3 Month Food Storage

Do you have your 3 month food storage?

I know you plan on eating rice, beans or wheat and will make it by, if you have to stay in your home for three months. Well, lets take a look at this way of thinking.

1# Do you have the water to cook your food?

If you are quarantined to your home...so will the water treatment plants employees and more importantly so will the electrical workers. No electricity=no water. (read more about this in my water blog...this information came from a city of Mesa water employee...Do not think I am making this up!) http://rureadyoasisverdeward.blogspot.com/2009/08/water-storage-and-purification.html

#2 How do you plan on cooking your food?

Do you have propane? Solar Oven? Dutch oven with charcoal? Do you have enough for 3 months? Do you have enough to heat water to clean you cooking pots and utensils? Sanitary conditions will be extremely important...you do not want to make everyone sick.

#3 Are you eating these foods daily now?

If you are not eating these types of foods now in your daily diet you will be in distress if you have to start eating them 3 times a day for months. I have nothing against beans, rice or whole wheat...we eat them everyday. In fact we ate beans in everyone of our meals last week. Beans are a cheap and great way to stretch your food budget.

#4 Do you have other ingredients to add to these items?

Have you heard of appetite fatigue? This is real! When a person is required to eat the something over and over they can become tried of eating it. So much so in fact, that they may stop eating all together. In the stress of a situation where you do not have access to your normal meals, activities, and basic electricity and water-do not set yourself up to make matters even more difficult for your family by choosing to eat one or two foods. A simple 7 day food rotation plan is better. Keep it simple, but do plan to eat more than one type of food.

#5 You will need protein to keep your body functioning.

Eating straight rice will not provide the protein you need. Rice and Beans or rice and corn make up a whole protein.

#6 How old is your food storage?

If you never check on your food storage it may be too old to use or it will taste funny. Please evaluate and inventory your long term food storage. Even canned foods need to be rotated. Canned tomatoes are usually only good for 1 year before the cans bulge. Throw away any cans that are bulging- they can make you very, very sick! I have opened two year old white rice only to find it rusted. If the oxygen packets that you originally canned with are not good then your canned items may not be any good. Please check your items at least every year and rotate!

#7 If you think you do not need to do anything to be prepared because you feel nothing is ever going to happen. Please evaluate your thinking! Prophets have told us for years to get our food storage. It started out as a 7-year, then 2 year, then 1 year and more recently they have urged us to get a 3 month supply of food and water. Just because we do not live on tornado ally or have other environmental factors knocking at our door does not mean we are excluded from being prepared. We have just as much to lose if we face storms of loss of income, severe illness, truckers strikes-stores only have 2 days of food on their shelves, at the most, -if something happens you will not be able to feed your children if you are not already prepared!

Please think about it! E-mail me or call me if you need help! sage1211@msn.com 380-9732

Utah Apples

UTAH APPLES


We are able to get Gala and Golden Delicious Apples this month. The prices are listed below. There will be other apples in October.

Gala- 38 lbs.- $24.00
Golden Delicious- 38 lbs.- $24.00

Please note that we will only hold your fruit for 2 days. After that it will be resold with no refund. All money must be in before we will place your orders..

We have three pick-up locations this year. First pick-up location is in Gilbert at Higley and Chandler Heights.
Second pick-up location is in Queen Creek at Ocotillo and Ironwood. Third pick-up location is in Mesa at Gilbert and McKellips. For the Mesa location please add an additional $.50 per box to your total.
When you place your order please let us know which location you would like to pick your order up at.

Please email us with your order and any questions.

Thanks,

Becki and Anna
Food Storage Specialists
http://www.rugettingprepared.blogspot.com/

Canning Orders Due Today!

If you are placing a September canning order- The order is due today.
Please call or (better yet) e-mail your order to sage1211@msn.com
You must be at the cannery September 19, 2009 at 8:15 am to can your items. You will need to bring a blank check to pay for your order (prices can change). If you do not attend the stake canning day your order will be cancelled. Please remember to leave children at home and to wear close toed shoes. You can also purchase bulk items that day...with out pre-ordering.

Items avaible-Price is per #10 Can
Black Beans $4.85
White rice $ 3.60
Granulated Sugar $4.45
Quick Oats $ 2.05
Potato Flakes $ 3.40
Fruit Drink $ 6.60

Questions? Call or e-mail Cindy Sage 480-380-9732 sage1211@msn.com

Water Filtration System

Need a Water Filtration System but you cannot afford to spend a few hundred dollars on one?

Lets make one! E-mail me if you are interested. sage1211@msn.com
A problem and a solution
People caught in a disaster-devastated area always need clean water. By clean we mean without bacteria – those little unseen critters that make people sick with diseases such as Cholera. Without clean water, they cannot maintain their health and strength and they cannot begin recovery.
Ron Mathis and the Texas Baptist Men’s Water Ministry, the group Ron chairs, are very aware of the importance of potable water. They travel to impoverished or war-torn parts of the world and into places wrecked by natural disasters. ( See how you can help improve the lives of people around the world. Read Small Donation, Big Help! )
Just Water Ceramic Drip-Filter
To provide clean, drinkable water to these areas, the Texas Baptist Men initiated the development of a practical, inexpensive, but very effective, ceramic water filter. They call it the “Just Water Ceramic Drip-Filter.”
Ron described it as, "A ceramic, half-micron water filter. The micron removes water-borne bacterium. The inside of the filter is loaded with different media or ingredients, such as man-made carbons, mother nature carbons and man-made resins. Those different resins and carbons remove the different contaminants in the water.
“So if we know where a person will be taking and using this filter,” Ron said, “we can load that filter with the correct media. That will provide the filter with a bacteria wall that will remove the bacterium.”
Simple Design
According to Ron, teaching people how to assemble the Just Water Ceramic Drip-Filter does not require printed instructions or even the ability to speak the local language. Individuals only have to watch someone put this water filter together to learn how to do it.
Nor does the assembly call for any unusual or hard-to-find tools.
“This is the simplest form of water filtration that you could have,” Ron said. "It’s extremely simple to use and maintain. Easy-to-use was one of our main goals. Every time we design a filter system – small or large – simplicity has to be part of that design, or it’s just a waste of time and money.
“I say jokingly but seriously: If an MIT student likes our filter, the people who need it will never learn how to use it!”
Easy Assembly
Putting the Just Water Ceramic Drip-Filter to use only requires two plastic, same-size containers with lids and a knife or some other tool that will cut a hole in plastic.
Ron said, “This is a two-bucket system, one mounted atop the other. The buckets or containers must be plastic, but they can be almost any size – two-gallon, five-gallon or ten-gallon. Size doesn’t really matter. My personal filter that I travel with all over the world is two, plastic, Folgers coffee cans.”
Assembly begins by cutting two holes: one in the bottom of the top bucket and one in the lid of the bottom bucket. The filter is then centered in the top bucket, with its stem going through the hole. That stem is threaded, so it can be secured with a wing nut.
The top bucket is then mounted atop the bottom bucket, with the filter stem going through the hole in the lid of the bottom bucket.
“When you put water in the top bucket,” Ron said, “it passes through the filter, into the hollow stem and drips into the bottom bucket.”
Accessories
The Texas Baptist Men have enhanced their Just Water Ceramic Drip-Filter by also developing a pre-filter sock and a spigot.
The sock, which fits over and protects the filter, can be secured with a rubber band. It’s used in areas with extremely turbid water that has contaminants such as fish scales or fecal matter. And the spigots provide a handy, easily installed faucet.
Testing
The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, as well as other laboratories, have tested the Just Water Ceramic Drip-Filter. They found the system very effective in filtering all bacteria from laboratory test water. Click here to read a recent email from Johns Hopkins.
Other Uses
Monolithic’s president David B. South said, "We plan to tell anyone and everyone involved in a DFTW (Domes For The World) project about these filters. They are sorely needed in most areas where DFTW construction is going on.
“And we here in the U.S.,” he added, “would be wise to consider making this effective, inexpensive water filter as a part of our 72-hour emergency kit and supplies. In an unforeseen disaster, you could filter water from ANY source and make it perfectly safe. You could use rainwater, creek water, standing water in culverts, etc.”
Click Here To View The Spec Sheet and PDF DownloadClick Here For Detailed Assembly Instructions and PDF Download
For prices and ordering information, please visit the Monolithic Marketplace.

Free Classes

Free Abundance Classes
To view this email as a website, Click Here
August 26th, 2009


I am.....
I see.....
I Feel......
JOY & FAITH
Even during FEARFUL Times

Thursday you will discover.........

What does it really mean to seek
HAPPINESS?

Can JOY be
a daily companion with turmoil all around?
FAITH is an ACTION word....
is it active in your life?

Did you know, the happiest of people are those who live without FEAR.
FEAR is the opposite of faith and hope.
FEAR, ANGER, SELFISHNESS
Are counter-intuitive to
FAITH, HOPE, CHARITY

You cannot be happy when your life is influenced by
fear, anger and selfishness.
Join the Abundance Class
10:00am-12:00pm
(Luncheon Following......Bring a Dish to Share!!!)
Thursday September 3rd
4220 E McDowell Rd #103
Mesa, AZ 85215
Vital Solutions MD Office

Times are changing!

Is gun safety important to you?
It should be.

Gun Saftey Class
Do your children know how to be safe
around other people's guns?

This is a class you don't want to miss!

Come join us 6-8 PM
on Thursday, September 3rd
4220 E McDowell RD #103
Mesa, AZ 85215
For Families...Children Welcome!!!
,
for an unusual treat as we learn about the unique
and effective approach to proper gun safety as taught by:

NOBLE ARMS TRAINING

This free, 2-hr. class is a "Show & Tell" teaching format followed by hands-on training and can be applied towards the Arizona 8-hour CCW Concealed Weapons Permit Class.

About the Instructor:

Paul Noble is a Detention Officer Lieutenant with 24 years of law enforcement experience working for the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office. He is also a certified CCW instructor for the Arizona Department of Public Safety, and has taught concealed weapons courses for the past 14 years. Additionally, Paul is a certified NRA instructor in the disciplines of pistol and home defense protection.

Any Questions? Give him a call:
Cell: 480 258-8875

Or Send an Email:
http://www.firedrummarketing.com/servlet/clickercount?clientid=00000598&messageid=00004028&memberid=02888559&sendingid=CF902BEC3EC0&campaignid=00004023&finaldest=mailto:thegreatandnobleone@msn.com

If you were NOT part of the Water Tank order and WANTED to be........Sara Fisk will be placing a second order. Please email or call her if you would like to be included.
There has been tremendous interest in the group purchase of water tanks and I know that some people are just finding out and receiving the information. I am willing to continue to coordinate orders for as long as we can get groups of 25 together. If you'd like to participate, there is still plenty of time; please email or call me with any questions, thanks! Sara Fiskhttp://www.firedrummarketing.com/servlet/clickercount?clientid=00000598&messageid=00004028&memberid=02888559&sendingid=CF902BEC3EC0&campaignid=00004023&finaldest=mailto:sarafisk@gmail.com480-354-3833

Water Storage and Purification

I attended a great water presentiaion given by Alan Martindale -From the City of Mesa Water division- Water Quality Supervisor-at the Skyline Preparedness Seminar.

Water is one of the most important survival necessties. A person can survive weeks without food, but only a few days without water.

Emergency Water Supply
Health Department and public water saftey officals use many safeguards to protect the sanitary quality of your drinking water. However, this protection may break down during emergencies caused by natural disasters.

During times of serious emergency, the normal water supply to your home may be cut off or become polluted that is undrinkable. A supply of stored water could be your most precious survival item!
You and your family may be on your own to secure safe and adequate supplies. Remember that typoid fever, Dysentry, and infectious hepatitis are dieases often associated with unsafe water.

Required Amounts of Drinking Water Per Person
A minimum of one-gallon of water is needed per person per day, depending on the size of the person, the amount of exertion, weather and prespiration loss. A miniumum of 14 gallons pure water per person would be neededfor two-week survival supply. With careful rationing, this amount would be sufficent for drinking, food perparation, brushing teeth, etc. An additional 1/2 to 1 gallon per person per day will allow for hygiene care.

Portable Water Containers and Proper Storage
1. Commercial availble bottled water. Sports bottles 1/2 to 1 1/2 liter sizes are excellent for long-term storage if kept in a cool, dark place. These are especially convient for 72-hour emergency use. (96 hour is better) The larger 2 to 5 gallon polycarbonate (hard plastic) water bottles will also store very well for long-term use (5+ years). The one-gallon water containers similar to milk jugs are not well suited to long-term storage, as they will begin to disintegrate. If these are used, they should be used and replaced every six months.

2. 55 gallon barrels. These are best for storing water for non-potable (non-drinking) uses in a long-term situation. Although the water can be retreated by boiling or chlorine addition before using if necessary.

3. Mylar bags or pouches. These containers can keep water indefinately if properly stored in a cool, dark location.

Exsisting water sources in the home
* Water drained from the water heater faucet provided it remains upright (water will drain easier if a facucet in the home is turned on).
* Water dipped from the flush tank of the toilet. Purify this water before using. Use the bowl water for pets; do not use chemically :blue" water.
*Melted ice cubes
*Canned fruit and/or vegetable juices and liuids from other canned goods.
*Water from swimming pool-ONKY AFTER OTHER SOURCES OF PURE WATER ARE EXHAUSTED> (swimming pools may harbor bacteria or the Cryptosporidium parasite that chemicals cannot kill and the chlorine and pool acids produce salts that will harm your kidneys and other organs. Also, increased content in pool water can cause dysentery.)

So NOT use water from:
*Hot water boilers (home heating system)
*Radiators
*Water beds (Fungicide added to the water or chemical substances in the vinyl may cause the water to become undrinkable).

Water Quality Standards for Emergency Use
In a full scale emergency, the normal water quality standards as outlined in the U.S. Public Health Service publications, will be suspended.Primary considerations will be bacteriological and chemical safety, with a mini um amount of attention to palatability and appearance.

Consideration should be given to the following points:
1. Water should be obtained only from sources that can reasonably be sure to be free from radioactive or chemical contamination.

2. Water for drinking and cooking purposes should be stored and imported only in containers that have been disinfected properly. Common household bleach mixed 1 part bleach and 10 parts water will work well.

3. Where clarification or filtration of raw water in not possible; provisions should be made for a 24-hour settling time prior to chlorinating and dispensing.

4. All water should be disinfected as described in Method of Emergency Disinfection.

Curtailment of Non-Essential Uses of Water
In an extreme emergency, first consideration for use of available water must be for drinking and cooking purposes. Until water to meet needs is assured, all other uses must be considered non--essential.

As additional water becomes available, it will be necessary to separate the water that can be made suitable for potable use and those which cannot.

Priorities for both categories of water will be dictated by the urgency of the demand. All uses of water not directly necessary for the preservation of the health and sanitation of the public must be restricted to sources not suitable for potable use. All unnecessary use of water, such as watering flowers or ornamental plants, washing of vehicles, machinery, etc., must be prohibited.

Methods of Emergency Disinfection

Strain out any sediment or particles from the water by pouring through several layers of cheese cloth, paper towel, or coffee filters, then use one of the following purification methods.

1. Boiling- vigorous boiling (rolling boil) for ONE FULL minute will kill any disease causing bacteria present in water. The flat taste of boiled water can be improved by poring it back and forth from one container into another, by allowing it to stand for a few hours or by adding a small pinch of salt for each quart of water boiled.

2. Chemical Treatment- When boiling is not practical, chemical disinfecting should be used, The best commonly available chemical is chlorine.
A. Chlorine bleach- Common household bleach (unscented) contains a chlorine compound, which will disinfect water. The procedure to be followed is usually written on the label. When necessary procedure is not given, one should find the percentage available chlorine on the label and use the following information as a guide.

Add liquid bleach with 5.25%sodium hypochlorite (chlorine bleach) in the following amounts:
Water Amounts Cloudy Water Clear Water
1 Quart 4 drops 2 drops
1 gallon 16 drops 8 drops
5 gallons 1 Teaspoon 1/2 tsp
55 gallons 4 TBSP 2 TBSP

The treated water should be mixed thoroughly and allowed to stand for 30 minutes. The water should have a slight chlorine odor, if not repeat the dosage and allow water to stand for an additional 15 minutes. If the treated water has too strong a chlorine taste, it can be made more palatable by allowing the water to be exposed to the air for a few hours or by poring it from one clean container to another several times.

B. Chlorine Tablets- Chlorine tablets containing the necessary dosage fro water disinfecting can be purchased from drug and sporting goods stores and should be used as stated in the instructions. When no instructions are available use on tablet for each quart of water to be purified.

How to Prepare and Store Bottles of Purified Water
Keep the drinking water safe from contamination by carefully storing in clean non- corrosive, tightly covered containers. Use one-gallon containers, preferably made of heavy opaque plastic with screw-on caps. Cleaned and sanitized 2 -liter soda pop bottles work well. Sport water bottles prepared commercially work well for long term storage. Plastic milk bottles are not recommended.

1. Wash bottles with soapy water, then rinse thoroughly.
2. Run about 3 quarts tap water into one of the containers, then add 3/4 cup bleach to the water. 3. Shake well, turning upside down a time or two so that the stopper will be sterilized also.
4. Let the mixture stand 2 to 3 minutes, then pour it into the next container. You can use the same chlorinated water for several containers.
5. Fill the empty bottle with pure or purified water and seal it tightly closed with cap or stopper.
6. Label with "drinking water-purified" and the date of preparation.
7. Water purification tablets may also be used and are availabe in drug stores and sporting goods stores. They are recommended for your First Aid Kit. Four tablets will purify one quart of water. 8. Some stored water may develop a disagreeable appearance, taste or odor. These properties are not necessarily harmful. Inspect your water supply every few months to see whether the containers have leaked or other undesirable conditions have developed. Replace the water if it becomes contaminated.

Portable Water Purification Equipment

A high quality filter system should posses the following characteristics:
*Lightweight
*Have fewer parts (less to go wrong)
*A fine pre-filter
*A replaceable or cleanable filter
*Tight, well-made pump
* high volume output
*Quick Filtration
* Should be rate to screen out organism over 0.5 microns (0.2 microns is best)
A system with all of these features may not be inexpensive, however. The cost will usually reflect reliability as well as technology of design.

Always use a filter properly. Use clearest water available, allowing suspended matter to settle out. Use pre-filter if your system has one. Do not let outlet end of filter come in contact with contaminated water. Be sure vessel you're pumping into is clean.
Sanitize all bottles using 1/4 cup clorox to 1 quart of water.

Portable Water Purification Equipment Will Not treat swimming poll water to portable standards.

Websites
Utah State University
http://extension.usu.edu/files/foodpubs/fn176.pdf

EPA
http://epa.gov/safewater/faq/emerg.html

FEMA Are you Ready?
http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/Foodandwater video4 1/2 minutes (online) 1-800-480-2520

SODIS http://www.sodis.ch/

AQUARSTAR http://www.uvaquastar.com/

I am in the process of securing a date (in October) for Alan to come to our ward and give his presentaion. These are his notes. However, much, much more valuable information was presented in his lecture.

Improving Your Health

Want to improve your health? Look no further than D&C section 89. The 89th section of the Doctrine and Covenants is a great place to start reading about ways to improve your health. A great option is to go lean on the meats (use "sparingly") and bulk up your menu with fruit, vegetables, legumes, beans, and grains. Purchasing your produce at a regular grocery store will not be cost effective. However the Superstition Ranch Market and Pro's Ranch Market are a good place to start. Even the Good Apple in Apache Junction has many good buys on produce.

You will notice that is you switch your menu from highly processed and prepackaged food to homemade healthy recipes that your food budget will diminish as well. Give it a try.

Here are a few sample prices from yesterdays shopping-

Good day at Superstition Ranch
Broccoli crowns 3 lbs for $1.00
Avocado 3 for $1.00
Romaine Lettuce 4 for $1.00
HUGE Golden Honey Dew $0.99
Limes 6 for $1.00
Organic Gala apples $1.39 per pound

Kara from our ward sent me this information about how to tell if produce is organic.
Superstition Ranch doesn't always advertise organic on the sign, you have to take a look at the stickers.
General designation is as follows:Organic produce has a five-digit number beginning with a 9. Organic bananas, for example, would be given the designation of 94011.

Conventional produce has a four-digit number beginning with a 3 or 4. Therefore, the number on conventionally grown bananas would be 4011.

Genetically engineered produce also has a five-digit number on the label and begins with an 8. Again, the number on genetically altered bananas would be 84011.

The Superstition Ranch Market (West of Meridian on Main St.) or Pro's Ranch Market in Mesa (Southern & Stapley). Both of these produce markets offer produce at a significant savings. During the summer months the produce is not rotated as frequently so skip any marginal produce.

Although this article is not church approved. It makes some good points about following the Word of Wisdom.

http://www.vegsource.com/articles/catano.htm

Emergency Response Communications

Emergency Response Communications and the Stake Emergency Plan

By Don L. Nicolaysen (KR6US) and Carolyn Nicolaysen (KI6ZZH) -Meridian Magazine
Communicating in an emergency can be a matter of life and death in some situations, and a matter of comfort or humanitarian assistance in others. When lifesaving situations arise and telephones, cell phones, and internet are down, other methods of communication must be found, and quickly.
For that reason, we discussed in a previous article the importance of radio in emergency scenarios where traditional means of communicating are crippled or non-existent (see our article Prepare to Communicate). In hindsight, how many lives may have been saved in a 9/11 or Katrina-scale event, if more people were prepared to use radios to help themselves and their neighbors? We think the answer would be “many.”
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is one of several organizations (like the Red Cross and Salvation Army, for example) that has encouraged the use of Emergency Response Communications radio nets (ERC Nets), to provide communications in the event of disasters and emergencies, enabling urgent services and welfare needs of all kinds might be better provided, and so that church leaders can account for the safety of their missionaries and members.
Stakes and wards are encouraged to develop an emergency plan. For the Church’s guidelines, see “Preparing for Emergencies” at ProvidentLiving.org. As part of that planning, stakes and wards should be prepared to use amateur radio operators to assist in providing communication when other means fail (see “Emergency Communications”).
Our stake in Northern California is one of many in our multi-region area of 62-stakes that is organizing to communicate using amateur radio operators in an Emergency Response Communications network of members who are trained or willing to be trained, as emergency communicators. Operators need to know how and what to prepare in the event we must grab and go, and how to stay on the air if utilities are out of service.
This is part of the answer when considering how welfare and humanitarian needs can be addressed during an emergency event, and how everyone is to be accounted for by their ward and stake leaders. LDS amateur radio operators are also working to support and provide assistance to their communities and civil authorities, ensuring that public safety will be better served.
In areas such as Utah, which are densely populated by wards and stakes of the LDS Church, there are so many ERC Nets organized (the Salt Lake Valley, for example) that amateur radio operators have carefully sought solutions to sharing frequencies and VHF radio repeaters guaranteeing that in an actual emergency there will always be open channels of communication for the most urgent emergency traffic.
LDS amateurs, or “ham” radio operators (who by-the-way are licensed by the FCC as part of the Amateur Radio Service, and nicknamed “hams”), have given service for decades, alongside other hams and professional first responders in areas like Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida where hurricanes are a regular event and pose a real threat.
Training of ERC Net operators is available through the ARRL (Amateur Radio Relay League) and ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Services), whose motto is “When all else fails, amateur radio works.”
In many areas such as Southern California, ERC Nets have been formed by stakes, and members are strongly encouraged to get licensed as amateur radio operators so that communication will be sustained in the event of a major earthquake or severe wildfire. Our daughter and her husband in Irvine, California recently passed the amateur radio license exam, and even their 11-year old son and 8-year old daughter have passed the Technician class exam and are licensed ham operators.
What an important resource this will be to their family if the phones and internet go down while Dad is at work and the kids are at school. They will be able to communicate with one another, as well as support their church leaders who will need updated reports on the welfare of nearby members following that big event.
Recently a friend's father had a major heart attack while the friend's husband and son were on a fifty-mile hike. She had to wait days to notify her husband of the serious situation. What a benefit a ham operator would have been in that scout troop.
Through the organization of an ERC Net, our stake (like so many others) is working toward a capability to support and serve the needs of individual wards through their bishops, and to assist as communicators if necessary, helping gather and report information from the ward to the stake leadership. This will assist in the assessment of welfare and humanitarian needs affecting both members and communities as a whole.
Church welfare resources at bishop’s storehouses can then be allocated according to the real time reports of priesthood leaders. During such emergencies, the logistics of getting relief supplies to the scene of a disaster can be greatly disrupted, the more information available from the scene, the sooner help can arrive.
Although our stake has been actively working to organize and conduct a weekly on-air ERC Net on the 2-meter amateur band for less than 6-months (and has less than 20 ham operators in the whole stake), other stakes have been organized and operating for years. Some also operate Nets on the HF (shortwave bands), allowing communication over long distances (1000 miles plus) as well as locally. We know of one stake in Washington State that has more than 200 ham radio operators. Assuming they have 10 wards, that could be on average about 20 operators per ward, which would be enough to report the status of the ward’s membership following a tsunami or earthquake within a very short time, to each bishop.
Licensing of ham radio operators can seem like a big hurdle, but in reality, there are very successful pass rates for licensing sessions called a “HamCram.” These sessions allow a person with no experience to spend less than 8 hours on a Saturday with a team of Volunteer Examiners, who will help candidates young and old to prepare to pass the entry-level Technician Class amateur radio exam within the same day. Although it does mean applying yourself to study and learn new material, the pass rate is very high. In a change from years past, there is no Morse code to be learned or tested on any amateur radio license exam these days.
The test consists of 35 questions from a published pool of multiple choice questions, so there really is no obstacle to interested persons becoming licensed, and thus authorized to use the vast selection of frequencies that amateurs are allocated in the radio spectrum (HF, VHF and UHF). It is great fun, and a good way to serve and make friends in the community.
My one caveat is that there are high expectations for ham operators to learn the accepted manner of operating, and to conform to good operating practices and maintain a strictly non-commercial and public service spirit in their operating behavior. But generally speaking, this is no problem for the LDS amateur radio operator, who is already accustomed to working within our communities to promote the values of Scouting.
How wards and stakes implement an Emergency Plan with an Emergency Response Communications Net may vary widely depending on local conditions. Locally we conduct a multi-regional ERC Net on Saturday mornings, and a stake ERC Net on Sunday nights. The bottom line, the Church has a mandate to be shepherds over the Lord’s flock, and if there is more we can do to prepare to provide relief under the stress of a natural or manmade disaster, it is our duty to be prepared, so that not only will amateur radio work when all else fails, but we will, too.
For more information or to ask questions visit Carolyn's blog at http://blog.totallyready.com/ or her brand new yahoo group at:: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TotallyReady/.

I talked with Brother Dyer the stake Preparedness Guy and he told me that he will be putting togehter a class to learn how to use ham radios. I will post the informationas soon as I am notified.

H1N1 Flu Shots

If you are like me then you have been reading you all you can about the "voluntary mandatory: H1N1 flu shots. I do not like what I am hearing and reading. I recently attended a Flu-Pandemic preparedness lecture. Here is some things that i feel are valuable to keep in mind.

From Dr. Mercola's Web-site - Follow this link to read the full articles-
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/08/20/Legal-Immunity-Set-for-Swine-Flu-Vaccine-Makers.aspx
* Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sibelius has not only given immunity to the makers of Tamiflu and Relenza for injuries stemming from their use against swine flu, she has granted immunity to future swine flu vaccines and “any associated adjuvants”.*The 2006 Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (the PREP Act) allows the DHHS Secretary to invoke almost complete immunity from liability for manufacturers of vaccines and drugs used to combat a declared public health emergency. The most problematic aspect of the PREP Act is that it removes all financial incentive to make a safe product.*As GlaxoSmithKline stated earlier:"Clinical trials will be limited, due to the need to provide the vaccine to governments as quickly as possible. Additional studies will therefore be required and conducted after the vaccine is made available." [Emphasis mine].This means that any time you get vaccinated you essentially agree to be a human guinea pig, and if your health suffers you have virtually no legal recourse whatsoever.*Fake PandemicThis pandemic label was given despite the fact that reported cases continue to be symptomatically mild, requiring little or no medical intervention.

It says right on the WHO site that:Most people recover from infection without the need for hospitalization or medical care.Overall, national levels of severe illness from influenza A(H1N1) appear similar to levels seen during local seasonal influenza periodsOverall, hospitals and health care systems in most countries have been able to cope with the numbers of people seeking care. The apparent mildness of the swine flu is not what matters, unfortunately, because now that it has received pandemic status, it gives more latitude for agencies like the Depts. of Homeland Security and Health and Human Services to interfere in your freedom to choose how to manage your own health, and the health of your family.*There are laws currently on the books that can not only allow vaccinations to be manufactured and approved with little safety testing, but which legally force you to receive vaccinations, including:The Project Bioshield Act of 2004 gives NIH the authority to fast track drugs and vaccines deemed “qualified medical countermeasures” against threats to public health.Executive Order 13375, effective in 2005, amends Executive Order 13295, which gives the Secretary of HHS the power to detain, examine and quarantine indefinitely any individual thought to be infected with a communicable disease.The 2006 Division E -- Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act gives the Secretary of HHS the power to recommend the development and administration of covered countermeasures, defined as a “pandemic product, vaccine or drug.”Further, under federal legislation passed by Congress since 2001, an Emergency Use Authorization allows any company that gives experimental vaccines to Americans during a declared public health emergency to be protected from liability if people get hurt.Based on how the swine flu pandemic has been handled (marketed) to date, it appears drug companies and certain U.S. government agencies hope to scare you into signing up for swine flu vaccinations and prescription flu remedies.As it stands, plans for a mid-October vaccination program are in place, and the Secretary of HHS, Kathleen Sebelius, named the first targeted injection group to include children, healthcare workers, pregnant women, and adults with chronic illnesses.

What can we do?

1. You need to pray about the H1N1 flu shot. Is it right for your family? Some of your family? Or will you refuse that all of your family get the shots. You will need to be prepared to deal with the repercussions of either getting the shots and dealing with, what could be life threatening side affects, or not getting the H1N1 flu shots and then being prepared to deal with the potential that you or your family member could come down with the flu. Some people have died from the H1N1. Do you have the natural cures to treat your family? You will also need to be mentally prepared to deal with the backlash of comments if you choose not to vaccinate. "You are a bad parent." This could be a very heated problem. Quarantines are quite likely in pandemic situation. You will not have access to Doctor's or hospitals if a pandemic occurs due to the mass numbers that need to be treated. Are you prepared to do this? Do you have a (mimimum) 3 month supply of water and food?

2. If you decide not to get your family vacinated you will need to sign a do not vacinate paper for every member of your family. This form will need to be given to the schools, universites, etc. As the schools very well might become mass vacination clinics. IF YOU SIGN THE FORM THAT THE SCHOOLS GIVE YOU YOU ARE SIGNING A CONTRACT THAT YOU WILL KEEP YOUR CHILD HOME FOR A MINIMUM OF 3 MONTHS. THEY CANNOT LEGALLY DO THIS (right now anyway). DO NOT SIGN ANY FORMS THAT COME FROM THE SCHOOL. GO TO THIS WEB-SITE AND PRINT OUT THE FORM! You can also get a copy of the form I have just contact me- sage1211@msn.com

Learn about natural alternatives to the flu shots.

Like taking Vitamin D.http://www.naturalnews.com/024982.htmlhttp://sigh-chocindy.blogspot.com/search/label/Vitamin%20D

Follow this link to sign a petition against forced H1N1 Flu Shots and to learn more. http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/568/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=27275To learn more-http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/08/11/Swine-Flu-is-NOT-the-Problem---It-is-the-Vaccine-that-May-Harm-or-Kill-You.aspxhttp://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/12/13/why-vaccine-injured-kids-are-rarely-compensated.aspx

Laundry Stain Tips

How many times have we wasted money and resources because we cannot remove stains from our clothes.

Here is a basic laundry stain guide from Tip nut.com

Laundry Stain Treatments: Tip Sheet

http://tipnut.com/laundry-stains/
*Each point is a separate treatment, choose one method. Test a small hidden area first to make sure garment color or fibers won’t be damaged.

Blood Stain Removal
Apply hydrogen peroxide to the stain, cover with salt, then sit for several minutes. You should see the blood draw up from the garment. Remove salt once stain has lifted and launder as usual. Test a small, hidden area first to make sure the color won’t be bleached.
Try rinsing the stain area in cool water then sprinkle on meat tenderizer. Sit for a few minutes then launder as usual.
You could also use hydrogen peroxide plain, apply to area, sit for a few minutes then launder in cool water (first test a small hidden area to make sure the garment color won’t be bleached).
Make a batch of cold, salty water and soak garment overnight. General guideline is 1 TBS salt per 2 1/2 cups of water. Launder as usual.

Chocolate Stain Removal
Mix 4 TBS borax with 2 1/2 cups of warm water, soak garment in solution. After soaking, place stained area under cool running water, if stain doesn’t disappear, rub with a bar of laundry soap. Launder as usual.

Coffee Stain Removal
Same as chocolate stains, see above.

Grass Stain Removal
Before washing items with grass stains, try dabbing a generous amount of vinegar into the stain first. Launder as usual. This should help lift the stain right out.
Wet stain with water and cover with sugar. Leave for at least 1 hour then launder as usual.

Ink Stains
See 10 Ink Stain Removers – Laundry Tips

Lipstick Stains
Saturate a clean white cloth with household winger, rub lipstick stain lightly until it is removed.

Mildew Stains
Squeeze fresh lemon juice on the spots then sprinkle with salt. Let dry in the sun. Launder as usual. Try this treatment for old stains, great for those vintage linens!

Mustard Stains
Mix 1 TBS laundry detergent with 1/4 cup warm water. Soak stain overnight and launder as usual.
Apply a few drops of liquid dish detergent to stain, gently rub into stain and soak overnight, launder as usual.

Perspiration Stains
Mix a solution of water and vinegar (60/40) then sponge onto stain areas. Launder as usual.
Mix a solution of 1 quart warm water with 4 TBS table salt, soak garment. Wash as usual.
Ring Around The Collar
Try rubbing toothpaste along the stain before tossing in the washing machine. Careful on items that aren’t white, the toothpaste could cause discoloration.
Use 3 parts baking soda to 2 parts vinegar to make a paste, rub into stain and allow to set for 60 minutes, launder as usual (found on 10 Laundry Boosters Using Vinegar).
You could also dab toothpaste on white items that have hard to remove stains–it just might do the trick!

Rust Spots On Cloth Items
Try treating the stains with a 50/50 mixture of lemon juice and water. Let sit for about 30 minutes before washing.
Rub powdered Cream of Tartar into stain, then wash in hot soapy water. You can also boil garment in water mixed with Cream of Tartar (4 tsp Cream of Tartar per pint of water).
Rust stains on laundry can happen if your washing machine or dryer has a part that’s rusted. It can also be caused by hard water or if the clothing was accidentally washed with something metal that rusted in the wash.
Did you know: Chlorine bleach will make the rust stains harder to remove or even permanent?

Wine Stains
Mix 1 1/4 cups of water and 2 tsp borax, apply over stain. Soak for 15 minutes, launder as usual.

Homemade Laundry- Pre-Treatment

Homemade Laundry Stain Pretreater Recipes

http://tipnut.com/homemade-laundry-stain-remover-recipes/

Frugal Laundry Soap – Pretreater
Save pieces and leftover slivers of bar soaps and collect in a jar. Those little hotel soaps are ideal for this too (cut them down to small pieces).
When jar is filled half way with soap chunks, add boiling water. Mix soap bits and water until soap is melted.
Once cooled this will make a soap jelly. Use to pretreat laundry.

*Handy to gob onto stained items and toss back into the dirty laundry bag for pieces that you can’t wash right away.

Quick Tip: I’ve also used just straight liquid dish detergent successfully. Squirt a bit onto stain, rub in gently with your fingers, then toss the garment in the laundry pile to be washed later. This is an especially easy one since you can apply the soap as soon as you notice the stain and leave the garment sit until laundry day.

Homemade Laundry Stain Removers
Recipe #1
1 cup hot water

1/2 cup baking soda

1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide
Directions:
Mix ingredients then store in spray bottles. Spot treat stains then soak overnight.

Recipe #2
2 quarts water

1/2 cup ammonia

2 TBS laundry detergent
Directions:
Mix ingredients then store in spray bottles. Spot treat stains then soak overnight.
Do not use with bleach.

Homemade Laundry Soap

Lets go back to basics to get our year supply of Laundry soap.

For the price of a large Costco package of laundry soap, you can make a year supply worth (depending on your family size) for the same cost. None of these recipes are difficult. Give it a try. Use the money you save on not buying gallon after gallon of premade laundry soaps to purchase items for your three month supply of food and water! Additionally, laundry soap is one of the most toxic items that we have in our home. Our bodies easily absorb the toxins left on our clothes. The average child has reached thier life time average of toxins by the age of four- years- old. No wonder we have problems as we get older. Our ancestors did not have the loaver load of toxins that we do in our age, because they made practically everything they used or ate. Think about it!

This is the recipe that my younger sister uses-http://www.duggarfamily.com/recipes.html

TIPS FOR LAUNDRY SOAP: We use Fels-Naptha bar soap in the homemade soap recipes, but you can use Ivory, Sunlight, Kirk's Hardwater Castile or Zote bars. Don't use heavily perfumed soaps. We buy Fels-Naptha by the case from our local grocer or online. Washing Soda and Borax can normally be found on the laundry or cleaning aisle. Recipe cost approx. $2.

Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap- Front or top load machine- best value
4 Cups hot tap water

1 Fels-Naptha soap bar

1 Cup Washing Soda

½ Cup Borax
- Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.
-Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.
-Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (will gel)

-Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil.

-Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons.
-Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads)
-Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)

Powdered Laundry Detergent- Top load machine
1 Fels-Naptha soap bar

1 Cup Washing Soda

½ Cup Borax
-Grate soap or break into pieces and process in a food processor until powdered. Mix all ingredients. For light load, use 1 Tablespoon. For heavy or heavily soiled load, use 2 Tablespoons. Yields: 3 Cups detergent. (Approx. 40 loads)


Inexpensive Fabric Softener Recipes
Recipe #11

Cup White Vinegar

Add vinegar to rinse cycle. Works great. Removes residue and odors. Also helps to keep washing machine and hoses fresh and clean too.
Recipe #2
1 Container of Name Brand Fabric Softener

4 Inexpensive sponges, cut in half
Pour entire container of softener into a 5 gallon bucket. Fill empty softener container with water twice. (2 parts water to 1 part softener) Add sponges to softener/water mixture. When ready to use wring out extra mixture from one sponge and add to the dryer as you would a dryer sheet.

More Recipes-

http://tipnut.com/10-homemade-laundry-soap-detergent-recipes/

10 Homemade Laundry Soap Detergent Recipes

Tipnut's Homemade Laundry Detergent

Here is a nice stack of different homemade laundry detergent recipes I’ve collected over the years. Do they work? Yes, I’ve had good luck with them.
At the time I was using homemade detergent, we had a relative who was in trade school living with us. Every day he was mechanic grease from head to toe–the clothes cleaned up nice!
Making your own laundry detergent is a discipline and it’s not for everyone, but it definitely saves money–sometimes just costing pennies a load!

First Some Tips:
For the bar soaps required in the recipes, you could try Fels-Naptha, Ivory soap, Sunlight bar soap, Kirk’s Hardwater Castile, and Zote. Don’t use heavily perfumed soaps.
Washing Soda and Borax can normally be found in the laundry and cleaning aisles.
Some people with really hard water or well water may have to adjust the recipes if the clothes look dingy.
Although several of the recipes have the same ingredients, the measurements are different–some contain a higher soap to water ratio. Test and see which works best for your laundry needs.
You can make huge pails of this at once, or smaller quantities. Also if you can get your hands on a few empty liquid laundry detergent bottles they work great for storing the detergent. Just make a big batch and pour in bottles, cap then use as needed–shake before use.
Some of the recipes call for large amounts of water. Check with a local restaurant to see if they have any empty large pails from deep fryer oil–that’s how many restaurants buy the oil. See if you can have one or two of the pails after they’ve emptied it–just wash them out really well before using. They’re big, heavy plastic and very sturdy when stirring the soap and hot water.

10 Homemade Laundry Soap Detergent Recipes
Recipe #1
1 quart Water (boiling)

2 cups Bar soap (grated)2 cups Borax

2 cups Washing Soda
Add finely grated bar soap to the boiling water and stir until soap is melted. You can keep on low heat until soap is melted.
Pour the soap water into a large, clean pail and add the Borax and Washing Soda. Stir well until all is dissolved.
Add 2 gallons of water, stir until well mixed.
Cover pail and use 1/4 cup for each load of laundry. Stir the soap each time you use it (will gel).

Recipe #2
Hot water

1 cup Washing Soda

1/2 cup Borax

1 Soap bar
Grate the bar soap and add to a large saucepan with hot water. Stir over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.
Fill a 10 gallon pail half full of hot water. Add the melted soap, Borax and Washing soda, stir well until all powder is dissolved. Top the pail up with more hot water.
Use 1 cup per load, stirring soap before each use (will gel).

Recipe #3
Hot water

1/2 cup Washing Soda

1/2 cup Borax

1/3 bar Soap (grated)
In a large pot, heat 3 pints of water. Add the grated bar soap and stir until melted. Then add the washing soda and borax. Stir until powder is dissolved, then remove from heat.
In a 2 gallon clean pail, pour 1 quart of hot water and add the heated soap mixture. Top pail with cold water and stir well.
Use 1/2 cup per load, stirring soap before each use (will gel).

Powdered Laundry Detergent – Recipe #4
2 cups Fels Naptha Soap (finely grated – you could also try the other bar soaps listed at the top)1 cup Washing Soda1 cup Borax
Mix well and store in an airtight plastic container.
Use 2 tablespoons per full load.

Recipe #5
Hot water

1 bar (4.5 oz) Ivory Soap – grated

1 cup Washing Soda
In a large saucepan add grated soap and enough hot water to cover. Heat over medium-low heat and stir until soap is melted.
Fill a large pail with 2.5 gallons of hot water, add hot soap mixture. Stir until well mixed.
Then add the washing soda, again stirring until well mixed.
Set aside to cool.
Use 1/2 cup per full load, stirring well before each use (will gel)

Recipe #6
2.5 gallons Water (hot)

1 Bar soap (grated)

3/4 cup Washing Soda3/4 cup Borax

2 TBS Glycerin
Melt bar soap over medium-low heat topped with water, stir until soap is melted.
In a large pail, pour 2.5 gallons of hot water, add melted soap mixture, washing soda, borax and glycerin. Mix well.
Use 1/2 cup per full load.

Recipe #7
2 cups Bar soap (grated)

2 cups Washing Soda

2 – 2.5 gallons hot water
Melt grated soap in saucepan with water to cover. Heat over medium-low heat and stir until soap is dissolved.
Pour hot water in large pail, add hot soap and washing soda. Stir very well.
Use 1 cup per full load.

Recipe #8
2 gallons Water (hot)

1 bar Soap (grated)

2 cups Baking soda (yes baking soda this time–not washing soda)
Melt grated soap in a saucepan with enough hot water to cover. Cook on medium-low heat, stirring frequently until soap is melted.
In a large pail, pour 2 gallons hot water. Add melted soap, stir well.
Then add the baking soda, stir well again.
Use 1/2 cup per full load, 1 cup per very soiled load.
Powdered Laundry Detergent – Recipe #9
12 cups Borax8 cups Baking Soda8 cups Washing Soda8 cups Bar soap (grated)
Mix all ingredients well and store in a sealed tub.
Use 1/8 cup of powder per full load.

Recipe #10 – (Powdered)
1 cup Vinegar (white)

1 cup Baking Soda

1 cup Washing Soda

1/4 cup liquid castile soap
Mix well and store in sealed container.
I find it easiest to pour the liquid soap into the bowl first, stirred in the washing soda, then baking soda, then added the vinegar in small batches at a time (the recipe foams up at first). The mixture is a thick paste at first that will break down into a heavy powdered detergent, just keep stirring. There may be some hard lumps, try to break them down when stirring (it really helps to make sure the baking soda isn’t clumpy when first adding). I used 1/2 cup per full load with great results.

Liquid Detergents Note
Soap will be lumpy, goopy and gel-like. This is normal. Just give it a good stir before using. Make sure soap is covered with a lid when not in use. You could also pour the homemade soap in old (and cleaned) laundry detergent bottles and shake well before each use.
*If you can’t find Fels-Naptha locally, you can buy it online (check Amazon).

Optional
You can add between 10 to 15 drops of essential oil (per 2 gallons) to your homemade laundry detergent. Add once the soap has cooled to room temperature. Stir well and cover.
Essential oil ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil

AZ Emergency Information Network

This information is from the Arizona Emergency network. Follow the link to keep updated on emergency information for our area.

Sure it’s a cliché, but when talking preparedness the old adage “Better safe than sorry” is fitting. There is rarely advance notice of an earthquake, a terrorist attack or a tornado before it flattens homes, destroys infrastructure or displaces entire communities. And even when an emergency or disaster is anticipated, who can truthfully say that they’re ready for anything?

The Arizona Emergency Information Network (AzEIN) is helping “to reduce the impact of disaster on persons and property” later by encouraging Arizonians to get ready now.

The subsequent collection of preparedness pages for Individuals, Families, Schools, Businesses and Communities is a good place to begin your study of emergency preparedness. Each presents different preparedness challenges that may require use of diverse resources and strategies; however, there is an underlying tie.

The constant across all tiers are the three tenets of emergency preparedness. These simple steps empower individuals with the strategies, tools and knowledge to participate in their preparedness and meet the spectrum of Arizona hazards:

Prepare a Plan – Write and rehearse family communication and preparedness plans that identify a family meeting place, account for special needs, and include local emergency numbers and an “out-of-town” contact. Family Emergency Plan

Make a Kit – Gather enough to sustain you and your family for at least three days. Suggested kit items include first aid supplies, non-perishable food, drinking water (one gallon/per person/per day), a flashlight, batteries and a radio. *96 Hour kit is best!

Be Informed – Learn about hazards in your community and Arizona by listening to/watching local and national weather and news coverage. You can contact your local emergency management office to learn about readiness planning and preparations.
In the end, the “best offense is a good defense.” Your efforts now can make all the difference when emergency or disaster strikes. Take the time to browse the Individuals, Families, Schools, Businesses and Communities resource pages and links, and to reflect on the state of your own readiness.

Natural disasters and emergencies come in different sizes and affect different consequences. Whether it’s a wildfire in northern Arizona, flash flooding in Phoenix or broiling summer temperatures, every Arizonian needs to take precautions; every Arizonians needs to prepare.

http://www.azein.gov/azein/Preparedness/Preparedness.aspx

How to Use the Canner Or Sealer

This is a great UTube video that shows you how to use the canneries canner or sealer. You can borrow a canner by calling the cannery or call Heather Price to borrow the Stake canner-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXDF8C-SQBU

Happy Canning : ) Good Job on becoming prepared!

Food Storage Cookbook

I learned about his great Food Storage Cookbook-

Check it out!

I Can't Believe It's Food Storage

by Crystal Godfrey

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1935217178?ie=UTF8&tag=everfoodstor-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=193521717

http://intelligentlivingpoes.wordpress.com/

Preparedness Tip
There is a difference between the common dust mask and an N95 mask. The N95 mask has two straps, not just one. They are labeled N95 Particulate Respirator NIOSH Approved TC-84A-_______. The last four numbers will depend on the manufacturer and the approval from NIOSH. You can check out those that have been approved on-line at the NIOSH site, click here to read more…
As is mentioned in the BYU-Idaho Pandemic video (click here to watch…), the surgical masks will also work. If all other protocols are followed, a procedure mask may also work. Some get too hung up on the mask when distance, not touching your face with unwashed hands, proper hand washing, and staying home when sick are just as important.
Eric J. Harmston, Sr., CSP BYU-Idaho Safety Office
Facemasks and respirators can be purchased at pharmacies, building supply and hardware stores. Also, to find them on the internet, type in you search engine: N95 particulate respirator masks NIOSH box of 20. A good price for a box of 20 is $15.00.
For more information, go to the following sites:
Questions & Answers Novel H1N1 Influenza Vaccine, click here…
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, click here…
CDC: Interim Recommendations for Facemask and Respirator Use to Reduce Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Transmission, click here…
Masks/Respirators at Flu.gov, Know What to Do About the Flu click here…
The World Health Organization has full coverage of pandemic (H1N1), click here…

25 Ways to be More Self Reliant Today -

I came across this article at http://www.daisymountainward.blogspot.com/

25 Ways to be More Self Reliant Today By Marye Audet

Why Self Reliance?Self reliant living has always been an important skill. From the Pilgrims to our grandparents that lived through the depression and World War 2 the ability to survive and thrive during times of intense hardship can mean the difference between life and death, freedom and slavery. Sometimes we become self reliant because we want to and sometimes because we have to. It is, in my opinion, better to be self reliant before we are forced to. There is nothing in this world that is guaranteed. Things change rapidly. Stock markets rise and they crash, you may have a job today and yet be unemployed tomorrow. It stands to reason that the more independent you can be, the better off you are and the better quality of life you will have overall.25 Steps You Can Take TodayBecoming independent is not an overnight thing but everything starts somewhere and this is no different. The small steps you take today can change your life, even save your life, further down the road.

1. Come up with a plan to get out of debt. This really isn't that hard. Put up the credit cards and don't use them. Begin to pay an extra five dollars on your lowest balance, more if you can. When that balance is paid off add the amount you had been paying to your next lowest balance, and so on. When you can pay more by all means DO! Debt costs you money. If you really want to see how much it is costing you add up your finance charges every month. $50? $100? what could you be doing with that money?

2. Learn one homemaking skill a month. Sewing, knitting, and crocheting would be my top suggestions and then from their move to soap making and spinning. With these skills you can clothe your family or even make a little money.

3. Make simplicity a habit. When you need to get your nails done, get your hair done, have the newest technology the lack of these things will leave a huge void in your life. If you create a life without things you don't miss them when they are gone! Learn to enjoy an evening board game with the family rather than DVD’s or video games

.4. Invest in books. No matter what happens if you have books available you can find the information you need. If the Internet goes down, if power goes off, you won't be able to get your information from your computer however if you have a good collection of books; reference and good literature, you will always have both entertainment and instruction. You can home school your kids pretty thoroughly with only a good set of encyclopedias.

5. Learn cooking skills. Bread baking, canning, making sour dough starter, and even making things like vinegar are useful abilities.

6. Invest in reusable personal items like cloth diapers and cloth feminine hygiene products.

7. Plan a vegetable garden. It doesn't have to be extensive. Good things to plant would be: beans, lettuces,spinach, broccoli, beets, tomatoes, peas, okra, eggplant, peppers, zucchini, squash, cucumbers. There are, of course many other vegetables to try but these are the most reliable and prolific for the beginner.

8. Plant herbs. Culinary herbs should include basil, oregano, dill, lavender (mixed use), mint (also mixed use), rosemary, sage, and cilantro. But don't stop at culinary herbs, there are many herbs that make important medicinal teas. Lavender is soothing, mint calms a queasy tummy. Alfalfa cleanses the blood stream and lymph system.

9. Plant fruit. Not everyone has the space for an orchard but there are new varieties of miniature and dwarf trees that stay five feet tall or less and yet produce fruit. Usually you need two varieties of each fruit tree for proper pollination. By planting fruit trees as landscaping you will have s guaranteed supply of fruit in hard times. Strawberries, black berries, and grapes are other good choices.

10. Consider bee keeping as a fun hobby and a way to ensure that your sweet tooth gets fed.

11. Consider dairy goats. Depending on where you live you can keep a couple of does for far less than you will pay for milk. If your space is very limited consider Nigerian Dwarf Dairy goats. They are about the size of a Golden Retriever or Lab and are sweet tempered with good milk production on minimal feed. You can even use the large Igloo dog houses as shelter for them.

12. Chickens can provide eggs and meat. If you keep a rooster or two you can ensure your ability to continue to produce both eggs and meat as long as necessary by breeding the chickens and allowing them to hatch their eggs. Chickens, if allowed to free range, need little in the way of supplemental foods.

13. Pick up hand tools. Battery operated and electric drills and saws are great normally but what if the grid goes down and you need to fix something? Not only do I have hand saws of various types but I also have my dad's old hand plane, auger, post hole diggers and other tools that you can pick up for pennies at garage sales.

14. Have a plan. This sounds easy but few people do it. Spend a few minutes thinking about what would happen in a financial crisis, national emergency, or weather related emergency. List some things you would need, plan what steps you would take.

15. Have a first aid kit handy and learn about homeopathic and herbs. These were used for centuries before antibiotics and have a place in home health care today. Colloidal silver can be used as eye drops, nose drops, ear drops, external antibiotic and an internal antibiotic. Keep a reference where you can get it quickly.

16. Buy a hunting rifle and learn to use it safely. There may come a time when that adorable rabbit that nibbles the clover in your backyard may make an excellent stew.

17. Learn to forage for wild foods.

18. Change your mentality about money. Working a 9-5 job is only one way to make an income. There are many more from tutoring, selling produce and eggs, to cleaning houses, mowing lawns, and blogging.

19. Start a reference library. Books that have instruction in important survival skills are a great investment.

20. Keep some MRIs handy, about 1-2 weeks worth per person. This will give you time, in an emergency, to come up with a plan to feed your family.

21. Install a wood stove. Whether it is in the den or somewhere else a wood stove will provide heat and cooking surface if need be.

22. Exercise. Keeping yourself healthy will enable you to be strong in times of stress.

23. Keep some cash at home. 500.00 is a good start. If something happens you have cash to use as you need to.

24. Learn about alternative energy and begin moving toward solar power panels.

25. Have a well drilled that can be utilized without an electric pump.By doing these things you can feel confident in your ability to lead your family through hard times with a minimal discomfort.

Pick one to start doing today!

Poppy's Free Class Schedule

Free Health Classes at Poppy's
Poppy’s Natural Health Class- Free!
7143 E. Southern Ave #101Mesa, AZ 85208

*BIO SCANS AVAILABLE FROM 1:30 – 2:30 ($35.00 per scan)

Each class is taught by Amy Lindquist AAP,an Advanced Aromatherapy Practitioner and owner of Scentsational Health & Wellness LLC.

Enjoy a great lunch at Poppy's while you listen to the lecture at a discounted price $5.00 Lunch.
So delicious : )

September Schedule__

SAFE AND EFFECTIVE DETOXIFICATION WITH ESSENTIAL OILS

WEDNESDAY 9/2
–WHAT IS THE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM
People are often unaware of the critical role the lymphatic system plays in the body. In fact, the human body has three times more lymph fluid than blood. A healthy lymphatic system is vital to our immune response and aids in the elimination of foreign material and dead cells.

WEDNESDAY 9/9 – THE IMPORTANCE OF DIGESTIVE AND URINARY CLEANSING
From cleansing the pancreas to the gall bladder, kidneys and colon, essential oils are an effective and safe tool to aid in cleansing and repairing these organs and helping in conditions such as; type 2 diabetes, gallstones and kidney stones, edema, and gout. Come share your lunch hour and learn about digestion.

WEDNESDAY 9/16 – PARASITE ELIMINATION USING EO’S
Most of us are walking around not even aware that we are a host to parasites. Some anti-parasitic oils are Carrot Seed, Cinnamon Bark, Clove Bud, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Spice of Life, Thyme, Oregano, and Fennel. Come learn creative ways to do a parasite cleanse using these supportive oils and take back your
 health.http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/Features/Lists/?article=MenuParasites>1=27004



WEDNESDAY 9/23 – LIVER CLEANSE THE HEALTHY SECRET TO WEIGHT LOSS
One of the best-kept secrets to weight loss and lasting weight control is keeping the liver—the key organ for fat metabolism—in top shape. Come learn how to do this for only pennies a day!

WEDNESDAY 9/30 – NO CLASS

Back To School Blues

Why is it that it has to cost a fortune every time our kids go back to school?


Well, actually it does not have too. Although there are certain fees that cannot be avoided-like class fees, there are many things that are not necessities. It is important to review with our families, before we go shopping, what are actual needs and what are wants. When wants and needs are not addressed before the shopping trip, then many wants will automatically fall into the needs category. Yes, it is fun to have all new things for school every year. However, this is very taxing on any budget and not necessary. (When we fail to prepare then we will not have the funds that we need for other areas of our budgets, like food storage.) Additionally, when we over indulge our children, to make up for things that maybe we did not have as a child, then we are adding to the "me" generation of thinking.

Additionally, you need to speak with your spouse prior to the shopping trip so that you will be on the same page and stand strong in your list only -shopping trip. It can be extremely frustrating for one parent to give in and start a free for all shopping trip. This never turns out well in the end. And usually results with the giving in parent complaining about how much was spent on school supplies. *I speak from experience : )



Ideas to help in the future-


1. Go over class lists with your child. Look at all possibilities. At the end of ever school year I collect all usable supplies from my kids and store them for the next school year. Maybe that child will not need it for the next school year but another family member might. If you do not collect these left over items then they will quickly become destroyed.


Determine what items the child actually needs, pull out old usable items from the previous school year. This includes lunch boxes and back packs. I require my kids to use their back packs and lunch boxes until they are worn out. A back pack or lunch box with suraface, small holes is still use able! I also teach my kids that they need to take care of their supplies any deliberate disrespect for their items, like throwing their back packs out of the car, will result in them having to earn the money to replace their back pack. If they do not want to be responsible, then they will carry their items in a grocery bag. The worry for your child's care of their personal belongings needs to be placed onto them for your child to learn how to be responsible as the grow older and have to accept larger responsibilities. If your child picks a back pack or lunch box that is cheaply made then, do not purchase it. I allowed Brylee last year to get one because it was sooo cute, only to have it rip after the first week. This year we purchased really great sturdy back packs for Christian and Brylee at Costco. They were $30.00 however, they will last at least 2 years. If you purchase good quality back packs either new or at the Goodwill they will hold up for several years. I was shocked to see that Kohl's semi-okay back packs (would probably last lone year) were on sale $40-$65! Yikes!


Back Packs and lunch boxes that are in good condition can be purchased at the Goodwill or other second hands stores through out the year. I like to purchase spare lunch boxes and back packs at the Good will so that I will not have to pay full price. I have a finding Nemo lunch box that the kids get to use if they are not responsible for their lunch box...they do not like using it and suddenly their missing lunch box returns : )


2- School clothes- A recipe for budget disaster!
Why is it that children NEED a whole new wardrobe to start school? Answer! THEY DO NOT!!!
Even if thier friend so and so does. Once again needs and wants need to be reviewed. And inventories taken. At the end of every school year I separate my younger children's clothes into piles of what clothes will fit them the start of the school year-including pants. It is so hot here that pants do not need to be worn in the summer. *If your child wears the clothes outside all summer they will be ruined. (Why are childern harder on things during the summer?) I then put them up into a box so they are not daily options and will be ready for the start of school again. *You will have to gauge of this plan will work for your child. Do they grow fast? Will they out grow the item and not be able to wear it at the start of school? Could the item be saved for a younger sibling? Could you cut off pants to make them into shorts? Could a old favorite t-shirt be made into a cute tote bag by cutting off the sleeves and sewing up the bottom?


Keep an inventory of your child's clothes and shoes. Determine what they will need for the up coming school year. I always shop the Goodwill for clothes and shoes, towells, sheets, blankets, house hold items. (They can be washed!) The Goodwill and Second Hard stores are a great place to find clothes. When you go into the store do not be deterred by smells or the sight of stained items. You will have to look for the treasures. But you can find many. Do not buy clothes that are stained or ripped. I do not buy socks or under clothing either (you can but it seems a little gross to me ). Do not wait until school is going to start to do your Goodwill or second hand store shopping. Every Thursday the Goodwill has a $1.00 sale. (I have fully clothed all of my kids for the summer shopping the $1.00 sales for under $100.
Once a month the Goodwill holds a 50% off sale. You can also shop garage sales.
Keep in mind that you can still out shop you budget even at the Goodwill or second hand store. Keep an inventory of who needs what and don't over buy for one child or thier room will pay for it will being over stuffed.

If your teenager or child is opposed to shopping at the Goodwill or Second hand sores pre-determine what you are willing to spend on school clothes. Then let them know that they will have to make up the difference with their own money. Usually this will help them to at least take a look at the Goodwill. If your teenager does not want to be seen in the Goodwill then shop for them and return the items, if they do not like them. You maybe surprised that 75-80% of all our clothes are purchased at the Goodwill. If you actually look you can find brand names and very nice items. Most of my girls church dresses have been purchases for $1-$4 at the Goodwill.

Better yet, arrange clothing swaps with your friends or family members. Hand me downs are sooo great! And they are FREE!


Additionally, kids to not NEED to be overwhelmed with extras for school or daily items and toys. Help them to learn to appreciate what they have or what things they get. Or let them know what they will not be getting in the future if you spend money to buy them unnecessary items. IE: you will be eating peanut butter sandwiches, fruit and carrots and water for the next month in your lunch. No treats or chips or drinks- and then STICK TO IT if they make that choice.


Another area that bugs me to death is school fundraisers and book sales. This is never in the needs category ever! Yes, it is nice to help out the school if your budget affords it. However, we can quickly become over taxed with all the fundraising that we feel pressured to commit to. Don't do it! If you want to support the school make a one time tax free donation or donate your time.

Book sales are another budget soaker! Don't get me wrong I love books. If you want to build your home library then go to the second hand stores. The best place to get books is at the St Vincent De Paul Thrift store (on main street across from the Wal Mart). I have gotten whole apple boxes full of books for $8.00 Many of the tiles are Scholastic books that the kids are dying to buy from the school Scholastic book orders. If you only want to buy a few books they are 25 cents -50 cents each. Compared to the $5-10 book order prices. The Goodwill has books too, but they are higher priced.

Better yet borrow from the library for FREE! Do sign up for e-mail notification so you will know when your books are coming due and avoid the late fees! So simple!

We need to return to the pioneers motto- Use it up, wear it out, or make do.

My husbands grand father did not even have shoes growing up in the snow in Ohio. He would wrap old cloth around his feet to go outside. His dinner most nights consisted of boiled onion. Do our children really need to be overly burdened with gifts and trivial items that will break the bank? Our children, teens and young adults need to be taught how life really is or they will not be prepared to be responsible adults.

Think about it!!!