Between 30 and 50 million Americans or 1 out of 10 are lactose intolerant. If you are one of those “lucky” individuals you know how important it is to make sure that your diet does not contain any products that contain Lactose.

For those who do suffer from lactose intolerance, or know someone who is lactose intolerant, today is your lucky day.   I’ve put together a list of our  Dehydrated & Freeze-Dried products that are lactose free.

If you are not affected, or have never herd of lactose intolerance here is a simple definition:

Lactose Intolerance - is the inability to metabolize lactose, because of a lack of the required enzyme lactase in the digestive system.

I hope this list is helpful & please feel free to forward this to your friends or family and have them pass it along to anyone that is lactose intolerant, next weeks

Allergy & Specialty Part 4 -Pork Free Products.

Allergy & Specialty Part 2 – Gluten Free

Well lucky for you, there is  simple way to heat an MRE.  Today I will go over many options on how to Heat your MRE Entree. The most commonly used product is our MRE Flameless Heater, and why you might ask? Its a simple to use product that has a 7 Step system. (Click here to view the Video)

Step #1 Peal Open Pouch

You don’t need scissors to open your MRE Flameless Heater all you need to do is find the easy to tear slit on the side of the heater.

Step #2 Pour In 1oz. Water

On the Flameless Heater you can simply add the water to the line on the bottom of the pouch.

(Please note: The MRE Heater does have a line where you should not overfill past for easy measuring)

Step #3 Slide MRE Into Heater

Remove your MRE Entree from the box that it comes in, simply slide the Entree into the heater pouch.

Step #4 Slide Into MRE Box

When Inserting your MRE Into the box, make sure you fold the opening inside the box to make sure

the steam does not escape.

Step #5 Set the MRE Upright & Cook 10 Minuets

You will see steam exiting the box & it will cause the card board to turn wet, also you might experience

a plastic smell but don’t worry that is normal.

WARNING EXTREMELY HOT!!

After having the MRE in the pouch for 10 Minuets it will be Extremely Hot!! So please be careful and

have adult supervision for Step #6.

Step #6 Remove MRE Meal From Heater

Be very careful when removing the MRE from the heater, the meal pouch will be very hot.

Step #7 Tear Open MRE & Enjoy

The Entree will have a easy to tear cut on the side of the pouch for easy access to the food.

You can eat out of the pouch or empty the contents into a plate or bowl.

So next time your looking to purchase some MRE’s make sure that you will have enough of our MRE Flameless Heaters for your MRE Entree’s.

The term “food storage” is used rather loosely in the emergency preparedness industry. Depending on who is sharing the information it can mean anything from a pail of beans to the canned food in your pantry. In this blog we’ll briefly outline the  different types of food storage and make you aware of their pros and cons.

Food in your pantry

This is the starting point for your food storage. Depending on your family size, having enough food to last you at least two weeks in your pantry is one of the most cost effective ways to have food stored. I came from a large family, so we had a large room where we stored many weeks worth of food. It worked great for the family because my mom rarely had to run to the grocery store in a hurry. She would use our storage room as her grocery store and then restock that when she went shopping. I strongly recommend having a well stocked pantry with food that you are eating and will eat.

Here are a couple things to keep in mind:

• Make sure you buy food that you’ll eat – I see people make the mistake of buying canned food at a case lot sale, but it is food they never want to eat. So even though the food was a great price, the food just sat in their pantry.
• Shelf life – This brings me to my next point of the shelf life of wet packed canned from you local grocery. The best rule of thumb is that your canned food will last at least 2 years. A lot of canned food will last much longer than that, maybe even up to 5 years. Foods that are high in acid content such as tomatoes and fruits will be closer to the 2 year range. If the canned food is past the expiration date, you should carefully inspect the food (the sniff test) and then make your best determination whether it is still safe to eat.

Once your pantry is stocked and you feel comfortable there, you need to consider more long term food storage products. These fall into three main categories:

1. Dry bulk food items

2. Dehydrated foods

3. Freeze-dried foods

Dry bulk food items

The items in this category include wheat, beans, rice, rolled oats, sugar and other staples. They are typically bulk packed in either cans or buckets. These items can be good to have around, but here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Preparation - It is difficult to turn these dry bulk food items items into something edible. If you are going to store food in this way, then you have to go all the way. You will need wheat grinders, lots of fuel (to cook these items into something edible) and additional ingredients to make the food usable. Just the fuel alone will be difficult to store and in the quantities you will need. So just remember, you have to go all in with this approach or you won’t be able to use it when you need it.

• Shelf life – Most of these items will store for a very long time. If stored properly, the wheat, beans, rice and oats will store for many, many years and probably many decades.

• Taste and Nutrition – These dry bulk storage foods typically will give you excellent nutrition. As for taste, that depends on what you can make out them. A pot of beans, doesn’t taste that great without some other ingredients added to it.

Dehydrated Food

This type of shelf stable food is processed using high heat. The high temperatures remove the moisture from the food which gives allows for the extended shelf life. The two things that really affect shelf life are moisture and oxygen. Here are few things to consider with dehydrated food:

• Shelf life – because of how the food is processed, the shelf life for most dehydrated items is 5-10 years. A few items might be a couple years longer and a few items might be a couple years shorter (such as dairy). So all that being said, dehydrated food is on the shorter end of the spectrum for long term shelf life.

• Taste and nutrition – again, because of how the food is processed using high heat, it actually damages the food and removes nutritional value as well as flavor. You will find with dehydrated food that it just won’t taste quite as good (sometimes it will taste awful!) and the food will look a little off.

• Preparation – most dehydrated food requires that you add and cook it. This requires fuel and a stove to be able to do so. It is easy to prepare, but it does take time. For example, dehydrated soup mixes will require cooking for up to 30 minutes. Over time that will use a lot of fuel.

Freeze-dried food

Freeze-dried food uses a unique process to make the food shelf stable. Rather than using high heat, it uses low heat in a vacuum chamber to slowly remove the moisture from the food. Because of how it is processed, the food retains nearly 100% of the natural nutrients, enzymes and taste. Freeze-dried food is my choice for long term food storage because it is the best in all three categories. Here are a few things to consider with freeze-dried food:

• Shelf life – freeze-dried food will give you the longest shelf life. You will get at least 25 years and more than likely much longer. I have heard of 40 year old freeze-dried food being tested and it has lost very little taste or nutritional value.

• Taste and Nutrition – This is another outstanding quality of freeze-dried food. It tastes like fresh food. The entrees, fruits and vegetables taste fresh and not processed. The flavor isn’t muted or dull. It will also retain the same texture, color and look of the fresh food. Because it is processed in low heat, the food retains 99% of all the fresh vitamins, nutrients and enzymes of the fresh food. This food tastes so good that I eat it regularly for my lunches and I know many other people that do the same.

• Preparation – again, another exceptional quality of freeze-dried food is how easy the preparation is. This food is designed for just add water simplicity. All you have to do is add hot water, stir and wait about 5 minutes and you have a meal. Because of that, your fuel costs are very low and you don’t have to spend valuable time in the preparation.

Remember with food storage that the most important thing is to start. But, I want to make sure you are spending your hard earned money on a product that you will use and will last.

When regular electric service has been interrupted by damage to power lines or power stations due to storms, floods, land slides, earthquakes, it’s referred to as a power outage. Most people have come to rely on electric power for their day-to-day survival needs.  In some situations, electric power can be out for days or weeks. You can plan ahead for the possibility of losing electric power by knowing where the flashlight and other emergency supplies are kept.

What should I do if the power goes out?

* Check the fuse box to see if there is a blown fuse or a tripped circuit breaker. Sometimes the power outage will be limited to your own home.

* If one needs to be replaced, turn off all large appliances or unplug them before you replace a fuse or a breaker to avoid damage to the electrical system.

* Check your neighborhood to see if others are without power.

* Call to report the power outage. Call only once to keep the line open for other customers. Most land-lines should still work.

Check with your local authorities to find out the numbers you should call before hand.  Keep these numbers in a place you will remember.

What to do when you see damaged or downed power lines in your neighborhood?

* Don’t get near any fallen or sagging power line.

* Call the utility company about the line.

* Keep children or others away from the problem area.

How to protect your electric appliances from electrical power surges when the power returns:

* Sometimes when power is restored, power levels can vary considerably. This variation can damage electrical appliances.

* Turn off the lights and electrical appliances except for the refrigerator and the freezer.

* After you have turned off the lights, go back and turn on one single lamp so that you will know when the power is working again.

* Wait at least 15 minutes before turning on the remaining appliances after the power has been restored.

* Use power-surge protectors on your desktop computer or laptop to make sure your data is protected.

Special precautions for those using life support equipment at home:

* People who depend on electrical equipment to treat a health problem should have a plan in advance of a power outage.

* In some cases, this may mean purchasing a back-up power supply such as a generator or going to a health care facility that has back-up power.

* People who use life support equipment should register with the local utility. When they do this, the utility will make them a top priority for power supply repair and restoration.

How should I use a power generator?
* For your safety, always follow the manufacturer’s instruction on the use of power generators.

* Since most generators are powered by gasoline and can generate carbon monoxide gas, run them outdoors where the fumes will not cause illness.

* Power generators should never be plugged into your home’s main electrical panel as this may result in serious injury or death to utility personnel working to restore power.

* Instead, plug the generator directly into the appliance you wish to use during the outage.

* Safely store extra gasoline to be ready at a moments notice.

How long will the food in my refrigerator and freezer remain cold enough to prevent food borne illness?

* It is important to keep freezer and refrigerator doors closed to prevent the loss of cold air.

* A fully loaded refrigerator may keep food fresh for about six hours.

* A fully loaded freezer may keep food frozen for up to two days.

* If any food in the refrigerator or freezer is warmer than 41° F, throw it out.

* In a severe emergency or disaster, expect electric power to be out for several days. Consider relocating to a shelter or to a friend’s home where heat and power are available.

* WARNING: Never use charcoal, gas, or propane heaters indoors. Doing so can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. These can also increase the risk of fire.

Make sure you have adequate food and water stored.  Freeze-Dried-Food is perfect for this situation as you only need to add water to eat it.

During periods of emergency or disaster, sanitation levels can deteriorate rapidly and disease can spread and even cause death in a matter of days. Maintaining good hygiene will prevent disease and illness from spreading. You will need a sanitary way to use the restroom, a way to keep your living environment clean, and a way to keep your hands, mouth, and body clean.

Some Hygiene or Sanitation items you should keep in an ‘easy to access’ place in case you find yourself in an emergency situation could include:

1. Waterless Hand Sanitizer
2. Antibiotic ointment
3. Antiseptic cleansing wipes
4. Bar of Soap
5. Tissue Packs
6. Toilet Paper Rolls
7. Latex-Free Gloves
8. Particle Respirator / Dust Mask
9. Toothbrushes
10. CombRazor

Some other less essential, but ideal items could include:

1. Clean Change of Clothes
2. Toothbrushes
3. Comb
4. Razor
5. Port-a-Potty Lid
6. Port-a-Potty Bags
7. Port-a-Potty Chemicals

Also remember to keep a clean, sanitary source of water at all times. You can store it by using any type of water preserver, or you can keep a water filter near by.

You would be surprised to find out how many things are Freeze-Dried in your every day life like Coffee, Dog/Can Food, and my favorite Ice Cream Sandwiches. Yes you read correctly. The most commonly enjoyed dessert in America can be Freeze-Dried and have an amazing 25-30 year shelf life. Freeze-dried Ice Cream is also known as “Astronaut Ice Cream” or “Space Ice Cream”. It gets these names because it was created back in the the late 60′s for NASA’s Apollo Missions. NASA wanted the astronauts to have some form of dessert and in prior missions they did, in fact, send real ice cream, but due to the weight of ice cream they looked into an alternative solution. With the Freeze-Drying process it has had the water removed from the Ice Cream and lowers the pressure to leaves a simple a light weight “brick” of ice cream that would cut the weight down dramatically.

The most common misconception with Freeze-Dried Ice Cream is that you would have to add water, right? No that is one of the great things about the Freeze-Dried Ice Cream is that it does not require any water or preparations to eat the ice cream. Just open the packaging or #10 can, pull out your Ice Cream bar, unwrap it from the paper packaging and voila, ready to eat. I personally remember as a kid eating this Ice Cream & having it melt in my mouth and enjoyed every second of it, and now when I give it to my kids and see the reaction that they get it is priceless. So next time that you are going on a camping, hiking, or road trip think of a simple snack for you and your family to enjoy and get your Saratoga Farms Ice Cream Sandwiches.

#10: The Government Will Give Me Food in an Emergency.

Actually, the government usually doesn’t get aid to disaster-stricken areas for about three days, and even then, they can’t feed everyone. Besides, there doesn’t have to be a catastrophic disaster for you to need your food storage. Power outages that last for a couple weeks due to storms are not uncommon. In similar non-catastrophic emergencies, the government might not step in with aid at all. Its important to be self-reliant and not have your life depend on aid from the government, neighbors, family, or friends. Taking the responsibility for yourself and your own family will always prove the safest option.

#9: I’ll Never Be in a Disaster Where I Need Food Storage.

Actually, the vast majority of Americans commonly find themselves in a situation where food storage would be helpful, if not vital. You may not have a devastating earthquake in your home town, but you could very likely lose your job. Having food storage would free up what money you have to spend on vital bills like your mortgage or rent instead of food. Again, there doesn’t have to be a catastrophic disaster for you to need your food storage. Sometimes its just common changes in life, like injuries, job loss, or financial troubles.

#8: Food Storage Tastes Disgusting.

Actually, modern improvements in food storage preparation and preservation have drastically improved the quality and tast of food storage. As a result, new food storage products taste delicious. You don’t have to eat chalky calorie bars day after day. You can have things like beef stroganoff, lasagna, & chicken teriyaki that you and your kids will love

#7: Food Storage is a Pain to Rotate.

Actually, with properly packaged freeze-dried food wich has only recently seen widespread commercial use, the shelf-life of food storage is more than 30 years and counting. That mean for some of us, our food storage could last longer than us!

#6: To Live Off Food Storage I Have to Do Things Like Grind Wheat and Bake My Own Bread.

Actually, modern freeze-dried food is incredibly simple to prepare. Just add hot water and wait 2-5 minutes and your meal is ready. No cooking and virtually no preparation or clean up. You can prepare it in the same dishes you are eating from.

#5: Only Fanatics and Doomsdayers Get Food Storage.

Actually, more and more regular normal people are realizing the wisdom in storing some food for a rainy day. So its not just
crazy people that are getting food storage, its smart people too that are just trying to be cautious and prudent.

#4: I Don’t Have Room For Food Storage.

Actually, there are all sorts of little nooks and crannies in your home where you could store food and not even notice it was there. Under your
bed, for example. You might have to get a little creative, and it might not be all in the same place, but everyone has enough room for at least a couple weeks supply of food. Even if it is under your bathroom sink.

#3: You’re Better Off Saving Money than Stockpiling Food Storage.

Actually, when it comes down to it, food is much more valuable than money. Most likely what you would be doing with your money in an emergency situation is buying food anyway, but often food is not available or accesible. Also, many times when power outages occur or
there is damage to other critical infrastructure, your money that is stored in the bank is not accesible either. So if your going to buy food with your money in case of an emergency, why not just buy it now?

#2: I Can Just Use the Food in My Fridge or Cupboards For Food Storage.

Actually, one of the most likely things to be unavailable in an emergency situation is electricity. If the electricity is gone the food in your fridge will go bad and most of the food in your cupboard will require electricity to prepare and cook. Having extra food in your cupboards is always a good thing, but food designed for use in an emergency will be so much more usable and beneficial.

#1: Food Storage is Way Too Expensive and I Can’t Afford It.

Actually, when you look at how long modern food storage lasts you could have a year supply of food for as little as $100 a year. Also, when it comes down to it, its all a matter of priorities. When, not if, you have an emergency, would you rather have a television that is a few inches bigger, or a stomach that is a few meals fuller?