Food Storage Recipe - Choco-Chip Brownie and Oat Bars

 

Choco-Chip Brownie and Oat Bars 

This recipe is a combination of chocolate chip cookies and a granola bar thus you get the best of both worlds. This recipe also contains protein powder thus it is jam-packed with muscle building goodness. 

NEED: 

10 tsps mini chocolate chips 

2 egg whites ¼ cup applesauce, unsweetened 

¼ cup honey

 1/8 tsp salt 

1 ½ tsps baking powder 

1 tbsp cornstarch 

2 scoops chocolate protein powder 

½ cup cocoa powder, unsweetened

 ½ cup whole wheat flour 

½ cup Quick Oatmeal

 Directions:

 1.) Preheat the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.

 2.) Coat a baking pan with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.

 3.) In a bowl, combine the Quick Oatmeal, wheat flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, chocolate protein powder, cornstarch, baking powder and salt.  This will be the dry ingredients.

 4.) In another bowl, combine the remaining ingredients except the chocolate chips. 

 5.) Gradually add the dry ingredients to the dry ingredients. 

6.) Add the chocolate chips last. 

7.) Spread the batter to the pan and bake for 15 minutes.

8.) Let it cool to room temperature before slicing into bars.

75 Bug Out Bag Essentials List

One of the simplest, most crucial steps in disaster preparedness is to have a well-thought-out and organized BUG OUT BAG list to aid in your preparations. This will ensure you have the equipment needed to make your departure from an area of disorder or complete chaos a safe one.

A Bug Out Bag List is Not One Size Fits All

An excellent bug out bag starts with a great bug out bag list.
It doesn't necessarily mean everything you put on the list will end up going into your bag, but at least you've got a pretty good idea of where to start.
The last thing you want to happen is not start because you don't now how. Especially if you're just beginning, it's easy to get overwhelmed with the ton of information out there.
Some of it's really good. Some of it's... not.

Building A Bug Out Bag Does Not Have to Be Difficult

Building your own customized bug out bag doesn't have to be difficult. In fact, it should be a fun and enjoyable experience. After all, having a solid bug out plan, and knowing that you're planning well-in-advance should help put your mind at ease about "SHTF" scenarios.
So whether you're new to the idea of bugging out, or you've been in this neck of the woods for a while now, there's most likely something you can take away from the following.

Choosing a Bug Out Bag

The first item on your bug out bag list is the bag itself. There are several schools of thought on this topic, of which the two main ones are:
1) You should choose the best bag for you
2) You should only choose the bag after you have the items
Regardless of how you decide to go about it, make sure your bug out bag is durable, fits you well and is comfortable and has plenty of storage space and compartments to stow your survival gear.
Make sure your bug out bag list includes the following items:

Water and Hydration

Arguably the most important bug out bag essentials are related to water and hydration. The human body can go without water for only 72 hours, whereas it can go without food for about 3 weeks. Water is an absolute must-have in your bug out bag. One liter minimum, per day, per person is highly recommended.
Recommended items critical to adequate hydration are listed below.

• Drinking Water (3 Liters)
• Collapsible Water Bottle
• Hard Water Bottle
• Metal Water Bottle / Canteen
• Water Filters / Purification Systems
• Water Purification Tablets (Qty 3)

Food and Food Preparation

Next up are food stuffs. In the preparedness community there are a lot of people eager to recommend various products, mostly off-the-shelf, dehydrated, store-bought items. A goog bug out bag list contains a variety of non-perishable food items, some that might require water and some that don't. In a real bug out situation, you don't know how scarce your water source might be. To be safe, plan for more scarce than you think.
Most of these items are self-explanatory, but the important thing to know now is, you'll want enough food to last three days at least. Multiply your food requirements by the number of people that would be traveliing with you. For heat-resistance and durability, make sure you have metal cooking utensils and cookware.

• Protein / Energy Bars (Qty 6)
• MREs / Dehydrated Meals (Qty 3)
• Spork
• P-38 Can Opener
• Metal Cooking Pot
• Metal Cup
• Pot Scrubber
• Portable Stove
• Stove Fuel (Qty 8 Tablets)

Clothing

Choosing clothing for your bug out bag is a very personalized selection as everyone has different body types, tolerances and levels of fitness. The items listed below are to be strategically layered to maintain a healthy, comfortable body temperature at all times.
Your clothes selection will obviously depend on your location, climate and the other factors listed above. You should evaluate your bug out bag every six months. At these times you'll want to have a seasonal selection of clothes that you can swap out when necessary.
At least two changes of clothes ensure you can always have a dry set to wear. The last thing you want while bugging out, and in the elements, is wet clothes. Not only are they uncomfortable, but hypothermia is a real concern not to be taken lightly.

• Lightweight Long Sleeve Shirt
• Convertible (Zip-Off) Pants
• Underwear
• Wool Hiking Socks (Qty 3 pair)
• Medium Weight Fleece
• Hat w/ Flex Brim
• Working Gloves
• Rain Poncho
• Shemagh

Shelter and Bedding


At first glance, to the experienced survivalist, some of the items listed for this category might seem excessive or even impractical. But the items on this list are specifically made compact and lightweight with the backpacker in mind.
Yes, you can make a shelter out of a tarp or use a trash bag filled with leaves as a makeshift ground pad, but these items are a wise choice to include for numerous reasons. Being well-rested, both mentally and physically, is extremely important when times are rough. Do what you can to make sure you're at your mental and physical peak at all times.

• Tarp
• Tent
• Sleeping Bag
• Ground Pad
• Wool Blanket

Heat Source

Having several means for starting a fire is also essential when bugging out. The following basics should be included in every bug out bag. The reason being, there is a saying in the survivalist and firearms communities:

"Where there are two, there's one. Where there's one, there's none."

Essentially that means, if you don't have a back up, and your primary fails you... you're toast.
For that very reason, have at least three different means of starting a fire on your bug out bag list of items to pack.

• Ignition Source (Qty 3)
• Tinder (Qty 3)
• Waterproof Storage

First Aid

First aid is one of those areas where there are a lot of "done for you" type products out there that just aren't well-suited for a survival kit. Look for first aid kits that are specifically made for "survival" and have high ratings from reputable sources. Of course, you can always build your own if you know the right items to include.

• First Aid Kit
• Insect Repellant
• Mylar Survival Blanket

Hygiene

Various aspects of personal hygiene are often overlooked when compiling a bug out bag list of essentials. But the implications of forgoing any of these for an extended period of time might lead to infections and a rapid deterioration in health. When bugging out, you need to be at the top of your game, so be sure to pack these items.

• Wet Napkins
• Hand Sanitizer
• All-Purpose Camp Soap
• Hygiene/Signal Mirror
• Small Pack Towel
• Travel Toilet Paper (Qty 2)

Tools

Next to weapons, this is the one category that everyone loves to go crazy over. And it's easy to see why; gadgets are cool, and some of these are especially sweet. But remember this: "every ounce counts." Determine the must-haves and forget the rest. That said, consider including the following three tools in your bug out bag.

• Survival Knife
• Multi-Tool
• Machete

Lighting

Illumination, like fire sources, is something you'll need multiple instances of as well. If one fails or you lose it somehow, you have another to take its place. Each item listed below has multiple uses, but they all serve the same purpose - helping you see what you're doing or find where you're going. Don't forget the extra batteries!

• LED Headlamp
• Mini LED Keychain
• Light Glowstick
• Mini LED Light
• Candles
• Batteries

Communications

Communications is another highly contested category in the preparedness community. Not all potential scenarios will allow for use of these items, but if your situation does, you'll be glad to have these items with you.

• Cell Phone
• Crank Power Charger
• Emergency Radio with Hand Crank

Travel Aids

Depending on the situation you find yourself in, these items might prove quite useful. Don't leave home without carefully thinking these through first.

• Documentation (Passport, Identification etc.)
• $500 Minimum in Small Bills
• Quarters (Qty 8)
• Gold / Silver Bullion Coins
• Local Area Map
• Compass
• Small Note Pad / Pencil
• Emergency Whistle

Self Defense

Without a doubt, this is a controversial topic.
Self defense is something everyone should give serious consideration. Bugging out, in its severest of circumstances, is a survive or die proposition. Whether you choose a handgun, a rifle, both, or just a can of pepper spray, it's completely up to you. But you can be sure in a bug out scenario, being equipped to defend yourself and hunt wild game will be a welcomed option for most.
If you choose not to carry a weapon, or are not allowed to do so, then at least consider some degree of self defense training - especially if you have a family - as they'll be depending on you for their safety.

• Pepper Spray
• Handgun
• Takedown rifle
• Ammunition (Qty 25 rnds minimum)

Miscellaneous

These are items that didn't necessarily fit into any of the other categories, but they're just as important for inclusion in your bug out bag. Chances are some of the items will have you scratching your head, but you'll want these items in your bug out bag too.

• 550 Parachute Cord (50')
• Cotton Bandana
• Duct Tape (25')
• 55 Gal. Contractor Garbage Bag (Qty 2)
• Resealable Bags (Qty 5, Various Sizes)
• Sunglasses
• N95 Face Mask
• Sewing Kit
• Latex Tubing (3')
• Fishing Kit
• Condoms (Non-lubricated)
• Binoculars (Optional)
• Face Paint
• Military Surplus Survival / Snare Wire

The Bug Out Bag List above isn't intended as Gospel truth. You owe it to yourself and your loved ones to do your own due diligence and come to your own conclusions. Your bug out bag will not "automagically" keep you alive. It is, however, intended to help you survive a bug out scenario.
If you don't learn how to use these items effectively and practice using them on a regular basis, all the bug out bags in the world probably won't be able to help you.
Emergency preparedness is not a fad, nor a hobby. It's a way of life. If you believe that, you'll be all that much better off as a result.

If you enjoyed this article and would like a free, detailed version of the list for your own personal use, be sure to visit www.BugOutBagAcademy.com for this and other great bug out bag related resources.

Food Storage Recipe - Cinnamon Flavored Crumb Cake

 

Cinnamon Flavored Crumb Cake  

 
INGREDIENTS:  

 For the Cake:  

2 1/4 teaspoon baking powder 

 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

 3 cups cake flour  

1 cup whole milk  

4 extra-large eggs 

3/4 cup vegetable oil

  2 cups sugar 

 1/2 teaspoon salt 

 For the Crumbs:  

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 

 1 1/4 cups vegetable shortening  

1/4 cup granulated sugar  

3/4 cup all-purpose flour  

3 cups pastry flour 

 1 cup brown sugar  

1 teaspoon salt 

 DIRECTIONS:

 1. Preheat oven to 350F and prepare the baking pan.

 2. For the cake; mix flour, baking powder, vanilla, sugar and salt in a mixing bowl.  Combine evenly using a beater attachment over low speed.  Pour in the vegetable oil and milk; let the mixing continue until smooth.  Fold in the eggs; maintain the low speed until evenly mixed.  Make sure that the batter has no bumps.

 3. For the crumbs; fold in the ground cinnamon, sugar and salt in the mixing bowl.  Over low speed, mix all the ingredients using the beater attachment.  Toss in the vegetable shortening and mix until smooth. Add in the flour and scrape down if necessary.   Continue mixing on a low speed; crumbs should be flexible and crumble.

 4. Into the cake mold, pour the batter then top with crumbs.  Bake for 20-25 minutes or until crumbs turned into golden brown.   Take it off from oven and let it cool down for 10 minutes; whisk in powdered sugar and serve.

Food Storage Recipe - Hobo Breakfast

Hobo Breakfast. Foil Packet for a great meal. Great for camping or just grilling out in your backyard.

NEED

 ● 3 sliced scallions

 ● 1 packet (16 oz.) thawed frozen shredded hash browns 

● ¼ cup olive oil 

● 1 tsp. salt 

● ½ tsp. black pepper 

● 3 cups washed baby spinach 

● 6 eggs

 ● ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese 

Let’s Cook: Cut 12 strips of Foil (12” x 16”) and 6 strips of parchment paper of the same size. 

Put each sheet of parchment paper on top of a piece of Foil.

 In a mixing bowl, combine your potatoes, sausage, salt, pepper, oil, and scallions together.

 Portion the mixture out between the six pieces of parchment paper, keeping the mixture in the center of each piece of paper. 

Top each ingredient pile with another sheet of Foil and wrap the edges of the foil pieces together to form a foil packet.

 Put your closed foil packets on top of your hot coals of the campfire or on top of your grill. Cook for 5 minutes. 

 Check the ingredients in one foil packet to see if they are cooked through.

 If they aren’t cooked through, continue to cook in 5-minute increments until done.

 When done, remove the packets from the coals or grill and put them onto a plate so that you can open them.

 Once open, divide your spinach between each packet and crack one egg on top of each pile of spinach. 

Season each egg with salt and pepper before sealing each packet and returning to the hot coals or grill. Cook for 5 minutes or until the egg is cooked through.

 Once your egg is cooked, plate each opened packet and sprinkle with cheese!

Add a little kick to this recipe by adding chopped jalapenos to your hash browns and using pepper jack cheese. Alternately, you can just use southwestern seasoned hash browns!

Food Storage Recipe - Muffin Mix Cookies

These are so good and low cost way to make some quick cookies for a treat.

You DO NOT follow the directions on the package. 

NEED -

2 packages of Muffin Mix

1 Egg

1 Stick of butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

Mix together well and bake at 375 for 10 minutes 
 

Muffin Mix

Small Lot Gardening

 

Gardening in a small lot can present a unique set of challenges, but with a little creativity and planning, it is possible to create a beautiful and functional outdoor space. In this article, we will explore some tips and strategies for making the most of limited space in your garden. Garden Seed Variety Pack

One of the first things to consider when gardening in a small lot is maximizing vertical space. By using trellises, arbors, and hanging planters, you can grow a wide variety of plants without taking up valuable ground space. Climbing plants like vines, beans, and tomatoes are perfect for vertical gardens and can add a lush, green backdrop to your outdoor space.

Another key strategy for gardening in a small lot is to choose plants that are well-suited to compact spaces. Dwarf varieties of fruit trees, such as compact apple or pear trees, can provide plenty of fresh fruit without taking up too much room. Similarly, compact vegetable varieties like bush beans, cherry tomatoes, and baby carrots are perfect for small gardens.

When planning your garden layout, consider creating distinct planting areas for different types of plants. For example, you could designate one area for herbs, another for vegetables, and a third for flowers. This will help keep your garden organized and visually appealing, even in a small space.

It's also important to make the most of any available sunlight in your small lot. Positioning raised beds or containers in sunny spots and trimming back any overhanging branches can help ensure that your plants receive adequate sunlight for healthy growth.

In addition to plants, don't forget to include other elements in your small lot garden to create a welcoming outdoor space. Consider adding seating areas, water features, or decorative elements like trellises or garden art to make your garden a relaxing and enjoyable place to spend time.

Overall, gardening in a small lot may require some creativity and careful planning, but with the right strategies, you can create a beautiful and productive outdoor space. By maximizing vertical space, choosing compact plant varieties, and incorporating a variety of elements into your garden design, you can make the most of limited space and enjoy the beauty of nature right outside your door.

Garden Seed Variety Pack

Food Storage Recipe - Corn Dog Casserole

 This is a great dish that is quick to make.

NEED

CASSEROLE

1 can baked beans , undrained (28 OZ)

16 ounce pack of hot dogs - cut into 1 1/2 inch piecec

1/2 cup BBQ sauce 

1/4 cup chopped onion

TOPPING

1 pack of Corn Muffin Mix

Milk

Egg

Heat your oven to 375

In a large sauce pan combine all of the casserole ingredients and mix well.

Cook over medium heat until bubbly, stir frequently.

Pour into ungreased casserole dish.

Prepare the Corn Muffin Mix using the milk and egg as directed on the package.

Spread it evenly over the hot baked bean mixture. 

Bake this for 20 to 25 minutes. Top will be golden brown.

Iron Skillet Casserole

 

 Baked Beans

 

 

 

 

 

 

Food Storage Recipe - Creamy Ham & Potato Casserole

 

This casserole adapts to what you have on hand. Like if you have peas instead of green beans, chicken in place of the ham, or another cream of soup.

NEED

3 cups of frozen potatoes O'Brien 

1 1/2 cup of frozen cut green beans

1 1/2 cup of diced cooked ham

3/4 cup of milk

1/2 cup of shredded cheese

1 can of cream of chicken soup

Heat your oven to 375.

Spray a Casserole Dish with nonstick spray.

In a large bowl combine all of the ingredients and then spoon into the Casserole Dish.

Bake for about an hour or until the casserole is bubbly and heated through.

Let stand a few minutes before serving.

 

Carrots, Eggs, or Coffee; "Which are you?"

A young woman went to her grandmother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved a new one arose.

Her grandmother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water. In the first, she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs and the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil without saying a word.

In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her granddaughter, she asked, "Tell me what do you see?"

"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.

She brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they got soft.She then asked her to take an egg and break it.

After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg.

Finally, she asked her to sip the coffee. The granddaughter smiled, as she tasted its rich aroma. The granddaughter then asked. "What's the point,grandmother?"

Her grandmother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity--boiling water--but each reacted differently.

The carrot went in strong, hard and unrelenting. However after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior. But, after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened.

The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water they had changed the water.

"Which are you?" she asked her granddaughter.

"When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?"

Think of this: Which am I?

Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity, do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff?

Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and a hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you.

The Prepper's Pocket Guide: 101 Easy Things You Can Do to Ready Your Home for a Disaster

Food Storage Recipe - Bean And Bacon Soup

This is so good. I am such a soup person. I can have soup everyday. This is a favorite in our house.

Bean and Bacon Soup

8 slices of bacon, cut into pieces

1 cup chopped celery

half cup chopped carrots

a fourth of a cup of chopped green onion

2 cans of Navy beans , drained and rinsed

2 cups of chicken broth

1 cup water

Cook the bacon in a large saucepan until crisp. Remove and drain on a paper towel. Keep about 2 tablespoon of the bacon drippings in that saucepan. Add the celery, carrots, and onions. Cook until they are tender. Stirring frequently. Stir in the remaining items and let simmer until heated through. Add the bacon to the soup right before you serve it. Cornbread is good with this.

The Prepper's Pocket Guide: 101 Easy Things You Can Do to Ready Your Home for a Disaster

Food Storage Recipe - Chicken Soup & Dumplings

This is such a quick and easy meal. My daughter gave me this recipe. She is in college and has very little money so she has come up with some great recipes. I am really proud of her thriftyness. I do think she got this from a cookbook of some kind though. Not sure. It is good and low cost though so I am sharing it on here.

Chicken Soup & Dumplings

3 cans of Progresso Chicken Noodle Soup

1 can chicken broth ,14.5 ounce

1 beaten egg

1 can of Grands biscuits

IN a 4 quart dutch oven, combine the soups and broth.

Seperate the biscuits and cut them in half. Dip those into the beaten egg, coating all sides. Drop them into the boiling soup and cook uncovered for about 10 minutes. Cover it and cook another 10 minutes or until the biscuits are light and fluffy. Carefully move the biscuits or remove them and ladel the soup into your bowls and top with dumplings. Yummy lunch on a cold winters day with a sandwich.

The Prepper's Pocket Guide: 101 Easy Things You Can Do to Ready Your Home for a Disaster

soup pot

Food Storage Recipe - Easy Beef Stroganoff Soup

 This takes the best of beef Stroganoff and makes it a delicious soup.

NEED 

2 cups water 

1 1/4 cup uncooked medium egg noodles

1 pound ground beef

1/2 teaspoon garlic pepper blend

1 jar beef gravy

1 2.5 ounce jar of sliced mushrooms , drained

1/2 cup sour cream

Bring the water to a boil in a medium saucepan.

Add the noodles and cook until tender.

DO NOT DRAIN

In another skillet cook the ground beef and garlic pepper blend until the beef is browned, thoroughly cooked, and broken up. 

Drain the ground beef very well.

Add the beef mixture, gravy, sliced mushrooms , and sour cream.

Cook until heated through.

Serve with some bread.

Food Storage Recipe - Slow Cooker Broccoli Soup

This is so yummy! Great with a sandwich or bread sticks.

Slow Cooker Broccoli Soup

1 10 ounce package of frozen chopped broccoli or use freeze dried broccoli.

3 cups of milk

2 cans of condensed cheddar cheese soup

1 cup of loosely packed frozen shredded hashed brown potatoes or freeze dried

1 small onion or equivalent of dehydrated or freeze dried onions

Break up the broccoli and combine with the milk , soup, potatoes, and onion in your slow cooker. Stir it up too mix it together good. Cover this and cook on low for a few hours. SERVE!!

The Prepper's Pocket Guide: 101 Easy Things You Can Do to Ready Your Home for a Disaster

Food Storage Recipe - Pinto Bean Fudge

I just now heard of doing this and think that it sounds very interesting and good for you. I have 25 pounds of Pinto beans in my food storage. This would be a great new way to use them.

Pinto Bean Fudge

1 cup of cooked pinto beans, mashed

1/4 to 1/2 cup of milk

3/4 cup of melted butter

1 Tbsp vanilla

3/4 cup of baking cocoa

2 pounds of powdered sugar

Put your soft pinto beans in a food processor and mash them until they are real smooth. Add the mashed beans with the melted butter, vanilla, and cocoa. After that’s all combined, add the powdered sugar. You can also add about a 1/2 cup of chopped nuts or so. Combine everything together really good until it is all blended. Spread the fudge mixture into a well buttered 9x13 pan. Then put it in your refrigerator. That’s where you’ll have to store this fudge or it will get too soft. Cut it into pieces and eat.

The Prepper's Pocket Guide: 101 Easy Things You Can Do to Ready Your Home for a Disaster

Food Storage Recipe - Baked Chicken & Rice

This is a great recipe that you could even use your left-over turkey from Thanksgiving in. Yummy way to use all of it up. It also uses the canned soups and mix that you should have plenty of in your food storage.

Baked Chicken & Rice

1 Box of long grain and wild rice mix

1 14 pound of chicken or left-over turkey - can also use canned chicken , like Keystone. etc.

1 can of Progresso vegetable classics creamy mushroom soup

1/3 cup of water

Heat your oven to 350. Lightly oil a casserole pan or use cooking spray. Evenly spread the rice in the bottom of the pan and sprinkle about half of the seasoning mix onto that. Arrange the chicken , turkey, or whatever over the rice and then sprinkle the rest of the seasoning over that. Pour the can of soup over this and the water . Cover tightly with foil and put in oven . Cook until rice is tender.

The Prepper's Pocket Guide: 101 Easy Things You Can Do to Ready Your Home for a Disaster

Food Storage Recipe - Chicken Pasta Chowder

 

Yummy chowder for a quick meal. 

NEED:

1 package of pasta accents frozen vegetables

1 can of ready to serve chicken broth (16 oz)

1/2 cup of water

1 can of evaporated milk (12 oz)

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1 canned chicken (12.5 oz)

In a large pot combine the frozen vegetables with pasta, broth , and water.

Bring to a boil, then reduce to low. 

Cover and simmer for about 5 minutes or until the vegetables are tender. 

Stir occasionally.

In a small bowl mix the milk and cornstarch very well. 

Add the milk and chicken to the soup.

Cook and stir over medium heat until bubbly and thickened.

Fun Recipes For The Little Ones

I am getting prepared for this summer and for when it is too hot to safely play outside.
I am already thinking about this winter and being closed up in the house and how boring it can get. I have found a bunch of recipes to make things for little ones. Get stuck in the house and boredom starts to set in. Stuff that they can use and have fun with and parents not worry about them being toxic or unsafe. YAY!! My grandson will love all of these.

Simple Play Dough

1 cup Flour

2 cups oatmeal

1 cup water

Gradually add water to flour and oatmeal in bowl. Kneed until mixed (this dough is sticky, but unique in texture.) Model as with clay.

Salt Dough

Equal amounts salt and flour; then add enough water to make it doughy. Dries hard in a couple of days and then you can paint it. I love salt dough. You can make some really nice Christmas ornaments out of it. Painting them makes them really nice. The kids could make some for gifts, maybe?

Earth Friendly Goo

1 cup water

1 cup cornstarch

4-5 drops fruit juice like blueberry or raspberry (combine a 1/4 cup of the food with 2 cups water, simmer for an hour. Cool, strain, and use as coloring).

Work the ingredients together and let your kids have fun with this gooey concoction.

Natural and Safe Finger Paint

1/3 cup soap flakes melted with 1/2 cup boiling water

1 cup cornstarch

1/3 cup cold water

A few drops juice dyes (combine a 1/4 cup of the colored food like beets, blueberries, or raspberries with 2 cups water, simmer for an hour. Cool, strain, and use as coloring).

Silly Putty

2 cups white school glue

1 cup liquid starch

Mix together and set aside until dry. Store in an airtight container.

Peanut Butter Play Dough

18 oz. peanut butter

6 tbsps. honey

Non-fat dry milk

cocoa powder for flavor

Mix all ingredients, adding enough dry milk to give make dough pliable. Shape, decorate with edible treats, and eat!

These are some really fun things for kids to do. When they get bored let them try these things out. Before they know it the day has passed and they forgot that they were bored.

The Prepper's Pocket Guide: 101 Easy Things You Can Do to Ready Your Home for a Disaster

What Will You Miss Most After SHTF??

I always try to have in the back of my mind "what will we miss after anything happens?". That way I will try to plan for that and then when something does happen we will be more comfortable. I seriously think that the one thing that I will miss the most will be ready heat and air conditioning. I have fibromyalgia , so I can't take drastic temperatures very well. The running water will be missed. So try to plan for a way now that you will have plenty of clean water. Make a solar shower so everyone can stay clean and feel "normal". I will miss being able to run to the store to grab something little that I need. So , I am trying to stockpile the little stuff that is needed. Stuff that you run out of quickly because it is used a lot. You know what I mean, like razors, batteries, toilet paper(I have been making a huge stockpile of cloth for this!), etc. Another thing that a lot of people will go crazy over not having will be no cell phones, TV, or internet! A lot of people will go so crazy that we will actually think that a zombie apocalypse is happening! LOL

Actually, we will all probably become more healthy after SHTF, if we make it through the worst part. We will have to walk every where and that will make us in better shape. We will have to garden so our food will be better. No more trips to a fast food place to grab something that most likely isn't even food. We will be doing more by hand. Cooking will all be done by scratch! No more nasty preservatives and Lord knows what else is put into the food on the grocery store shelves. We stopped eating out a few years ago so we won't miss that part, but sometimes when we are all busy , I do order a pizza! :( My Little Man will miss that a lot. He loves when we have pizza night!

We will read more books and play more games after SHTF! We will forage and think more about what can be done and how to do it. Using our brains more. Thinking for ourselves instead of running to the internet to find the answer. Eating healthier and homemade food. Gardening , fishing, hunting, walking, etc. There are a few things that will be missed, but other than those few things , it won't be too bad. We will be closer to our family and friends, sharing more. Learning how to do stuff for ourselves. I think that it might not be too bad. I am so jealous of others who have already decided to go totally off-the-grid! I want to live like that now. Not dependent on anyone or anything. That is the perfect life. Depend on God and nothing else. Most people have lost sight of God today , I think, and most likely because of all of the technology that we "depend" on. It does everything for us. Even thinks for us, tells us where to go and when, how to do anything, etc. We need to get back to living with no computers etc. Living for something. Living for ourselves. Sorry for the rambling. I get to thinking about stuff like this and it kind of makes me mad that we have let technology take over our lives and don't focus on the most important thing- GOD! So, yeah , I might miss a few things after SHTF , but not for long! We will all be better after a while. Our brains will kick in and remember what it felt like to not have a damn computer or GPS telling it what to think, do, or where to go and we will all be smarter for it!!!

HEY EVERYONE - TELL US WHAT YOU WILL MISS MOST AFTER SHTF IN THE COMMENTS BELOW!!!

The Prepper's Pocket Guide: 101 Easy Things You Can Do to Ready Your Home for a Disaster

Food Storage Recipe - Chicken & Broccoli Manicotti

Eating out of your food storage doesn't have to be boring and only beans! I try to show on this blog that you can be frugal and still eat great food out of your food stockpile. You just have to know how to put the stuff together and not just eat the same things all of the time. This is one of those recipes that uses what you already have in your stockpile.

Chicken & Broccoli Manicotti

You NEED:

1 can condensed cream of chicken soup

1-1/2 cups water

1/4 lb. (4 oz.) VELVEETA® cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

2 cups frozen broccoli florets

12 Manicotti Pasta shells, uncooked

16ozs of canned chicken , drained. I use my favorite - The Canned Chicken I love this stuff - I use it and the beef in everything. Great in soups, recipes, and even just heat up with BBQ sauce and have sandwiches.

1/4 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese

HEAT oven to 400ºF. Microwave soup, water and VELVEETA in microwaveable bowl on HIGH 3 min. or until VELVEETA is melted and mixture is well blended, stirring after 2 min.; pour 1/3 into 13x9-inch baking dish. Set aside. Add broccoli to remaining soup mixture.

STUFF manicotti with chicken; place in baking dish. Top with remaining soup mixture and Parmesan; cover with foil.

BAKE 45 to 50 min. or until manicotti is tender! This is a great meal. Serve it with garlic bread and a salad. Easy and frugal.



The Prepper's Pocket Guide: 101 Easy Things You Can Do to Ready Your Home for a Disaster

DIY Anti-Itch Cream Tube

Super easy recipe to create your own anti-itch cream in a tube for keeping on you. Get bit by a mosquito or any other itchy bites , this will calm the itch. Spend any time outdoors have this in your pocket.

 NEED:

1 teaspoon shea butter

1 teaspoon bees wax

3/4 teaspoon coconut oil

5 - 10 drops of tea tree , lavender , and  peppermint essentials oils. 

1. Over low heat, melt shea butter, beeswax, and coconut oil together in a pan
2. Stir in essential oils
3. Pour into lip balm tubes, or any other suitable container with a tight lid.
4. Let cool
5. Use as needed to sooth irritated skin and bug bites.