Barry Halterman's 72 Hour Kit

So it has been several months since we met at the Stake Emergency
Preparedness activity, and I realize that I really have procrastinated
this for far too long, and I apologize, but I hope that you might
still find some of this useful.  The plight of the folks in Haiti has
caused me to pause and consider my preparedness level.  General
conference is when my family pulls out our kits and goes through them,
replacing what needs to be replaced.  Here is my list of contents for
my emergency/72-Hour kit.

This list is not necessarily complete or perfect, and it is quite
possible that you won’t like some of my food choices, or some of my
equipment.  That’s ok, substitute for something that you like, or
leave something out if it doesn't fit your plan.  Also, please realize
that you don't need everything that I have collected in my kit, focus
on the essentials first, and add to your kit as you are able.  I tend
to be a bit over-prepared.  If you are putting together several kits
for yourself and your spouse and/or children, remember that you don't
all need to have the same equipment, because hopefully you are going
to stay together.  Each person should have, to some degree, the
critical survival elements though (food, water, shelter).

Honestly I would be interested to know if anyone’s experience has
suggested ideas for additional items that could be added to the list.
My kit is intended to be portable.  If you are planning a stay-at-home
kit, then you can really get creative because you won’t have to worry
about everything fitting into a backpack (but you should still select
a good container).  Remember that for the critical survival elements
(water, food, shelter) redundancy is desirable (eg. Carry water with
you, but have a way to purify additional water as necessary).  If you
have any questions, send me an e-mail - as you all discovered in our
meeting, I enjoy talking about this stuff (still a boyscout at heart,
I guess).

-Backpack or other sturdy, reliable, transportable container.  Those
of you who lifted my back pack know that it is quite heavy - about
45-50 lbs.  If you are concerned about being able to carry all of this
on your back, consider a container with wheels so you can pull it
behind you.  If you want your kit to be portable, it won't do you any
good if you can't take it with you.

Water
-6 quarts water, or as much as you can carry (water is heavy, and
bulky, so plan accordingly)
-Water purification pump, available at Cabelas, REI, etc.
-Small dropper bottle of bleach for emergency water purification.  You
can also use water purification tablets or similar (also available at
Cabelas, REI, etc.)
*Emergency urban water sources include swimming pools and toilet tanks
(the tank, not the bowl)

Food (I try to think simple, high-calorie, high-protein, moderate to high-fat)
-3 Cup-O-Noodles
-3 small cans fruit (pop-top-lids)
-3 small cans Vienna sausage (pop-top-lids)
-3 small containers beef ravioli (pop-top-lids)
-6 packages instant oatmeal
-6 packages fruit snacks
-6 granola bars
-Beef Jerky
-6 packets peanut butter (available at Sprouts)
-3 packages Gatorade powder (available in packets that will mix 16oz.
of Gatorade - check near the Koolaid at the grocery store)
-3 envelopes hot chocolate powder
-6 fruit juice boxes
-Package of hard candy, chewing gum
-Small sterno stove (not critical – all food should be consumable
without needing to cook, open and eat or just add water and let
hydrate).
-Stainless steel cup
-Spoon

Shelter
-Waterproof or water-resistant wind breaker
-Fleece or knit hat
-Leather gloves
-Large, heavy-duty black trash bag
-Nylon poncho or groundcloth (military surplus, Cabelas, REI, etc.)
-Thermal reflective blanket
-Chemical hand warmer packs (open them and a chemical reaction causes
them to heat up – get at Cabelas, REI, etc)
-2-3 large bandanas or rags
-1 extra pair socks
-1 extra pair undergarments
-Strong cord or thin rope (I use paracord, which is used in making
parachutes - used by itself it is rather strong cord, and if you pull
the strings out of the middle you end up with several smaller-diameter
but strong strings)
-Fire starting implements (matches, lighter, magnesium block)

Communication Equipment
-Two-way radio (my wife and I each have a decent quality, hand-held
"walkie talkie" powered by AA batteries, with pre-arranged frequencies
in our emergency plan).  You can get these radios at Walmart, Fry's
electronics, Cabelas, etc.
-Signal mirror
-Smoke flare (available at Cabelas, Bass Pro Shop, etc.)
-(Don’t have one yet, but would like to have an emergency short-wave
radio for news and weather reports)
-(Don't have one yet, but would like to have an emergency flare gun -
available at some Wal-marts, Cabelas, etc.)

Sanitation
-Hand sanitizer
-Anti-bacterial wipes (can be used on hands and body)
-Toilet paper
-My wife’s kit has enough feminine supplies for 72-hours
-My youngest daughter's kit has 9 diapers (3 per day) and a
travel-size package of wipes
-Folding trowel
-Toothbrush & toothpaste

Light
-LED Flashlight
-Spare batteries
-3 chemical light sticks

Other
-Copy of the family emergency plan, including emergency contact
information, meeting places, hand-held radio freqencies, etc.
-Emergency cash supply ($100, in small bills - 1's, 5's, 10's) plus a
couple of dollars in quarters
-Children should have a document stating their name, age, address, any
allergies (food or medicinal), etc.  In an emergency, it is likely
that our church buildings will be staging areas for emergency relief
coordination.  Consider putting the address of your ward building on
the document also.
-Vial of consecrated oil
-Mini Book of Mormon (like military personnel carry.  I believe that
these are now available to general members of the church through the
distribution center)
-Deck of UNO cards, playing cards, ROOK cards, PHASE 10 cards, etc.
Just something to pass the time
-First aid kit
-3X5 cards or paper for writing
-Pen or Sharpie marker
-Duct tape
-N95 dust mask
-Medical rubber gloves
-Multi-tool (tool has pliers, knife, screw-drivers, etc.)
-Plastic zip ties
-Wood saw (cable type)
-large sewing needles (I store them in the container with my matches)
-dental floss (can be used as sewing thread, etc.)
-Firearm (.357 magnum revolver) – **Including a firearm in your kit is
not a decision to be taken lightly.  Consider making it a matter of
prayer.  If you’re going to include a firearm, I strongly recommend
making an investment in formal firearm safety/use training classes
from a qualified instructor.  If you would like to discuss this
further with me, I'd be happy to.**

Gossner Milk

I have ordered this milk before.  It is actually good and I love having it in my pantry.  We'll use it in cereal, cooking and even drink plain.  You cannot really tell the difference, unlike powdered milk.  The rootbeer milk is great!  My dear husband loves it.  I am currently in the process of seeing if I can order it directly from them versus from another seller.  If you can get your hands on it somewhere, I would get it.  They also have whipping cream and half-n-half. 

When you have a sore throat...

All available at sprouts:

Oregano oil in gel cap - take 2 as first dose + 1 every 4-6 hours

Olive leaf extract - take 2 eyedropper every 4 hours while ill

Colloidal silver - take 1 eyedropper in the morning at the first sign of symptoms

Honeyville Food Products

Honeyville now has a local office in Chandler.  It is located at 33 South 56th Street Ste. 1, Chandler AZ  85226.  The phone number is 623.208.5776.  You can buy corn products, custom mix products, specialty grains and seeds, flour products and more.  They are another great resource.

Sterilizing jars...

I recently found this information regarding sterilizing jars...good reading!!!

Sterilization of Empty Jars

All jams, jellies, and pickled products processed less than 10 minutes should be filled into sterile empty jars. To sterilize empty jars, put them right side up on the rack in a boiling-water canner. Fill the canner and jars with hot (not boiling) water to 1 inch above the tops of the jars. Boil 10 minutes at altitudes of less than 1,000 ft. At higher elevations, boil 1 additional minute for each additional 1,000 ft elevation. Remove and drain hot sterilized jars one at a time. Save the hot water for processing filled jars. Fill jars with food, add lids, and tighten screw bands.

Empty jars used for vegetables, meats, and fruits to be processed in a pressure canner need not be presterilized. It is also unnecessary to presterilize jars for fruits, tomatoes, and pickled or fermented foods that will be processed 10 minutes or longer in a boiling-water canner.

Scale or hard-water film on jars...

Scale or hard-water films on jars are easily removed by soaking jars several hours in a solution containing 1 cup of vinegar (5 percent acidity) per gallon of water.

Salsa

Here's a link to a basic salsa recipe for canning.

Seven Major Mistakes in Food Storage

Here is an article I found with some good information on variety, extended staples, vitamins, quick and easy and psychological foods, balance, containers, and using your storage. It is a good read!

Chicken Pot Pie

2 Ready-To-Bake Pie Crust (or use own recipe)
2 cups cooked, diced chicken breast
1 15 oz. can mixed vegetables, drained
1 10.75 oz. can condensed cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup milk

Preheat oven to 350. In a bowl, combine cooked chicken, vegetables, cream of chicken soup and milk. Prepare one crust according to directions for bottom of two crust pie. Place one pie crust in baking pan and fill with mixture. Cover with second pie crust and crimp the edges to seal. Poke holes in the top crust. Bake at 350 for 40 to 45 minut or until crust is golden brown.

Mexican 3 Bean Chicken Soup

1 small zucchini, chopped
15 oz. can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
15 oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed
15 oz. can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
15 oz. can corn, drained
16 oz. thick and chunky mild salsa
3 cups cooked, shredded chicken
1 1/2 to 2 Tbsp chili powder
2 14 oz. cans chicken broth (low sodium)
8 oz. tomato sauce
1 tsp garlic (minced)
1 tsp ground cumin

Combine all ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 30 minutes. Top with tortilla chips, cheese, sour cream, avocado, etc.

(Angelique Jones)