Food Storage in Uncertain Times

I was raised in Utah, the daughter of devout Mormons. Those Mormons are good folks -- always willing to lend a hand and very much into being self-sufficient and never a burden (if they can help it) on society. One of the things they preach and practice is the importance of having a year's supply of food in case of an emergency. One only has to watch the news...or read Newsweek...to see that strange things are going on in the world. Emergencies can happen in any form -- earthquakes, floods, civil unrest, government collapse, economic problems (global, national, or even personal), and more.

While I've always felt more comfortable with a good supply of food in my cupboards (probably due to my Mormon upbringing), I started to get uneasy about not having enough long-term food storage -- things I could purchase now and then put away and not really think about, but have it should I need it for any reason. I started to research and found that food storage today is much better than when my mom and dad would buy bulk beans, wheat and rice and store it all in 55 gallon drums in the basement.

Now you can purchase items in more manageable #10 cans, with all of the oxygen removed, which makes the shelf live of most products 25-30 years. I visited an LDS cannery and made my first purchase -- beans, rice, pasta, flour, sugar, oats, milk, apples, and potato flakes. All in easy to store #10 cans (they fit in closets, under beds, etc -- however, the temperature in the storage area must be around 72 or below -- as when the temperature goes up, the shelf live dramatically decreases).

My children shook their heads and rolled their eyes at my latest project. I told them that if we never needed these items, that would be wonderful. In 25 or 30 years, my husband and I will be pretty old and probably living on a fixed income. We can always open the cans then and supplement our food supply with our food storage then. However, if we ever need the food storage for whatever reason, we'll all be grateful it is there!

Then I started thinking -- while my purchases were a good start, they would certainly be boring to eat after awhile and they probably would not supply all of the needed nutrition. What I wanted was some additional items that would allow me to cook my food storage and make meals similar to what we eat now! I then started researching more and found other places that sold food storage. Some companies really charge an arm and a leg for products -- but I did find that Costco and Sam's Club both sell food storage items from various companies through their websites (and in certain cases in the B&M stores). I then made another purchase -- this time of things like powdered eggs, pancake/biscuit mix, freeze-dried vegetable mixes (for soups and stews) and also texturized vegetable protein (TVP) -- a meat substitute. I found the real meat (which you CAN purchase freeze-dried) is terribly expensive. While TVP is not something I would eat on a daily basis, it now comes in various textures and flavors and would work in a pinch to supply the taste and nutrition I'm looking for. For example, you could throw some bacon or ham flavored TVP in with some beans or lentils and have red beans and rice, or lentil soup -- things that we eat often now.

My next project is to see if I can find a place where I can can my own items into #10 cans. Buying things like lentils, bulgar wheat, and split peas from companies are quite expensive. I would much rather buy in bulk from a local supplier and then take care of the canning on my own. I know it can be done (Mormons up in Utah have access to personal canners through their churches) -- I just need to figure out how and where in my area.

By the way -- when the great catastrophe happens and you start starving because you didn't plan ahead, don't come looking for food from me. I'm a big believer in the adage "Lack of preparation on YOUR part does NOT constitute an emergency on MY part." Part of my plan also includes getting some firearms and ammunition -- both for hunting and for personal protection of my family and our food :)

Family Fun!

One good thing about loosing weight and exercising more is the ability it gives you to participate in fun family adventures -- things I never would have done 45 pounds and a year ago! Months ago I made a donation to the local PBS-TV station and received some tickets to steam locomotive trains in return. Since some of them were due to expire soon, we decided to take a weekend trip to Durango, Colorado to use a set of them while both of our younger kids were home on spring break. When we got there on Friday afternoon, we weren't ready to just sit around the hotel all night -- so we started reading through the brochures they had in the hotel and found an ad for a zipline that was just down the road. It turned out to be a blast! The owner and one of the workers were our own private tour guides, giving us tips and showing us how it was done. Everyone picked it up in no time and were soon flying through the trees. Here is the family on one of the platforms:

That night, we ate at Mutus -- the best Italian restaurant I've ever been to! While it was a bit on the pricey side, it was worth it. We tried all sorts of dishes we had never had before, each one as good as the last. I really appreciated that families were young children were seated upstairs, which was fun for the children and very nice for those of us who were older. The next day we took our train ride (not nearly as exciting as ziplines, but there was some beautiful scenery).

The next weekend, my older children joined the family for a short visit and we took everyone to Tent Rocks for a hike in the slot canyon and up to the top of the mesa. It is a great hike with very interesting features and a terrific view! The weather was beautiful and a good time was had by all (even those who weren't really into hiking). Here's the family on top of the mesa:

Later this month, I'm taking a day off work to join second daughter, Cherron, on another hiking trip to the top of the mountain. This time, we're taking a different route and, since it is spring, it should be a lot more comfortable, cool, and greener than it was last time. Pictures coming soon!

Blah, humbug!

This has been a tough year for nearly everyone I know. Not only financially, but emotionally. It seems that most everyone feels kind of "blah" about the holiday season. Mike and I were discussing it last night and we're not sure if it is the stress (from being out of work or in stressful work conditions) or the state the country and economy is in, finances, or just a general state of apathy for whatever reason. Whatever it is -- it's not fun! I'm trying to be more upbeat and (as Monty Python would sing) "Look on the bright side of life!" I finally broke out the Christmas decorations last weekend and my goal is to finish them up this weekend. Twinkly lights and beautiful decorations always puts me in a more happy, peaceful mood!

Unfortunately, my apathy has extended to my weight loss program. By mid-October I had dropped about 37 pounds -- but since then, I've gained and lost the same three pounds over and over again. In my new "look on the bright side" philosophy, I tell myself that I am not GAINING -- and it probably does my body good to adjust to this new, smaller me. Plus, this is a hard time of year to loose due to all of the holiday food and relatives visiting. I'm still working out 3-4 days a week, but I know I need to start being more selective about the foods I'm eating. Realistically, I know that will be difficult through the first of the year -- so I plan to keep up my workouts, eat sensibly when I can, but not feel guilty if a Christmas cookie finds its way to my mouth. If I can continue maintaining through December, then January will be a good time to recommit to Weight Watchers and really track everything I eat (they just revamped the program, so it is like starting it all over anyway!)

I am going to start thinking about my New Year's Resolutions now. Of course, healthy eating and a healthy, exercised body is part of it. However, I want to be more happy in the coming year -- connecting on a better level to my spouse, family, and friends. I know that means I have to be more selfish sometimes (making time for me and the things I like), but I'm wondering if volunteering will also help. I'll keep you updated.

Oh, and here is a shout out to you, brother James! You are quite a detective to find my blog all on your own (and I'm glad to have a follower/reader -- even if it is my brother :)

Hiking!

My daughter, Cherron, has always done a bit of hiking, but I haven't hiked since I was a kid. With my recent weight loss (down about 35 pounds so far) and goal to be more fit, I decided to give hiking a try. For our first hike, we decided on a real challenge -- hiking to the top of our mountain and then taking the tram back down to our car. Total miles -- about 10. I figured it would take us about five hours -- boy, did I underestimate!



We started at 9am and hiked three miles to get from the bottom of the tram to the actual trail that led up the mountains. It was hot and dry, and we were going through water quickly. I soon realized that I probably had not packed enough water and that worried me, as we had quite a ways to go. Luckily, about halfway into our trip we encountered a couple who had stopped because the girl had blisters. Cherron had a first aid kit and offered them bandages, which they were happy about. As we talked, I mentioned we were doing good, but I wondered if I had brought enough water. They promptly opened their packs and handed us each a bottle of frozen water -- as they had brought too much! What a nice experience to do some "mountain bartering"! Turns out we DID need that extra water -- it was just enough to get us to the top of the mountain.



The hike was rugged and strenuous. A lot of it was over broken granite, so you really had to watch your footing. The scenery went from scrub brush and cactus to wooded areas with pine trees and aspen. We gained about 4500 feet in elevation. My daughter's knee started to bother her when we still had about 4-5 miles to go. Luckily, she had brought an elastic bandage, so she wrapped it, but I could see each step hurt her -- but she kept going (the other option was hiking back down, and as we were more than halfway (and going down would put even more pressure on her knee) we opted to forge ahead. Finally, more than 8 hours later, we reached the top!

We took the tram back down to the bottom of the mountain and then had a great meal at a nearby barbecue restaurant. We had brought plenty of food on the hike, but never felt like eating. We knew we needed food, but even after the hike did not feel hungry. However, as soon as the waiter brought us the food, our appetites kicked in and we ate and ate! I didn't even have to feel guilty about what I was eating, as I had just burned hundreds, if not thousands of calories climbing that mountain over 8 hours! Overall, it was a great day and we decided then that we would try to do a hike at least a couple of times a month before winter set in. Next spring, we'll be making another trip to the top of the mountain -- this time by a different, longer route!

Goals

Once I had my surgery in February, I decided it was time to start getting healthy. I've been overweight most of my adult life and working out is not fun for me at all. However, I was on all types of drugs for various ailments and I was in pain nearly every day -- and I knew that if I could loose some weight and get my muscles more toned, I would feel better.

So, my big goal this year is to loose weight -- not for looks, but for health! I finally broke out the Wii Fit I won last fall and weighed myself on it on March 30th -- 218 pounds and a size 18-20! I've weighed more, and I've certainly weighed less (at one period in my life when the drug Phen-fen was still being prescribed, I got down to 160 and a size 12 -- but I quit taking that and quit exercising, and it all came back).

I started going to the gym or walking 2-4 times a week and was watching what I ate. By early May, I had lost 7 pounds. Then work sent out an email inviting people to join Weight Watchers, which would be meeting once a week during lunch at work. The best thing (for a spendthrift like myself) was that it was free for the first 17 week session (and half price for additional sessions). I wasn't sure I was ready to be in a "program" -- but then I figured, why not? I was already doing it on my own -- a little more help and support couldn't hurt. So I joined.

The 17 week session just ended this past week and I've lost a total of 20 pounds while on Weight Watchers (added to the 7 pounds I had already lost on my own -- for a total of 27 pounds gone!) That is more than 10% of my original body weight. I'm wearing smaller clothes and people say I look great. In fact, one day a young man I didn't know came up to me at the gym and told me that he had noticed me working out the past few months and that he could really tell the difference from my hard work -- that really made my day! The best thing about the weight loss and activity is that I no longer have to take medication for nightly indigestion and I don't get that crippling back pain I used to have. Usually, when my body hurts these days, it's because I've added weight or intensity to my workout.

The Weight Watcher's program at work ended, but I can still get the discount if I go to meetings out in town -- which I plan to do. My goal is to loose another 20 pounds by Christmas. I'm not in any great hurry -- I want to be slow and steady, and learn how to really live realistically while being healthy. Occasionally, I really want a cookie or a soda -- and I allow myself to have treats, while eating healthy overall (and getting in the activity I need).

Another major goal I have for myself is to start thinking about what I want in a job and what kind of job would meet those needs -- and then trying to find/create that job for myself. Again, I'm not in a great hurry -- I want to really explore and find something that will be rewarding (better still would be something I love -- but rewarding works for me just now). Once Mike makes it past his 90 day probationary period and is hired full time by the corporate office, then I would feel comfortable moving to a job that perhaps does not pay as much but might offer more rewards mentally. I'm excited about that upcoming adventure and hope to be in a new, fulfilling job by spring!

Good News...and More Good News!

Mike finished with his Bachelor's Degree and this summer started on his Master's Degree. He was also looking for work, but could not get so much as an interview. This town is funny that way. I noticed the same thing when I was looking for work and finally started with a temp agency, which placed me at my current job. That is how I was able to get on full time with the office when they decided to hire. Some of our patients from out of state say they have had the same problems. It's frustrating, because you know if you could get an interview, you could get a job -- but I don't know if the employers in this town post positions with someone already in mind, if they want local people for the job, or what -- but it's hard to get an "in."

Mike's unemployment is due to expire in another month, so he decided he would also start temping to see what happened. That was frustrating, because he has so much experience and should do better than a $10-$12 per hour job. However, it was a good decision, because one of the national temp agencies called him about a management job for a computer giant that has a branch in our town. Once they talked to him, they hired him the next day! After a 90 day probation period, he'll be working full time for the temp agency -- but contracted out to the computer giant. The pay is about half of what he was making before -- but enough that we can live comfortably on it, my job, and his pension from the military. He is going to continue going to school full time as well -- at least through the fall semester. He really wants to get his Master's Degree and I admire that.

In other good news, one of the problem employees at my work decided to move on to greener pastures. I was very happy to see it, as work had been pretty miserable. We still have another one of her gang that wants to do things her way -- taking time off whenever she pleases, doing the job however she sees fit, and spending hours online, texting, and on the phone. It's maddening, because she has indoctrinated another employee that this is the way things can be done -- so between the two of them, not a lot of work gets done. I'm starting to get emotionally and physically exhausted trying to cover the stuff they let fall through the cracks. We just hired a new person and will have another starting within a few weeks -- so I'm waiting to see how that works out. If they have the same type of work ethic as these two gals, then it's time for me to move on as well. Management is aware of the problems, but are never on hand to witness things -- so nothing gets done. I find going to work to be frustrating instead of rewarding, and I really want to have a job I look forward to! I'm making that one of my goals for the next year.

Another Guest Room Done!

While my youngest daughter was at college last spring (and after I had recovered from my surgery), I decided to make over her room. We had painted and decorated it when we first purchased the house, and she had liked the super bright colors at the time, but her tastes had changed. I also wanted to have another guest room that friends and family could use when she was at college (or when she moves out once she graduates).

This is a before shot of her room once it had been emptied. Needless to say, all of her accessories were also in these bright yellow and salmon colors (with some lime green thrown in as well).

We purchased a very nice queen-size bed for $100 from a retired couple who were moving and had used it as a guest bed (so it was in almost new condition). I then found a "Bed in a Bag" on sale at Wal-Mart for $35. I took my color inspiration from the comforter and purchased a very neutral wheat color paint for the walls. I kept the trim and doors white and also kept the current white cellular shade for the window -- just adding a splash of color with a new turquoise valance (not shown in the pictures). We also found a great upholstered chair for $20 at a thrift shop that matches the valance and headboard. The showpiece for the room is the padded headboard! I've always wanted to make one and finally did it. The fabric was on clearance, which cut the cost down quite a bit. It ended up costing about $75 -- but I think if I do it again, I can do it for less using foam mattress pads for the padding instead of the foam I bought at the local fabric stores. What do you think?

I still have some work to do in the room. My daughter already had a few beachy accessories, like a shell wind chime and a few pictures/corkboards that fit in with the color scheme nicely. I had a few more that I salvaged from the kid's bathroom before the remodel. I need to get those up and add one more, larger piece of art on the wall across from the bed. I'm thinking I might try my hand at an abstract piece on canvas, in the colors of the room, that gives a "beach like" impression. It's something I've wanted to try after watching some decorating shows on TV -- and it doesn't look too hard. Look for my results later :)