“Kitchen Confidence 101”

By Sandra Reames,

Carefree Catering,

 Branson, MO

417-335-5556

carefreecatering@suddenlink.net

Survival II

Last week we started Survival, especially for foods.  I went this week and read on the labels of prepacked survival foods.

I felt like these kits would be worth buying, but we need to specialize these kits for our family.

I am not waiting on another Holocaust, but just extreme weather changes, earth quakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, bridge collapses, plagues, any electric failure from being to hot, to cold or mechanical problems, riots, etc .   In other words anything that can isolate you from the necessities of life and threaten your life.

The powers that be have recommend that we have a food supply for 3 days in-case these might happen I think 3 days to two weeks, even better.

This is not a new idea, before food stamps, welfare and unemployment compensation for weeks on end.  All families were expected to have food and other supplies, stashed back for hard times.  My self included.  My first husband was in construction and many times during our early years of marriage he would be out of work, usually no longer than 2 to 3 weeks at a time.  It didn't take me long to figure out that I could put back enough food supplies to in canned goods and freezer foods to have enough  where any monies that we did have could be used for  utilities, gasoline and emergency.  It was a stretch,m but we did it.  Yes I know that we had unemployment then, but you had to be out of work for 2 weeks before you could apply.  By then he was back to work and happy.

We are not saying that government help is bad or good just what it was.  ( no brag just fact).

Still to this day, put back for hard times or as you can say now to be a survivor.

What else to consider with just a simple 2 week power failure!

1. If you have an infant, I didn't see any provision for them in these pre-assembled survival packs.  So you need to customize for your family.

1. If you have a milk allergy or any other type of allergy, these pre-packs may not be for you.
2. A family pet or pets,  there is nothing in these packs for them.

Dogs and Cats are pretty easy to care for, except having to be cooped up.  They adapt to heat and cold changes as we do, except for some of those that have health problems.  But say you have a beautiful tank of fish and no power to run filters and to aerate. Pet birds are very problematic with temperature change.  Reptiles are easier, but still doesn't like cold weather.  You get the idea. You don't want to loose any part of the family, because the power went out, so study up on what to do and how to feed in hard times.

1. Having extra blankets help your freezer hole it food.  When in a power failure, do not open the door to the freezer or refrigerator any more than necessary.  Wrapping the freezer in blankets and newspapers will help your freezer  retain the cold much longer, to keep from loosing food, but after a while it won't do any good.  Before it goes bad cook it any way you can like Barbeque pit, bond fire, propane.  Use all of this fuel and cook outside not inside.

What I really want you to do is sit down and ask your self: What is important to me and my family, who or what and then set out to make a plan to protect them.

        It would be easier to think that we would never use it and that is what I want it to be, but knowing that you are somewhat ready means that you can go ahead with your every day life with a lot more confidence.

Because in the end it is all up to you!

Listen to Sandra and Scott MC Caulley on the radio every Tuesday Morning on KRZK FM  106.3 9:06.  We hope that you will listen and call in to help others and to share your experiences, good and bad!

Sandra has been a professional cook and caterer for 15 years.

Scott is a radio professional for over 23 years.

Both in the Branson, MO area.

 The articles and show are to help you find confidence in the kitchen where you can provided good tasting and  "better for you" meals to your family and friends even if you are an accomplished cook or a beginner, we all share those moments when we need help!  We both show how we need to laugh at our selves.

Any comments or information can be e-mailed to

 Sandra at carefreecatering@suddenlink.net scottmccalley@krzk.com

Sandra's  Phone 417-335-5655