"Know the peace that comes from providing for yourself and your family in case of emergency or financial difficulty."


Ham Bouillon

There is nothing to compare with ham and bean soup made a ham hock. This flavor can be imitated without a ham hock using ham bouillon and a 5-oz. can of chunk ham with amazing results. You can also Real bacon pieces to bean soups made with ham bouillon.


Ham bouillon is less commonly found. Order Custom Culinary Chef's Granular Ham Base in a jar online at www.gygi.com. Goya Ham Flavored Concentrate (granules), sold in a small box of packets, can be found in the Hispanic food section at Walmart or at some Mexican or Asian grocery stores.

Granules are preferable to store because they require no refrigeration after opening. They have a shelf life of around 5- 8 years when stored in a cool, dark place and will last up to 3 years on the shelf after opening.

Update on foil tape used for making applebox reflector ovens


Be sure to use "metal repair tape" when making applebox reflector ovens. Other kinds of foil tape can melt and emit noxious fumes.

Summer Salads with Food Storage


Refreshing salads made with rice, pasta, canned beans and meats are delicious even without an emergency! Dried green peppers and celery are easy to substitute for fresh and very convenient when you’re in a hurry. Use these substitutions: 1 stalk of celery = 2 T. dried, ¼ cup diced green peppers = 2 T. dried. Simply soak these dried foods in double the amount of lukewarm water for 10 minutes while you prepare the rest of the salad. Drain the dried vegetables and add them to the salad.

Dried onions are a great substitute for green onions. These contribute the best flavor when added dry, without pre-soaking them.

Yummy homemade dressings can be made with vinegar, bottled lemon or lime juice, oil and spices. It’s amazing how great the flavor can be.

You will find a collection of 46 delicious summer salads in our new 3rd Edition.

Storing charcoal

August and September are good times to look for end of season sales on charcoal and stock up. This is a great cooking fuel to store because it stores indefinitely.

Charcoal must be protected against moisture. The Kingsford Charcoal Company web site now recommends storing charcoal in a cool, dry place. However, some people store charcoal in a garage or shed in the original bags and, for additional protection against moisture, place them in plastic containers or large plastic bags. In humid climates, there is some concern that just the right combination of humidity and heat can cause charcoal to spontaneously combust. One interesting web site lists an impressive amount of research from foremost authorities suggesting that spontaneous combustion is unlikely with the quantities of charcoal people would store at home. When storing any fuel in or around your residence, always check your insurance policy and any applicable city or county ordinances. Check with your local fire authorities for their recommendations. Then you decide how to store your charcoal.

Food storage gifts that make a difference

If you're looking for food storage gift ideas for Christmas or for birthdays, check out Leslie's article here.

Emergency Sanitation and Hygiene

Go to National Terror Response Center for important information about preventing the spread of disease after a disaster strikes, including how to deal with human waste when sewer mains are damaged or broken. EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THIS. Ideas are given for making temporary toilet provisions and waste disposal.

Disaster preparedness

Don’t be fooled by FEMA administrative difficulties during recent disasters…FEMA’s Are You Ready? book is an outstanding resource for individuals and families to prepare for disasters. Disaster preparedness information can be complicated to gather and remember. This concise information is laid out in easy- to- read bullets with a simple self-test at the end of each section. Order a free copy at www.fema.gov/areyouready or call 1-800-480-2520. Don’t forget to read the “After A Disaster” section at the back of the book…ahead of time.

FEMA also offers a children’s coloring book with simple information for teaching children about disasters. This is a great resource to help children remember what to do in case of a disaster.