Building your Ark * Lesson 3: Noah Gathered Food

Lesson 3: Noah Gathered Food 

Presented by Debbie Kent

Noah was commanded not only store food for his family but also for the animals and did you know they lived on the ark for almost a year? A year supply of food…sound familiar? Now it’s your turn to gather food for your family. Does that sound overwhelming, then take it one level at a time. 

Level One:

90 Days Supply 

Think SOS

Simple- in case of illness or disaster

One Pot- easy and less dishes

Storable- Shelf Stable food that can be stored at least 6 months 

Making Your 90-Day Menu: Make a list of meals for breakfasts that your family likes to eat: pancakes, muffins, cereal, oatmeal, cream of wheat, toast and jam, eggs and hash browns, coffee cake, granola, etc. If you will eat once a week, multiply ingredients by 12, if 2 times a month, multiply by 6. Then do the same for lunch, dinner and snacks. 

Putting Your Menu into Action: To make pancake breakfast you need: pancake mix, syrup and maybe Tang to drink. The following table shows the breakdown of amounts of ingredient; how many days you will eat in a 3 month period; how much that totals up to; how much is in a package; how many packages you would need for 3 months. You can do this on index cards: one for each meal or on a chart or whatever works for you. The important thing is to pick your meals and list ALL the ingredients. When you do this and have it all on your shelves then you will have the means to make meals that your family will LOVE to eat. 

Meal           Ingredients                Amount               # of days         Totals         Pkg Amt        Needed

Pancakes

                     Pancake Mix               4 c                           12                  48 c             24 c                2

                     Syrup                           1/2 c                        12                  6 c                6 c                 1

                     Tang                             1/2 c                        12                 6 c                 6 c                 1 

When you are done with this list, the totals become your shopping list. Take this list with you when you go shopping and pick up a few items each week, especially stocking up with the items that are one sale and ones you have coupons for.  Before you know it you will have your 90 Day Supply of open and eat foods. 

*Repackaging meals in paper bags or cardboard boxes into mylar bags with O2 absorbers will greatly increase their shelf life. 

Level Two

Long Term Food Storage – One Person/One Year 

“Perhaps if you would think in terms of not what you regularly eat but in terms of what it would take to keep you alive if there was nothing else available” Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley 

o 400 lbs Grains (wheat, rice, oats, pasta, barley, popcorn, rye, millet, spelt, etc)

o 60 lbs Beans (pinto, black, navy, split peas, lentils, or canned meat)

(Bean+ whole grain makes a complete protein) 

THEN ADD:

o 60 lbs Sugar (white, brown, powdered, honey, jello, fruit drink, jelly)

o 8 lb Salt (at least ½ iodized)

o 16 lb Dry Milk (triple amount for small children and nursing mom’s)

o 4 gal. Oil (vegetable, canola, olive, shortening, mayo, peanut butter)

o 2 lb. Baking Soda, 2 lb Baking Powder and 2 lb. Yeast

Survival Mode 

A Basic Year Supply is about the same amount of food the Handcart Pioneers had per day. 

Another problem how to void Appetite Fatigue (a term coined during Post War WWII). During the war the cities had been almost destroyed. The people scrounged and then started growing food. They only had a few different kinds of food so they ate the same thing, everyday. The older people and children just stopped eating and died. You know how children are if it is not something that is familiar to them, that they like, they just say they aren’t hungry.

Lesson learned: Add variety and comfort foods to your storage. 

The Third Level 

 Meals 

Now that you have your basic year supply, start thinking in terms of meals. What can you make using the basics of grains and beans for breakfasts, lunches, dinners and comfort foods and store accordingly. If you want to make pancakes: do you have a grinder, baking soda, and syrup? If you want to make soup, do you have bouillon, vegetables and spices? A tasty meal is A LOT more satisfying than a bowl of plain rice and beans. So what does YOUR family want to eat? 

The Top Level 

 The Givers 

So you have enough food for your family, do you have enough to share with others who did not have the opportunity to store? Maybe you could have some ABC soup mix that you could share with a hungry neighbor? Or are you feeling prompted to help your married kids or other family members? This is the level that moves you from being a survivor to being able to feed His sheep.

3 Month Storage: Seasoning

Seasonings

Home Storage goal for the month of

july

Spiritual Goal:  Do an act of Service

Acquire a 3 month supply of seasonings

For your family

Go thorough your cupboard and see what you have.  Here are some suggestions you will want to include:

Vanilla

baking powder

baking soda

cornstarch

salt

garlic

dry onion

Italian seasoning

Beef bullion

Chicken bullion

Chili powder

Vinegar

Lemon juice

Here are spices and their preferred uses:

Allspice: hearty meats, fruit desserts

Basil: tomatoes, pesto, salads

Bay Leaves: soups and stews, grilled meats

Caraway Seeds: breads, cabbage, carrots, potatoes

Celery Seeds: tomatoes, salads

Chives: salads, vegetables, potatoes, eggs

Cinnamon: baked goods, fruits, beverages

Cloves: baked goods, hearty meats

Coriander: Mexican dishes, soups

Cumin: Mexican dishes, meats, cheese, beans

Dill Weed and Seed: vegetables, salads and dressings, eggs

Fennel: sausage, fish

Ginger: baked goods, Asian dishes, vegetables

Marjoram: meats, Italian dishes, vegetables

Mint: beverages, meats, desserts

Mustard: fish, eggs, cheese, meats, sauces

Nutmeg: baked goods, spinach, dairy products

Oregano: Italian dishes, meats, tomatoes

Paprika: Spanish dishes, potatoes, meats

Parsley: salads, soups, meats, fish

Pepper: meats, soups and stews, nearly everything

Poppy Seeds: baked goods, noodles, salad dressings

Rosemary: chicken, potatoes

Saffron: rice, seafood

Sage: poultry, pork, stuffings

Savory: beans, cheese, eggs

Sesame Seeds: baked goods, Asian dishes, cheese

Tarragon: chicken, salads, seafood

Thyme: meats, soups and stews, vegetables

Vanilla: baked goods, beverages

Mexican Seasoning

·  1/2 cup chili powder

·  1 tablespoon salt

·  1 tablespoon dried cumin

·  2 teaspoons garlic powder

·  1 teaspoon oregano

·  1 teaspoon black pepper

Combine all ingredients and store in an airtight container. Keep in a dark and cool place.

Cajun Seasoning

·  4 tablespoons paprika

·  4 tablespoons salt

·  3 tablespoons black pepper

·  3 tablespoons garlic powder

·  1 tablespoon onion powder

·  2 teaspoons cayenne

·  1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano

·  1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme

Combine all ingredients. Store in an air tight container and keep in a cool, dark place

Italian Seasoning

·  2 tablespoons dried basil

·  2 tablespoons dried oregano

·  2 tablespoons dried rosemary

·  2 tablespoons dried thyme

·  2 tablespoons dried sage

·  2 tablespoons dried marjoram

·  2 tablespoons savory

·  1 tablespoons dried coriander

Combine all ingredients. It is best to grind the herbs together or put in a food processor for about 30 seconds. This will give you an even mixture. Store in a dry, cool and dark place.

Seasoned Salt

·  4 tablespoons salt

·  4 teaspoons sugar

·  1 teaspoon paprika

·  1/2 teaspoon turmeric

·  1/2 teaspoon onion powder

·  1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

·  1/2 teaspoon cornstarch

Combine all ingredients. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.

Poultry Seasoning

·  3 tablespoons dried rosemary

·  3 tablespoons dried oregano

·  3 tablespoons dried sage

·  2 tablespoons dried ginger

·  2 tablespoons dried marjoram

·  2 tablespoons dried thyme

·  1 tablespoon black pepper

Combine all ingredients. Store in an airtight container. Keep in a cool, dark place.

 

Building your Ark * Lesson 2: When God Speaks… LISTEN

Lesson 2: When God Speaks… LISTEN

Presented by Debbie Kent

 

 

Get your spiritual houses in order. You know the drill on this: daily prayer, family prayer, scripture study, following commandments, and attending the temple. I believe one reason there has been such an emphasis on doing these things is that they prepare you for personal revelation. This gift of revelation will not only give you guidance for you and your family, but bring you peace and joy even when things get REALLY HARD. Have you read the scriptures lately about what is to come and then applied that to what life will be like…it is humbling indeed. It will truly take a combination of spiritual and physical preparedness to help us survive and endure these Last Days.

“For many years the leaders of the Mormon Church have recommended … that every family have on hand at least a year’s supply of basic food, clothing, fuel (where possible), and provisions for shelter…it can and will be useful in many circumstances in the days ahead.” (Ezra Taft Benson, “God, Family, Country” p.331)
I am sure Noah thought, “How am I ever going to build a boat THAT BIG??? The Answer: one board at a time; one nail at a time, with direction from God and a little help from his family.

The same is true with your preparedness program. It is an overwhelming task if you try to do it all at once and all by yourself. BUT if you just take just one item at a time; one level at a time, pretty soon your whole ark will be complete. Just like Noah, the Lord is there to give direction and encouragement, to show us what to do next.

Also like Noah we find ourselves needing to be prepared in all things. We are going to look at all these areas needed to build our arks combined with the idea that like Noah we can’t build our arks all at once but rather need to build it up in levels. Things like: clothes, shelter, food, water, sanitation, cooking, medical, communication, tools, lighting, fuel, protection and skills you or others might need.

These are guidelines only. Please use prayer and the promptings of the Spirit to
further guide you as to what your family needs and when.

Building your Ark * Lesson 1: Noah Was Warned

Lesson 1: Noah Was Warned

Presented by Debbie KentNoah, being warned of God of things not seen…
prepared an ark to the saving of his house.” (Heb. 11:7)

We too have been warned how we can save our house…

Prophets throughout the history of the earth have been shown visions of our day and written about what they saw. Things like: earthquakes, pestilences, flooding, storms, famines and wars that would happen during the dreadful day of the Lord. Latter -day Prophets have taken that a step further and given us counsel on what we can do to prepare both spiritually and physically. Are we taking their warnings seriously? Do we have ears to hear? Do we really think what they say is important enough to act on?

Prophet Gordon B Hinckley, (“If Ye are Prepared Ye Shall Not Fear”)
“If anyone has any doubt concerning the terrible things that can and will afflict mankind, let him read the 24th chapter of Matthew. Among other things the Lord says: “Ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars. … “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. … For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. He went on to describe many disasters including: the San Francisco Earthquake of 1906, the Black Plague that killed millions, the Chicago Fire, The Great Depression, Hurricane Katrina, and the Tsunami in Southeast Asia. Then he said, “What we have experienced in the past was all foretold, and the end is not yet. Just as there have been calamities in the past, we expect more in the future.” Occasions such 9/11 pull us up sharply to a realization that “Life is fragile, peace is fragile, civilization itself is fragile. The economy is particularly vulnerable. We have been counseled again and again concerning self-reliance. We cannot provide against every contingency. But we can provide against many contingencies.”

What are some of the contingencies we have been forewarned would come our way?

Famine/Drought: "...lay up food that can be preserved; for you will see a day when you will want it; and it will be when we shall feel the effects of famine, and when the United States has not any food."Heber C. Kimball, May 1857

Pestilences: The Lord has set loose the angels to reap down the earth, but those who obey the Word of Wisdom along with the other commandments are assured “that the destroying angel shall pass by them.” Prepare Ye, Ezra Taft Benson, 1974

Earthquakes: in divers places and increasing in intensity worldwide. When a major earthquake hits the Antelope Valley we will be essentially cut off from outside help for a time. Plan on being able to take care of: yourselves, friends and neighbors. They will be your support system.

Hurricanes and Flooding: “And also cometh the testimony of the voice of thunderings, and the voice of lightnings, and the voice of tempests, and the voice of the waves of the sea heaving themselves beyond their bounds.  Doctrine & Covenants 88: 88-91

Terrorism and War: “…Ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars” Matt. 24:6 “…Nation will rise up against nation, kingdom against kingdom, and states against states, in our own country and in foreign lands.”
Brigham Young , Journal of Discourses, Vol 8, pg 123

Economies Fail: Job loss, stores closing, bank failures, Stock Market Crash, housing market crash, national and person debt, bailouts, dollar devalued, etc.
“…Lay up your wheat and other provisions against a day of need, for the day will come when they will be wanted, and no mistake about it. "  Pres. Wilford Woodruff (Journal of Discourses, 18:121.)

“Building Your Ark…Lessons Learned from Noah”

“Building Your Ark…Lessons Learned from Noah”

Presented by Debbie Kent avfoodstorage@gmail.com

“Be prepared in all things against the day when tribulation
and desolation are sent forth upon the wicked.” D&C 29:8

There are many, many different ways to build an ark and even more choices of what to put in it. Please listen to the Spirit, while you are reading this handout, as it prompts you to know what you need for YOUR ark. There are many lessons that can be learned from Noah, like “Keep the woodpeckers in a cage”, but we are going to focus on some other lessons that help us on our quest to be prepared in all things.

Keeping Warm in COLD weather

Keeping Warm in COLD weather

Dress in Layers

1. Base layer ~ Wool or Polyester ~ To wick moisture away
2. Insulating layer ~ Such as Down, Fleece or light wool ~ To trap dead air
3. Protective layer ~ Woven Nylon or Gore-Tex type ~ Water protection

Do you need blankets??

Don’t forget your hands and feet….Cotton is bad, go with wool/synthetics if you can and think about hand warmers!

Where to start??

 72 Hour Kits

Being prepared can be over whelming, and sometimes we wonder "Where do I begin?"  A good place to start is with a 72 hour kit, even if it's just one, it's a start.

The purpose of a kit is to sustain life for 72 hours, in the event of an emergency.  I know many of us have at least a partial kit and that it great!  Remember, we need to update our 72 Hour Kits every so often.  Also, regularly review your family emergency plans.

Here are several questions to ask yourself:

• Do you know where your 72-hour kit is and how to use it?
• Do you have a kit for each member of your family?
• Do your kids know what is in it?
• Is the 72-hour kit up to date?
• Do you own a battery-powered radio?
• In an emergency, do you know where to find emergency information for our area?
• Do you have a family emergency plan?
• Have you practiced it recently?
• Do you carry a paper list of contacts with a phone number of someone at least 100 miles away for everyone to contact?
• Do you have an emergency kit in your car? In your office?
• How long will it take for you to walk home from work?
• Do you know where you will evacuate?
• Can you bring your 72-hour kit to an evacuation center if needed? Or can you stay home and shelter in place?
• Do you own a shovel?
• The government can bring emergency drinking water in trucks, but when they do, what kind of container to you own to carry the water in?
• Do you own a tent or travel trailer?
• Do you have 2 gallons of water per day per person? 1 gallon for drinking and 1 gallon for sanitary use?
• Is your hot water heater strapped to the wall?
• Do you know how to shut off your water so you can use it?
• Do you know how to shut off the gas? Only shut it off if you smell gas.

There is so much to think about. "If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear." (D&C 38:30) 

Don't get overwhelmed with everything there is to do. You just need to begin.