January 2018 Back to Basics Newsletter

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

“Happy New Year” greetings ring out as another change in years begins.  It is a time full of starting over with many “new” things: a new calendar, a new semester at school, or new bulbs peeking through the garden soil. Even the starkness of the winter landscape seems to be a palate ready for new color and new growth. This winter month is a clean slate from nature ready for the renewal of spring. This New Year, a new beginning in so many ways, also offers a clean slate for preparedness.  As you make those “new year resolutions” for the upcoming year, make new your resolve to polish up the level of preparedness you achieve for your family.  Only you can provide for your family “every needful thing”.  The best way to weather hard times, a disaster, an economy slump, or whatever life sends our way, is to Be Prepared. The color we add to that preparedness palette is entirely up to us! What will you do with the clean slate that has been given to you? Let’s use this new beginning of the year to make a new beginning for our family’s preparedness.  “If ye are prepared ye shall not fear.”

Included in this month's newsletter:
Let's start at the very beginning - The Basics: a list of the basic storage items to include in your food storage. Begin with a 3 month supply and then add long term storage items.
Food Storage Fluff: The Expanded Storage - Expanded storage adds variety, flavor and nutrition to a basic storage. This list gives ideas of what you can store.
Tips to Build a year supply - Ideas to help you build your storage.
In the Southern Utah Garden - winter chores: Prune, Prevent, Plant, and Prepare!
Pruning tips - helpful hints to help you prune your trees while they are dormant. Includes a sketch to help decipher what to cut!
Cooking with Food storage - Basic Wheat Recipes - Wheat Thins, Wheat Cereal, Wheat Treats, and Honey Wheat.

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

December 2017 Back to Basics Newsletter

Click here for a complete copy of Dec 2017 Back to Basics Newsletter.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! It is a time of gift giving, service rendering, Santa secrets and more. The hustle and bustle of the season is contagious and wonderful. But it can become less than what we hoped for. “Who among us has not felt concern over the commercialization and even greed of the Christmas season? Who hasn’t felt overwhelmed by the packed calendars, the stress of finding gifts, the pressure of planning meals and events?” (Dieter F Uchtdorf) If we will  focus on the Savior – and follow the prophet with Provident Living – we will minimize stress, “see the purity of the story of the Saviors birth and feel sincere gratitude for His life, teachings, and saving sacrifice for us” (Uchtdorf). As we focus on being prepared, we focus on Christ-like living and keeping Christmas in the best way possible. Merry Christmas!

Included in this month's newsletter:

A Preparedness Christmas - a list of categories and items under them to give as Christmas Gifts - and help someone be more prepared.

Disaster Prep - Make a Plan - a list of things to help your family make a plan for any disaster.

In the Southern Utah Garden - not a lot of gardening going on this month, but there are still things to do!

Christmas Cooking with Food Storage - recipes for Christmas goodies from items stored in your food storage! Easy Caramel Corn, Hot Cocoa Mix, Russian Wassail, Pecan Brittle, Christmas Bran Muffins, Tootsie Rolls, Grandma's Molasses Candy.

Christmas Provident Living - things you can include in your Christmas celebration to help save money.

Spiritual Preparedness - #LightTheWorld. Info to join in the 25 days, 25 ways to light the world.

The Grinch - a thought to keep us on track!

Click here for a complete copy of Dec 2017 Back to Basics Newsletter.

November 2017 Back to Basics Newsletter

Click here for a complete copy of the November 2017 Back to Basics Newsletter.

November is the month of gratitude – a time we focus on all we have to be grateful for. It is also a time to note how well we are showing the Lord our gratitude.  The way we keep our stewardship and use what we are given shows the Lord our gratitude. We have been blessed with an abundance of food available to us.  Do we follow the prophet and store some up for the storms that lie ahead?  President Spencer W. Kimball said :“We encourage families to have on hand this year’s supply; and we say it over and over and over and repeat over and over the scripture of the Lord where He says, ’Why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?’  How empty it is as they put their spirituality, so called, into action and call him by his important names, but fail to do the things which he says”. The old adage “Waste Not Want Not” holds true today.  In April 1942 the first presidency counseled: “The utmost care should be taken to see that foodstuffs so produced and preserved by the householder, do not spoil, for that would be waste, and the Lord looks with disfavor upon waste.  He has blessed His people with abundant crops...The Lord is doing His part; He expects us to do ours.”  Let us be sure to get a year’s supply, rotate our food storage, and follow the saying  “Store what you eat, and eat what you store”. At this Thanksgiving time of year let us live with an attitude of gratitude in all we say and do!

Included in this month's newsletter:

A Preparedness Thanksgiving - items from your shelves for the big turkey day!

Spiritual Preparedness - Follow the Prophet: a quote from Pres Hinckley.

Earthquake! Little tips for Big Prep - tips for before the "big one" hits!

In the Southern Utah Garden - tips for how to feed your soil in the fall.

Cooking with Food Storage - Thanksgiving Recipes from your storage shelves - recipes for No Fail Pie Crust, Mom's Cheese Cake, Graham Cracker Pie Crust, Pie Strudel Topping, Dixie Salad, Waldorf Salad, Grandma Ballard's Thanksgiving Relish.

Cold Hard Cash - How to Get and Keep it! Ideas to help you manage your money.

Custom Fit your Food Storage - a tip on planning for foods YOUR family will eat!

Click here for a complete copy of the November 2017 Back to Basics Newsletter.

October 2017 Back to Basics Newsletter

Click here for a complete copy of the October 2017 Back to Basics newsletter.

We have long been counseled to “Be Prepared”, and given lists for 72 hour kits, food storage items, and emergency preparedness events. Many have gone forth with faith and obedience to strive to be ready for whatever may come. But now – more than ever, as Mother Nature has shown forth her fury, and disasters have rolled out across the entire world, the great need for all of the preparedness we can muster has been seen first-hand! If someone did not see the importance of preparedness before, hopefully they will now! These disasters have sent many to re-assess the state of their family’s preparedness. As we each take stock of where we stand, remember that it is better to have something rather than nothing, and that preparedness is always ongoing, not a one-time event. With the recent disasters of the world in mind, may we consider what we have to aid our family at home, and what we can learn from the experience of others. This is a harvest season – so let us be sure the fruits of our labors in being prepared will keep our family safe and sound – come what may! As this season comes – may we each say “all is safely gathered in!”

Included in this month's newsletter:

Real Life Disaster Learning: Read comments and lists of things people made that recently experienced a disaster. Learn from their experience!

Spiritual Preparedness: Henry B Eyring tells us the most important thing to do to prepare.

In the Southern Utah Garden: tips for the month of October from killing the weeds to storing green tomatoes.

Cooking with Food Storage and Provident Living: What to do with the pumpkins when Halloween is over, and recipes for Halloween Makeup.

Prepared for Life: Things we do to teach our families to live life - will help us also Be Prepared for whatever comes our way!

Home Remedies: some tried and true home remedies to help avoid a trip to the doctor, or be more comfortable until you can get to one.

Click here for a complete copy of the October 2017 Back to Basics newsletter.

September 2017 Back to Basics Newsletter

Click here for a complete copy of September 2017 Back to Basics.

September is the month where we begin to say “fall is in the air”. The changing seasons are very sensory! Fall brings the smell of apples ripening, fresh cut hay, and soon to be wood smoke in the early mornings. The taste of apples, pears and melons delight those of all ages.  Even the fall light changes as it casts a golden glow on the world around us. September is when Friday night lights find us at the hometown football game, ranches begin their roundups, and sweaters come out in the evenings. September is also a great time to add to our food storage! The harvest provides fruits and vegetables to can. Case lot sales abound – and many cater to preparedness items as a part of their fare. Now is a great time to take inventory of food, water, personal & emergency supplies and see what you need to add to or just start completely new. As you add to your preparedness, you will add a “sense” of satisfaction and peace to your fall!

Included in this month's newsletter:

Mandatory Evacuation: First Hand Report: read about someone who just evacuated from Hurricane Harvey - what they took, what they forgot, and what they needed. It will help all of us to Be Prepared for our own possible evacuation!

In the Southern Utah Garden: What to plant this month for a fall/winter garden, leaving carrots and onions, and garden clean up.

Using the Garden Harvest: Tips of what to do with the fall garden produce.

Expanded Secondary Storage: a list of supplemental foods to consider adding in your food storage to enhance the quality and variety of meals.

Modern Root Cellar: a repeat section on a popular method to turn a window well into a root cellar.

The Golden Rule of Food Storage: Store what you eat and eat what you store....

Click here for a complete copy of September 2017 Back to Basics.

August 2017 Back to Basics newsletter

Click here for a complete copy of the August 2017 Back to Basics Newsletter.

The dog days of summer are upon us. This is that sultry part of summer when we hope for an ice cold lemonade or a sweet and juicy slice of watermelon under a large shade tree! The heat chases us back inside quickly after a morning of working in the garden, or a brisk morning walk. It is a great time of year to read a good book, “catch up” at family reunions, and get kids ready to go back to school. August is also a time of harvest, and a wonderful time to put up some luscious peaches, zucchini relish, or tomatoes. August is a great time to “Be Prepared”. Before the snow flies – we get the load of wood ready for the warm winter fires. For all to “be safely gathered in”, first comes planning, work and commitment.  In between the pages of that classic novel – let us fit in some planning and checkup for our family’s preparedness status. And then – “today while the sun shines” let us set aside that which we will need for the storm that may lie ahead, and the winter that most certainly will come.

Included in this month's newsletter: 

Where were you when the lights went out? a list of tips for heating and cooling, cooking, and providing light for times the power is out.

Disaster Prep - focus on survival, independence and comfort as you prepare for disasters. Includes twelve areas to cover.

In the Southern Utah Garden - Planting tips, weeding, watering, cover spray, bugs, and sotring seeds.

Home Canning:  recipes for tomato soup and spaghetti sauce.

Provident Living - tips to help save money.

Spiritual Preparedness - Quote from Thmas S Monson.

Parting thought:  Quote from Spencer W Kimball.

Click here for a complete copy of the August 2017 Back to Basics Newsletter.

July 2017 Back To Basics Provident Living Newsletter

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The hot and sultry month of July is a special month for patriotism and pioneers. This is the month we honor our founding fathers within the country and the church. Those who went before us were thrifty and self-reliant in all things. They had to be – there was not a corner market to run to if the crops failed. They set a great example of provident living. This month as we celebrate the past – let us also emulate the example set before us by being a little more prepared, self-reliant, and anxiously engaged in provident living. If our forefathers could be self-reliant with all the limits that their day held – how much more self-reliant can we be with the world of “new and improved” we live in today! Remember – If ye are prepared ye shall not fear! May we never fear and may we always be prepared.

Included in this newsletter:

Disaster Prep: What level are you? Five levels from "Every emergency is a disaster," to "Can survive indefinitely from home!"

Summertime Provident Living Hints - hints to save and enjoy summer foods.

Variety in the Basics: we often think of the "basics" as wheat, powdered milk, etc... but there is a large variety we can store under those headings!

In the Southern Utah Garden: what to plant, hints for picking produce and keeping things watered, how to find tomato worms and help the curly top on tomatoes, and incentive to garden (be smarter and have good mental health!)

Cooking with Food Storage: Using Garden Produce-  recipe for Fruit Leather, Zucchini Bread, Baked and Fried Zucchini Rounds.

Spiritual Preparedness: thought on preparing today for what comes tomorrow.

The What if Game: Winners are Self-Reliant: a list of questions to ask yourself for your family's preparedness status.

Click here for a complete copy of the July 2017 Back to Basics.

 

June 2017 Back to Basics

Click here for a complete copy of the June 2017 Back to Basics Newsletter.

It was once said that “Spring being a tough act to follow, God created June.”  June is the month summer gets into full swing, all the scout and girls camps roll around, the fishing is good, and the summer evenings invite us to lounge on the lawn at day’s end. June gives us long days that let us get the work all done, and still have some time to play. June is the month the garden and yard look the best and the heat has not hit in full force, but the days are warm enough for a refreshing dip in the river, lake, or pool.  It is also a month that can inspire us to make our preparedness as wonderful as the month is. Growing gardens and orchards offer produce to preserve. Longer days provide time to work on that 72 hour kit or shelves for the store room. Going camping lets us test our disaster evacuation skills. The lounging gives time to ponder, plan, and then act on the family preparedness needs we may have. Let’s make June as wonderful in preparedness as God made it for us to enjoy. 

Included in this newsletter:
Disaster Preparation: "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." Ideas to prepare for disasters in and out of our homes.
Live Storage: Summer is a great time to establish live storage! Tips for raising chickens for eggs and meat.
In the Southern Utah Garden: June tips, specifically planting watermelon and corn.
Bottling Summer! June is a great month for putting up Grandma Ballard's Pickled Beets and Zucchini Pickle Relish.
Cooking with Food Storage: Recipes for Old Fashioned Rice Pudding, and Leftover Rice Breakfast.
Summertime Preparedness Practice: a list of things to do this summer with the family to practice preparedness.
Spiritual Preparedness: We have been warned! Quote from James E Talmage on warnings from the Lord.

Click here for a complete copy of the June 2017 Back to Basics Newsletter.

May 2017

Click here for a complete copy of the May 2017 Back to Basics Newsletter.

The Merry Month of May is upon us! This is a wonderful time of year. The gardens are growing, the flowers have bloomed, and the weather is pleasant! It is a time to look forward to the harvest as we work in the garden – and - we are still beating the war of the weeds! It is a time of hopefulness and dreams of a summer season full of fun and relaxation! And – just like all good hopes and dreams – there must be a plan. We could not plant a garden or go on a vacation without a plan. And we cannot be prepared without a plan either. Now is a great time to take stock of where we are in our preparedness – and make a plan for our summer months to add to that preparedness status. Just like the tortoise won the race with a “slow and steady” pace – we can keep adding faithfully and consistently to our storage and preparedness until we realize we are only maintaining -  and what once seemed difficult was really an easy task after all!

Included in this months newsletter:

Five Principles of Preparedness: basic principles to keep us and our family safe in times of troubles. They are a "living Insurance". 1. Practice thrift and frugality. 2. Seek to be independent. 3. Become industrious. 4. Strive towards self reliance. 5. Aspire to have a yer's supply of every needful thing.  (Includes a link for a free Preparedness Manual.)

In the Southern Utah Garden: Planting almost everything, weeds, fruit spray, flowering shrubs, feritlizer, roundup and 2-4-D, water wise.

Cooking with Food Storage: recipes for Strawberry Jam and Frozen Strawberries.

Summertime and the canning is easy:  a list of equipment to have for home canning.

Dutch Oven Cooking: Tips for cooking in a Dutch Oven for fun - or if the power is out!

Spiritual Preparedness: A quote from Henry B Eyring with 4 ways to be obedient.

 Click here for a complete copy of the May 2017 Back to Basics Newsletter.

April 2017 Back to Basics Preparedness Newsletter

Click here for a complete copy of April 2017 Back to Basics Newsletter.

The old saying – “April Showers Bring May Flowers” applies to most aspects of life. As we prepare in advance (that April Rain) we are blessed with future “flowers.” Sometimes the “showers” may be the storms of life, but they also can result in blessings! The effort we make- whether it is to water the flowers, or endure the storm - can bring rich rewards. We often look with fondness and a little nostalgia at the lives our grandparents lived. They were simpler times; life seemed easier. Why was that? Perhaps our grandparents understood the importance of “April Showers” a bit more because of their lifestyle. We can enjoy a similar kind of living.  Much of it has to do with the ability to live within your means, to be frugal, to put away for a rainy day, and to be happy with less. We are among the richest people on the face of the earth. Let us make good with what the lord has blessed us. We can use those “April Showers” to prepare and set aside for a later day when we will be able to enjoy the “May Flowers!” As we establish a working food storage, plan for emergencies, save some money, and increase our spiritual preparedness, we can have the peace that will come when those “May Flowers” bloom! Remember – “If ye are prepared ye shall not fear!”

Included in this month's newsletter:

Expanded Storage - enhance the basic storage - A list of staples, mixes, canned goods and condiment with amounts needed per family for a year.

Disaster Prep- You know the drill! - why we need drills, and a list of suggested drills and things to include in them.

In the Southern Utah Garden - seeds to plant, warning for tomatoes, poisons to spray, fertilizer.

Cooking with Food Storage - comfort foods for emergency situations. Recipes for brownies, four in one cookies, caramel corn, and tootsie rolls.

Provident Living - A Penny Saved is a Penny Earned. Recipes for various cleaners and laundry products.

Provident Living - Easter Eggs Color - avoid the store bought prices by making your own Easter Egg color.

Five Principles of Economic Constancy - do these 5 things from N Eldon Tanner and your budget will do better!

Spiritual Preparedness - quote from Elder Henry B Eyring on this very important preparedness item.

Click here for a complete copy of April 2017 Back to Basics Newsletter.

March 2017

Click here for a complete copy of the March 2017 Back to Basics Newsletter.

The glorious green month of March is here! March is when things begin to green up. March weather is un-predictable – a “lion” or a “lamb”. March is like Charles Dickens described: “Summer in the light and winter in the shade.”  March brings the first day of spring! March gardens begin to grow and lawns begin to flourish.  And in March we can “march” forward with our preparedness! It is a great time to tap into the “luck of the Irish”. Thomas Jefferson once said, “I’m a great believer in luck and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.”  Roman Philosopher Seneca said, “Luck is what happens when preparations meets opportunity.” So as we are more prepared – the more luck we will have when facing trials that storms of the latter days will bring. Remember the 6 P’s: Proper Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance! Let the Luck you find in March be because you have worked hard and prepared. Then whether the wind blows or the sun shines, we need not fear! We are lucky we know we should prepare, and we can be prepared to be lucky!

Included in this newsletter:

The List: a list of basic food storage broken down into amounts for male, female, children of various ages and teens.

Disaster Prep- What if.... A preparedness question list to assess your preparedness for various situations.

In the Southern Utah Garden: things to plant this month, and chores for March.

Cooking with Food Storage: recipes for Sour Dough Starter, Dads Sour Dough Biscuits, and Flour Tortillas

Gardening - a Family Affair! Getting started - why - where to start- what next - and next time.

Spiritual Preparedness: A "Year Round" harvest to sow - character traits for your garden.

Click here for a complete copy of the March 2017 Back to Basics Newsletter.

February 2017

Click here for a complete copy of the February 2017 Back to Basics Newsletter.

“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.” Such expressions of love abound this time of year as Valentine’s Day rolls around.  It is the month of love! We spend a great deal of time each day performing acts of love and kindness for our family as we serve and care for them. Because we love them we do not want them to go without. Perhaps one of the greatest acts of love is to be sure your family is prepared. How devastating it would be to have no food or water for our loved ones in dire times of need. The saying “If it’s to be, it’s up to me” applies to being able to care for our family in all circumstances. We have been admonished for many years to be prepared. Pres. Kimball said: “We encourage families to have on hand this year’s supply; and we say it over and over and over and repeat over and over the scripture of the Lord where He says, ‘Why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?’ How empty it is as they put their spirituality, so called, into action and call him by his important names, but fail to do the things which he says.” Let us show our love for our families by being prepared – and let us show our love for the lord by following this commandment. “If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear.”

Included in this newsletter:

Food Storage Tips:  ideas to make the best of your investment.

Spiritual Preparedness: Thomas S Monson quote about being prudent in planning... with questions that end with "Are you square with the Lord?"

Why Be Prepared? A list of events that you could find yourself in!

In the Southern Utah Garden:  A list of "to do's" for February.

Pruning Tips: Instructions to prune your fruit trees.

Cooking with Food Storage: Recipes for Basic Bread and variations for wheat bread, dinner rolls, and raisin bread, and Everlasting Yeast.

Provident Living: Reader Tips:  ideas for Provident Living from readers of the Back to Basics Newsletter.

Click here for a complete copy of the February 2017 Back to Basics Newsletter.