I've hesitated posting about this because to be honest I just don't talk about it publicly any more. I know some people will think there's no need to do what I'm suggesting, but on the chance someone might realize the value then it will be worth it.
My question is - are you prepared. Prepared for what you might ask, prepared to take care of yourself and your family in the case of an emergency.
In recent days there have been hurricanes, flooding, tornadoes, typhoons, etc... Many people have been without electricity and many have had to evacuate their homes. Stores quickly sold out of shelf stable foods, water, and supplies that were needed. Aside from natural disasters I also believe we are living in precarious times with a shaky economy and it would be wise for all of us to do what ever we can to provide for our families.
How much better if when natural disasters hit you were already prepared and didn't even have to fight the panicked crowds at the stores or deal with price gouging.
Some time ago I began to feel impressed by the Lord to take steps to be prepared. It doesn't happen overnight (unless you're wealthy and can buy everything you need at once - I'm not and most of my friends aren't either). However, if you are diligent you can begin week by week to become ready.
I have come to believe there are some things we should do and things we should have on hand.
1. If you have even a small yard you can grow a garden. Obviously the more yard/land you have the more food you can grow. If your soil isn't conducive to growing food than you can use raised beds, my husband and son built my raised beds - some from old deck wood. We then made our own blend of soil and filled the beds. Before you put the soil in the beds lay a layer of garden fabric - this will help deal with weeds and critters. The food you harvest will be tastier than what you buy in the store, it will be healthier, and it will save you money! The first year you will have a larger investment buying the tools you'll need (including supplies to make raised beds), but after that the food will be very inexpensive. Try to only plant 'heirloom' seeds and plants. The reason for that is because you can save the seeds from these plants and use them to plant your garden next year! You can start slow so you can get the hang of growing food. Start with one or two raised beds or one decent size garden plot. Plant tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, bell peppers, etc... these are all plants that grow easily and provide you with an abundant harvest. It's Mid-October and I'm still harvesting tomatoes, bell peppers, hot peppers, and some herbs!!
2. Learn to preserve your harvest. What you don't eat during the season be sure you preserve it so you will have homegrown food during the winter. You can learn to can, dehydrate, and freeze food. Freezing is quick and easy, but will be lost if you loose your power. I prefer canning my fruits and vegetables and dehydrating my herbs. I also can meat, potatoes, soups, spaghetti sauce, chili, juice, bone broth, etc... From the tomatoes I grew this year I made and canned - Diced Tomatoes, Stewed Tomatoes with onions - celery - and bell pepper, Spaghetti sauce, Pizza Sauce, Salsa - medium and hot. From my cucumbers I made and canned Kosher Dill Pickles, Bread and Butter Pickles, Sweet Pickles, and Sweet Pickle Relish. My neighbor gave me a bunch of banana peppers she had grown and I made and canned pickled banana pepper rings - then I shared some of them with her! I can chicken, ground beef, and roast. I grow and can green beans. I can regular potatoes and sweet potatoes, mushrooms, carrots, celery, etc... In the fruit realm I can fruit in a very light syrup, pie fillings, jam, jelly, applesauce... today I made and canned Blueberry Vanilla Jam. Recently I made and canned a batch of applesauce, as I peeled the apples I saved all the peels and cores, put them in 2 large zip lock baggies and froze them until I was ready to use them. I thawed them out and boiled them for several hours, cooled the amazing apple juice I now had, drained the solids and let the juice sit overnight to let any sediment drift to the bottom. The next day I used that juice to make 'Apple Pie Jelly'!! Oh my - this is some of the best jelly I've ever tasted and all from things I would normally have thrown away!! I have had a decent herb harvest this year and what we didn't use in cooking this summer I've dehydrated and now we have herbs to use all winter. This year I grew - Basil, Italian Oregano, Greek Oregano, Thyme, Sage, Lavender, Rosemary, Parsley, Peppermint, Sweet Mint, Lemon Balm, and Lemon Thyme.
3. Start buying an extra can or two of food each time you go to the grocery. If you do this consistently you will have a nice emergency pantry before you know it. Buy vegetables, soups, meats (like tuna and salmon and chicken), beans, chili, fruit, canned milk - evaporated and condensed. As you're able to buy them start buying one or two extra condiments such as: mustard, ketchup, hot sauce, soy sauce, etc... Don't forget oils - vegetable oil, olive oil, coconut oil, crisco - whatever you normally use is what you should buy. Vinegar is important to have on hand and stock up on for cooking, canning, and a wide variety of uses around the house. Other things you should start buying as you can - flour, sugar, salt, other spices, baking soda, baking powder, yeast, peanut butter, dry beans, white rice, etc... I watch the ads every week and buy most of my things on sale. Some weeks there are great sales others not so much... just do what you can when you can - something is better than nothing! This week I found canned vegetables for 25c a can!! That's an amazing price and I bought several cans! Our local Walmart will price match so I'm able to scour the ads, make my list, take my ads, and do all my shopping in one place. If you're doing this I suggest you speak to a manager and make sure what your WalMart's guidelines are. I've found it's easier to do price matching at the smaller Neighborhood Walmart than at the big super Walmart... that's not a rule just what works best for me. If you do these things before you know it you will have a well stocked emergency pantry.
Don't feel overwhelmed like you have to do everything at once. Just take it step by step one thing at a time and you will come to a place where you will be able to provide sustenance for your family no matter what is going on around you.
4. It is Vitally important for you to have a good supply of water. A person can live for 3 weeks without food but only around 3 days without water. If you loose your electricity you will most likely loose your water. Be sure you have enough bottled water on hand for you and your family for several days. You'll also need water for hygiene, washing clothes and dishes, etc...
5. Have good flashlights and plenty of batteries.
6. It's a good idea to have extra soap, toothpaste, tooth brushes, shampoo, deodorant, toilet paper, paper towels, first aid supplies, over the counter medicines, vitamins, and a back up supply of any prescriptions you may take. Walmart has a decent variety of generic over the counter med's for 88c each!
7. Learn how to cook from scratch - more real foods and less processed foods.
8. Be prepared to protect your family and your supplies.
There is much more but these things are a good start. I'm still learning!! I'm studying about medicinal herbs, essential oils for medicinal purposes, solar cooking... I'd like to learn how to make my own soap. I really wish I could knit and crochet. I've tried but don't seem to be very good at it and I don't have anyone to teach me. I'd also like to make my own butter and cheese! There are so many things to learn and do to become more self-sufficient and able to provide for my family.
There may not be anything catastrophic happen in your area in your lifetime... but these suggestions will stand you in good stead even if it's a situation of starting a new job, or loosing a job or being between jobs - imagine the pressure off your shoulders knowing you don't have to worry about how your family will eat during that time! A large well stocked panty is like money in the bank!
None of this should be interpreted as me not trusting God!! I love and trust the Lord with all my heart!! I do believe the Word of God teaches us to be wise with the resources He provides us - including our minds! In the Bible we have a clear example in Joseph where God instructed Joseph that he and the whole nation were to grow and store food during 7 years of plenty so that during the 7 years of famine their whole nation was saved as well as Joseph's family who travelled to where he was!! What if Joseph thought it was ridiculous to stock pile? What if he allowed the nay sayers to talk him out of being wise and obeying God? Most likely the majority of the people in Egypt would have died as well as Joseph's family. No one could imagine while they were in the plentiful times that 7 horrific years were coming... except for someone listening to God and obeying His voice!!