Lesson #2

April 7, 2008

Before you start reading, please take a minute and ask Heavenly Father to open your heart and mind to the things you need to do as far as preparedness is concerned. I can not emphasize enough the importance of prayer in this. Spiritual Preparedness is the top priority. If you can develop your spirituality while accumulating your temporal things, you will be guided and directed to know how you should proceed.

I know, I can promise you that if you are on a limited budget, if you sincerely fast and pray for the resources you need to get your supplies; the Lord will open the way to make it possible. It will happen! (1 Nephi 3:7)

Long-Term Supply: Product Recommendations

The following suggested amounts are for an adult.
U.S. Standard

Quantity
for One Month

Recommended
Products
Long-Term
Storage Life
25 lbs.
Wheat, white rice, corn, and other grains
30+ years
5 lbs.
Dry beans
30+ years
You may also want to add other items to your longer-term storage such as sugar, nonfat dry milk, salt, baking soda, and cooking oil. To meet nutritional needs, also store foods containing Vitamin C and other essential nutrients.

Dry products intended for longer-term storage should be low in moisture (about 10% or less) and free from insects.

Child Portions

3 and under- 50%

4-6- 70%

7-10- 90%

11 and up- 100%

Longer-Term Food Storage

Warning: Botulism poisoning may result if moist products are stored in packaging that reduces oxygen. Providentliving.org

Dry products that are not suitable for longer-term storage due to moisture content, oils, or other concerns include:

1. Barley, pearled
2. Eggs, dried
3. Flour, whole wheat
4. Grains, whole milled
5. Granola
6. Meat, dried (such as jerky)
1. Nuts
2. Rice, brown
3. Sugar, brown

4. Vegetables and fruits, dehydrated (unless dry enough, inside and out

New Findings for Longer-Term Food Storage

Findings of recent scientific studies conducted by a team of researchers at Brigham Young University show that properly packaged, low-moisture foods stored at room temperature or cooler (75°F/24°C or lower) remain nutritious and edible much longer than previously thought. The studies, which are the first of their kind, increase the estimated shelf life for many products to 30 years or more (see chart for new estimates of shelf life). Previous estimates of longevity were based on "best-if-used-by" recommendations and experience. Though not studied, sugar, salt, baking soda (essential for soaking beans), and vitamin C in tablet form also store well long-term. Some basic foods do need more frequent rotation, such as vegetable oil every 1 to 2 years.
While there is a decline in nutritional quality and taste over time, depending on the original quality of food and how it was processed, packaged, and stored, the studies show that even after being stored long-term, the food will help sustain life in an emergency.
Food
New "Life Sustaining" Shelf-Life
Estimates (In Years)
Wheat
30+
White rice
30+
Pinto beans
30
Apple slices
30
Macaroni
30
Rolled oats
30
Potato flakes
30
Powdered milk
20
Wheat

There are several basic foods which are needed in your family’s storage program. The backbone of any storage program is the grains. This particular area is huge. This week we will talk about wheat and next week we will cover other grains.

WHEAT is one of the oldest and most basic foods of all time and has for centuries been regarded as the staff of life. The vitamins found in greatest abundance in the wheat kernel are vitamin B complex and vitamin E., also iron, protein, and approximately 20 nutrients which are milled out of white flour. -----Wheat for Man and Why

It is the most inexpensive way to start your storage program. It is highly rated by nutritionists as one of the most biologically valuable foods. It stores well for many years, provides protein, carbohydrates, and oils and lends itself to a variety of preparations. The Sense of Survival pg 98-99

It is considered one of nature’s top 10 most perfect foods. Grain is spoken of in stories throughout the Bible. One in particular is the story of Joseph and storing wheat during the 7 years of plenty to be used during the 7 years of famine. (See Genesis 41)

All about Wheat
When most people begin to store food they begin with wheat. Not everyone knows how to use wheat but may have heard that it is good to store, so that is where they begin.

Why Wheat?
Nutrition: Wheat is packed with vitamins and minerals. The processing that most of our foods go through removes most of the valuable nutrients. Wheat kernels have 3 main divisions, the bran, the endosperm, and the inner embryo or wheat germ. The bran layer constitutes 14% of the wheat kernel and is removed when producing white flour. The bran is packed with vitamins A, C, and E, calcium, iron, and iodine. The bran also happens to be the best source of dietary fiber which aids in digestion and helps ward off disease. The wheat germ layer is an excellent source of Vitamin E, as well as other vitamins and protein. Many important nutrients are removed when layers are separated during processing. It makes sense to put whole wheat back into your diet.

Cost: Pound per pound, wheat is one of the least expensive foods available. And, since grain products will expand in your stomach, satisfying you even if you eat less, using wheat products can help you stretch your budget by eliminating the need for store-bought, overpriced, and over processed goods.

Protein: If you are concerned that your food storage may be lacking in protein, a good supply of wheat and beans will form a complete protein. (We will talk more about this at a later date.) A ½ cup of uncooked wheat contains 8 to 10 grams of protein. It will give you the protein needed for muscle growth and repair and you will have a low-fat complex carbohydrate to give your body the energy it needs to make it through the day.

How Should It Be Stored?

At BYU they have sprouted wheat from the ancient Egyptian Tombs over 4000 years old. Wheat will store for a long time!

Whole wheat kernels will store longer and better than when ground up into flour. When storing your wheat, make sure it is in containers specifically identified on the label as food storage containers. You can buy these used at bakeries, bread supply stores and restaurants for about $1.50. Round containers are best when storing wheat since wheat gives off heat and square containers stacked closely together may not allow this heat to escape.

Make sure your wheat moisture content is below 10%. This information should be on the front of the wheat. Wheat will not store well if its moisture content is higher. Storing wheat in a cool, dry place is the easiest way to keep moisture content low. You can also add an oxygen absorber to keep exposure to oxygen minimal. These can be purchased at the cannery.

A storage temperature of 40-60 F results in fresher wheat. However, 60 F and above is still acceptable. Storage containers should not be stored directly on a cement floor to prevent rusting and pest contamination. Wheat should also be stored away from apples, onions, potatoes, etc. since the odor or flavor may transfer to the wheat.

What Can You Do With Wheat?

Wheat adds variety to your food storage. Most people think only of using wheat as flour in bread products. But wheat can be used for much more. Wheat can be cracked, sprouted, ground into flour, and grown as wheat grass. It can also be used to sprout, make gluten, bulgur, as well as bake with it. Sprouted wheat can be added to top off sandwiches and salads. We will talk about all of these in coming weeks.

You can use the flour in noodles, pie crust, pastries, muffins, cookies, or anytime a recipe calls for flour. Cracked wheat by itself makes a great hot cereal. Try it as a meat extender for hamburgers, meatloaf, lasagna, pizza, spaghetti sauce, sloppy joes, chili, or soups. Simply, crack the wheat in a blender, grinder, on a coarse setting. Cook your hamburger, drain the fat, and then add 2 cups of water and ½ cup cracked wheat. Stir and simmer for 20 minutes, then add to your favorite recipes. Wheat flour can be used as a soup thickener.

The best place to introduce new foods is in treats, and then add to your breakfast menu, then other areas. I don't know of many kids who will turn down treats!!! Especially chocolate cookies or brownies that you can't tell the difference of the wheat color. .

What Kind of Wheat?

Varieties of wheat include hard red spring, hard red winter, soft red winter, soft white spring, and soft white winter. For storage purposes you need the hard varieties. You need about 13% protein/10% or less moisture.

Hard wheat is produced in areas that have dry temperature climates. The kernels are hard in texture, small, red, and have strong gluten. Gluten is what gives wheat cohesive strength and allows it to stretch, expand, and retain gases as fermenting dough expands. This is excellent for making hearty whole wheat loaves of bread or to use in recipes as an extender for red meat. Hard red winter wheat is also the most common wheat available. Hard white winter wheat contains a more delicate flavor than the hard red wheat and can be used to make light and fluffy bread, rolls, and scones. It can also be used in recipes as an extender for white meat. Both of these varieties of hard wheat are high in protein and fiber. White wheat is also easier on the digestive system.

Amount Needed

If you have only your basic foods, it would take about 300 lbs of grain per person to maintain life. Wheat is one of the most complete grains available, which is why it is invaluable in a storage program. You must have a grinder to grind your wheat (or two rocks! That was a joke!) Again next week we will discuss other grains.
Purchasing Wheat

There are several places to purchase wheat. We’ve talked about some of these. The least expensive place is our own cannery, but Winco and Costco carry bulk wheat as well as Walton Flour in Idaho and Fischer Flour in Seattle. The “Grainery” in Burien carries organic wheat, as well as grinders, and all kinds of other stuff.

When you purchase your wheat you can buy it already weevil treated. It will be marked on the bag. You can buy wheat already in buckets that are sealed. If you buy wheat in a bag, you will have to place it in a container that will also protect it from rodents. If you break the bag that has been treated, you will need to treat again. For long term storage the easiest way is the #10 cans from the cannery. They are available in 6 can cases, already canned and cost just a few cents more than canning them yourself.
CAUTION!

Because of our American diets of processed foods, our digestive systems will rebel if you have too much wheat to soon if you don’t use it currently. Many people of the world live on wheat as their mainstay. Most Americans are used to the refined foods, so when we start eating wheat, guess what? Stay close to the bathroom! Many people think they have an allergy to wheat when in reality; they have eaten more wheat than their bodies could handle. Some people in a family may be able to switch over easier than others, you need to go slow!!! In order to make this transition, if you aren't already eating wheat, start with a very little amount. Substitute ½ cup of flour requirement and gradually increase over the next few weeks. Kids love treats, so it is a great place to introduce it if you aren’t using it. It is also amazing how waffles with 1/2 wheat flour in them last until it really is lunch time! I can't stress enough to be careful as you make the transition, it can make you very sick if you go too fast.

QUESTIONS:

One person in our group asked why is it important to store grains and really "Why should we store it?" In discussing the value of various foods, the Lord mentions those which are good for man, and says about grains: "All grain is for the use of man and of beast, to be the staff of life.....Nevertheless, wheat for man....." D& C 89

“The lives of thousands of German Saints were saved by the shipments of Church Welfare supplies. The five and ten pound packages of wheat and whole grain flour proved conclusively to me that "wheat is for man". After only a few meals of cracked wheat mush, the starved saints would be almost different persons physically. And you can tell a baby of a Latter Day Saint by how healthy he is, which the result of being fed cracked wheat mush is." (Deseret News Church Section July 11, 1951)

CLOSING

It is really important that you start cooking with wheat now, not waiting until a crisis hits and have to deal with all that plus the effects of too much wheat!!! (Especially if something happened and we didn't have access to running water, thus no bathrooms! Diarrhea is bad enough when you have facilities!!!!--a grim prospect but it does happen.)

The church recommends you store white flour, it is just enough per person to be able to help you make the transition to wheat flour gradually. It is much easier to make the transition during times of normalcy rather than times of stress.

Many people think they are allergic to wheat. If you are allergic you can not eat anything made from any wheat product, which includes store bought bread, ketchup, vinegar, hot dogs, most gravy mixes, pasta, cold cereal, etc. If you are eating these things you do not have an allergy, but have become sick because of eating too much wheat too fast.

The Van Dams from Holland spoke at a fireside about 15 years ago. They were from a wealthy family pre WW2. It didn’t take long until they were scrounging for food like everyone else. One story was about the food they had to eat during the war in Holland. Someone from the audience asked should they only store food that the family would eat. Her reply was this......"We were so hungry we would dig up and eat the tulip bulbs in the ground made into a soup. They gave a terrible tummy ache, but not as bad as the stomach ache of hunger. When people say, "We do not store wheat because our family does not like it or use it." To this we say "BALONEY" When you are hungry you will eat anything you have." She talked about how happy they were when the church was able to bring in wheat after the war. They made a wheat mush from it and people started to regain their health. (see quote from Church News 1951.)

I hear many people say they won’t store wheat because their families will not eat it. Please pray about this to find out if it is something you need to add to your diet now so they are more familiar with this food. Economically it will make your storage possible, and will provide the needed nutrients for your family.

I will send some recipes in another e-mail. You can copy the ones you would like and put them in your recipe section.

THIS WEEK’S HOMEWORK

1- Make something this week that has wheat in it. (recipes coming in a follow up e-mail)

2 - Please send a recipe or two to share for next week for any type of grains, popcorn, rye, millet, barley, etc

Next week we will cover other grains.

3 - Start saving any liter bottles and juice bottles for water storage. (We will talk about water in a few weeks).

Food Gathering Assignments

Because people are at different levels of preparedness, the only way I can think to meet everyone’s needs, is to offer challenges on different levels.

Beginner

Working on 3 months Supply---This is what your focus needs to be for now.

When done with this, you can work on another 3 months supply.

Evaluate your grain storage. If you are just starting, start by gathering what you need in 3 month increments. For 3 months you need 75 lbs of grain per person. When would you like to have that done by? (wheat, white rice, oats, corn, other grains)

How much do you need for your family? How many in your family?________times 75 lbs. equals________

How much money do you have per week or month to gather needed items?__________

Medium

Working on 6 months worth

Evaluate your grain storage. What do you need to do each month so you have 6 months supply of grain for each person in your family? When would you like to have that done by? This week decide how much of you grain totals you want to be in wheat. Set some goals about when you want to have this completed by. Gather containers to store your wheat in. Make sure the wheat you have is stored properly.

Advanced

Working on 12 months worth

Evaluate your wheat storage. If you are at this point, you have figured out what you are doing. You probably just need a little reminder to make sure you have adequate supply. You are probably ready to add some diversity to your grains, which we will address next week. What do you need to do each month so you have 12 months worth for each person in your family? When would you like to have that done by? On paper decide how much of your grain totals you want to be in wheat. Make sure your wheat is stored properly

You can divide your grain purchases between several types of grains–we will address other grains available next week, however, wheat is usually the cheapest and most used grain.

Look at the calculator I sent last week. It gives you what the church recommends as far as different grain break downs, as well as all the other essential storage items.

I am sending an attachment for basic recipes using very few ingredients. I will also send an additional e-mail of recipes that you can copy and paste as wanted for you recipe book.


Prophetic Quotes

Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p.266 - From the standpoint of food production, storage, handling, and the Lord's counsel, wheat should have high priority. Water, of course, is essential. Other basics could include honey or sugar, legumes, milk products or substitutes, and salt or its equivalent. (God, Family, Country, p. 269.)

The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p.375 - We encourage families to have on hand this year's supply; and we say it over and over and over and repeat over and over the scripture of the Lord where he says, "Why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" (Luke 6:46.) How empty it is as they put their spirituality, so-called, into action and call him by his important names, but fail to do the things which he says.

Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p.265 - Should the Lord decide at this time to cleanse the Church—and the need for that cleansing seems to be increasing—a famine in this land of one year's duration could wipe out a large percentage of slothful members, including some ward and stake officers. Yet we cannot say we have not been warned. (God, Family, Country, p.383.)

Brigham Young J.D. 1:250 Discourses, 1943 ed., p 298 - The time will come that gold will hold no comparison in value to a bushel of wheat.