Enrichment Night Idea: Food Storage-Emergency Essentials

Be Prepared

Enrichment Night

Three Centers: Have a five minute presentation. Pass out information. Ask women to share experiences or ideas with each other. Watch YouTube videos.

Center Ideas:
72 Hour Kits, Gardening without a lot of space, How to cook and enjoy freeze dried and dehydrate food (with samples), Building a 3-Month Supply, Cooking without electricity, How to store water, etc.

Reward For Participation: Everyone that visits a center gets a sticker.
Candy Bar Wrappers
http://lds.about.com/od/visualmusicalaids/a/bar_wrappers_3.htm
http://lds.about.com/library/bl/aids/blbar_prepared1.htm
http://lds.about.com/library/bl/aids/blbar_prepared2.htm
http://lds.about.com/library/bl/aids/blbar_prepared3.htm

Website Resources:
http://preparedldsfamily.blogspot.com

http://everydayfoodstorage.net/

http://mormonfoodstorage.blogspot.com/

http://safelygatheredin.blogspot.com/

http://www.preparednessnibblesandbits.blogspot.com/

http://www.providentliving.org/

http://www.squarefootgardening.com/

http://www.pickyourown.org/

http://www.theideadoor.com/FoodStorage.html

YouTube Videos:
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=&search_query=food+storage&aq=f

Pandemic Anti-Viral Shots

We had stake conference this past weekend. Leif and I were unable to go to the Saturday night session. However his grandparents told us what the subject was. Can you guess? "If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear!" The whole night was dedicated to counseling about family food and emergency preparedness.

A couple of weeks prior to Stake Conference our bishop announced in Sacrament Meeting that the county health department were allowing us to reserve anti viral shots for our family for When a flu pandemic comes through (not IF!) The subject was reemphasized during stake conference. Leif and I decided that we would heed the counsel. We reserved our shots and they will be available when we need them. This means that if they start running out, we are guaranteed what we need, when we need it.

This brings us comfort!

Solar Cookers - Solar Ovens

As I was studying the different plans that people have about ways to cook food without electricity I came upon a really neat idea. This Summer our little family will be filling our time with all kinds of unusual summer projects. Building a Solar Oven may just be on the To-Do list. I will let you know. Either way, this is a great resource for anyone who is looking for alternative cooking methods for during emergencies and power outages.

There is a whole organization devoted to educating the public about Solar Cookers. Here is their website: Solar Cooking. You will find all of the information that you need on this website. There is also a woman who is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints that shares her experience and expertise in cooking with a Solar Oven. You can find her information on The Idea Door Website.

Home Essentials List

Home Essentials for our Family of two adults and 2 or 3 children. The scenario planned for is that we are at home with no water (in pipes), and no electricity in sight for more then two days.

Bathroom
Portable Toilet
Heavy Duty plastic garbage bags or a Bucket
Privacy Tarps or tent
Toilet Paper
Deodorizer
Sanitary Hand Wipes
Portable Solar Shower
Shampoo and Conditioner
Body Soap
Lotion
Deodorant
Toothpaste
Toothbrush
Tampons/Pads

Kitchen
Paper and Plastic: Plates, bowls, cups, utensils
Wash Basin
Dish Soap
Generator –OR-
Lantern and Mantles
Oil Lamps and Oil
Solar Lamps
Solar Oven
Tin Foil
Charcoal
Lighter fluid
Matches
Dutch Oven

Laundry Room
Wash Basin
Laundry Soap
Clothes Line
Clothes Pins

Under The Sink (cleaning supplies)
Bleach
All Purpose Cleaner
Baking Soda

Baby Supplies
Diapers
Wipes
Rash ointment
Baby Powder
Formula
Baby Food
Gripe Water

Pandemic Precautions: N95 Respirator Mask

According to CNN.com: "The World Health Organization on Wednesday raised its pandemic alert to 5, its second-highest level, warning of widespread human infection from the swine flu outbreak that originated in Mexico.Dr. Margaret Chan, the U.N. agency's director-general, said the decision to raise the alert on the 6-point scale indicated that all countries should "immediately" activate pandemic preparedness plans.

"This change to a higher phase of alert is a signal to governments, to ministries of health and other ministries, to the pharm industry and the business community that certain actions now should be taken with increased urgency and at an accelerated pace," Chan said."

With this alert, it isn't too surprising that today we ordered our N95 Respirator Masks to add to our Ark. We live in a small town so we went to Amazon.com for a better selection. I wanted the masks with the exhale vent so my glasses won't fog up. It calms me to know that they are on their way.

Even though the Swine Flu isn't as horrible as other things that could become a world wide problem like a Pandemic, we feel it a good idea to be prepared regardless of what is in the air today. We never know what tomorrow will bring. This eases any fear just a little bit more.