goal 4(b) - gather grains for longer-term storage

Our current goal is gathering our longer-term storage.

Specifically - Store Grains.


Grains are one of two main products that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints recommends that you store for longer-term storage. (Beans are the other product - but we'll discuss them later.) They recommend that any dried products that you store have 10% or less moisture content and be insect-free.

Wheat is what people typically think of when grains are mentioned, but there are other grains that are equally suitable for longer-term storage. Corn, rice, oats and other grains are great for longer-term storage. We'll be exploring each of these different grains in depth in upcoming posts. These grain products have a storage life of 30 years or more, which is fantastic because you can take a long time to rotate through and replace your supply of grains.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recommends that you store 25 lbs of grains per month per person. That's 225 lbs. for a nine-month supply or 300 lbs. for a 12 month supply. My personal goal is to store between 9 and 12 months of grains per person (added to my three-month supply to make a complete one-year storage). Here is a chart to help you determine how much grain you should store:

Grain Storage Amounts:
*1 person -
25 lbs (1 month) 225 lbs (9 months) 300 lbs (12 months)
*2 people -
50 lbs (1 month) 450 lbs (9 months) 600 lbs (12 months)
*3 people -
75 lbs (1 month) 675 lbs (9 months) 900 lbs (12 months)
*4 people -
100 lbs (1 month) 900 lbs (9 months) 1200 lbs (12 months)
*5 people -
125 lbs (1 month) 1125 lbs (9 months) 1500 lbs (12 months)
*6 people -
150 lbs (1 month) 1350 lbs (9 months) 1800 lbs (12 months)
*7 people -
175 lbs (1 month) 1575 lbs (9 months) 2100 lbs (12 months)

Make a note of the amount of grains that you want to store. I recommend that you write this number down. You can use a spreadsheet, table, or notebook to record and track your longer-term storage inventory. I personally use a doc file. I simply record the total amount we need, how much we have, and how much I still need to buy. It's not elaborate and doesn't have to be.

I would say that originally this was the most daunting home-storage goal for me. For our family, 1125 - 1500 lbs of grains felt like so much that it seemed unattainable. However, when you gather your grains a little at a time, it actually is easier than you think. And remember all of this grain storage isn't just wheat. I personally store wheat, oatmeal, cornmeal, popcorn, pasta and different varieties of rice. As we continue to discuss grain storage, pay attention to the kinds of grains that your family uses. It helps with rotation if you store grains in similar proportion to the amounts you use in your regular meals.

goal 3(a) - pay tithes and offerings

Successful family finances begin with the payment of an honest tithe and the giving of a generous fast offering. The Lord has promised to open the windows of heaven and pour out great blessings upon those who pay tithes and offerings faithfully (see Malachi 3:10). (All Is Safely Gathered In: Family Finances)

Paying tithes and offerings is a deeply personal and religious decision. But I would be remiss if I didn't include it as the foundation of financial preparedness. In the Old Testament in Malachi 3:10 it talks about a promise that comes to those who pay their tithes and offerings. Malachi records, "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."

I have personally experienced the opening of those windows of heaven. Throughout our lives, we have always been committed to paying our tithes and offerings. We've not been rich (though we truly ARE rich compared the most of the rest of the world), but we have always had everything we needed. Even in graduate school when money was very scarce and odd jobs provided little money, we always had enough to make it from month to month. I know that God was fulfilling that promise found in Malachi during those years. We honestly have more blessings than I can count and I attribute that in large part to paying our tithes and offerings.

I know that many of the readers of this blog are members of many different faiths. For The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, a tithe constitutes 10% of your increase. A tenth is not just an arbitrary amount but comes from the Holy Bible (Genesis 28:22, Leviticus 27:32, Hebrews 7:22). Fast offerings are made by going without two meals (usually once each month)and then giving the cost-equivalent to help feed and clothe the poor.

goal 3(b) - financial reserve

Our current goal is creating a financial reserve.

Goal:
Save a little money from each paycheck.

Choose a savings vehicle. This can be a savings account, a regular bank account, or just a jar in your closet. Make sure that this account is low risk and liquid (which means that you can easily pull from it anytime without penalty). I personally wouldn't count money saved in retirement accounts, pensions or stocks. It's too hard to get immediate cash from these sources.

Start this week to save money in that "account." Are things really tight? Start with $10 a month. Even tighter? Then save $1 a month. The idea is to make saving money a habit. And don't touch that money unless you're starving! :o) This reserve is for emergencies only. A dress that is on sale, the need to pay your kids an allowance, or piano lessons do not constitute an emergency. The time to turn to this money is when you are out of work and have run out of money (or other similar emergencies such as medical etc.). Make it a goal to leave that money alone. Increase the amount as your income allows.

I personally use a bank account and have an automatic transfer set up. Each time we get paid, a small amount is automatically transfered into my emergency savings account. I've been amazed how quickly money has accumulated in that account. If this sounds like something that would work for you, then call or get online and set up that automatic transfer today.

From All Is Safely Gathered In: Home Storage:
Establish a financial reserve by saving a little money each week and gradually increasing it to a reasonable amount.

From All is Safely Gathered In: Family Finances:
Gradually build a financial reserve, and use it for emergencies only. If you save a little money regularly, you will be surprised how much accumulates over time.

And From President Gordon B. Hinckley:
“Set your houses in order. If you have paid your debts, if you have a reserve, even though it be small, then should storms howl about your head, you will have shelter for your wives and children and peace in your hearts” (Ensign, Nov. 1998, 54).

family finances

I know that many of you are still working on your three-month supply and/or water supply. Keep it up! Don't stop because we are shifting gears. Acquiring these items takes time. Keep your lists in hand and purchase things as you are financially able.

For the next while, our goals are going to center around financial preparedness. Don't worry, this is not going to be an elaborate or difficult-to-understand tutorial on financial terms or economics. Instead, we're going to focus on one main goal and five easy anyone-can-do suggestions to help us be financial prepared. These come from a pamphlet released in 2007 by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, titled All is Safely Gathered In: Family Finances. These goals make up a sound financial preparedness plan that are beneficial regardless of your religion.

Here is the message found within:

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

Latter-day Saints have been counseled for many years to prepare for adversity by having a little money set aside. Doing so adds immeasurably to security and well-being. Every family has a responsibility to provide for its own needs to the extent possible.

We encourage you wherever you may live in the world to prepare for adversity by looking to the condition of your finances. We urge you to be modest in your expenditures; discipline yourselves in your purchases to avoid debt. Pay off debt as quickly as you can, and free yourselves from this bondage. Save a little money regularly to gradually build a financial reserve.

If you have paid your debts and have a financial reserve, even though it be small, you and your family will feel more secure and enjoy greater peace in your hearts.

May the Lord bless you in your family financial efforts.
The First Presidency

I love the promises at the end of this message. I have personally experienced the peace that comes from financial preparedness. Hopefully as we set goals in regards to financial preparedness, you'll be able to find that personal peace as well.

three-month supply summary

We've now completed the steps for gathering a three-month supply. Shopping for the items on your three-month supply menu can take as little or as long as you can afford.

"Build a small supply of food that is part of your normal, daily diet. One way to do this is to purchase a few extra items each week to build a one-week supply of food. Then you can gradually increase your supply until it is sufficient for three months. These items should be rotated regularly to avoid spoilage." (All Is Safely Gathered In: Home Storage)

There are many ways to gather a three-month supply. You have to figure out which method is best for you. Though it may be tempting to copy someone else's menu or shopping list, it is important that your menu choices be based on your family's "normal, daily diet" not someone else's. You do not need to store wheat or beans for your three-month supply, though you can if this is the type of food that you normally eat.

Most of the supplies that you need for your three-month supply should be available at your neighborhood grocery store. There are some local and/or online retailers including but not limited to local recreation/camping stores, Wal-Mart, Amazon, Walton Feed, Shelf Reliance, and Emergency Essentials that sell dehydrated or freeze-dried products that you may choose to store in place of fresh products.

Here is a summary of our three-month supply goals:

Breakfast:
Create a breakfast menu.
Make a shopping list.
Go shopping.

Lunch:
Create a lunch menu.
Make a shopping list.
Go shopping.

Dinner:
Create a dinner menu.
Make a shopping list.
Make copies of your menus and shopping lists and keep shopping.

Let me know how you are progressing by checking in using the poll to the right.

goal 2(i) - three-month supply

Our current goal is gathering our Three-Month Supply.

Previously:
Making a shopping list for your lunch menu.

Now:
Copy your menu/shopping list and start shopping.

Congratulations! Even if you don't have your shopping done -- or even started, you now have a three-month supply menu and shopping list. In my opinion, making these lists is the hardest part of the process. Make several copies and keep one in your purse, diaper bag and/or car. Start watching for sales, set aside a little money to use on food storage, and buy a few cans at a time when you can. Eventually, and probably before you even know it, you'll have your three-month supply!

goal 2(h) - three-month supply

Our current goal is gathering our Three-Month Supply.

Previously:
Create a dinner menu.

Now:
Making a shopping list for your lunch menu.
[Remember to adapt your menu for three months.]



(Here is how I came up with my own shopping list)

My Dinner Menu:
A. Chili (need 78 servings - 5 servings each for 16 meals)
B. Black beans & rice (78 servings)
C. Burritos (78 servings)
D. Wild Rice Soup (78 servings)
E. Taco Soup (78 servings)
F. Chicken Alfredo (78 servings)
Green Beans/Canned Corn (465 servings)
Canned Peaches/Applesauce (465 servings)

Three months = 93 days. I need to feed a family of five for 93 days. That means I need to have 465 dinner servings (93 multiplied by 5). There are six meals on the lunch menu, so I divide the 465 breakfast servings by 6 meals (465 divided by 6). So, I need 78 servings of each dinner menu item.

My DINNER product list:
Cans of Chili (32 cans)
Black Beans (32 cans)
Rice (78 servings +78 cups)
Refried Beans (32 cans)
Tortillas (ingredients - flour (48 cups), salt (1 container), baking powder (1 pkg), oil (16 oz.), water)
Salsa (3 bottles)
Long Grain Rice (16 boxes)
Flour (8 cups)
Freeze-dried onions (1 package)
Freeze-dried/Dehydrated carrots (#10 can)
Ham (or other meat)
Powdered Milk (#10 can)
Canned Corn (16 cans)
Pinto Beans (16 cans)
Canned Tomatoes (16 cans)
Alfredo Sauce (16 packages)
Canned Chicken (16 cans)
Pasta (78 servings)
Green Beans/Canned Corn (93 cans)
Applesauce/ Peaches (93 meals worth)

My Inventory:
Cans of Chili (32 cans)
9 cans
NEED 23 cans!
Black Beans (32 cans)
48 + cans
DONE!
Rice (78 servings +78 cups)
1 bucket +
DONE!
Refried Beans (32 cans)
36+ cans
DONE!
Tortillas
ingredients -
flour (48 cups)
1 bucket +
DONE!
salt (1 container),
1 container +
DONE!
baking powder (1 pkg),
1 large container +
DONE!
oil (16 oz.),
1 48 oz container +
DONE!
water
DONE!
Salsa (3 bottles)
1 bottle
NEED 2 bottles
Long Grain Rice (16 boxes)
3 boxes
NEED 13 boxes
Flour (8 cups)
3 buckets
DONE!
Onions (1 package)
11 ounces of dehydrated onions
DONE!
Carrots (#10 can)
#10 can
DONE!
Ham (or other meat)
NEED 30 servings!
Powdered Milk (#10 can)
#10 can +
DONE!
Canned Corn (16 cans)
4 cans
NEED 12 cans!
Pinto Beans (16 cans)
2 cans plus 2 #10 cans of dried beans
DONE!
Canned Tomatoes (16 cans)
17 cans
DONE!
Alfredo Sauce (16 packages)
21 packages
DONE!
Canned Chicken (16 cans)
I have chicken, but have already counted it towards lunch menu.
NEED 16 cans of chicken!
Pasta (78 servings)
I have pasta that has already been counted towards the lunch menu.
NEED 16 meals worth of pasta!
Green Beans/Canned Corn (93 meals)
48 cans of green beans
NEED 45 cans of green beans or corn!
Applesauce/Peaches (93 meals)
7 meals of applesauce, 58 meals of peaches
NEED 28 meals worth applesauce/peaches!

My Shopping List:
23 cans of chili
2 bottles of Salsa
13 boxes of Long Grain Rice
30 servings of ham
12 cans of corn
16 cans of chicken
16 meals of pasta
45 cans beans or corn
28 meals of applesauce/peaches

goal 2(g) - three-month supply

Are you ready to get started again?

Our current goal is gathering our Three-Month Supply.

Previously:
Shop for items on your breakfast & lunch menu.

Now:
Create a dinner menu.

[Determine which meals you regularly have for dinner. Decide which meals are compatible with a storage plan. Include any accompanying foods. Write down your menu.]

Here is my dinner menu:
A. Chili
B. Black beans & rice
C. Burritos
D. Soup (wild rice, taco)
E. Chicken Alfredo

Accompanying Foods:
Green Beans/Canned Corn
Canned Peaches/Applesauce

Creating my dinner menu has been more difficult than my other two menus. I'd like a lot of variety in the meals for my three-month storage, but also want to be realistic in choosing items that we already eat and that also store well. My dinner meals are definitely bean-heavy, but I didn't use any beans in my lunch menu.

If you still haven't finished shopping for your breakfast and lunch menus, don't worry. Make your dinner menu and, in a few days, your dinner shopping list -- and then you'll be set to gather items for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You can then purchase items a few at a time, when they are on sale, or as your finances permit.

Happy New Year!

Are you making goals for the new year? If so, I would highly recommend setting a home storage goal for this coming year. Obviously, your goals need to be personalized to your own circumstances and finances, but here are some possibilities:

For the Beginner:
*Save $10 each month towards home storage purchases.
*Save $10 each month towards a financial reserve.
*Complete your water storage (28 days per person).
*Complete your three-month supply.

For the Intermediate:
*Set aside larger amounts for home storage and financial reserves.
*Add monies to your financial reserve in order to have three months' worth.
*Store nine months worth of grains and/or beans for your longer-term supply.
*Rotate your water supply.

For the Expert:
*Inventory and replace items in your three-month, water, financial, and longer-term supply.
*Expand your longer-term supply to include nine months of powdered milk, salt, oil, and/or sugar.
*Expand your financial reserve beyond three months' worth.
*Expand your preparedness supplies to include emergency kits as would be appropriate for your area and circumstances.

As I indicated earlier, this post was written before the Church scooped me. :o) If you want some other ideas for goals, click here to read the suggestions found in this month's Ensign.

setting home-storage priorities

I noticed in the article, New Year, New Progress, that I posted last week, that under longer-term supply it states,

"If you have succeeded in gathering a three-month supply, increase your home storage to meet longer-term needs based on your individual circumstances."

This is not the first time that I've read something from the church that suggests that the three-month supply, drinking water, and financial reserve take priority over longer-term storage. At providentliving.org, under the FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions), it states the following,

"Where do I start? -- Start by adding a few storable items that you typically eat, storing some water that is safe to drink, and saving some money, if only a few coins each week. Then over time, expand these initial efforts—as individual circumstances allow and where permitted—by storing a longer-term supply of basics such as grains, beans, and other staples."
And another quote from the FAQ page:

"Church members are encouraged to prepare for adversity by building a basic supply of food, water, money, and, over time, longer-term supply items."

Longer-term storage is an important component of the Church's program. I'm not suggesting that it be ignored or down-played. However, if you are just starting out, these quotes make it pretty clear to begin with the other three categories of home storage (three-month supply, drinking water, and a financial reserve). If you are a beginner, I would make those three categories your priority. You can worry about storing grains and beans once you get these other other three categories well on their way and you're ready to move on to your longer-term supply.

You may notice that I often discuss advanced/expert home-storage topics, and at some point I'll set up some blog goals that deal with gathering a long-term supply. Please don't feel overwhelmed or confused by these posts. My primary objective in writing this blog is to help you get started. But each of us is at a different place in the journey. Hopefully the posts here can help you regardless of where you are in your home storage.

This is also from the FAQs at Provident Living:

Get started! If you have already begun, faithfully continue your efforts. As President Hinckley taught: “We can begin ever so modestly. We can begin with one week’s food supply and gradually build it to a month and then to three months. I am speaking now of food to cover basic needs. As all of you recognize, this counsel is not new. But I fear that so many feel that a long-term food supply is so far beyond their reach that they make no effort at all. Begin in a small way, my brethren, and gradually build toward a reasonable objective” (In Conference Report, Oct. 2002, 65; or Ensign, Nov. 2002, 58).

New Year, New Progress

I got my January ENSIGN this past week. I love the article on home storage found in the Random Sampler section of the magazine. I've already written a post on setting goals for the new year that is slated to appear after Christmas. But this article has so many good ideas that I want to include it now.

New Year, New Progress

When it comes to implementing a successful home storage program, the most important step is to start. With the beginning of a new year, now is the perfect time for individuals and families to review the First Presidency's guidelines on home storage in the pamphlet All Is Safely Gathered In. The First Presidency encourages all Church members to gradually establish a three-month supply of food, store drinking water, set aside a financial reserve, and when possible, eventually increase home storage to a longer-term supply.

By following these simple guidelines, Church members can prayerfully consider their circumstances and set one goal to begin or continue their own home storage program. As we prepare ourselves and our families for trials and adversity, we will receive temporal security and be able to "provide for our needs as we walk in faith and obedience." 1 Here are a few ideas that you and your family can begin in 2009.

Three-Month Supply
*Consider your normal daily diet and make a list of foods that you can purchase, store and rotate.
*Choose a few items on your regular shopping list every week to add to your home storage, and purchase double amounts of those items and finances allow.

Drinking Water
*Begin to save and clean durable bottles that have been used for soda or juice. Rather than purchasing new bottles, save he clean and sanitized bottles and use them for water storage.
*Purchase a few water bottles every week to add to your home storage water supply. Be sure to rotate your water supply regularly.

Financial Reserve
*Add a certain amount of your income to your financial reserve each month. Set the money aside immediately after paying your tithes and offerings.
*Create a budget based on your spending last month. After looking at your spending habits, consider limiting the money you use on nonessential items and adding it to your financial reserve instead.

Longer-Term Supply
*If you have succeeded in gathering a three-month supply, increase your home storage to meet longer-term needs based on your individual circumstances.
*Learn how to properly package and store longer-term food storage items, such as wheat, white rice, and beans.

1 - All Is Safely Gathered In: Family Home Storage (pamphlet, 2007)

(January Ensign, page 68-69) - bolding added

three-month supply goal

Have you completed your breakfast and lunch menus yet? Have you purchased the items on your shopping lists? [Let me know by responding to the poll on the right.] I have finished my breakfast menu shopping, but haven't finished acquiring items for my lunch menu. I'm about 60% done.

December is typically a busy and expensive month. So, in order to not move forward too quickly, and also to not add stress to the holidays, let's just keep working on buying food for our breakfast and lunch menus. Now is a great time to buy any baking items that you've planned for these menus. Muffin mixes, pancake mixes, flour, sugar and many other basic supplies are on sale right now.

goal 2(f) - three-month supply

Our current goal is gathering our Three-Month Supply.

Previously:
Making a shopping list for your lunch menu.

Now:
Start shopping.


You probably haven't finished shopping for items on your breakfast menu yet. No worries! I recommend that you keep your breakfast, lunch (and eventually dinner) menus together and handy. Keep a copy in your purse or car. Then when you see a sale, you can purchase any needed menu items or restock as needed.

goal 2(e) - three-month supply

Our current goal is gathering our Three-Month Supply.

Previously:
Create a lunch menu.

Now:
Making a shopping list for your lunch menu.
[Remember to adapt your menu for three months.]



(Here is how I came up with my own shopping list)

My Lunch Menu:
1 - PB&J or honey Sandwiches (117 servings)
2 - Chicken Sandwiches(117 servings)
3 - Soup (39 servings)/Ravioli (39 servings)/Spaghettios (39 servings)
4 - Pasta & Cheese (87 servings)/Tomato Sauce (30 servings)
Fruit - Mandarin Oranges/Fresh Fruit/Dried Apples (93 meals or 465 servings)
Fresh Veggies
Fruit Drink Mix (93 meals or 465 servings)

Three months = 93 days. I need to feed a family of five for 93 days. That means I need to have 465 lunch servings (93 multiplied by 5). There are four meals on the lunch menu, so I divide the 465 breakfast servings by 4 meals (465 divided by 4). So, I need 117 servings of each lunch menu item. This time things are more complicated (than breakfast) because I'm using some variety in the four-meal rotation. I'm just going to make sure that my serving totals add up to 117 for each meal in the menu.

(This is the hardest step for me. It means I have to go look at recipes and serving sizes as well as do a lot of math. But after you've done it once, you shouldn't have to do it again unless you alter your menu.)

My LUNCH product list
Bread (234 servings) or 47 loaves of bread
Flour/Wheat - 141 cups
Sugar - 8 cups
Salt - 1 container
Oil - 8 cups
Yeast - 47 tablespoons
Peanut Butter (117 servings)
Jelly – (97 servings)
Honey - (20 servings)
Canned Chicken (117 servings)
Mayonnaise (117 servings)
Canned Soup (39 servings)
Canned Ravioli (39 servings)
Canned Spaghettios (39 servings)
Pasta (87 servings)
Spaghetti Noodles (30 servings)
Pasta Sauce (59 servings)
Dried Cheese (59 servings)
Mandarin Oranges (72 cans)
Dried Apples (#10 cans)
Drink Mix (1 can)

My Inventory
Flour/Wheat - 141 cups (35 lbs of flour/wheat)
2 - 25 lb buckets flour/50 lb buckets wheat
DONE!
Sugar - 8 cups (4 lbs)
1 – 25 lbs. bucket of sugar
DONE!
Salt - 1 container
DONE!
Oil - 8 cups (2 quarts)
DONE! (could be rotated)
Yeast - 47 tablespoons
2 packages of yeast
DONE!
Peanut Butter (10 pounds)
26, 40, 48, 64 ounces =178 ounces
DONE!
Jelly – (5 lbs.)
3 – 2 lb jars
DONE!
Honey - (2 small containers)
DONE!
Canned Chicken (34 cans)
4 cans
NEED 30 cans
Mayonnaise (60 ounces)
DONE!
Canned Soup (20 cans)
12 cans
NEED dry soup mix
Canned Ravioli (20 cans)
NEED 20 cans
Canned Spaghettios (20 cans)
8 cans
NEED 12 cans
Pasta (117 servings)
48 servings
DONE!
Pasta Sauce (6 jars)
4 jars
NEED 2 jars
Dried Cheese (59 servings)
NEED #10 can of powdered cheese
Mandarin Oranges (72 cans)
84 cans
DONE!
Dried Apples/Fresh fruit
DONE!
Drink Mix (1 can)
DONE!

My Shopping List
#10 can dried soup mix
20 cans of ravioli
12 cans of spaghettios
2 jars of pasta sauce
#10 can powdered cheese
30 cans of chicken

goal 2(d) - three-month supply

Our current goal is gathering our Three-Month Supply.

Previously:
Shop for items on your breakfast menu.

Now:
Create a lunch menu.
[Determine which meals you regularly have for lunch. Decide which meals are compatible with a storage plan. Include any accompanying foods. Write down your menu.]


My Lunch Menu:
A - PB&J or honey sandwiches
B - Soup - Ravioli - Spaghettios
C - Chicken sandwiches
D - Mac & Cheese//Pasta & Tomato Sauce

Accompanying Foods:
Mandarin Oranges
Fresh Fruit (preserved or dried)
Dried Apples
Garden Veggies (fresh, preserved or dried)
Juice Mix

All of these meals will work fine for three-month storage. The one element that gives me pause are the chicken sandwiches. I really like my chicken salad sandwich to have Mayo or Miracle Whip. I already store both, but once they are opened they need refrigeration. I've thought of several possible solutions. I could buy single servings of mayo (expensive and hard to rotate). I could buy smaller jars (wasteful if there isn't refrigeration available). I could learn how to make my own mayonnaise. However, I think that it requires eggs. I'll look into these problems. In the meantime, I'll store a combination of single serving packets and jars. Garden veggies will work fine for my lunch menus because I plant carrots which can be left in the ground throughout the winter.

The assumption that I'm making for this storage plan is that I cannot get to the store (or the store has run out of supplies). I am assuming that I can cook. Even without electricity, I have access to a fire pit or a grill. I am not relying on refrigeration for any of these meals.

My Sister's Lunch Menu:
(Note: She does not separate lunch and dinner menus)
Chili and rice
Mac & Cheese
Raviolis or Spaghettios
Tuna, turkey & chicken sandwiches
PB& J sandwiches
Soup
Beans & Rice
Spaghetti
Mandarin oranges
Apple sauce
Green beans
Corn
Juice mix

goal 2(c) - three-month supply

Our current goal is gathering our Three-Month Supply.

Previously:
Making a shopping list for your breakfast menu.

Now:
Start shopping.

Unless you have saved the money, this won't be a single shopping trip. When you go to the store, pick up an extra package of pancake mix or an extra box or two of cereal. Remember what President Hinckley said, "We can begin ever so modestly. We can begin with a one week's food supply and gradually build it to a month, and then to three months. Begin in a small way, . . . and gradually build toward a reasonable objective."

goal 2(b) - three-month supply

Our current goal is gathering our Three-Month Supply.

Previously:
Create a breakfast menu.

Now:
Making a shopping list for your breakfast menu.
[Remember to adapt your menu for three months.]

I previously created the following full breakfast menu:
1 - Oatmeal and juice
2 - Cold Cereal and milk
3 - Pancakes and milk

Three months = 93 days.
[You can round this number to 100 if it's easier to remember]
I need to feed a family of five for 93 days. That means I need to have 465 breakfast servings (93 multiplied by 5). There are three meals on the breakfast menu, so I divide the 465 breakfast servings by 3 meals (465 divided by 3). So, I need 155 servings of each breakfast menu item.

Want an algebra equation?
f=number of family members,
m=number of meals in your menu,
s=how many servings you need of each meal
(f x 93)/m =s

Here is my resulting shopping list (155 servings each)
A - Oatmeal (5 - 3lb cans of quick oats)
B - Powdered milk - used for all three meals (6 - #10 cans of powdered milk)
C - Salt (1 container of salt)
D - Sugar (2 - 2lb bags of brown sugar)
E - Cinnamon (1 large container of cinnamon)
F - Fruit (freeze dried, dehydrated, canned to add to oatmeal/pancakes as desired)
G - Water (already stored)
H - Cold cereal (16 boxes)
I - Pancake mix (2 - 10lb packages of pancake mix)
J - Syrup (4 - 2qt jugs)
K - Juice (31 jars)

It's a good idea to make a master copy of this list. Not only can you use it for a shopping list, but also as an inventory list (I'll post an example tomorrow).

goal 2(a) - three-month supply

Our current goal is gathering our Three-Month Supply.

Now:
Create a breakfast menu.
[Determine which meals you regularly have for breakfast. Decide which meals are compatible with a storage plan. Include any accompanying foods. Write down your menu.]

Here is the process that I went through to create our three-month breakfast menu:

Typical breakfasts at our home:
1 - Oatmeal
2 - Cold cereal
3 - Pancakes
4 - Toast and Yogurt
5 - Scrambled eggs
6 - Omelets
7 - Cream-of-Wheat
8 - Muffins

Oatmeal, cold-cereal, pancake mix, bread, cream-of-wheat and muffin-mix are all pretty easy to store. The supplies, however, for eggs and yogurt and harder to store, so I'm going to drop these from the menu. I could choose to still have these items on my menu IF we were willing to eat powdered eggs and keep a constant supply of yogurt starts on hand. [Note: I am choosing to not count on my freezer or fridge as a storage source.] I'm also going to drop cream-of-wheat (since I'm the only one who really eats it), the toast (since I'm not storing yogurt to go with it), and the muffin mix (requires a long cooking time).

So, I narrow my breakfast menu down to:
1 - Oatmeal
2 - Cold cereal
3 - Pancakes

Now, I need to create a full breakfast menu for each of these days.

My Breakfast Menu:
1 - Oatmeal, juice
2 - Cold cereal, juice
3 - Pancakes, milk

Breakfast is pretty easy, in my case, because my family doesn't eat much and doesn't demand much in variety. We have three meals in our breakfast menu. They are all items that we eat very regularly. Rotation will not be hard. I added juice and milk to my menu. My family is okay with drinking powdered milk (it also lasts a long time in storage, so I can take my time using it up). I also store bottled grape juice, which my family likes.

You might have five or seven different meals. Do whatever works for you. Store what you eat! This is extremely individual and there is really no wrong way to do the menu.

Here is my sister's breakfast menu (which ended up being remarkably similar to mine):
1 - cold cereal and powdered milk
2 - pancake mix and syrup
3 - oatmeal
4 - cream of wheat
5 - breakfast bars (this is what her husband normally eats)
Chocolate Milk Mix (to accompany all meals)

water storage summary

How is your water storage coming?

Check in by responding to the poll at the right.

Here is a summary of the water storage goals:

1) Determine which storage containers and storage locations you will use.

2) Begin purchasing or collecting those containers.

3) Fill your containers with water.

Purchase new water containers or save and clean pop bottles. Plan to store enough water for a minimum of 28 gallons per person. Don't store your water directly on cement or in the light. Most people can simply fill their containers with water from the *tap.

*Click on "Water" in the Table of Contents to find additional requirements if your water is not already chlorinated.

Not finished? That's okay. Really, even for those with a good water storage, it is a continual effort. Keep collecting and buying containers. Even a little bit of water storage is a good start. When you're ready to move onto a new goal, just click the Goals link under "Table of Contents" to the right. All of the goals will be posted there.

goal 1(c) - water storage

Our first goal is WATER STORAGE.

Previously:
You purchased or began collecting containers for water storage.

Now:
Fill those containers up! As long as the containers are clean, there is no need to add bleach or anything else. I usually do a quick rinse before adding the water.

I know this information is also included in previous posts, but I thought a quick reminder would be good. Don't place your water containers directly on a concrete floor. Instead place them on untreated wood or pallets. And remember not to store them next to any chemicals. If you are storing them outside leave a little head-room for freezing. One last reminder: It's a good idea to replace the water each year. Water tastes bad after long storage. If you don't, and end up needing to use your water, just pour some of the water back and forth from one container to another (this aerates the water and makes it taste better).

See past posts on water for sanitizing and filling information:(http://iprepared.blogspot.com/search/label/Water).