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| LIFE IN SOLERA | APRIL 2024 | | LIFE IN SOLERA | APRIL 2024 | 7 food, maybe more depending on the size of the freezer. Keep your freezer at zero degrees Fahrenheit. Kitchen cabinets store the usual soups, cereals and spices that we all have. Most of us also store various other types of food in our cabinets such as peanut butter, pasta sauce, rice and other staples. Take a quick inventory and add any shortages to your grocery list. e Pantry. Jackpot! is is where your long-term food storage begins. Remember the goal is to have two weeks' worth of food for two people. Canned chicken, fish and beef products can be used to extend meals. Look for prepared meats and rice products in pouches. e food pouches are lightweight and easy to store. Peanut butter in the large containers will last a while and doesn't need to be refrigerated. Bulk food items should be stored in your pantry and rotated. Canned vegetables add variety to meals and are very affordable and shelf stable. Here's a tip: Take a little bit of time to plan a two-week menu using only the items that are currently stored in your kitchen cabinets, pantry, refrigerator and freezer. Be creative. Canned spam is excellent for stir-fried meals. Canned roast beef can be used in enchiladas. You get the idea. If your two-week menu comes out a little short, then it's time to stock up on your next grocery store visit. Look for easy to prepare and easy-to-store food staples. ere are a lot of companies offering emergency food at high prices. e products are very good and have long shelf lives. Your goal as an Accidental Prepper is to prepare to survive for two weeks without breaking the budget. MEDICAL DEVICES. Many Solera residents are on some type of medical device powered by electricity. Southern California Edison offers an excellent program for customers who use electrically powered medical devices. e Critical Care Backup Battery Program offers free portable backup batteries that can power your medical devices during a power outage. In addition, because these batteries are portable, they can be used to support you during an evacuation from your home. Depending on the size of the generator, you can save a minimum of $2,200 or more if you qualify for a larger generator. If you qualify, you will receive a battery generator with two solar panels to recharge it. e battery also plugs into a regular outlet to charge the generator. For more information, go to www.sce.com. In Part 2 of the Accidental Prepper, we'll show you how to make a low-cost evacuation bag, commonly referred to as a "go bag." We'll also discuss generators and ways to cook food during a shelter-in-place order with a complete utility shut-off (water, electric and natural gas). Hygiene needs will be addressed. We'll show you how to make a low cost first-aid kit with items commonly found in your home. In Part 3, we'll look at how you can grow a "Preppers Garden." You will see how easy it is to obtain emergency food security right in your own backyard. Don't forget to help your neighbors. ose with mobility issues will need help in emergency preparation and evacuation. Please share extra food, water, and power supplies that you may have. Happy prepping. ~ Ron Monroe, Solera CERT Cadre, /www. solera-cert.info

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