I don't mean to call Mother Nature crazy. She's a wise and powerful energy that strives to keep this big world of ours in balance.
But seriously, sometimes I think she needs a vacation on one of her tropical islands. With a pina colada. And a ripped native man to give it to her good! Cuz mama seems a bit stressed out.
This past week on the East Coast many families came face to face with her temperamental nature. In my Granolaville we got away pretty unscathed. But my friends in NYC, Long Island, and New Jersey weren't so lucky.
The magnitude of hurricane Sandy, was far greater than anyone, even those well dressed & well paid weather people, could have predicted.
Isn't that always the case?
Homes and irreplaceable possessions were destroyed, families were separated from their pets, and in some cases lives were lost.
Let me first say that I am so grateful that my loved ones were not put in any peril during the storm. Most of us only lost power, briefly, and were able to resume life as we know it.
For many New Yorkers and New Jerseyians (?), the biggest threat to their safety was not 50 mile an hour wind or 10 foot walls of water. Losing power, not having a constant heat source and not being able to access food were their biggest obstacles.
When I returned home from NYC my usually last minute husband had our house prepared for a hurricane, monsoon, alien invasion or anything else that might be thrown our way. He's been saying for a few years now that you never know what could happen so ALWAYS be prepared.
Now I'm not saying you have to become a crazy bunker digging conspiracy theorist to keep your family safe (although my husband would advise you to do that too). But you should enable your family to have the necessary items to survive a few days or more without our modern conveniences.
Being self-sufficient and sustainable can really come in handy when suddenly faced with Mother Nature's unpredictable mood swings.
Here are 10 Things You Need When Mother Nature Goes Bat-Sh*t Crazy
1. Clean Water
Water is the most vital thing we need to survive. You can go month without eating, but only a few days without drinking water. The suggested amount is 1 gallon per day, per person and always opt for "food grade" water.
2. Non-Perishable Food
Now I know this goes against everything I preach about real, fresh food. But in a pinch you want something that won't go bad if you're left without power for a few days. I recommend having this stuff ONLY for emergencies and not everyday consumption. If possible get organic options.
- Peanut butter
- Canned tuna, chicken, turkey,
- Honey
- Dried Cereal
- Granola bars
- Nuts & Seeds (almonds, cashews, pumpkin, sunflower)
- Dried fruits (raisins, cranberries, apricots, bananas)
- Canned fruits and veggies
- 100% fruit juice boxes
- Sports drinks (for the electrolytes)
- Powdered milk
- Instant Oatmeal
3. Candles & Lighters
You can never have too many of light, but you'll find most store bought candles that might smell like cinnamon & spice or fresh baked cookies won't last very long and can cost a small fortune. (Plus I'd MUCH rather the smell of real cookies.) Check out these cheap DIY 100 hour candles from Salt n Prepper.
4. Propane & a Portable Stove
You might have one of these tanks if your man likes to tailgate or if you have an outdoor grill. It's one of the best sources for cooking fuel that's easily stored. Propane can also be used as a source of heat, but I suggest having other options such as warm clothes, blankets, and fire wood instead. You can find fairly cheap and compact propane stoves at any sporting good store. The one above goes for about $60.
5. First Aid Kit
Hopefully you won't have to do any Grey's Anatomy type emergency surgeries, but cuts and burns can happen. You can buy a standard kit at your local drug store, but also having on hand some naturally derived products like a healing salve, hydrogen peroxide, and honey can all be useful as antiseptics and antibacterials.
6. Radio & Batteries
7. Flashlights & More Batteries
You can NEVER have too many batteries or too much light. If the open flame of candle makes you nervous, opt for using flashlights first. Having them around is great for short-term light (like going to the bathroom without stubbing your toe). But if you need to see for a longer period of time make sure you have another source.
8. A Generator
The hubby and I have been saying for 2 years now that we need to invest in a generator since our house is heated by an electric oil burner and the power tends to get knocked out from the strong wind of our neighbor sneezing. After what happened with Hurricane Sandy, not having a backup source of energy seems crazy.Whether you rent or own a home investing in a portable generator could save you from throwing out spoiled food or provide you with warmth from a space heater.
9. Blankets & Clothing
You never know how long you'll be without power or how many people you might be housing (especially if you are the only one prepared). Make sure you have enough clean clothes to keep everyone warm and dry for at least a week.
10. Your Community
We don't live in a bubble. And thank the Universe for that! As we've seen from Katrina, to Haiti, to Sandy, natural disasters bring out our natural tendency for compassion and unity.
*BONUS* Solar Powered Cell Phone Charger
We ARE all connected, which is why being prepared is NOT just about your immediate family. We all have the ability to give when we have little, or go out of our way to help a neighbor in need. Watching communities come together during a tragedy is one of the most inspiring acts I've ever witnessed.
While we can't predict the next time Mother Nature's going to unleash her power, taking these few simple steps could help you ride out her wrath comfortably.
Do you have any other tips for preparing for a disaster? Share them with your crunchy peeps below!
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