Food Storage Made Easy

Some time ago I discovered the book "I Can't Believe It's Food Storage". It is a great resource for using your long term food storage in your every day meals. The book starts out with ideas of how to introduce using food storage to your family, including Family Home Evening ideas. Then it has several sections wheat, beans, etc. The recipes are easy and yummy . More than that though it helps you to see all the possibilities with the recipes you already have.

I discovered the author of the book, Crystal Godfrey, shares a set of sister blogs with 2 other women. The set is one of the most helpful places for provident living that I have found. The first blog is all about planning for emergency preparedness and for your food storage. You can find it here:

Food Storage Made Easy

The last post they made gave a great handout you can print (you need to download the PDF file). It has some great lists for a family plan, disaster kit and evacuation. Just a couple of days ago they made a post on powdered milk that would go well with the information on the blog I posted earlier. If you are barely starting your food storage (and if you're not) they start you out with baby steps. One of the great things they have is software to help you plan for 3 month food storage.

The next blog is:

This blog gives you ideas on finding items for good prices, recommends products, helps you budget and gives resources for buying different items.

The last blog is Everyday Food Storage. The author of this blog is the one who wrote the book I talked about above. She has a wealth of information on using your food storage.

Food Storage Fair

Lois just brought me word of a Food Storage Fair on Saturday, May 1. It will be at Weber State. If you click on the link there is another link to the class schedule. Some of the classes sound pretty interesting to me. Check it out. :)

Powdered Milk Taste Test

Ever wonder what kind of powdered milk tastes best? I ran across a blog about preparedness that did a taste test. They tasted 10 kinds of milk. 2 powdered milk alternatives, 2 regular non-instant powdered milks, 5 instant powdered milks, and regular skim milk. It might be worth it to check out the results: Taste Test.

Making Granola

It's been on my mind a lot lately to share about making granola. I love granola, but the price always seem to be steep. On a message board I visit I learned how to make it. Several generous friends shared their recipes with me and I'd like to share them with you. Making granola is easy and it's wonderful to be able to add what you want and what you don't. The price probably isn't that much cheaper than what you buy in the store (I haven't calculated it), but it is a good way to use food storage.

Mama's Granola

1.5 c canola oil
1.5 c honey
8 c rolled oats
1 c raw sliced almonds
1 c raw walnuts (broken)
1 c raw sunflower seeds
1 c flake coconut
1 c powdered milk
1/2 c whole wheat flour

Pour oil into 4c measuring cup. Add honey. Set aside. Mix dry ingredients. Pour in honey & oil; stir until well blended (no dry spots).

Turn into large broiler pan. Bake in pre-heated 300* oven (middle rack) 30 min. Take out and pour back into same mixing bowl. Stir. Return to pan. Bake 15 min & repeat process one more time. (TOTAL BAKING TIME: 1 hour)

When finished pour back into bowl to cool, adding raisins or chopped dates, if desired. Stir occasionally as it cools down.

Heart Healthy Granola (from Skeezics)

Mix in large bowl:

6 cups of rolled oats
2/3 cup wheat germ
2/3 cup of brown sugar
1-tsp cinnamon
pinch of salt
2/3 cup chopped almonds
2/3 cup large seeds (sunflower,pepita, pumpkin)
2/3 cup small seeds (flax and sesame)

Mix in small bowl:

2/3 cup of canola oil
1/2 cup of honey
2 tsp. Vanilla

Combine both mixtures, spread on a large, deep oiled pan. Bake at 350 Degrees for 20-30 minutes,stirring 1/2 way through , until golden.

Pour granola back into bowl and stir while granola is cooling. This helps it to dry completely. once completely dry you can store it in an airtight container. Dried fruit may be added after baking.

My friends taught me to play with it. Exchange some nuts for others. Add a little bit less oil. Use almond extract instead of vanilla. One friend even adds mini chocolate chips after it cools (you could do it before as well!) . The chocolate was well received at our house.

Getting Started

This blog was mainly created for my Riverton, UT ward. I am the Provident Living specialist. Of course others are welcome to read as well. My plan is to include group buys on food storage and emergency preparedness items, share links to other websites and blogs, give reviews on books and maybe even include a recipe or two from time to time.

Most of the information I get about good prices comes from the Pinching Your Pennies (PYP) website. The people there have been amazing in helping others shop smarter. If you want to be a better shopper I would highly suggest spending some time there. If you don't have a lot of time to look through the entire site I suggest going to the links for individual stores and printing out a shopping list. After you have done it once it is very easy to do.

Have Patience Please

I'll have this up and running soon.