Extension of Powdered Milk Sale

Due to the great response to our Powdered Milk 24 Blowout Sale, we are going to extend the sale for another 24 hours! The sale will now last until 5:00 pm MST tomorrow (Wednesday, July 1st). Click on the red "Milk Promotion" button on the Powdered Milk Sale post (just below this one) to take advantage of this extended time period.

Powdered Milk 24 Hour Blowout Sale!

We would like to announce a special Online Sale for our Provident Pantry® Instant Fat Free Milk through our Blog! Between now and 5:00 PM (MST) tomorrow (Tuesday June 30th), you can order our Powdered Milk for only $9.99 per can for a total savings of 33%. Get a case of 6 for only $59.94. There is a limit of 12 cans per customer. As usual, shipping is only $6, $9, or $12* (depending on order size) for your entire order! Click on the “Milk Promotion” button below↓ to take advantage of this special blog only sale. Pass this along and let all of your friends know. Don't let this great opportunity to get some of our excellent powdered milk at this amazing price pass you by!


Hear what some customers have to say about our milk:

“I have always thought the concept of powdered milk was a good one, but I could never find one without an aftertaste. I read about Provident Pantry brand and how there was no aftertaste, just the taste of fresh cold milk. Eureka! This milk is delicious. I will be drinking this milk for years to come. Of course the shelf life is an added plus. Hesitate no more. This is the powdered milk, it can't be beat.”
                                                                                                            William, TEXAS

"I guess I'll drink it if I have to has been our family motto regarding powdered milk. However, the taste of this milk had everyone asking for more! What a wonderful surprise! This powdered milk is a real winner! Thanks!"
                                                                                                            Mimi, FLORIDA

Click here for additional reviews

*Shipping based on contiguous 48 states. Additional charges for Alaska, Hawaii, APO, and FPO.

Food Storage Analyzer™ Pre-launch

We are very excited to share with you the Beta version of our latest project, the “Food Storage Analyzer™”. Since we haven’t been able to find a food storage calculator that did everything we wanted, we decided to make our own.

As you will soon find out, this is much more than just a calculator. It is a simple, yet powerful tool to help manage, calculate, and evaluate your food storage.

We are offering the first peek to our bloggers! Please try it out and tell us what you think. We would love to hear your comments and suggestions (please email them to Webmaster@BePrepared.com). Also, help us spread the word to friends and family – we want everyone (it doesn’t matter how much you have stored) to take advantage of what this has to offer.

↓Click below to go to the Analyzer Instructions

↓Click below to create a login and save your food storage information

↓Click below to try it out (your food storage information will not be saved)

Favorite Mountain House® Entree Poll Results

We have tallied the results for the Favorite Mountain House® Entree Poll and the winner is...

Beef Stroganoff!

Second place is awarded to...

Chili Mac

And coming in third is...

Scrambled Eggs with Bacon

Thank you for all of your votes. Check back often for more exciting polls coming in the future.

Food Storage Rotation Giveaway

We have had many questions and comments about how to rotate your food storage. We have been very impressed with the great ideas we have heard from you over the years regarding this subject.

For example, one of our customers uses sour cream powder when making bread. Another uses cheese blend on top of casseroles while another uses tomato powder in place of tomato paste in everyday cooking.

We would like to give everyone the opportunity to share their own personal tips, ideas, and experiences relating to food storage rotation.

Everyone who shares an idea or experience via comment to this blog post or by e-mailing Blog@BePrepared.com will be entered into a drawing to receive a Freeze-Dried Variety Combo worth $142.70! This combo includes the following freeze-dried items: Green Bell Pepper Dices, White Onion Flakes, Broccoli, Strawberry Slices, Banana Slices and Shredded Mozzarella Cheese.

Freeze-Dried Variety Combo

Comments made through Friday, July 3rd will be entered into the drawing (limit one entry per person). The winner will chosen at random and posted on the blog no later than Monday, July 6th. Good Luck!

Please note: We welcome comments from everyone; however, free shipping of the emergency kit is included to the 48 contiguous United States only. For any locations outside this area, the winner is responsible for arranging and paying their own shipping costs.

Peanut Butter Powder Tips

"...For those dieters out there, the reconstituted peanut butter has a third of the calories and fat of normal peanut butter -- and no added anything! You can even control the sodium, which is wonderful. As far as taste, it is very peanutty, and is best when reconstituted with milk instead of water, for a little more flavor. And it's great in baking! Gives baked goods a delightfully peanut taste without all the sugar..."
                               Kumie, CALIFORNIA


"... I use a TBSP or two mixed in with a protein shake to add a little extra protein and to add the peanut butter flavor. Good stuff."
                                        Jim, WYOMING

How Long Does Dehydrated or Freeze-Dried Food Last After Opening?

There are a few factors that determine how long food will last after it is opened. They include the following:

• The quality of the food at the time it is opened
• The degree to which food is exposed to oxygen and moisture
• The degree to which food is exposed to heat and light
  

The quality of the food at the time it is opened:

The older food storage gets and the more it is subjected to fluctuating temperatures, meaning below freezing and above 80 degrees, the more deterioration has probably occurred to the food inside the container.

The degree to which food is exposed to oxygen and moisture:

The moment the container is opened, the food is exposed to air. Air contains both oxygen and moisture. Many organisms require oxygen to survive. The higher the humidity (moisture content) of the air, the faster the product quality (nutrition and taste) deteriorates.

The degree to which food is exposed to heat and light:

Temperature greatly affects the speed at which food deteriorates. The higher the temperature is, the faster the quality (nutrition and taste) deteriorates and the shorter the time that food stays edible and safe. Since many organisms require light to grow, exposure to light also causes deterioration.

Recommendation:

Once you have opened your food storage, you can prolong its shelf life by eliminating the adverse affects listed above. Store your food in the coolest, darkest and most airtight environment possible.

Consider the following options to extend the life of food, once the container has been opened.

• Pour what has not been used into a zip top freezer bag and seal the bag. Place the bagged food back into the can and replace the lid (to eliminate light).
• Pour the remaining food into Snapware® containers, which offer an airtight seal.
• Commercially available sealers can create an airtight environment. Put the food back into the can with the plastic lid secured.
• Generally speaking, refrigeration or frozen storage can extend the life of food. If you do not have much refrigeration or frozen storage space, use a pantry, cupboard, etc.

As a general rule, food stored in a #10 can or a bucket, depending on the above factors, may stay good up to one year after opening. Use your best judgment in deciding which food items to use. One way to determine if food is still of acceptable quality is to verify that it smells normal. Another way is to taste it or cook with it. If the quality of the finished product is satisfactory, continue to use it. Although food will lose nutritive value over time, old food retains some caloric and mineral value. It may have some life sustaining ability remaining.

The information above are general guidelines intended to help make an educated decision. Each situation is unique due to many contributing factors.

Product Review - Yoder's Canned Bacon

This week's featured product is Yoder's Canned Bacon. Have delicious bacon with these easy to store cans. We've taste tested it and loved it! Yoder's Canned Bacon will make a great addition to your food storage.

• Heat pasteurized in a sealed can
• 100% USDA Bacon, Packed in the U.S.
• No refrigeration before opening
• 2-year manufacturer shelf life guarantee. Up to a 10-year shelf life
• Compact and lightweight (only 4.5" high by 3" wide and weighs only 9 oz)
• Approximately 50 slices per can
• Great for emergency storage and camping or backpacking
  

Recent Customer Reviews:

Best bacon ever!!! "I ordered a case of this bacon for emergencies. HOWEVER, I was too curious so I made the mistake of opening a can. This bacon is so wonderful for ANYTHING!! But we especially love throwing it in the microwave and making BLT sandwiches. So much for emergencies! So I'm ordering more!!! I never want to run out."

                                                                                                              Dianne, MISSISSIPPI

AWESOME! ...I bought one can to try it... SURELY they could not put a quality product of approximately 50 pieces of bacon in a can the size of a can of soup! Opened the can to try it and had to call my husband into the room to show him as well. We were shocked at the packaging! We immediately warmed some up in the microwave and had a bacon sandwich for breakfast. YUM! Will definitely order more. For some who have an active food storage program, do not let the price scare you. It is well worth it when you think that you can have fresh bacon and do not have to refrigerate or freeze it. We may not always be guaranteed of having electricity BUT we can rest assured if we only have a can opener!
                                                                                                   Patricia, NORTH CAROLINA

Let everyone know what you think about Yoder's Bacon. Just click below on COMMENTS to leave a comment, idea, question, etc. about this product.

Sour Cream Powder Tips

... Bread machine recipes often call for powdered milk, so I substitute sour cream powder. This is because it adds a nice tang to the dough and the acidity helps the yeast to function. I have tried some other brands of sour cream powder, but none can hold a candle to this one... Provident Pantry Sour Cream Powder had a nice, tart taste that sour cream ought to have. And, because it is more sour, my doughs rise like crazy!! My breads and pizzas have never been this good. (And they were pretty good.) You can also mix it into sauces or reconstitute it...

                                                                                                                               Sara, New York

Food Storage Sweeteners

Sweeteners like sugar and honey are food storage necessities for several reasons. As carbohydrates they provide fuel for the body. Simple carbohydrates like sweeteners provide quick, but short lived bouts of energy. They also enhance flavor, texture and color in any baked good. Sugar assists yeast in adding volume to breads, counter balances acid in tomatoes and is even used as a food preservative.


Honey is a great food storage basic. Unlike many food storage items, honey does not need to be dried in any way. There is no need for an oxygen absorber in a #10 can or a bucket of honey because it stores well due to its nature. With only a few ingredients, including honey, you can have a delicious whole wheat bread. Here is one of our favorite wheat bread recipes using honey as the sweetener.

Honey Whole Wheat Bread

6 C warm water
3 T Yeast
2 C Whole Wheat Flour
Mix, let rise 15 minutes

2/3 C Honey
2/3 C Vegetable Oil
3 T Dough Enhancer
1 1.2 T Salt
12-14 C Flour Whole Wheat (add more if dough is too sticky)

Knead until dough can be stretched and not break easy.
Let rise in a bowl for 20 minutes. Divide into 6 sections and mold into loaves. Bake at 350 degrees until lightly browned, about 45 minutes. Enjoy!

Emergency Kit Winner

Congratulations to Mike from Pennsylvania! He is the winner of our random drawing for the 3-day Emergency Kit giveaway.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for your comments, ideas, tips, and questions. We really appreciate your input! Remember to check back regularly as we cover the topics you have suggested. We plan to post between two and eight new posts each week. Please continue to give us your ideas and comments - we welcome them anytime!

Italian Meatball Casserole

We were craving some good Italian food last night so I decided to make a casserole using our freeze-dried Italian meatballs. Yes, that’s right, freeze-dried Italian meatballs in a #10 can.

Here’s what you need: 1 lb (4 cups) pasta (You can use whatever you have – I always like to use a couple of different kinds for variety), 1-½ cup freeze-dried Italian meatballs, 1 can or jar of spaghetti sauce (about 2 cups), 3 cups freeze-dried mozzarella cheese (I was out so I used regular this time around), 1 cup freeze-dried vegetables (use whatever you have, I had zucchini and asparagus – green beans, etc. would work), salt, pepper and Italian seasoning.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook the pasta. While it’s cooking, reconstitute the meatballs and veggies. I like to “stir” the freeze-dried products halfway through this process. Otherwise, the food on top doesn’t really get enough of the water. Also, the meatballs will turn out better if you drain some of the water after about 5 minutes and replace it with some additional hot water. The pasta should be about ready. Drain the pasta and the freeze-dried food.

Lightly grease the bottom of a casserole dish. Now layer half the ingredients in this order: pasta, meatballs, veggies, sauce and cheese. Repeat. Now put salt, pepper, and seasonings on top. Bake in oven for about 35-40 minutes. It really turned out well, and I accompanied it with some great tasting powdered milk. Enjoy.

Mountain House® Product Review

During the month of June all our cans of Mountain House freeze-dried food are 20% off! We want to take this opportunity to share with you why we like Mountain House’s products so much. Here are some advantages of Mountain House foods:

Trusted name – Mountain House's reputation has been growing for nearly 40 years. It is no wonder they have award-winning meals.

Flavor – We love the taste of Mountain House entrees. They offer 22 of the most popular homestyle dishes, including Beef Stroganoff, Spaghetti, Chicken a la King, and Beef Stew. You can read some customer reviews at the bottom of this post, or on our website BePrepared.com.

Storage benefits – Due to the freeze-drying process (click here to find out about freeze drying), the cans are light weight and last 25 years (when properly stored).

Ease of preparation – Simply add hot water, wait 10 minutes, and enjoy. The meals have already been prepared, so they just need to be re-hydrated and warmed up.

             Chicken Teriyaki - Unfinished                          10 minutes later - Ready to Eat!

We decided to prepare a few selections here at Emergency Essentials in conjunction with our June Mountain House sale. We were impressed with the convenience of preparation, vibrant color, mouth-watering aroma, and of course, the delicious taste!

Chili Macaroni

Blueberry Cheesecake

Here are some comments that have been posted on our website about these great Mountain House foods:

"This stew (Beef Stew) makes great leftovers. It tastes homemade. We ladled this over egg noodles and feasted for days." Richard, OHIO

"I recently attended a meeting about Emergency Preparedness/Food storage... I brought a few different cans of Mountain House freeze-dried products to show and try. No one there had tried the freeze-dried products before... I made one can of the Chicken a la King and brought it into the room... Everyone was surprised at how good it was and how easy it was to make... This is a great product and you need to try this one. It will make a believer out of you." Kevin, CONNECTICUT

"This stuff (Beef Stroganoff with Noodles) is really pretty good. I was sorting my emergency food recently and had some pouches of this. I decided to try one, had never tried any of the MH cans I have. I ate the whole 2 person pouch it was so good... Very happy." Mia, TEXAS

"I have been stocking foods for emegency situations and trying some as I go. Granola and Blueberries with Milk is a great buy! I usually heat it up and eat it for a breakfast that really can't be beat! Taste great - no lie!!" Ron, OHIO

Seafood Chowder

10 Year Sprouting Test

One of our customers, Walt, shared his experience with sprouting 10 year old sprouting seeds. We thought you might be interested to hear how it went.

“(I) purchased (sprouting seeds) in 1999 just in case Y2K took a dive. I opened the alfalfa seeds to see if they were still good after ten years and had more sprouts then I needed. To sprout the seeds I soaked them for 8 hours - then used the kitchen sprouter (3/4 of a pound of seeds) in two trays on the counter top. I found out when they sprouted it was too much - had more then I could handle, the rest went into a friends garden and they sprouted. I would say about 90% to 95% of the seeds sprouted. As far as storage, that varied over the ten years; put in a box marked food storage with the temperature from 40 degrees to 90 degrees.”

Remember to store seeds in as cool of a location as possible (even the refrigerator or freezer if possible). This can greatly increase the storage length.

We love to hear success stories such as this one! Send us your experience to blog@beprepared.com, so we can share it with everyone else (don’t forget photos if you have any).

Getting Started

Many people ask “Where do I begin when it comes to Emergency Preparedness?” We like to say that “the place to begin is to obtain information.” Information is the most valuable tool to have in an emergency. We have a large collection of Emergency Preparedness Insight Articles that can help you to obtain this vital preparedness information. There is a button on the top of this blog labeled “Insight Articles” that will link you directly to these informative articles.

Topics include: Education & Planning, The First Three Days of an Emergency, Emergency Kits, Water Storage and Replacement, Food Storage, Warmth & Shelter & Clothing, Light & Tools & Communication, First Aid & Sanitation, and Disaster Preparedness. Take a look at some of these articles to get started on educating yourself and your family about emergency preparedness. A great way to get started (with no cost involved) is to develop your Family Evacuation Plan.

Click on the picture for a free copy of our Emergency Checklist

Click on the picture for a free copy of our Fire Escape Plan

Here are a few ideas and tips to get you started with your preparedness plan after you have your Family Evacuation Plan in place:

• Establish a modest preparedness budget. Make it a priority and work at it the best you can. Start with a few items, such as: water (both portable and permanent), an emergency kit, emergency candles, a sleeping bag, and a first-aid kit or an emergency bag.
• Get your information from reliable sources. Don’t let anyone scare you into thinking that it has to be done all at once or that you must incur heavy debt to achieve your goals.
• The items required to sustain life for three days can easily be multiplied for planning long-term storage needs.
• Be consistent. Within a short time you will have the necessary supplies and equipment to take care of yourself, family members, and others.
• Think investment, not expense. Take care of what you purchase and learn not to waste.

Remember that babies, small children, the elderly, pets, and those with special medical needs require special consideration when planning for an emergency. We offer some great information to help you with these groups.

For those of you wondering how and where to begin, we hope this post will be helpful. For others who have already started, we welcome your input to help and assist those who are just beginning. An inner confidence results as one strives to do their best to become prepared.

Leave a Comment & Be Entered to Win a "3-day Emergency Kit!"

In celebration of our new blog, we are giving away a "3-Day Emergency Kit" valued at $86.82. This compact kit with a daypack includes basic emergency items for three days, providing items for shelter, water, food, first aid, warmth, light, communication, and more.

In order to be entered in our giveaway, simply comment on this post to the following question:

"What preparedness topic or question would you like discussed on our blog in the coming months?"

Comments made through Tuesday, June 9th will be entered into the drawing. The winner will be posted on the blog no later than Friday, June 12th. Good Luck!

Please note: We welcome comments from everyone; however, free shipping of the emergency kit is included to the 48 contiguous United States only. For any locations outside this area, the winner is responsible for arranging and paying their own shipping costs.

Cheese Blend Tip

... I especially like to add it to casseroles and hot dishes. Adding this cheese blend to a plain white sauce recipe makes a great sauce for anything: vegetables, baked potatoes, etc...
                                                                                            T Marshall, Texas

Butter Powder Tip

... I use less water than suggested and also add some canola oil. This makes the butter powder creamy and of a perfect consistency to spread...

                                                                                       Carol, North Carolina