Food Storage for Doomsday? NO! For Emergencies? YES!

Many people are turned off by the thought of storing food and provisions for Doomsday.  I must admit that I agree.  However, I do believe that there is great wisdom in preparing a stock of food, provisions and emergency equipment to sustain you in cases of emergency.  I often hear people say, “There has never been a situation where I needed to use food storage or equipment in the past.  Why would I need it in the future?”  All I can say is that if this is your case, you have been very lucky.  All you need to do is turn on the evening news to see disasters and emergencies happening all around you.  Many of the disasters you see on the news are large scale, devastating disasters.  However, I have found that most of the emergencies that occur around my home are not so news worthy, but none-the-less emergencies.  I don’t like to prepare because I am scared to death of what may come, but because I like the peace of mind that preparation gives me. 

The following are common emergency situations when stored food and equipment would come in very handy:

• Power outages
• Winter storms (difficult to go to the store)
• Illness (difficult to go to the store)
• Economic Emergencies – Loss of job, etc.
• Natural Disasters

If nothing like the above has ever happened to you, consider yourself very lucky.  On the other hand, the law of averages is not on your side.  I like to think of my food storage as insurance.  Most people feel that purchasing insurance for medical, life and auto are very important.  Have you ever lost your car to an accident that was not even your fault?  What would you have done if you had no insurance to help you replace the car?  With food storage, I know that if any of the above situations happen to my family and me, and they have, that I will be more able to provide for my family.  This gives me a sense of peace.   You can be much more self-sufficient and rely less on the help of the government or neighbors if you are prepared with your own food storage. 

Living with food storage is a way of life.  I like to think of my food storage as a little store that I can go to, to help me prepare meals everyday.  If I use and replenish the things I use, it will always be there to support my family and I.  In order to do this, you must have a plan that includes the following processes:

1. Set aside the money to purchase food storage
2. Learn what to buy and how use your food storage
3. Eat what you store
4. Replenish your storage as you use it
5. Manage your food storage so that it will not be wasted

Think of the story of  “The Ant and The Grasshopper”, the grasshopper foolishly enjoyed his life without giving much thought to how he would provide for himself in the cold of winter.  The ant, on the other hand, was fortunate enough to see the need for preparation.  He wisely prepared for his future in the cold days of winter.   This is a simple story, but it does illustrate the importance of preparation.

Reasons why people don’t prepare:

• They can not see the need
• They believe that others will take care of them
• Lack of money to purchase food storage
• Procrastination

If you still don’t see a need, just look around.  Better yet, just look back on your situation for the past several years.  Think about the times when some food storage would have made things a lot easier. Step up and prepare to take care of yourself and your family.  If your finances are short, start small.  Little by little you can become prepared. Don’t procrastinate.  There is no better time to begin.

To purchase any Shelf Reliance Thrive product, click the link below:

www.susansakurai.shelfreliance.com

Freeze-Dried Foods, How Do I Use Them?

The first time I was introduced to Thrive Freeze-Dried Foods, I was extremely surprised by their delicious flavor and aroma.  So much so, that I became an independent consultant for Shelf Reliance.  When I hold a tasting party and talk to people about Freeze-Dried Foods they are usually pleasantly surprised as well.  Comments that I often hear are:

·     Wow! I was not expecting that to taste so good.

·     It smells just like fresh pineapple.

·     This chicken tastes just like fresh cooked chicken.

·     This food really has possibilities!

However, I also hear comments like:

·     It tastes wonderful, but how would I use it?

To be very honest, freeze-dried foods offer a myriad of possibilities for use.  Here are just a few:

1.   They are delicious eaten right out of the can

2.   They can be reconstituted, seasoned and eaten

3.   They can be substituted into any recipe calling for the fresh cooked ingredient.

The things that make freeze-dried foods so convenient are:

1. They have a shelf live unopened of 25 years
2. They can be used immediately as a convenience food
3. They are already chopped or sliced
4. They are already clean
5. They rehydrate into their natural form rapidly
6. They retain their nutritive value

The 25-year shelf life makes freeze-dried foods wonderful for long-term storage.  Yet on the other hand, you can use them immediately.  Let’s say that you want to make strawberry shortcake and it is the middle of the winter.  Yes, you could probably find fresh strawberries somewhere, but why not use the Thrive freeze-dried sliced strawberries that are already in your pantry.  You won’t have to spend time going out to the store or worry about where to find the strawberries.  Also, you will be able to finish cooking much faster because the strawberries are already cleaned and sliced and they rehydrate in a flash.

If you are still concerned about how you would use freeze-dried foods, my advise to you would be, just try substituting them for ingredients called for in your own favorite recipes.  If you would like, you can use some of the recipes I have posted on my blog.  Once you start, you will be able to see just how versatile freeze-dried foods are.

These are a few of my favorite ways to use freeze-dried foods:

·     In fruit sauces

·     In casseroles

·     In muffins

·     With pasta

·     In granola

·     As snacks

·     With eggs

I am often asked which Thrive freeze-dried foods to try first.  I recommend the following because they are commonly used in everyday cooking:

• Onions
• Celery
• Mushrooms
• Spinach
• Chicken
• Sausage
• Strawberries
• Cheddar cheese
• Tomato powder

This is just a starting point.  You will soon find that you want to try other products in our line.  Before you know it, you will be creating your own recipes and enjoying the convenience.  You will also feel confident that if you couldn’t go to the market, you would still be able to prepare healthy, nutritious meals for your family.

I would love to hear how you use your freeze-dried foods.  Please leave a comment and let me know.

Just click the link below to purchase Thrive Foods.  You won’t be sorry!

www.susansakurai.shelfreliance.com

Mother's Banana Bread with a Twist, Freeze-Dried Bananas

My mother made the most delicious Banana Bread.  There was only one thing better than the aroma of those freshly baked loaves coming out of the oven, the taste.  It was sweet and buttery with the delicious taste of bananas and my mother could hardly prevent us from devouring it before it had cooled.  I have loved that recipe all of my life as does my own family. 

I decided to experiment to see if I could actually make this recipe from food storage ingredients.  I usually always have flour, sugar and soda on hand.  Now I also have Thrive Freeze-Dried Bananas and Thrive Whole Egg Powder.  Basically, the only fresh ingredient I used was butter.  The process of making the batter was fast and easy and the finished product was amazing.  To my surprise, I received even more compliments than when I made the original recipe. The texture was very even and fine, but the flavor was the most remarkable part.  The freeze-dried bananas make the banana flavor incredibly vivid.  This is the first thing that those who taste the bread notice.

This is the recipe and the process I used to make the banana bread from food storage ingredients.

Ingredients:

½ C. Butter                                                      
1 C. Sugar
2 C. Thrive Freeze-Dried Bananas                    

1 tsp. Soda

2 C. Flour

2 T. Thrive Whole Egg Powder                                                         
4 T. Water

Process:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease or spray an aluminum bread pan. 

1.  Cream butter and sugar together until smooth and fluffy.  

2.  Place the freeze-dried bananas into a blender or food processor and process until bananas are powdered.  

3.  In another bowl, add banana powder, flour, soda and whole egg powder and mix well.  Add the mixed dry ingredients into the butter and sugar mixture.  

4.  Add the water and stir well until all of the ingredients are incorporated into a smooth slightly thick batter.  

5.  Spoon this batter into the greased loaf pan.  

6.  Bake for 1 hour.  

7.  Check for doneness with a toothpick.  When toothpick comes out clean, the bread is done.  Cool on a cooling rack and watch out for those who are looking to snitch a piece.

If you like nuts, it tastes great with about 1/1/4 C. chopped walnuts added to the batter.  Also, if you are looking for a special treat, frost the banana bread with cream cheese frosting.

Now, why use freeze-dried bananas and whole egg powder?  First, although they cost a little more initially, if I use freeze-dried bananas, I don’t have to make a trip to the store specially to get bananas.  This usually saves money, because not only do you save gas and time, but also you prevent yourself from impulse buying in the store when you only went there for bananas.  Not only that, but it is common for us to waste bananas because they get too ripe before we get them used.  Then, no one wants to eat them.  I end up throwing them away and wasting the money I spent on them.  As for the eggs, they are handy, handy, handy.  They come in powdered form and last for at least 6 months after you open the can.  They can be used in anything that you bake or cook that calls for an egg.  Exceptions are that you cannot make a boiled or sunny-side-up egg.  However, you can make scrambled eggs.  Both of these ingredients are handy, convenient and result in a superior quality, great tasting product.  They prevent waste and are fast and easy to use.  I highly recommend using these and other Thrive Freeze-Dried fruits, vegetables, meats and cheeses along with their other food storage foods.  For more information or to purchase Thrive products, please visit my website at:

susansakurai.shelfreliance.com

   

Why Freeze-Dried Foods Should Be Part of Your Food Storage Plan

Today there are many options open to people starting or building their food storage plan.  I believe that it is wise not to put all of your food storage dollars into one basket.  That being said, I believe that freeze-dried foods should definitely be a part of everyone’s plan. 

Why I like freeze-dried foods for food storage:

1.    When sealed, they can be stored for up to 25 years at room temperature.  Note: Extreme heat reduces shelf life.

2.    Their reduced water content inhibits the growth of microorganisms, and spoilage.

3.    The freeze-drying process preserves the nutritional content of the food.

4.    They maintain their natural shape, size, color, aroma and taste

5.    They speed up the process of food preparation because they are already sliced or chopped and they rehydrated quickly.

6.    They are delicious right out of the can if circumstances required you to eat them that way.

7.    They fit well into a food rotation plan. 

8.    They are easy to use in everyday cooking.

9.    They provide good nutrition, variety and convenience.

When I was first introduced to Shelf Reliance Thrive foods, I could see the possibilities.  I already had food storage, but I always wondered how we could survive without getting food fatigue (tired of eating wheat, rice and beans).  With Thrive Foods, we can eat just about what we always eat even if I can’t go to the store.

I have found that as I rotate my food storage in my everyday meals, Thrive Foods make cooking fast, easy and fun.  I don’t have to worry about unexpectedly running out of eggs.  My can of Thrive Whole Egg Powder is in my pantry and ready to use.  I waste less because I can use the exact amount of Thrive foods like celery or mushrooms without worrying how I might use the remaining fresh ones.

What is the process used to freeze-dry Shelf Reliance Thrive foods?

1.    Fresh quality foods are chosen at the peak of perfection.

2.    Meats are cooked, some vegetables are blanched and all foods are cut into small pieces.

3.    The foods are flash frozen at -50 Degrees F.

4.    The foods are immediately placed into a vacuum chamber and 98% of the moisture is removed through sublimation (changing liquid into gas).

5.    The food is sealed in moisture and oxygen proof cans.

It makes sense to make Shelf Reliance Thrive freeze-dried foods part of your food storage plan.  If you would like to shop for Shelf Reliance Thrive foods, just visit my Shelf Reliance website at:

susansakurai.shelfreliance.com

Homemade Egg Noodles from Food Storage Ingredients

Here is a recipe that you can use to make delicious egg noodles and rotate your food storage in the process.  Not only does it produce wonderful noodles but it is fun to make with your family.  I have converted this recipe from a traditional recipe that has been handed down from my great grandmother. 

The ingredients are simple and basic. 

The original recipe used fresh eggs.  Substituting Thrive Whole Egg Powder in the recipe makes it very convenient.  I never have to worry about having fresh eggs on hand and the noodles come out tasting wonderful.  

As children, my brother, sisters and I loved to help my mother make this recipe.  It was our job to unroll the noodles and break them into noodle sized pieces to dry.  We especially loved to sample the raw noodles.  I always worried about my children getting Salmonella from the raw eggs, so my children missed out on the tasting part.  When I use Thrive Whole Egg Powder, I don't have to worry about that.  Now, my grandchildren are enjoying the noodle making process, especially the tasting.

Watch this tutorial to learn how to make this delicious recipe.

Ingredients

1 to 1 1/4 C. flour (start with 1C. that is enough in most cases)

3 T. Whole Egg Powder

6 T. Water

1/2 tsp. salt

Mix and roll out as shown in the above tutorial

I hope that you will try this recipe.  I am sure that you will like it.  You can use the noodles immediately  or you can freeze them for use in the future.  I usually make chicken noodle soup with them, but they are very versatile.  In my extended family, the chicken noodle soup made with these egg noodles is considered a comfort food.  To make the soup, just use chicken broth, chicken, onion, celery and carrots.  Cook until vegetables and chicken are done.  Add the noodles to the boiling soup a handfull at a time.  Cook for about 4 minutes and it's done.  To make cooking fast and easy, just use Thrive freeze-dried vegetables and freeze-dried chicken.  You will be enjoying your chicken noodle soup before you know it.

If you would like to purchase Thrive Whole Egg Powder, freeze-dried vegetables or chicken, visit my Shelf Reliance website at:

susansakurai.shelfreliance.com