Hi Everyone,
NOTES:
** Check your local ads for sales and then get several.
Pasta is for sale at Winco for only $.88 for a 1-pound bag. Stock up.
I also bought boneless, skinless chicken breast for $1.99/lb. I haven’t seen it under $2 for a while now.
** Did you know that “fire season” here in Riverside County starts in October?
EVERYONE should have an evacuation plan. Doesn’t have to be fancy. Mine is a sheet of paper with 3 columns labeled: 5 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes
Then, across the page, I have three rows labeled: upstairs, downstairs, and garage.
Then I began listing what I believed would be most valuable.
For example, 5 minutes included my purse, my computer, my 72 hour kit and not much more. Yours will most likely include children or pets at the top. My list is taped to the inside of my pantry door. It’s crazy to think you can remember what to grab when you’re in a panic. Do your thinking ahead of time.
Be sure to register for the “Alert System” that your county provides. Riverside County’s alert system can be found here: Alert RivCo | County of Riverside Emergency Management Department
On their website, they list their steps to be prepared:
- Stay informed
- Identify the items you would want to take in the case of an evacuation
- Prepare a Go Kit to make collecting important items quick so you do not delay your evacuation
- Keep your fuel tank at least half full
- Monitor local media outlets and the social media accounts of local public safety agencies
Every year, Riverside County reviews their top 15 most likely disasters and then they work to prepare for them. #1 is ALWAYS – Earthquake. But, earthquakes are not the most common disaster. That distinction goes to “fires”.
Both can be scary. But talking about them and preparing for them can take away a lot of the fear. Bring your family into the discussion. Let the kids help make the lists. Give them all their own small backpack. Have a “disaster drill” practice. They have disaster drills at school, you should have one too.
GARDEN HAPPENINGS:
All the tomatoes are cut down. They just don’t get enough sun to be healthy. Still growing: beans, celery, bell peppers, oregano, basil, and parsley (which has managed to grow all summer without bolting!).
If you are planning on growing garlic here in Zone 9B, you need to get it in the refrigerator soon. Our winters are not cold enough to plant the garlic now and let it “overwinter.” Keep them cold until January and they’ll be ready to plant then.
LONG TERM STORAGE: fruit
In addition to the dehydrated apples, (which are easy for anyone to do at home), you can get freeze dried strawberries at the home storage centers for $13.67 for a #10 can. For comparison purposes, Augason Farms strawberries are $19.98. Augason Farms also has whole blueberries for $28.60 for a #10 can.
Most fruits are expensive. Pineapple pieces are $43/can.
THIS is the reason you should try to have some type of fruit tree in your yard. Also, you’ll want to have good vitamins to replace the nutrition you will NOT be getting from fresh food in an emergency situation.
SHORT TERM STORAGE:
Canned fruit is expensive. But canned fruit also contains water. It will only last 1 1/2 – 2 years, so be sure and rotate. Consider applesauce, peaches, pears, and pineapple. Don’t forget raisins. Again, they do NOT last as long as you’d think. So don’t stock up if you’re not going to eat them.
72 HOUR KITS: pocket scriptures
If you are a person of faith, you may want to have a small set of scriptures in your kit. From this website, you can purchase pocket-size Old and New Testaments for only $6.05. Product Deseret Book | Deseret Book
FOOD STORAGE RECIPES:
You can make delicious apple pies from your dried apples. Check out this video:
and if you want to pretend you’re a pioneer, you can watch this one:
how do you cook with dehydrated apples – Google Search
**Girl Scout Stew
1 lb ground beef, browned and drained (I’m going to use some of my canned ground beef instead). Put in the crockpot
2 large russet potatoes cut in chunks
1 bag of frozen veggies. I don’t usually buy these, but I have partially open bags of corn and beans and dehydrated carrots.
1/2 diced onion (can use frozen)
2 c. beef broth
minced garlic (as much as you want)
6 oz. tomato paste
1 can diced tomatoes
salt, pepper, Italian seasoning
1 packet of brown gravy (use 2 if you want more flavor)
Cook on high 4-6 hours or low for 6-8 hours.
Marti Shelley
