Self Reliance Tip of the Week - Oct 3 - Cry Me A River

We have seen the river ebb and flow the past few months. What a beautiful sight to many to see all of the rain we have had. Sometimes it was a love/hate relationship because of a leak in my roof, but since that has been fixed (thanks dear!), I welcome all the rain the Lord would like to bless our sometimes very dusty valley with. 

This same river which sustained life for the pioneer settlers, sustains us today (along with wells, water sheds and modern water utilities too). What was life like for those same pioneers who had to haul water before irrigation was existent here? I'm sure it was a pain, but they were so thankful to have it. If you have ever been without water, for one reason or another, you might know what I'm talking about. 

Some of our local wells have dried, some pumps have failed, and others have experienced well collapse. Without water, life stops! We can have all the food storage we want, but without water to cook, clean, sanitize or cool ourselves, it can only take us so far. 

I strongly encourage you to get a supply of water that your family might have inthe case of an emergency. Then, you can cry me a river of joy.

Self Reliance Tip of the Week - Sept 26, 2013 - Archive: What to do with all this Wheat?

A blog was started by a brilliant young lady when we were in Solomon Ward and we kept the tips coming until the ward split, shuffle and fruit basket reorganization took place. The tips are still available for your reading enjoyment at this link.

http://solomonvillereliefsociety.blogspot.com/search/label/self%20reliance

I've decided to take some information from that archive once in a while. It is always good to get a refresher on something you may not have thought about for a while. For some it may be old, for some it may be new, sometimes it is borrowed, and seldom it is blue. :) So here goes:

A question I get a lot is: "So, I have all this wheat...what do I do with it?"


Well, I was talking with my friend Marie the other day. She told me that a few years ago her grandparents served a mission in Adam-ondi-ahman. They decided as a couple that they were going to eat SUPER healthy. They made cracked wheat cereal, whole wheat bread, etc etc. They were so happy to be eating healthy...until...about a week into it, for the sake of the squeamish lets just say that her grandfather had some SERIOUS digestive trouble. 


Poor Marie...she didn't know why in the world he was sharing this information with her. Well, Marie, it is because our "Tip-of-the-week" readers needed something to...chew on.


One of the big mistakes that Grandma & Grandpa made was that this much wheat is not something they normally eat. Their digestive systems weren't ready for all that. Our society is beginning to see many food allergies to wheat, soy, eggs, milk etc. I won't get into the hows and whys now, but if we HAVE to eat things that we aren't used to eating, some tummies might not be ready for that. So...lets plan ahead.


Suggestion #1: Plan several meals that you usually eat and have those items on hand...say, 3 months worth :). 


Suggestion #2: Have at least one meal a week that is strictly food storage items. Pancakes are a good start :).


If you're going to be making Whole Wheat Bread, it is a good idea to also get "vital wheat gluten" found currently in the "emergency food isle" at Walmart. After many tries and failures, Sister Noelle told me that her husband uses the "vital wheat gluten" and 2 T to my 2 loaf batch turned out awesome!!! Thanks Noelle!


What if you have allergies to wheat? What if you want to cut gluten down in the things you currently eat in an effort to avoid gluten intolerance later? I have a tool for you! Check out Chef Brad


http://www.chefbrad.com/grain/articles.php?article=Wonder-Flour&qid=5

He has a natural "white flour" recipe and a gluten free flour recipe. I haven't tried them yet, but I'll let you know when I do.

Self Reliance Tip of the Week - Sept 19 - Got Oil?

You might think because of the subject line, that I will be discussing cooking oil. Not this time.

I recently heard the story that took place many years ago. There was a serious lightning storm in Manti Utah. A family watched as lightning flashed around thenewly finished temple. The children said to their mother, "The Lord wouldn't strike the temple would He?" Just as the mother was assuring them He would not, lightning struck the temple and it lit on fire. Her husband was among those who fought the fire and put it out. When he returned home, the children asked him why the Lord would strike his own temple. The father answered them that installing a lightning rod had been discussed, but not carried out. He said, "God had given the means to protect the Temple against lightning, and the workers neglected to use those means. They thus did not have a right to expect miraculous interventions."

 What does that have to do with oil? The parable of the 10 virgins can become trite when comparing it with spiritual and physical preparedness. I cannot think ofa better comparison. The five foolish virgins could not expect to attend the feast because they were off buying more oil. 

Like the Manti Temple, we cannot expect "miraculous interventions" if we fail to use the means the Lord has given us to prepare ourselves and our families against days of coming tribulation. This applies to physical, spiritual and even emotional preparedness. 

I spoke with a friend a few years ago and she told me that she thought she was doing enough to prepare by laying some money in the bank. She realized that if financial institutions were to fail, that money would be worthless and she would have nothing to give her family to eat. 

On the other hand, if we do use the means we have to carry out preparations we know we should do, and listen to the spirit for guidance for anything else - I believe we can expect miraculous intervention. That is the law of obedience. "I,the Lord, am bound when we do what I say. When we do not what I say, ye have no promise." Doctrine and Covenants 82:10

Self Reliance Tip of the Week - April 27 - What We Have Here - A Failure to Communicate

We may have all had a time when (for those of us who choose to have them) when we were so thankful to have our cell phone. For some people the cell phone goes in the pocket before teeth are brushed or make-up is applied. It is a necessity.

How would you communicate if your cell phone didn't work? Bostonians recently had this communication shortage during the 2013 Boston Bombings last week. First reports were that service was shut off to prevent anymore cell phone detonation. Then Sprint said that their network shut down because of that kindof traffic. What ever the reason, it is something that can happen. What is your plan B if you cannot communicate via cell phone? How would you tell your family that you were ok in an emergency if your phone isn't working?

Many families have chosen, for several different reasons, to have their home phone now be a cell phone. "Land Lines" are becoming more and more rare because of the versatility that a cell phone can offer.  Inthe event of an emergency there are a few alternative options:

• Have a designated location that you will meet with your family so that you will know everyone is safe. Click here for more information: http://www.ready.gov/family-communications
• Be sure to ask your school or work for their emergency plans. http://www.ready.gov/school-and-workplace
• Purchase, get licensed and learn how to use a Ham radio. This may sound scary, expensive or overwhelming, but you should know that their are many people in our valley from young to elderly who are licensed. It can be done. http://www.arrl.org/getting-licensed

Self - Reliance Tip of the Week - July 8 Vacuum Sealer Jar Attachment

Do you have a vacuum sealer? Did you know there is a jar attachment where you can use canning jar lids and seal all kinds of awesome things in them?

Things I have personally sealed: almonds, chocolate chips, and raisins.

Things I plan on sealing are: olive oil, walnuts, pecans, dried fruit, coconut, brown sugar, and more chocolate chips :),

Things you cannot seal this way: powdery stuff (like flour) it will get sucked up in the hose and stuck, things that need heat and pressure (like fruits and veggies etc).Here is are some links where you can purchase the attachment. 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-FoodSaver-Mason-Jar-Sealers-1-Large-1-Small-HOSE-all-are-New-Vacuum-Sealers-/111075524336

http://www.amazon.com/FoodSaver-T03-0023-01-Wide-Mouth-Jar-Sealer/dp/B00005TN7H/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1373298166&sr=8-1&keywords=food+saver+jar+attachment

Make sure you get the hose attachment (sorry, no pic available)
http://www.amazon.com/FoodSaver-420-13268-Tilia-Foodsaver-Accessory/dp/B002UORPR0/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1383323568&sr=8-7&keywords=vacuum+sealer+mason+jar

Self Reliance Tip of the Week - Sept 12, 2013 - Diva Cup

When we're talking about "sanitation" - nothing sounds more "sanitary" than "sanitary napkins". However unruly "Auntie Flow" can be when she comes to visit every 28 days or so, dealing with that visit can be anything but sanitary. Enduring those few days with the inevitable visitor, teaches patience and long suffering to say the least! Do you have a supply for this kind of sanitation? 

If you have daughters in your home that supply must be multiplied because those precious napkins are something you do NOT want to be without in a crisis of any kind (and I'm not talking about the "bad hair day" crisis).

I have recently come across an item that is "self-reliant" friendly. It sounds a little different than the norm, but hear me out. You might want to give this a try.

It is called a "Diva Cup". It is a reusable mini-cup that can be used by sea or by land. It is not associated with chemicals like dioxin (in pads) or sicknesses like TSS (in tampons). The huge plus here, is that it is reusable. That means less to buy and less trash. I know people who swear by these and will never go back tothe traditional means of "sanitary napkins" or the like.

Here is a link to one of the many places that sell this little "Diva" :

http://www.soap.com/p/the-divacup-model-1-menstrual-cup-67428?site=CA&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc_S&utm_term=DII-001&utm_campaign=GoogleAW&CAWELAID=1323199803&utm_content=pla&adtype=pla&cagpspn=pla

For more information here is the "Diva Cup" website:

http://divacup.com/

Self Reliance Tip of the Week - Sept 5, 2013 - Cheese Glorious Cheese!

For many families cheese is a comfort food (oouu pick me!). For other families not so much. If life would be hard for you without cheese, this is the tip for you!

There are actually a few ways to have your cheese for a rainy day:

1) One is cheese waxing - here is an excellent how-to video (not for mozzerella or cream cheese though...hard cheeses are invited to this party only)

http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=sYLKtFmIRoI

2)  And then there is learning how to make your own cheese...It sounds so complicated and not do-able in our modern day...but it is and it TASTES SOOOOOoooo good!

This is a website you can get starter packets (which I have and I have enjoyed making Mozzerella) - I got the 30 minute Mozzerella kit:

http://www.cheesemaking.com/store/c/1-Kits.html

When making your own cheese, you need to know there is a learning curve. But you can do it!

3) Freeze dried cheese is an awesome option! This is my favorite place to get it. It is a bit pricey, but you can buy it now and use it later. When stored in the proper temperatures, it will last many many years. I have cooked with it before (including grilled cheese sandwiches!) and my family didn't even know! My picky eaters were none the wiser!

https://www.thrivelife.com/catalogsearch/result/?order=relevance&dir=desc&q=cheese

Hopefully you can glean something worth your while in this week's tip. Have a great day!

PS - For those who might not have thought me completely crazy.... I want to let you know that I used my Wonder Oven to dye wool! Please ask me how! :)