"BE PREPARED"

That is the scouts motto right? Anyway, every Monday night, 3-6 CRAZY mommies meet up at 9pm for Happy Hour appetizers at Applebees. Usually we close up the place, then go grocery shop. It has been a tradition for over a year. I look forward to my girl time every week. I usually roll home around 2 or 3 in the morning. A couple of times my sister-in-law has joined us, but usually I am the only "Mormon" there. At the grocery store I usually stock up on one item, or two, or if there is a great sale, SEVERAL items! I have had to explain a few times, "No, not because I am afraid the world is going to end... it is about being prepared." So here is my two cents on Food Storage.

Found on the church website, "We encourage members world-wide to prepare for adversity in life by having a basic supply of food and water and some money in savings." I have seen this become a blessing in a couple of families. One friend I have at church said, her husband lost his job, and was unemployed for 8 months. Because of their food storage, they were able to pay bills with money they had saved, and except for perishable items, they lived solely on their emergency supply. Any night of the week, you can turn on the news, and more then likely, there has been some devastation in some part of the world. "If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear."

When we first started accruing our food storage, it was quite overwhelming. There was SO much information! It was mind boggling. It still it. Trying to use stuff before it expires, keeping it organized, restocking it. Someone at church passed along a GREAT way to get it started. It is called "Project Noah". This is what has worked for us, and I am happy to pass it along. If anyone has other ideas/suggestions/testimonies/questions, feel free to pass it on.



Project Noah
This is a suggested schedule for accumulating a basic food storage. Purchase items listed per family member. Example: 3 cans of corn x 4 family members = 12 cans of corn. If you family does not eat a certain product then substitute it for a similar one that your family does eat. Watch sales and use coupons to cut costs.

MONTH 1:
_______ Week 1: 5lbs sugar & powdered sugar
_______ Week 2: 5 lbs flour & 1 jar of yeast
_______ Week 3: 2 lbs brown sugar & 2 lbs salt
_______ Week 4: Baking powder, baking soda, box of vanilla

MONTH 2:
_______ Week 1: 3 cans of corn & 3 boxes of Jell-O
_______ Week 2: 3 cans of peas & 3 boxes of pudding
_______ Week 3: 3 cans of string beans & jar of pickles
_______ Week 4: 3 cans of tomatoes & 3 jars of spaghetti sauce

MONTH 3:
_______ Week 1: 4 cans of cream of chicken soup & 1 lg. jar of salad dressing
_______ Week 2: 4 cans of chicken noodle soup & 2 cans chicken stock
_______ Week 3: 4 cans of cream of mushroom soup & 4 cans of refried beans
_______ Week 4: 3 cans of vegetable soup & 1 jar of salsa

MONTH 4:
_______ Week 1: 3 cans of favorite soup & 1 box of Saran wrap
_______ Week 2: 2 lbs macaroni & 2lbs of Spaghetti
_______ Week 3: 2lbs of rice & 2 cans of yams or pumpkin
_______ Week 4: 1 lg jar of peanut better and 1 box of ziploc baggies

MONTH 5:
_______ Week 1: 1 lg box of instant potatoes & 1 cake mix with frosting
_______ Week 2: 1 lg box of oatmeal & 1 jar of mustard
_______ Week 3: 1 lg bottle of honey & 1 bottle of syrup
_______ Week 4: 4 cans of tuna & 1 jar of Mayonnaise

MONTH 6:
_______ Week 1: 1 lg jar of jam & 1 brownie mix
_______ Week 2: 2 cans of favorite canned meat & 1 bottle of ketchup
_______ Week 3: 1 can of chicken in broth & 2 cans of pork & beans
_______ Week 4: 2 cans of beef stew or chili & 2 cans of kidney beans

MONTH 7:
_______ Week 1: 3 jars of apple sauce & 3 cans of peaches
_______ Week 2: 1 bottle of oil & 1 can of shortening
_______ Week 3: 4 cans of favorite fruit & 2 boxes of cereal
_______ Week 4: 7 gallons water

MONTH 8:
_______ Week 1: 1 large package of favorite drink
_______ Week 2: 1 lg box of instant milk
_______ Week 3: 1 large jar of orange juice mix
_______ Week 4: 2 cans of peanuts & 2 pkg dried fruit

MONTH 9:
_______ Week 1: peroxide & alcohol
_______ Week 2: first aid cream & cotton balls
_______ Week 3: first aid tape & ace bandage
_______ Week 4: dish soap

MONTH 10:
_______ Week 1: laundry soap
_______ Week 2: 2 bars of body soap
_______ Week 3: bleach & stain remover
_______ Week 4: toothpaste & mouthwash

MONTH 11:
_______ Week 1: shampoo, conditioner, hair products
_______ Week 2: sanitary napkins & diapers
_______ Week 3: napkins, paper cups, plastic silverware
_______ Week 4: paper plates & trash bags

MONTH 12:
_______ Week 1: toothbrush
_______ Week 2: toilet paper & individually wrapped handi wipes
_______ Week 3: batteries & flashlight
_______ Week 4: waterproof matches & candles

Along with this, I can still remember a talk, to this day. I was in the Salt Lake City Conference Center when President Hinckley gave it. It is one that is referenced often, and goes into depth on the subject. Click here for the talk.