April 2019 Back to Basics Newsletter

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The month of April brings many things. Of course, we know that April showers bring May flowers! But there are many opportunities and traditions that come with this wonderful month.  April is a great time to check fire alarms, rotate 72 hour kits, and refresh water storage. April is a month we can finish planting just about everything in the garden.  April is a month we can work in the yard and garden without getting too hot! April is the month of General Conference for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which makes it a great time for individuals and families to get personal inspiration as we listen to the wonderful messages prepared for us. April is the perfect month! May each of us find the thing that we need to accomplish in April, and let the efforts we make “blossom” with “May flowers” in the form of preparedness, peace, and happiness! If we are prepared we shall not fear!

Included in this month's newsletter:
Preparedness - a Family Affair - ideas to involve your family as you seek to Be Prepared.
Water Storage: Tips from Homeland Security - how much, where and how to store.
In the Southern Utah Garden - tips for April planting, fertilizing, weed killer and spraying fruit trees.
Cooking with Food Storage - recipes for Scripture Cake and Old Bottled Fruit Cake.
Disaster Prep: When to turn the gas meter off. - Instructions for when and how to turn off your gas meter in an emergency.
Easter Egg Provident Living - tips for inexpensive egg coloring this Easter.
Spiritual Preparedness - The Blessings - quotes on blessings we get as we get a food storage.

Click here for a complete copy of the April 2019 Back to Basics Newsletter.

March 2019 Back to Basics Newsletter

Click here for a complete copy of the March 2019 Back to Basics Newsletter.

The month of March brings with it spring weather – which usually consists of both spring and winter. Whether it comes in as a lamb and goes out as a lion – or vica versa – one thing is sure: it will be full of all kinds of surprise weather days. We adapt as the weather changes, and embrace the warm spring days as we get the garden in, spruce up the yard, and maybe even have a hot dog roast. Being ready for whatever Mother Nature throws at us is the same idea we can incorporate into our family preparedness plan. We never know what storms will blow or when the seas will calm. But we can always Be Prepared. The food storage and emergency preparedness we have is like the Pot of Gold the leprechauns on St Patrick’s Day have. It is at the end of the rainbow – which always comes at the end of a storm. If we are prepared, no matter what storms come, we will be able to have peace and endurance, and a rainbow full of joy!

Included in this issue:

Accomplishing the Impossible Dream -  a list of things we can do to acquire a year supply within a year.

Its Chicken Time -  spring time is time for chicks. Get your own flock going this year. A list of tips to get you going is included.

In the Southern Utah Garden -  a list of veggies to plant, planting tips, and March garden chores to remember.

Cooking with Food Storage: Spring Time Treats – recipes for Food Storage Candy, Whiopped Topping, Fruit Smoothies, and Old Bottled Fruit Cake. Yum!

Disaster Prep- Shelter in or evacuate -  things you will need to have on hand in advance to enable you to live outside of your home.

Spring Weeds – Using the Dandelion!  Lots of uses for dandelions listed, and a delicious recipe for Dandelion Jelly.

Spiritual Preparation – a quote to remind us of the importance of following those promptings for temporal and spiritual preparedness.

Click here for a complete copy of the March 2019 Back to Basics Newsletter.

February 2019 Back to Basics Newsletter

Click here for a complete copy of the February 2019 Back to Basics Newsletter.

Love is in the air – because it is the month of Valentines! This month we traditionally show that extra bit of love to family, friends or even those we are a “secret admirer” of. What better way to demonstrate our “love” than to be sure we are ready to care for our family so we can follow Elder Wirthlin’s admonition: “Come what may and love it.” When we follow the commandment to “be prepared” – we also follow the commandment to “love one another”.  As we line our shelves with food, water, and a 72-hour kit, we are ready to care temporally for all those we love. As we read scriptures, pray and keep the commandments we help our family prepare spiritually. The Savior taught us about preparedness with the parable of the Ten Virgins. We have been taught, we have been warned, and now we must act! As President Kimball always said, “Just Do It!”

Included in this month's newsletter:
Disaster Prep: Following the Leader - the church sets an example of preparedness on a large scale of readiness. We can follow this example in our own families as we firm up structures, make our homes ready inside for disasters, have a food storage and emergency supplies, look ahead at what scenarios we may encounter, have a family plan, be ready to serve and be spiritually prepared.
Earthquakes - we can prepare our home for an earthquake inside and out, practice what to do during an earthquake, and know how to take care of things after one.
In the Southern Utah Garden -  tips on pruning, planting, fertilizing, and spraying to get our gardens and yards up and going.
Cooking with Food Storage - Using Bottled Fruit - recipes for Peach or Apple Crisp, Apple or Peach Cobbler, Fruit Cocktail, and Fruit Salad.
Spiritual Preparedness -  a quote from Dallin H Oaks about the importance of preparedness since we live in the prophesied time "when peace shall be taken from the earth, and "all things are in commotion".
Its Freezing out There! - A list of things to have ready in case of a winter storm that puts out utilities and services. Covers light, heat, cooking, clothing, sleeping and water.
Provident Living - a list of ideas to help us simplify, save money, or be frugal.

Click here for a complete copy of the February 2019 Back to Basics Newsletter.

January 2019 Back to Basics Newsletter

Click here for a complete copy of the January 2019 Back to Basics Newsletter.

It is hard to believe another year with “Father Time” has come and gone, and baby 2019 is here! Time passes so quickly that each new year seems to roll around in the blink of an eye. That time flash is a good reason to use our time wisely as this New Year begins. Let us focus our efforts on all those things we put aside for another day. Keep in mind the old adages – “no time like the present” and “never put off for tomorrow what you can do today!” Make 2019 the year you finish up the plans for new shelves in the store room, or filling those water barrels (what good are they empty anyway?), or restocking the 72-hour kits, or attach the water heater to the wall. Whatever it is you have been procrastinating, make this the year that every month you finish one more item on “the list”. Like the old song says – “time keeps on slippin', slippin' – into the future!” Before you know it tomorrow will be yesterday, but if you are time wise you can make 2019 be your “time to every purpose under the heaven” – to Be Prepared!

Included in this newsletter:
New Year Resolutions: Be Prepared! Challenges and thoughts to help you get the items needed in four areas of preparedness.
Wheat - the Staff of Life: Tips on using the wheat in your food storage.
In the Southern Utah Garden: Tips for things to do in January.
Cooking with Food Storage - Wheat! Recipes for 7 ways to use your wheat.
Lessons on Provident Living: Quotes that teach what provident living is.

Click here for a complete copy of the January 2019 Back to Basics Newsletter.

December 2018 Back to Basics Newsletter

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“It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” The Christmas carol reminds us of spreading cheer, being happy, toasting marshmallows, caroling, and having our hearts glowing as we draw loved ones near. This wonderful time of the year is when we celebrate the birth of our Savior. It is truly a season loved by people all over the world. May each of us make it wonderful as we take the time to remember His birth, to gather our families close, and to give service to others. We can “light the world” with the challenges from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints this month! As we focus on serving others, we also reap blessings and find true joy. And as we are prepared individually and as families, both temporally and spiritually, we are better able to serve others and truly light the world, our communities and our families. So this Christmas, “may your days be merry and bright! And may all your Christmases be…” LIGHT!

Included in this months newsletter:
2018 Preparedness Review:  A list of subjects covered in the 2018 newsletters. We have the knowledge, now what will we DO with  it?
A Preparedness Christmas - a list of ideas to use as Christmas gifts that are preparedness items.
Spiritual Preparedness - Learning from Captain Moroni about preparedness
In the Southern Utah Garden - a list of things to do in December (mostly take it easy, and plan for next spring!)
Challenge - what skills would you like to acquire? Learn something new to be more prepared.
Cooking with Food Storage: Recipes for ground beef jerky, Molasses Christmas candy, Hot Chocolate Mix, and Basic Bread or Dinner Rolls.
Hot tips for Winter - a few ideas to implement as winter is here!
Have an Old-fashioned Christmas This Year - words to a song that encourage an old fashioned Christmas.

Click here for a complete copy of the December 2018 Back to Basics Newsletter.

November 2018 Back to Basics Newsletter

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In days gone by, our ancestors put great stock into the words we now sing as a hymn: “All is safely gathered in, ere the winter storms begin.” In those days, if a crop failed there was no food to eat! The harvest was important for survival! Preserved foods lined shelves, winter vegetables were stored in a root cellar, and meat was cured and hung in the meat house. As time progressed freezers helped to store a little more, but still a harvest was set aside for the winter. Today many people still store away the harvest with home canned produce and freezers full. But too often we have come to rely on the grocery store being only a short drive away. When today’s emergencies arrive, there is a rush on the local stores and shelves are emptied in less than a day. There is great peace of mind as well as blessings from above when, instead of following the world’s spontaneous reaction to emergencies, we live a self-reliant life – ready to face our challenges with preparedness!  Obedience to the prophets’ call to “Be Prepared” will bring blessings – just for being obedient. But the great blessing will be the ability to care for your family when the storms of life arrive. You will be grateful to say, “All is safely gathered in.” May we all be so prepared, gather what we need, and reap the blessings of obedience.

Included in this newsletter:

12 principles of Self-Reliance - a list of principles to help us truly be self-reliant.

Provident Living: An Attitude of Gratitude - a focus on five ways to show gratitude and be prepared.

Using the Apple Harvest - recipes for Caramel Dip for apple slices, and Apple Crisp.

In the Southern Utah Garden - Things to do as you put your garden to sleep for the winter.

Finding Additional Water in an Emergency - ways to find water after your basic water storage is depleted.

Thanksgiving Dinner - items you can store on your food storage shelves that make for an easy and prepared Thanksgiving.

Basic Food Storage - a detailed list of basic storage items divided into age requirements. Helps you find tune amounts you will need to store.

Click here for a complete copy of November 2018 Back to Basics Newsletter.

October 2018 Back to Basics Newsletter

Click here for a complete copy of the October 2018 Back to basics newsletter.

Fall is a favorite time of year for many people. The days are balmy and the nights are cool. The colored leaves begin to dot the mountains, and will soon follow in the valleys. The harvest comes to an end and gardens can be put to sleep. Fall is a great time to sit back, take stock of the summer’s work, and feel the sense of satisfaction that comes when the shelves are lined with newly canned goods, or purchases made at the local case lot sale. There are still things to harvest, so if you thought you missed the opportunity, there is time to catch up. Bottle some apples, dry some pears, purchase a case of tomatoes or soup. There is no time like the present! Let this fall be a time we enjoy the harvest, but continue to prepare for the “what ifs” of life! Only you can control the level of preparedness your family enjoys. Your choices can bring a great peace of mind to those you love. When the storms begin to blow, you can sleep soundly, knowing you have done all you could do to BE PREPARED.

Included in this month's newsletter:
Proper Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance: with all the disasters around the world, we can see how important it is to be prepared! Here is a list of things to keep your family happy and healthy.
Squeaky Clean: it feels so great to have a shower after a hot sweaty day of work. what if you did not have soap or shampoo? This list reminds us of items to store we we can be clean!
Provident Living: save money and make Halloween Makeup. Start on homemade Christmas gifts now!
Winter Ready: Things to do this month to be winter ready including  rotating water and 72 hr kits.
In the Southern Utah Garden: Tips for the garden in October.
Disaster Prep: An inventory list of items you and family or friends can share in time of need.
Cooking with Food Storage: Comfort Foods for Fall: things off the storage shelves to pull together for Chicken Soup, Taco Soup and Hamburger Soup. Also a Biscuit recipe to go along with the soup!
Preparedness and Self-Reliance: a Way of Life: thoughts/quotes about self reliance.
Spiritual Preparedness:  quote from M Russell Ballard.

Click here for a complete copy of the October 2018 Back to basics newsletter.

September 2018

Click here for a complete copy of September's Back to Basic Newsletter.

“School days, school days, dear old golden rule days…” These lyrics to an old time school song turn our thoughts to learning as the new school year begins for most American schools. It is a time to learn! Ecclesiastes 3 reminds us “To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” This month as we take that time  to learn, let us add in learning more about preparedness and self-reliance. Pres. Thomas S Monson taught us “When the time for performance arrives, the time for preparation is past.” This time of year is a wonderful time to store away more of the harvest, purchase items at case lot sales, add to our emergency kit, and take one more step to making preparedness a way of life. Let us not waste a moment in time, but let us be prepared. Then when the storms of life arrive – and they will -  we can do as Elder Joseph B Wirthlin said – and “Come what may and love it.”

Included in this months newsletter:
What do I Really need? Ideas of how to custom fit your food storage to your family.
Power Outage Prep - Keeping Your Cool! Ideas to stay cool when it is hot outside and the power inside is off.
Provident Living - a few tips to help you save some pennies.
Spiritual Preparedness and Self-Reliance - great quotes by Bishop Gerald Causse and Pres Russell M Nelson
In the Southern Utah Garden - List of items to plant this month, tips for planting onions, leaving items in the garden, fertilizing, weed killer, and planting trees and bulbs.
Cooking with food storage - Back to School Treats for the kids: recipes for Easy for Kids Peanut Butter Cookies, Quickies (no bake drop or bar cookie) and Graham Cracker Sandwich Cookie.
A Place for Everything and Everything in its Place -Tips for finding a place to have your food storage.
Turn your car into a SURVIVAL KIT - We spend so much time in our cars - so here is a list of items and where to store them in our car to make your car a moving survival kit.


Click here for a complete copy of September's Back to Basic Newsletter.

August 2018 Back to Basics Newsletter

Click here for a complete copy of August 2018 Back to Basics Newsletter.

August is the month that summer is in full swing, and suddenly school starts - those wonderful summer activities are cut short, and summer begins to wind down. The heat is still here, the rivers are running low, and if we are lucky a few tropical thunderstorms are still in the forecast. The gardens have slowed and the weeds have flourished. But if we plug along there are still good things to harvest and warm nights to star gaze. So it is with our preparedness. There are times we are in full swing actively pursuing a better “preparedness status.” But the momentum may slow due to low funds or receding energy. The goal is to still keep moving. Being prepared is an ongoing endeavor. No one is ever finished. It becomes a way of life. However, the full storage shelves and barrels of water certainly give us a greater feeling of peace and satisfaction on those warm nights of star gazing. As August prepares us to bid another summer goodbye, let us be sure our prize is in sight, and our efforts are fruitful. Just like in Aesop’s Fable “The Rabbit and the Hare” - slow and steady truly will win the race.

Included in this months newsletter:
Back to School - ideas for things you can do as the kids head back to school that will help with being prepared for any emergency.
Spiritual Preparedness - start early and be steady. Quote from Henry B Eyring on spiritual preparedness.
In the Southern Utah Garden - tips for spraying, weeding, scarab beetles, and squash bugs, lawn grubs and fungus and things to plant.
Using the Harvest - recipes for Pickled Hot Peppers and Prickly Pear Jelly.
Cooking with Food Storage - in the good old summertime!  Recipes for apricot slush, fruit popsicles, frozen fruit and frozen grape salad.
Making Habits to Stay Prepared - a list of 25 things you can make a habit that will keep you prepared!

Click here for a complete copy of August 2018 Back to Basics Newsletter.

July 2018 Back to Basics Newsletter

Click here for a complete copy of the July 2018 Back to Basics Newsletter. 

This month we celebrate our freedom. Freedom is a gift from God. In 1776 when this new nation declared its independence – there were no other nations with true freedom! This “land of the free and home of the brave” is a nation truly established as God’s Promised Land. It is a land, “choice above all other lands” that we are blessed to call our home. This freedom is promised to be ours as we are righteous and serve God. This freedom that we cherish gives us many privileges. One of those is the freedom - and privilege - to Be Prepared! Some nations today do not allow this; they call storing food “hoarding” and it is against their law!  We have the freedom to show God the gratitude for our freedom by following his commandments as we cherish this free land. May we use this month to be grateful for the many freedoms we enjoy, and make sure we use our freedom wisely as we prepare “every needful thing.” Our freedom will allow us to keep home and family safe and sound – come what may!

Included in this month's newsletter:
Waste Not Want Not - Provident Living:  Cutting waste is a way we can be prepared! America wastes 40% or 133 billion pounds of food produced in the USA every year. Tips follow to avoid wasting food!
Disaster Prep - Be Ready for the Big One!  Ideas of ways you can help your family be ready for an earthquake.
Quotes from Bishop Keith McMullin and Elder Vaughn J Featherstone.
In the Southern Utah Garden:  tips for your July garden - planting, weeding, watering and spraying for insects.
To can or not to can - that is the question!  Eight reasons that canning your own produce is a good ideas!
If you are ever in a jam.... Summertime Canning! Recipes for 5 kinds of jam: Prickly Pear, Mock Raspberry, Green tomato or zuchinni, Peach Pit Jelly,  and Peach Jam.



Click here for a complete copy of the July 2018 Back to Basics Newsletter. 

June 2018 Back to Basics Newsletter

Click here for a complete copy of the June 2018 Back to Basics Newsletter.

June has arrived and with it all the things we love about summer! There is lush green grass to lie on and watch the clouds go by, or to sleep on under a bright starry night. There are trips to the pool or lake, cookouts, and cool evenings. There are fresh tomatoes, summer jobs, and summer vacations. School is out, and a different kind of learning takes place. Why not make this summer a summer of learning for all of the family? Learn more about preparedness, skills to help you be more prepared, and have fun in the process! “Summertime and the livin’ is easy” (below) gives ideas to add to your preparedness and have fun while you are at it. Preparedness is truly a way of life, not a destination we arrive at. Preparedness is provident living. We take care of our families and are as self-sufficient as we can be. And then, in turn, we are more prepared to serve others, and make their “summertime livin’” easy too!

Included in this months issue:
Summertime and the (Preparedness) Livin' is Easy!  Ideas for fun summertime activities to involve the family in adding to your preparedness and to strengthen families.
The Three Month Supply - Where to Begin:  A list of items to include as you follow the admonition of the prophet to start with a three month supply for your storage program.
In the Southern Utah Garden:  tasks for June - weeds, picking produce, items to plant, thinning fruit and pruning shrubs, spraying fruit trees, stake tomatoes, and controlling squash bugs and grape insects.
Hot Tips and June Challenges: sales on sugar, using clear jel, canners on sale, things to do with apricots, and taking inventory.
Food Storage from the garden: Using Zucchini  recipes to dry or freeze Zucchini, and canning Pineapple Zucchini or Zucchini Pickle Relish, and making fried, baked or Italian Zucchini.
Thoughts on Preparedness:  quotes from Ezra Taft Benson and George Q Cannon on the importance of being prepared.

Click here for a complete copy of the June 2018 Back to Basics Newsletter.

May 2018 Back to Basics Newsletter

Click here for a complete copy of the May 2018 back to Basics Newsletter.

The “Merry Month of May” has been referred to in songs, poetry, and movies as a time to celebrate. May Day was once a holiday celebrating the coming of spring and included singing, dancing and braiding the May Pole! (Lots of fun! So sad we do not do this anymore.) It implies a happy and care-free time. This “merry” month of May is also a great time to be happy and at peace in our homes as a result of our preparedness. As the world grows more topsy-turvy, having a stable home storage and preparedness plan can give us the same “merry” feelings as portrayed in the poems and songs. However, the feeling of satisfaction that comes with being prepared is one that brings a peace and staying power that a fun filled song and dance cannot. Let us make this May as merry as we can – let us Be Prepared.

Included in this month's newsletter:
First Aid Preparedness: Beef up the 1st aid kit:  First aid preparedness is more than having a first aid kit. This included ideas to help feed up a basic kid. It includes info on vaccinations, splints (moldable, and traction) fracture fork, knowledge, scissors, cold pack, compression sleeve/brace, wound seal.
Spiritual Preparedness: A quote from President Russell M Nelson on what we need to help us survive the last days!
Preparedness: A Family Affair! To have a successful preparedness or provident living plan - involve the family!
In the Southern Utah Garden:  Tips for May - things to plant, weeds, mulch and spraying trees.
Disaster! Where has all the Power Gone?  If the electricity were to go out long term, what are your plans? It would only take a few days to fall into a 3rd world status! This includes a list of things to consider to be prepared for long term power outage.
Food Storage - fresh this month! Ideas to use this month for food storage: strawberries, new potatoes and peas, asparagus, beets, lettuce, radishes and spinach, and dandelions!

Click here for a complete copy of the May 2018 Back to Basics Newsletter.