Are You Prepared? Here's 10 Helpful Hints!

It's National Preparedness Month!

Are You Prepared?

Trying to be prepared can seem overwhelming!!! But it's really not that hard if you follow a few simple steps. Remember that "A Journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." (Lao-Tzu) Here are those first steps to take and some helpful hints for your preparedness journey! 

 
1. WATER!! - Water storage is the first step, and it's quite easy to do and can be done on a budget or with basically no budget! Read this article about Water Storage.

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2. 72 Hour Kit - Everyone should have a 72 Hour Kit, even if it's a really simple one. Read this article for some ideas on 72 Hour Kits.

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3. 3 Month Supply of Groceries - The counsel is to have a 3 month supply of groceries that you are accustomed to eating day to day. Here's some great advice on how to build your supply inexpensively and easily. 3 Month Supply

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4. The "Overwhelming" Year Supply - This is the part that people think they just can't do...that it's too much to ever obtain. Bu I can promise that it's possible! Take one step...even if it's a baby step, and you will eventually get there! Read this article on What Should I Store?

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5. Don't Wait Until It's Too Late - It's so much better to "prepare and prevent than to repair and repent!" Please make sure you prepare yourself so you don't go through what happened to me! Read "My Food Storage Story - The Experience That Woke Me Up"

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6. Walton Feed Order - There are many ways to obtain food storage, and here is a fabulous one! This is a food storage co-op that is done twice a year and has deliveries all over the east coast, Texas, Utah, Idaho (and wherever else a group forms.) Walton Feed gives us a discount off their prices and we get a good deal on truck shipping. Please contact me at macoombs5@comporium.net if you want more information. Check out out our Walton Feed Group Order Facebook page. 

7. Thrive Life Foods - I LOVE this company! They have the best freeze dried fruits, vegetables, meats and cheese, and other food storage items. But they are so good that you don't have to just save them for emergencies! You can use them in your everyday recipes! Thrive has fabulous resources that teach you how to use your food storage in your every day cooking, which saves you money and time, AND it's healthy and delicious! Gets shipped right to your door! Click here to learn more about Thrive Life! Or feel free to contact me. I'd be happy to have you join one of my Facebook classes or answer any questions you have! 

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8. Learn How To Cook With It! 

Here's a way to prepare some Meals in a Jar! You will love this! Just click that link and scroll through the 4 blog posts that are there with different recipes! 

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9. Need Gluten Free? - Walton Feed and Thrive both offer excellent Gluten free products.

Walton Feed's Gluten Free Products
These can be added to the trucking orders we do with Walton Feed twice a year, or contact me for a discount on a UPS order.

Thrive has a lot of naturally gluten free products, because most of them contain just one ingredient. Thrive Life

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10. Want to Taste Something Amazing? - This is such a yummy way to introduce food storage to your family. Add a little whole wheat flour, use powdered eggs and powdered milk when making these and your family will LOVE food storage! Cinnamon Roll Tutorial

Please contact me and I will be happy to help answer any question you have. 

You can reach me best by email, or feel free to text for quick questions. 

Thanks! 
Melissa Coombs
macoombs5@comporium.net
803-818-1569 

Be Prepared with a 72 Hr Kit!

Make a 72-Hour Kit!

I have talked with people who do not have a 72 Hr Kit because they think they will be too expensive to get, they don't know what to put in one, and so they do nothing about it. Even if you don't have a big budget, you can put together a 72 hr kit that would be useful for you in case of an emergency. Here are some ideas:

Pillow Case Kit
I know a lady who desperately wanted to make 72-hour kits for her family, but she did not have extra money to do it. She came up with a plan that inspired me and so many others! She found an old pillow case for each person in the family. In each one, she put in a few water bottles, a few packs of crackers, a few granola bars, a pair of socks and a change of underwear, and some soap and shampoo samples she had gotten from someone who travels and stays in hotels a lot. In hers and her husband's, she put in a few dollars of change, a mini first aid kit she put together (bandaids, ointment, pain killer, etc.), a flashlight, some feminine hygiene products, some baby wipes, and a few odds and ends she had around the house that she thought might be useful. In the kids' packs, she had them add some paper and pencils or crayons, a small game or deck of cards, or a little toy (whatever was special or comforting to that child.) Then she tied the bags closed with a small piece of rope or cord, and put them on a shelf in her front closet. She had almost all of these items already in her house somewhere. She just had to put them together! 

These definitely were not fancy kits. But in an emergency, they would have provided some food and water, a little hygiene, and comfort! I can think of people who were in Hurricane Katrina who would have been so thankful to have a pillow case kit like this as they sat in the big Superdome for 3 days waiting for government relief to come. So start somewhere, and just make a little kit with what you have at home already! You'll be happy you did if you ever need it!

Car Kit
When I was first trying to get prepared, I started with a small car kit. I figured that I was always where my car was for the most part, so that was a good place for me to keep a small emergency kit. I put in some food and water, a flashlight, a few emergency blankets (the foil kind), some money, a first aid kit, and a blanket. I also added diapers and wipes and formula when I had little children. You would be amazed at how many times I ended up using things out of that kit! Many times it was for other people! 

My husband travels a lot, and I made sure there was a really nice kit in his car. He did not want to keep that backpack in his trunk because it took up so much room, but he kept it in there because I asked him to "just in case". He ended up using it on several occasions, and was really thankful for that kit! Especially the time that he lost his wallet and was 3 hours away from home at a meeting! I had put enough money in there that he could get a tank of gas and make it back home safely! He was happy for that kit!!!

Office and School Kit
It is really smart to have a simple kit that you keep at the office, or that your kids keep at college with them. Just having the basics in an emergency can make all the difference!

Do It Your Way!
Make a kit that makes sense for you and your family members! 72-hour kits can come in all shapes or sizes! I've seen people put them in milk jugs, small plastic shoe box containers, small boxes, backpacks, rolling luggage, coolers or ice chests, big plastic storage containers, and even 55 gallon trash cans with lids. There's lots to choose from! Pick what works best for you!

I know a tiny little older lady who has her 72-hour kit in a 55 gallon plastic trash can! I tease her that she could dump it out and sleep in it if she needed to! Ha ha! I'm not sure how she would transport that huge kit if she had to leave her home, but she at least had good supplies gathered in case of an emergency!

Pre-Made Kits
There are some great pre-made kits out there, but the ones I used to recommend are no loner available. I'll have to look around again for some good ones. Just Google them and see what you find. If nothing else, they give you some good ideas of what you could put in your kit!

Make Your Own
There are lots of lists out there of what you should or could put in a 72-hour kit. Every person's kit will be different, but here are some ideas:

I always think of:
Food
Water
Light
Warmth (Blanket)
Cooking Method
Shelter
Clothes
Hygiene 
Money
First Aid
Tools/Equipment (Knife, Shovel, Rope, Duct Tape)
Important Papers 
Family Contact Info
Comfort Items (Games, Paper and Pencils, Toys, etc.)

Find something in each of those categories to put in your kit, and you would have a fabulous emergency kit if you needed it! Remember it's better to have something than nothing! Have fun making them! 

12 Reasons to Love Thrive!

Thrive is most popular for superior quality freeze dried fruits, vegetables, meats and cheeses! I LOVE THIS COMPANY!!

Here are 12 Reasons to Love Thrive:

1. The food tastes DELICIOUS and is HEALTHY!

2. No MSG, Non-GMO, No Artificial Colors, Flavors or Dyes
3. Thrive has almost 150 certified gluten free products

4. Thrive ships your order (your groceries!) right to your door! So convenient! 

5. SAFE Enamel Coating inside can and out

6. Save MONEY with longer lasting food. Don't waste/throw away so much produce!

7. Save TIME in the kitchen! Food is ready to use! Less trips to the store!

8. Can snack on it right out of the can, and easy to incorporate into your every day cooking!

9. THRIVE works hard to have the highest quality products available! Food you can trust! 

10. When you HOST a class – you get FREE and half off products!

11. When you become a CONSULTANT – you can earn commission, and free and half off products! It's a great way to build your pantry and food storage.
12. You will have peace of mind when your pantry/home storage is filled with Thrive!

Go to this website to see all of the products: mythrivefavorites.thrivelife.com

Click here to learn the benefits of being a consultant, even if you just order for yourself: Benefits of Being a Consultant There are no sales or party quotas! Just from your own orders you will earn commission, free products and half off products. It's even better if you share it with a few family and friends! You can earn a good income sharing Thrive! It's so worth it! 

Check out the AMAZING recipe site they have: Thrive Recipes
Learn how to use your food storage in your every day cooking! It will save you time and money and keep you from throwing away so much food! And it's DELICIOUS!

Please contact me if you have any questions. I'm happy to help you get more prepared and self reliant. 

Thanks! Melissa :)

Melissa Coombs
Thrive Life Independent Consultant
803-818-1569
foodstorage@comporium.net
mythrivefavorites.thrivelife.com

THRIVE's 5 Year Celebration Sale! Save 20-45%!

5 Year Celebration Sale! The Founders of Thrive are having a 5 year Celebration Sale! Their favorite products are discounted 20-45%!! FABULOUS PRICES! Sale Ends Aug 31st! You can buy the cans individually (in the #10 can or smaller Pantry Can) or buy the Monthly Special Packs and save even more. If you like buying in bulk, you can also buy each item by the case to get an even better price per can. Let me know if you are interested in case pricing. If you would like to order, please send me an email of what you would like to order and your address and phone number, and I will make sure you get the sale prices! If you are already a Q Customer, you can log in to your account and get the sale prices by purchasing directly online. If you are interested in signing up to earn commission and free products off your own orders, please contact me and I can help you do that! I am giving $40 off the kit! There are no sales quotas, and it's worth it, even if you are just ordering for yourself. Click HERE for more info! I am happy to help you however I can! Please email or call! Melissa : ) macoombs5@comporium.net 803-818-1569 mythrivefavorites.thrivelife.com You can click the above web address and search the products to find nutrition information and ingredients. Buy the Pack Or buy the individual items below! Budge's Faves (pantry can pack) Reg:$103.75 SALE:$70.40 Pineapple Chunks (FD) #10 Can: $18.59 (Save $14.90!) PC: $7.59  Pineapple is a favorite snack right out of the can!   Organic Quinoa    #10 Can: $35.49    (Save $12.60!)    PC: $14.29   Delicious and healthy!   Recipe below!      9 Grain Cracked Cereal     #10 Can: $5.39     (Save $2.70!)     PC: $2.89     I put this in my homemade     bread for boosted nutrition and     texture! Delicious! Red Seedless Grapes (FD) #10 Can: $27.49 (Save $7.30!) PC: $10.89 These are like candy!    Strawberry Slices (FD)    #10 Can: $19.99    (Save $5.70!)    PC: $7.49    I put these in my oatmeal or    granola, and make fruit        smoothies with them!  Peach Slices (FD) #10 Can: $22.79 (Save $6.50) PC: $9.39 Great for snacking, and adding to hot and cold cereals and smoothies. Makes a fabulous peach pie! Granny Smith Apple Slices (FD) #10 Can: $14.79 (Save $6.80!) PC: $5.99 Great for snacks for       school lunches! Chef's Choice Seasoning Blend $6.49 (Save $1.30!) My favorite all purpose seasoning!     Bechamel     (Creamy White Sauce)     PC: $9.09 (Save $2.60!)      A delicious white sauce that      can be used so many ways!      Makes delicious Alfredo Sauce! Buy the Pack Or buy the individual items below! Palmer's Picks (pantry can pack) Reg: $121.13 SALE: $82.18   Blackberries (FD) #10 Can: $17.49 (Save $14.00!) PC: $6.69 Use in pies, desserts, smoothies. Egg Noodle Pasta #10 Can: $5.99 (Save 3.00!) PC: $2.89 Thin, flat egg noodles, perfect for chicken noodle soup! Banana Slices (FD) #10 Can: $21.79 (Save $4.30!) PC: $9.59 I use these as a sweetener in my fruit smoothies! No sugar needed! Sweet Cherries (FD) #10 Can: $32.49 (Save $15.00!) PC: $11.69 Snack on, put in homemade trail mix, so many uses!           Green Peas (FD) #10 Can: $13.69 (Save $3.90!) PC: $6.09 Easy to use as baby food! Just powder and add water! Great toddler snack, or use in soups!    Blueberry Yogurt Bites    #10 Can: $32.59    (Save $9.30!)     PC: $12.59    Another great snack for kids! Ground Beef (FD) #10 Can: $40.89 (Save $11.60!) PC: $15.79 I make taco meat with this   all the time! It's real ground beef...not TVP. Delicious! Sausage Crumbles (FD) #10 Can: $37.79 (Save $10.80!) PC: $15.89 Family favorite! We put them in scrambled eggs, sausage gravy for biscuits, pasta dishes and quiches. Instant Black Beans #10 Can: $11.79 (Save $2.40!) PC: $5.29    Whole beans, no salt added.    Ready in 10-15 minutes!    One of my favorite items! Quinoa Salad see recipe Black Bean Chocolate Cupcakes see recipe

Earn Commission and Free Products from Your Own Orders!

Benefits of Being a Consultant!

Get $40.00 off any of the Consultant Kits! There is Consultant Starter Kit for $199, and the Value Kit for $289. (I will give a rebate of $40 for either kit!) The Value kit is my FAVORITE! It has over $422 of food in it, plus a THRIVE cookbook, an apron, the THRIVE Guide, plus lots more. It's a great value just for the food and it's a great way to try several of the favorite THRIVE foods. Even if you have no interest in a thriving (pun intended) home business, you will want the benefits of being a consultant. There are NO monthly party or sales quotas. What keeps you active is being on the Q (the monthly shipment program) for at least $50 in product each month. (There is only a 3 month commitment on the Q after you purchase a consultant kit.) So if you are already on the Q each month (and many of you are!)...all that is left to do is purchase a kit! As a consultant you will receive commission and free product off your OWN purchases, as well as any other orders that come to you! The FREE and half off products alone are SUCH an incentive to become a consultant.  One other huge perk is that you will have the ability to give the lowest pricing to your friends and family when they want to purchase Thrive products.  This is really, really big......You literally have NOTHING to lose and EVERYTHING to gain. There are no hidden gimmicks or catches -- If you are interested in building your "home store" and getting some of it free and at half price, there is simply no reason NOT to do this! :)  Contact me today to get started! (803-818-1569 or macoombs5@comporium.net) Here is what comes in the $199 Consultant Starter Kit: Pantry cans - 2 Chicken Salad, 2 Cornbread Mix, 2 Chipotle Corn Chowder, Fudge Brownies, Sliced Strawberries, Sweet Corn Thrive Express Meals - 2 Chili Lime Chicken Rice, 2 Scalloped Potatoes Other - Thrive Life apron, Thrive cookbook, Catalogs, DVDs, brochures and forms you will need. Here's what comes in the $289 Consultant Value Kit: Pantry cans - 2 Chicken Salad, 2 Cornbread Mix, 2 Chipotle Corn Chowder, Fudge Brownies, Sliced Strawberries, Sweet Corn, 2 Simple Peach Smoothie, 2 Garden Fresh Salsa, 2 Macaroon Cookies, Pineapple Chunks, Mangoes, Strawberry Yogurt Bites, Instant Milk, Ground Beef, Shredded Cheddar Cheese, Orchard Apple Drink Mix, 10 Grain Pancake Mix, Banana Slices, Scrambled Egg Mix, Granny Smith Apple Slices. Thrive Express Meals - 2 Chili Lime Chicken Rice, 2 Scalloped Potatoes, 2 Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup, 2 Creamy Beef and Noodles. Other - Thrive Guide (the BEST book about using food storage in your every day cooking!), Thrive Life apron, Thrive cookbook, Catalogs, DVDs, brochures and forms you will need. See this link for a complete list.  See this link for more info on becoming a consultant. CLASSES - I am also willing to come do a class for you and a few friends so you can try this food and learn to cook with it! AND you will earn free and half off product! (If you are within 5-6 hrs or so of Charlotte, NC, I will gladly travel to you to do a class!) Just call me and schedule a class if you are interested! I promise to make it fun and informative, and we will sample lots of delicious food! Thanks! Melissa : ) Melissa Coombs Thrive Life Independent Consultant 803-818-1569 foodstorage@comporium.net mythrivefavorites.thrivelife.com

Earn FREE Food Storage and Emergency Products!

Only a Few Days Left!

Get $40.00 off any of the Consultant Kits in July! There is Consultant Starter Kit for $199, and the Value Kit for $289. (I will give a rebate of $40 for either kit!) The Value kit is my FAVORITE! It has over $422 of food in it, plus a THRIVE cookbook, an apron, the THRIVE Guide, plus lots more. It's a great value just for the food and it's a great way to try several of the favorite THRIVE foods. Even if you have no interest in a thriving (pun intended) home business, you will want the benefits of being a consultant. There are NO monthly party or sales quotas. What keeps you active is being on the Q (the monthly shipment program) for at least $50 in product each month. (There is only a 3 month commitment on the Q after you purchase a consultant kit.) So if you are already on the Q each month (and many of you are!)...all that is left to do is purchase a kit! As a consultant you will receive commission and free product off your OWN purchases, as well as any other orders that come to you! The FREE and half off products alone are SUCH an incentive to become a consultant.  One other huge perk is that you will have the ability to give the lowest pricing to your friends and family when they want to purchase Thrive products.  This is really, really big......You literally have NOTHING to lose and EVERYTHING to gain.  There are no hidden gimmicks or catches -- If you are interested in building your "home store" and getting some of it free and at half price, there is simply no reason NOT to do this! :)  Contact me today to get started! (803-818-1569 or macoombs5@comporium.net) CLASSES - I am also willing to come do a class for you and a few friends so you can try this food and learn to cook with it! AND you will earn free and half off product! (If you are within 5-6 hrs or so of Charlotte, NC, I will gladly travel to you to do a class!) Just call me and schedule a class if you are interested! I promise to make it fun and informative, and we will sample lots of delicious food! Click here for: July Specials! Here are a few things that I think are a good price, and you might want to buy a few cans to stock up your pantry or food storage shelves! Easy to use all of these in your every day cooking! Save time AND money! (If you are local to me in York SC, you can join my monthly group order and save on shipping!) Sweet Corn (FD) Absolutely yummy! I put them in taco soup, chicken and dumplings, potato corn chowder, etc. Non GMO! #10 Can - $13.99 PC - $6.29 Asparagus (FD) I love to put these in my veggie omelets! #10 Can - 23.19 PC - 10.59 Green Peas (FD) Great fresh flavor! You can even make baby food out of this! #10 Can - 16.79 PC - $7.39 Passionfruit Yogurt Bites (FD) Tangy and sweet! Great as a snack for kids! #10 Can - $31.79 PC - $12.19 Seasoned Chicken Slices (FD) I just made Chicken Alfredo with these tonight in a few minutes! Yum! #10 Can - $45.19 PC - $18.59 Honey Crystals Looks a little like brown sugar. So many uses! #10 Can - $15.89 PC - $6.39 Quick Oats One of my favorite basics! Great price! #10 Can - $5.89 PC - $3.59 Instant Red Beans These beans have been cooked and then dehydrated. You can throw them in any soup or chili and they are done in about 10 minutes! #10 Can - $11.69 PC - $5.39 Instant Pinto Beans I love these instant beans! I put them in my taco soup! Ready in 10 minutes! No more soaking beans overnight and cooking them for hours! #10 Can - $11.19 PC - $5.19 WHY THRIVE? Recipe Website for Using Food Storage! Please contact me and I will be happy to help you get the best prices and answer any questions you have. If you are local to me (York, SC), you are welcome to join my group order to save on shipping costs. I place an order each month that is delivered to my home. Thanks! Melissa Coombs THRIVE Life Independent Consultant macoombs5@comporium.net 803-818-1569 Shipping Charges based on Order Subtotal $0–$80.00 $7.99 $80.01–$140.00 $10.99 $140.01–$200.00 $14.99 $200.01–$400.00 $20.99 $400.01 + 6% of order subtotal