Weekly Wisdom #14

 

Weekly Wisdom #14

Motivational Monday - "As we have been continuously counseled for more than 60 years, let us have some food set aside that would sustain us for a time in case of need. But let us not panic nor go to extremes. Let us be prudent in every respect. And, above all, my brothers and sisters, let us move forward with faith in the Living God and His Beloved Son." (Gordon B Hinckley, Ensign Nov 2001, 73)

Church Guidelines

The church counsel on food storage is simple:

• Build a three-month supply of foods that you normally eat.

• Lay in a supply of drinking water.

• Put aside foods for longer-term storage until you have a year's supply of food.

Since we are looking at a New Year this week, and thinking and planning, and hopefully goal setting....now is a good time to take a good look at what we have achieved over the past year regarding our food storage, and home preparedness, and take an inventory. Once you have taken the time to inventory, then you can use your guidelines as to what your family needs regarding your three month supply, drinking water, and longer-term storage, and set some goals that will help you accomplish these three goals for the coming year.

Here are some of the things that I will be helping you to accomplish this year, (with my many helpers):

January – Ordering Beans and Other Grains / Pandemic Supplies – In Home Care Class

February – Water Filtration / Garden Seeds – Co-op Garden Beginnings

March – A Great Trip to the Dry Pack Cannery in Lethbridge / Powdered Milk Class

AND MUCH MORE!

Timely Tuesday - "Keep your eye on the Prophet, being self-reliant has always been part of the Church. Statistics are that no matter what the church does, no (more) than 15% of the (membership) have (any) storage. Our people are going to need it. For example, what if somebody released a virus? What if the virus caused a pandemic? What if the pandemic led to quarantine? What if the quarantine was enforced? What would you do? The responsibility lies with the head of each family." (Presiding Bishop of Church David Burton Sept. 1,2006)

Keeping our eye on the Prophet and their counsel in the next while will be so important. They have told us to get out of debt, store food, strengthen home and family, and their most recent counsel on the provident living website is on pandemic preparedness. If you want to know what the prophet is telling us today, take time today to visit www.providentliving.com

Workin' Wednesday - Kids Activity Survival Kit

You may have to leave your house during a disaster and may sleep somewhere else for a while. It's smart to put together your own Kid's Activity Survival Kit so you will have things to do and share with other kids. These can all be stored in a backpack or duffel bag. Just make sure you can carry it easily. Some suggested items for your Activity:

A few of your favorite books

Crayons, pencils or marking pens and plenty of paper

Scissors and glue

Two favorite toys such as a doll or action figure

One or two board games

A deck of cards

A puzzle (One with lots of pieces is good -- it takes a long time to do!)

Small people figures and play vehicles that you can use to play out what is happening during your disaster -- such as ambulance, fire truck, helicopter, dump truck, police car, small boats.

Favorite stuffed animal or puppet

Favorite blanket or pillow

Pictures of the family and pet

A "keep safe" box with a few treasures that make you feel special

Thrifty Thursday – Don't feel deprived – Sometimes we feel deprived when we are trying so hard to cut back on expenses. We are trying so hard to put away our food storage, pay down our debt, and be frugal, that we sometimes want to splurge on something just for us. In order to avoid these splurges, and feeling this way, we should treat ourselves on a regular basis. Today, make a list of five things that you like to do that do not cost any money. Tape this to your fridge or to your bathroom mirror and do one of these things each week to treat yourself. Another thing you can do is make a list of your five food storage treats that you would like to have, and once a week or every other week, purchase one thing and stash it away for your food storage. Then if you ever feel like you need to have a treat, you won't have to spend money, you will already have one handy. Make sure you replace it on your next time to purchase.

Food Storage Friday – The Seven Major Mistakes in Food Storage: Today we will cover the first mistake, VARIETY!! Most people don't have enough variety in their storage. They store only the basic survival foods, but statistics show that most people won't survive on this diet unless they are using these items on a regular basis. Many won't be able to digest the wheat.....wheat is too harsh for young children and they can only tolerate it in small amounts......we can get what is called appetite fatigue. WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT......Store a variety of grains, particularly ones your family likes to eat. Store a variety of beans to add color and texture. Store flavorings such as tomato, bouillon, cheese, onions, spices and other things you like to cook with.

RECIPE

Honey Bran Whole Wheat Bread

6 cups all purpose flour

1 cup oat bran

1 cup wheat bran

1 ½ tbsp yeast

2 tbsp oil or melted butter

1/3 cup honey

5 cups lukewarm milk (use pwd and water)

4 cups whole wheat flour

2 tbsp salt

In large bowl mix all purpose flour, brans, and yeast. Make well in the middle of flour mixture and pour in oil, honey, and milk. Mix well, and then slowly add whole wheat flour until 4 cups have been added and you have a soft, slightly sticky dough. Knead for 6 or 7 minutes. Place the mixing bowl over the dough, and let rest for 20 minutes. Flatten dough with hands and sprinkle salt over dough and knead well into it until salt is completely mixed in and dough is soft and smooth. Place dough into well greased large bowl, cover and let rise until doubled. Turn dough out onto lightly floured surface and knead gently. Divide into three equal pieces and shape into loaves. Place in greased loaf pans and let rise until well above the rim of pans. Bake at 375 for 40 minutes until golden brown.

I adjusted slightly this recipe for sake of room on this page, but this original recipe can be found on www.ayearinbread.earthandhearth.com