Monday, March 3, 2014

What Happens after High School?

I am researching some fun and tasty recipes, that are easy to put together. Here is one that was on the
the Thrive website:

Crazy Good Chili

by Naisha Ahsian on Jul 29 2010

Main Dishes

EASY

100% FOOD STORAGE

Just what it says! All of the ingredients in this chili can be premixed in a ziploc bag, becoming an "instant" meal for a busy night or around a campfire!

Prep Time

15 minutes

Yield

4 servings

Ingredients

6 c prepared beef bouillion
3 c thrive fd roast beef dices
1⁄2 c thrive fd onion
1⁄2 c thrive fd celery
1⁄2 c thrive fd sweet corn
1⁄4 c thrive fd bell pepper
1⁄2 c thrive tomato powder
2 T chili powder
1 T smoked sweet paprika
1 t granulated garlic

Instructions

Combine 6 C water and Thrive Beef Bouillion. Bring to a boil. Add all other ingredients, stir thoroughly. Return to boil, cover and turn off heat. Allow to sit for 15 minutes.

Notes

For a spicier chili, add .5 tsp Chipotle pepper powder. Smoked Sweet Paprika is optional in this recipe, but it truly makes a huge difference-- giving it a slow cooked, smoky flavor. If you like your chili without a tomato base, substitute 2 T. corn meal for the tomato powder.

Friday, February 21, 2014

What Happens After High School? Part 1

I thought it would be fun to talk about post high school aged kids.
I have lots of friend that have kids leaving for colleges and universities around the world, as well as friends that are serving missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Several of my friends have expressed concern about their kids being away from home and making sure they have healthy food in their cupboard!

I am going to post a few things that might help with easing some of this stress for parents sending their kids out into the scary world to fend for themselves.

Thrive Express variety pack is the perfect solution to provide healthy, and easy meals; all you do is JUST ADD WATER!
( about $81.00 plus shipping)

(from the website description)

THRIVE Express products are full of nutritious, great-tasting THRIVE meats and vegetables and just require water for simple preparation in minutes. The extended 5–10 year shelf life of THRIVE Express makes it both a perfect choice for your Home Store and a tasty addition to your kitchen. These pouches make it easy to create healthy, convenient, and well-balanced meals the whole family will love. The THRIVE Express Variety Pack comes with one pouch of each of the 12 THRIVE Express products:

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

school safety!

Most of the classrooms at school have a First-Aid kit, maybe a 72 hr kit or something in case something happens whether it be a natural disaster or a dangerous situation.
Lots of people have suggestions on how to help our kids feel safe in a scary situation.
I think it would be fantastic if each classroom has a survival kit that has a snack and water for each child.

A friend of mine had a child in Kindergarten a couple of years ago, and after the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary, her school took initiative and sent home a "Bug Out Bag" list, to have in the classroom just in case. I love the idea. My friend told me they had and they had 1 week to get their stuff together.

Here are some of the things on the list to put in a gallon sized Zip-loc bag:

They said to put NON-Allergy (like nuts) food in case the kids share with other kids. Also the food needed to be individually wrapped.
Granola bars
fruit snacks (I would probably get a pouch of freeze dried fruit-pineapple, mangos, strawberries; since
because there are no additives or preservatives; or maybe a package of the yogurt bites)
pretzels
cookies
crackers
hard candy
small water bottle (or a Capri-Sun).
travel size kleenex package

My friend added slim jims beef jerky for protein, chapstick, a love note from home and a picture of the family, for identification and so her son would have some comfort.

The note from the school said they would store each student's bag in the classroom, and if they don't need to use them, they would have a snack picnic on the last day of school. What a great idea.

Another friend of mine, gave me permission to share her blog post about what she did for her child's classroom.

http://www.shelfreliancesisters.com/2010/11/classroom-emergency-kits-very-important.html

(Items listed on her blog are :

40 water pouches: enough for students AND teacher and aid. No sharing to avoid contamination

32 dust masks: HASMAT emergencies are not uncommon according to CERT.

2 whistles: One for the teacher and one for the aid

2 batteries: extra for the flashlight they carried already

1 radio: when power is out, radio is the way to communication with the outside world

1 equipment for sheltering in: plastic drop sheets and duct tape: this is for HASMAT emergencies and I put enough plastic drop sheets to cover the 2 large windows in her classroom

3 Emergency blankets: 2-3 kids can fit under one blanket

1 Healthy, yummy food for kids with can opener (apple chips with 7 years shelf life, 1 year openend): for comfort and sustinance

1 One time CPR Shield: for the teacher or aid to preform CPR if needed without the fear of spreading viruses

Here is a basic kit that is available at Thrive that is already preassembled.

Classroom 72 hr kit 29.99

A deluxe kit designed to provide an individual with basic supplies such as water, food, and light for up to 72 hours. • Bright Sticks (1) • 53pc First aid Kit • Millennium 400 Cal Bar (2) • 4.2oz Water pouches (2) • Heat Pack (2) • Emergency Blanket (1) • Poncho (1) • Tube Tent (2) • Ziplock Bags (1) • AA Flashlight w/batteries • Extra AA Batteries • Tissue Pack • Hand Sanitizer • N95 Dusk Mask

Contact me at Beccadenos@gmail.com for more information!

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Step 12: Additional Emergency Supplies

Step 12: Additional Emergency Supplies
These are not the same that will be in the 72 hour kit, but things that may be useful. These are items that can be stored in a 5 gallon bucket, tote, or another type of bag that can be thrown in a vehicle if necessary. Keep them ready in a closet for evacuation.
Make sure you label the bucket with the contents so that you know exactly what's in it.
If you don't have a regular bucket, Thrive has a bucket with toilet seat lid for $19.89.
Just make sure you have a lid for whatever bucket you choose.

Thrive carries Gama Bucket Lids that fit on 5 gallons for $8.95

paper bowls, plates, cups, plastic utensils, paper towels
duct tape
small cooking stove with fuel.( stoves range from about $8- $250)
small hand broom
Family sized first aid kit (first aid kits range from $7-$50)
foil
pliers, wrench: Check this out: (multi tool $15.99)
dishsoap or camp soap
crowbar/prybar
sunblock
bottle of disinfectant
insect repellant
Red Cross First Aid books
cases of bottled water (what can't fit in a back pack)
Emergency Flares
Leather work gloves: (work gloves $3.99)
Water container to refill at evacuation center: tote, bucket, or jug with spout (5 gallon jug 13.92)
50 water purification tablets
Water filtration bottle (water purification options are on this page)
Large tarp
folding shovel (6 in 1 shovel 21.89)
can opener
hatchet
walkie talkies
30 large gallon trash bags
whet stone
50 ft nylon rope
Extra fuel 5 gallon gas can
mess kit, if they dont fit in pack (5 piece Mess Kit 5.49)

(referenced www.preparedlds.blogspot.com used with permission)

Friday, February 14, 2014

Step 11: Container

When you are considering what to use for your 72 hr kit, keep in mind that you want something that is

1- easy to grab and carry by foot in an evacuation.
2- It is somewhat water proof
3- It is a reasonable size for the family member it is assigned; keeping size, health, strength, and age in mind.

Don't wait until you have enough money to get your kit before you start collecting items. Get a cardboard box or a plastic container to collect your items. Its better to have something than nothing if there is an emergency situation. Realistically if you wait until you get something to put it in, the collection will never happen.

Some ideas of practical containers:
Backpack- Easy to use for evacuation on foot, makes for handsfree (Deluxe Back Pack 34.99)
Luggage- with wheels that are nice for someone that might not be able to carry a pack
Duffel bag- Heavy duty. There are some that are water resistant and sturdy

Containers that are NOT recommended:
Tote bags- typically too small, and most don't zip or close
Produce box. Its a good one to start with, but replace ASAP
Trunk, footlocker, and ammo boxes are too heavy and awkward to carry
Garbage Cans: too heavy, and its difficult to get to the supplies at the bottom without undoing the whole thing.

Keep kits together and accessible:
1- Keep kits in a place that can withstand earthquakes; a strong structural place
2- Keep items close to a door that exits the home. Sometimes this doesnt work- a suggestion would be keep them under the bed where everyone can grab their own. Next to the shoes.
3- label the kits with your name or first initial, last name and phone number. Make it a permanent marking, not masking tape or duct tape so you can identify the back pack among large groups of people.
4- If you have small children and have to walk, put the items in the stroller or a wagon.

(referenced www.preparedlds.blogspot.com used with permission)

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Step 10: Money

Step 10: MONEY!!!!

Stash Cash in small bills. How much is up to you. Everyone has different thoughts and ideas on the appropriate amount. If there is an emergency, there will be no electricity and stores will not be able to give you change. The suggestion is to keep bills in denominations no larger that $10. That will be one expensive loaf of bread if you only have $20. Loose change is heavy.

Consider that the parents may not evacuate together, so it might be a good idea to have the same amount hidden in each pack. How much? you decide. It might also be ok to have your older children stash a little cash, maybe $10 in case you get separated. The adults might want to keep enough for a tank of gas, maybe a hotel, and some groceries. $200 $300? It is up to you.

Keep the money in a waterproof container. I have heard of times where people will actually put small bills in a #10 can and seal it with their food storage.

Just remember if electricity is down, there will be no ATMs or credit card machines.

(referenced www.preparedlds.blogspot.com used with permission)

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Step 9: Important Papers

Detailed Map of your area. Keep a road map of the county in case you need to find an alternate route out of town or to find shelter. One way to protect it is to laminate it or put in the ziploc. Maps are available at your local city hall or most gas stations
Copy of Medical Prescription and Medical History. Make copies and keep them in one place, so that you can grab it in an evacuation. Keeping the prescriptions updated, makes it possible to refill if you can't grab the actual bottle
Emergency Contact Phone List. Phone lists should be updated every 6 months or so. Make a copy for each pack along with the evacuation plan.
Family photo. Keep an updated family photo in each kit so that in case of separation, you can help reunite with family members.