Basic Family Supply list

FEMA has put together a list of items you "should" have together in your home incase of a disaster.  I wanted to share this here as we will be building off of this.  This information has been taken directly from their site. 

Emergency Supplies
Water, food, and clean air are important things to have if an emergency happens. Each family or individual’s kit should be customized to meet specific needs, such as medications and infantformula. It should also be customized to include important family documents.
Recommended Supplies to Include in a Basic Kit:

•   Water one gallon per person per day, for drinking and sanitation (don't forget your pets)
  
•   Non-perishable Food at least a three-day supply
  
•   Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA
  Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
  
•   Flashlight and extra batteries
  
•   First Aid kit
  
•   Whistle to signal for help
  
•   Filter mask or cotton t-shirt, to help filter the air
  
•   Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for
  personal sanitation
  
•   Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
  
•   Manual can opener if kit contains canned food
  
•   Plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
  
•   Important Family Documents
  
•   Items for unique family needs, such as daily prescription medications, infant formula or diapers
  
•   Cell phone and chargers
  If you live in a cold weather climate, you must think about warmth. It is possible that the power will be out and you will not have heat. Rethink your clothing and bedding supplies to account for growing children and other family changes. One complete change of warm clothing and shoes per person, including:important family documents.
  Clothing and Bedding:
   A jacket or coat
   Long pants
   A long sleeve shirt  Sturdy shoes
   A hat and gloves
   A sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person 
  
  
  Feel free to add to this in the comment section below.
  Cheers ~ Kevin
  
  
  

Borscht - Poor Mans Beet Soup

From the posts I read on our Facebook page, not many folks care for beets.  They probably just haven't had them served the right way!

Today I pulled from the garden the pitiful "sampling" of beets which had grown, a couple of onions, and an itsy-bitsy garlic. Exactly what I needed to make one of my favorite all time soups. Borscht.  I come from a Slovakian heritage and many of the foods we grew up with seem to be not very appealing to most folks. But thats ok.  As a kid, beets were one of those foods that had found its way into our home time and time again.  Like an echo in my head, I can remember my grandmother would always tell us "how beets were good for your blood and overall health".  Today, my only guess would be she was referring to the high iron and mineral content which would mainly be attributed to the fact that it is a root which we consume.

"These are the beets which I pulled from our garden less the beet greens."

Beets are the main ingredient in this recipe.  These are the beets which I pulled from our garden less the beet greens.  I am not particular of the greens mainly due to their bitter tasting flavor, but the chickens thoroughly enjoy them. Some folks like to boil the greens and eat as a side to main course.

"I am not particular of the greens mainly due to their bitter tasting flavor, but the chickens thoroughly enjoy them."

There are not many ingredients needed for this recipe other than the beets and all can be sewed in your urban garden.  The other ingredients are as follows:

Beets

(2) Small Onions cut into small chunks

(2) Cloves of garlic sliced into little pieces

(2) cups of beef broth (I used 2 bouillon cubes and dissolved in 2 cups of boiling water)

Salt and Pepper to flavor

Not many ingredient needed for this soup

Warm beets, onion, garlic and salt and pepper in a sauce pan without browning.

There is no right or wrong way to prepare this soup.  How I make it is as follows:

1. Combine all ingredients in a deep sauce pan less the beef broth and warm for 5 minutes.  Do not brown.

2.  Add the 2 cups of beef broth and let simmer for approximately 20-30 minutes stirring occasionally.

3. Turn off heat and carefully pour into a blender.  Puree the mixture to a broth-like consistancy.

5. Garnish with fresh cut chives and add a hard boiled egg.

Enjoy and Na zdravi ~ Kevin