Year's supply of food--What we actually used

This is from Mary Bergman's book, Survival Family. (See previous post below for more information)

"these are items we actually used for a family of 8...
12 cases canned tomatoes, 4 cases canned corn, 2 cases canned beans
1/2 case canned peas, 20 fresh pumpkins, 600 lbs potatoes, 25 heads cabbage
200 lbs carrots, 100 lbs onions, 5 cases canned peaches, 4 cases fruit cocktail, 2 cases of pears, 1 case of plums, 1 case mandarin oranges, 2 cases corned beef, 2 cases Spam, 1 1/2 cases of canned turkey, 3 cases tuna, 4 cases of whole cooked chickens, 1/4 case mackaral;
20 lbs dried kidney beans, 40 lbs pinto beans, 25 lbs Great Northern beans; (We had several thousand pounds of dried beans on hand. The national estimate for a year's supply is 50 lbs per person per year. that is a lot of beans and I have yet to see the family that can consume that amount of beans and still have any desire to stay alive!)
100 lbs of long and short grain rice, 10 lbs of lentils (mainly for sprouting),
1 1/2 cases dried eggs, 50 lbs dry milk;
120 lbs spaghetti, macaroni and noodles
6 cases of dry soup mix
120 lbs honey, 100 lbs raw sugar, 400 lbs flour, 2 cans baking powder, 2 lbs yeast, 2 cases of shortening, 1/2 case baking soda;
2 cases jelly, 12 bottles lemon juice, 1 case canned cheese, 2 cases evaporated milk, 1 case Karo syrup, 75 lbs raisins, 2 cases tomato sauce, 1 case tomato paste, 5 gallons vinegar, 1 case mayonnaise, 3 jars mustard, 12 gallons pickles, 4 cases instant pudding mix, 22 cases jello, 85 lbs peanut butter, 16 gallons catsup;
100 lbs rolled oats, 50 lbs rolled wheat, 24 lbs cracked wheat, 1 case canned wheat, 20 lbs wheat germ;
2 cases cream of chicken soup, 3 cases cream of mushroom soup, 2 cases of cream of celery soup, 2 cases vegetable soup, 4 jars of boullion cubes;
Spices of garlic salt, onion salt, pepper, chili powder, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, oregano, paprika, 1 case of table salt, popcorn, nuts.
.....There are changes we would have made had we known before hand. We would have included more convenience items such as cake mixes, pie filling and frosting mix, precooked or instant potatoes. We ran out of cheese whiz, walnuts, jelly, pears and fruit cocktail."

Survival Family--Peanut butter, Jelly & Cheese Whiz

When we were living in Morgan, the Bergman family (of Porterville) cut off electricity, phone, gas, water, etc and lived an entire year on their own. This happened in 1978. The next year I was a La Leche League leader and helped Mary Bergman with a breastfeeding problem. She gave me an autographed copy of the book she wrote about her experiences of the Year of Experimental Disaster. That book disappeared shortly after we moved to Ogden. Recently, I obtained another copy and found it extremely fascinating. I will share some of highlights in this blog.
"After the basic sustaining items food items such as wheat, dry milk, salt and honey, there are other items which, though not life sustaining, are definitely life savers. Among these are peanut butter and jelly and jars of Cheese Whiz. When all else goes wrong, and believe me it does, an old fashioned peanut butter and jelly sandwich or macaroni and cheese is a godsend."

June 1976 Talk

Many writers have written fascinating, but grim accounts of the future. In 1940, George Orwell wrote a book called 1984. In it, he imagined a life where not only personal actions, but thoughts were subject to rigid control under an iron dictatorship supported by advanced science and technology. One of the prevailing themes of future fiction is food shortages…Indeed, who needs fiction? You only need to look back in history to the Saints in Winter Quarters where there was hardship and insufficient and improper food. “Black leg” or scurvy was rampant and devastating. Potatoes from Missouri and horseradish found near an abandoned fort saved many.
(Quote Pres. Benson)
There are many accounts in both the Bible and BOM about times of famine and how the Lord warned and provided ways for the obedient to survive. There are countless nightmare possibilities concerned with food supply—strikes, civil disorder, shortages, crop failure.
Long before 1984 our own nightmare could come. Imagine yourself having a bad dream. You are in a market with your empty basket and grocery list. A sick feeling comes over you as you look down the aisles at the nearly empty shelves. Some things are still left, but not what you need. No loaf of bread or bottle of milk. You have 5 children to feed and are overcome with panic. Up here in a rural area, perhaps we are not as fearful as many in the city. A lot of us have cows, goats, chickens, large gardens. Some have large dairy farms. We should not be complacent.
Continuing the nightmare—there is no gas. People are walking or riding bicycles. Your husband is out of work, stores are closing, schools have shut down. People pack their belongings and walk up canyons to rural areas, hoping to find produce and food. Many cannot even find sturdy shoes to walk in. Your cupboards are becoming empty. You didn’t plant a garden this year or put up any food—too busy for such messes. Your mind now flashes constantly from one worry to another. Winter will be coming soon. No fuel or wood for the fireplace. You worry about the children becoming sick and not being able to get medicine. Depressing visions of Thanksgiving and Christmas cloud your mind. The children won’t be visiting their grandparents this year. You think of past holidays, happy times and delicious and plentiful dinners. You stand in a trance, not being able to think. Vaguely, you remember being warned. Why didn’t you listen and obey? You feel like you are in a deep dark hole with no way out.
What a relief it would be to awaken from this bad dream. But, don’t feel too relieved. This nightmare may arrive for some. There are many emergencies besides famine for which supplies come in handy—unemployment, sickness, strikes.
For most of us, there is still time!
Take a lesson from the hen. All the clucking in the world won’t provide; it’s the scratching that does. Clucking might tell everyone we’ve laid an egg, but the scratching feeds the chicks.
What better insurance could we have than a rotated year’s supply? It would be worth more than a large bank account. History shows us excellent reasons for storage. But, the most important reason is that we have been told to do so by our prophets. In our last conference, Pres. Kimball reaffirmed counsel and encouraged us over and over to be prepared with our year’s supply and to learn to produce our own necessities. He emphasized sewing, handcrafts, keeping our yards and homes in order and cleaned up. Avoid debt. He repeated the scripture many times, “Why call me Lord, Lord and do not the things which I say.” The Lord will provide, but in His own way.
Brother Featherstone’s talk was the cornerstone that really got to the specific details. We have No need to fear if we are prepared! We just have to follow the prophet’s counsel. Raise animals if possible, plant gardens and fruit trees. Involve your children in assigned tasks. Eat as much as you can fresh, and preserve the surplus.
The Lord will make it possible for every family to have your year’s supply by April, 1977 if you make your commitment. Do everything possible and miracles will happen. We will prove by our actions and willingness to obey, serve and love.
Many times we hear those around us speak discouragingly. “What about my neighbors who don’t obey counsel? Do I have to share with them? Indeed what would Jesus do?
Or what about those who fear plundering and stealing. Don’t give this one more idle thought. If we have obeyed, do you suppose that He would abandon us? Example: Idaho flood.
Now we are convinced. What should we do?
1. Take inventory.
2. Decide what is needed to bring up to year’s supply. Quote: Harold B. Lee.
3. Prepare a plan. Make a goal. April, 1977.
4. Get basics first. Buy from your monthly food allowance.
5. Then consider things besides the basics—such as drinking water, vitamins, clothing, sewing items, supplementary cooking units, first aid supplies, cleaning supplies, bedding, baby items, vegetable seeds.

Now you are committed, you have a plan and a goal. Now all you need is money to make it happen and there isn’t enough to go around.
1. Cut Christmas Expenses by at least 50%. Buy storage items for each other. Wheat grinder, wheat. Sleeping bags.
2. If you desire new clothes, don’t buy them. Make your wardrobe last longer.
3. Cut recreation by at least 50%. Do things that don’t require money. As a family, decide NOT to go on a vacation until you have your year’s supply.
4. If you don’t have your supply, but have luxury items such as boats, campers, snowmobiles, sell or trade them.
5. Watch for advertised specials in stores. Buy cases or in bulk when prices are good.
6. Get protein from less expensive sources than meat. Cut out store bought goodies like candy, cookies, ice cream, magazines, soda pop, etc. Set the saved money aside and buy storage items.

Now you have your basics and are working on additional items. Remember to rotate canned goods and other items. Learn to make sprouts. Have cracked wheat cereal or whole wheat. Get a grinder and use whole wheat flour in your cooking. Learn how to use your storage. There are many books available on this subject. Gain a knowledge of edible wild plants. How about stinging nettle and dandelion root beer? Burdock chowder? Purslane Pickles? Sunflower cake?
We are told that God will open doors and use ways and means we would never suppose to help us if we truly want to get our supply.

Lavender

Essential oils are great for many things. If you had to pick one for preparedness and storage, pick LAVENDER. It is reasonably priced, readily available and keeps quite a while in storage, especially if kept in sealed bottles and away from heat and light.

Using Lavender

Unlike most essential oils, lavender can be applied undiluted (termed "neat"). It may be used alone or in combination with most other oils. Essential oils are generally applied with a carrier oil such as olive to massage into the skin. Add 3-5 drops of oil to bath water for a relaxing bath.

A century ago almost every cologne contained lavender oil. Today it is being rediscovered by a new generation learning to bask in its multiple benefits. It benefits so many of the body's systems:

Digestive - Stimulates the production of gastric juices and bile, aids digestion, increases intestinal mobility. Used to treat dyspepsia, flatulence, colic, nausea, diarrhea.

Genito-urinary - Stimulates the production of urine, restores hormonal balance, reduces cramps. Used to treat infections, leucorrhea and cystitis.

Circulation - Lowers blood pressure, used for hypertension

Muscles/joints - Reduces muscular tension, relieves pain, used to treat muscular aches, rheumatism, lumbago, sprains.

Respiratory - Antiseptic, antispasmodic. Used for throat infections, flu, bronchitis, whooping cough, asthma, sinus congestion, laryngitis, tonsillitis.

Skin - Antiseptic, controls the production of sebum, stimulates circulation in the skin. Assists in the healing of wounds (aids in the formation of scar tissue) and helps to rejuvenate the skin. Used to treat acne, cuts, burns, sunburn, inflammation, psoriasis, wrinkles.

Emotions - Calming, refreshing and relaxing, used to treat depression, headache, insomnia, headache, nervous exhaustion, restlessness, moodiness. Clears the head, increases mental alertness.

Other - Used to treat insect bites and nettle stings. Repels moths.

Can also be used as a safe and effective deodorant.

I recommend a 1/2 oz. or 15 ml. bottle for storage purposes. Rotate, if possible.
It can be ordered from several different places. One of my favorites is Nature's Gift.
I also have some in stock for around $10 a bottle.

You can read more about the emotional benefits of Lavender and its "personality" at Dream Packer Profiles.

Cayenne

Cayenne should be in your survival first aid kit. It can either be in capsules or powder. There is a lot of information out there on the value of this herb. Cayenne link
It can stop hemorrhaging within a minute and can prevent shock. (This is from personal experience when I was thrown from a horse and ruptured the spleen). Supposedly, will stop a heart attack in three minutes. Helps digestion, enhances both other herbal remedies and OTC medications such as Ibuprofen. Excellent to reduce inflammation and is also somewhat antiseptic. Helps digestion. Can be purchased in pound packages from Frontier. The 90,000 units is recommended. It is subject to weevils (go figure) after a year or so if the package has been opened, so it needs to be kept in sealed packages and/or rotated. 1/4 lb. or 4 bottles of capsules should be enough for a storage situation. More, if you take it regularly, like I do.

Olive Oil

Not only as a food, but as a an oil for cooking. It is rich in nutrients. Can be used in massage for children/babies who cannot keep food down for nourishment and keep them from becoming dehydrated. Can be used for skin care, especially useful to add essential oils to for massage. It keeps for a year without refrigeration once opened. Sealed bottles keep longer, up to three years. Recommend at least half of your stash be Virgin or Extra Virgin.


Recommended amount: Approximately 1-2 years supply (2- 5 gallons), extra if you have room for possible bartering. Smaller bottles are preferable, as it keeps longer un-opened. Also can store regular vegetable oil for cooking as it is less expensive. Recommend a case of 24 of canola, corn, soy or safflower oils. Remember to date your purchases and rotate.