Prepare. It Could Happen

I've had quite an adventure with the 12 New Things to Try series. And now we are down to our last one. This is something that I really need to work on and think that everyone, and I mean everyone, can benefit from it.

This has been something preached, taught, and promoted through the tv, Internet, church, etc. But what I find funny is that as much as it is talked about it is not something that has come to pass for most families. And I'm one of them. So I will start now. This is my goal for this year.

I'm talking about food storage and family readiness. I know you're thinking, 'Oh no, not another food storage article!'. Well what I have to say to you if you already have one ,"Good Job". And if you don't. "Listen up!  You're doing this!  Right Now!". Ok I didn't mean to be harsh but this is important! So just deal.

As I'm sure you can tell, crazy things are happening in the world. Natural disasters seem at an all time high, and we need to prepare for what we can. And if you can't get excited about food storage, watch the end of the world movies lol. Like the Day After Tomorrow or the TV show Jericho. (Just started watching that one and I'm only on the 3rd episode and I'm already freaked out). Lol.

Now food storage can seem overwhelming. Trying to think of all the things you may need and in what quantity you need them and where to keep this stuff can be taxing. So we tend to shy away from the issue and think, 'I'll wait until I'm out of an apartment and into a house so I have more room." "I'll wait until I have more money so I can buy a lot of things at once.". And how do I know about these  excuses you ask? Because I've used them. Lol. More than once. So, if you have ever felt this way, put this new thought into your head, "Every little bit here and there added is something I didn't have before.".

You don't have to start big. If you think about it, when you go out to the store next time and you decided to buy an extra case of water . . . You'd been an extra case prepared. And you're already better off then you were before.

So here is 'Erin Go Brawn's Simplified Food Storage Start List'.

1.  Space.
     Look around your home and find an area where you can keep you're extra items like water and food. If you have a home already you might have a big enough pantry to store some extra items or a laundry room with some extra space or even a garage. Now if you are in an apartment I know you don't have a lot of space so what I've discovered is that if you put a table cloth or something over you're end tables you can store stuff under there out of sight.  Or go through the closet that you've been meaning to clean out and do it. Throw items away you don't need anymore and replace them with ones you do.

2.  Water.
     I think is one if the most important. I know that in a major disaster I don't want to be leaving my family to run to the store with everybody else trying to grab any water you can get your hands on. And like I said. Start small. If you can get water barrels go for it. If you can't, buy an extra case of water whenever you can.  Or take 2 liter soda bottles, clean them out after use and fill them with water. Make sure the water is boiled to purify it and cooled before you put into the bottle. Or add household bleach to the water if you don't want to boil it. About 5 drops for 2 liters.

3.  Food

    Treat this the same as water. Buy extra items when you can in the store. Just make a habit of it. It can be fun as well. Make it a goal to buy one extra item every time you go to the store. And like I said. It doesn't have to be big or expensive. A can of green beans will do just fine.
      And let's also not forget the power of gardening. This not only increases your independence on store bought items but what a great way to save a little extra money and use it toward food storage allowance.
    And don't forget the food for your furry friends. Buy extra dog food or cat food just in case.

4.  Important Documents
      I think it is important to double check your important documents and make sure they are all together in a safe place. Perhaps a fire proof box. Some papers are really hard to get again if you lose them. How can you get a copy of your birth certificate if you don't have your social security card, or get you social  security card if you don't have an ID, or get an ID if you don't gave a birth certificate. Vicious, vicious cycle.

5.  Extras
     Don't forget extras like clothes, blankets, or maybe even a tent. Flashlights and a small radio can go a long way.  Make a camping bag. Everything you would need in the forest or camping is pretty much most of the things you would need in an emergency.

6.  Backpack ready
     Get a few bags like from the Goodwill for each member of the family and add items to each that they can use for the immediate time following a disaster. Add a blanket, water bottle, an extra shirt or pair of pants and some non perishable food. And don't forget a book or fun item for each kid. It will really help to take their mind of the situation and may give you some time to focus later on.

7.  Use or lose
    Don't be afraid to use that food storage once you have it. It is not untouchable. If you need it one month then use it. If you really don't want to go out to the store for that one can of beans you forgot to buy then use one from your food storage.  Keep it a constant cycle. This not only gives you the benefit of not going out to the store sometimes, you can replace old items with new items and keep them fresher longer. It will also keep the importance of food storage in your mind if you are able to 'interact' with it every now and then.



So those are my ideas of ways people can prepare themselves for a disaster.  This may seem like a very long post but I didn't really go into specifics, so if you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask.
And if you have any comments as to how you add to your food storage or what makes it easier for you, please post. We can all benefit from each others thoughts.

So this is the end of our new things to try.  And hopefully you've learned a lot or at least tried a few. :). But if there is anything I would want you take away from this adventure, it is . . .  strength. Strength in knowing, strength in doing, and strength in yourself.

Food Love

I love food. Not just like. Love. Which unfortunately isn't the best thing to love. Because that love turns to bigger numbers on my scale. And then I think. I don't love you anymore!  But the love hate relationship continues . . .  So I have to try to balance what I love with what is good for me. :). Easier said then done right?  Completely. 

So the new thing today to try is a new recipe. But this isn't a recipe you can use just one night. You can add the recipe to dinner, lunch, etc. I like to keep this in the fridge and add it to anything. 

Now when I first heard this recipe it contained things I did not like. And I thought no this isn't for me at all. But through the coaxing of my husband I decided to give it a try. And what do you know. When everything is combined the parts I didn't like tasted great. It's the combination I'm telling you. 

Ok these are the items you need. 

Mango. Onion. Red pepper. Yellow pepper. Green pepper. Tomato. Lime juice. Olive oil. 

So all you have to do is chop all these ingredients up and add them all together in a bowl with a squeeze of lime juice and olive oil. But make sure you add the tomatoes very last.  Mix it all together and have it with beans. On top of steak. Chicken. Fish. Quesadilla. It tastes great with it all. And what a great way to get some added vegetables into your diet. 

Now this may sound weird to some of you but I'm telling you it's great. Give it a try and you won't be disappointed. Enjoy!

The Time is NOW!

It's one week until we move up to Sheppard AFB in Wichita Falls Texas. I've got that anxious feeling going now. Where you know something big is going to happen right around the corner but it's not quite here yet so all you do is think about it. Lol.  But, I'm trying to just enjoy the time that I have now before we go up. As much as I can't wait to 'set up house', I am in no hurry for Daryl to start working. I have really enjoyed all of our time off together. And that is certainly going to be something that isn't going to happen very much in the future. 

So this new thing to try for today which is probably one of the hardest. I know it is for me. The goal is to try to change your focus from what's to come, to what's going on right now. We can all get into the habit of constantly thinking of the future. And of course it isn't bad to think about the future but we miss the time as it goes passing by. 

I remember when Daryl was in tech school and he was gone for months, all I thought about was, what can I do to pass the time until he gets here. Now that way of thinking is completely wrong, but we do it oh so often. So instead of being miserable for months and wasting my time away I instead decided to look into the "opportunity of the moment". I asked myself, what can I do to improve myself  or my quality of life in this time. So instead of waiting for the time to pass I decided to go for more walks. Which increased my health and my sappy hormones. I decided to work on genealogy. Which increased my understanding and love of my ancestors. I decided to make hygiene kits for charity. Which not only provided me with more blessings but also comforted those who were in need. I picked up hobbies, one of which you can see on my previous post.  

So what did I gain from all of this?  Happiness instead if despair. Energy instead of laziness. Joy from others instead of pity for my situation. And most importantly strength instead weakness. 

Hobby Time!

I have been very fortunate in life to learn crafting skills here and there from my family. I've always had a real interest in all kinds of crafts. I love starting new projects. I'll spend time researching the project idea, buying all the necessary components, and finally starting it. Problem is that excitement tends to fade away after a while and all I'm left with is a closet full of half finished projects. 

Well I am happy to report that I finally finished one. I kept at it and kept at it. And I think that once we can actually finish a project it'll help us be able to finish another so on and so forth. Well the project that I was able to finish was a cross-stitch pattern. And it's awesome. I even went out and bought a frame for it. It was a graduation present for my hubby for graduating Technical Training School for Air Traffic Control.

 My grandmother makes the most beautiful cross-stitch pictures I have ever seen. It really takes great skill and an amazing amount of patience to complete one. So I started with those little tiny cross-stitch patterns that you can pick up from Walmart. They are like $4 and you can complete them in one day. They are great for learning how to do them. If you ever wanted to try your hand at one these are the way to go. 

So I recommend picking a hobby you've always wanted to try and go for it. Doesn't have to be big, but the excitement of a new project is sure to bring a smile to your face. And there are plenty of things to pick from. Cross-stitch. Painting. Crochet a blanket (which I am also doing as well, but it takes forever and I can't seem to get my edges right so it looks lopsided lol). Making stained glass pictures. My mother-in-law does that and they're beautiful. Make a photo album or a video. (my previous post has my first attempt at making q video). I enjoyed that a lot! And I think it turned out pretty good if I do say so myself. :). I am definitely going to make that one a hobby. Just have to find a good video camera. :) 

So pick something to try or even to continue that you started a while ago. The soothing properties of a simple repetitious project can do wonders on your stress.