Building your Ark * Lesson 6: Noah Had Water

Lesson 6: Noah Had Water

Presented by Debbie Kent

In pondering drinking water for Noah, I originally chuckled, thinking, “Well it was pouring rain they wouldn’t need to store water”. But then I realized that it only rained for forty days of the almost year they were on the ark.

What did they do the other ten months? They had to have stored water.

Water is essential for life. Most of us just take it for granted. We turn on the faucet and clean clear water comes out day and night. It is not until some major disaster or calamity occurs that the true value of water truly becomes apparent. In some cases it becomes “more valuable than gold.” Many of us may be prepared with our 72 hour emergency kits which contain a bottle or two of water. But how many of us are really prepared for an emergency that could last for a week, a month, several months….and yes, perhaps even up to a year.”
“Store enough drinking water for circumstances in which the water supply may be polluted or disrupted. Water is more essential than food in sustaining life.” (Providentliving.org)

There is much differing information out there about storing water. The following are some ideas of what is the best and safest way to store and treat water.

Store clean water before the crisis.

Some examples of this 2 week supply: 3-5gallon jugs; 5-cases of 4 oz water pouches; 3:5 gallon bottles; or 4-cases of 16 oz bottles. PETE bottle: 2 liter soda bottles or juice bottles can also be used if washed really well. 

Do NOT use Bleach/Soap bottles for drinking water.

Level One: FEMA recommends at least 1 gallon of water person for 2 weeks, or at least 14 gallons. Allow more for first aid, cooking, cooling down, etc. (minimum 2 gallons per person per day) PLUS water bottle purifier (can be found at ldscatalog.org – Seychelle $22). This water filtration bottle kit removes up to 99.99 percent of pollutants and contaminants found in drinking water. Produces up to 100 gallons of filtered water, includes extra filter.
Level Two: 1-55 gallon drum per person; pump; wrench (to open and close); water treatment
Level Three: 2 more 55 gallon barrels per person (3 barrels: 3 months supply-per person).
Level Four: A way to collect more water and a GOOD purifier, and creative ways to store.

Where to Store Water

Store where easily accessible for emergency use and water source to fill. Best stored in dark, cool place. Can be stored outside, off of ground, covered, in shade if possible. Store away from insecticides, petroleum or anything else with a strong odor.

The Time is Now

With the Earthquake in Virginia this week and now a Hurricane coming to the same region we should be looking around us to see where we need to better prepare.  The time to prepare is now.  Where are we on our efforts?  Where do we want to be? What can we do today?  If you don't have the answers to these questions there is something that you can do.

Being fully prepared takes time, effort and money.  If we find ourselves short in one or all of those areas there is one thing that we can and must do to prepare.  PRAY.  If we simply have a desire to prepare but do not know how or where to start PRAY,  The Lord will guide you in your efforts.  Pray about what you can do now to prepare for the future.  There are many things that each of us can do that cost no money;  Make an Emergency Plan, plan Escape Routes, save milk jugs and soda bottles for water storage. If we are prayerful we will be guided in what is most important for us.

Now would also be a good time to review our 72 Hour Kits;  If you need to rotate the food, update medications or add something that you find to be missing.  If you have children make sure their clothing fits.  If you haven't started a 72 Hour Kit you could take last year's school back pack for the kids and put their emergency clothing inside instead of throwing them out.

Don't forget that you may be away from home in the event of an emergency.  You may want to have a Mini Emergency Kit in your car or at your office.  It will only take a little time and thought and you will be better prepared.

We live in an area where earthquakes, though unpredictable, are expected.  Here are some links with information about what we can do BEFORE, DURING, and AFTER an earthquake.  Knowledge is Priceless and can save a life.  Please take a few minutes to review the information.

We can all be prepared, we just have to take the first step and start.

Building your Ark * Lesson 5: Noah Counted the Animals

Lesson 5: Noah Counted the Animals

Presented by Debbie Kent

Noah had to count the animals to be sure he had what he needed. The same is true with you. Knowing what you have and what you still need begins with inventorying. If you don’t really know what you have, then you can’t know if you have enough or what you still need. How you do this is up to you.

Here are a few ideas:

Pencil and paper: Record: item name, date purchased; how much and where it is stored
Index cards: have one card for every bucket or can. Keep these organized in a recipe type box. When you open a new one put that card in the buy pile. Easy way to keep track of inventory.
TrackMyFoodStorage.com: Free site to record and track your food storage
Food Storage Analyzer (beprepared.com): Inventory & analyze your food & nutritional content.
Food Storage Planner: Computer program: 3 levels of lists including food and many other areas of preparedness; keeps track of inventory, recipes, etc.

Building your Ark * Lesson 4: A Place for Everything

Lesson 4: A Place for Everything 

Presented by Debbie Kent

With limited space on the ark and many kinds of animals, Noah would have needed to be organized. This is a good lesson learned. The more organized and easily accessible your food storage is the more likely you will use it. Did you know that by cooking with food storage one day out of the week can totally rotate your food storage in seven years? 

Optimally, food should be stored in your basement or storm cellar where temperatures remain stable and below 70º. If this is not possible where you live then the garage works for most grains and even canned goods if you rotate often, but definitely NOT for dehydrated or freeze-dried foods or dairy products. They are greatly and quickly affected by heat. Store these in house. After you have done all you can, pray that Heavenly Father will bless and protect your food. 

Think you have no place to store in your house? Think again. Did you know you can store a one year supply of basics under a twin sized bed? Under beds, in closets, linen closets, false walls, in the corner or on rotating shelves are just some options for storage. Storing food that is easily accessible will make it not only easier to rotate but easier to find when you need it. Make sure you DATE all items. Rotating your food is the best way to ensure good quality. There are four things that affect the quality (flavor, appearance, texture, vitamins) of your food, these are known as HALT. More info on effects of long term storage on BYU website: ndfs.byu.edu/foodstorage 

§ Humidity (moisture)

§ Air (oxygen)

§ Light

§ Temperature (temp. above 70 degrees cut storage life by half each year) 

Storage Containers 

In addition to storing your food in an organized manner and in keeping with the rules of HALT and wanting to keep it free from bugs and rodents, you will want to package it for long term storage. This can be done by packing in one of the following ways: 

All Storage Containers (package with O2 packets and store all off of floors)

Mylar Bags: re-sealable, not puncture or rodent proof, store in other container,

#10 Cans: Make sure seal is tight, not re-useable, not airtight once opened, stackable.

Buckets: Food Grade, Stackable, re-useable, re-sealable, easy open with gamma lids.

PETE bottles: cheap, re-useable, not stackable.

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.