One thing that I've been up to for the past year or so is emergency preparedness. Some years ago there was a period of a few months where my husband had spotty employment. Having food stored really helped us. And there have been a few power outages and winter storms where having alternate heating and food prep would have been helpful. So, in an effort to be more prepared for emergencies and lean years, I've been working on food storage and other emergency preparedness.
There are tons of great resources on the internet, much better than I could ever write myself. So, I am giving you my list of links. It is in no way comprehensive of all the websites and info out there, but it'll get you started.
http://www.redcross.org – The original experts in preparedness
http://www.providentliving.org – LDS Church’s official preparedness website. Good info for beginners
http://www.ready.gov – FEMA website, lots of good info, including links for kids
http://www.cdc.gov – Center for Disease Control website
http://www.pandemicflu.gov – Gov. site regarding pandemics in your area and what to do
http://www.emd.wa.gov/preparedness/prep_prepare_year.shtml - Prepare in a year program
http://foodstoragemadeeasy.net/babystep-checklists/ - Great site for beginners. Weekly to-do lists.
http://www.survival-spot.com/survival-blog/ - Survival info
http://www.backwoodshome.com/article_index.html#fr – Practical ideas for self-reliant living
http://www.preparedplanet.com/index.html - Self-sufficiency
http://www.theprudenthomemaker.com – The prudent homemaker
http://www.allaboutfoodstorage.com – Simple and healthy food storage ideas
http://www.yourownhomestore.com/ - Self-reliance and food storage
http://www.selfreliantsisters.blogspot.com/ - Emergency preparedness
http://preparedldsfamily.blogspot.com/ - Food storage and preparedness info
http://www.ldspreppers.com/showthread.php/218-Free-Survival-EBooks?s=26956792c7bd0db2c46b5df621764bcf – Free survival E-books
Gardening and homesteading:
http://www.pvcplans.com – Free plans for greenhouses, cold frames…
http://www.backyardgardener.com/etera/index.html - Backyard gardening info source
http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/ndsuag/ – NDSU agriculture website
http://www.pioneerliving.net/ Back to basics online magazine. Homesteading, gardening, etc.
Using your food storage:
http://www.stilltasty.com – Ultimate shelf life guide
http://www.scoutorama.com/recipe - Dutch oven recipes
http://everydayfoodstorage.net/ - Using your food storage
http://www.wheatgrasskits.com/information.htm - Everything you need to learn how to do sprouting
http://www.simplylivingsmart.com/ - Food storage recipes and videos
http://www.pccnaturalmarkets.com/guides/tips_beans.html - Learn to cook with beans
Preserving food:
http://nchfp.uga.edu/ - Home food preservation
http://food.unl.edu/web/preservation/canning - Home food preservation info
http://www.storefood.com/books/ - Books to help you use and store whole grains
http://www.dehydrate2store.com/ - Videos, recipes, how-to dehydrate
http://foodstorageandpreparedness.blogspot.com/2009/06/conversion-chart-for-dry-pack-canning.html - Conversion chart for canning with #10 cans
Storage racks (to buy or build):
http://waterstoragerack.blogspot.com/p/result.html - free water and can rotation rack plans and info
http://www.rnrfoodorganizers.com/rollerunits - Can rotation units (only available in Utah). Has free planning guide
http://www.wikihow.com/Build-a-Rotating-Canned-Food-Shelf - Free plans for can rotating shelf
http://www.mycanrotation.com/shelving.htm - Free can rotating shelf plans
http://www.providentliving.org.nz/can-dispensers/ - 3 different rotating shelf plans for free (bookshelf, box and gravity styles)
http://www.canracks.com – Plans for sale to build your own can rotating rack
Places to shop for food storage or survival items:
http://www.alisonspantry.com – Yummy foods
http://www.glutenfreebcg.com – Gluten-free bulk foods
http://honeyvillegrain.com – Bulk food storage
http://thefoodstorageshopper.net/ - Help with shopping for food storage items
http://www.internet-grocer.net – ‘Best Prices Storable Foods’
http://www.northernoutfitters.com – Winter clothing
http://progressiverx.com/index.html - Created for those who can’t afford the meds they need
http://preparednesspantry.blogspot.com/ - Great blog for Emergency Essentials Company (www.beprepared.com)
http://www.outdoorcooking.com/ - All the equipment and tools for cooking outdoors
http://www.surewatertanks.com – For high capacity water storage
http://www.epcontainers.net/ - Sells water containers of all sorts
http://thermalcooker.wordpress.com/category/thermal-cookers/wonderbox/ - Thermal cooking methods
http://waltonfeed.com/ - Long term food storage and supplies
http://www.bulkfoods.com/default.html - Bulk foods (including chocolate!)
http://www.outfitterwarehouse.com/ - Tents and tent stoves
http://grandmascountry.com/ – Grandma’s Country Foods online store
http://www.basegear.com – Outdoor survival gear
http://www.emergencypacks.com/lighting.htm - Survival kits
http://theepicenter.com/index.html - Emergency prep item out of Eugene, OR
http://www.theexpandedpantry.com/cart/index.php – long term pantry needs
http://www.thereadystore.com – Food storage and emergency supplies; weekly newsletter
http://www.americanfamilysafety.com - Safety kits
http://www.disasterstuff.com – Online disaster supplies
http://www.smartfoodservice.com – Cash and carry local store for bulk buying
http://www.survivalgearfirst.com – Survival gear and supplies
http://www.life-assist.com – Medical/first aid supplies
http://www.1stopfoodstorage.com – Delicious food storage packages
http://www.pleasanthillgrain.com – Grain mills, water purification, etc.
http://www.yourfoodstorage.com – Freeze-dried, dehydrated foods
http://www.shelfreliance.com – Shelves that rotate your cans, and ‘Thrive’ freeze-dried foods
http://www.survival-center.com – Survival kits for the beginner
http://www.storablefoods.com – Convenient, easy-to-prepare food storage items
