pdf of the Canner's manual

LINK to the manual for the All American Canner that the ward has for lending out.

Simplified instructions coming soon :)

Canning Day

Don't forget to call or email for the Thursday canning event.
Bring one pint jar with lid and ring and one pound of meat (if it is hamburger, then it is more desirable to cook it before hand)

Dewitt Event

This Thursday the 29th at 7:00 pm at the Stake Center!!!

Food storage guest speaker super star : Wendy DeWitt

come see, learn, participate.

Great Introduction to Canning videos

Both these videos are from a great resource.
Granny Miller's blog. She has a great blog (two actually) covering many self sufficient topics.

San Take Stake GUEST Speaker, Educator EVENT

Our stake has scheduled an evening with food storage specialist Wendy DeWitt during the last part of April. Speak to your Ward Canning Specialists for more details.

Sister DeWitt has appeared on tv shows such as Living Essentials, a program on the BYU channel and travels the country giving presentations for an easy and organized way to plan, get and maintain your food storage. She gives sound advice for pressure canning,planning, storing, shopping for regular everyday meals that anyone can have in their food storage!

This is an evening for all sisters and husbands in our Stake! Plan now to attend this dynamic presentation!!!

Here is her website:
http://everythingunderthesunblog.blogspot.com/

I was searching for her printouts (I think that her blog actually has them as posts though...) and came across this link that has her book linked from it.

Garden Season 2010 Part 2:

1st Half of March:
(calendar for planting times)
This is a transition time in your garden. The winter crops are still producing, some since October or before. If you planted these same crops more recently (see previous post), then you are now beginning to see the harvest.

If you didn't, you can still plant a few and harvest before the 90-100 degree days hit regularly. Select plants with a short growing time so they can get the flowers and harvest on as soon as they can.
Plant where they will have mid-day and afternoon tree shade or solid afternoon shade (like patio or house/wall shade).

For Peas, buy plants or seeds:
If buying, read packages for the ones that have a shorter number of days before harvest (50s-60s vs. 70s days) and plant where they will have mid-day and afternoon tree shade or thick afternoon shade.
Soak the Peas overnight in a cup of water, allowing them to swell, or even for ~2 days until they begin to sprout (rinse a few times a day...) and then plant. This will decrease germination time to just those few days (instead of the 7-14 days as listed on the package.)

You could also try a planting of lettuces, spinach, kale, beets, carrots, and definitely Herbs.
Beets are the easiest of the greens to jump start. Buy beets in the Produce section and take all the leaves off except for the smallest three. Put the beet bulb in water and let sit for a few days. Within a week you can plant in the ground.

Green Beans and Cucumbers (and Armenian Cucumbers) should be started this month as well.

Here are a few others:



For Summer Crops: you can start planting most now and some later.

Find a good place to start a garden and just get going.
Don't be afraid of our dirt. It has successfully grown healthy food for centuries, even potatoes. Just moisten it up so that it is a little softer.
We are blessed with the benefit of year round "warmth". Tomatoes, Peppers, Herbs, Onions, Beets, Kale, Green Beans, and others have all been found to live year after year without having to be replanted. (Some do die all the way down before coming back from the root, others are green year round.)

Buy a little extra

Your regular shopping trip can become part of your storage plan by simply buying a few "extra" items each time. You will be purchasing things you already want and use, and usually at prices you already know to be affordable. When you get home, put it toward the back and pretend it isn't there (so that next time you go shopping, you are increasing and not merely maintaining.)

To the Right (and below)is a price sheet that you can save to your computer (or open with "open office" or Google documents) and alter to work for your family. Items are my attempt for a complete shopping list of (mostly shelf stable foods) typical items good for storage. Prices are just general and far from perfect. Feel free to change them too. Perhaps print one sheet how it is and make notes on it when you shop. Then adjust and reprint it if for yourself to carry in your purse.

online:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=tltpDTIYJdG3ev2VPIMyv_A&output=html

As pdf:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=tltpDTIYJdG3ev2VPIMyv_A&output=pdf

as Excel:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=tltpDTIYJdG3ev2VPIMyv_A&output=xls

As Open Office:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=tltpDTIYJdG3ev2VPIMyv_A&output=ods

There are three sheets within this file. The first two sheets are identical except that one prints in Landscape (sideways) and the other in Portrait (upright). The third sheet is my "2 cents" on where to buy and how to use/store it.

Gardening Season 2010

January is here, the holidays are over and here in the low desert we are in prime time for the beginning of a garden season.

See these links for a chart created locally for planting and harvest times. PDF and HTML.

If you are only self sufficient in growing, say.... parsley, then you are blessing you and your family.
With the moderate temperatures and beautiful sunny days, even simple pots are a great option this time of year.

Pulled mostly from the above chart:
Some of the garden plants perfect for starting within the next month either from seed or plant include:

• Basil
• Beets (try planting beets bought at the grocery (still with the green tops) for your own fresh greens. REMOVE all the leaves except for the smallest three and let the beet soak in water for a few days to wake up their roots. Plant in the ground w/ the very top of the bulb showing. Harvest greens w/in a few weeks and on.)
• Carrots
• Cilantro
• Eggplant (will thrive all summer, perhaps try it as a ground cover in your rocks (leave room for melons :) !)
• Kale
• Lettuces
• Mint
  
• Onions (year one from seed is green onions, second year of life they bulb)
  
• Oregano
• Parsley
• Peas
• Peppers (could live for years)
• Potatoes (wash & sprout a few red potatoes on your counter and plant whole in the top of a slightly split bag of potting soil (with a drip line) for easy summer harvest)
• Radish
  
• Spinach
• Thyme
• Tomato (Cherry tomatoes are the easiest for a long life and lots of fruit - even for much of the summer and again returning in the fall - just let it cascade wildly creating it's own shade!)

Tip for care especially when planting in pots and/or clay: Only water if wilted in the morning before it gets hot. (find a pattern by starting to do an 'auto-pilot' walk through your plants at least a few times a week - potted plants almost every day)
Wilt is a sign of 'stress' NOT just lack of water. So watering plants that wilt from heat or too much water will suffocate them and rot their roots.

72 Hour Kit

FYI - there are simpler and smaller kit lists that are readily available on the internet, including some mentioned before. Here is another one that I liked.
Whatever the kit you decide to make, you need to have it contained (backpack etc) and know where it is. You will be blessed to simply have something. My own experiences of emergencies has been a driving force of what I have included, Please make a kit that will bless you with peace.

I have (AGAIN) updated/improved our list for a 72 Hour Kit to a point that I feel I should share it! Here is the link to view and print. (note: multiple pages on link)
Feel free to copy and paste on your computer to alter for your family and needs/likes/dislikes....
http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=plsMIvmilSk56F1ltg2AMDA&output=html

I aimed for about 2000 calories of food per person regardless of age. This is easy to change within just a few items.
Baby food is included and listed separately on the sheet but packaged together by meal.
I have also broken it down for what should work for one adult (calories are estimated based on the packages that my family uses).

Size of cans for veggies, chili, and beans can vary between small pop-top size ~8 oz, the standard 15 oz size, or a larger size depending on your needs.
I tried to find fruit and juice in lighter weight packaging such as juice boxes since more metal would be more weight to carry.
There is NO Glass. Obviously foods such as dehydrated, ready made meals (often sold in camping sections) would be very practical, but I felt that availability and cost would drive this kit.

Click pictures to enlarge.
Not pictured: the non food items and the (have to buy it still!) Water Bottles and Crackers. (Filter bottles are in the brown boxes in the back)

I have ours bagged in heavy duty (name brand) gallon size freezer bags with items split up into "3 days" of multiple labeled bags each.
In addition to this, I put the non-food items (can opener, TP, First Aid kit, etc) into additional bags. (Bags keep it orderly, safe from weather, and provide useful later. (can be put in boiling water to cook oatmeal/mush... etc))

The bags then go into a backpack, bucket, or sturdy bag of some sort.

The Water needs to be included in the same backpack as the food
OR
split the entire Kit between multiple backpacks so that each one holds part food AND part water (in which case, some duplicating would be ideal in case the bags are split up - such as TP and a can opener in each backpack.)

One commonly recommended tip is to update your kit every General Conference Weekend. I have included columns named Apr and Oct so that you can check off (on a yearly print-off that is kept with your kit) as you replace items when they expire. (Expiration dates are general time frames, just estimate your need to replace to keep them safe enough.)

I regret not keeping track of the prices. I bought the foods at various times over the last few months whenever I thought about it or saw a good deal. Generally, Fresh & Easy and Walmart were the more 'productive' AND cheaper priced places.

FYI - there are simpler and smaller kit lists that are readily available on the internet, including some mentioned before. Here is another one that I liked.
Whatever the kit you decide to make, you need to have it contained (backpack etc) and know where it is. You will be blessed to simply have something. My own experiences of emergencies has been a driving force of what I have included, Please make a kit that will bless you with peace.

Church Storehouse in Mesa

Current Church Storehouse Price Sheet.
(They accept Checks only! - no credit cards or cash)

At the Church Storehouse, members can go and buy these items --fully canned and boxed -- on any day they are open. :
Beans, Pinto, 31.2 lbs. $25.50
Oats, Quick, 14.4 lbs. $12.30
Rice, White, 32.4 lbs. $21.60
Wheat, Hard Red, 33.0 lbs. $15.60
Starter Kit (all of the above), 29.4 lbs. $18.70

The rest of the items on their price sheet can be bought at any time as well, but you would want to have a way of storing them ready. Either your own containers or the cans/lids/oxygen packets/boxes that you could buy at the same time as your bulk bags.

Honey *ille Grain

Honey *ille is a company that sells food storage items in bulk. This past year they opened a location here in Chandler. They carry a wide range of grains, beans, freeze dried products, and emergency preparedness. In price (when bought in the store), they are generally the second cheapest (following the Church Storehouse.)
Here is November's list for Honey *ille in store products: http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0By3zK3S0SNBWMjBlN2Y3ZmMtMTBlYi00YmE0LTgxODYtYjJmOGYyNjI0ZjI2&hl=en

Store contact: 33 S. 56th Street Chandler, AZ 85226 (623)208-5776
Store hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm Saturday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Placing group cod liver oil order

I know it sounds gross to the normal modern American. But really I can't recommend it enough... (not being a Dr. of course :) )...For daily health and warding off illness. If you would like to order one bottle; It is 34$. I hear the Orange flavor is the one to try. Chocolate a close second. We are planning on ordering within a week. Just shoot over an email if interested.

Attempt at this week's 3 month storage shopping list

expires Oct. the 20th

Fresh & Easy (store coupon in mail): (free-range grass fed beef), (the regular prices in canned veggies are cheaper than Fry's current sale)

Fry's: ready made soup (Cambell's, Dinty Moore), canned fruit, olives, rosarita refried beans (traditional w/ lard), (wild caught salmon)

I'll improve on this.... :D

Cod Liver Oil -Group Order

http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=taksViLn5wearAZqiqZubPA&output=html

From just my research/opinion, I consider Cod Liver oil to be a staple for human health and a requirement for anyone with an ailment (which in our generations is about 99% of people :) .)

I could weary even myself talking about the Vitamins A, D and K and the different fatty acids, benefits, food sources, history, personal experience, etc.
Kerrygold or Red Feather butter or grass-fed fatty meat or other source of additional Vitamin K2 is recommended for much higher positive effects of the Vit A,D.

An article worth it's time to read, and only an introduction to the benefits and studies about the nutrients and oil. http://westonaprice.org/basicnutrition/codliveroil.html
Here are the opening paragraphs:

Cod liver oil is very good for you, more than you ever knew. Research studies ranging from 1918-2001 give cod liver oil an A+ rating. This marvelous golden oil contains large amounts of elongated omega-3 fatty acids, preformed vitamin A and the sunlight vitamin D, essential nutrients that are hard to obtain in sufficient amounts in the modern diet. Samples may also naturally contain small amounts of the important bone- and blood-maintainer vitamin K.

There is hardly a disease in the books that does not respond well to treatment that includes cod liver oil, and not just infectious diseases but also chronic modern diseases like heart disease and cancer. Cod liver oil provides vitamin D that helps build strong bones in children and helps prevent osteoporosis in adults. The fatty acids in cod liver oil are also very important for the development of the brain and nervous system. "If you want to prevent learning disabilities in your children," said David Horrobin, distinguished medical and biochemical researcher, "feed them cod liver oil."

Cod liver oil contains more vitamin A and more vitamin D per unit weight than any other common food. One hundred grams of regular cod liver oil provides 100,000 IU of vitamin A, almost three times more than beef liver, the next richest source; and 10,000 IU vitamin D, almost four times more than lard, the next richest source. Of course, cod liver oil is only consumed in small amounts, but even a tablespoon (about 15 grams) provides well over the recommended daily allowance for both nutrients.

In addition, cod liver oil contains 7 percent each of the elongated omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. EPA is the precursor of important prostaglandins, localized tissue hormones that help the body deal with inflammation; and DHA is extremely important for the development and function of the brain and nervous system. So it's no surprise that in numerous studies cod liver oil has proven to be a powerhouse in fighting disease.

Unfortunately the cod liver oil on the common grocery and even supplement market has been over processed and the natural vitamins and nutrients damaged and removed, ...and then synthetic vitamins put back in; essentially destroying a perfect food and turning it into a cocktail of toxic and much less helpful nutrients.
There are two sources that I personally can recommend (this group recommends others as well).

The first link is a discontinued brand. They are simply selling the stock left from before the last factory source sold themselves out to the over-processed/synthetic product process.
This is a great source, but there is very limited quantity left. Also, it is VERY fishy, even from capsules!! Keep in fridge.

1. http://www.radiantlifecatalog.com/product/441/healthy-fats-oils
2. http://www.greenpasture.org/community/

https://www.greenpasture.org/retail/checkout.php?s=products
The second link is a relatively new company that is superb quality. They have thoroughly researched the traditional (and ancient) ways of making cod liver oil in Norway and other; and produce it here in the US. The end product is more potent (= smaller doses), easier for body to absorb and digest (= efficient and beneficial), and is more complex in its vitamins and nutrients (= more desire-able and effective).
I have found over and over that these traditional ways of making foods fit much more into the gospel's principles. This method makes a product more similar to vinegar and can be stored (inside, not the garage!) for quite a while. Unofficially, they can be stored for 10 years or more when unopened.
Any order over 12 products has the discount on everything in the order. See the link at the top of this post.

Please leave a comment OR email santan2can at gmail.com if you would like to order anything or have any questions/need more info.

Honey - order by Wednesday evening the 7th

Comparable local products (but higher price per amount) can be found at the produce market on Power road.
- and Foodwise in Gilbert.

The Bountiful Baskets Coop is doing Local Honey orders this week.
It is great quality ("good" sugar) and is great for regular use and storage. Keep it clean and it will last 'forever.'

The Bountiful Baskets hasn't done a honey order in a few years, so this is your chance for a GREAT price for honey.
from coop's email:
"Raw Honey - All-natural, citrus-mesquite, 100% pure, from a Lehi (Mesa), AZ citrus orchard. Approximately 11 lbs. In a sealed plastic tub. Quantities are short, so there is a 2-bucket limit. There are all kinds of reasons to use raw honey vs. processed. For general honey info, check out this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honey "

(Bountiful Baskets is local volunteer run "group buy" of mostly produce. Make a log in and then volunteer as often as you wish - orders are taken until Wednesday nights by 10:00 and pickup is the following Saturday Morning -- See website for more info.)

http://www.bountifulbaskets.org/

Printable Price Sheet for 3 month food storage (pantry)

All of these links are of the exact same information. They are merely different so that hopefully one is compatible with you and your computer. :)

http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=ta3gsMdzoY4qkJr6tR0kq8A&output=html

Sneak peak of above link.


As pdf:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=ta3gsMdzoY4qkJr6tR0kq8A&output=pdf

As excel file (slight adjustment needed in column widths...):
http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=ta3gsMdzoY4qkJr6tR0kq8A&output=xls

About the 3 Month Price sheet

Alter it to fit you!

The bulk of the foods included in your 3 month storage should be those that can keep at room temperature and that can make meals that your family can live off of if nothing else if available.

Items should be bought frugally, used and restocked on a regular basis.

Buy when on sale in large amounts when ever possible to give you more power over the dollar. If you know what a "good enough" price is AND what a "great deal" price is then you are already winning!! :)

The prices and items are just to give you a start, please update them or change them as needed.

Organize your pantry for efficiency. It doesn't have to stay in perfect rows, but at least aim for groups so that all the beans are together and such. This way you'll be more aware of what you possess (and can put the newest in the back.)

Water Storage

As humans, and doubly, as desert dwellers dependent on plumbing, we need to plan ahead concerning water. Simple storage in the home is recommended:
http://www.providentliving.org/content/list/0,11664,7446-1,00.html

Read the above link as well as the links it will take you to. My only amendments would be to use a "food grade" bleach, (possibly NSF certified).
And as mentioned, to choose the plastic type carefully, see link for more info:
http://www.ewg.org/healthy-home-tips-04

In addition to the small storage, I believe it would be prudent to maintain a larger store of water.

We are planning a bulk order of 55 Gal Water Barrels and other containers.
Most likely from Sun West Containers. Their website lists their products. I have a price list that I can email upon request. santan2can AT gmail.com

(If you are looking for an additional bucket (screw on lid) options for 3-6 month food storage, but cheaper than the gamma lids, then check out Food wise in Gilbert as a competitive option.)

Is any one out there with the skill to build sturdy wooden 'holders' for the water barrels? Such as a frame that puts one on top of another when stored horizontally? B

72 Hour Kits

This can be simple enough to do in less than a week. Do it soon.

A more complex list, at least give it a read, can be found in the side margin of the blog RUGetting Prepared, titled the Cadillac of72 hour kits.

Here's a basic outline. (Food suggestions to come at later date.)

• Backpack for every two family members (always plan for individuals or at least buddy system for if separated :| )
• Food (high protein calories preferred for less to carry = remember 72 Hours!)
• Water + water treatment (filter and/or iodine/bleach/silver)
• First Aid Kit (incl meds.)
• Basic Survival (matches, can opener, think boy scouts)
• Basic change of clothes
• Important personal and family documents etc on jump drive (or equivalent quick grab; including important phone numbers, insurance companies)

Every kit will have it's weakness depending on the variety of use - fire, evacuation, etc -
But something (especially water) is better than nothing.
Do your Best + Prayer, and you'll be blessed.

Update this kit every General Conference or other pivotal date every 6 months.

Highly informative website

scottmarsh.com

Helpful information, educational tools, and practical applications
for
saving money,
making money,
and getting out of debt.

Click around and have some fun :D