Winter Storm Preparedness

Have you been affected by any of the recent winter storms over the past few weeks? Well, another one is brewing to hit hard in the next couple of days across most of the United States. Although the Midwest has been mostly spared this winter so far, here it comes!

According to the Associated Press, "A monster winter storm bigger than some Midwest cities have seen in years slogged toward the nation's midsection Monday as the region geared up its defenses against a potentially deadly mix of sleet, snow and ice that could affect a third of the nation.

While record snowfalls have pounded the Northeast in what's shaping up to be one of that region's most brutal winters, the Midwest has been comparatively unscathed. Not this time: Up to two feet of snow was forecast for some cities, and the storm was expected to carve a frigid path from Colorado to New England by week's end. Thunderstorms and tornadoes were possible further south."

From what I've gathered, the forecast includes freezing temperatures, high winds, snow, freezing rain, sleet, thunderstorms and even tornadoes. Now would be a great time to assess your preparedness for these winter conditions. We have a variety of very helpful online Insight Articles that address Natural Disaster Preparedness. You can click here to see these articles.

In addition, we carry many supplies that are very helpful to have during winter storms:

• Emergency Kits
• Food Storage
• Water Storage and Filtration
• Emergency Power and Chargers
• First Aid
• Radios and Communication
• Warmth and Coverings

Remember that preparation is one of the most important tools you have in any type of an emergency or disaster.

Emergency Preparedness Guide -- Backup Plan

Not only should you prepare your family for an emergency, you should also prepare your data for an emergency too!

I love taking pictures of my family. There is rarely a get together, performance, or other activity in our family that I’m not found behind the lens of my camera. Most of the time, those precious pictures are stored on my computer and are later turned into a video or added to a blog. These photos are some of my most prized possessions...

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Our Meat Will "Meat" Your Expectations

I just read a news story about a class-action lawsuit that has been filed against a major fast food chain. Part of the suit claims that the meat mixture used by the food chain doesn't meet the minimum requirements set by the USDA to be labeled "beef."

In fact, the mixture only contains about 35 percent beef, while the remaining 65 percent contains fillers such as wheat oats and soy lecithin (ingredients similar to what is found in textured vegetable protein).

Well, this got me to thinking about our Provident Pantry® Freeze-Dried Meats. Is the Ground Beef really Ground Beef? How about the White Chicken, Roast Beef and the Shrimp? Sure enough, our freeze-dried meats will "meat" your expectations. The following Provident Pantry® products are 100% meat without additives or preservatives:

• Freeze-Dried Ground Beef
  
• Freeze-Dried Roast Beef (some added salt)
  
• Freeze-Dried White Chicken
  
• Freeze-Dried Cooked Shrimp 

In addition, we carry Mountain House Freeze-Dried Pork Chops that are also 100% meat - the pork variety, that is.

So get some of our amazing 100% all meat freeze-dried products for your food storage today. As a bonus, they can be stored up to 25 years in ideal conditions. And the next time you want some "real" meat, skip the fast food joint and open up a can of your very own Freeze-Dried Ground Beef.

Food Storage Pizza with Freeze-Dried Pork Patty Crumbles

Did you know that you can make some amazing tasting pizza from your food storage? Yes, I actually wrote "food storage" and "pizza" in the same sentence. I know that some of you are doubting me right now, but just take a look at this post and the pictures below. If you like pizza, I'm confident that you'll come to my side of the aisle when you're done.

Food Storage Pizza

This version of my food storage pizza highlights our new Freeze-Dried Pork Patty Crumbles. These crumbles have 30% fewer calories, 47% less fat, and 18% more protein than your typical Sausage Crumbles - without sacrificing flavor! They really taste amazing and can make a great addition to the real meats in your food storage. You can save 31% off the regular price of $34.95 when you purchase 6 or more cans through the end of this month. Sale price = $24.00.

I like to make homemade pizza dough using my bread machine (my kids really like it). Here is the recipe if you want to give it a try:

Bread Machine Pizza Dough (for 1 pizza - you can double it for 2)

Ingredients: 
• about 2/3 cup warm water
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• ½ tsp honey
• ½ tsp sugar  
• ¾ tsp salt
• 1 Tbsp cornmeal
• 1 ¾ cups flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp garlic salt or powder
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp yeast

Directions: 
Add ingredients in order to bread machine and run 'Dough' mode. When finished, place in a greased 9x13 pan. Now simply press down on it from the middle and work it out to the sides until it's shaped in the pan. Put on some homemade sauce (see below), and pre-bake at 400º for about 5 minutes. Remove from oven, add cheese and toppings and bake for about 20 more minutes.

Tip - Using a baking pan/dish is a quick and easy way to make your pizza. Does anyone really know how to throw the dough in the air over and over to make a nice, round dough? I'm sure there are few of you out there, and I applaud you. I need to add that to my "Learn to Do" list.

Homemade Pizza Sauce (for 1 pizza - you can double it for 2)

Ingredients:
• 1 Tbsp butter or margarine powder + 1 Tbsp water
• 1 Tbsp flour
• ½ tsp cumin (optional, this is one of my secret ingredients - it will give it a "rustic" flavor)
• 1 tsp garlic powder or garlic salt
• 1 Tbsp tomato powder
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• about ½ cup water
• salt and pepper

Directions:
1. Mix butter or margarine powder with 1 Tbsp water in small saucepan; Heat slightly over medium heat
2. Add flour and mix well (will be kind of like a paste)
3. Add cumin (optional), garlic powder,  tomato powder and Italian seasoning; mix well
4. Slowly add water and mix well
5. Continue to simmer for a few minutes; Add salt and pepper to taste

Some of the toppings

Pizza Toppings

2 cups Freeze-Dried Mozzarella Cheese, rehydrated
1 cup Freeze-Dried Cheddar Cheese, rehydrated
1 cup Freeze-Dried Pork Patty Crumbles, rehydrated

Optional Toppings

4 - 6 slices of Yoders Canned Bacon, cut into bite-size pieces
½ - 1 cup Freeze-Dried Mushrooms, rehydrated
½ - 1 cup Freeze-Dried Tomato Chunks, rehydrated
½ cup sliced olives
Whatever else you like on your pizza!

Tip - After rehydrating and draining the vegetables, give them a gentle squeeze to get some additional water out of them before placing on the pizza.

Ready for the oven

 This one has the Pork Patty Crumbles and some Yoders Bacon

I added the vegetables to this one - Click here for the smoothie recipe

So there you have it - another amazing meal made from your food storage!

Emergency Preparedness Guide -- Come Clean

Cleanliness and sanitation is a topic that cannot be ignored, especially during an emergency. Have you taken the measures needed to really “come clean”?

I’m not the outdoorsy type. It’s not that I don’t love the beautiful scenery or the opportunity for peace and quiet. Obviously, that is what I love about the great outdoors. When it comes down to it, the only thing I really don’t enjoy is the dirt. When our family goes camping, my husband knows that I will be content only if we take the necessary measures to keep all of us as clean and therefore as comfortable as possible.

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Water Storage Tips

Do you have a preparedness or food storage experience, tip, recipe, product review, etc.? Become a guest blogger on Preparedness Pantry and earn a $20 Emergency Essentials gift card! Click here for details.

Water Storage Tips

Emergency water storage is recommended at about 7 gallons per person per week, for a two week period of time. Your freezer may be a way to give you some "extra" water storage.

Did you know that it costs you as much as 75% more to keep your food cold if your freezer is empty? If you are unable to keep your freezer full of food and as a way to have some “extra” water storage, keep small water jugs or containers in your freezer. This will also help save money on electricity and ensure this water is safe. Besides saving money on electricity you will ensure some of your water supply is available in case of an emergency. Water containers can easily be removed if you need additional room for food storage.

If the power goes out, your water storage in the freezer will serve at least three purposes:

First, the ice jugs or bottles will keep your food cold to help ensure your food supply stays safe.

Second, your water storage will be safe and available. As the water melts you will have drinking water.

Third, if you have to leave home and need to take food supplies and keep them cold, the smaller frozen jugs or bottles are easily turned into the ice for your ice chest. Their smaller size works better when fitting into small or large spaces as needed.

For your regular water storage there are many containers ranging from 4 oz to 55 gallons to secure your 14 gallons per person goal.

Also, keeping water purification tablets is always recommended. The tablets are a necessary part of your emergency supplies. However, remember to check the expiration date! Just like medications these tablets can loose their viability. Try to remember to check your water purification tablets at least twice a year.

By being sure you have adequate emergency water stored and by remembering to check all emergency supplies for expiration dates on a regular basis, you will gain confidence in being prepared for an emergency.

--Brenda, Oregon

Free Shipping with the Food Storage Analyzer™

Get Free Shipping on your order over $30 this month when you order online through our free and revolutionary Food Storage Analyzer™!

Note: Free shipping offer good through January 31, 2011 within the 48 contiguous states only.

Freeze-Dried Beef Entrée & Vegetable Side Combo Giveaway

We'd like to give you a chance to get the New Year off to a great start by adding one of our Freeze-Dried Beef Entrée & Vegetable Side Combos to your food storage! This combo includes four favorite beef main courses with delectable green peas and green beans in a tasty collection of entrées and side dishes by Mountain House® and Provident Pantry®. These products can be stored up to 25 years in ideal conditions and are made by "just adding water". What more could you ask for?

This combo is on sale during January for only $109.99. Save 25% off the individually priced components! If you purchase a Freeze-Dried Beef Entrée & Vegetable Side Combo during the giveaway and win, we will issue you a refund or send you the product - whichever you prefer.

Freeze-Dried Beef Entrée & Vegetable Side Combo

How To Enter the Giveaway

You can earn up to 3 different entries per household in this giveaway by doing one or more of the following and sending us an email so we can verify your entry (see below for email instructions):

1. Become a follower of our blog by clicking on the 'Follow' button found on the right column. If you are already a follower, just let us know according to the email instructions below.

2. 'Like' our Facebook page by selecting the 'Like' button on the top of our page. If you already 'Like' our Facebook page, just let us know according to the email instructions below. Click here to visit our Facebook page.

3. Sign up to receive our email newsletters on our website - BePrepared.com. Enter your email address in the 'Get Special Offers from Emergency Essentials' box at the top of our homepage. If you already receive our email newsletters, just let us know according to the email instructions below. Click here to visit our homepage.

Email Entry Instructions

For each entry, send us an email at blog@BePrepared.com with 'Beef Entrée & Vegetable Side Combo Giveaway' in the subject line and tell us which of the 3 things you did. A separate email must be sent for each entry.

That's it! All emails received through Wednesday, January 19th will be entered into the drawing. The winner will be chosen at random and posted on the blog no later than Thursday, January 27th.

Please note: We welcome emails and entries from everyone; however, free shipping of the Freeze-Dried Beef Entrée & Vegetable Side Combo 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.

New Products - January 2011

It's always nice to get something new. Here at Emergency Essentials, we are continually evaluating and testing new products. You can always click on the "New" tab on the top right of our website (BePrepared.com) for a complete listing of our latest and greatest products.

Here are a few of the new products we have this month. Simply click on each picture for more information.

My Tool All-in-One Tool

SteriPEN® Sidewinder

Bega® Canned Processed Cheese

Red Feather Canned Butter

Freeze-Dried Pork Patty Crumbles

Mountain House Freeze-Dried Pork Chops

GoalØ Nomad 7M Portable Solar Panel

Emergency Preparedness Guide -- Cook with Confidence

You’ve got your holiday meals planned, and your oven is ready for the turkey. But, have you considered how you’d cook all your preparedness food during an emergency? With these ideas, you’ll be able to cook with confidence!

Many years ago, I decided I’d try cooking my very first turkey. It was just a week before Thanksgiving and some good friends of ours were moving and I wanted to give them a great memory and a home cooked Thanksgiving meal. I was mortified to cook my own turkey, I fretted over my mashed potatoes, and I can’t even begin to tell you how I worried over the gravy. Despite my distress, the meal turned out wonderful. I believe its success was because I had three important things. Good ingredients, a little know how from my mom, and the right tools for the job.

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Rice Noodles Tip

"Great grinder (Hand Grain Mill). Bought it just in time to grind my dehydrated acorns. I also used it to pre-grind rice for rice noodles. That way I don't have to wait 24 hours for it to soak. Works great and I highly recommend it."

--Ovide, Florida

Peanut Butter Milkshake

How does a Peanut Butter Milkshake from your food storage sound? Add some freeze-dried bananas or a little cocoa and you have an amazing dessert!

Peanut Butter Milkshake

You'll love how simple these are to make!

Here are some additional Peanut Butter Powder links:

Peanut Butter Cookies

Peanut Butter Waffles

Peanut Butter Powder Tips

Another Peanut Butter Powder Tip

Additional Peanut Butter Powder Recipes