Thoughts about the Pantry...

A great article was in the Deseret News on Thursday called "Pushing for the Pantry". It had wonderful advice, regardless of where you are in your home storage efforts. One element it focuses on is the 3-month supply of food we eat everyday. This is something I hope to focus on for the next week or so in my blog writing. If anyone has any experiences in this, please let me know. If you would like to read the article... http://mormontimes.com/ME_index.php?id=1145

Chocolate Chip Cookies

For Mother's Day, my dear Mother gave me a great cookbook called

Sunday Dinner Cookbook by Betty Crocker.

As I flipped through it, I realized that many of the recipes could easily be

adapted to using food storage items.

One that particularly caught my interest was a Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe that called for "Bisquick Mix". I had made some up for the Powdered Milk class we had a couple of weeks ago and have been looking for ways to use it. So...I thought I would give it a try.

I thought the cookies turned out great. They had great form and great flavor. When I tasted one directly out of the oven, I could still taste a little of the Bisquick Mix, but within minutes it was undetectable. I used a small cookie scoop to measure out the dough (although it is completely unnessary) and had small/medium sized cookies in the end. If you prefer a bigger cookie use more than a 2 Tablespoon scoop. It is definitely a cookie I will make again and it couldn't have been quicker using the pre-made Bisquick Mix!

Bisquick Mix

10 c. flour

2 1/2 t. salt

1 2/3 c. nonfat dry milk

1 2/3 c. shortening

1/3 c. baking powder

Mix dry ingredients thoroughly in a large container (6-8 quart capacity). Cut in shortening with pastry blender or mixer until fine crumbs are obtained and shortening is evenly dispersed. Store , tightly covered, in refrigerator. Use within 3 months

Chocolate Chip Cookies

For perfectly shaped cookies, use a small ice-cream scoop

to drop cookie dough onth the cookie sheet

1/2 c. margarine or butter, softened

1 c. packed brown sugar

2 t. vanilla

1 egg

2 3/4 c. Bisquick Mix

1 c. chocolate chips

1/2 c. chopped nuts, if desired

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Mix butter, brown sugar, vanilla, and egg in large bowl. Stir in Bisquick mix, chocolate chips and nuts.

Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls about 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheet; flatten slightly.

Bake about 10 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack.

Tips for Earthquake Preparedness

The following information on preparing for and responding to earthquakes is taken from the FEMA web site at www.fema.gov/hazard/earthquake/eq_before.shtm.

What to Do Before an Earthquake
Six Ways to Plan Ahead

1. Check for Hazards in the Home

• Fasten shelves securely to walls.
• Place large or heavy objects on lower shelves.
• Store breakable items such as bottled foods, glass, and china in low, closed cabinets with latches.
• Hang heavy items such as pictures and mirrors away from beds, couches, and anywhere people sit.
• Brace overhead light fixtures.
• Repair defective electrical wiring and leaky gas connections. These are potential fire risks.
• Secure a water heater by strapping it to the wall studs and bolting it to the floor.
• Repair any deep cracks in ceilings or foundations.
• Get expert advice if there are signs of structural defects.
• Store weed killers, pesticides, and flammable products securely in closed cabinets with latches and on bottom shelves.

2. Identify Safe Places Indoors and Outdoors

• Under sturdy furniture such as a heavy desk or table.
• Against an inside wall.
• Away from where glass could shatter around windows, mirrors, pictures, or where heavy bookcases or other heavy furniture could fall over.
• In the open, away from buildings, trees, telephone and electrical lines, overpasses, or elevated expressways.

3. Educate Yourself and Family Members

• Contact your local emergency management office or American Red Cross chapter for more information on earthquakes.
• Also read the "How-To Series" for information on how to protect your property from earthquakes.
• Teach children how and when to call 9-1-1, police, or fire department and which radio station to tune to for emergency information.
• Teach all family members how and when to turn off gas, electricity, and water.

4. Have Disaster Supplies on Hand

• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Portable, battery-operated radio with extra batteries
• First aid kit and manual.
• Emergency food and water.
• Nonelectric can opener
• Essential medicines.
• Cash and credit cards.
• Sturdy shoes.

5. Develop an Emergency Communication Plan

• In case family members are separated from one another during an earthquake (a real possibility during the day when adults are at work and children are at school), develop a plan for reuniting after the disaster.
• Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the "family contact." After a disaster, it's often easier to call long distance. Make sure everyone in the family knows the name, address, and phone number of the contact person.

6. Help Your Community Get Ready

• Publish a special section in your local newspaper with emergency information on earthquakes.
• Localize the information by printing the phone numbers of local emergency services offices, the American Red Cross, and hospitals.
• Conduct a week-long series on locating hazards in the home.
• Work with local emergency services and American Red Cross officials to prepare special reports for people with mobility impairments on what to do during an earthquake.
• Provide tips on conducting earthquake drills in the home.
• Interview representatives of the gas, electric, and water companies about shutting off utilities.
• Work together in your community to apply your knowledge to building codes, retrofitting programs, hazard hunts, and neighborhood and family emergency plans.

What to Do During an Earthquake

• Stay as safe as possible during an earthquake.
• Be aware that some earthquakes are actually foreshocks and a larger earthquake might occur.
• Minimize your movements to a few steps to a nearby safe place and stay indoors until the shaking has stopped and you are sure exiting is safe.
  

If indoors

• DROP to the ground; take COVER by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture; and HOLD ON on until the shaking stops. If there isn’t a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building. Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures or furniture.
• Stay in bed if you are there when the earthquake strikes. Hold on and protect your head with a pillow, unless you are under a heavy light fixture that could fall. In that case, move to the nearest safe place.
• Stay inside until shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Research has shown that most injuries occur when people inside buildings attempt to move to a different location inside the building or try to leave. Be aware that the electricity may go out or the sprinkler systems or fire alarms may turn on. DO NOT use the elevators.
  

If outdoors

• Stay there.
• Move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires. Once in the open, stay there until the shaking stops. The greatest danger exists directly outside buildings, at exits, and alongside exterior walls. Many of the 120 fatalities from the 1933 Long Beach earthquake occurred when people ran outside of buildings only to be killed by falling debris from collapsing walls. Ground movement during an earthquake is seldom the direct cause of death or injury.
• Most earthquake-related casualties result from collapsing walls, flying glass, and falling objects.

If in a moving vehicle

• Stop as quickly as safety permits and stay in the vehicle.
• Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires. Proceed cautiously once the earthquake has stopped.
• Avoid roads, bridges, or ramps that might have been damaged by the earthquake.
  

If trapped under debris

• Do not light a match.
• Do not move about or kick up dust.
• Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing.
• Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you.
• Use a whistle if one is available. Shout only as a last resort. Shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust.

What to Do After an Earthquake

• Expect aftershocks. These secondary shockwaves are usually less violent than the main quake but can be strong enough to do additional damage to weakened structures and can occur in the first hours, days, weeks, or even months after the quake.
• Listen to a battery-operated radio or television. Listen for the latest emergency information. Use the telephone only for emergency calls.
• Open cabinets cautiously. Beware of objects that can fall off shelves.
• Stay away from damaged areas. Stay away unless your assistance has been specifically requested by police, fire, or relief organizations.
• Return home only when authorities say it is safe.
• Be aware of possible tsunamis if you live in coastal areas. These are also known as seismic sea waves (mistakenly called "tidal waves"). When local authorities issue a tsunami warning, assume that a series of dangerous waves is on the way.
• Stay away from the beach.
• Help injured or trapped persons.
• Remember to help your neighbors who may require special assistance such as infants, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
• Give first aid where appropriate.
• Do not move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger of further injury.
• Call for help.
• Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches, gasoline or other flammable liquids immediately.
• Leave the area if you smell gas or fumes from other chemicals.
• Inspect the entire length of chimneys for damage. Unnoticed damage could lead to a fire.
• Inspect utilities.
• Check for gas leaks. If you smell gas or hear blowing or hissing noise, open a window and quickly leave the building.
• Turn off the gas at the outside main valve if you can and call the gas company from a neighbor's home. If you turn off the gas for any reason, it must be turned back on by a professional.
• Look for electrical system damage. If you see sparks or broken or frayed wires, or if you smell hot insulation, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. If you have to step in water to get to the fuse box or circuit breaker, call an electrician first for advice.
• Check for sewage and water lines damage. If you suspect sewage lines are damaged, avoid using the toilets and call a plumber. If water pipes are damaged, contact the water company and avoid using water from the tap. You can obtain safe water by melting ice cubes.
  

Food Storage Calculator

This handy little food calculator used to be on the Provident Living site, but was removed a little over a year ago. It may not work for everyone and certainly can be adjusted for each families specific needs, but I think it is a great tool.

http://lds.about.com/library/bl/faq/blcalculator.htm

Powdered Milk

We had a great class this last weekend on Powdered Milk. Here are a few things we talked about...

• Make a point to test out the flavors of different powdered milks. Not everyone has the same tastes. And if you think you might have to drink it someday, it might be worthwhile to see if you like the milk you have stored.
• Don't over-buy or over-store, have a plan of how you plan on using and rotating your storage.
• Find out if you have stored instant or non-instant powdered milk. There is a difference. We will address that later.
• Storage is critical for powdered milk. The colder it is, the better it will store.

50 degrees-48 months

70 degrees- 24 months

90 degrees- 3 months

Hints for using Powdered Milk

• Mix the milk the night before you use it.
• Try adding 1 1/2 t. sugar or 1 t. vanilla to enhance the flavor.
• Be sure the milk is well chilled.

Difference between instant and non-instant milk

• non-instant is more dense, therefore it takes up less space. (the cannery sells non-instant)
• instant milk can be mixed with cold water, non-instant requires warm/hot water to dissolve the powder.
• instant milk dissolves instantly, the non-instant takes a little more time but nothing incredibly significant.

Crunchy Potato Bake

1/3 c. water 1 t. salt

1/2 c. instant nonfat dry milk Dash of pepper

2 c. mashed potatoes 1/2 c. Parmesan cheese

1 egg, well beaten 3 T. butter, melted

1/4 c. finely chopped onion 1 c. crushed corn flakes

Whip nonfat dry milk with water until smooth. Mix in potatoes, egg onion, salt and pepper. Beat until fluffy. Place mixture in greased 1 quart baking dish. Mix cheese, butter, and corn flakes. Spread over top of potatoes. Bake in preheated 375 degree oven for 20-25 min.

Makes 4-6 servings

Choose to be Ready

When we talk about Home Storage and Provident Living, I think it is appropriate to also consider "readiness" in all its forms. There are many things we can do to try and ready ourselves, getting a home storage and knowing how to use it is important, so are things like 72 hour kits, financial savings, knowledge of what to do in an emergency, etc. The U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security has created a website that talks about some of these things and I think it is worth taking a look at...this is their link http://www.ready.gov . Check it out if you have a minute, it is a great way to assist in some emergency organization.