Prayer Breakfast: Mercy, Justice,
and Love
0700 at BJ’s Restaurant
Hamilton Montana
Oh Father,
creator and redeemer, claim my life and ministry for your high and holy
purpose. Help me to remain faithful and steadfast all day long, and when
evening comes grant a peaceful rest in your presence. In Jesus Christ’s name we
pray. Amen.
1. Opening - Round the Table
Individual Prayers
2. Morning Psalm: 103
3. Breakfast Reading: Acts 28:7-10
4. Breakfast is served
5. Breakfast Discussion Topics:
a.
News around the valley
b.
Week 19 of 52 weeks of preparation by Tess Pennington
c. Memorial
Day
6. Closing - Round the Table
Individual Prayers
7. Benediction
Almighty
and merciful God, surround your servants with peace and power all day long and
bring us at last to life abundant and eternal. Amen.
Upcoming Events:
1000,
30 May 2016 – Corvallis Memorial Day Parade, Corvallis, MT
0700, 6 June 2016 – Christian Veterans of
the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast
0700, 13 June 2016 – Christian Veterans of
the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast
0700, 20 June 2016 – Christian Veterans of
the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast
0700, 27 June 2016 – Christian Veterans of
the Bitterroot Prayer Breakfast
Follow the Fellowship of Christian Veterans:
Week 19 of 52: Food
Storage Tools
When emergencies last longer than originally intended, your basic
needs such as food and water become the highest priority. Food and water
security is one of the greatest advantages for being prepared for longer-term
emergencies. In order to understand the importance of having a long-term food
supply, you need to begin seeing food as a necessary investment to your family’s well being. When I
first began storing a long-term food supply 3 years ago, the price of food was
still relatively cheap for most of the foods I bought. Because of that
investment that I made, I am still living off the food that I bought 3 years
ago and have saved a lot of money as a result of the increased food prices.
It is best to store dry goods for long-term storage. Dry foods
that we typically see in our pantry such as grains, rice, beans, oats, wheat,
corn kernels, powdered milk, sugar, salt, baking powder, etc. are the best
types of foods to store. Also, having an understanding of how long certain
foods last can help you in your food supply endeavors. This guideline can help you determine how long your stored
foods will last.
Usually, foods that are purchased at a grocery store are packaged
for short-term use. Therefore, if these foods will become part of your
long-term food supply, they will need to be re-packaged. Since there are many
techniques used for re-packaging food, I will discuss the techniques that I use
in my own preparedness supplies. Feel free to do some research on your own to
learn different ways to storing food.
- Multi-barrier system – Many preppers like to choose a
multi-barrier approach to store their food. This barrier system will keep
natural elements such as sunlight, moisture and air out of the container
when sealed. The multi-barrier method uses Mylar bags (also called food
liners) to initially seal the dry food and then the Mylar bags are placed
in a food grade plastic container. There are different sizes of Mylar
bags that can be used. I have small Mylar bags to use for my short-term
food sources and large Mylar bags that fit into 5-gallon plastic
containers to use for my longer-term food sources.
- Vacuum sealing method – I use this method for
short-term food storage by vacuum sealing dry food in food sealer plastic
packaging and then I add the sealed plastic packages to Mylar bags. Then,
I seal the Mylar bag. This is a little more work, but when I go to grab
the food, I know that I have taken every precaution at ensuring it’s
quality.
- Mylar bags technique – Some people only use Mylar
bags to store their foodstuffs. I use this approach in my short-term food
supply because the food is usually in smaller quantities and will be used
more frequently. However, there is some risk to using this method because
it can leave the food supply vulnerable to natural elements and also to
insects.
In order to have these foods stored properly, you need to right tools.
The tools that I have suggested below are used for short and long-term food
storage preparation. These necessary investments will ensure that your food
sources are protected from your food’s worst enemies.
Food Storage Containers – Any large quantities of food that you plan
to store indefinitely should be stored in food grade containers. These
containers will not transfer any non-food chemicals into the food, nor are
there any chemicals within the container that are hazardous to humans.
Typically a food grade container has a #2 by the recycle symbol or the acronym
”HDPE” stamp on the bottom (HPDE stands for “high density polyethylene”).
Before any food is to be stored, clean the containers with soapy water, rinse
and dry thoroughly. 5-gallon plastic containers are the most popular amongst
those who store bulk quantities of food. Also, ensure that you have an air
tight lid.
Mylar Food Liners – Research has shown that over time, slow
amounts of oxygen seep through the walls of plastic containers. Consequently,
over time natural elements, and even insects can find a way inside the
container. To add additional protection, adding a food liner, such as Mylar
bags will ensure that there are multiple barriers for the food to be protected
in. These food liners come in an assortment of sizes.
Food Sealers – Food vacuum sealers remove and lock out air
and moisture using specially-designed bags and canisters. This ensures that the
longevity of the foods are preserved for as long as possible. Using food
sealers are a great way to ensure that all oxygen is removed from food sources
before it is placed in a long-term environment.
Oxygen Absorbers – Using oxygen absorbers greatly prolongs the
shelf life of stored food. Because it absorbs the oxygen from the container, it
inhibits the growth of aerobic pathogens and molds. Oxygen absorbers begin
working the moment they are exposed to oxygen. Therefore, it is best to work as
efficiently as possible. Oxygen absorbers come in different sizes, so pay attention
to the size needed for the container. Typically, 2,000 cc’s of oxygen absorbers
should be added to one 5-gallon bucket. Oxygen absorbers are not edible, not
toxic and does not effect the smell and taste of the product.
Desiccant Packets – Desiccant packets moderate the moisture
level when placed in a food container. They do
not absorb the moisture. Please
note that desiccant is not edible. If the packet somehow breaks open and spills
onto the stored food, the entire contents of the container must be thrown away.
There are certain food items that desiccant should not be added to,
specifically: flour, sugar and salt. These items need a certain amount of
moisture to stay activated, and if desiccant is added to it, they will turn
into a hard brick.
Heat Clamp – A person can use a heat clamp to seal the
Mylar bags, or they can seal their Mylar bags with a simple at home iron put on
the highest setting. The heat clamp is usually around $85 and is specially made
for sealing Mylar bags. If the home iron method is used, ensure that you use a
hard surface such as a cutting board or book to iron on and slowly go over the
Mylar bag. Note: if using an at home iron to seal Mylar, this method must be
done gently and slowly or the Mylar will be damaged.
Where To Purchase These Products?
- The Ready Store–
For smaller scale purchases
- Amazon– For
smaller scale purchases
- Ropak– For large quantity purchases
- Sorbent Systems– For large quantity
purchases
- Latter Day Saint Food Storage
Warehouses
- Call around to different
restaurants around your area and see if they have any food grade
containers with lids that you can have. Typically, restaurants are happy
to give these away as they have no need for these containers after they
are used. This could save you a lot of money investing in food grade
containers.
Storing food is a continual process of using, rotating and
resupplying. If a person invests in a food supply, the food should be used and
more food purchased to resupply the storage shelf. Think of your food supply as
a small store where the foods in the front has the shortest expiration date and
the ones in the back have the longest.
A little preventative maintenance can go along way in terms of
food storage. Understanding the different methods for storing your food supply
for short or long term storage will help you get the most out of your food
investment.
Preps To Buy:
- Mylar Bags (in 1 gallon and 5 gallon sizes)
- Oxygen Absorbers
- Desiccants
- Plastic Food Storage Containers
- Food Vacuum Sealer with plastic liners
- Heat Clamp or Iron
Action Items:
1. Find a safe, dry area in the home to store your longer-term
food supplies. Those who are tight on space can use creative methods such as
shelving units high in their closets, extra bedrooms or closets. As long as the
space is dry, is free from temperature fluctuations, and is large enough to
store the foods, it can be used. It is
best not to use a garage or attic as a food storage area due to the drastic
temperature fluctuations that occur in these areas of the home.
2. Make a list of what types of long-term foods you plan on
storing for your long-term food supply. Those that have family members with special
dietary needs should do further research on which types of foods they will
need.
3. Practice using your food storage tools on short-term foods to
ensure that you understand how to tools work.
