Step 1 - DETERMINE YOUR NEEDS

I can't tell you what items to keep in your own home for emergency storage. This is to be determined by your own family likes, nutritional needs, storage options and, of course, budget. You should be able to determine how much you use in a month and then just start multiplying.

My suggestion is that you look into your pantry today and make a list of the items that you have. Make a note of which items you use often, which items you use occasionally, and which items you keep on hand for special times or for "comfort food". In my own home we use a lot of pasta, whole grains and natural oils, so we stocked up on non-conventional grain items such as millet and barley, but we also enjoy hot cereal made with hard, red wheat that we slightly grind and then steam.

One of the problems that I've heard die-hard food storers complain of is palate fatigue. They tire and bore of eating the same food over and over again. Even adults complain of eating rice if they eat it every day for a week, so if you have kids you need to factor in the need for variety in order to get them to eat. Don't forget about the value of candy, cookies, cakes, etc., and you don't have to go without these things if you plan and you learn how to prepare them in a different way. I've baked cakes over an open fire in a dutch oven that have been devoured eagerly by kids. For the most part, it's about having the right tools, practicing their use, and learning to adapt.

I have purchased many dehydrated and freeze dried items from a company called Emergency Essentials. I opened two cans of their product to try them and they are really quite good, so I ordered a few more items: Powdered Whole Eggs, Powdered Butter, Powdered Shortening, Freeze Dried Shredded Cheddar, among other things. I really appreciate these items since some perishable items will not be available.

If you've ever been in an extended power outage (2 or 3 weeks at a time) you've had some experience with cooking like a caveman, but you knew the lights were coming back on and the stores would be open again soon. WTSHTF we won't know when the stores will have food, and really, do we want to be out there fighting over a loaf of bread?

My food storage needs assume that you'll be hunting for meat and that you'll use your stored foods to supplement your nutritional needs. You don't hunt? Learn. You can't field dress, gut, and skin an animal? Figure it out. Once you've done it a few times you won't even notice the urge to vomit and you'll enjoy the meal you prepare. I also assume that you'll be gardening or foraging. Get a field guild for your area and learn which plants you can and cannot eat. Tiger lillies grow wild near my home and their stems and flowers are edible. The lower half of cattails are also quite rich in vitamin C and potassium and can be sliced and eaten raw. I am not Bear Grylls, so I won't be eating any grubs, nor am I Ozzie Osbourne, so biting the heads off of bats if out of the question.

I suggest that every home have a decent grill that can be used outdoors. If you have a fireplace get a grill apparatus to place inside. Pick up at least one large cast iron skillet and a large cast iron dutch oven (it needs the flat top for baking). Make sure that you have plenty of long handled, firesafe utensils and some very long oven mitts.

Do you have pets? Don't forget about storing food and supplies for them, but remember to store their food separately from your family food. Box and labels these items very clearly.

Buy enough items that you can use as barter goods. Don't smoke? Buy some cigarettes anyway and have them on hand to trade for food or fuel. Don't drink? Keep a few bottles on hand.

Don't neglect the power of condiments. Mustard is a great burn ointment. Vinegar can be used for antiseptic purposes, cleaning and preserving. Olive oil can be made into a lamp. Honey is a universally accepted antibacterial preparation. And don't forget to make sure that you have plenty of salt on hand - and I do mean PLENTY. Salt is crucial to maintaining hydration and electrolyte balance.

I will include a list of several links for your reference, but I want you to start with one that is easy to understand: www.thesurvivalmom.com.

12-Step Prepper Program - Lesson 1

I've had a few friends ask me how to get started with making a home "stash" or survival bunker. I'll go into each of these subjects in-depth later on. STEP 1: DETERMINE YOUR NEEDS: If you have a family of two you really should plan for having a family of four. Why? Because you're going to underestimate how much food you will eat in a day, for starters. Then, you're going to have friends, neighbors, and family who will have not prepared the way you have. You should be prepared to share some of your goods AT BARTER with them. The Church of Latter Day Saints has a good, downloadable PDF that can help you determine your needs. Go to www.preparedsociety.com to see what the can help you with. STEP 2: WATER: If there are two of you residing in the home you will need a minimum of 1 gallon of water per person per day. If you have no way to get water (via a pump, well, etc.) you need to know that you can't store water for long. You can pick up a couple of really good water filtration systems that work on a drip at many different retailers. Lehmans.com is one of those stores that caters to Amish customers. I would also recommend that you purchase a pocket filtration system such as the Katedyn Hiker. You can always go without washing for a week or two, but you need water every day for drinking. I've used the Katedyn Hiker on stream water and been fine after drinking it. Of course, it doesn't remove the odor. STEP 3: FUEL: If you live in a northern climate fuel is going to mean the life or death of you. Whether or not you are going to use wood, gas, oil, or a generator you will always need the basic raw material to produce fuel. There are many fuels available, some that you've never thought of. Have YOU ever burned a cowpie? Did you know that in biblical times it was not unheard of to use human excrement as fuel? I'm just letting you know. STEP 4: SHELTER: So, you plan on staying in your house. Sure you do. For so long as you are able you'll want to make sure that you have adequate protection from not only the elements but ALSO from anyone who might want to force you to SHARE your shelter with them. There is safety in numbers, but those numbers can also cause a great deal of stress unless you have adequate space for everyone to have some privacy and sense of ownership. STEP 5: SECURITY: Most of us think of security in terms of police protection. Think again. You also cannot secure your space with just owning weapons and having plenty of ammo. You need to be smart and save your ammo for the procurement of food (hunting) in order to make your food storage last longer. What I mean by security is simple; Do you know your neighbors? Do you have adequate lighting around your home that does NOT require electricity? Do you have any warning systems set up to alert you to an intruder? Do you have the materials necessary to repair your space in order to protect it? STEP 6: MONEY: In my opinion, WTSHTF money will be useless. I also don't think that gold, silver, or jewelry will be worth anything at all. You need to have items on hand that can be used for bartering. Do you have extra canned goods that you can barter for fuel? Are you a good hunter and you can barter meat for a cup of sugar? When I talk about money in this section it will have nothing to do with money as we know it. STEP 7: COMMUNICATION: I think we all know that the internet will be down. Our telephones will likely be useless, as well. How will you communicate? Do you own a shortwave radio? How about a set of good walkie-talkies that have a five or seven mile range? Do you know how to interpret the message and rumors that you will hear? STEP 8: MOBILITY: We're used to sitting down, turning a key, and rolling down the road. Forget it. You're going to use the gasoline in your tank to keep a generator going if you're lucky enough to have one. Bikes, wagons, good shoes. Plan to be able to repair all of them. This also goes to the subject of bartering. STEP 9: LIGHTING: I put this next to last because while I consider this essential, you can get by with very little of it in your everyday activities. If you have small children you'll want a secure way to provide lighting. There are many options besides candles. STEP 10: HYGIENE: Now, everyone has different needs, but we all need TOILET PAPER. One roll per person per week is typical. We'll to into this, as well. STEP 11: ENTERTAINMENT: I know this doesn't seem essential, but it really is. Think about all of the non-electric ways that we used to play when we were kids. Playing cards, books, crayons, chalk, paper, games. STEP 12: FAITH: I cannot stress how important this one is. No matter your faith, you will needed it. And you will need the support of friends, family, neighbors. I'm not suggesting we all turn into little Elmer Gantry's, but having a good Bible and a couple of books that bring you encouragement can help.