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DIY Emergency Car Kit

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A DIY Emergency Car Kit should be something you keep in your car at all times. Being prepared for a variety of issues on the road will help to keep you and your family safe. Whether it is a long road trip or just running errands; things can happen. Sure, it could be a zombie apocalypse but more likely, severe traffic jams, car trouble, getting lost.  Let’s be like the scouts and Be Prepared!

An emergency car kit that covers the basic needs of you, your family and your car will give you peace of mind when you’re on the road.

DIY Emergency Car Kit - keep you and your family safe in any situation! | by ImperfectlyHappy.com

DIY Emergency Car Kit

I have broken down what you need for, your emergency car kit, into sections by the type of items.  I hope this makes it easier to put the kit together.

Emergency Car Kit – Provisions

  • Water – I know plastic is taboo but it is better than dehydrating. Think about having at least 1 gallon per person in the car. Smaller bottles are water better, especially if you have to get out and walk. If you want to take this to the next level you could consider Life Straws for each person.
  • Sports Drinks – if you’re in a hot climate it may be a good idea to add drinks that will help you with energy and hydration. You can get these in powder form so they take up less room.
  • Non-Perishable Snacks – granola bars, R Bars, nuts, dried fruit, cracker packets, jerky. Thinks long shelf life and easy to eat without utensils.
  • Hard Candies – sure it is a sweet treat but it can also keep your mouth moist.

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The Survival Savvy Family

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The Survival Savvy Family Book arrived in my mail box with much anticipation.  Not only because I follow the author’s blog but because I knew Julie would have something new to offer readers on the topic of survival.  I couldn’t be happier to have the opportunity to review this awesome tool.

A book review of The Survival Savvy Family | ImperfectlyHappy.com

If you read my blog regularly you’ll know that I don’t consider myself a prepper.  I write about prepping for the non-prepper.  But that may just what appeals to me about Julie’s book so much. You don’t have to be a doomsday prepper or a hardcore survivalist to appreciate the information and know that it is viable skills that we can and should obtain.

The Survival Savvy Family Book Review

The Survival Savvy Family is written by Julie Sczerbinski of the Home Ready Home blog.  She’s got a firm grip on the subject of family preparedness.  So I know going into the book that she know her stuff!

First things first – the book is the perfect size to pop in my purse and cart around with me.  This is important in my world because reading is stolen in little moments here and there.  Call me crazy, but that’s kind of important.

Now onto content!  I love that this isn’t your average flare and scare survival book.  Julie isn’t spending a bunch of time convincing you on prepping but her opening chapter does a great job of laying it out.  This is great for the beginner prepper or one whose only knowledge of prepping is Doomsday Preppers.   She asks some good, probing, questions that get you thinking about keeping your family safe in an emergency, disaster or economic turn.  I like that she has 3 categories for disasters:  personal, natural and man-made. This is a great way to get focused on your plan of attack, so to speak….

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Beginning Food Storage

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Beginning food storage doesn’t have to be overwhelming.  But it does need to start; and now is the right time!  You and your family need to have the protection of a stored food supply for natural disaster, emergencies or economic upset.  Don’t let the tasks make you intimidated – these tips should have you beginning food storage today!

Prepping for Non-Preppers - Food Storage | by ImperfectlyHappy.com

Beginning Food Storage

This is the 3rd week in the series, Prepping for Non-Preppers.  It started with getting our game plan mapped out, last week we talked Water Storage and we continue today with Food Storage.  Be sure to come back next week for medical supplies!

I am starting you with the basics.  This doesn’t need to be a complicated process that trips you up and you never start.  Starting your preps is probably the biggest step you’ll take in the whole process.  And you must start!  You don’t have to have a doomsday mindset to see that being unprepared only makes a bad situation worse.  You don’t have be preparing for WWIII – but what about a layoff?  What about a weather disaster?

Anything that might make getting food for you and your family difficult.  This is what food storage is all about!

Survival Mom: How to Prepare Your Family

Beginning Food Storage

How much is enough?  I think the best place to start is a 3 day supply for you and your immediate family.  The math on this isn’t complicated, you already do this shopping. The easiest way to start is to make a simple menu with breakfast, lunch, dinner and 2 snacks.  That 3 day plan might look something like this.  Admittedly this might not be the most exciting menu you’ve made.  Try to make the foods ones you already eat; this is not the time to be thinking freeze-dried foods.  Now take a look at that menu and decide how much of that food you’ll need to put away on your shelves and in your freezer to make it happen.

After your 3 day plan is set move on to storing 3 weeks, then 3 months and eventually a year long storage.

How can I afford this?  I think cost is a big deterrent for a lot of people.  But you can do this a little at a time, and barely notice a change in your food bill.  You aren’t storing away lobster bisque or filet mignon (if you are, can I get an invite?).  I am a big believer in quality food but buy what you can afford….

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Homeschooling FAQs Answered

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Homeschooling FAQs – these are the questions I have been asked the most over the past 19 years.  I hope you’ll find them a help whether you’re someone considering homeschooling or already homeschooling.  If you have a question I haven’t answered in this article, please feel free to comment the question below and I’ll do my best to answer it ASAP.Homeschooling FAQs Answered by a Homeschool Mom with 19 years of Experience! | by ImperfectlyHappy.com

Homeschooling FAQs Answered

I talked about some of this with the guys from We Grows Ours.  Check it out then move onto the FAQs.

Why do people choose to homeschool?

Well this question alone could take up an entire blog post.  I think people choose homeschooling for a variety of reasons.  Some because they want to have more control over the content of curriculum and lessons.  Others because they want more freedom – less textbooks and desks and more literature in comfy chairs.  While others take that a step further to a completely child-directed learning.  It can be for religious and political preferences or wanting to be a greater influence on your child than a school and peers.

What are the benefits of homeschooling?

I touched on that in the first question with freedoms, more input on curriculum, etc.  But homeschooling offers one on one teaching that can be specifically tailored to each student’s strengths and interests.  Most homeschooling parents will tell you that they are homeschooling for a full life experience and not for their child to take a test.  However, the majority of homeschool students do very well academically and studies are showing that they are excelling past their public and private school counterparts.  Homeschooling also allows a lot of flexibility to pursue extracurriculars like music, sports, art, drama, 4h, scouting and so much more.

Additionally many homeschool families will tell you that they are a closer family unit because of their time together.  And hey, you can vacation when other schools are in session and miss the crowds.…

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Homemade Valentine’s Day

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This February let’s go homemade Valentine’s Day!  There is something special about taking the time to make a gift.  To me it says that someone took their precious time to make something personal and memorable just for me – a homemade Valentine’s Day gift.  So I put together a list to help you make your homemade Valentine’s Day fun, meaningful and easier.  I hope you have the sweetest of Valentine’s Days!

Homemade Valentine's Day Ideas! By ImperfectlyHappy.com

Homemade Valentine’s Day

Sweet Treats

Heart Shaped Krispie Treats, Chocolate Dipped 

Heart Shaped Cherry Pies

Hot Chocolate Aphrodisiac…

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