Why Store Food?

When you are as into food storage as I have become lately, some people out there start to think you have a screw loose.  Some view food storage as hoarding.  Those who haven't caught the vision of a home store just view it as an unnecessary waste of money and space in this modern world we live in where food and water has always been readily available to them.  In a church meeting I attended we were talking about food storage.  A woman who is thinking of joining the church I attend was there and she questioned why we would need food storage because if we have faith then God should just take care of us right?  Well, all of these things have caused me to learn to articulate just why I store food.  Here are my main reasons:

• Religious leaders have encouraged me to do so, which to me equals Heavenly Father asking me to do so.  I view this as His way of taking care of me in an emergency if I am faithful enough to heed His counsel to prepare for the unknown.
• The economy is not exactly stable right now.  I want food storage so that if my husband loses his job we will have one less thing to worry about and I can make sure my family has the nourishment we need to stay healthy. 
• Food storage is very convenient.  When I run out of something or find that I'm short an ingredient in a recipe I'm making, I know that I can go into my storage room and find what I need rather than driving 15 minutes to the grocery store.  
• It encourages healthy eating.  When I'm in too much of a rush to make a meal from fresh ingredients I can whip up a healthy, non processed meal with my food storage rather than turning to more processed, less healthy options such as boxed/frozen dinners or fast food.  It also makes for healthy and tasty snacks.
• If there is an emergency, I won't have to depend on others to take care of me and my family.  Since we will not be struggling to find food we will be able to focus on helping the recovery effort more.  If the situation lasts for a long time we will also be able to help feed our neighbors until help arrives.  
• It is a good investment.  I don't think investing in gold and things like that is a bad idea, but what good is gold if you don't have food to eat?  Also if things fall apart enough for me to need gold, chances are food will be a pretty hot commodity as well and useful for trading and bartering purposes.   If that never happens, then at least I can eat my food and the money spent will be for something I can actually use.

So there are a few of the reasons I store food.  Please comment and share why you are striving to become self reliant by creating a home store!

One year food supply SALE!

Through October 9th Shelf Reliance's 1 Person 1 Year Freeze Dried and Dehydrated Food Package is on sale.  It is being discounted from $945.84 and will now cost only $756.19.  This package contains the following:

Grains:

• 8 Cans of Instant White Rice (48 servings per can)
• 12 Cans of Hard White Winter Wheat (44 servings per can)
• 3 Cans of 6 Grain Pancake Mix (46 servings per can)
• 2 Cans of Elbow Macaroni (25 servings per can)

Vegetables:

• 6 Cans of Dehydrated Potato Chunks (42 servings per can)
• 1 Can of Freeze-Dried Sweet Corn (46 servings per can)
• 1 Can of Freeze-Dried Green Peas (41 servings per can)
• 1 Can of Dehydrated Chopped Onions (45 servings per can)
• 1 Can of Freeze-Dried Chopped Onions (45 servings per can)
• 1 Can of Freeze-Dried Broccoli (52 servings per can)  

Fruits:

• 2 Cans of Organic Apple Slices (48 servings per can)
• 2 Cans of Freeze-Dried Strawberries (45 servings per can)
• 1 Can of Freeze-Dried Blueberries (50 servings per can)
• 1 Can of Freeze-Dried Blackberries (49 servings per can)
• 2 Cans of Freeze-Dried Raspberries (48 servings per can)

Dairy:

• 6 Cans of Powdered Milk (43 servings per can)
• 3 Cans of Chocolate Drink Mix (48 servings per can) 

Proteins/Beans:

The taste and texture of TVP (Textured Vegetable Protein) is consistent with real meat, making it a great addition to vegetarian diets

• 3 Cans of Bacon TVP (47 servings per can)
• 3 Cans of Beef TVP (44 servings per can)
• 3 Cans of Chicken TVP (45 servings per can)
• 2 Cans of Taco TVP (42 servings per can)
• 6 Cans of Pinto Beans (49 servings per can)
• 1 Can of Black Beans (49 servings per can)
• 2 Cans of Lima Beans (49 servings per can)
• 3 Cans of Lentils (51 servings per can)
• 6 Cans of Whole Eggs (236 servings per can) 

Cooking Basics:

• 2 Cans of White Sugar

Contact me if you are interested!  mythrivehive@gmail.com

Broccoli Cheese Soup Review

I have been wanting to try THRIVE's Broccoli Cheese Soup for quite some time.  I heard good things about it, but I'm always skeptical about food storage entrees so I just bought a pouch of this soup to test it out.  I was hoping it would be good enough to merit being put into my 72 hour kit and to add to my home store.

This soup was so easy to make.  All you have to do to make 6 servings is to boil 3 cups of water and then whisk the mix in.  I was surprised with how thick and creamy the soup is.  It has a nice cheesy flavor and is as good as any other broccoli cheese soup I have tried.  My 5 year old son who doesn't even like broccoli gave this soup an enthusiastic thumbs up. My 2 year old daughter proclaimed that she hated soup when I announced what we were having for dinner, but after much coaxing she tried it and liked it too!  I served this soup with bread sticks and carrots and that made for a very hearty dinner.  Even my husband was full afterwards and he is usually a bottomless pit!  I could also see using this soup in a casserole, over rice, or even over pasta.

So, our little taste test was a great success and I highly recommend this soup to anyone looking for a good hearty entree to add to their food storage.  I am definitely going to buy some #10 cans of this soup for our home store.  I'm also going to get some Broccoli Cheese Soup pouches for our 72 hour kits.  It was hearty enough that it could easily fill our empty tummies even without the bread sticks and carrots and it will be very easy to make in an emergency.  

If you are interested in trying some of this soup, the party prices are:

#10 can:  $38.59 (48 servings)

Pantry can:  $14.59 (11 servings)

Pouch:   $8.09 (6 servings)

Comment or email me if you would like to order and I will add you to a party so you can get this party price. mythrivehive (at) gmail (dot) com

5 day Sale!

In honor of the new Shelf Reliance facility opening today, all Shelf Reliance products are now on sale through Sept. 5!  I have never seen the prices this low, so it is the time to order!  Check out the sale prices here!

I just got a Harvest 72" Food Rotation System myself and I am loving it!  It holds so much food, and keeps it nice and organized.  No more expired cans around here.  It is now on sale for $251.74.  That is such a good price!

Just as a reminder, there is a Food Rotation System Planner here, so if you have a certain space you would like to place a FRS, you can just input the dimensions of the space and see all of the systems that would work in that space.  You can also get ones that hold all #10 cans or all small cans.

If you are interested in ordering that or any other Shelf Reliance product including their delicious THRIVE food, email me at mythrivehive@gmail.com and I will help you get the sales price.