I have to say, I'm surprised at all the feedback through email, comments, and phone about my last post! So here are some answers to some of your questions:
*The binder is a compilation of different things we've been handed, collected, mailed throughout the years. I have had it all over the house in different places always intending to have it safely in the same place but never getting around to it. A while ago, the emergency prep person in our ward at the time put a small notebook together and I took that and expanded on it. I still need to do some tweaking, but at least it is all finally in the same place and divided into subjects.
*I have a pantry inside my kitchen, and then I have what I call a working pantry in my garage just off my kitchen. When I run out of something in the kitchen one, I rotate canned and boxed goods (ie: soups, spices, paper goods, veges, fruits, etc.) from the garage pantry to this one and then restock the garage.
*We consolidated and moved all our long-term storage to the garage on the opposite side of the house (Yes, I am so blessed to have 2 garages...but I don't have a basement which I lament every day...). Those are the cupboards with the #10 cans in them.
*We canned just about all of the #10 cans at the cannery in Fountain Valley and San Diego. You can now buy some of these items already done in cases of six from their warehouse, which we also do. Wheat and rice especially. The price is the same as if you did all the work yourself. Now that they are out of the boxes and onto shelves it makes the rotating into the house on these bulk items much easier and also knowing what we have and when to re-stock. For me, this makes it not so overwhelming a task.
*The canneries have what they call a 'beginner' case. It has quick oats, wheat, rice, in it and is a great way to get a few things started. Or as gifts to married children, etc.
*I also like to use Honeyville Grain company. If you don't live near one, you can order online from them and only pay $4.95 total shipping!!! I think they have excellent products.
*The site on Family Home Storage is an excellent one. It has a home storage calculator, all kinds of questions and answers, shelf-life, inventory, items available for purchase and to be canned. Just click on all the links and you can even print them out! But be prepared: you will get excited and spend lots of time! Now get ready, make a plan, and act on it. You will be completely pleased when you see how fast it adds up!
*We have six cupboards, but I only showed two. I do can/bottle fruits, salsas, veges, too and we have committed to start that up in earnest again this summer.
*Once you have food items, you have to also think about other emergency items, such as how will you cook it? fuel? shelter? water? you should probably have an electric grinder and a hand grinder, as well as a manual mixer. Solar radio, etc.
*There is SO much. Don't let it overwhelm you. Remember this: GET STARTED, and then just 'eat the elephant one bite at a time'!
If you have any more questions, let me know, and I'll do my best to answer them.
Good Luck. And Happy Storing!
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