Food Bars?

When I first heard about food bars, I thought they were just the “Powerbar” type things you can buy at any local retailer. I had no idea what a beneficial product they could be to me in an emergency. My parents bought my family and me an emergency box for Christmas. It was filled (and I mean completely packed) with emergency supplies. Water packs for drinking, flashlights, a crank-powered radio, matches, a mini stove, and a supply of food bars. I was curious because the food bars were the only edible item in the kit. “How in the world could we survive on Powerbars,” I thought? I knew they were nutritious, but I didn’t think they could sustain us completely. So, I did some research on food bars, and this is what I found.

Food bars have a shelf life of 5 years. That was wonderful! No more digging the stale, broken peanut butter crackers out of the 72 hour kits every couple months. There is absolutely no preparation needed to eat the food bars. Just peel of the wrapper and eat. There are a few different brands of food bars, and each one has a bit of a different flavor to it. I’ve heard of ones that taste like lime creamsicle bars or apple-cinnamon cookies, but my favorites are the shortbread flavor. My grandma always had Lorna Doone cookies in her cookie jar, and that’s what they remind me of.

Also, food bars are made to withstand extreme temperatures. So, whether you live in the middle of the Arizona desert, or in the Alaskan tundra, they will stay fresh and completely nutritious. Another really great benefit of food bars is that they are made with very low sodium, so you don’t get thirsty while you’re eating them. (Unlike those terrible old peanut butter crackers!) That will help you reserve your water rations in an emergency.

The nutritional value of a food bar is astounding. You can purchase them in either 3600 or 2400 calorie packages. The 3600 calorie bar has 54 grams of protein, 378 carbs and 180 grams of fat. The 2400 bar has 36 grams of protein, 252 carbs and 120 grams of fat. They are made out of all natural ingredients with no preservatives. They are kept fresh by being vacuum sealed. The main ingredients are wheat flour, vegetable shortening, cane sugar, water, coconut and salt.

Not only will food bars be nutritious for you and your family in an emergency, but they will also taste great! They are very light-weight and small, which makes for easy transportation when you need to be on the move. I am very grateful to my parents for thinking of our emergency survival. Food bars will be something we buy more of in the future. Whether you store them in your 72 hour kit, in your car, or in your office, they will bring peace of mind if an emergency should strike.

Every year in Colorado there are stories about skiers, snowmobilers, and hikers who get lost in the mountains.  This winter a group of six snowmobilers went missing for four days.  A snow storm was blowing through the area and hindering rescue efforts.  Fortunately the group came across a cabin and they were able to survive off of the popcorn, chicken bouillon, and gravy mix that they found inside.  Once the storm passed, the six snowmobilers were able to find a snowed in train station where they called 911 and were eventually rescued.

This group was fortunate to find a source of food in a remote mountain area.  Not everyone is so lucky.  Any time you are going to be traveling in remote areas you should bring with you a selection of supplies so that if you do get lost you will be able to survive until help arrives.  Emergency preparedness stores have taken the guess work out of what to take with you for food and energy.  High calorie food bars are light weight, all natural bars that are easy to carry and will stay fresh for up to 5 years.  They come in packs of 2400 or 3600 calories and are portioned in 200 calorie blocks.  if you do happen into a situation where you need to use them, they taste similar to a short-bread cookie.  If you have a safe trip with no unexpected emergencies then at least you have the piece of mind that you were prepared.

Preparing for the unexpected is a part of everyday life.  Either you choose to do so and reap the benefits when a disaster occurs, or you don’t prepare and you hope that someone comes to your rescue.

When disaster strikes, whether you are given 24 hours notice or 2 minutes notice, a very important thing you can do to keep your family protected is to have easy access to your 72 hour kits. It’s natural to get flustered and anxious when an unexpected event occurs, so if your 72 hour kits are kept in a place that you can access easily on your way out the door, you will be more likely to take them with you. It’s amazing that all the time an effort spent to put together emergency supplies can be completely wasted if you are unable to get to your kits in time or you don’t remember where you’ve put them. Some of the best places to keep your kits are in a hall closet nearest to the door that you exit from the most, in your garage, or even in your car if you have room.

If you choose to put them in a closet, make sure they are accessible and not shoved in the back or left under a pile of old kids toys, shoes, and spare diapers, which occasionally happens to mine. If you always leave the house through your front door, it would be wise to not leave your kits in a closet at the back of the house and vise versa. The key is to choose a location that is easy to get to and is on route to your most likely exit point.

If you choose to leave them in the garage, a good idea would be to install hooks on the wall near the door so you can just grab them and go. Or designate a shelf that you can get to quickly. If you have room to store them in your car then that is great. Just make sure to take them out if you ever take your car in for service so that they are still available to you. The last thing you need is to go to all the trouble of having 72 hour kits then not being able to use them when you need them because your car is getting new tires.

It is also a good idea to take your kits with you if you plan on driving for a vacation. We’ve been having record snowfall in the mountains of Colorado this year. Just last month, hundreds of drivers were stuck on I-70, just west of Denver, Colorado, when the road was shut down during a big blizzard. There was no where to turn around and no way of getting off the interstate. People were stuck in their vehicles all night, during the middle of a blizzard no less, until crews were able to make sure no avalanches were going to cover the interstate from all the new snow. I would be surprised if any of those drivers had access to 72 hour kits. Just imagine how much better their nights would have been with a space blanket and some high calorie food bars.

Four years ago, Colorado had one of the biggest storms it has had in over a decade. The snow was falling in feet, not inches and that was in town, not just up in the mountains. The Hospitals were all on the plan D, Disaster Mode. Stores were shut down because people couldn’t get out of their driveways, let alone get to work. Fortunately for us, we have a year’s supply of food for just this type of situation.

When people are asked about emergency preparedness, they tend to think of “end of the world” scenarios. But it can be as simple as a snow storm or outrageous gas prices that prevent you from going to the store for the things you need. Ideally, it would be best to be prepared for short term needs as well as long term needs.

For short term needs, the best route to go is to get 72 hour kits for each member of your family. 72 hour kits are backpacks that contain enough supplies to last a person 3 days. They typically contain high calorie food bars,(with a minimum of 1200 calories per person per day) water or purification tablets, waterproof matches, a flashlight, a whistle, a space blanket, and a first aid kit. Some even have tents and hygene kits and there are a number of other items you can add. There are also adult and child specific kits. The children’s kits usually contain the same general items as the adult kits but they also have some sort of entertainment, such as coloring books or small toys.

Once you purchase your kits it is a good idea to make copies of important records, such as driver’s license, birth certificates, and copies of prescriptions that you take, to include in the kit. It is also a good idea to have spare keys for your home and vehicles and to have at least $100.00 cash. You also need to make sure that you keep handy a supply of diapers, wipes, formula, etc. that you would need for young children. Since emergencies can cause panic and anxiety, it is also helpful to make a list of items you should take with you, if you have time to grab them, so that you don’t have to try and remember everything when time is limited.

For long term needs, it is ideal to have a year’s supply of foods and essentials. MRE’s (meals ready to eat), freeze-dried food (that all you need to do is add water), and high calorie food bars are all good options. The MRE’s typically need to be rotated every 5-7 years depending on the temperature at which they are stored. The freeze-dried food comes in a 2 person serving pouch that can be stored for up to 7 years or in a 10# can that has up to a 30 year shelf life. The high calorie bars need to be changed every five years. It is also essential to have a good supply of water. You can buy water storage containers or you can even fill up empty 2 liter soda or juice bottles. Anything that is used to hold liquids. you should change the water once a year, or you can buy purification drops that will keep the water usuable for up to 20 years. It is also a good idea to have a year’s supply of items such as toilet paper, candles, matches, disposible dishes, etc.

If you are just starting to prepare your family and home, don’t be overwhelmed with the amount of things you need to buy. Start with the 72 hour kits and then buy a little bit each paycheck or each month. A disaster can happen any time, any place, so it’s best to be prepared.