("The New York Times")
By MATTHEW L. WALD Published: August 16, 2013
You've Been Warned: Why You Need to be Ready For Total Grid Failure
September 23, 2013
by Daisy Luther
What Will You Do When the Lights Go Out?
Posted by: Daisy Luther | on November 30, 2012
"...Now, apply this to your own situation. Find as many solutions as possible for the issues you would face if going for weeks (or longer) without power. You must stay warm, eat, and drink. Everything else is a bonus...
"Here are some examples from my family’s list and the solutions that we either have or have planned:
Lights: Solar garden lights, candles, kerosene lights
Heat: Wood stove, small propane heater for the bathroom or kitchen for the coldest days, 2 large canisters of propane
Cooking: Wood stove, nutritious home-canned meals that only require reheating, small and large cast-iron dutch ovens to use on wood stove, sun oven, outdoor fireplace, meals that don’t require any cooking("Power Outage Picnic"--see below)
Refrigeration: Large cooler to be packed with snow in the winter and used indoors, a plastic storage bench that is lockable to be used outdoors in the winter (the lock is to keep 4 legged critters out of it), root cellar for summer, change of eating habits in summer
Water: (our well runs on an electric pump and we rent, so unfortunately we can’t modify this) 1 month supply of drinking water stored, Berkey water filtration system, buckets along with a sled or wheel barrow depending on the season, for bringing up water from the lake for flushing, filtration and cleaning.
Cooking: Wood stove, nutritious home-canned meals that only require reheating, small and large cast-iron dutch ovens to use on wood stove, sun oven, outdoor fireplace, meals that don’t require any cooking("Power Outage Picnic"--see below)
Refrigeration: Large cooler to be packed with snow in the winter and used indoors, a plastic storage bench that is lockable to be used outdoors in the winter (the lock is to keep 4 legged critters out of it), root cellar for summer, change of eating habits in summer
Water: (our well runs on an electric pump and we rent, so unfortunately we can’t modify this) 1 month supply of drinking water stored, Berkey water filtration system, buckets along with a sled or wheel barrow depending on the season, for bringing up water from the lake for flushing, filtration and cleaning.
"Anything else, we can really live without. These are the things which are vital, and the solutions are all long-term..."
Power Outage Picnic
by Daisy Luther
"To circumvent a few difficulties, we stock up on disposable goods to use during power outages:
Styrofoam plates
Paper towels and napkins
Plastic cutlery
Baby wipes
Disinfecting wipes
Plastic cups
"In our cupboard, most of the following items are the organic version. Some exceptions are graham crackers and saltines, which can’t be found organic in our rural area. (I avoid purchasing non-organic items that contain corn, even for the “Lights Out” stockpile, since nearly all corn grown in North America is genetically modified.)
Graham crackers with peanut butter
Crackers with home canned cheese sauce
Saltines with peanut butter
Fresh fruit (apples, oranges, bananas)
Canned juice
Trail mix
Dry cereal
Cereal with milk
Canned baked beans with ham
Pretzels
Nuts
Pudding cups
Canned fruit
Jerky
Pouches of pre-cooked and seasoned rice
Cookies
Granola bars
Crackers
Dried Fruits: apricot, mango, banana, raisins, cranberries, pineapple
Sandwiches: Peanut butter and jelly, tuna, leftovers from the fridge, Nutella
"Following are some “recipes” for power outage food. Okay, “recipe” is a stretch – perhaps just some “tasty combinations”. :) ..." {go to her weblink given above to get the recipes--really good ideas!}
Week 1 of 52: Short Term Emergency Food Supply (List 1) [Sidebar: on the right-hand margin, this website has a list for 52 weeks, giving instructions on what can be done each week of the 52 so that people can afford to prepare for disasters without being overwhelmed economically]
http://readynutrition.com/resources/week-1-of-52-two-weeks-of-food-and-water_06042011/
Tess Pennington
Ready Nutrition
"FEMA suggests that each family have a 2 week supply of food and water for their home. Starting a food supply does not have to be a budget breaker. By slowly accumulating emergency supplies, you will not feel the financial “burn” compared to having to pay for everything up front. Therefore, keeping in mind what type of emergencies that you are planning for, if there are any family members with medical needs, how long you want your food supply to last, and so on, will help you make the best choice for your family.
"Taking time to read the nutritional information on the back of the food source and knowing other considerations, will help a person make the best choices for their needs. If a person needs to use their stashed food supply, having foods high in vitamins, nutrients, and proteins will provide their body with what it needs for needed energy and mental clarity.
"Preps to buy:
1 gallon of water per day for each family member (But enough for 2 weeks and remember that having more water stored up is better than being short on your supply)
2 jars of peanut butter
2 cans of juice per family member
2 cans of meat per family member
2 cans of soup or stew for each family member
3 non perishable items such as saltine crackers, graham crackers, etc.
1 hand operated can opener
Permanent marker
Additional supplies for infants or elderly – 2 weeks worth (diapers, wipes, children’s medication, formula, protein/calorie drinks, prescription medications, extra pair of glasses)
"For those who have pets:
1 large container of dry food – This amount should last 2 weeks or longer
"Action Items:
Date perishable goods with a marker
If possible, set aside $20 to use for emergencies
Make a disaster plan and decide what types of disasters you are planning for (weather related, natural disasters, economic or personal disasters)
Decide upon an out-of-area contact who can coordinate information with friends and family members.
Once the out-of-area contact has been decided, email or call the newly designated emergency contact and provide phone numbers and names of family members for them to call.
Tess Pennington is the author of The Prepper’s Cookbook: 300 Recipes to Turn Your Emergency Food into Nutritious, Delicious, Life-Saving Meals. When a catastrophic collapse cripples society, grocery store shelves will empty within days. But if you follow this book’s plan for stocking, organizing and maintaining a proper emergency food supply, your family will have plenty to eat for weeks, months or even years. Visit her web site at ReadyNutrition.com.
Week 11 of 52: Short Term Food Supply (List 2)
"...Those of you who have water stored know that it takes up a lot of space. When storing a short term water supply, purchase the 5- or 10-gallon water containers. Note: The 5-gallon water containers are easier to organize if you place them on their sides and stack them..."The following items will create a broad selection of foods that can be consumed in an emergency situation. You can create foods like biscuits and jelly, cereal and milk, oatmeal, sandwiches, soups, pastas, casseroles, etc. Constructing an emergency menu now before a disaster happens will enable you to see what foods you have and what foods you may need.
"Preps to buy:
1 gallon of water per day for each member of the family (i.e., 1-2 weeks worth).
2 bottles of juice per family member
2 canned goods (e.g., meat, veggies, soup, and fruit) per family member.
1 each of the following food condiments: Peanut butter, jelly, honey, mustard, ketchup, BBQ sauce
2 drink mixes/tea/coffee per family member
Spices (e.g., salt, pepper, taco seasoning, apple pie seasoning, etc.)
1 gallon of cooking oil
2 each of the following pre-packaged foods: beans, dried peas, rice, noodles, oats, grains, cereals and pasta
2 bags of flour (Note: Those of you who have wheat allergies, click here for alternatives.)
Ramen noodles
Powdered milk
Powdered potatoes
Infant Formula – Note: Call me crazy, but this has a huge amount of vitamins and nutrients and could be utilized for immune boosts.
"Action Items:
1. Date perishable goods with a permanent marker.
2. Find a storage area in the home where emergency food supplies can be placed. Those who are living in small living spaces have rented air conditioned storage facilities to store their supplies.
3. Organize the food and begin creating a list of the items you have according to categories (e.g., condiments, baking supplies, canned goods, medical supplies, etc.).
"...How To Organize Survival Supplies
"Short and long term food supplies should be placed in a safe and dry spot. Many people who feel they do not have adequate space for a food supply make use of unused wall space and create shelving units to use as their storage area. Another method is to use unused closets or rooms. As long as the space is dry and large enough to store foods, it can be used. Additional shelving units can be purchased to accommodate larger food supplies.
- Take all items off the shelf and sort items into categories. Sort items for needs such as baking supplies, breakfast cereals, canned goods, medical supplies, bartering/charity, etc.
- Store items next to one another that are used together. For example, keep baking needs such as flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, etc next to one another for easy access.
- Place goods with the longest expiration date in the back and work forward to the closest expiration date.
- Have a Inventory Management spreadsheet or listing system. Keeping an inventory list of foods that have been purchased and adding to the list when more items have been purchased will provide a well rounded supply. Categorize the inventory into sections such as items for baby, baking, water/beverages, cleaning, condiments, 72 hour bag, emergency supplies. The Prepared LDS Family, has a thorough suggested inventory organizational method that would be helpful for those starting out.
- The food storage inventory should be checked every 6 months to make sure that food items are properly rotated and are used within their expiration date.
"Managing Your Inventory
"Many find that stored food is convenient to have in their home. When they need a can of food, they go to their storage supplies and use it. Storing food is a continual process of using, rotating and resupplying. If a short term food supply is bought, the food must be used and more food purchased to resupply the storage shelf. Additionally, if any food is canned or jarred at home, a storage area can also be used for these goods.
"Guidelines for Food Storage:
Use within 6 months:
Powdered milk (in box)
Dried fruit (in metal container)
Dry, crisp crackers (in metal container)
Potatoes
Use Within 1 year:
Canned condensed meat and vegetable soups
Caned fruit, fruit juices and vegetables
Ready-to-eat cereals and uncooked instant cereals (in metal containers)
Vitamin C
Peanut butter
Jelly
Hard candy and canned nuts
May Be Stored Indefinitely (in proper containers and conditions):
Wheat
Vegetable oils
Dried Corn
Baking powder
Soybeans
Instant coffee, tea and cocoa
Salt
Non carbonated soft drinks
White rice
Bouillon products
Dry pasta
Powdered milk (in nitrogen packed cans)
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