Week 1 Start by Adding Peanut Butter to Your Food Storage The plan this week is to add peanut butter to your food storage. Or substitute another nut butter for variety or if you have allergies in your family. An American staple, peanut butter is the almost perfect survival food. It tastes good, is full of nutritious calories, and is an inexpensive protein. And if necessary, it can be eaten as is, right out of the jar. It is one item that you probably won’t have to worry about sitting in your food storage and “going bad” because it will be eaten too fast. The challenge might be keeping enough o ..read more

Most crises will be regional and relatively short-lived. There is a high likelihood that a power outage will accompany them.  Credit-card systems and ATMs will be down, and electronic transfers may not be possible, so a smart preparedness practice is to keep a good supply of cash on hand. Week 52 Preparedness Challenge The preparedness challenge for this week is to make sure you have a supply of cash for emergencies. Have a minimum of several hundred dollars in denominations of ones, fives, tens, and twenties. Smaller denominations are a smart choice because others may not be able or wil ..read more

Eggs are a nutrient-dense super food, and it would be inconvenient to live without them. Eggs are not only a versatile breakfast food, but they are also foundational in quiches, frittatas, crêpes, meringues, custards, French toast, eggnog, puddings, custards, creams, soufflés, etc. Eggs perform vital functions in many recipes and are an important ingredient in baked goods, mayonnaise, sauces, and as a binder in meatloaves and casseroles. You really do want eggs in your food storage! 2022 Preparedness Challenge Week 50 This week the preparedness challenge is to add egg products to your food st ..read more

The preparedness challenge for this week is super basic. Double check and make sure you have basic food that will see your family through an extended emergency. These foods are not the typical American diet, but they will sustain life if food supply chains are interrupted and food is unattainable. You might think of them as “food insurance.”  If you have a good supply of your regular foods, these basic foods can help extend them. They are inexpensive, take up minimal space, and most have a very long shelf life when stored properly. Preparedness Challenge Week 48 This week the challenge is ..read more

Having proper shelter is critical in an emergency. Next to being able to breathe, shelter is the most important requirement for survival. Exposure to extreme conditions, whether hot or cold, can put you in a life-or-death situation. This principle of preparedness is often overlooked, but with a little preparation, you can be warm and secure. Modern Heating Systems Are Vulnerable Most homes are heated with a central furnace system that delivers hot air through ducts. This type of heating system requires fuel such as natural gas or propane to generate hot air. It also requires electricity to run ..read more

This is the traditional baking time of year, so it’s a good time to stock-up on basic baking ingredients. You probably have flour and sugar in your food storage. But what other baking ingredients do you consider indispensable? Watch for baking displays and sales promotions and stock up on your favorite baking supplies. Week 46 Preparedness Challenge This week’s challenge is to inventory and stock up on your favorite baking supplies. Think about the things you frequently bake, then list all the ingredients they call for. Estimate how many times you bake them in a month and that will help you d ..read more

This week’s blog is a continuation of the theme from last week’s blog on soup, the ultimate survival food. In that blog you learned about storing commercially canned soups and dehydrated soup mixes. This week the challenge is to stock up on soup-making ingredients so that you have what you need to make your own favorite homemade soups. With just a few basic ingredients, you will be able to provide a hearty, nutritious meal that can bring a sense of normalcy in crazy times. You probably have your favorite soup recipes. And with abundant regional and ethnic possibilities and bloggers eager to s ..read more

Soup might be called the ultimate survival food. With just a few basic ingredients, soup provides a hearty, nutritious meal. Week 44 Preparedness Challenge This week the preparedness challenge is to add prepared soups, soup mixes, or a combination of both to your food storage. Stick with basics like chicken noodle and tomato soup or branch out with the many varieties of home-style and gourmet soups. To keep it simple, this week add enough canned soup or dehydrated soup mixes to your food storage for twenty-four meals. Option 1-Store Canned Soup Your first option is to store canned soup. This ..read more

Winter squash is in season right now! They are an important vegetable in the annual fall harvest. This is the time of year to stock up.  We just harvested our winter squash and are getting it ready to store it for winter. Winter Squash Is Versatile and Nutritious Winter squash can be used in so many delicious ways. Simply bake it and add a little butter or use it to make hearty soups, stews, casseroles, curries, pasta dishes, breads, pies, cakes, etc. Any time a recipe calls for pumpkin, you can substitute a meaty winter squash. Winter squash is nutrient dense—high in vitamins A, C and ..read more

Week 42 Preparedness Challenge This week the preparedness challenge is to stock-up on special family treat items. What are the special foods that add to your family traditions and bring a sense of well-being? In a crisis, these comforting foods can add a bit of normalcy. This week add several bags of favorite family treats to your food storage. What Are the Goodies That Your Family Loves? You probably have a good idea of the special foods your family loves, but it might be helpful to begin by getting input from all members of your family and make a list of the favorite treats. Treats can be ..read more