Provident Living

Recipes from Stake Women's Conference Food Storage Class

2008-02-27T12:20:00.002-06:00

WHEAT
Wheat flour can be stored in freezer for up to 6 months without losing nutritional value.
In recipes, substitute 1 cup minus 2 T whole wheat flour for every 1 cup of white flour.
1 C uncooked wheat = 2 C cooked wheat
2 C whole wheat = 3 C ground flour
1 LB whole wheat = 2 1/4 C wheat berries

You CAN begin to use your wheat even if you don't have a Wheat Grinder.
COOKING WHOLE KERNEL WHEAT Add cooked wheat berries to salads, soups or knead into bread dough.
Wash one cup of wheat and soak in 2 c. cool water for 12 hours. Place rehydrated wheat in a pan and bring to a boil. It may be necessary to add water. Simmer for about one hour until tender. Wheat need not be covered with water since cooking by steam is effective (use a lid). Water should be mostly absorbed after the hour. The plump, cooked wheat will keep in a covered container in the refrigerator for about two weeks or frozen for longer. So, make lots and save time! (A slow cooker can also be used, as can a pressure saucepan – 1 cup wheat to 2 cups water at 15 lbs. Pressure for 15 minutes. Salt optional.)

Bread Sticks
1 1/2 C flour 1 1/4 C warm water 1 1/2 C flour
1 T yeast 2 T sugar/ 1 T honey
1 t salt 2 T oil
Mix together 1 ½ C flour, yeast and salt. Then add warm water, sugar, honey and oil. Mix for 3 minutes on high. Then add: 1 C flour, mix just enough to mix in flour, then change to dough hook, and add ½ C flour. Mix with dough hook for 8 minutes on High. Let dough rest for 10 minutes. Roll out on greased cookie sheet. Spread with butter, garlic salt, and Parmesan cheese. Bake 8-10 minutes at 500o. Cut into sticks with pizza cutter and serve. (My kids love these with any kind of pasta or soup!) *There is a total of 3 cups flour, I do half wheat flour and half white flour.

Whole Wheat Brownies
2 C sugar 1 C white flour 1/2 C cocoa
1 C butter 1 C whole wheat flour 1 C chocolate chips
4 eggs 1/4 t salt 1 t vanilla
Mix sugar and butter together in mixing bowl. Add eggs and vanilla; beat together. Add flour and salt; mix well. Add cocoa and mix well. Stir in chocolate chips. Spread in greased 9x13 pan. Bake for 35 minutes at 350 o.

Whole Grain Waffles
9 C wheat flour 1 C brown sugar
1 C white flour 1/4 C white sugar
1 1/2 C quick oats 10 eggs (I use powdered eggs)
3/4 C other grain (corn meal, ground flax, wheat germ, etc) 1 C oil
3 T baking powder 7 C milk (I use powdered milk)
2 t salt 2 T vanilla
Mix together dry ingredients. If using powdered eggs/milk, mix powders in with dry ingredients. In separate bowl, mix liquids, including water if using powder eggs or milk. Mix dry and wet ingredients well. Can store batter in fridge for 5 days. Waffles freeze well when slightly undercooked.

Wheat Meat Substitute
2 C cracked wheat 4 C beef broth (or water with bullion)
Crack wheat in blender, 1 cup at a time. Run blender in short spurts until most of the grains appear broken. Sift off wheat flour with sieve. Cook cracked wheat and bullion water just as you cook rice. Boil, then reduce heat until liquid is absorbed about 20 minutes.
Can freeze the wheat meat substitute in small portions. To increase flavor, add it while browning ground beef. Replace half the hamburger with meat substitute in recipes such as taco meat, beef stroganoff, chili, lasagna, or any casserole with ground beef. Meat substitute adds fiber and vitamins while reducing fat and expense.

Chicken Salad with Wheat Berries
1 C cooked wheat berries 1 15 oz can crushed pineapple drained 1 C chopped celery
1 14 oz can of chicken 1/2 C mayonnaise salt and pepper to taste.
Combine all ingredients and serve on rolls or crackers.

Wheat Grass
Soak wheat kernels in water for 24 hours. Fill container (can be very shallow) with moistened potting soil. Spread a layer of soaked kernels on top of soil. Spray with water bottle (you want the wheat to stay moist!) Cover with saran wrap and place near window/light. Make sure the wheat doesn't dry out. I usually spray the wheat once or twice daily, depending on how hot it is. In 1-3 days you will see the wheat starting to send out roots. (GOOD SIGN) In another day it will start to sprout. If you are using for Easter baskets, you will want it to be very thick. The grass will continue to thicken each day. Give it about 10-14 days. My kids love giving it a haircut! Continue to spray with water daily once it sprouts you can remove plastic wrap, just make sure not to let the soil dry out!

Great Whole Wheat Bread
2 T yeast
1 T sugar
1 C very warm water
1/2 C dry milk 1 T tahini (ground sesame seed)
1/4 C oil 2 T lecithin powder or 1 T liquid lecithin
1/4 C honey 1 vitamin C tablet, crushed (1000 mg)
1/4 C molasses 4 C warm water
2 T salt 9 C whole wheat flour (about 6 1/2 C wheat berries)
1/2 C ground flax seed 2-3 C white flour
Combine yeast, sugar and 1 cup water to proof yeast. When bubbly, add the rest of the ingredients except white flour. Mix with dough hook for 2 minutes to develop gluten. Gradually add as much white flour as dough will absorb until no longer sticky. Knead at least 7 minutes. Turn into greased bowl, cover with towel, let rise until double. Punch down dough and shape into 4 loaves. Put into greased loaf pans. Let rise again. Bake at 375 o for 30 minutes. Cool on rack.
This recipe does well in a Bosch Mixer. Kitchen Aid mixer bowl is smaller, so recipe may need to be cut in half. You will need a heavy duty mixer for this recipe unless you have really, really strong arms! Enjoy!

OATMEAL
Instant Oatmeal Packets
3 C quick-oats salt Snack Size Zip Bags
Put 1 cup oats in blender/food processor. Blend on high until powdery. Set aside in a small bowl. Into each bag place 1/4 cup un-powdered oats, 2 tablespoons, powdered oats, and 1/8 teaspoon salt. To serve: Empty packet into a bowl. Add 3/4 cup boiling water. Stir and let stand for 2 minutes.
Variations: add to each packet:
Brown Sugar/Cinnamon Oatmeal - 1 T brown sugar and 1/4 t Cinnamon
Sweetened Oatmeal - 1 T sugar or 1 packet 'Equal'
Apple-Cinnamon Oatmeal - 1 T sugar, 1/4 t Cinnamon, 2 T chopped dried apples
Oatmeal w/ Raisins and Brown Sugar - 1 T brown sugar and 1 T raisins
Fruit and Cream Oatmeal - 1 T non-dairy coffee creamer and 2 T dried fruit
No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
2 C sugar 1/2 C butter 1/2 C milk
1/3 C cocoa 1 t vanilla 4 C oats
In a large saucepan, combine sugar, butter, milk and cocoa. Bring to a boil and boil for 3 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla and oatmeal. Drop by spoonful onto wax paper. Let set until firm. Makes 3 dozen.

Granola
3 C oats 1 C slivered almonds 1 C cashews(or nuts of your choice)
3/4 C shredded sweet coconut 1/4 C plus 2 T brown sugar 1/4 C plus 2 T maple syrup
1/4 C vegetable oil 3/4 t salt 1 C raisins/craisins

Preheat oven to 250 o. In large bowl combine the oats, nuts and brown sugar. In a separate bowl, combine maple syrup, oil and salt. Combine both mixtures and pour onto 2 sheet pans. Cook for 50 minutes stirring every 15 to 120 minutes. Remove from oven and transfer to large bowl. Add raisins and mix. You can add other ingredients such as sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds etc. to suit your taste. Add before cooking.

Chocolate/Oatmeal Truffles
1/2 C melted butter 1 1/4 C chocolate powder (Nesquick) 1 1/4 C of blended oatmeal
Optional toppings: cocoa powder, sprinkles, crushed nuts, powdered sugar, chocolate chips
Mix all ingredients in a big bowl (you may need to use your hands). Roll into little balls with your hands. Place topping of your choice in a shallow bowl, and roll truffle until completely coated. Refrigerate. To use chocolate chips: melt chips in microwave and coat the truffle, place on wax paper to dry. Refrigerate.

Milk

Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 cup dry milk 3/4 cup sugar 1/2 cup warm water
Mix dry milk and sugar and add water. Set in pan of hot water (try using a double boiler) stirring until sugar is dissolved. This amount is equal to one can sweetened condensed milk.

Condensed Cream Soup
2 C powdered milk 3/4 C cornstarch 1/4 C instant chicken bullion or 12 cubes crushed in blender
2 T dried onion flakes 1 t basil 1/4 t thyme 1/2 t pepper
Combine all ingredients mixing well. Store in airtight container until ready to use. Equivalent to 9 cans of "cream of soup." To substitute for 1 can of condensed soup, combine 1/3 cup of dry mix with 1 1/4 cup cold water. Cook and stir until thickened. Add to casserole as you would a canned product. To make cream of mushroom soup, add a 4 oz can of mushroom, undrained, as part of the liquid.

Yogurt
Common one quart yogurt makers make wonderful, mild yogurt that is just like store bought plain, nonfat yogurt. Recipe: Whisk 1 cup powdered milk into 1 quart of water right in the yogurt maker container. Gently stir in1/4 -1/2 cup store bought plain nonfat yogurt. This "starter" provides the active cultures. In 6-10 hours, you have perfect yogurt! This yogurt serves as the starter for the next batch. Simple, cheap, versatile, healthy (provides probiotics for digestive health and 50% more calcium than plain milk), and helps rotate powdered milk.
Uses for yogurt:
Smoothies of any kind
Replaces part or all of fat in cornbread, muffins, quick breads, biscuits, scones, ranch salad dressing, homemade mac and cheese, white sauces, or mix with maple syrup for dipping pancakes and waffles
Can replace up to 1/2 the fat in cookies
Top hot or cold cereals with yogurt with or instead of milk for a creamy zing
Eat yogurt while still warm like a custard
Add jam or fresh fruit with sugar / honey instead of store-bought yogurts (lots less sugar and totally nonfat)
Rehydrate cannery apples with raisins & add cinnamon & sugar
Frozen yogurt (see 7 recipes on www.susanscookingclass.com - click "Frozen Yogurt Recipes to Try")
Add melted peanut butter and a little sugar, drizzle with chocolate sauce and peanuts for a "sundae"

Basic Fruit and Yogurt Smoothie
2-3 C fruit 2 C plain yogurt 1/2 C fruit juice 1 C ice
Combine all the ingredients in a blender. Process on high until the ice is completely crushed and the drink is smooth and creamy. Makes about 5 cups. Depending on the fruit, smoothie may be a bit tart, sweeten to taste.

No Crumb Cornbread
1/4 C canola oil 3/4 C plain, nonfat yogurt 1 1/2 C sugar
4 eggs 2 C yellow cornmeal (ground from popcorn) 3 C flour
4 t baking powder 1 t salt 3 C milk
For this recipe powdered milk and eggs were used, also homemade yogurt. Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs (egg powder and water at same time) and cornmeal. In another bowl mix remaining dry ingredients including 3/4 cup powdered milk. Alternate dry mix and 3 cups liquid (milk or water if powdered milk was added to dry ingredients.) Mix well. Grease 9x13 pan and place in preheated 375 o degree oven. Bake for 45 minutes.
Cornmeal is ground up popcorn purchased from Sams Club in a 50 pound bag. It costs about $10 or $11. Can freeze individual servings of cornbread.

Beans

Black Bean Salsa
1 1/2 C cooked black beans, drained OR 1-15 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 C chopped tomato 1 C chopped sweet yellow peppers 1/2 C chopped cilantro
1/2 C chopped green onions 1 jalapeno pepper, minced 3 T lime juice
1 T olive oil 1 T red wine vinegar 2 cloves garlic, minced
1 t salt 1/2 t cumin
If cooking dry black beans, salt cooking water. Chop and mix all ingredients. Better after flavors blend for 30 minutes. Serve with chips. It's colorful and delicious!

Quick Refried Beans
3/4 C pinto bean flour (pinto beans can be ground in most wheat grinders)
2 1/2 C water 1 t salt 1 t Ham bouillon or base
1/4 t cumin 1/2 t chili powder
Bring water, salt and bullion to a boil in a small saucepan. Whisk in the bean flour and seasonings. Cook while stirring over medium heat for a minute or until mixture thickens. Reduce heat to low, cover and cook 5 minutes. Add picante sauce to taste. Mixture thickens as it cools.

Black Refried Beans
2 C dried black beans 1 chopped onion (divided) 4 bouillon cubes
2 slices uncooked bacon (opt)
(additional items for the 2nd method of preparing refried beans: tomatoes, green bell pepper.)
Put beans in crock pot. Cover beans with about 5 inches of water. Add onion, bouillon and bacon. Cook until the beans are very soft. Mash beans with a fork or in the blender. In a frying pan add oil to generously cover bottom of pan, sauté remaining onion until brown. Discard onion. Add desired amount of beans (freeze leftovers). Cook well.
2nd Method:
Don't mash beans and add them to the hot oil as above and then add fresh chopped tomatoes and fresh chopped green bell pepper. Cook for 30 minutes. Serve as a side or in a burrito.
Beans may also be eaten as a soup. (Before they are mashed)

Refried Beans with Chorizo
1 LB pinto beans 8 C water (to cook beans) 12 oz chorizo (Mexican sausage) remove casings
1 T salt 2 T corn oil (Mazola)
Rinse beans in water and remove any small stones, dirt, or bad beans. Soak beans by submerging them in water overnight in any container. Drain and dispose of the water. Cook beans in fresh water:
Pressure Cooker Method: Put beans into a 4 quart pressure cooker with a 15 LB weight. Fill up the pressure cooker with water, up to the line that indicates the capacity for the pot (2 qts in common cookers). Cook for 30-35 minutes - until the beans are soft and the skins are barely breaking open.
Regular Method: Put beans into a pot and cover beans with at least 3 inches of water - about 3 quarts for 2 1/2 cups of dry beans. Bring to a boil and then lower heat to simmer, covered, for about 2 1/2 hours. The cooking time will vary depending on the batch of beans you have. The beans are done when they are soft and the skin is just beginning to break open.
Strain the beans from the cooking water. Add the oil to a wide, sturdy (not a flimsy stick-free lining) frying pan on medium heat. Add the Chorizo and break it into small pieces so that you can extend it over the pan while stirring it for about five minutes. Add the strained beans. Using a potato masher, mash the beans in the pan while you are cooking them, until they are a rough puree. Add some of the juice or cooking water of the beans if necessary to keep the fried beans from getting too dried out and bring to a boil. Add salt to taste. After the mashing is done, keep simmering on low heat for five minutes or until thoroughly cooked without drying the beans too much.

Aztec Chicken
4 C cooked black beans 2-4 chicken breasts 2-3 C salsa
1-4oz can green chilies (optional) 1 1/2 C frozen corn 8 oz cream cheese
Place raw chicken breasts in crock pot. Cover with salsa and green chilies. Cook 3 hours or until chicken begins to fall apart. Stir in beans and cook 30 min. Add corn and cream cheese. Heat through. Serve with tortilla chips or over rice. Makes a great bean dip or use in taco salad. This recipe freezes well. Freeze before adding cream cheese.

Black Bean and Rice Filling for Burritos
2 C dried black beans 2 C rice 1 sm onion(chopped)
2 T oil 1 t salt 3 T chipotle seasoning
Wash and sort black beans. Put in large Dutch Oven and cover with water and bring to boil. Cook for 2 minutes. Remove from heat cover pot with lid and let stand for one hour. Return to heat and simmer for 3 hours or until beans are soft. Cook rice and add chipotle seasoning just before rice is done cooking. Sauté onion in oil until tender. Combine beans, onions and rice and salt. Serve on warm tortillas or as a side dish.

Bean Oat Muffins
1 C cooked white or pinto beans 3/4 C milk 1 egg
1/4 C oil 1/2 C honey or sugar 1/2 t vanilla
1 C flour 3/4 C quick oats 1/2 t baking soda
1/2 t cinnamon 1/2 C chopped apples or raisins
Puree beans with milk in a blender until smooth. Pour into a bowl and beat in egg, oil, honey/sugar, and vanilla. Add in the dry ingredients, mixing until just moistened. Stir in apples or raisins. Fill paper-lined muffin cups about 3/4 full. Bake for 20 minutes at 375 o.

Resources:
www.providentliving.org - link on lds.org, click on Home and Family
Order form for Cannery for bulk foods and canning supplies (#10 cans and Mylar pouches)
Interactive Food Calculator for figuring how much food storage you need (click on Longer-Term Supply, then click on Product Recommendations)
Info on storing in PETE bottles, plastic buckets and using oxygen absorbers (click on Longer-Term Supply, then click on Packaging Recommendations).
Info on 3 Month Short Term Food Storage, Water Storage, and Financial Reserves

San Antonio Cannery (210)520-1122 Sister Johnson - ejworks39@yahoo.com

Emergency Essentials (Wheat Grinders/Food Storage Items / Emergency Prep Items /Group Specials) www.beprepared.com (800)993-1863

Walton Feed (Wheat Grinders/Food Storage Items / Emergency Prep Items)
www.waltonfeed.com (80)847-0465 135 North 10th PO Box 307, Montpelier, ID 83254

Bosch Kitchen Store (Wheat Grinders/Mixers/Recipes/Kitchen and Food Items)
www.spoilthecook.com (800)584-9943 in Orem, UT
www.blendtec.com Orem, UT (Wheat Grinders (Cannery has on display)

Industrial Container & Supply Co www.industrialcontainer.com (1 gallon & 2 quart clear PETE bottles & caps)

www.susanscookingclass.com (Tons of healthy recipes, many using food storage)

www.allrecipes.com (type in one ingredient, i.e. beans, and get multiple recipes)

www.amazon.com is a good place to buy a yogurt maker, watch for deals for free shipping
Yogurt Maker – Sultan is a good 1 Quart Yogurt Maker Coffee Grinders work great for grinding flax seed (too oily for wheat grinders) $10-$15 at Wal-Mart or HEB

Emily Peterson and Christa Wells * Vista Ridge Ward Emergency Prep Specialists * 2/23/08

Co-op

2008-02-05T23:23:00.002-06:00

In an effort to educated and prepare for disasters, Sister Nielsen has started a Co-op for the benefit of the entire community. The meeting will be held the 1st. Monday of each month and will focus on emergency preparedness. The first meeting provided insight into the essentials for 72hr. kits. Next month, we will be putting together id tags to include in our kits, and learning the procedures already in place for the Round Rock area.

Grace Presbyterian Church
1705 Gattis School Road
Round Rock, Texas 78664
512-255-9818

1st. Monday of each month
5:30-6:30

Celestial University

2008-02-05T23:09:00.000-06:00

Click here to view our commercial
Celestial University is a fun, new spin on the Pursuit of Excellence program for the Relief Society. We all have things we've been meaning to do. New things to learn, ways to be more self relient. Why not do the things we've been meaning to do, and have lots of fun doing it together?

There will be many different majors to choose from. Things like learning to sew, fall under the Home Economics degree; while rewriting your resume would be Career Development. There are lists of goals for each major, allowing you lots of variety. You will also be minoring in several subjects, so there will be lots of diverse things to do.

Once you have finished your goals, you will report these to the professor of that major. If you have general knowledge about the majors offered, we are looking for professors and would love for you to sign up. If you know how to sew, it would be great if a sister to ask you for advice or turn in her finished project for sign off!

This is also going to be a great way to introduce the YW into RS, since it falls in line with their Personal Progress!

Becoming Spiritually Centered

2008-02-05T23:05:00.000-06:00

click on the picture to view our commercial.

Welcome...
to our BECOMING SPIRITUALLY CENTERED seminar.
We are really excited to be offering this course. Brother Cox has taught the Becoming Spiritually Centered seminar for twenty-five years and over 15,000 people have attended. He has officially retired from teaching the BSC seminar, so the next best option is to have him come to your home, through this DVD series.
This program is designed to help you become spiritually centered so you can use the problems and experiences of this life for spiritual growth and learn to enjoy each day.
The purpose of the BSC materials is to become one with Christ and thereby:
· Learn how to make each day worthwhile regardless of what is happening in the Telestial world.
· Learn and practice the steps necessary to change one's thought patterns to match the Saviors.
Then you discover that one of your thought patterns needs improving; refer to the four steps for change to make that improvement. As your thoughts, feelings, and acts become closer to matching the Saviors, your enjoyment of each day will increase. Everyday will become worthwhile for spiritual growth, and your hope to be raised unto Eternal Life will increase.
Have Brother Cox come to your home and teach you and your family and friends how to change your thought patterns via DVD. These 8 DVD's, one for each of the eight week program, invite you to compare one or more of the Savior's thought patterns to your own. Then do the assignment for the next seven days and experience the difference of seeing, thinking, and feeling as the Savior does. Over the eight week period you will have the opportunity to improve twelve of your thought patterns.
Thousands of seminar participants have seen the difference it has made in their lives. Husband and wife relationships have improved. Problems with children, finances, health problems and overcoming low feelings of self-worth have become a spiritual growth experience.

72 HR. Kits

2008-02-03T13:12:00.000-06:00

If you didn't get your order in for the Stake 72 hr. kit, don't worry.

Sister Emily Peterson from the Vista Ridge Ward is putting another one together.

Kit Contents

Backpack

3600 Calorie Bar

3 pieces of hard candy

6 - 8.4 boxes of water

Tube Tent

Emergency Sleeping Bag

Emergency Tape

Emergency Poncho

5 - in - 1 Whistle

3 Hand/Body Warmers

Light stick

Strike Anywhere Matches

LED Headlamp and batteries

100 Hour Candle

AM/FM Radio and batteries

N95 Respirator Mask

Roll of TP

27 Piece First-Aid Kit

If we order 150+ the price is $44

If we order 250+ the price is $41

I am collecting $44, if we reach the 250 goal,

I will refund the money.

Orders & money are due March 2nd.

You can make your checks out to the Round Rock Ward and give them to a member of the RS Presidency.

If you would like to customize your 72 hr. kits, visit the Emergency Essentials website at beprepared.com. From there you can customize anything from hand tools, to firestarters, food, shelter, beddings and more. You can also order the free catalog. If you have any questions, click on the comments bar below and I will add the answers to the post.

Cannery Order Forms

2008-01-31T13:44:00.002-06:00

FEB. 2008

We now have an updated order form for the Cannery. You can digitally place your order on the document and email it to me at the time indicated for the next cannery trip. Though we don't have our dates finalized just yet, we will be getting them to you soon. Look for updates in the RS newsletter.

My Provident Living email address:
rrwpls@gmail.com

Cannery Changes

2007-08-29T08:49:00.000-06:00

. The following items are no longer available: 1 month kits, Chocolate Pudding, Vanilla Pudding, Refried Beans.

White flour will be discontinued when current inventories are gone. Potato Pearls will be changing to a type of Potato Flake in the near future. The time frame is currently being presented as the first of the year. However, as with anything else that time frame can change on short notice.

We are going to be getting a Cannery and Store House here in the Round Rock area!!

Strengthening The Family

2007-03-14T23:53:00.000-06:00

Doesn't everyone wish children came with an instruction book? Here is a new course developed by LDS Family Services to help you understand the principles of effective parenting, improve your parenting skills, rear happy and successful children, and foster harmonious and loving relationships in the home. By clicking on the link you will be taken to the website, from which you can download and print off the manuals.

The course covers nine topics. Gospel principles provide the foundation and framework for each topic.

Parenting Principles and Practices
Understanding Child Development
Communicating with Love
Nurturing Children
Fostering Confidence
Overcoming Anger
Resolving Conflict
Teaching Responsible Behavior
Applying Consequences

Get Connected!

2007-02-03T13:02:00.000-06:00

Have you ever forgotten the time for our Ward Activity, or do you needed to call someone in the Primary Presidency to let them know you found a substitute for your class? Need to get an address or phone number of a member? What could be easier than logging onto the LDS.org website and finding all the information you need right there?

Found under the Stake and Ward section are the Stake and Ward Membership and Leadership Directories that have phone numbers, addresses, and emails. The other day I needed to get in touch with the Stake R.S. President about the canning equipment, I logged onto the Stake and Ward website and clicked on Stake Home, then I selected Leadership Directory. I found the RS leadership section and from there was able to send an email to the RS President requesting training on the canning equipment. From the Stake site I selected another ward and was able to find the number to the Provident Living Specialist in my other ward.

Go online and print out the Visiting Teaching Message for the month and the addresses for all the sisters you visit teach. You can even prepare a lesson or a talk

There are many other advantages to being able to access the Stake and Ward website. When is our next Stake Conference, or Ward activity? Wouldn’t it be great to know when Young Women’s Camp was, so you could schedule your summer vacation and still allow for camp? Or maybe you need to know more about the scouting events. From this site we can view the calendar of events from the General, Stake, and Ward level. It even has when our Fast Sunday’s are for Conference!

Under the News & Information section, our Ward has emergency preparedness information. It details what the responsibilities of the priesthood and home teachers are; and it describes how we will be contacted in the event of an emergency.

I was recently asked to substitute for one of the CTR 5 class. I logged onto LDS.org and selected Preparing a Lesson! From there I printed out the lesson and the handouts that were supplied with the Manual.

Under the Preparing a Lesson section, I found they even have the Family Home Evening Resource Book and the Family Guidebook. There is also some fantastic information about how to improve Family Home Evenings, and access to the Sharing Time sections of the Friend magazine, by selecting Past Issues. Those work great for finding a fun activity to go with your lesson, or just use the scripture and story they have provided with each activity. Here’s an example. Our enrichment this month will be on how to use Church Materials for FHE, so mark it on your calendar (or print out this month’s calendar from our ward website!) and we’re looking forward to seeing you there.

In order to register with this site, all you need is your membership number and confirmation date. The Ward Clerk can give you a copy of your membership record and all this information can be found there.

10 Common Challenges Facing Families

2007-02-02T14:17:00.000-06:00

Ten Common Challenges Facing Families

"What is the great strength of [this] Church? . . . It is the emphasis which we place on families. . . . Keep your families close together and love and honor your children."
—President Gordon B. Hinckley
"Family Home Evening," Ensign, Mar. 2003, 3

Today, families are facing unique challenges that were unknown years ago. This feature emphasizes 10 common challenges and provides help for parents in navigating the stormy waters created by these issues.

Ten Common Challenges Facing Families

Out-of-Wedlock Pregnancy

Emotional and Mental Problems

Substance Abuse and Addictions

Eating Disorders

Stress

Pornograph

Find Out More about How LDS Family Services Can Help
LDS Family Services provides free consultation to priesthood leaders and fee-based counseling services to Church members for a variety of situations and needs. These services can help individuals and families improve their quality of life. LDS Family Services has over 55 offices in the United States and 9 international offices.

New Online Financial Course

2007-02-02T14:02:00.000-06:00

Peace in Your Hearts: Managing Household Finances Wisely

Peace in your Hearts is a new online course developed by Welfare Services as a tool to help members understand debt and how to manage their finances.

The use of consumer debt is growing at an alarming rate. Many are struggling under a heavy burden of debt. There is a way out. You can know of the peace, security, and joy that come from obedience to principles outlined by the Lord’s servants.

This course will help you understand debt, and manage your finances to avoid or eliminate it in your life. These lessons will help you understand what you need to change, and the steps you need to take to be successful.

FHE

2007-01-22T22:11:00.000-06:00

Family Home Evenings are vital for our families spiritual development, and sometimes getting started can be the hardest part. It's best to have a plan. The Church's Family Home Evening Manual can help, and the lessons have adaptions for children, teenagers and adults. The Ensign, New Era, and Friend all have ideas for FHEs and can be found online by going to lds.org and selecting Gospel Library PDF format. For a fantastic Sharing Time Index with songs, activities and stories lds.about.com has some already set up. They have many the printable activities that go with the lessons from the Friend. They also have some great booklets that would work for FHE, YM, YW, or Primary lesson handouts.

Deseret online has FHE ideas by topic, they even have a treat recipe with each lesson. LDSSplash has FHE tips and games, and be sure to check out Familiesinzion for some additional ideas for lessons. It makes planning FHE's easier if you have a theme. This may follow the yearly Primary or Youth. You may also do the Articles of Faith, or Scripture Mastery.

If you are looking for some origional activities, you could make your own word searches, cryptograms, and crosswords. You could insert your own names and make them relevant to the specific lesson your trying to teach. You can also create your own bingo cards, you could include your children's names and anything that may pertain to your lesson.

LDS.about.com has some fantastic printable games like: Nephi's Boat, Book of Mormon Scripture Cards, Red Sea Troubles (file folder game), Book of Mormon Scavenger Hunt, Ten Plagues. They also have some printable assignment flower pot charts or wheels. They also have a really good FHE treat recipe book.

JennySmith.net also has some really fun games to go with any age FHE.

There are also some fabulous coloring pages from the Friend. This link will ease the burden of having to search each issue for those pages. Here's a great Pioneer Coloring Book. It was derived from several journals of real pioneer girls. Jennysmith.net also has a section of coloring pages that range from primary lessons to holidays.

Keeping minutes of your FHE's can be a really fun way to record family memories.
Here's a great link for making assignment boards and costumes to really do up your FHE!

Food Storage

2007-01-17T19:57:00.000-06:00

Use this food calculator from the Provident Living website to figure the minimum food storage amounts for your family. It is also helpful to know how long dry-pack products last, and to have an inventory tracking sheet.

It’s easy to rotate your food storage when you have some recipes .

Because it takes time to plan and learn to use traditional food storage items, here are some other food storage plans. Once a Month Cooking not only helps add to your food storage, it saves time cooking every night. There is also a “Can Plan” which suggests you plan one meal entirely from cans and other dried storable foods. Then purchase the ingredients to make 12 of these meals.

Kits

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A 72hr. kit includes much more than just food. It includes bedding, fuel, personal supplies, medicines, and other items. Your 72 hr. kit should be updated every 6 months. A good way to remember this is to do it with every General Conference. Everyone can switch out summer for winter clothes and eat their food. You could even set up the tent and check for wear and tear. Small children should also have an Activity Survival Kits so they will have things to do and comfort items.

You could also make school or office supply kit:

1 Light Stick, safe no spark or flame. -No batteries required.
2 Nutrition Bars, 400 calories each. Five year storage life
3 Drinking Water Pouches. Purified water with five year shelf life.
4 "Grabber" warm pack. Hours of safe warmth self activated.
1 Thermal reflective, emergency blanket. Retains warmth.
1 Poncho with hood. Lightweight emergency design. Compact
1 Tissue Pack - Moist Wipes - Waste Bags Dust Mask
8 inch x 10 inch clear, heavy thickness, zip top bag.

A Car Kit, a First Aid Kit and a good list for Basic Emergency Supplies will really help us prepare for the unexpected. There are some excellent emergency planning information web sites.

Documentation and Tx Guidelines

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There are many different things we must do when preparing for an emergency. Having bank account, credit card, insurance, and medical information on hand can be very helpful. How about putting together a Document Book and an extensive Home Inventory ahead of time?

In the event your family isn't together during an emergency come up with a family plan and go over meeting places and contacts. It is also a good idea to have a travel size medical information sheet for each family member. Put a copy of the kids information sheet in their backpacks and have one by emergency numbers for babysitters. Put one in your wallet or purse and keep copies in the car in case of accidents.

There are some excellent emergency planning information web sites. Having a great comprehensive emergency check list, and a detailed guidebook on planning for any emergency will be very beneficial.

The state of Texas has a really good website which provides credible and reliable information relating to disaster preparedness in our area. It's also a good idea to know the schools emergency policies in the area. Also, be sure to check the ward website for emergency preparedness information. Just log on to lds.org and click on the Stake and Ward Web Site section. It will ask you to sign on. If you don't have an account set up yet, you’ll need your membership number and your confirmation date. The ward clerk can get you your membership info sheet (you also got one during your tithing settlement) and that’s all you’ll need to be able to set up an account. Once you’re on the web site, you can reach the emergency preparedness information under the section titled "News and Information".

Emergency Preparedness as a Family

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Emergency preparedness can make great Family Home Evening Activities. By planning ahead and allowing our children to be involved with the process, we will all be better prepared in the event of an emergency.

The National Hurricane Center has some educational "wanted posters" about weather “bullies”. This section teaches hurricane, storm surge, flood, high wind, tornado, and Rip Current basics and safety. Also on this page is a scavenger hunt for your disaster supply kit, and a hurricane tracking chart at the bottom of the page.

Teaching children about using 911 is also very important; this link has some great ideas and printable activities. FEMA has a terrific web site full of activities and books you can order for free, and the Dept. of Homeland Security has a fun kids website with good ideas on planning and kits. The website also has some fun online games dealing with emergency preparedness, and here is a great idea for making an emergency floor plan

The church has some great emergency preparedness family home evening ideas in the Family Home Evening Resource Book and additional articles occasionally appear in the Ensign and Friend.

Emergency Numbers

Emergency Supplies

Protecting your home against fire

Making your home a tough target for theives

Earthquake Preparation

Making a survival kit

Water Safety Skills

FHE Treasure Map

Father's Day Gift- Pocket Survival Kit