UNDERwhelmed in Food Preparedness Part 1 of 8

When I speak to people about their emergency preparedness state of readiness, inevitably the conversation begins with food storage.  In fact, for most individuals, food storage is what they think of when they hear “emergency preparedness.”  This is actually a bit of a problem, because food storage is only one aspect out of my Ten Principes of Preparedness I teach about on a regular basis.  And yet not only do many feel that it’s the primary area of focus, but they are completely overwhelmed with the requirements to be ready in this area.  To allow only ten percent of the whole picture of readiness overwhelm a person just brings on a lot of stress.  Personally, I think there is way too much that’s worthy of a bit of stress on our part without having to stress about one of the EASIEST components of preparedness.

Why might you be OVERwhelmed by preparedness?

Before you think that I may be hitting the hard stuff and thus a little off my rocker, let me assure you that I’ve heard (and personally experienced) every possible reason for people avoiding the task of food storage.

1. I can’t afford it
2. I don’t have room for it
3. I don’t know how to cook my “food storage”
4. I believe there’s not really a need for “food storage”
5. It’s too overwhelming
6. My spouse won’t let me.  He/She thinks I’m crazy
7. I don’t know what to store

Do any of these responses sound familiar?  I can tell you that with little exception I’ve personally traveled through each of these excuses at some point in my life.  But, standing where I am now, I’m happy to tell you that they can ALL be overcome.  Even the one with the spouse.

The reason it’s important to me to share all of this with you is primarily so that you won’t be overwhelmed with food storage.  There are some other more critical areas of preparedness that you do need to focus on, and being distracted with an EASY component of preparedness is obviously unproductive.  So, my goal is to make the food storage aspect of emergency preparedness a “no brainer” for you to the point that you’re actually UNDERwhelmed with food storage.  This way you can expend your energies on the more important aspects of preparedness.

In this eight-part series, I will address each one of these components and put them in a factual perspective that you may just have been missing in the midst of your crazy, overly scheduled life.  The good news is you’ll have one less thing on your emergency preparedness list to worry about.

Here’s a sneak preview of the series on preparedness.

1. YES, YOU CAN afford it. Even if you are on food stamps, you can not only afford scrumptious meals for your family that would make any nutritionists pleased, but you can have plenty left over to store away for a “rainy day.”
2. Yes, you do have room for it.I’ve even assisted folks who live in a tiny studio apartment.  Being prepared is not wise counsel only to those who live in 5,000 square foot homes.  You may just be trying to find room for the wrong items.  Don’t worry, we’ll cover that as well.

   

   Bachelor Apartment photo

3. Not only can you cook your food storage, but you can cook it in only a few precious minutes.  I work a very long day, everyday.  The last think I feel like doing is making something extravagant or time consuming.  I like to say that my cooking of food storage ideas are simple enough that even a “bachelor” can do them. 🙂
4. Not to sound too alarming, but not only is there a NEED for food storage, time is actually of the essence.  There is indeed some problems with our food supply right now, today! A food crisis is already here.  I’ll give you the facts, and then direct you to the solutions you can take now.
5. Food storage is only overwhelming when there’s an absence of knowledge.  When my dad was trying to teach me how to tie my shoes, I remember crying and just wanting the world to crash in on me because I was having such a hard time grasping it.  Later my mom took me aside and taught me the simplest way to tie my shoes and I went away a happy and confident 3-year-old.  I’ve discovered it’s not what you know, it’s how you learned it that makes all the difference in the world.
6. Not only will your spouse wholeheartedly support you in your food storage efforts when I’m done with you, but they may actually get ADDICTED to the concept as well.  (Sorry. I’m not available for marriage counseling though. Ha!  )
7. What to store is more of what you already may be storing.  You simply need to know HOW to store it.

I look forward to walking this journey with you over the next eight days.

UNDERwhelmed in Food Storage Series

• UNDERwhelmed in Food Storage Part 1 of 8
• UNDERwhelmed in Food Storage Part 2 of 8
• UNDERwhelmed in Food Storage Part 3 of 8
• UNDERwhelmed in Food Storage Part 4 of 8
• UNDERwhelmed in Food Storage Part 5 of 8
• UNDERwhelmed in Food Storage Part 6 of 8
• UNDERwhelmed in Food Storage Part 7 of 8
• UNDERwhelmed in Food Storage Part 8 of 8