"A small percentage of something is so much better than a higher percentage of nothing"

I was looking for updates this morning on all of the Provident Living blogs that I follow and saw the above title. It intrigued me, so I logged in and read it. Basically, it was a motivational post for those who are not working on our food storage and preparedness that it takes "BABY STEPS" to get to the end product (the year's supply, etc). Here is what she said:

In a conversation I had with a salesman, it came up that at times, he has to reduce the price of what he's selling in order to get the business and make the sale. Reducing the price of the item(s) he sells lowers his commission. He then said along the lines of, " A (lower) percentage of something is better than a (higher) percentage of nothing." He's so right. That saying has emerged in other conversations, but I was thinking about how it applies to food storage.

If you are like me, I like to have things done. That's why, for a longer time than I care to admit, I put my food storage on the shelf and walked away. I didn't want to use my food storage. If I used it, I would have less, right? So I put it there and felt pretty good about the numbers, but had very little to no idea about what I would do with it if a crisis hit. Rice and beans were good in theory, but didn't make an appearance on the dinner table until I decided to get serious about the actual preparation of food storage. Practical application trumps the dream of self-sufficiency any day.

Back to the percentage thing--I'm pretty sure that those concerned with being prepared for emergencies (you have no idea how much I wish that meant absolutely everyone) would like to be 100% prepared. Well, ummm...the bad news is that in my personal opinion being absolutely prepared for everything is not possible. The good news is that you can be absolutely prepared in some areas, though. And that's where the lower percentage of something undeniably beats a higher percentage of nothing.

I think that sometimes, people think they will do things all at once, and usually the time for that will be sometime in the distance future. They may think that they will save up for an entire year's supply of food, when they could just purchase needed items little by little---they want the 100% prepared version, which, since it is not in their hands, is essentially 100% of nothing.

Personally, I think that a smaller percentage of something in our possession, even if at the beginning it only amounts to a three-day supply of food, is far superior to having nothing on hand. Set goals for yourself if you are just starting out, and don't let food storage overwhelm you. You can get a 3 days' supply to start out with, and chances are, rice and beans won't even be on the menu at that point. Then move on to 3 weeks. Then to 3 months. Then to 3 years. (Yeah, I was just checking to make sure you were paying attention--would love to have 3 years' supply on hand, but still working on that year goal....)

There are still things that I need to work on. Here we are in June, and I still haven't completed my inventory and worked out a system that works for me where that's concerned. Part of it is just that I don't think about that particular aspect of it enough. I haven't worked enough on the 3 month supply as opposed to long-term storage. We all have our areas that we need to work on (hey, if I'm alone on this, be kind :) but we can up our percentages if we set realistic goals and work on them. And it is work.....work that we might not be able to do tomorrow, so we better do it today. http://adventuresinbloggingtoo.blogspot.com/ (this is the blog that I pulled this from)

I wholeheartedly agree with what she says. So, start off with "baby steps" -- that is what I did and now I have a nice supply of food (always still working on it, but it is so comforting to know that we could survive for "quite some time" on what we do have). When I first started food storage, I would buy one can extra of "something" (for example, spaghetti sauce). That was the most I could do at that time in my life. Then, it got to be a habit to buy one extra can of several things and then several extra cans of several things and then an extra case of something and then extra cases of several things.... see the progression? Now I am to the point of typically ONLY buying storage items when they are on sale and buying LOTS of that particular item. When I go to the grocery store, it is usually for a cart full of dairy and produce -- and the sale items.

Well, I like some of the new ideas that have come out on how to begin your food storage. There are many different ways to approach this elephant. The most important thing, though, is to start. Some may say that it is most important to store the wheat and the rice and the beans and the powdered milk first. However, I tend to like the "new" counsel to store three months of what you actually eat now and then work on the year's supply of the other items. And, as a side note, if you are not used to eating beans, wheat, etc., you better start learning to use them now or your body will reject them if that is all you are using in an emergency. I never thought my family would be able to get used to eating beans and wheat and now we eat them all the time with no side effects.

What I am saying is... START NOW! You've heard this before and I am sure you will hear it again -- time is running short. We have been counseled for so many years -- we have no excuses. How blessed we are that we have been warned and shown how to do it. Now, progress ladies... onward and upward.

BTW, if any of you would like help in getting started, please contact me and I would be happy to help you get on your way. I have a passion for this subject and love to share with those around me. Call me (or e-mail me at susan_wheatley@comcast.net) and set up a time to come over and I'll give you handouts and more importantly, help you make a plan.

Have a beautiful Sabbath -- it is a gorgeous day out there! Susan (SuWheat)

With a "quiet urgency"

I don't know how many of you get the "Prepare Today Newsletter". Oftentimes, it has some very thought provoking quotes or stories. Tonight's newsletter had a wonderful three minute video montage that just hit me in my heart. I wanted to share it with you -- in hopes that it touches you the way it touched me. These are things we have all heard before, but... I hope that if we haven't followed the counsel before or if we haven't followed the counsel consistently enough, that we will start RIGHT NOW and move forward with a "quiet urgency" to put our houses in order and get prepared -- not just a little, but LOTS...as much as we possibly can...NOW. I feel such an urgency to do so that I can't express enough how much I hope that each and every one of you moves ahead quickly, consistently, and boldly in your preparations. I know that our Prophets speak for the Lord -- I know that the time is NOW to sacrifice our wants for our need to prepare. I hope you enjoy this little clip and then ... DO IT!

http://preparetodaynewsletter.blogspot.com/2009/06/shhhh-im-not-really-here.html

Love you all! Susan

A new beginning...

Until the last couple of days, I haven't had the time to keep up with this blog, but I am feeling more on top of things now and so I have several things to add tonight... and, if you didn't see yesterday's blog post, make sure to check it out - great deals at the cannery! Don't miss out!

For tonight, I wanted to pass along a few things....

1. Not sure if you have visited alpinefoodstorage.com, but Chirine sells all sorts of different food storage items. I know a few of you have signed up to buy a can of seeds. As soon as I get a bigger order together, I will send it into her and I'd be happy to pick it up for you all. At any rate, check out her website (alpinefoodstorage.com) and let me know if there is anything you would like me to order for you. Or, order it yourself and I'll pick everything up together. They have all sorts of storage items. I think I am going to get some of their canned butter from New Zealand. I have some of the canned cheese from New Zealand -- now I will try the butter. I also have their seeds and they are really good! I store mine in the freezer! She is also putting together a berry order that ends on Friday. This one is like the berry order that we did a few years ago when Betsy Tanner put it together. VERY YUMMY! Either e-mail me or post on here if you order anything.

2. How much do you know about flaxseed? It is very good for your skin because of the Omega 3 that is in it. The nutrition comes as you grind it -- it isn't very nutritious whole (unlike most other foods). To grind it, you must have a small coffee grinder. I picked one up on ksl.com for $5 and love it! You can grind it (or bring it to my house and I will grind it for you) and then put in a small jar or a ziplock bag and store in freezer or refrigerator. You can sprinkle the ground flaxseed in just about anything! No one will be able to tell the difference. Start with 1 Tbsp of ground flaxseed a day -- add it to your smoothies, in your casseroles, cookies, breads. Get that nutrition in your body! Let me know if you want me to grind it for you!

3. Quinoa -- you have heard me talk about this wonderful grain before! Well, have you tried sprouting it? Raw quinoa can be sprouted to activate its natural enzymes and boost its vitamin content. And, it only takes about FOUR HOURS to sprout the quinoa -- wow, that is FAST! Add them to salads and other foods without having to be cooked. Sprouted quinoa is best eaten in 2-3 days. And, one thing that I am looking forward to experimenting with -- it is said that quinoa in your diet helps alleviate migraines! I HAVE TO TRY THAT ONE!

4. Ginger -- Studies found that ginger reduces morning sickness and ginger tea is used many times to help ease an upset stomach or runny nose. It can also help relieve arthritis and migraine headaches! (Another one I need to try!) Researchers speculate that ginger works like aspirin, blocking the production of natural substances that cause inflammation and pain. Since fresh ginger is strong, make the herb into a tea to dilute it. Add 1/2 to 1 tsp freshly grated gingerroot (or 1/4 tsp of the powdered version) to a cup of hot water. Let it steep for 10 minutes, strain the ginger and drink.

5. Just wanted to share with you another one of my favorite blogs: http://orgjunkie.com/family-favorite-recipes Take a gander at her blog. Not only does she have a mountain of recipes to choose from, but look back at some of her older posts as well. I love this blog, as I love to organize!

I am hoping that now that I have a few other things under control, that I can blog more often -- I would really LOVE to be able to answer the types of questions that YOU have! Drop me a line at susan_wheatley@comcast.net or post a comment to this post and I'd be happy to write about your interests in the future. I would love to help, so let me know.

NEXT BLOG: Some great recipes to share!

I LOVE THE CANNERY! Prices have gone DOWN!

I received an e-mail from Andrea Urban and I absolutely loved how she worded her post:

"I believe that our Heavenly Father really wants us to have a storehouse in our homes, so when troubled times come, we can still feed our families. I also believe in the Tender Mercies of the Lord (Elder Bednar gave a fantastic talk on this subject http://www.lds.org/conference/talk/display/0.5232.23-1-520-33.00.html ). He loves us and wants us to be happy and successful. He gives us opportunities to obey counsel and these lower prices will certainly help us get some food put away."

I truly believe what Andrea says is true. How many times has our Heavenly Father pulled out "yet another" blessing for us -- I mean, for heaven sakes (no pun intended), food prices going DOWN? Unheard of! Except at the Cannery!

I tried to attach the spreadsheet that Andrea put in her e-mail that shows a comparison of what the prices are now and the prices in red are how much they have gone down, however I am still blog-illiterate and couldn't get it to line up correctly. I will put it in the e-mail that I send to everyone that tells you that I have a new post on her.

How many of us will actually take advantage of this wonderful blessing? I think we need to get to the cannery more often. I will pass around a sign-up sheet on Sunday for anyone who might want to go with someone else to the cannery. Or, you can post here and I can get a group together. It goes so much faster that way -- a very fulfilling cannery session -- I love going to the cannery.

Plan to go more often -- while the prices are still low, go as often as you can!

Humanitarian Project:
Last few weeks of our current humanitarian project and I found a sale on bath towels. K-Mart has bath towels on sale for $2.49 each. They are the "Essential Home Manor Bath Towel". Remember your blessings and buy some towels to bless the lives of the Women and Children in Crisis. They are also in need of toiletries (shampoo, toilet paper, paper towels, deodorant, etc.). Remember to take them to Vena Lee Cannon or bring them to church on Sunday. The last day to contribute to this project is July 10th at the Relief Society Summer BBQ.

CONTEST TO WIN FROM SHELF RELIANCE!

I just wanted to let you all know about a great FREEBIE contest! You could win a SHELF RELIANCE food storage shelf -- talk about a great contest -- these are wonderful shelves and the one that they are giving away retails for $459.99! I don't know about you, but this is a contest I HAVE to enter!

Simply go to: http://www.shelfreliance.com/blog/index.php/2009/06/15/free-friday-bringing-harvest/comment-page-52/#comment-2672 and enter the contest!

Having trouble finding space for your food storage! This will help you so much! Imagine your cans of food storage neatly organized and rotating without you keeping track of it! This particular system (the Harvest 72") holds up to 600 cans! 600! Can you believe that?

They are also having a sale right now on them where you get shipping for FREE! Hurry, though -- it ends soon!

Now, GO ... enter the contest! And, good luck! Maybe one of us will win and we can show it off to the others!