How to store and use POWDERED MILK

Storage: All milk products should be stored in a cool, dry place. If stored in an area with temperature changes, such as in a garage, the milk will have a shorter shelf life. Powdered milk can be sealed in #10 cans with an oxy pack or in a food grade buckets.

 Powdered milk from the cannery has a shelf life of 30 years. However, after several years, it can start to develop a different taste. Some people may notice this taste, while others may not. If your milk has developed a different taste, you can use it for baking & you won’t notice the taste. If your powdered milk has spoiled or been stored longer than recommended, you can use it as a garden fertilizer.

Canned milk has a 6 - 15 month shelf life. The higher the fat content, the shorter the shelf life as the cream in it separates. [I used to store canned milk but every time I needed it, it was expired. You can use powdered milk to make evaporated milk and sweetened condensed milk. I no longer store canned milk but rather mix my own when I need it. I have included recipes for both below.]

How to Use: Powdered milk can be reconstituted and used for drinking or in place of milk in recipes. When baking, there is no need to reconstitute the milk first. Simply add the water when you would normally add the milk and add the powdered milk with the other dry ingredients.

Evaporated milk can be substituted in any recipe calling for milk.  It will give it a smoother creamier taste.

Getting your family to like powdered milk: When trying powdered milk for the first time, try mixing ¼ reconstituted milk and ¾ cow’s milk (or whatever milk your family normally drinks). Once your family is used to that, try ½ reconstituted milk and ½ regular milk. Then try ¾ cup reconstituted milk and ¼ cup regular milk. Finally, your family will be ready for 100% reconstituted powdered milk.

Another idea is to try powdered milk with cold cereal. Many people who do not like the taste of powdered milk when drinking it by itself can tolerate it when eating it with cold cereal.

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BAKING POWDER BISCUITS

2 cups flour                            ¼ cup powdered milk

1 tsp salt                                  1/3 cup shortening

1 Tbsp baking powder           1 cup water

Mix the flour, salt, baking powder & dry milk. Add the shortening in small spoonfuls; cut in with a fork or pastry blender. Add the water all at once and stir to moisten all the flour and shortening. Place the dough onto a floured surface & knead 10 times. Pat or roll until the dough is about 1/2” thick. Cut with 2” biscuit cutter. Place very close together on a greased baking sheet. Bake at 450 for 15-18 minutes, or until the tops are lightly browned.

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SWEETENED CONDENSED MILK

1/2 cup hot water

1 cup powdered milk

1 cup sugar

1 Tbsp butter

Blend all ingredients in a blender. Can be stored in refrigerator or frozen.

TIP: To easily clean your blender, immediately, fill your blender with hot soapy water & blend until clean.

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EVAPORATED MILK

1 ½ cups water

½ cup + 1 Tbsp powdered milk

Mix well before adding to any recipe.

Yield: 1 ½ cup or 12 oz can

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ORANGE JULIUS

2 cups orange juice                 2 Tbsp sugar

½ cup powdered milk            ½ tsp vanilla

½ cup crushed ice

Put all ingredients in blender and blend until ice is totally crushed and drink is smooth.

EARTHQUAKE SAFETY - STEP 7

The following information was taken from Putting Down Roots in Earthquake Country, which can be found at http://ussc.utah.gov/publications/roots_earthquake.pdf.

When Safe, Continue to Follow Your Disaster-Preparedness Plan

Once you have met your and your family’s immediate needs after the next strong Utah earthquake, continue to follow your disaster-preparedness plan (see Step 2, page 24).

The first days after the quake

In the days following a damaging quake, pay special attention to the following:

Safety first

·         Do not re-enter your home until you know it is safe.

·         Be sure there are no gas leaks at your home before using open flames (lighters, matches, candles, or grills) or operating any electrical or mechanical device that could create a spark (light switches, generators, chain saws, or motor vehicles).

·         Check for chemical spills, faulty elec­trical wiring, and broken water lines. Water in contact with faulty wiring is a shock hazard.

·         Unplug broken or toppled light fixtures or appliances. These could start fires when electricity is restored.

·         Never use the following indoors: camp stoves, kerosene or gas lanterns or heaters, gas or charcoal grills, or gas generators, as these can release deadly carbon monoxide gas or be a fire hazard in aftershocks.

Be in communication

·         Turn on your portable or car radio and listen for information and safety advi­sories.

·         Place all phones back on their cradles

·         Call your out-of-area contact, tell them your status, and then stay off the phone—emergency responders need the phone lines for life-saving commu­nications.

·         Check on your neighbors.

Check your food and water supplies

·         If power is off, plan meals so as to use up refrigerated and frozen foods first. If you keep the door closed, food in your freezer may be good for a couple of days.

·         If your water is off, you can drink from water heaters, melted ice cubes, or canned vegetables. Avoid drinking the water from swimming pools or hot tubs; use it to fight fires.

The first weeks after the quake

·         This is a time of transition. Although aftershocks may continue, you will now work toward getting your life, your home and family, and your rou­tines back in order. Emotional care and recovery are just as important as healing physical injuries and rebuilding a home. Make sure your home is safe to occupy and not in danger of collapse in aftershocks. If you were able to remain in your home or return to it after a few days, you will have a variety of tasks to accomplish while re-establishing routines:

Tasks

·         If your gas was turned off, you will need to arrange for the gas company to turn it back on.

·         If the electricity went off and then came back on, check your appliances and electronic equipment for damage.

·         If water lines broke, look for water damage.

·         Locate or replace critical documents that may have been misplaced, dam­aged, or destroyed.

·         Contact your insurance agent or com­• pany to begin your claims process.

·         Contact the Federal Emergency Man­agement Agency (FEMA) to find out about financial assistance. For FEMA teleregistration, call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).

·         If you cannot live at your home, set up an alternative mailing address with the post office.

If you can’t stay in your home

The American Red Cross offers immediate emergency assistance with housing needs. The Red Cross also supports shelter opera­tions prior to a presidential declaration of a federal disaster.

Once a presidential declaration has been issued, FEMA may activate the Assistance for Individuals and Households Program. This program includes:

·         Home-repair cash grants; the maximum federal grant available is $28,800 for all individual and family assistance.

·         Housing assistance in the form of reimbursement for short-term lodging expenses at a hotel or motel.

·         Rental assistance for as long as 18 months in the form of cash payment for a temporary rental unit or a manu­factured home.

·         If no other housing is available, FEMA may provide mobile homes or other temporary housing.

Weekly Newsletter - 6/26

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HOW TO USE WONDER BOXES

How to cook using a Wonder Box

Bring your food to a boil.

Simmer for the time recommended in the following chart.

Quickly place the hot pot in the Wonder Box. Place the Wonder Box lid on top.

Allow to cook for the recommended time.

Helpful Tips

• Cooking containers should have tight-fitting lids, to prevent the escape of heat and moisture. Place the lid on the pot before you remove the pot from the stove so the lid can also get hot.
• Use any cooking pot, provided it does not have a long handle.  
• The larger the amount of food cooked, the more effective Wonder Box cooking is, since a full pot has more mass and therefore more heat storage capacity than a half-full pot.
• The Wonder box does not work well if there is empty space or air pockets. Use an appropriate sized pot and fill the pot as full as possible. (Don’t use a big pot for a small amount of food.) If cooking a small amount of food in a small pot, wrap the pot in pillows, blankets, towels, etc to fill up any empty space in the wonder box.  
• When cooking meats make sure the meat is covered with water.
• Cooking containers should have tight-fitting lids, to prevent the escape of heat and moisture.
• Do not leave the Wonder Box on a metal surface while it is being used. Metal is a good conductor of heat and may draw off some heat through the bottom.
• Do not peek inside the wonder box or pot while it is cooking. If this happens, heat will escape, and the food will not cook properly.
• The Wonder Box was designed for cooking meals, but it can also be used for keeping food hot, cold or frozen for 3-6 hours depending on what it is For example, frozen meat will stay frozen longer than a tub of ice cream.
• Retained-heat cooking (Wonder Boxes) has many other advantages in addition to energy and water conservation. As mentioned, it makes “timing” less critical, since it keeps meals hot until serving time. Once the initial boil-and-short-simmer stage is past, it also eliminates the danger of burning the food on the bottom of the pot.
  

Recommended Water Amounts

Since water is not lost during Wonder Box cooking the way it is during extended stovetop simmering, the amount of water used to cook grains and beans is normally reduced by one-quarter. Instead of adding 2 cups of water per cup of dry rice, try adding 1 1/2.

Retained Heat Cooking Times – Approximate

Food                                       Simmering Time          Wonder Box Time

White Rice                              5 min                           1-2 hours

Brown Rice                            10-15 min                    2 hours

Potatoes, Whole White           5-10 min                      1-2 hours

Creamed Soups                      2 min                           1 hour

Dried Beans, etc..(soaked)     10-15 min                    3-4 hours

Meat Roast                            20-30 min                    3-5 hours

Cooking times from: http://solarcooking.wikia.com/wiki/Heat-retention_cooking

All other information from http://www.ourldsfamily.com/wonderbox/ or http://solarcooking.wikia.com/wiki/Heat-retention_cooking

3 MONTH SUPPLY - Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe

Chicken Tetrazzini
2 cups spaghetti, broken into 2" pieces
1 chicken bouillion cube
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 1/2 cups cooked, cubed chicken
pinch each of pepper and celery salt
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 1/2 cups grated cheddar or Colby/Mont Jack cheese

Cook spaghetti. Meanwhile, dissolve bouillion cube in 3/4 cup of water. Add soup, turkey, pepper, celery salt, onion & half of the cheese. Drain the spaghetti and add the soup mixture. Transfer to a 2 qt baking dish. Top with remaining cheeese. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes or until heated through. Serves 6.

EARTHQUAKE SAFETY - STEP 6

[The following information was taken from Putting Down Roots in Earthquake Country, which can be found at http://ussc.utah.gov/publications/roots_earthquake.pdf.]


After the Earthquake, Check for Injuries and Damage

Once earthquake shaking has stopped, fol­low your disaster preparedness plans (see Step 2). Most importantly:

Check for Injuries

NOTE: The manual in your first aid kit and the front pages of your telephone book have instructions on first aid measures.

• Check yourself for serious injuries before helping others. Protect your mouth, nose, and eyes from dust.
• If a person is bleeding, put direct pressure on the wound. Use clean gauze or cloth, if available.
• If a person is not breathing, adminis­ter rescue breathing.
• if a person has no pulse, begin CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).
• Do not move seriously injured per­sons, unless they are in immediate danger of further harm.
• Cover injured persons with blankets or additional clothing to keep them warm.

Check for Damage Causing Hazardous Conditions

Fire— If possible, put out small fires in your home or neighborhood immedi­ately. Call for help, but don’t wait for the fire department.

Gas leaks— Turn off the gas only if you suspect a leak because of broken pipes or detect the odor or sound of leaking natural gas. Use a manual gas shut-off wrench to close your main gas valve by turning it counterclock­wise. Don’t turn gas back on by your­self—wait for the gas company! (Your telephone book has information on this topic.)

Damaged electrical wiring— Shut off power at the main breaker switch if there is any damage to your home wiring. Leave the power off until the damage is repaired! (Your telephone book also has information on this topic.)

Downed utility lines—If you see downed power lines, consider them energized and keep yourself and oth­ers well away from them. Never touch downed power lines or any objects in contact with them!

Falling items—Beware of heavy items tumbling off shelves when you open closet and cupboard doors.

Spills—Use extreme caution; when in doubt, leave your home. Spilled med­icines, drugs, or other relatively non-toxic substances can be cleaned up. Potentially harmful materials, such as bleach, lye, garden chemicals, paint, and gasoline or other flammable liq­uids should be isolated or covered with an absorbent material, such as dirt or cat litter.

Damaged masonry—Stay away from brick chimneys and walls. They may be weakened and could topple dur­ing aftershocks. Don’t use a fireplace with a damaged chimney, as this could start a fire or trap toxic gases in your home.

If your home is seriously damaged

If your home is structurally unsafe or threatened by a fire or other secondary disaster, you need to evacuate. However, shelters may be overcrowded and ini­tially lack basic services, so do not leave home just because utilities are out of ser­vice or your home and its contents have suffered moderate damage.

If you evacuate, tell a neighbor and your family point-of-contact where you are going. Take the following, if possible, when you evacuate:

Bring to a shelter

• Personal disaster supply kits (see STEP 3, page 25).
• Supply of water, food, and snacks.
• Blanket, pillow, and air mattress or sleeping pad.
• Change of clothing and a jacket.
• Towel and washcloth.
• Diapers, formula, food, and other supplies for infants.
•  A few family pictures or other small comfort items, such as dolls or teddy bears for children.
• Personal identification and copies of household and health insurance information.
• Books and games (especially for chil­dren).

However, do not bring..

• Pets (service animals for people with disabilities are allowed—bring food for them).
• Large quantities of unnecessary cloth­ing or other personal items.
• Valuables that might be lost, stolen or take up needed space.

Weekly Newsletter - 6/19

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EARTHQUAKE SAFETY - STEP 5

All of the following information was taken from the booklet, Putting Down Roots in Earthquake Country. You can view the booklet at

http://ussc.utah.gov/publications/roots_earthquake.pdf.

Protect Yourself during Earthquake Shaking

DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON

If you are indoors, when you feel strong earthquake shaking, drop to the floor, take cover under a sturdy desk or table, and hold on to it firmly until the shaking stops.

If a table or desk is not available, sit down with your back against an interior wall, using your hands and arms to protect your head and neck.

If you are indoors…

Drop, Cover & Hold On! If you are not near a sturdy desk or table, drop to the floor against an interior wall and protect your head and neck with your arms.

Avoid exterior walls, windows, hanging objects, mirrors, tall furniture, large appliances, and cabinets filled with heavy objects.

Do not go outside until well after the shaking stops!

In bed

Hold on and stay there, protecting your head with a pillow. You are less likely to be injured staying where you are. Broken glass on the floor can cause injuries; be sure to put shoes on before stepping on the floor.

In a high-rise building

DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON. Avoid windows. Do not use elevators. Do not be surprised if sprinkler systems or fire alarms activate.

At work

DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON. Know your workplace’s earthquake safety plan and put it into action. When safe, move to a specified meeting location.

In a public building or theater

DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON if possible. If in a theater seat, duck down and protect your head and neck with your arms. Don’t try to leave until the shaking is over. Then walk out slowly, watching for fallen debris or anything that could fall on you in aftershocks.

If you are outdoors…

Move to a clear area if you can do so safely; avoid buildings, power lines, trees, and other hazards. Always assume fallen power lines are live.

Near tall buildings

Windows, facades, and architectural details are often the first parts of a building to collapse. Get away from this danger zone when shaking starts. Take refuge in a safe building or an open space.

Driving

When able, safely pull over to the side of the road, stop, and set the parking brake. Avoid overpasses, bridges, power lines, signs, trees, and other things that might collapse or fall on the vehicle. Stay inside the vehicle until the shaking is over. If a power line falls on the vehicle, stay inside until a trained person removes the hazard.

In a stadium

Stay at your seat and protect your head and neck with your arms. Don’t try to leave until the shaking is over. Then exit slowly, avoiding debris and watching for anything that could fall in aftershocks

Below a dam

Dams can fail during a major earthquake. Catastrophic failure is unlikely, but if you are downstream from a dam, you should know flood-zone information and have prepared an evacuation plan.

Don’t be fooled!—Myth number 6

“THE TRIANGLE OF LIFE SURVIVAL METHOD IS THE BEST METHOD TO USE INSIDE A BUILDING TO SURVIVE AN EARTHQUAKE.”

False. The best survival method inside a building is to Drop, Cover, and Hold On under a table, desk, or chair, rather than trying to get into a survivable void next to a large, bulky object as advocated by the Triangle of Life method.

The Drop, Cover, and Hold On survival method protects individuals from objects falling from walls and shelves. It also provides a level of protection from structural failures. If a table or desk is not available, sit down with your back against an interior wall, using your hands and arms to protect your head and neck.

For more information on possible flood areas, go to the Utah Division of Water Rights Dam Safety Program at http://www.waterrights.utah.gov/cgi-bin/damview.exe, click on the dam of interest, and view Dam Break Map.

Weekly Newsletter - 6/5

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3 MONTH SUPPLY - Chicken & Stuffing Casserole Recipe

We are encouraged to build a small supply of food that is part of our normal diet.

This week’s example recipe: Chicken & Stuffing Casserole

1 box stuffing

1 large can chicken chunks

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 – 1½ cup milk

 Cook the stuffing according to package directions. Mix the soup and the milk together. Pour a small amount of the soup mixture in the bottom of a 2 qt baking dish. Place the chicken over the soup mixture. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Spread the prepared stuffing over the chicken. Pour the remaining soup mixture over the stuffing. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until edges are bubbly and it is heated through.

EARTHQUAKE SAFETY – STEP 4

Identify Your Building’s Potential Weaknesses & Begin to Fix Them

Is your home strong enough to withstand an earthquake?

Use the following quiz to see if your home is likely to be so badly damaged in a future earthquake that people might be injured or that it would be unsafe to occupy. If your home scores above 17 on the quiz, you probably should have a structural engineer evaluate it unless it has been strengthened in the last few years. The engineer will check to see if your home is strong enough to keep you and your family reasonably safe in an earthquake by looking for the following:

Is your house properly connected to the foundation?

Is there plywood on the exterior walls of your house?

Are there anchors attaching the roof and floor systems to the walls?

Is your house constructed out of unreinforced masonry?

Do you have large openings like a garage door that may require better bracing?

The following quiz will help you to determine the adequacy of your house in resisting a seismic event. Once you have identified the areas requiring retrofitting, prioritize how and when to fix them, and get started. Local building departments and the Structural Engineers Association of Utah are excellent resources.

Structural-Safety Quiz for Homes and Other Buildings

1. When was your home built?

Before 1970 = 6 points

1970 – 1980 = 3 points

After 1980 = 1 point

2. How many stories and what style is your home?

2 or more stories above grade with stepped floors, split levels, or large openings in floors = 5 points

2 or more stories above grade with flat floors, no steps in the floor, and no large openings in floors = 3 points

1 story rambler above grade = 1 point

3. What is the construction material of the exterior walls?

Unreinforced masonry bearing walls = 7 points

Wood or reinforced masonry with full height brick veneer = 3 points

Wood or reinforced masonry = 1 point

4. What are the foundation walls constructed from?

Stacked rock or brick, with basement = 5 points

Stacked rock or brick, no basement = 3 point

Concrete, with or without basement = 1 point

Slab on grade, no basement = 0 points

5. Where is your house located? (see map, page 8)

[The example gives Ogden an 8. The map shows Mt Green 1 shade lighter than Ogden.]

Total points = __________

If your home scores 17 or more points on the quiz, you probably should have an engineer, architect, or contractor evaluate it.

EXAMPLES:

1. 1958, 1 story, unreinforced masonry, concrete foundation, Salt Lake City: 6+1+7+1+8 = 23

2. 1995, 2 story (flat), wood (brick veneer), concrete foundation, Ogden: 1+3+3+1+8 = 16

3. 2006, 2 story (large openings), wood, slab on grade, St. George: 1+5+1+0+3 = 10

Take a structural safety quiz for your home at http://ussc.utah.gov/publications/roots_earthquake.pdf (page 26 & 27).

EARTHQUAKE SAFETY – STEP 3

Prepare Disaster Supply Kits

Personal Disaster Kits

Everyone in your family should have their own personal disaster kits. These kits are collections of supplies they may need when a quake strikes.

Personalize these kits and keep them where they can easily be reached—at home, in the car, at work or school. A backpack or other small bag is best for these kits so that they can be easily carried in an evacuation.

Include the following items:

Medications, a list of prescriptions, copies of medical ooinsurance cards, doctors’ names and contact information.

Medical consent forms for dependents.

First aid kit and handbook.

Spare eyeglasses, personal hygiene supplies, and sturdy shoes.

Bottled water.

Whistle (to alert rescuers to your location).

Emergency cash.

Personal identification.

List of emergency contact phone numbers.

Snack foods high in calories.

Emergency lighting—light sticks and (or) a working flashlight with extra batteries and light bulbs (hand-powered flashlights are also available).

Comfort items, such as games, crayons, writing materials, and teddy bears.

Household Disaster Kits

Electrical, water, transportation, and other vital systems can be disrupted for several days or more after a large earthquake. Emergency response agencies and hospitals will likely be overwhelmed and unable to provide you with immediate assistance.

To help your family cope after a strong earthquake, store a household disaster kit in an easily accessible safe location.

This kit, which complements your personal disaster kits, should be in a large portable watertight container and should hold at least a 3- to 5-day supply of the following items:

Drinking water (minimum one gallon per person per day).

First aid supplies, medications, and essential hygiene items, such as soap, toothpaste, and toilet paper.

Emergency lighting—light sticks and (or) a working flashlight with extra batteries and light bulbs (hand-powered flashlights are also available).

A hand-cranked or battery-operated radio (and spare batteries).

Canned and packaged foods and cooking utensils, including a manual can opener.

Items to protect you from the elements, such as warm clothing, sturdy shoes, extra socks, blankets, and perhaps even a tent.

Heavy-duty plastic bags for waste and to serve other uses, such as tarps and rain ponchos.

Work gloves and protective goggles.

Pet food and pet restraints.

Copies of vital documents, such as insurance policies and personal identification.

TIP:  A Special Note About Children

Before the next earthquake, spend time with your kids to discuss what might occur. Involve them in developing your disaster plan, preparing disaster kits (ask them what game or toy they want to include), and practicing “DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON.”

In the days after a quake, kids need extra contact and support. They may be frightened and under great stress, and aftershocks won’t let them forget the experience. Parents may have to leave children with others in order to deal with the emergency, and this can be scary. Whenever possible, include your children in the earthquake recovery process.

Resources for kids to learn about disaster preparedness:

http://www.fema.gov/kids/

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/4kids/

 Information taken from Putting Down Roots in Earthquake Country