Make Food Storage a Priority this year......

Happy New Year!

I am hoping you are starting the new year off with thoughts of being better prepared and ways to protect and bless your family. The following article comes from the Mormon Times and is written by one of my favorite "Food Storage Guru's", Leslie Probert. Listen to her message.....it applies to......you.

Make food storage a priority this year


By Leslie Probert (Published: 2010-01-01 00:16:17)

Food storage is proving to be a lifesaver in these difficult economic times when people know how to use it.

A mother of five children confided recently, "My husband has had half his usual work this last year, causing a significant reduction in income. Because we had our food storage we have had complete peace of mind. I knew I would be able to feed our family.

"This friend has been diligent over the years in purchasing food storage.

She followed a calendar, with food storage items divided among the months, according to when they would most likely be on sale.

Each time she went to the store, she purchased as much as she could of the items of the month. If she found a sale on something else, she bought it instead, returning to the calendar the next visit to the store.

At the end of each year, she started the calendar again.

Her diligence over the years allowed her to acquire a significant store of food, which is blessing her family now.

My friend not only stored food, but regularly tried food storage recipes made entirely from stored foods, including the basics.

Her family already had favorites from food storage recipes before this time of reduced income. Food storage recipes were even requested for birthday meals. She stored what was needed to make delicious recipes. Her diligence has paid off.

To teach their children life lessons, she and her husband have been very open about their financial circumstances.

Having little income, 85 percent of her cooking is food storage meals.

Their children have said they don't notice any difference in things at home, other than mom's baking bread more. Life has stayed very normal.

She has found having a variety of recipes keeps meals interesting and delicious for her family. An added bonus is that she has lost weight by eating whole grains.

Tired from a long day before Christmas, this mother realized, at 5:15 p.m., nothing was started for dinner at 6 p.m.

With the help of a son, who chose Beef and Green Chile Soup by 5:25 p.m., the recipe was assembled by 5:30 p.m. and ready to eat by 6 p.m."That's what I love about food storage recipes. They are SO fast to prepare," she said.

This friend has found homemade bread comforts her family. When her husband has felt discouraged that he cannot find more work, she has taken him to their food storage room, reminding him that he has provided well for their family.

A father of another family, having four children, lost his job in April of last year. The following month he confided, "I am expecting help from Father in heaven in finding a new job because I have been obedient and have my food storage.

"Following church counsel to store a year's supply of food brought increased faith, as he petitioned the Lord for help. In the Lord's good time, he was successful in finding a great job. Having their food storage, and good recipes to make with it, also helped this family until new employment came.

In your time of plenty is the time to prepare for a time of need.

Let us not be as early church members, who were chastened by the Lord, "In the day of their peace they esteemed lightly my counsel ..." (Doctrine and Covenants 101:8).

Storing food is an inspired way to sustain families in lean times, blessing those who have faith to follow such counsel.

Plan this year to make food storage a priority. Make it a goal to see how much you can accomplish by the end of this year. Begin experimenting with recipes. Claim the blessings that come from storing food and knowing how to use it.