THRIVE Tortillas

I usually have one of two things for lunch:  leftovers, or quesadillas.  Well, last week I ran out of tortillas and the only leftovers I had was some shredded beef.  So, I decided to try making some homemade tortillas and cheese sauce so I could have a burritto. 

I've tried to make homemade tortillas many, many times.  They've always either turned out too thick and more like pita bread, or I get them to roll really thin but then they fry up like a tortilla chip instead of a nice, soft, delicious tortilla.  So, I decided to try using THRIVE shortening powder instead of real shortening.  I'm glad I did.  These turned out nice and supple without being dry or stiff. 

The cheese sauce was a complete experiment.  It turned out alright, but I'm going to play around with it a bit more before posting the recipe. 

Homemade Flour Tortillas:

• 1 cup. all purpose flour
• 1 cup. White Wheat flour 
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1 T. THRIVE Shortening powder
• 1/2 cup+. water

Combine flour, salt, baking powder and shortening powder.  Add 1/2 cup water and mix. If needed, add more water a tbsp at a time, until it just comes together. I added about 3 extra Tablespoons.  You do not want the dough too dry.

Divide the dough and roll into 12 balls.  Let them rest for 15 minutes.

Take a dough ball, and flatten with the palm of your hand. Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface.  (Do not use too much flour or the excess flour will burn when you cook the tortillas).  Roll the dough out very thin: it will become transparent.  As you roll it out, turn the dough a quarter turn with each stroke until it is about 6 inches in diameter.

Heat your skillet over medium heat: make sure it is hot before placing the tortilla on it.  Cook the first side for about 20-30 seconds, until it just begins to turn golden. Flip and cook the other side for 20 seconds. Place cooked tortilla in a ziplock bag.  This will keep it soft and warm while you cook the other tortillas.  

 

A couple of notes:

• DO NOT let your pan get too hot.  You may even need to turn it down before you finish cooking all the tortillas as the pan will continue to heat.
• DO NOT cook the tortillas for too long: 20-30 seconds MAX on the first side and 20 seconds on the second side.
• Roll and cook each tortillas separately.  If you roll them all first, they will shrink and become too thick before you get around to cooking them.

If you are interested in purchasing the Shelf Reliance products listed above at a discounted price (5%-40% off retail), you may do so directly on my Shelf Reliance Website. NO COUPON CODE NEEDED! 

Ultimate Blog Party 2011 Party Post

WELCOME!

My name is Misty and I am the owner / author of Your Own Home Store.  I'm excited to be a part of this blog party and get to know some fun bloggers!  If you are only here for the giveaway, you can scroll to the bottom.

Before anything else, I am mother to my four beautiful children. Usually, that is by choice. Sometimes it is b/c they simply demand it. (*haha*) I have 3 yr old twin boys, an 19 mo old daughter, and a newborn daughter. They keep me busy and very, very happy. I also have a wonderfully amazing and supportive husband who adores our children as much as I do. There is never a dull moment in our house and almost always a reason to laugh. Many of my decisions are strongly influenced by the fact that I have young children. That includes my decisions about food and preparedness.


I want to be able to provide for my children in any circumstance.  So, I've invested in health insurance, life insurance, car insurance, renter's insurance etc.  I also started creating "food insurance" for my family.  I call it "My Own Home Store."  I initially did this (without increasing our food budget) through "couponing."  Each week I would buy A LOT of whatever was on sale for an extremely low price.  After a while, I had a large "home store" full of crackers, cereals, condiments, pasta, rice, soups and baking supplies.  I also invested in a significant amount of wheat from the LDS cannery. (they have the lowest prices around)

Shortly after graduating from law school in April 2010, my husband lost his job.  We used our "own home store" as the food insurance it was meant to provide and were able to live off it for some time.  However, there were a few important food groups I hadn't been able to stock up on: produce, meats, and dairy.  We still had to buy those items.  In addition, I cook mostly from scratch:  we didn't really enjoy eating much of the processed foods I'd stocked up on.

Eventually we moved in with my parents.  My mother had started building her own home store with THRIVE foods from Shelf Reliance.  I fell in love with these foods!  They:

• Came in every food group (including produce, real meats, and dairy: cheese, yogurt, milk), 
• Were completely unprocessed, 
• Just as healthy as the fresh product, 
• Easy to use, 
• Tasty, 
• Affordable, and 
• They had an average 20 year shelf life!   

I began using them in my own made from scratch recipes. I also saw just how much my kids liked the fruits and veggies strait out of the can. 

They made my life easier: no more chopping veggies or browning meat! No more last minute trips to the grocery store for an egg, some shortening or another forgotten ingredient. I could include meat, produce and dairy in my own home store! I was hooked!

I decided that THRIVE was the food I wanted for my family's "home store." Once my husband found a new job, I started purchasing it. I'm selling it for two reasons:

1. I use the money I make to help us develop our home store sooner. (I'd like to eventually have a full 1 year supply for our family)
2. I believe "food insurance" is something every family should have.  THRIVE foods provide that while also saving time, money, and stress.  I can't think of a better gift to give to others!

I started this blog as a way to help others learn how to cook with and use the foods in their "own home store." I experiment with the products so you don't have to!   Also, since having a "your own home store" is all about preparing you to provide for your family in any circumstance, you will also find tips about preparedness in general here.

In addition, I hope to help others build that their "own home store" in the least expensive way possible.  So, I post product sales and specials and offer an innovative monthly shipment program called the Q.

If you'd like, you can learn more about building Your Own Home Store. 

You can also join me in the adventure of helping others build a "home store" of their own.

If you'd like, you can can also learn more about the Ultimate Blog Party.  I'm excited find and "meet" like minded bloggers!

GIVEAWAY:

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.  Thanks for all your entries!  Please check back tomorrow morning (4/9/11) for the winner!

Thanks for stopping by!  As party of the PARTY, I will be shipping $115 in FREE Shelf Reliance products (at RETAIL price, not sale price) to one lucky winner!  You can enter the give-a-way by doing the following:

Leave a Comment telling me what you would purchase with your $115 credit.
Please include your first name and an email address (not to be used for any reason other than to contact you if you are a winner).  If you do not want to leave your email, just be SURE to check back on April 9th when I announce the winner.  You will only have 24 hours to claim your prize)

You can also submit up to THREE extra entries (please leave a separate comment for each entry):

• Subscribe to this blog in a reader or  by Email, then come back and leave a comment telling me that you did so.  If you already subscribe, just leave a comment telling me that you do.
• Post about this give-a-way on your blog or facebook page or tweet about it on twitter (make sure you include a link back to this website), then leave a comment stating that you did so.
• Put one of our buttons (the code is in our sidebar) on your blog or website (personal or business related), then leave a comment stating that you did so.

Thanks!  I can't wait to see what products you'd like to try!  Let me know if you have questions!  If you are looking for starter reccomendations, here are a few:

These products are less expensive than at the grocery store:

• Whole Powdered Eggs (work GREAT in baking, many professional chefs prefer them)
• Tomato Power (use it to make, paste, sauce or juice: even soup!)
• Shortening Powder and Butter Powder (make homemade tortillas, chewy rolls and more!)
• Freeze Dried Celery or onions and carrot dices (make soups and casseroles in minutes)

These products save a lot of time:

• Freeze Dried Chicken, Beef, or Sausage (These are REAL meat, precooked, with a 25 year shelf life! They taste AMAZING, and all you do is add water)
• All the Freeze dried veggies (all pre-chopped: just add water)
• Instant beans (much better than canned and require no soaking or hours of boiling!)

These will help you feed your kids healthier:

• All the freeze dried fruits (My kids call them "candy:" they really are THAT good, but have no added sugar or other preservatives: replace all your fruit snacks!)
• White Wheat Flour (Much easier to use when trying to replace all-purpose flour, but still 100% wheat!)

 These are just fun:

• Freeze Dried Ice cream bars and sandwiches
• Just add water brownies or macaroons (no eggs or oil needed)

Save on Food Rotation Systems and Emergency Supplies

Just wanted to give everyone a heads up on some price increases next month.  Currently, Shelf Reliance pays all sales tax on all items bought outside of Utah.  Starting April 1st, they will no longer do that.

What does this mean for you?

Well, most states do not have a sales tax on food, so luckily the price of THRIVE will stay the same (unless your state is listed below).  

However, if you have been considering purchasing a food rotation system or emergency supplies, you will pay less for them if you buy them before April 1st.  For example, the largest food rotation system (the Harvest) is currently priced at $264.99.  After April 1st, you will pay $286.85 for it instead.  This 2 person survival pack is currently $89.99.  After April 1st, you will pay $97.41 

(These prices are based on the California sales tax rate, other states will be similar, but slightly different).

If you life in one of the following states, this change will also increase the cost of THRIVE foods:
Arkansas, Illinois, Missouri, Tennessee, Virginia, or West Virginia.

THRIVE Instant Milk vs Powdered Milk

Shelf Reliance sells two different types of milk. I often get questions about what the differences are. One thing to note is that most people think the powdered milk is much less expensive. This is because it costs less per #10 can. However, a #10 can of Instant Milk makes 5 Gallons. A #10 can of Powdered Milk only makes 3.5 gallons. The powdered milk is actually only about $0.05 less per gallon. Use the chart below to see the other differences:

If you are interested in purchasing instant or powdered milk at a discounted price (5%-40% off retail), you may do so directly on my Shelf Reliance Website. NO COUPON CODE NEEDED!

4 DAY PACKAGE SPECIAL!

Shelf Reliance has just reduced the price of their Food and Water Package to $973.  The retail price on this package is $2500!  The discount alone is an awesome deal, but there are two "add-on" specials that make purchasing it before April 1st even better:

• You will pay no sales tax (unless you live in Utah). 
• You will also receive an additional $97 in free product and $150 in 1/2 off products of your choice.

If you are interested in purchasing it,YOU MUST CONTACT ME DIRECTLY.  It is not available on my website.  You can email me at: misty@yourownhomestore.com or call me at 760-637-7296.

The package includes enough food for 1 person for 6 months or 2 people for 3 months.  It also comes with a free wheat grinder & water storage system (including one 55 gallon drum)! 

Here are the details on the package:

Grains/Starch

• 6 Hard White Winter Wheat
• 4 Potato Chunks
• 6 Elbow Macaroni 
• 6 Six Grain Pancake Mix
• 3 Cornmeal
• 3 Quick Oats 
• 6 Instant White Rice

Fruits/Veggies

• 6 Sweet Corn
• 6 Green Peas
• 3 Broccoli
• 3 Raspberries
• 2 Strawberries
• 6 Apple Chips
• 3 Carrot Dices
• 3 Mixed Bell Pepper
• 3 Potato Beads

Dairy/Cheese

• 6 Non-Fat Powdered Milk
• 4 Chocolate Drink Mix
• 2 Cheese Blend

Meats/Beans

• 2 Bacon TVP
• 2 Beef TVP
• 2 Chicken TVP
• 2 Taco TVP
• 2 Pinto Beans
• 2 Black Beans
• Kidney Beans
• Whole Eggs

Other

• THRIVE Orange Drink
• Deluxe Hand Wheat Grinder

The Shelf Reliance Water Storage System includes the following:

• 55 Gallon Water Container
• Water Pump - (45" long, 3" wide) Hose (47" long, 1"wide)
• Sturdy Bung Wrench - doubles as a gas shutoff tool and provides access to storage barrels of all sizes.
• Water Treatment Solution 
• Detailed instructions of how to prepare your water storage.

Fruit for less than the grocery store

While there are a lot of great specials available this month, I wanted to point out one in particular before the end of the month.  I know a lot of you have already taken advantage of it, but I wanted to make sure that any new readers were aware of it.

This is the least expensive way I've ever seen (through Shelf Reliance or anyone else) to purchase freeze dried fruit.  With the way grocery prices are increasing, I would highly suggest you purchase this package for your own home store now if at all possible.  Some of the fruits (like the apricots, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, pineapple and mangoes are much cheaper in this package than they are at the grocery store)

If you've never had freeze dried fruit, IT IS AMAZING.  My kids call it candy (seriously) and eat it eagerly.  It has no added sugar or other preservatives, and has all the same nutrients as the fresh product (in fact some studies show it may have more than product you purchase at the grocery store).  It can also be re-hydrated (unlike dehydrated fruits) and used in recipes like these "pacos," these blueberry muffins, or this raspberry sauce.

Fruit Sample Pack #10 Cans: $226.99
635 Servings in fourteen #10 Cans
WOW!!! Just $16.21 per can! The average regular retail price for these cans of fruit is $27.56! That is a savings of $11.35 per can!

• 1 Can FD Apricots
• 1 Can FD Raspberries
• 1 Can FD Strawberries
• 1 Can FD Blueberries
• 1 Can FD Blackberries
• 1 Can FD Peach Slices
• 1 Can FD Banana Slices
  
• 1 Can FD Mango
• 1 Can FD Pineapple Chunks
• 1 Can FD Mandarin Oranges
• 1 Can FD Pears
• 1 Can Pineapple
• 1 Can Banana Chips
• 1 Can Apple Slices

 If you are interested in purchasing this fruit package at this price, you may do so directly on my Shelf Reliance Website. NO COUPON CODE NEEDED!  If you would like to lower the price to $223.99 (a savings of $3), you can attend or host a party or create a Q. 

THRIVE Butter Powder Conversion Chart

Fats and oils are very hard things to store for long periods of time! They can go rancid after just a few months: especially if stored near light or heat. Yet, they are an essential piece of any home store. You need some type of fat for almost any baking and well as for grilling and sauteing.

I've used THRIVE butter powder in many of my recipes and found it to be a great alternative. Most recipes don't turn out exactly the same: some (like these Lion House Rolls) turn out better! It also makes a great spread for rolls or pancakes and you can even make great honey butter with it! Use the following conversion chart to help you use your butter effectively!

If you are interested in purchasing THRIVE Butter Powder at a discount, you may do so directly on my Shelf Reliance Website. If you would like to lower the price you see there by 1%-4%, you can attend or host a party or create a Q.

44% discount on 2 person Survival Kit

There is one AMAZING special that  I wanted to point out before the end of the month.

2 Person Survival Pack: $89.99 (regularly $160!)  That is 44% off!

The pack includes:

Essentials

• 1 Heavy Duty Backpack (1 main compartment, 2 small top compartments, 1 medium compartment, and 2 zipping side pockets).
• 1 Multi-function Knife (includes scissors, screwdriver, and nail file)
• 2 (two) 3M®, N95 Deluxe Dust Masks
• 1 Pair of Industrial Leather Work Gloves
• 2 (two) 10-hour, Disposable Heat Packs
• 10 Yards of 2” Duct Tape
• 2 Bright Sticks (provides up to 24 hours of light, 12 hours each)
• 2 name brand OB Tampons
• 1 (one) 50-foot Rope

Shelter and Bedding

• 1 Tube Tent with Rope
• 2 Emergency Sleeping Bags – 84”x36” (windproof and waterproof)
• 2 Ponchos with Attached Hood (one size fits all)

Communication

• 2 Whistles
• 1 Hand Crank Flashlight/Radio/Siren (no battery or electricity needed)
• Universal DC Adapter for Portable Electronics (will charge cell phones, portable DVD Players, and any electronics with a DC plug in! Simply plug your DC device into the adapter, and plug the adapter into your hand crank flashlight. No batteries or electricity needed).
• 1 Notepad and Pencil

First Aid

• 1 First Aid Booklet
• 1 Deluxe First Aid Kit Including:
  • 1 Pair of Scissors
  • 1 Ace Bandage
  • 1 Small Roll of Athletic Tape
  • 2 Iodine Pads
  • 2 Large Band-aids (4” x1.75”)
  • 20 Standard Size Band-aids
  • 4 Extra Strength Tylenol Caplets
  • 4 Pepto-Bismol Caplets
  • 2 Blistex Chapstick Pouches (.5g each)
  • 2 Antibiotic Ointment Pouches (.5g each)
  • 2 Sterile Alcohol Prep Pads
  • 1 Ammonia Inhalant Respiratory Stimulant
  • 2 (two) 3” x 2.25” Gauze Pads (2 ply)
  • 2 (two) 2”x2” Gauze Pads (12 ply)
  • 2 (two) 4”x4” Gauze Pads (12 ply)
  • 1 Pair of Tweezers (plastic)
  • 1 Pair of Disposable Vinyl Gloves

Food and Water

• 12 - 8.45 fl. oz. Coast Guard Approved Emergency Water Servings
• 2 Coast Guard Approved 3600 Calorie Food Bars
• 1 Plastic, 8 Liter Emergency Water Bag (not pre-filled)
• 8 Water Purification Tablets (1 liter per tablet)

Sanitation

• 1 (one) 2-ply Toilet Paper Roll
• 4 Tissue Packs (10 tissues in each pack)
• 2 Toothbrushes
• 1 Fluoride Gel Toothpaste (.6 oz)
• 1 Hand Sanitizer(.5 oz)
• 4 Wet Naps
• 2 Cloth Wash Towels
• 2 Re-sealable Storage Bags
• 1 36” x 36” Heavy Duty Garbage Bag

If you are interested in purchasing this awesome survival pack at the discounted price (44% off retail), you may do so directly on my Shelf Reliance Website. NO COUPON CODE NEEDED! 

**Please note: This is a March 2011 Special.  Pricing may change April 1st.  You may contact me for the current pricing.**

Healthy Whole Wheat Blueberry Muffins

My parents are coming into town and I wanted to have something relatively healthy to feed them for breakfasts. We will have these pancakes on Saturday, but I thought blueberry muffins would be a nice quick breakfast for Sunday morning.

I don't know that these are strictly healthy: they do have 1 full cup of sugar in them, but they are whole wheat, and man are they tasty!

Sorry about the picture. I was working on getting a better one when my newborn woke up from a nap needing to be fed. By the time I got back to the kitchen, my sweet 20 mo old had found her way onto the kitchen counter and crumbled them all to pieces. So, this one will have to do. I

My favorite thing about these muffins?

The freeze dried blueberries don't bleed!

• 1/2 cup THRIVE Butter powder
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 2 T. THRIVE Whole egg powder
• 2 T. THRIVE Instant milk powder
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2 cups THRIVE Whole wheat flour
• 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 cup THRIVE freeze dried blueberries
• Water (see instructions below for amounts)

Cream butter, sugar, salt and 2 Tablespoons water

Add eggs, vanilla, milk and 1 c. water Add flour and baking powder. Fold in blueberries. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 min.

If you are interested in purchasing the THRIVE foods used in this recipe at a discounted price, you may do so directly on my Shelf Reliance Website. If you would like to lower the prices you see there by 1%-4%, you can attend or host a party or create a Q.

Pacos: A Fun THRIVE Breakfast

I saw this idea on another food blog that I follow: Pantry Eats. Rachelle comes up with some great recipes that you can make from the food you have stored in your pantry (or, as I call it, your own home store). I loved this one and had to try it with THRIVE products. She is actually going to try it with THRIVE as well. Watch her site for the next few weeks to see how she likes THRIVE.

Anyway, she came up with the idea to make "pacos" or in other words, pancake-tacos. My kids loved them: thought they were so fun.

I used this pancake mix and filled them with THRIVE freeze dried mangoes, peaches and strawberries that I hydrated. TASTY and SO healthy: just as healthy as the fresh product with no chopping or slicing required! We then smothered them with THRIVE yogurt (which is very sweet...almost too sweet). They sure were tasty and made for a fun breakfast!

If you are interested in purchasing the THRIVE products listed above at a discounted price, you may do so directly on my Shelf Reliance Website. If you would like to lower the prices you see there by 1%-4%, you can attend or host a party or create a Q.

Wish List Emergency Supplies Bucket

One of my readers (and a good friend), Shauna emailed after my 72 hr kit post with a great idea. I liked it so much that I thought I would share it with all of you:

One thing I found is that we "wanted" more items then we could put in our backpacks - so I made a "if we have time and room grab this bucket". I used a paint bucket and dumped all our "wish list" items in it - that way all those extras are easy to find and take.

Awesome! Thanks Shauna!

Chewy Brownie Cupcakes

We made these very tasty brownies for St. Patrick's day yesterday. They are not completely 100% THRIVE since I used cocoa and chocolate chips: THRIVE does not yet carry cocoa or chocolate chips. Although I've had a few of you request that I put in a product suggestion to corporate that they find a way to freeze dry chocolate chips. Wouldn't that be amazing! Yum...

Anyway, I had to post these because they were very tasty (read: I ate WAY too many!). I double the recipe and then added mint extract to half of them. (I don't like mint and my husband does) and before you think we ate the entire double batch (yes they are ALL gone), we did share a bunch at a church event we had last night:

1 2/3 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup THRIVE butter powder
2 T. THRIVE Whole egg powder
1/2 c. water
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 c. all purpose flour
1/3 c. whole wheat flour (you could do all white flour, but I always like to throw in a bit of whole wheat)
3/4 c. unsweetened cocoa
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 c. mini chocolate chips

PREHEAT oven to 350º F. Place liners in muffin pan.

COMBINE granulated sugar, butter and water in large bowl. Stir in eggs and vanilla extract. Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt in medium bowl; stir into sugar mixture.

FILL each cup 1/3 full. Use a small spoon (I used a baby spoon) to create a hole in the batter in the middle of each cup. Drop 10-12 mini chocolate chips in each hole, then cover with additional batter so that each cup is 3/4 full.

BAKE for 13 t- 18 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out slightly sticky. Cool. Frost if desired. (I used a quick homemade cream cheese frosting (cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, butter and powdered sugar) and sprinkled them with crushed oreos.

If you are interested in purchasing the THRIVE ingredients in this recipe at a discounted price, you may do so directly on my Shelf Reliance Website. If you would like to lower the prices you see there by 1%-4%, you can attend or host a party or create a Q.

Food Prices Are On the Rise

Did you know that last month food prices made their biggest jump in 36 years?! They rose 3.9% in just ONE month!

That is incredible and all the more reason to create your own home grocery store.

Yesterday I was featured with a guest post over at Shelf Reliance Sisters where I talk a bit more about this and what you can do about it.

Check it Out Here: Food Prices are on the Rise!

Tomato Soup

So, I told you I would be posting some great recipes that you can make with one of my very favorite THRIVE products: Tomato Powder. I've already shown you how to make tomato paste, sauce, and juice for less than you can buy them at the grocery store. Now, you can try this yummy, homemade (think HEALTHY) Tomato Soup:

• 5 Cups water
• 3/4 - 1 1/4 cup (depending on your preference) THRIVE Tomato Powder
• 1/2 c. THRIVE instant milk
• 1 T. THRIVE Carrot Dices
• 3 T. THRIVE Celery
• 1 T. THRIVE Onion
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tsp basil
  

Mix all ingredients and heat to a simmer over medium high heat. Allow to simmer for 10-15 minutes. If you like a somewhat chunky soup, you can eat it as is. Or, you can blend it in a blender or food processor. I blended mine and it was wonderful!

If you are interested in purchasing these products at a discounted price,** you may do so directly on my Shelf Reliance Website. If you would like to lower the prices you see there by 1%-4%, you can attend or host a party or create a Q.

**Prices based on the Spring 2011 price list which will be accurate until at least April 1st 2011. You can contact me or visit my Shelf Reliance website for the current discounted pricing**

Make Your Own 72 Hour Kit

I was originally going to list what should be included in a basic 72 hr kit. Then I decided that it varies so widely depending on where you live, the number of people that are in your family and your personal preference that there just isn't a "basic" kit recommendation. However, there are some general guidelines. I will mention those guidelines and then tell you how I went about building our kits, how I've packed our kits and what exactly is in our kits. I will also list additional emergency items we have at home that are not in our kits as well as items I would like to add in the future. I would love any feedback you may have!

FEMA's comments on a 72 hr kit

The first 72 hours after a disaster are critical. Electricity, gas, water and telephones may not be working. In addition, public safety services such as police and fire departments may not be able to reach you immediately during a serious crisis. Each person should be prepared to be self-sufficient - able to live without running water, electricity and/or gas, and telephones - for at least three days following a disaster.

72 Hr kit categories

There are 5 categories to any basic 72 hr kit:

• Food & Water
• Shelter
• First Aid
• Tools
• Hygiene
  

We've added two additional to ours:

• Important Documents & Cash
• Entertainment (since we have kids)
  

How I created our kit:

We've had a 72 hr kit for years, but it has been very basic: mostly just food, water, band aids, toothbrushes and clothing. I've been wanting to update it for some time.

• I started by using Shelf Reliance's Emergency Planner. This is an awesome tool! You can watch a tutorial here. Basically, you enter the number of people in your family, the number of days you want to prepare for, the level of disaster you want your kit to prepare you for (basic - extreme), and any specific disaster that you want to be prepared for (earthquake, fire, etc)
• Once the planner created a kit for me, I then went in and edited it based on my preferences. For example, I already have a nice family size tent, and I don't want a huge one in my 72 hr kit. So I swapped out what the planner recommend for a couple of small tube tents. I also deleted anything I already had.
  
• I added the entire kit to my cart, then went through and moved all the "less essential" items to my wishlist.
• I purchased what was left in my cart.
• I have (and will continue to) purchase the other items in my wish list as I can afford them.

How our kits are packed

I chose to use these backpacks ($8.99) for the boys, and these backpacks ($24.74) for Cory and I. Both are specifically made to hold emergency gear with adjustable shoulder straps and many different size pockets with the boys packs being quite a bit smaller / easier to carry. We keep the boy's kits and one main kit at home. The main kit holds supplies for me and the girls as well as most our tools and first aid supplies. If I were home alone with the kids, I would grab just the main kit and the boys kits. We store the second adult kit in Cory's car. It holds supplies for Cory and and minimal tools and first aid supplies. If we were all home, Cory will grab the main kit (it is heavier) and I will grab the 2nd lighter adult kit.

Main Kit:

Food & Water:

• Fourteen 16.9 oz water bottles (this combined with what the boys carry provides 1 1/2 bottle for the the boys and Samantha and 2 bottles per day for me (since I am breastfeeding). FEMA reccomends storing at least 1 gallon per person per day. It would be very difficult to carry that much water, so we have more water stored at home (but not in our packs) as well as water purifying bottles in our packs)
  
• Three Pantry cans of THRIVE freeze dried fruit (I've decided to use this instead of the dehydrated fruit I've used before because it is lighter and has a much longer shelf life. I won't have to rotate it as much. This is also why I bought it in pantry cans instead of just using some of what I have in my #10 cans. The pantry cans have a 25 year shelf life, whereas some in a baggie from my #10 cans would only have a few months shelf life.)
  
• 6 MREs (One for me and one for all three kids to share for dinner each night. Again, I've chosen this b/c of the long shelf life (5 years). I also wanted to have a "real" (ish) meal for dinner instead of snacks all day in order to keep things as normal as possible for the kids. This was the least expensive, most lightweight / compact way to do that): $2.65
  
• One THRIVE instant milk pouch (enough for 1 gallon. Milk is HUGE comfort food for my kids): $8.69
  
• Twelve packs of instant oatmeal (we will have oatmeal and fruit for breakfast)
  
• Two rolls crackers (We will have crackers, peanut butter(the boys are carrying it and fruit for lunch)
• 5 high calorie fruit bars (If our energy expenditures are high, I want to have some high calorie food to help minimize fatigue): $2.17
  
• One can formula & bottle (I am breastfeeding, but if I were unable to for any reason, I would still want to provide for Hanna)
  
• 6 jars baby food (Hanna will be eating this in a few month. I only plan to update these kits 1-2 times /year)
  
• One sippy cup (Just for Samantha. Hanna will not be using one for another year)
  
• One plastic plate (For Samantha)
  
• Two plastic spoons and forks
• One mess kit (To cook the MREs in and for me to eat with): $6.99
• Wing Stove: To cook MREs ($7.91)
  
• Water filtering bottle (will filter up to 30 gallons): $19.79
  

Shelter & Heat:

• 2 Tube Tents (I chose these small tents b/c we already have a big one, but it is too big to put in our packs. If we were close to home, but without shelter, we would use the big one. If we had to leave, we would use these small ones. We only got two b/c we figured if they hold two adults, they should hold 1 adult and two kids. Our kids will likely want to be with us anyway): $5.93
  
• 2 Microfiber Blankets (Warm, but small and lightweight): $24.70
  
• 2 Emergency Sleeping Bag (Again, warm, but small and lightweight): $3.46
  
• Waterproof Matches: $0.79
  
• Lighter
• Waterproof fire starter: $7.91
  
• Change of Clothing for Misty Hanna, and Samantha (t-shirt, pants, socks, underwear, jacket)
• 2 trash bags (can double as ponchos)
• 6 Heat Packs: (for use to help warm up the inside of a blanket or sleeping bag) $1.67
  

First Aid:

This is all packed together in a gallon bags with the first aid guide right on top. Much of it I already had, the rest came from this first aid kit ($44.54):

• Clorox Wipes
• Hand Sanitizer
• 25 Antiseptic Towelettes
  
• Butterfly size up to Very large bandages
• Wound Closure Strips
• Gauze Roll
  
• Two cloth diapers
• Small box distilled water: (for washing wounds) $0.59
  
• 20 Various sizes Gauze dressing
• 1 Large wound dressing
• 50 Alcohol pads
• 5 Sting relief pads
• 5 Antibiotic ointment packets
• 1 roll adhesive tape
• 3 Finger Splints
  
• 1 Tweezers
• 1 Scissors
• Two Instant Cold Packs ($0.89)
• Various sizes Quick Clot: ($12.86)
  
• Suture Kit :( $5.93)
• Snake Bite Kit: ($4.94)
  
• 1 pair latex Gloves
• 5 Burn Relief squares
  
• Basic First Aid Guide ($3.45)

This is packed separately:

• Bug Repellent
• Sunscreen
• Infant and adult pain relief
• Children's Benadryl
• Adult and children's cold meds
• Hydrocortizone (this in only b/c my kids have severe eczema)
• Thermometer
• 5 Antacid Tablets
  
• 5 Dust Masks: $0.89
  
• Blessing Oil (I am LDS, it is a religious necessity)

Tools:

• Battery Flashlight (with extra batteries)
• Crank flashlight / radio / cell charger: $14.84
  
• Shovel / Saw / Hatchet / Hammer combo tool: $21.77
• Compass / Whistle combo tool: $2.47
• Duct Tape (you can fix anything with duct tape, right?)
  
• Multi-purpose pocket knife: $5.93
  

Hygiene:

• Soap and washcloth
• Toilet Paper
  
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
  
• Feminine needs
  
• Chapstick
• Contact needs
  
• Old pair (old prescription) glasses
  
• Diapers and wipes

Important Documents / Cash:

• $100 cash in small bills
• List of important phone numbers (Insurance, medical doctors, family and friends, landlord)
• Copies of essential documents (Birth certificates, passports etc)
• Copies of vaccination records
• Copy of Patriarchal Blessing (again, this is b/c I'm LDS)
• Pre-paid phone card

Entertainment:

• Playing cards
• Pen and Paper
• Scriptures
• A book and other small toy for Samantha and Hanna

Micah and Noah's Packs:

There are three reasons I've packed separate kits for the boys: (1) The boy's are at the age where they LOVE to be helpful and to be seen as capable. I think giving them a responsibility would be helpful in time of crisis. (2) If I were to get separated from them, I would want them to have some basic supplies (3) Cory and I don't want to carry everything.

Food & Water:

• Plastic plate
• Plastic fork and spoon
• Sippy Cup
  
• Three 16.9 oz water bottles
• One Pantry can of THRIVE freeze dried fruit
• Three packets instant oatmeal
• One bottle peanut butter
  
• One roll crackers (Ritz in one, Saltines in the other)

Shelter and Heat:

• Change of clothing (t-shirt, pants, socks, underwear, jacket)
• Emergency Blanket: $2.47
  
• Trash Bag (can double as a poncho)
• 2 Heat Packs
  

First Aid:

• Children's Pain reliever
• Small to Medium Bandages
• 1 Large Gauze Bandage
  
• Antiseptic
  

Tools:

• Shake Flashlight (they think these are SO cool...you just have to shake them to make it work): $8.90
  
• Whistle: $0.39
  

Hygeine:

• Toilet Paper
• Hand Sanitizer
• Toothbrush / Toothpaste
• Pullups

Important Documents

• Laminated Card with picture of family, name of child, and mine and Cory's names and cell phone numbers.
• Copy of immunization record

Entertainment:

• Bubbles
• Coloring Book / Crayons
• A few small cars

2nd Adult Kit

Food & Water:

• Twelve 16.9 oz water bottles (this increase the total water to 2.5 bottles per day for me (since I am breastfeeding and two per day for everyone else)
  
• One pantry cans of THRIVE freeze dried fruit
  
• 3 MREs $2.65
  
• One THRIVE Orange Drink Pouch (to help make water palatable if needed): $4.59
  
• Six packs of instant oatmeal
  
• Two rolls crackers
• 3 high calorie fruit bars: $2.17
  
• Spoon and Fork
• 3 MRE Heaters $1.49
  
• Water filtering bottle (will filter up to 30 gallons): $19.79
  

Shelter & Heat:

• 1 Emergency Sleeping Bag (Again, warm, but small and lightweight): $3.46
  
• Waterproof Matches: $0.79
  
• Lighter
• Waterproof fire starter: $7.91
  
• Change of Clothing for Cory (t-shirt, pants, socks, underwear, jacket)
• 2 trash bags (can double as ponchos)
• 3 Heat Packs: (for use to help warm up the inside of a blanket or sleeping bag) $1.67
  

First Aid:

This is all packed together in a gallon bags with the first aid guide right on top. Much of it I already had, the rest came from this first aid kit ($44.54):

• Clorox Wipes
• Hand Sanitizer
• 5 Antiseptic Towelettes
  
• Various bandages
• One cloth diapers
• Small box distilled water: (for washing wounds) $0.59
  
• 5 Various sizes Gauze dressing
• 10 Alcohol pads
• 1 Sting relief pads
• 1 Antibiotic ointment packets
• 1 roll adhesive tape
• 1 Finger Splints
  
• 1 pair latex Gloves
• 2 Burn Relief squares
  
• Basic First Aid Guide ($3.45)

This is packed separately:

• Adult pain relief
• Adult cold meds
• 5 Antacid Tablets
  
• 1 Dust Masks: $0.89
  
• Blessing Oil (I am LDS, it is a religious necessity)

Tools:

• Battery Flashlight (with extra batteries)
• Duct Tape (you can fix anything with duct tape, right?)
  

Hygiene:

• Soap and washcloth
• Toilet Paper
  
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
  
• Chapstick

Important Documents / Cash:

• $100 cash in small bills
• List of important phone numbers (Insurance, medical doctors, family and friends, landlord)
• Copies of essential documents (Birth certificates, passports etc)
• Copies of vaccination records
• Copy of Patriarchal Blessing (again, this is b/c I'm LDS)
• Pre-paid phone card

Entertainment:

• Pen and Paper
• Scriptures

Other emergency items we have in our home that are not in our kit:

• One 55-Gallon water barrels: $69.29
  
• Bung Wrench (to open the barrels): $6.92
  
• Siphon pump (to get the water out of the barrels. THIS IS AWESOME!): $12.86
  
• Fifteen gallons of water in juice bottles
• Three gallons of water frozen in freezer
• Twenty gallons of water in 16.9 oz bottles
• Four gallons of water in various re-used laundry soap containers etc. (to be used for cleaning only)
  
• Gas shut off tool: (essential in earthquake areas) $6.43
  
• Fire extinguisher (in kitchen): $17.99
  
• Rope ladder (stored upstairs)
• Various Flashlights
• Various long burning candles
• Two Family size tents
• Camp Stove
  

Items I plan on adding in the future:

• Walkie-Talkies: $42.56
• Copy of our will (we need to get one)
• Water Filter (will filter up to 13,000 Gallons!): $138.59
  
• Collapsible water carrier: $9.89
  
• Five more 55 gallon water barrels (the recommended amount it 1 gallon per person per day for 2 weeks. That is about 84 gallons for our family. I would like to have about 5 times that. We currently have about 100 gallons, so we need 270 more gallons to reach our goal)
  
• Four 5 gallon water containers: $13.85
  
• More "cleaning only" water containers
• A 2nd fire extinguisher
  
• A 2nd rope ladder
• More Quickclot
• More Burn Relief Gel
  
• Double tools and first aid supplies for 2nd kit (a 2nd mess kit, wing stove, cold pack, suture kit, snake bite kit, shovel/saw, compass/whistle, pocket knife, radio, scissors, tweezers) .
  
• Generator: (I'm not sure if I want the one Shelf Reliance carries or not. I need to do more research): $144.53
  
• Sun oven: $281.21
  

Any thoughts? Suggestions? What did I miss?

**Prices based on the Spring 2011 price list which will be accurate until at least April 1st 2011. You can contact me or visit my Shelf Reliance website for the current discounted pricing**

Being Prepared for a Natural Disaster

I know that the focus of this website has tended to stay away from the doom and gloom. That is a conscious decision. I don't want to scare anyone into buying anything. While it is important to be prepared for the worst, we don't deal with the worst every day. Instead, we deal with the day to day. I love THRIVE foods, because not only can they help us prepare for the worst, they can help us with our day to day. They really can save us time, stress and money.

However, with the recent events in Japan, I've spent a lot of time pondering my own family's ability to handle such a tragedy. I've been moved to tears on many occasions as I've watched scenes that show the incomprehensible devastation people are dealing with in Japan right now. I've personally decided to do a few things for our family and I wanted to share them with you and encourage you to come up with your own list. Over the next few weeks, I will report back on how things are going for us. I would love it if you would comment and let us know how things are going for you as well. We will all benefit from each of your ideas and experiences!

#1: 72 / DISASTER KIT
Every family should have a kit that would allow them to survive for 3 days without assistance. We've had a 72 hr kit since we got married, but it has been about a year since I've updated it. All the kids clothes / diapers are now too small and the food is old. In addition, there are items I would like to add to our kits. I also want the boys to have their own kits that they can carry. So, I will be updating these kits. I've actually been planning to do this for a while now and just got a shipment of supplies from Shelf Reliance last week including four awesome backpacks at a great price! I should have a post up in the next day or two detailing the contents of our kits as well as recommendations on what should be in a very basic kit and resources for building one for your family.

#2: DRILLS
All four of my children are under age four. If I am home alone with them during an earthquake or other natural disaster, I'm going to need all the help I can get to keep them as safe as possible. We recently had a family activity where we taught our boys what to do during an earthquake (under the table if you are downstairs, under your bed if you are upstairs). However, even with that activity, I don't know that they would actually do it if I yelled: "EARTHQUAKE!" So, we are going to start having random, spontaneous drills. We will also be participating in the Great California Shake Out drill on October 20th. You can find out more about ShakeOut here.

#3: SECURING OUR HOME
My husband has a habit of pointing out potential hazards in our home: especially as they relate to earthquakes. He won't let me put cribs or beds under windows or next to book shelves. He doesn't like shelves or large pictures on the walls above where people sit. Until now, I've found his habit less than helpful and a bit annoying. But, I think I've decided he is right. So, we will be going on a hazard hunt this week. We will use the information for securing our building and securing our stuff on Dare to Prepare.

#4: PREPARING OUR CAR
I will also be updating our car kits. Although we are home a lot, there are times when we are out and I want to make sure we would be prepared to handle an emergency situation away from home.

#5: FIRST AID SKILLS
I am CPR certified. I have been for years because I've always worked in dental offices. However, I have not taken a refresher course since I had kids and stopped working. It has been almost 4 years! I don't know that Cory has ever taken a course. So, Cory will be attending a course this week and I will attend one in the near future. The Red Cross is offering free classes this Saturday (March 19th). You can check for a location in your area here.

I would also like to take a CERT course. In disaster situations, there simply are not enough emergency personnel to meet the demand. CERT was created for this reason and offers training to help regular "untrained" civilians meet that "first responder" need.

I will keep you posted on how we do on these goals! Expect a 72-Hr kit post sometime this week!

Using the "Powder"

When you get to the bottom of a can of THRIVE fruit, there is usually a bit of powder and small broken chunks of the fruit. Seems like it doesn't have much use: too small for snacking, right?

Don't throw it away! Save it. Use it to flavor breads and muffins (banana bread, raspberry muffins, mango pancakes, etc) or to add it to a smoothie. You could also use it to make flavored spreads and dips etc.

Lion House Rolls

Photo Credit:  http://www.sugarduchess.com/2011/01/lion-house-dinner-rolls/

I am so excited about this post. I know I've already posted a few times today, but I just have to tell you about these amazing rolls!

If you have never had Lion House rolls, you are missing out! These are made by the Lion House Pantry Restaurant and are the best rolls I've ever had.

I decided to try making them will 100% THRIVE ingredients. I really wanted them to turn out so I could post them here. I've made them before using real butter and milk and eggs. They were good...really good, but not quite like the restaurant's. With THRIVE, they tasted just like those at the Restaurant. My husband and kids loved them. My husbands wants me to turn them into cinnamon rolls next time. I think I'll have to try that sometime this week. I'd also like to try them with 1/2 wheat flour. I'll let you know when I do.

2 1/4 cups warm water (110 to 115 degrees F)
2/3 cup THRIVE instant milk
2 Tablespoons dry yeast
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1/3 cup THRIVE butter powder
1 1/2 Tablespoon THRIVE whole egg powder
5 1/2 to 6 cups white wheat flour

Combine water and milk stir until milk dissolves. Add yeast, then sugar, salt, butter powder, egg powder, and 2 cups of the flour. Mix on low speed until ingredients are wet, then for 2 minutes at medium speed.

Add 2 more cups of flour; mix on low speed until incorporated, then for 2 minutes at medium speed. Work in the remaining flour 1/2 cup at a time until the dough is soft, not overly sticky, but workable and not stiff. (You probably won't use all the flour).

Scrape the dough off the sides of the bowl and pour about a tablespoon of vegetable oil down the sides. Rotate the dough ball so that all sides are covered. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place in a warm place to rise til double in size (about 30-45 minutes).

Flour a surface for rolling out the dough and turn the dough out. (Split dough in half and do the following twice if you want small rolls) Roll the dough into a rectangle that is 8 inches by 12 inches. Cut once down the middle the long way, then cut into two inch wide strips (making twelve 2 inch by 4 inch strips). Then just roll the strips up from their short end and place into the pan seam side down. It will look like you rolled individual cinnamon rolls and placed them in the pan on their sides.

Place in a greased pan. Cover the pan with plastic wrap and place in a warm place to rise again until double in size, about 45-60 minutes.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Place the rolls in the oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden.


While rolls are baking, mix 1/4 c. THRIVE butter powder with 2 tablespoons HOT water and whisk quickly and thoroughly. Brush tops with butter mixture immediately when removed from the oven.

Serve with this tasty 100% THRIVE Raspberry Honey Butter.

Makes 1 dozen large or 2 dozen small rolls

Raspberry Honey Butter

This is so amazing and so great tasting! It pairs perfectly with the Lion House Rolls I'm about to post.

I've always struggled to make honey butter. I can never seem to get a firm enough consistency once I've "softened" the butter. So, then I end up using more butter to fix the too soft butter, then I need more honey, then more butter and you get the picture...

I've never even tried to make flavored honey butter. I've never even thought about how I might.

Until today. I wanted to make some raspberry honey butter to go with the Lion House rolls we had for dinner. That is what they serve their rolls with at the Lion House and I was really craving it. So, I decided to give it a try with my THRIVE ingredients. It was quite the success and so fast and easy to get just the right consistency.

1/3 c. THRIVE butter powder
1/3 c. Honey
1 T. THRIVE raspberries, crushed to powder

Mix butter powder, honey and raspberry power.  You may need to add a drop or two of water to get the consistency you want. (depending on the consistency of your honey). It will thicken up a bit after a few hours in the fridge as well.  Serve over rolls or bread of your choice. I like mine with the Lion House rolls, of course!
Makes about 8-10 1 Tablespoon servings

Total Cost for #10 cans required for this recipe (does not include honey): $54.18**

• If you use all the butter, you will have 430 1 Tablespoon servings, and have $23.71** in leftover raspberries.
• Cost per Tablespoon: $0.07** using THRIVE ingredients

You can lower that cost by 5% purchasing each ingredient in a case of six.If you are interested in purchasing these products at the above discounted prices,** you may do so directly on my Shelf Reliance Website. If you would like to lower those prices by 3%, you can attend or host a party or create a Q.

**Prices based on the Spring 2011 price list which will be accurate until at least April 1st 2011. You can contact me or visit my Shelf Reliance website for the current discounted pricing**