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

Tips on Surviving the Mayan 2012 End of the World (And Natural Disasters)

Will the world really come to an end on December 21, 2012? The Mayan were noted for their astronomical and mathematical systems and used several different calendars. Their "Long Count" Calendar stops on December 21, 2012 and that has caused many to speculate that the Mayans had determined that the world as we know it will come to an end on that date and consequently felt that there was no need to continue their "Long Count" Calendar after that date. However, no one really knows for sure! The discussion and speculation on what will or will not happen in December 2012 will almost certainly increase as we draw closer to that date. However, I think it is safe to say that natural disasters (hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, tsunamis, etc) will always be with us, and a prudent person would at least be prepared for them.

Fortunately, whether you are preparing for the December 2012 Mayan End of the World or the natural disasters that might/will occur where you live, the four basic steps for being ready are the same. Additionally, preparing for either crisis will help you be prepared for the other. The four main steps to getting ready are: Psyche, Plan, Prepare, and Practice.

1. Psyche - This is an extremely important step that is often overlooked in "how to be ready" disaster guides. Everything that you will do in a disaster/end of the world situation starts there. You need to prepare yourself mentally for the surprise, confusion, danger, and sometimes difficult decisions that come with a severe crisis. Take some time to think through the possible scenarios of what might or might not happen and what decisions you would make. I personally think of this as practicing "What If?". This will help prepare you and your "psyche" for the real thing. Being in the right frame of mind during a crisis will help you make the right decisions and perhaps even ensure you and your family's survival!

2. Plan - Planning is the step that we are all most comfortable with. We each perform this step multiple times each day. What makes this step difficult in planning for a disaster situation is that most of us have never been in each of the crises that we will need to plan for. So what we have to rely on in our planning is what we have read about or heard from others. Take the time to do this research as you prepare your "crisis plan". With the internet, you are now able to quickly access a great deal of information on most types of crises that might confront you.

3. Prepare - This step is too often postponed after we have thought through and completed our planning. Often because it requires a financial commitment as most of us have some but not all of the survival items that will be needed. Once you have completed the planning step, you should have a pretty good idea of what "survival gear" you will need. Don't be surprised if you have overlooked several items that you will need - - we all do! Next, knowing what items you already have, start purchasing/obtaining and storing the items you do not already have. I keep all of my survival supplies in one area of my garage so I'll know exactly where they are when/if I need them.

4. Practice - This is the last step and is another step that is too often overlooked. Practice using those items of survival gear that you think you will need to use in a crisis situation. For example: If you believe you will need to use a firestarter to start your fires, practice making a fire with it until you feel comfortable using the firestarter. Or if your plan includes driving to a secluded piece of property that you own and staying there until the crisis is over, take the time to figure out the best route to take (assuming clogged roads and stalled vehicles) and then drive your planned route to see if you have overlooked something. Don't wait until you are in the midst of the crisis/disaster!

I hope these four important survival steps will assist you in preparing for future crises and disasters. To see what survival gear is recommended that you have in these situations, you will want to check out this survival supplies checklist.

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

Ultimate Family Preparedness Pak

120 Serving Breakfast Only @ $198 (120 Servings breakfast assortment. No entrees) - Order Now!

Food Storage Recipe - Vegetable Pizza

I was really surprised at how good this turned out to be. Turned out to be a very yummy pizza. Very easy to make and used items that are in my freezer and fridge all of the time.

Vegetable Pizza

Pizza Crust Dough Recipe

1 package of dry yeast

3/4 cup of warm water

2 cups of all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon cornmeal

In a measuring cup mix the yeast and warm water. Make sure the yeast is dissolved well. In a large bowl mix the flour, salt, and yeast mixture until well blended.

Cover the bowl and place in a warm place and let set to rise for about 10 minutes.

Oil your pizza pan and sprinkle the bottom with the cornmeal. Put the dough into the middle of the pan and with oily fingers spread the dough out to the edges. Make a ridge around the outside of the dough. Now put your items from the rest of the recipe below.

2 - 3 cups of bird's eye frozen boccoli, red peppers, onions, and mushrooms

1 - 1 1/2 cup of shredded mozzerella cheese

Preheat the oven. Rinse the vegetables in a colander nder warm water and drain very well. pat them dry. Spread the vegetables and cheese over the crust that you made and put some italian seasoning on top of that. Bake until hot and bubbly.



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

Ultimate Family Preparedness Pak

120 Serving Breakfast Only @ $198 (120 Servings breakfast assortment. No entrees) - Order Now!

You Have Got to Have Great Scissors!

Please do not hold it against me that I had to use my son's video camera for the photo for this post! LOL I had no idea how to use it and couldn't find my camera. Not sure what happened to it. But, anyway , I had to do this review of these scissors and this was the only way to take a shot of them. I have had a hard time figuring out which ones are my favorite though.

I do a lot of sewing and the Westcott Titanium Bonded8" Non-Stick Straight Scissors are perfect for that. The perfect size and cut without catching onto anything. I love them so much. I won't use anything else. These will last a long time since they are Titanium. Great way to get your money's worth. Strong and sharp. A great pair of scissors in the house is a must-have and these are the pair to get.

Being a homeschooling family, we do a lot of crafts and projects at home where my Little Man has to have scissors of his own for. I really like these Westcott Kids Scissors With Microban Protection. He really likes them. They are easy for him to hold and cut so great that he has no trouble at all. The only trouble he is having now is that we don't have a lot for him to cut out. LOL All that he wants to do now is cut! The plus for me is that the Handles are infused with Microban antimicrobial product protection to inhibit the growth of bacterial odors. Really cool. They have stainless steel safety blades on them also. These will last a long time and are safe for him to use.

This last item is a great thing to have if you're an extreme couponer! It is the Westcott Scissor Mouse Paper Trimmer. It looks and feels just like a computer mouse, but has a blade in the bottom that cuts. It is very sharp and cuts just through the paper. I did have a hard time with it when I first opened it, but I realized that I was taking too much time trying to line the paper into the paper guard thing on the bottom of it. When I realized that you just have to place this mouse on the paper and very lightly push down I had no problem at all. I was cutting coupons out easily and very fast. I have also wrapped a couple of Christmas presents. Cool little gadget and it would be a great gift for a scrapbooking friend! Easy to use on any flat surface and cuts long straight lines in a flash.

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

Ultimate Family Preparedness Pak

120 Serving Breakfast Only @ $198 (120 Servings breakfast assortment. No entrees) - Order Now!

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

Ultimate Family Preparedness Pak

120 Serving Breakfast Only @ $198 (120 Servings breakfast assortment. No entrees) - Order Now!