90 Meals in 18 weeks Program

Starting the Ark.......90 Meals in 18 weeks 

Your 90day meals are like the "fast food" of food storage.  Quick easy & ready to go.  The more you use Long Term storage basics the more your food bills will drop and your nutritional value will go up.  Think in "layers" of storage....
1st layer....pantry/freezer .....good.....but what if the power goes out...
2nd layer.....canned foods ......good for a short period of time......
3rd layer.....long term storage.....you're covered for whatever!  
It's like buying Insurance........how much "coverage" does your family have?  


A weekly recipe will be available on this blog.  They will be archived by week.    

During the week you should:
  Try the recipe to make sure your family likes it. 

  Customize the recipe for your family (number of servings, spices, personal preferences, etc) or come up with a new recipe.  This is YOUR plan....adjust away!  When the weekly recipe is a "Meal in a jar" .....don't forget your oxygen absorbers.  "Meals in a Jar" recipes can also be put in Mylar bags.  Both the oxygen absorbers and mylar bags can be purchased at lds.org  (free shipping).

  Purchase ingredients for 5 (five) meals of the recipe plus a side dish of canned or dried fruit or vegetables.  The shopping list given with the weekly recipe will list items needed to make 5 of the recipe.

  Store your meals....example.....each meal could have it's own box with the label on the outside.  It could be slid under a bed.  Using the 90 meal inventory/rotation schedule will help you keep track of where each meal is, how many you have left and which meals need to be re-stocked.  "Where" the meals are stored is up to you.  If you need ideas for where to store.....let me know and I'll shoot you some ideas.....there are so many creative ways to store that we just don't think of until someone comes along and shows us.  I am amazed at some of the ideas that are out there.  Remember.....if you are doing a "Meal in a Jar" recipe, don't forget your Oxygen Absorber!

In 18 weeks you will have 90 stored meals ready to go.  THEN......


  Rotation:  After acquiring all or most of your meals; prepare one of these meals each week.  Always use the oldest cans/packages.  Write the ingredients used on your shopping list and replace them on your next shopping trip. If you eat 1 stored meal each week you will rotate your meals every 2 years.  When you have your 90 day meals up and running and your Pantry has been expanded, it is time to concentrate on your Long Term Storage.


  Rotation schedule:  On your Rotation Schedule mark when you eat a meal: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.  Make sure you have all 5 meals marked out for every recipe before beginning to eat your replacement meals. (see rotation schedule in blog archive)

  Long Term Storage:  Save & purchase LT storage.  LT storage items are now available at Wal-Mart.  Take advantage of sales and keep in mind Smith's has wonderful "case-lot" sales.  Think of your food storage in "layers".....fresh, froze, canned, Long Term.  Each "layer" gives you more "security" for anything that may come along.  

  Attend Preparedness classes when you can!

NOTE:  The money for the meals should come out of your weekly food budget.  As you shop, try to expand your "pantry" a few items at a time as you can.  

Try to save some extra cash in your "Family Food Bank" for LTFS.  Example:  I didn't get my nails done this week and the money is going in the jar....or.....add the change you have in your purse/pocket every evening.....believe me....you will be surprised how quickly money will add up....we have tried it!

If you have a "family favorite" recipe that can be adapted to food storage please share it with us!     Keep on building!!!!!  deb