Canner Night!!!

This past Thursday night, ladies from our Ward got together to can white flour. It was the first time to can for many of us so we learned together! It was a lot of fun. Here are a few pictures of us in action. If you ordered cans and weren't able to make it, please contact Katie Sillman at (702) 335-6008 to schedule a time to pick them up. They turned out to be $2.14 each. We will be doing this again so let us know what you would like to can next!

72 Hour Food Kit Change

It was previously mentioned that we would be assembling our 72 hour kit ziploc baggies of food on the 2nd of June. We are moving this activity to the 16th.

Please make note of this change.

Canner Night Announced!

We will be hosting our dry-pack canning night at the Sillman residence (10385 Miners Gulch Ave) Thursday May 27th from 6 to 8. This is a come-and-go-as-you-please event as we work on building our long-term food supply. We will be canning flour only. We are amateurs at this and we're trying to keep our first time simple.

We need to know how many number 10 cans of flour you would like. Once we have a better idea of how many people are interested, we can break down the cost. Feel free to leave a comment here with your information or watch the Relief Society rolls for sign up sheets.

If you are interested in purchasing cans, but are unable to attend this event, I would LOVE to do the actual canning for you. Provided, of course, that you are able to pick up the cans from the Sillman's home in a timely manner. Again, just let me know how many you would like.

Now is the time to be determined!

Questions? Please refer to JoEllen Giani or Katie Sillman.

Free Mini First Aid Kit!

If you visit the Spring Valley Hospital website at http://www.springvalleyhospital.com/Home you can receive a free mini first aid kit by entering your mailing information. These will be great to include in your 72 hour kit!!!

Long-Term Food Storage for May

Here is our suggested list for your long-term food supply for the month of May.

-1 large jar of peanut butter and 1 box of ziploc bags

- 1 large box of instant mashed potatoes and 1 cake mix with frosting

-1 large bottle of honey and 1 jar of syrup

-4 cans of tuna and 1 jar of mayonnaise

A few words on honey:

It is important to keep honey stored in an airtight container so that it doesn't absorb moisture from the air. Honey stored this way in a cool dry place will keep almost indefinitely. One reason for this is that its high sugar content and acidic pH help to inhibit microorganism growth. Honey that is kept at colder temperatures tends to thicken, while honey that is kept at higher temperatures has a tendency to darken and have an altered flavor.

If your honey has crystallized, placing the container in hot water for 15 minutes will help return it to its liquid state. Do not heat honey in the microwave as this alters its taste by increasing its HMF (hydroxymethylfurfural) content.

Always buy the highest grade honey available (Grade A, or "pure"). This honey will store the longest and maintain it's flavor best.

For more information on storing, using and the benefits of honey, click here.

72 Hour Kit Assignment for May

For the month of May we are focusing on our food and cooking supplies for our 72 hour kits. Here is a suggested list of the things you may want to included:

Food

2 quarts of water per day

hot coca mix/cider

fruit/lemonade mix

granola bars

hard candy or gum

soup mix/canned soup

beef jerky

dried fruit

MRE

Cooking Supplies

camp cup

matches

camping stove

utensils

On June 16th, there will be an opportunity to pack together a basic food collection for your 72 hour kit. The cost will be 10 dollars and all items can fit into a gallon ziploc. Watch the Relief Society rolls for a sign up. Remember, every member in your household needs their own food supply, but cooking supplies can be easily shared. We also recommend that you rotate through these food items on a 6 month basis. An easy way to remember this is to go through your food items every General Conference weekend. Beef jerky doesn't last forever!!

Dry Pack Products

Dry-pack products for home storage need to be low moisture (10% moisture or less), good quality, and insect free. An oxygen absorber packet should be included in each ocntainer for all products except sugar.

Approved Products:

Milk: non-fat dry milk and milk/whey products such as hot cocoa

White Flour: bleached or unbleached

Whole Grains: wheat, white rice, dry corn, popcorn, rye, barley, etc. Grains that are not milled or cracked and do not have an oily seed coat

Rolled Oats: quick or regular

Legumes: dry peas and beans, including dehydrated refried beans

Pasta: pasta products that do not contain egg

Fruits and Vegetables: dehydrated or freeze-dried products that are dry enough to snap (Best items include apples, bananas, potatoes, onions, carrots, corn and peas.)

Sugar: Granulated or powdered (no oxygen absorber necessary)

Miscellaneous: TVP (texturized vegetable protein), cheese powder, gelatin, soup mixes (without bouillon)

Non-Approved Products:

Milled Grain: whole wheat flour, cornmeal, cereal, granola

Oily Grain/Seeds: nuts, brown rice, pearled barley, sesame

These products are stored best when kept in the freezer.

Our "canner day" is quickly approaching. Now is the time to be gathering the items you would like to dry can. Now is the time to be determined to get our food supplies in order. What will you be canning?