Getting Prepared and Having Peace of Mind

March 2011

March Preparedness:

Free or Under $1: Take photos, make inventory of personal items, gather important documents

$5-$20: purchase a case of water bottles for each member of the family, potable water tablets, water filter straws, first aid kit

More Expensive: Make 72 hour backpack, add one years supply of an item to food storage

Food for Thought: It’s tax time…if you are one of the lucky ones getting a return…how about putting it toward your preparedness goals. We have done this for the past 3 years and have been able to find comfort in knowing we are better prepared.

Instant vs. Regular: Instant oatmeal is just regular oatmeal that's been broken up so it will cook faster. All grains store better and longer if they're kept intact, so regular oatmeal is best for food storage and often cheaper. If you want instant oatmeal, just put regular oatmeal in the blender and pulse it a few times.

CANNERY: Wed. Mar. 23, 6-8 pm

Did You Know: If you cut mylar bags in quarters, edges can be carefully sealed w/a flat iron for hair. Into each now-resized mylar bag put the the dry ingredients + an oxygen absorber. Sealed them up w/ the flat iron, add sticky labels to the front w/ recipe name or item, ingredients to be added at time of making, and instructions.

Recipe of the Month:

Flatbread

This recipe for Italian flat bread (focaccia) is remarkably versatile and easy to make.

Mix:

1 1/2 C flour

1 Tbsp sugar

1 Tbsp yeast

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp of rosemary, basil, red pepper, or any seasoning you like -- or combine seasonings!

To make the flatbread:

Combine the mix with 1/2 C water & 1/8 C oil. Mix til it forms a ball. Pat it out on a small cookie sheet or pizza pan and let rise 1/2 hr. Bake in 425 oven for 15 minutes.

Variations: This is good with parmesan or grated cheddar cheese on top. Try tomato sauce and cheese, and you've got pizza. You can try other toppings, too. Add an additional 3 T sugar (1/4 C total) & omit savory spices for sweet bread. Sprinkle with cinnamon, raisins, dates, icing, anything you like.