Monday Message

"Have sufficient food, clothing, and fuel on hand to last at least one year." (President Ezra Taft Benson)

It seems things are more crazy than ever with droughts, flooding, and all manner of things. We are having rain and more rain here.

I think it is more important than ever to be frugal and learn skills that can help our families. I think that until we experience hard times we won't really know how or what we will have to do. Think about the hardest times you have ever had and figure out what skill would have made that hard time easier.

When I look back I wish I had learned earlier to can.

We could have benefited so much from that. Home canned food lasts so much longer than the tin can foods. However, having both is a blessing plus knowing how to cook is huge. Eating out was never an issue but knowing how to cook and stretch food and money would have helped a lot.

http://foodstoragemadeeasy.net/self-reliance/cooking-from-scratch/  - If I had known then what I know now it would have been easier however my push to learn might not have been as strong. I share the blog so it will be easier for you.

https://ourbestbites.com/ - lots of recipes here.

I know I was always on the look-out for things I could make at home.

https://ourbestbites.com/oven-baked-hard-boiled-eggs/ - this is easier than boiling.

http://foodstoragemadeeasy.net/fsme/docs/SHELF-STABLE-RECIPE-BOOK.pdf - I thought this might be helpful.

Knowing how to bake bread, rolls, hamburger and hot dog buns was huge for me to get to that point. Also, having the equipment to do all of the things is a real help so take advantage of yard sales that are now starting. Look for dehydrators, pressure canners, canning jars, vacuum sealers and such - even wheat grinder. I know you are thinking "really?" But I have seen them. I know I often mention this but unless you have the money to walk in and purchase them you will have to look at the used options. Once you get the equipment you need to learn how to use it and then put it to use making it a part of your life.

Sewing is also a huge skill. Being able to sew and maintain our clothes is critical.

Living within a budget is essential as well, especially with prices that will be going up and if you are just eeking by now it will get harder, so get these skills learned.

Knitting and crocheting, especially in colder climates, is helpful.

Food storage is critical if you had no money to buy food with. It has happened a lot to us so it has been helpful to us to have a storage.

https://www.lds.org/bc/content/shared/english/pdf/callings/welfare/104587_06600_000_RecipesBrchr_pdf.pdf

Food storage is different for everyone. The best thing is to look at what you eat and store. Those items have shelf stable items such as dried beans, rice, wheat, powdered milk, oatmeal, sugar, oil, etc...build on these items as you can.

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=food+storage+recipes+lds&&view=detail&mid=C08403CA3A26C56B9E4FC08403CA3A26C56B9E4F&rvsmid=BDFEB1C55B3AFF97924FBDFEB1C55B3AFF97924F&FORM=VDQVAP - this is a great place to start and just keep it going, there is another video following.

I encourage you to look around their site, "store this, not that" for wonderful ideas.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zhAzS4lFkk - they have great info.

https://www.youtube.com/user/everydayfoodstorage/videos - these are all great and you will learn great things by watching them.

I encourage you to not put off learning your skills or storing food.