NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH - DAY 28

How prepared are you to face an emergency?
This is the second post about how the five little pigs can help us as we learn about being prepared for life's trials.  If you missed the first post, go back to start and don't pass go until you read it.  The first pig is important too.  Link: First Pig

"This little piggy stayed home"

Did you know that you can freeze-dry foods yourself? Also, vacuum pouching foods for long-term storage is a good alternative. Chocolate chips will supposedly last for 11 years. Shipped vacuum-pouched chocolate chip cookies and homemade treats have arrived fresh and delicious for deployed soldiers. During difficult times, it is nice to have some of the comforts you are accustomed to.

And what if fuel supplies are cut off?  We have experienced the aftermath of tornadoes here in Limestone County. Natural gas lines can be severed and other power becomes unavailable. We had ice storms knock out our power.  There are many of us who have been so cold waiting for that power to come back on. We were not as prepared as our neighbors who had emergency generators to run heating systems. Some of us did have lanterns and candles to provide light at night and were able to enjoy hot meals using grills and camp stoves until the power was restored several days later.

"This little piggy had roast beef" 

One of our neighbors is a canning expert. When she finds special prices on meats, she buys them in bulk and cans them in a pressure canner. She says that meats are one of the easiest foods to process and when purchased on sale, not terribly expensive. You don't have to have power to keep canned meat good and you always have an ingredient for soups and casserole-type dishes. She also cans butter in her pressure canner and maintains that after three years, hers is still fresh and tasty. Of course you would need butter for those chocolate chip cookies.

Check back tomorrow for the last little pig post to help you prepare for life's trials.