Still Learning

One of my favorite books is Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand.   (It is a pretty political book, if you hate it sorry).  There is one quote that really stands out to me. 

“If you don't know, the thing to do is not to get scared, but to learn.”

When I first started with Shelf Reliance there was a lot I didn’t know.  And sometimes I felt left out because I didn’t know. I was scared that I would screw up because I didn’t know something.    But I decided that the only way to get over my fear was to learn.  So I did. 

 I did a comparison of  food storage companies and products. 

 I asked a lot of questions.  I read everything, some times a couple of times. 

 I did experiments (Like the water filter mountain dew test—I figured if the filter could get all the chemicals out of mountain dew it could get anything out of water).   

And I learned.  I try to share everything I learn with you so can learn quickly what it took me a long time to learn.   

I’m still learning.  One of the things I’m trying to learn is to be a better recruiter. 

I know that there are some rock-star recruiters in Shelf Reliance (and even on my team) so I asked some of them how they do it.   Here is what they said.

Rachel Mano telling them how easy it can be

Amber Pearce I've added an extra item on my hostess check list. I have them watch our opportunity DVD before the party and tell them if they decide to consult we
will make their party a kick off party instead. Signed up my last 3 hosts
this way!

Chad Mano Here's a real tip. Now that you're successful go back and talk to the friends and family who weren't interested before. In the past two months we've had three family members sign up (not all to our 1st level though), one old college friend, and one friend of one of one of Rachel's college roommates. With a track record now they seem to ignore the fact that they think we're insane.

Rebecca Powell I work hard to recruit off of my Q customer list telling them they have already fulfilled the only requirement to receive commission as a SR consultant (besides purchasing their kit) and I like to say, "If you don't sell to your family and friends, someone else will. So it might as well be YOU!"

Over the next couple of weeks I’m going to try all of these things.  I challenge you to try them too. 

Remember:  “If you don't know, the thing to do is not to get scared, but to learn.” Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged

 

Pasta Florentine

“What do you eat for dinner in the summer?”  

This is the dilemma for hot cooks everywhere.   If you are the one in charge of cooking dinner at your house you probably have this same dilemma.  In the summer I want something that is tasty but that won’t heat my whole house up.   We often end up eating pasta with veggies. 

If you have fresh veggies on hand feel free to substitute.

Pasta Florentine

Printable Recipe

• 2 c egg noodle pasta
• 1⁄2 c freeze dried sausage crumbles
• 1 c freeze dried zucchini
• 1⁄2 c freeze dried mushroom pieces
• 1 c freeze dried red bell peppers
• 1⁄4 c freeze dried chopped onion
• 1⁄2 c freeze dried tomato dices
• 1⁄4 c freeze dried chopped spinach
• 1 t garlic, minced
• 2 1⁄2 c broth chicken bouillon
• 1 tsp each parsley, basil, chives
• 1⁄2 tsp seasoned salt
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Precook noodles until almost tender in salted water. In a large sauté pan, bring sausage, zucchini, mushrooms, red peppers, onions, garlic, and bouillon and to a simmer; reduce the liquid by half, about 5 minutes.

Add noodles and seasoning to the pan and warm through. Fold in tomatoes, spinach, and herbs. Drizzle olive oil over top to serve. Salt and Pepper to taste.

Note: It’s best to use fresh basil, parsley, and chives, but if using dry herbs you need ⅓ less as a general rule.

Recipe by Chef Todd, shared with permission

Food Storage Building Blocks #1 Water

Whenever it is time to for my kids to clean their bedrooms my 5 year old says

“But it is too much.  Mom, I need you to tell me where to start!”

She is correct cleaning her room is too much for her.  She needs me to help her know where to start.  I have to tell her that first she needs to put the dirty clothes in the hamper.  Once that is complete, I tell her the next step: make her bed.  We continue this process: breaking it down into small, manageable steps, until her room is clean.

Breaking a big overwhelming task into smaller, manageable items is how every big project is accomplished, especially building your food storage.

Over the next year, I am going to break down the huge task of building up your food storage.  Each month I will highlight one area of food storage to work on and give actionable steps for three different categories of people; beginners, intermediate, and advanced.    Each month I will be giving away items related to the post to help you build your food storage. 

Where ever you are at in your food storage journey I hope you will follow along and build up your food storage. 

Let me introduce the first post in our new Food Storage Building Blocks: a month by month approach to building your food storage. 

 Building Block 1:  Water

 source:  Fields of View

The water supply is easily contaminated or disrupted, and without it we are going to be in big trouble.  The lack of water will cause death faster than the lack of food.   Your body can start showing signs of dehydration after only a few hours without water.  Drinking contaminated water (which we would all do without another option) can cause serious illness.  Having a safe source of clean water is critical. 

Good News:  Storing water can be easy and affordable.

 

Water  Basics:  

• In an emergency, you should have a minimum of 1 gallon of water per person per day for drinking, 
• Plus ½ gallon of water per person per day for basic hygiene. 
• If you plan on doing much bathing, toilet flushing, cleaning or any other water intensive task be sure to store much more water.  

My family of 5 needs at least 23 gallons of water for our 72 hours.  15 gallon for drinking and 7.5 gallons for hygiene.

  
This Months Tasks

 

Ideas for how to accomplish each task

            Beginner:  Store 72 hours’ worth of water. 

·        Buy cases of bottled water.  A case with 32 - 16.9 ounce bottles (standard Sam’s Club size) has 4.2 gallons of water.  I buy one case per person so we have a little more than the minimum (and we just go through them fast).  Bottled water should be rotated every 6 months.  So buy it and store for 6 months.  Buy some more and drink the old.   I store my water under my 72 hour kits.  In the case of an evacuation I know where it is and can easily load it in the car if needed.

Intermediate:  Add low volume water filtration or purification tools

·        Aqua Pail 400 (upto 400 gallons)  $81.99.  Comes in a variety of sizes.

The aqua pail will filter water from any river source.  It immediately kills harmful toxins, bacteria and viruses.  Good News:  It has an indefinite shelf life.  If you want to buy something and put it away and never deal with it again.  This is the filter for you. 

·        Steri Pen  $59.99 Uses ultraviolet light  to purifies 200 half liter servings of water.   

      Does not filter.  Eliminates over 99.99% of bacteria, viruses, and protozoa.  This product uses batteries so be sure to keep extra on hand and check them regularly.

·        Water filtration bottles  These filter as you drink.  Perfect for 72 hour kits.  Filter is replaceable.  Filter 100 gallons of water.  Removes 99.99% of bacteria , virus, contaminants, and pollutants.  Uses adsorption Micron filtration system
·        Sterilization chemicals (liquids or tabs)

·        Frontier Pro Water Filter – $24.83.  Filters up to 50 gallons of water.

     Throw this in your 72 hour kit to cover water for your family.  Comes with Camelback and water bottle connectors.  You can purchase an optional water heater attachment.

Advanced:  Add long term water solution & high volume purifying tools

·        55 Gallon Drums

 

o   Plus Aquamira.  With Aquamira you only have to rotate the water every 3-5 years).  

o   If you are planning on storing your 55 gallon containers out side be sure to get a barrel bag.

o   Filtration pump  each pump filter 100 gallons of water so you need one pump for every two 55 gallon drums.  

     This pump filters as it pumps the water out of the container.  Which I love because it means I don’t have to rotate my water as often. 

·        Katadyn Pocket Microfilter – $369.95  Filter an amazing 13,000 gallons of water with 1 filter.  

    
      One of the lowest $/filtered gallon costs available, replaceable filters make it an even better value.  My husband is in LOVE with this filter it is by far his favorite. 

This Month's Give Away 
One lucky reader will win the Frontier Pro Water Filter.  It will filter up to 50 gallons of water and is perfect for your short term water needs.  It is compact and will easily fit in any 72 hour kit. 

How do you enter?  Just leave a comment on this post letting me know what you did to build up your food storage this month.  I want to know specifically what you did in regards to your water storage, but I'd love to hear about any progress you have made.    For an additional entry you may share this give away (facebook, pinterest, twitter, blog).  Please leave an additional comment for sharing the post.  

Honey Almond Granola

I really love bountiful baskets granola. 

Do you know about bountiful baskets?  It is a produce co-op that is in many places across the country.   Baskets are $15 and you get a ton of fruits and veggies. Many pick up sites also offer extras like bread, granola, and tortillas. 
Sadly the granola is $10.00 for a 2 pound bag.  I can’t bring myself to pay that much when I have all the ingredients in my food storage to make my own granola.     
In my search for a great granola recipe I have made (and thrown away) a lot of granola.  It was kind of surprising how hard it was to find a great recipe.  I was looking for a simple and delicious recipe, and I love how this one turned out.

Honey Almond Granola

 printable recipe


3 cups old-fashioned oats*
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup honey
1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup chopped almonds

Preheat oven to 350º.

Mix all ingredients, together in a mixing bowl.

Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.  Spread mixture evenly on the cookies sheet.

Bake mixture for 15 minutes, stirring once in the middle of cooking.
Remove granola from the oven, and stir, and allow it to cool.  Place cool granola in an airtight container.  Granola will keep in your pantry for 2-3 weeks, to extend shelf life store in the freezer.   Serve over homemade yogurt, or on top of oatmeal.

Cooking tip:  Measure the vegetable oil and add to the bowl, use the same measuring cup to measure the honey.  This will help the honey flow smoothly out of the measuring cup.

*You can substitute quick oats. 

July Shelf Reliance Specials

THRIVE EXPRESS SPECIALS Southwestern-Style Chicken and Rice $8.99 $7.49 Creamy Garden Vegetable Chowder $7.99 $6.99 Baked Potato Cheese Soup $7.99 $6.99 THRIVE BREAKFAST FOOD
10 Grain Pancake Mix $11.99 10.19 Whole Egg Powder $22.69 $19.19 Instant Milk $21.69 $18.19 Banana Slices $28.79 $24.09 Scrambled Egg Mix $41.39 $34.89 Sausage Crumbles $43.79 $35.09 Blueberries $45.79 $38.29 Egg White Powder $30.59 $25.89
FRS & EMERGENCY SPECIALS Bucket Shelf $159.99 $84.99 Portable Outdoor Butane Stove $31.99 $28.59 Kid X +20Sleeping Bag $54.99 $44.99