MESSAGE FROM TESS

Dear Reader,
Welcome to week 2 of our 52-week series Get Prepped, which focuses on finding cost-effective ways to get you prepared for disasters. Throughout the year, I will walk you through the steps of preparing for a short and long term disaster.  So when the unexpected occurs, you and your family will be prepared- and we will achieve this with a reasonable weekly budget.

This week we are going to focus on investing in basic hardware items. In later newsletters, I will add additional hardware items to the list, but this week we are going to focus on laying a foundation.  So… stay with me!

I want to thank all of my readers from being a part of Ready Nutrition! Remember to friend us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and extend an invitation to your friends and family; they need to be prepared too.

Regards,

Tess Pennington

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PREP OF THE WEEK

Week 2 of 52: Hardware List

A good rule of thumb when planning for emergencies is that a person is only as good as their tools. Good, quality tools are a sound investment and can last a lifetime if they are properly cared for. When purchasing hardware items such as the ones provided in the list below, take take to read online product and customer reviews before you make an investment. Also, avoid these 8 Rookie mistakes often made by preppers.

Preps to buy for Week 2:

• 32-gallon garbage can or- a sturdy storage box to hold disaster supplies
• Flashlight with alkaline-batteries or a hand-crank flashlight for each member of household that is over the age of 6. (Don’t forget extra batteries for the flashlights). Flashlights should also be purchased for each car, as well.
• Batteries in multiple-sizes.
• Heavy rope
• Duct tape
• Bic lighter and matches- to be stored in a waterproof container
• Multi-tool
• For furry friends, purchase a leash, or pet carrier and an extra set of I.D. tags.

Action Items:

1. Involve your children in your family preparedness efforts. Educate them on the different types of disasters and on your family’s disaster plans. Check out websites like Ready Kids for methods to teach your children about what to do in an emergency.

2. You should ask your child’s school and/or day care about what their disaster plans are. Here are a few questions that I asked our school:

• How will you communicate with a child’s family during a crisis?
• Do you store adequate food, water, and supplies for a disaster?
• Are you prepared for a shelter-in-place situation?
• If you have to evacuate, where do you go?

3. Find up-to-date pictures of each family member in case one of them gets separated from you during a disaster event, put the pictures in a waterproof or Ziploc bag, and place it in your emergency kit.

4. Prepare a personal information card for each family member.

5. As a family, discuss your emergency meeting places, contacts, and plans. Give your children the opportunity to express their feelings and to ask questions so they fully understand the disaster plan.

6. For family members who have special needs, ensure that those needs are accounted for in your emergency plan.

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WHAT WE’RE UP TO

In our home:

Last week my family harvested our potatoes, and I made a large bowl of homemade potato salad. My family loved it, but sadly, there was nothing left over to snack on. I know that everyone is picky when it comes to potato salad, but I am going to provide the recipe anyway and I hope you all enjoy it as much as I do.

I have been playing “catch up” with different projects around our home. I strive to stay organized, so I have been sorting and donating the old to make space for the new.  I have also been planning a garage sale for this week to make some extra money for some future preparedness plans.

Family Preps:

Hot, summer-like weather is in full throttle here in Texas, so I am getting our 72-Hour Kits and Bug Out Vehicle stocked up with seasonal clothes, water, food, etc.

I created some sanitation kits for our family. I recommend educating yourself on everything you can to keep your family as germ-free as possible during an unplanned disaster.

Outdoor Activities:

I have been taking advantage of the mild weather conditions outside. I have made a personal goal to be more physically active in order to build up my energy levels and endurance level. In a disaster situation, it is important to have high endurance and strength for disaster activity. Just 30 minutes each day can raise your energy levels in a few weeks. I can honestly say that after three weeks of exercising, my energy levels have seen a definite boost. Let me encourage you to get active and go for a walk or a hike.

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RECENT ARTICLES

In case you missed some of our recent articles, be sure to read these:

• FDA: “Hand Sanitizers Do Not Prevent MRSA”
• Save Big Bucks on Your Gas Bill
• Simple Snacks: Homemade Granola

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STATS AND FACTS

Did you know that May is Family Wellness Month?

I would like to share with you a quote from Garrison Keilor,

“Nothing you do for children is ever wasted. They seem not to notice us, hovering, averting our eyes, and they seldom offer thanks, but what we do for them is never wasted.”

The quote made me start thinking about what makes a healthy family, and that led me to the 6 signs of a Healthy Family.

1. Healthy families maintain a spiritual foundation.
2. Healthy families make family a top priority.
3. Healthy families ask for- and give – respect.
4. Healthy families communicate and listen – even when angry.
5. Healthy families value – service to others.
6. Healthy families expect – and offer – acceptance.

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MEDIA

As busy as I have been, I have not had any new media opportunities, but I do plan on getting some more demonstration videos up for everyone on my YouTube Channel. So, stay tuned! In the meantime, click here and you can view some past media opportunities I had the pleasure of doing.

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LETTERS TO TESS

One of the perks of my job at Ready Nutrition is to address questions and/or concerns that you may have with your prepping endeavors. Feel free to ask anything that is on your mind because no question is too big or small. You can email questions to: : getprepped@readynutrition.com

This weeks question addresses water storage:

From Deb:

Dear Tess, I have been saving my vinegar bottles to use as water bottles. Is this safe?

Bless you, Deb

Deb,

That’s a great question. There are many preppers who apply the method of using what they have on hand to get ahead on their prepping endeavors. As long as the containers you are using are food-grade plastic or glass containers, they are suitable for water storage. You can use any plastic or glass container that previously held food or liquid, e.g., soda and water bottles, vinegar containers, juice, punch for milk jugs, etc. Stainless steel that has not been or will not be treated with chlorine can be used to store water (Chlorine is corrosive to metals).

Be sure to clean the used containers and lids thoroughly with hot soapy water, rinse them well with water, and sanitize the containers and lids by submerging them in a solution of 1 tablespoon chlorine bleach per gallon of water. Leave the containers wet for two minutes and then rinse them again with water.

Be sure to remove all paper or plastic lid liners before washing the lids. It is difficult to effectively remove all residue from many containers, so carefully clean hard-to-reach places like the handles of milk jugs. To sanitize stainless steel containers, place container in boiling water for 10 minutes. Never use containers that previously held chemicals.

I hope this helps, Deb, and thanks again for your questions.

Tess