Farmington West Provident Living

 Part of being prepared for an emergency or hard times is to have a little bit of money set aside for such an event.  We have been advised to not go to the extremes in our preparedness efforts and to definitely not go into debt doing this.  Adding a few items at a time to our food storage and emergency supplies is perfectly acceptable in becoming self reliant and "prepared".  This includes a small small amount of cash to buy essentials or fees that may arise if/when you may be displaced.  A portion of a savings account could be designated as an emergency fund as well, (and for in the event of income loss etc.) but a small amount for immediate needs should be stored with your supplies.  If you have a waterproof/fireproof box for essential papers (a good idea) this would be a good place for an envelope with some emergency funds.

We have been advised to put away a supply of food and essentials to help us in future hard times.  To be  PREPARED.    As we experience and learn about situations that may displace us from our homes and away from our food storage, we have learned that having a smaller emergency supply is definitely a good thing, in addition to a long term supply of food and other essentials.  A 72 hour kit is a selection of supplies most necessary for survival (& com fort) in the first couple of days following an event most likely to force an evacuation from your home.  A "grab and go" bag. It should contain a bit of food, water, a change of clothing, first aid items, flashlights etc.  The bare necessities.  Each member of your household should have a small bag of these essentials, and if possible, a bag containing shareable items could be compiled and ready to take along also.  Click  HERE  for several lists, helps and suggestions for compiling...

 " A lot of food storage is ultimately wasted. That’s a shame since food-storage staples are so healthy for us and are often more cost-effective than processed items. To better use the food, I recommend the following basics. Rotate.  Remember the first-in, first-out rule, and try to use your food storage regularly. Though some items can be stored for years, keep in mind that their nutritional value diminishes over time. For instance, dry beans used within a year or two cause less gastrointestinal distress than old beans. Eating them several times a week also helps your body adjust to them. Whole grains.  The highly processed foods we tend to eat often contain a lot of sweeteners, salt, and unhealthy fats. And much of the product’s cost can be for packaging. It’s healthier and less expensive to use oatmeal, brown rice, whole wheat, and other grains for nutritious meals, especially breakfast cereals. Dried milk.  You can improve the taste and consistency by using 1/3 c...

 That time of year is already quickly approaching for those that started herbs indoors early. Some of my Basil and Cilantro have already grown enough to begin harvesting. Luckily, with herbs, if you prefer only fresh, you can start them indoors at any time of year, so you can plant on a schedule to always have a pot of your favorite herb ready when you want it.   (photo cred: thefrugalgirls.com) For those that plant once a year, yet want to use in cooking all year long, there are several easy ways to preserve herbs by dehydration.   If you do not own, or do not wish to purchase an expensive freeze drier or dehydrator, there are simple ways to experiment with smaller amounts and then if you love it, purchase a dehydrator in the future.  Let’s start with some simple herb drying methods. If you have not planted any herbs, consider starting a pot of some basic varieties and when they reach a decent level of maturity, dry some for future use.    Following a...

We all probably have great memories of sitting around campfires telling stories or singing songs while roasting hot dogs or mallows for s'mores, but there are so many more great things you can cook over a campfire. Learning how to cook over a fire is a one of the many ways we can prepare for times when we have to cook without power during an emergency.   For campfire tips and recipes, click here ...  Read more... Click here for more information on Cooking Without Power.

Having fuel at the ready is an important part of preparedness.   From a simple light source, to heat, to fuel for cooking.   Following are some simple tips for obtaining and keeping fuel at the ready. Make sure you have candles and matches.   This is a great back-up to flashlights and batteries.    Keep your propane tanks filled for your BBQ or camp stove.   If you do not already keep a back-up tank, consider always having a full tank in your shed or garage.   Keep a supply of white gas or propane for your camp stove, whichever is appropriate. Also, if you have an outdoor fire pit, tuck away a supply of firewood for emergency use.   This may end up being used for more than just a S’more party. In addition to the above tips, store gasoline for your generators.   Be sure that you know the proper storage for fuels. Here is another source for proper fuel storage .    

Spring is in full swing and many gardens are planted or prepared.  If you have not planted yet, never fear, it is not too late! See the GARDENING link for tips and tricks for getting your garden started or managed.  Hopefully you will have some delicious  home grown produce within a few weeks and then canning/preserving season will be upon us before we realize. If you have children, gardening can be a great family affair and will leave them with a lifelong skill putting them on the path to their own "Provident Living". If you have limited space (or time and energy) consider planting some herbs in smaller pots.  These can be used in your summer cooking or preserved.  Most herbs are easily dried in your oven and stored in sealed bags or bottles for longer term food storage. This can save money and also contribute to that "I did it myself" satisfaction.

  Getting started on a longer term food supply for your family should be easy to do and not break the bank if you start small and gradually build it up.  Start with a 2 week & then month supply by purchasing a few extra items each week.  Work your way up to a 3 month supply and so on.  Check out this  3 Month Supply Suggestion List  . For more tips and food storage information, visit the Food Storage link from the Blog menu.  Don't forget to work in a plan to rotate your storage... oldest first and replace what you use. For longer term storage items, consider purchasing some of the bulk items from a Home Storage Center.  Many of the #10 can items have up to a 30 year shelf life.  See the   Home Storage Center  link for updated availability of products.  There are also links there to read more on purchasing online, which may be the way of the future as Home Storage Centers are phased out in certain areas.