Utah Preppers

Food Storage

102 articles in this category (Including both blog posts and archived content)

Curing meat
Food Food Storage

Curing meat

Curing meat is an age old process.  It has been used to preserve, intensify flavors, and make unpalatable cuts of meat acceptable for consumption. Most of us don't worry about the preservation aspect so much anymore, but if you've ever made a marinade then you've dabbled in curing (perhaps with out even knowing it).  In this post I'm going to go over some of the ingredients needed to cure meat and introduce a couple of salt mixtures that can be very useful in curing your meats.  I'll also go over some things that could be kept in your food storage.<br /> <!--more--><br /> First of all there are a couple of items that are needed to cure meat.  You don't have to use each of these items when you cure, but they all play an important part in the curing process.

Neybar
5 min read
#BBQ #Cooking #curing +2 more
Variety in Your Food Storage is a Good Thing
Family Preparedness Food

Variety in Your Food Storage is a Good Thing

Way back in 1998 sweet husband and I were just getting serious about our food storage.  That’s shortly before we had any kids.  We had the opportunity to do some canning at the LDS dry pack cannery and so we sat down to figure out what to can.

Angela
4 min read
#Food #Food Storage
Building a 3 Month Supply using Case Lot Sales
Family Preparedness Food

Building a 3 Month Supply using Case Lot Sales

Inevitably, each year in the weeks preceding the <a href="http://www.mormon.org">LDS</a> General Conference sessions in April and October grocery stores in Utah begin their Case Lot sales. In case you aren't familiar with the term, a Case Lot sale is a sale that allows you to purchase food (and other) items at a discount from a regular grocery store. The only catch is that you need to buy them a case at a time.

Ekim
2 min read
#Food #Food Storage #Links +2 more
Limited Time Sale
Announcement Equipment

Limited Time Sale

For those looking for some discounts on your food storage, and especially on a few bigger items, this might be exactly what you need.  Our friends at Home Storage Basics are having their Harvest closeout sale.  The following is from the email they sent out.

Jayce
1 min read
#gear #local #Sales +1 more
Preparedness on People's Minds
Family Preparedness Food Storage

Preparedness on People's Minds

Today's edition of the <em>Deseret News</em> <a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700038263/Economy-puts-food-storage-in-focus.html">carries a story</a> about the subject of preparedness being on people's minds in increased fashion.

Connor Boyack
2 min read
#preparedness
Humor: Mormon Hoarder Friends
Food Storage

Humor: Mormon Hoarder Friends

Ok, Here in Utah we like to poke fun at our own dominant religion (of which I am a member).  One blogger had a great post today that I had to share with the Prepper community.  For those who are LDS, it's great to laugh at ourselves a little.  For those not LDS but preppers too, well you'll realize that your 'oddities' fit in pretty well with us.  Head on over and read 'The Jet Set' take on <a title="Mormon Food Storage" href="http://www.jetsetcarina.com/2010/02/why-you-should-have-mormon-friend.html" target="_blank">Why You Should Have a Mormon Friend: Hoarder Edition</a>

Jayce
1 min read
#Food Storage #humor
Making Canned Milk Products from Powdered Milk
Food Storage

Making Canned Milk Products from Powdered Milk

<a href="/images/uploads/2010/01/sweetcondmilk.jpg"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-2938" title="sweetcondmilk" src="/images/uploads/2010/01/sweetcondmilk.jpg" alt="sweetened condensed milk" width="260" height="260" /></a>When I started storing food, I thought it would be a good idea to store forms of canned milk like evaporated milk and sweetened condensed milk.  I bought quite a few cans and have used most of them over the years.  However, I only have two recipes I regularly make that call for evaporated milk, and one that calls for sweetened condensed milk, so I did not use every can I purchased before they expired.  <!--more-->

Angela
2 min read
#Food #Food Storage #Howto +1 more
Country Living Mill Group Buy
Equipment Food Storage

Country Living Mill Group Buy

<img class="alignright size-full wp-image-2857" title="country living mill" src="/images/uploads/2009/11/country-living-mill.jpg" alt="country living mill" width="196" height="247" />You all know why you need a wheat grinder.  There's only so much you can do with all the wheat in your long term storage if you can't grind it into flour.  So just in time for the holidays we've got a special buy on the Country Living Grain Mill.  This is a hand crank grain mill that is built in the USA of industrial grade components and has a lifetime warranty.  It is relatively easy to crank as far as hand grain mills go.  My small kids can grind flour with it.  You can check out my full review, and see videos of the mill in action on <a href="http://selfrelianceadventures.blogspot.com/2009/04/country-living-grain-mill-review-sale.html" target="_blank">my blog post here.</a><!--more-->

Angela
5 min read
#Food Storage #gear #Group Buy
72 Hour Kit Rotation
Family Preparedness Food

72 Hour Kit Rotation

Many products and services bill themselves as a "set it and forget it" way of getting things done. Adequate preparedness, however, clashes with this approach. Knowledge fades, food spoils, and medicine expires. One of the most important aspects of preparedness, then, is a refresh or rotation of your supplies or knowledge.

Connor Boyack
3 min read
#72 hour kit #Food Storage #preparedness +1 more
Liquid or Powdered Pectin
Food Storage

Liquid or Powdered Pectin

Well, over on her own blog, my wife made a comment about something she's learned this year.  Go check out what she's learned on the difference between<a href="http://halls.lug-nut.com/2009/09/23/liquid-pectin-or-powdered/" target="_blank"> liquid and powdered pectin</a>.

Jayce
1 min read
#Canning #Food #Food Storage +2 more
Dehydrating Peppers
Food Food Storage

Dehydrating Peppers

Harvest season is upon us here in Utah, so I've been pretty busy preserving the harvest.  This year I grew pepper plants from seed and have LOTS of peppers in my garden.  Some are hot and some are mild.  This is a good thing if you like peppers a lot, but I do not.  Thankfully my husband does, but even a pepper lover like him can only eat so many peppers.  So what do we do with all those peppers?  We eat a few, put a few in salsa, and save the rest for later by dehydrating them.

Angela
3 min read
#Dehydration #Food #Food Storage +2 more
Group buy on high-capacity water storage
Family Preparedness Food Storage

Group buy on high-capacity water storage

During my church’s <a href="http://www.connorboyack.com/blog/a-second-snapshot-of-a-communitys-preparedness">recent emergency preparedness drill</a>, I discovered that while many people are doing well on their three month supply of food storage, very few had any type of water storage system. To help correct that, we have arranged for group buys on <strong>two</strong> different high-capacity water tanks, both of which store the equivalent to five 55 gallon drums!

Connor Boyack
4 min read
#Group Buy #Water #water storage
Skills as a prep
Family Preparedness Food Storage

Skills as a prep

A few weeks ago a guest author on a popular preparation blog discussed the value of gardening as a resource. He put forth the opinion that while he enjoys gardening as a pastime, the decision as to whether to engage in it should be based solely around time and cost. Citing the inability to move a garden in an emergency and the amount of labor required to get to harvest, he concluded that it is better to save your seeds for a bug-out and expend today's efforts and money on a trip to the grocery store. "It's all about time," he says, "not a skill or desire."

Wade
4 min read
#Food Storage #Gardening #Practice +2 more
Alpine Storage Overages
Food Storage Group Buy

Alpine Storage Overages

Our friends over at <a href="http://www.alpinefoodstorage.com/">Alpine Food Storage</a> recently sent out some emails about some overstocks they currently have.  If you are in Utah, this is a great chance to go browse and pick up some of those deals you might have missed from previous group buys.  If you have some tax refund money left, here's a great way to use some of it.

Jayce
3 min read
#Food #Food Storage #preps +1 more
To Bee or not to Bee?
Events Food Storage

To Bee or not to Bee?

<br /> [caption id="attachment_1488" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Note the Queen on the Bottom right"]<img src="/images/uploads/2009/03/bee1-300x209.jpg" alt="Note the Queen on the Bottom right" title="bee1" width="300" height="209" class="size-medium wp-image-1488" />[/caption] My name is Bryan. I am one of the 3 B’s. The three B’s are as follows: Bryan, Brian, and then there’s the other Bryan. I tell you that so you don’t get us confused. We are all beekeepers. If you were to tell any one of us a few years ago that we would be beekeepers, we all would have told you that you were stone cold crazy! Yet here we all are keeping honeybees…..and loving it!!! So…what happened? <!--more--> We all have the strong desire to want to provide for our families, and prepare for whatever may lie ahead. No, we don’t have spare time gracing us at every turn. We all have our families with several young children. However, we all have a desire to be a part of helping something bigger than just our families. Enter the Honeybees. I came across a news article years ago explaining the importance of honeybees in our society. The more I read about the honeybees, the more I found I was feeding an appetite that I never knew I had. The more I read the more I wanted to know. What I found was absolutely astounding. I can’t think of another insect that has had such a profound affect on civilization than the Honeybee. Honey, beeswax, propolis, pollen, royal jelly, all products of the beehive, has played an important role in the health, and wellbeing of mankind for ages. That does not even take into consideration the pollination work that the honeybee does. The honeybee was brought across the ocean to the Americas by the settlers (known as the white man’s fly to the Indians) to ensure the success of the crops they planted. I’m not even beginning to scratch the surface here. [caption id="attachment_1489" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Catching my first Swarm!!!"]<img src="/images/uploads/2009/03/bee2-300x200.jpg" alt="Catching my first Swarm!!!" title="bee2" width="300" height="200" class="size-medium wp-image-1489" />[/caption] So…why honeybees? The bottom line is that they need our help….. and, we need theirs. About 1/3 of our food supply is dependant on the honeybee for pollination. Disease, pests, and development have virtually eliminated the feral honeybee populations. It turns out that a fruit fly has five times the capability of fighting off disease than the honeybee. It is becoming more and more important to have managed honeybee colonies. We live in a time when “going green” is in. Honeybees definitely play an important role in keeping the planet green. We, along with all kinds of plants and animals need this important species buzzing around. From the liquid gold of the sweet honey (which does not spoil if stored in a sealed container and will help relieve allergy symptoms!!!) , the increase of the yield in my home garden and fruit trees, to the lip balm made from the beeswax collected from the hive, my family has been blessed by having this truly remarkable species around. So, if you are contemplating getting involved in this remarkable journey, it is time to jump in. [caption id="attachment_1490" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Swarms 1 Stings 0!!!)"]<img src="/images/uploads/2009/03/bee3-300x200.jpg" alt="Swarms 1 Stings 0!!!)" title="bee3" width="300" height="200" class="size-medium wp-image-1490" />[/caption] If you are thinking of getting started in keeping bees, you will need to get started on it soon. The bees will be arriving about mid April. You need to pre-order them right away. They always are sold out right after they come in! [caption id="attachment_1491" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Picture of my 6 yr. old helping me install a swarm I caught."]<img src="/images/uploads/2009/03/bee4-300x200.jpg" alt="Picture of my 6 yr. old helping me install a swarm I caught." title="bee4" width="300" height="200" class="size-medium wp-image-1491" />[/caption] For all kinds of helpful information you can visit the Utah County Beekeepers Association web site, or attend an association meeting: <a href="http://www.utahcountybeekeepers.org">www.utahcountybeekeepers.org</a> <h4>Bee Hive Plans</h4> Top bar hive Plans: <a href="http://www.backyardhive.com">BackYard Hive.com</a> Langstroth Hive Plans: <a href="http://www.beesource.com/plans/index.htm">BeeSource.com</a> <h4>To purchase hives/frames and bee keeping products:</h4> <a href="http://www.jonesbee.com">Jones Bee</a> <a href="http://www.mannlakeltd.com">Mann Lake Ltd.</a> <a href="http://www.dadant.com">DadAnt</a> <a href="http://www.brushymountainbeefarm.com">Brush Mountain Bee Farm</a> <a href="http://www.utahcountybeekeepers.org">Utah County Bee Keepers</a> –go to the classifieds section. <h4>To purchase bees packages:</h4> <a href="http://www.knightfamilyhoney.com">Knight Family Honey</a> <a href="http://www.jonesbee.com">Jones Bee</a> If you are interested in getting started in Bee Keeping, there is the <a href="http://www.utahpreppers.com/2009/03/beginning-bee-keeping-class-in-orem/">Bee Keeping Class in Orem</a> on March 20th. If you would like to learn more now though or would like to avoid the class fee, I will be conducting an informal class at my house in Mapleton this Friday, March 13th at 7 PM. We will be going over much of the same information from that class. In addition, we will be putting together a group order for bees and the recommended equipment you need to get started in Bee Keeping. If you are interested in attending this informal class, please RSVP to Bryan Esquivel by e-mailing maplemountainbees@q.com

Ekim
4 min read
#Bees #Education #Event +4 more
Learning From the Pioneers
Food Storage Personal Preparedness

Learning From the Pioneers

<img class="alignright size-full wp-image-1319 scissors-resample" title="1844_1877_1" src="/images/uploads/2009/02/1844_1877_1.jpg" alt="1844_1877_1" width="304" height="211" />Many know that Utah was originally settled by Mormon Pioneers, I'm a descendant of those pioneers from 8 different family lines on my Mother's side.  The Mormon Pioneers crossed the plains from Missouri to Utah in covered wagons, handcarts and many on foot.  Most of them buried family and loved ones under a pile of rocks on their way here.  It was a harrowing experience the like of which will hopefully never be repeated.

Phil
6 min read
#Food Storage #gear #Pioneers +1 more
Ice Storm Stories and Preparedness
Food Storage Lessons Learned

Ice Storm Stories and Preparedness

<img class="alignright" src="http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/rids/20090131/i/r1571731380.jpg?x=400&amp;y=266&amp;q=85&amp;sig=5WL2ww2eC6Oik14Zea3.Xg--" alt="" width="251" height="167" />As most everyone should be aware, the last week has provided a harrowing survival experience for Kentucky and surrounding states with a major Ice Storm cutting off power to over<a href="http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A9j8eu2_rYhJ_Z0A_yTQtDMD;_ylu=X3oDMTBjdmNoOTVjBHBvcwMyBHNlYwNzcg--/SIG=12jq0ecc4/EXP=1233780543/**http%3a//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090202/ap_on_re_us/winter_storm_97"> 1.5 million homes and killing 55 people</a>.

Phil
11 min read
#Bugging In #Ice Storm #Lessons Learned +2 more
Dinner Grouping
Food Storage

Dinner Grouping

One of the most important factors in being able to build up a quality food storage program is having the ability to actually store the food that you will eat, and finding a way to rotate that stored food into your daily diet.  The problem with storing for most though, is that while those pizza boxes stack really well, the food sure doesn't last.  I also don't think that if I ordered an extra meal from the local chinese delivery place, that I could just throw it in my shelving and expect it to do any good.

Jayce
8 min read
#Community #Family #Food +1 more
January Utah Food Co-Op
Food Storage

January Utah Food Co-Op

Another reminder that the Utah Food Co-Op orders are due this Friday (the 9th).  As I <a href="http://www.utahpreppers.com/2008/12/crossroads-co-op-december-deadline/">mentioned last month</a>, this is a great way to get high quality food, at a very good price.

Jayce
2 min read
#Food #Reviews #Sales +2 more
Mylar Bag Wrapup - Issues with Mylar Bags
Food Storage

Mylar Bag Wrapup - Issues with Mylar Bags

This will wrap up our series on Mylar Bag Food Storage. You can catch the previous posts here: a <a href="http://www.utahpreppers.com/2008/12/how-to-adventures-in-food-storage-with-mylar-bags/">How-To Pictorial on Storing Food in Mylar Bags</a> and <a href="http://www.utahpreppers.com/2008/12/alternative-storage-techniques-using-mylar-bags/">Alternative Ideas for Mylar Bags</a>.

Phil
5 min read
#Education #Food #Food Storage +4 more
Water storage and purification
Food Storage

Water storage and purification

I am aware of at least one individual on Utah Preppers that had doubts about this article ever seeing the light of day. Catching up on honey-do lists (building 2 can rotation systems, etc.) and everyday life was keeping me busier than I would have liked. Besides, seventy percent of the Earth's surface is covered in water (well, except for Utah), so what's the big deal? The truth of it is, without water, your chances of surviving an extended emergency are greatly diminished. "Humans can survive 3 days on average without water -- less when it is very hot or one is very active (as opposed to weeks without food). A single day without water significantly reduces bodily and mental performance." - Wikibooks - Outdoor Survival/Water

rawlink
3 min read
#Food #Food Storage #Water
one-quarter cup
Food Storage

one-quarter cup

Over on "Food Storage... A Necessary Adventure", there is a recent post called <a href="http://adventuresinbloggingtoo.blogspot.com/2008/12/have-you-seen-14-cup-lately.html">Have you seen a 1/4 cup lately</a>.

Jayce
2 min read
#Charity #Education #Food +4 more
How To: Adventures in Food Storage with Mylar Bags
Food Storage How To

How To: Adventures in Food Storage with Mylar Bags

There are several options available to us for long term storage of bulk food - 5 gallon buckets, #10 cans and Mylar Bags are some of the most popular. In this post we'll be going over the advantages and disadvantages of Mylar Bags and how to use a Mylar Bag Sealer. Specifically, we're going to show how to turn all of this:

Phil
5 min read
#Canning #Food #Food Storage +3 more
The post where we go all Doom and Gloom
Food Storage Political

The post where we go all Doom and Gloom

I suspect that most readers of this blog are slightly more intelligent than the average reality show addicted, talking head worshiping American that thinks that everything going on in the world and economy right now is just a hiccup that'll go away in the spring. You know, the ones that we preppers are pretty sure we're going to have to fight off from killing us and stealing our preps WTSHTF. But, just in case any of you are slightly towing the line with the popular hero-worshiping of the Socialistic head of the 'Office of the President Elect' thinking somehow he's going to Change anything but his mind, or that somehow he's going to bring Hope to the country - I bring you this.

Phil
6 min read
#Depression #Economy #Food Storage +5 more
Home Canning - In #10 Cans
Food Storage How To

Home Canning - In #10 Cans

I came across this great post today on the <a href="http://safelygatheredin.blogspot.com/">Safely Gathered In</a> blog about <a href="http://safelygatheredin.blogspot.com/2008/12/how-to-can-your-own-food-in-10-cans.html">canning your own food at home in #10 cans</a>. The blog itself is well written and provides a lot of really great info about Food Storage and Emergency Preparedness. They have <a href="http://safelygatheredin.blogspot.com/search/label/Three-month%20supply">weekly posts on Tuesdays</a> that guide you in purchases to build up your 72 hour kits and food storage. If you have a hard time deciding what you need to purchase, or you feel overwhelmed by <a href="http://safelygatheredin.blogspot.com/2008/06/how-toplan-your-three-month-supply.html">everything you need to buy to be prepared</a>, these kind of guides are invaluable!

Phil
2 min read
#Food Storage #Links #preps +1 more
Making it Yourself: Cheese
Food Storage How To

Making it Yourself: Cheese

One of my favorite comfort foods to have around is cheese. While I do not consider myself any kind of cheese-snob by any means, I do have several varieties that I like to have on hand, and really care about the flavor and texture of those cheeses. These cheeses make up a very important part of my regular diet, and having to go without them would not only cause me and mine to feel the lack of something, but our bodies would probably quickly notice it, and our digestion would likely suffer.

Jayce
2 min read
#Food Storage #Links #preps +2 more
Review: Costco Emergency Supply Kit Deal
Food Storage Reviews

Review: Costco Emergency Supply Kit Deal

In the recent Costco mailer, some friends and I all noticed that a "72-hour" kit that Costco carries had a limited time online discount available.  The $60 kit was/is available for a limited time for $40 with shipping (<a href="http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11314388&amp;search=344593&amp;Mo=0&amp;cm_re=1_en-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&amp;lang=en-US&amp;Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&amp;Sp=S&amp;N=5000043&amp;whse=BC&amp;Dx=mode+matchallpartial&amp;Ntk=Text_Search&amp;Dr=P_CatalogName:BC&amp;Ne=4000000&amp;D=344593&amp;Ntt=344593&amp;No=0&amp;Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&amp;Nty=1&amp;topnav=&amp;s=1">Costco 72 hour kit sale</a>), so I decided to check it out. One more 72 hour kit could be good for my family, and if it was nice, would make a great gift to give to some family members and friends.

Jayce
8 min read
#72 hour kit #BOB #Food +5 more
An Easy Breakfast
Food Storage

An Easy Breakfast

I thought I'd share a nice and easy way to utilize your whole wheat berries for an on-the-run breakfast.  Of course, I'm talking whole wheat cereal.  Now I remember as a kid hating this stuff, my mom would make it for us kids, and we'd all turn our noses at it, pleading for something sugary.  But we did have to eat it anways, it was what we could afford.

Jayce
3 min read
#Food #Food Storage #Healthy +3 more
Thoughts on Food Storage
Food Storage

Thoughts on Food Storage

The following is a re-post of content from a while back from <a title="Jayce^" href="http://www.jaycehall.com">my personal blog</a>, responding to a friends comments as he was first getting interested in food storage.

Jayce
9 min read
#Food #Food Storage #preps
Drying Herbs
Food Storage Gardening

Drying Herbs

It's getting to be harvest season, which means plenty of work around my household trying to preserve some of what we've grown.  Because of our love for flavorful food, we've tried to expand the variety of Herbs around our household over the last several years.  Herbs are an excellent way to expand the flavor of those rice and beans we've all been stuffing into our long term storage.  Those wonderful foods that make up such a major part of our plans will become quite monotonous though, if we cant' get some flavor variety in them.

Jayce
4 min read
#Canning #Food #Food Storage +2 more
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