to load up the camper and evacuate

the area very quickly. 

I think the scariest moment was when my oldest

son left the motorhome just as we were ready

to drive off.  He was worried about his grandma

having to drive alone in her car, so he had

gone to ride with her without telling any of us

about his plan.

Thankfully everyone was ok.

We learned a lot that day!

I know that I posted the "Grab 'n Go" List a while ago,

but this just seemed like a good time to bring it out again.

(Thanks goes to Natalie for thinking of it!)

Here's the PDF:

Emergency Grab 'N Go List PDF

{Post this list on the door of a coat closet or somewhere EASY to get to!}

Remember, to practice, practice, practice!

Give everyone his or her assignments and then

walk them through and show them exactly what to do.

The list is broken down into different times.

Sometimes you have only minutes

and other times you may have up to an hour.

In a Emergency Situation

EVERY MINUTE COUNTS.

WITH A PLAN . . .

YOU WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE THE MOST

OF EVERY MINUTE!

Ark Prep 101 - "Family Survivor!"

Conference Weekend is coming up

and it's the Perfect Time

to gather the

Whole Family Together

to brush up on your

PREPAREDNESS SKILLS

We get together once a year as a family

for a Fun Family Retreat!

We spend the night in my parents backyard.

There are tents and people everywhere!

WE LOVE IT!

We usually have a theme to base our

activities around.

 Shows like . . .

Fear Factor, The Apprentice, and Survivor!

Next year I'm thinkin' Chopped would be a fun one.

This is a great opportunity to get the teenagers involved,

especially if they like a little healthy competition!

We based "OUR Survivor" on

President Hinckley's B's

but I found some great ideas on Sugardoodle

that would bring the Emergency Preparedness Part

into your activity!

Here's the Link:

Family "Survivor" Activity

Link #2:

Survivor Enrichment Activity

Here are a few of the photos from our Survivor Activity:

Our Goal was to:

Get Our Torches Lit with the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

The "Survivor" reality TV show puts the torches

out when a player is voted off.

We set these torches up in the front yard of my parent's home

the last day of our retreat.  Before each person lit their torch,

my mom and dad bore powerful testimonies.

It was a great way to finish things off.

There were 37 torches . . . it was an AMAZING sight!

This is a picture of the family on top of the "H" in Henefer.

Be Still is one of the B's, so we hiked to the top

and just enjoyed the view!

We played a few games on the hill.

The teenagers loved the challenges!

This is a picture of my family.

Our color is blue . . . wonder if the 4 boys had something to do with that!?!

We all wore bandanas in our colors.

The backyard was filled with tents in every shape and size.

The kids did their best but . . .

in the end it was Grandma that blew everyone away!

We watched movies outside in the dark and we

hooked up the video games for the TEENAGER'S

to play that night, but the dad's ended up taking over!

Remember to make sure you have

games and challenges

for every age.

The most important part of this activity

was what it did for our family.

It's true that a family that plays together . . .

stays together! 

Ark Prep 101 - It's National Preparedness Month!

It's National Preparedness Month!

September is a great time to stock up on Preparedness Items.

Many of the stores are offering huge discounts to celebrate!

Here are a few of the places you might want to check out:

Emergency Essentials

The Ready Store

The American Red Cross

Wise Foods

Quake Kare

First Aid Store

EDP Emergency and Disaster Prep

More to Come . . . Later Today!

Ark Prep 101 - Cooking Without Electricity!

It's been an interesting week at the Smith house.

All four of our main kitchen appliances stopped working

a couple of weeks ago.  We ended up having to purchase

a new stove, dishwasher, fridge, and microwave.

Oh, the JOY!

After the sticker shock wore off, we were actually excited to have

them delivered and installed,

 but then we remembered . . .

We closed on our house on FRIDAY THE 13th.

I look back now and wonder what we were thinking.

We haved had to replace everything including the gravel

and the cement floor in the basement.

It used to stress me right out, but now I just expect

a little challenge.

To make a long story short . . .

The NEW dishwasher doesn't work.

The NEW fridge has to be replaced because of injuries sustained

as a result of the installation.

When the NEW stove was plugged in, it exploded and shot

fire out the top leaving a burn mark on my backsplash.

BUT THE GOOD NEWS . . .

The microwave works like a charm, I think!?!

I'm still trying to figure out how it works.

Sometimes my husband and I just sit on the porch and laugh.

(It keeps us from crying!)

There is NEVER a dull moment here!

So, you're probably wondering why you needed to read

all about my adventures at home . . . trust me,

there is a reason.

Without a stove or an oven making dinner this week has

provided great opportunities to think outside of the box.

We have used the crockpot, the grill, and the microwave, but

there are a lot more options for cooking without electricity.

1st Option:
The Propane Stove
(Small Propane Stove)

(Large Propane Cook Stove)

2nd Option:
Volcano Stove

3rd Option:
Propane Oven

4th Option:
Sun Oven

5th Option:

Dutch Oven

6th Option:

Butane Stoves

7th Option:
Wonder Box Stye Thermal Cooker

8th Option:

Over the Fire

9th Option:

Wall Tent Camp Stove

10th Option:

BBQ Grill

11th Option:

Kerosene Stoves

It's important to make sure that you have the fuel for

whatever option you choose to use.

It's also important to know how to use the items you have

on hand.  During an emergency is probably not the best time to

learn how to use your equiptment.
I will be posting specific information on each of the options
I have shown above next Tuesday.
Just for FUN . . .

Try making foil dinners outside with the family.
They don't take very long and the kids will have a
great time peeling their own potatoes and making their
own hamburger patties!
Follow it up with some S'mores

and you'll be a FaVoRiTe for sure!