How is it coming?

We are only about 5 weeks away from our goal date of having at least a one year supply of food storage on hand.  How are you doing?

Two weeks ago, I was called to be a Stake High Councilor.  It just so happens that one area of my responsibilities is Temporal Welfare.  The Stake has not released us as the Stake Welfare Specialists yet but will when they receive inspiration on who should be called to that position.  In the mean time, we are pushing ahead with that calling also. 

During the last year, we have been feeling a greater need to encourage everyone to become more prepared and listen to the Prophet.

 In his October 1973 conference address, President Ezra Taft Benson gave some excellent instructions about home storage:

“For the righteous the gospel provides a warning before a calamity, a program for the crises, a refuge for each disaster. …

“The Lord has warned us of famines, but the righteous will have listened to prophets and stored at least a year’s supply of survival food. …

“Brethren and sisters, I know that this welfare program is inspired of God. I have witnessed with my own eyes the ravages of hunger and destitution as, under the direction of the president of the Church, I spent a year in war-torn Europe at the close of World War II, without my family, distributing food, clothing, and bedding to our needy members. I have looked into the sunken eyes of Saints, in almost the last stages of starvation. I have seen faithful mothers carrying their children, three and four years of age, who were unable to walk because of malnutrition. I have seen a hungry woman turn down food for a spool of thread. I have seen grown men weep as they ran their hands through the wheat and beans sent to them from Zion—America.

“Thanks be to God for a prophet, for this inspired program, and for Saints who so managed their stewardship that they could provide for their own and still share with others.” (“Prepare Ye,” Ensign, Jan. 1974, pp. 69, 81–82.)

In General Conference of April 1976, Vaughn J. Featherstone gave a talk on becoming prepared. 

"The Lord will make it possible, if we make a firm commitment, for every Latter-day Saint family to have a year’s supply of food reserves.... All we have to do is to decide, commit to do it, and then keep the commitment. Miracles will take place; the way will be opened, and.... we will have our storage areas filled. We will prove through our actions our willingness to follow our beloved prophet and the Brethren, which will bring security to us and our families."

"I bear my humble witness to you that the great God of heaven will open doors and means in a way we never would have supposed to help all those who truly want to get their year’s supply. I know we will have time and money if we will commit and keep the commitment. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen."

Since we were inspired to start the Stake Food Storage goal a year ago, miracles have happened in our Stake.  One person donated over 300 cases of canned and bottled food that was distributed to the Bishops and Branch Presidents to be divided up to the members who they were inspired to give it to.  Pantry's have been filled and more families are working on their food storage and being prepared.   "And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them."  (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 3:7)
 
 If you have not started or have but have quit, decide to do it, commit to do it and then keep that commitment.  The Lord will bless you in your efforts.  If ye are prepared, ye need not fear. 

Bob and LouAnn Singer.

Food Storage Pantry Idea

I found this on the internet and thought I would pass it along.  It is a very helpful way to store your caned food storage vertically.  Vertical can food storage

Here is another YouTube video of a horizontal can storage area.  Horizontal can storage area

Have fun with your food storage.

Bob and LouAnn Singer

A new month, a new item,

Last month was really busy and only got one post up for the item of the month.  This month we will be working on sweeteners.  We actually started the Stake challenge one year ago this month.  Hope everyone is working on their food storage.  I have written an email to Honeyville farms to see if we can get some bulk prices on white and brown sugar, honey and molasses.  I will know this coming week.  If you purchase sugar in bulk and want to can it, we will be at the Stake center Saturday August 30th at 9am so you can seal it up in your #10 cans.  Lets get started.


August food storage tips:
Note: when storing a variety of sweeteners, make sure they add up to 60 pounds per person/one year. Most sweeteners will last 20+ years when properly stored.
 
Goal: limit total intake of sugar to less than 10 tsp. per day for better health.

Honey: store honey in glass or food grade plastic, never in metal. Honey crystallizes over time....heat at a very low temperature to bring back to liquid state. Caution: do not feed honey to infants under the age of 1 year.
Sugar: exception to rule for storing: keep sugar in a warm/dry place in original paper bag.  If canning sugar in #10 cans, DO NOT use an oxy-packet, this will cause the sugar to completely harden.
Molasses: with proper storage, molasses can last a long time. Heat and humidity can cause it to get moldy. Store in a cool, dry place. Wipe off any molasses that may get on lid or bottle lip, and be sure lid is always tightly closed. 

There are lots of other sweeteners that you can store according to your needs.  If you can not tolerate processed sugar or are diabetic, you can store brown rice syrup,Erythritol or many other sweeteners.   Erythritol is a sugar alcohol that has been approved for use in the United States and many other countries.  It is 60–70% as sweet as table sugar yet it is almost noncaloric, does not affect blood sugar, does not cause tooth decay, and is partially absorbed by the body.

Here is our first recipe.  I have not personally tried it but hear it is the BOMB and I am going to make some this week.

Buttermilk Caramel Syrup

Ingredients:

3/4 c. buttermilk
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 stick real butter
2 Tbsp. corn syrup
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla

Instructions:
Combine buttermilk, sugar, butter, corn syrup, and baking soda in a LARGE pot. Like one you’d make soup in. Yes, you’ll have way more pot than ingredients, but this will boil all over your newly-cleaned stove if you put it in a smaller saucepan.

Bring ingredients to a boil and reduce heat to low (as long as it’s still bubbling, you’re okay). Cook, stirring very frequently, for 8-9 minutes. You’re basically making candy here and candy-making requires constant vigilance.

When it’s done, it should take on this luscious golden-brown color. Remove from heat and add vanilla.

There will be foam on top. It tastes just as good, but it’s not super pretty. If you’re into aesthetics, you can skim it off; otherwise, just give it a good stir.

 

 Have fun with your food storage.

Bob and LouAnn