How to store water

First of all, if you have stored your water away from sunlight, in a clean, bacteria free container, your water will remail pure indefinitely. So, if possible, store it safely from the beginning and you have no problems!

If you do need to purify your water, there are a few different ways to do it.

Bleach- Most bleach products contain soap. The bleach will purify the water, but the soap in it can make you very sick! Buy only bleach with no additives. Use 16 drops of bleach per gallon of water. Stir and let stand for 30 minutes. If the water doesn't have a slight bleach odor, repeat steps and let stand for an additional 15 minutes.

Boiling- This takes at aleast 10 minutes. It is very simple and effective, but it uses a lot of fuel.

Iodine- This cannot be used for more than 3-4 days or it will cause thyroid problems in women.

Purifiers- These are great, but they are very expensive.

Chlorine- This is the way the cities do it. It is effective and very cheap. Chlorine and a test kit are available at pool stores. 55 gallon drums are the best way for cleaning water over night. Properly treated water will retain a slight clorine smell. To remove the chlorine taste, cover and let stand for 24 hours. Chlorine is a gas and will evaporate. (Remember to measure and test the chlorine before you allow it to evaporate. If there is no measurable chlorine you may still be susceptible to bacteria.)

Aerobic Oxygen- Destroys harmful bacteria, is non-toxic, is safe to use and stores 5 to 10 years. Check your local nutrition center.

Remember to purchase a siphon pump for your 55 gallon water drums!

An easy alternative: Alum - sprinkle alum into your container of water stirring constantly. This will purify water and give it nearly all the freshness of spring water! Use 1 tsp. Alum for 4 gal. of water.

LDS Wet Pack Cannery

Hi everyone again! I just thought I would let you know what I found out about the Wet Pack Cannery. I called them last week to see if I could get a schedule from them. They told that they aren't letting anyone come and buy anything there. The are really low for the welfare. So, until about the end of the year you can't get anything from them. Even if you go and volunteer there, you still can't buy anything. They do, however, really need lots of volunteers. Everything done there is going to the welfare. So please volunteer there if you can. Our ward has a few openings for volunteers this month. Please call LonaMae if you can help out. Let me know if you have any questions.

Getting your food storage organized

I have been trying to find ways to get my food storage a bit more organized lately. you might have noticed a few posts I have made on making your own can rotation systems. I wish we had wood working equipment so I can build one of the wood ones! I am wondering if any of you have ideas or pictures of your food storage that you would like to share with all of us. We all need ideas!

How to Build a Rotating Canned Food Shelf - wikiHow

How to Build a Rotating Canned Food Shelf - wikiHow

I found this website and thought it was wonderful if you have the equipment to build these shelves. The would definately help keep your food storage area very organized!!

Canning Butter and Chicken

Toni and I talked a bit yesterday about canning things that we don't usually can. Great if power goes out to your freezer/refrigerator! If anyone else wants to take a look at this website we found here it is!

http://storageskills.blogspot.com/

Making your own can rotation system

http://mormonfoodstorage.blogspot.com/2008/09/pantry-paragon-or-how-to-make-your-own.html

I found this blog where she shows you how to make your own rotation system for your cans! It's awesome! I can hardly wait to try it out. Let me know what you think!!

Reconstitution

Apple Slices:
1 cup dry apples to 1/2 cup water yields 2 cups fresh apples.

Beans: 3 cups hot water and 2 tsp baking soda per 1 cup beans. Soak overnight; drain, rinse, and cool.

Carrots: Use 1 cup carrots to 1 cup ice water. Let stand 20 minutes.

Fruit Drink Mix: Add 1 cup drink mix to enough cold water to make 2 quarts. Blend well.

Hot Cocoa: Use 1/4 cup mix per 3/4 cup of hot water. Blend smooth.

Potato Pearls: Add 2 cups hot water (+180 degrees) to 1 cup potato pearls. Stir briefly, cover and allow to stand 5-10 minutes.

Chocolate Pudding: Add 1 1/2 cups mix to 2 2/3 cups water. Blend. Chill 15 minutes. Serves 4.

Vanilla Pudding: Add 1 cup mix to 2 cups water or milk. Blend. Chill 15 minutes. Serves 4.

Oats-Rolled: 2 cups water to 1 cup oats and 1/4 tsp salt. Bring water to a boil. Add oats and stir. Cook 2 minutes.

Rice, White: Use 2 cups water and 1 tsp salt per cup of rice. Cook, covered, about 15-20 minutes.

TVP: 1 cup TVP, 1/4 cup Tamari or soy sauce, and 3/4 cup water. Heat water to boiling, turn heat to medium and add TVP. Cook until water is absorbed. This can be used in any recipe that calls for ground browned beef (lasagna, chili, etc.)

Soup Mix: Soak overnight. Add 1 cup soup mix to 3 quarts water or meat broth. Add vegetables, meat or bouillon as desired. Simmer for 45 minutes. Season to taste.

Cheese powder: Using wire whip, mix 1/4 cup cheese powder to 1/2 cup milk or water. Do not add to hot liquid as it will lump.

Powdered whole eggs: Varies 1 Tbsp egg powder to 1 1/2 Tbsp water. Make a paste with a little water, then blend smooth, adding remaining water. 1 egg.

Dehydrated fruits: 1/3 cup fruit to 1 cup water. Let stand several hours. Equal to 1 cup fruit.

Margarine powder: Mix 1 cup powder to 1/4 cup water equals 1 cup margarine. One half cup powder, 1 Tbsp water and 1 Tbsp oil equal 1 cup margarine and mixes easily.

Powdered milk: General rule equals 2 cups powdered milk to 1 gallon water. Mix with wire whip or in blender. Refrigerate overnight.

Dehydrated vegetables: 1/3 cup vegetables to 1 cup water. Let stand several hours. Add a little pinch of sugar to improve flavor. In soups or stews, do not reconstitute before using.