Emergency and long-term preparedness have been extremely important to me since my husband and I started our family over 35 years ago. I never wanted to be in a position where my kids were hungry and I couldn't do anything about it. I still feel that way, even though my kids are now grown.
I realize that not all things are in our control. But I want to have the assurance I have done my best and that the people I love are as protected as possible, even in difficult circumstances. After years of research and experimentation, I've learned some valuable things.
The Uniquely Perfect Answer: Thrive Food
As I struggled to put together a good plan for protecting my family against life's unexpected difficulties, I was frustrated by several questions:
How could we have adequate nutrition with just the basics (i.e. rice, beans, wheat, milk, salt and honey)?
What could I feed my infants in an emergency?
How would my family react to eating foods they weren't accustomed to?
If we didn't rotate through the food we had stored, how could I afford to keep replenishing supplies we didn't actually use?
How could I protect the food I stored from insects and spoilage?
What could I feed my family in an immediate emergency, when power may not be available or we needed to relocate?
When Thrive foods came on my radar, I felt the powerful relief of knowing I had solved every single one of my most perplexing emergency preparedness problems.
Beyond the Basics
For starters, Thrive foods goes way beyond the basics. Not only do they have a stellar line of meats and other proteins, but an astonishing variety of fruits and vegetables and other foods as well.
Freeze-drying technology preserves the nutritional content of food remarkably well. Unlike traditional preservation methods that may compromise vitamins and minerals, Thrive freeze-dried food retains almost all of its original nutritional value, providing a crucial source of essential nutrients during emergencies.
Quality brands, like Thrive Life, offer nutrient-packed options that ensure optimal nutrition and peace of mind.
A Boon For Babies
Oh the worry I could have avoided if I had known about Thrive foods when my children were babies! Thrive fruits, vegetables, meat, proteins and dairy products make stellar baby food, even in "normal" times.
Thrive is superior in nutrition to other baby foods, unless you're harvesting produce from your own garden and taking the considerable time and effort to prepare and puree it. Traditional baby food, whether in a bottle, pouch, or can, has been heavily processed and heat-treated to give it a shelf life. By contrast, Thrive has an exceptionally long shelf life, without heat or processing.
Thrive is non-perishable until water is added, making it delightfully portable and convenient. It has no additives or preservatives. It can be simply powdered (even just crumbled with your fingers) without using a food processor or blender.
Because of Thrive foods, a plethora of colorful, nutrient-rich, clean fruits, vegetables, and other foods is readily and affordably available to parents.
Familiar Foods
Thrive's single-ingredient availability means that I can buy the same foods I use everyday, and have them on my pantry shelf both for today and any future need. I can make the usual family favorite recipes and enjoy the same familiar snacks.
In times of emergency, emotional well-being is every bit as important as physical well-being. Having familiar foods and routines is crucial to comfort and resilience, especially where children are concerned.
It can be important to stick with familiar foods for the sake of digestive systems as well. Suddenly relying on a diet of beans and wheat can be jarring to bodies when they aren't accustomed to such fare. Times of emergency or stress are not good times to be wrestling with the discomfort of drastic food changes.
Putting An End To "Buy, Store, Toss"
Many years ago I used to purchase powdered milk by the case and put it on a shelf, with the full intent of never using it. My family didn't like it so I reasoned that I would just keep it until it expired, throw it away, and then buy another couple of cases... just so I could have milk in case of an emergency.
It was a terrible plan, but the one I pursued, nonetheless. Luckily I knew how to grind wheat and make bread, or the wheat would have been useless too!
When I buy a can or pouch of Thrive food, I know it's got a great shelf life (25 years). But I also know that we will eat it! The nutrition and convenience are good reasons, but so is the fact that it's so affordable and delicious we want to eat it everyday.
Actually rotating and using your long-term food is essential for optimal affordability.
The most expensive food you buy is the food you throw away.
With Thrive food, there's no need to worry about spoilage or excess leftovers. The individual packaging and extended shelf life reduce food waste, making it a sustainable and efficient choice for your emergency preparedness strategy.
Keeping Out The Critters
Having stored food in buckets, barrels, boxes and bags, and battled weevil, mice, moisture, and other contaminants, I was overjoyed to switch to the protection of Thrive Life cans for long-term food storage. They offer ultimate protection from rodents, insects, water, smoke and light.
Thrive's steel cans (both sizes) are uniquely protected against rust as well, with a BPA-free, food-grade enamel lining called Epoxy Phenolic Gold.
The cans are light, conveniently adapted to stacking in boxes and on rotating shelves, and more recyclable than any other material, making them a very appealing, reliable way to protect your food investment.
Thrive's lightweight and compact nature make it a space-efficient choice for storage. Even in the tightest spaces, you can stock up on a variety of nutrient-rich options, ensuring that you have a well-rounded and wholesome emergency food supply without sacrificing storage space.
When The Storm Hits
Back when I had only the basics stored, I worried what to do in an immediate emergency, like an extreme weather event, civil unrest, an earthquake, or some other catastrophe.
I created 72-hour emergency kits with food, water, and supplies, but my options were limited. I filled each pack with graham crackers, peanut butter, pork-n-beans, tuna, candy, and other foods that would give us energy and strength in emergency situations.
This presented some unique difficulties. The packs were heavy, necessitated can openers, and needed yearly rotation because the food had a limited shelf life.
When Thrive Life introduced their premium freeze dried meals with a 20 year shelf life, I was overjoyed. Hearty and savory, warm and delicious, they offer supreme comfort and nourishment. Especially in a short term emergencies, these are a delicious and reassuring option.
When disaster strikes, time is of the essence. Thrive meals shine in their ease of preparation – just add water, and you have a nutritious meal ready to go. This simplicity is crucial during emergencies, where resources and time may be limited.
As a bonus, they are so good, they can actually be the perfect option for travel, camping, or a busy night. We use them often.
“Plan for what it is difficult while it is easy, do what is great while it is small.” -- Sun Tzu, The Art of War
Sleep While The Wind Blows
There's an old story about a farmhand who boasts that he can "sleep while the wind blows". It refers to his confidence and peace during the storms because he has done all he can to secure the animals, reinforce the buildings, and protect the harvest before the storm even arises.
In like manner, Investing in quality freeze-dried food for emergency preparedness is a commitment to the health and well-being of your family. Whether facing a natural disaster or a long-term difficulty like pandemic or job loss, we can sleep soundly, with the peace of mind earned from wise preparation.