New year, new workshops

We have a full slate of Live Ready workshops planned for 2016. These informative sessions take place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on the last Thursday of the month at the Bangerter building (3836 W. 4100 South), except as noted. Everyone is welcome and no registration is required, but contact Jennifer Shaw if you'd like reminders and handouts sent to you electronically. Here's the lineup:

 

Jan. 28: Heirloom Seeds and Gardening

Cultivate your skills no matter your circumstance. Learn about heirloom seeds and how to get started. Create a legacy that gives back, with your own seed bank. Unlike hybrid seeds, heirlooms can produce viable seeds each year.  Once you obtain a packet of seeds, you are set for life.  Instruction and starter seeds will be provided.

Feb. 25: Pruning Fruit Trees

Learn basic pruning for all types of trees and then learn specifics for pruning for apple, cherry and peach trees. This workshop is “hands-on” and covers a lot of great information.

Feb. 27:  Pruning Follow-Up Class*

Practice tree pruning skills learned at the Feb. 25 workshop and learn more in-depth tree trimming principles. 
*This is a Saturday class to be held at a backyard location. 

March 31:  An Active, Adventurous, Self-Reliant Lifestyle

Derek Haynie, director of Mapleton Ready, will share an overview of what has made Mapleton Ready workshops so popular with packed attendance every month. Learn how living an active, adventurous, self-sufficient lifestyle is not only a great way to enjoy life to the fullest, but at the same time be ready for just about anything, especially emergencies or disasters.

April 28:  Cheese Making

Have a lot of powdered milk just sitting in your food storage?  Learn step by step to make feta cheese from powdered milk.  This workshop will demonstrate each step in the process and give tips and tricks to be a successful cheese maker.

May 26:  Grains, Grains, Grains  

All grain is good for the food of man (D&C 89:16). Learn about various types of grains, nutritional values, where to obtain them and how they can be best used in your home.  This class will include demonstrations and taste testing.

June 30:  Home Canning 101

While there are many things to remember when canning, it is generally a simple, step-by-step process.  A presentation on the basics of home food preservation, whether you are new to canning or have been doing it for years, there’s up-to-date canning information for everyone to learn.

Aug. 25:  Dehydrating & Freezing Foods

Dehydrating foods is one of the oldest methods of food storage. Come learn the tips and techniques for dehydrating foods, including various methods, equipment needed, pre-treatment of foods and proper storage. Tips on safe and proper freezing methods will also be discussed.

Sept. 29:  Let the Storm Rage On: Survive Freezing Temperatures Without Electricity  

An extended power outage could be dangerous in our climate. We turned our power off in January just to see if we could survive. Learn what we discovered about surviving at home without power in the dead of winter. In this class we will review emergency heating options and techniques to keep from freezing (and starving) when the power is out.

Oct. 27:  Natural Yeast

Learn why natural yeast helps the body digest wheat better, and watch a demonstration on how to make natural yeast bread and other yummy treats.  Try samples and sign up for your own yeast start.

A sweet session

This Thursday is our next Live Ready workshop. Jennifer Shaw reports that it's her favorite class so far! We'll learn all about OATS, SUGAR and HONEY: nutritional value of oats and whole grains, types of sugar, cooking with less sugar, caramelizing sugar (sugared nuts), substituting honey for sugar, and the proper care and storage of honey.

We'll meet at 7 p.m. at the Bangerter building, as usual. This is a very busy time of year, and we've had some extra spaces the past few months, so feel free to invite your neighbors or others who would be interested in attending. Because each class is self-contained, you shouldn't worry about jumping in late. Help us spread the word about these wonderful, informative (and delicious) classes.

It's go time!

We're just getting started with our keynote address here at the Live Ready Conference and Fair. Getting a late start? We'll have plenty of booths and workshops beginning at 10:30, so come over and join us. The address of the stake center is 3900 S. 4000 West.

All hands on deck

The LIVE READY Conference and Fair is one week away. We still could use some help at this great event. If you are willing to take a shift as a room steward, hall monitor, usher, registration staffer, parking-lot director, etc., please come to a meeting Sunday, March 15, at 7 p.m. in the Relief Society room at the stake center to get instructions. See you there!

Coming this month: Conference and fair

The Live Ready Conference and Fair is coming up in less than two weeks. Remember, this event is for everyone in the community, so invite your neighbors! It's all happening Saturday, March 21, at the Jordan North Stake Center. No need to register, just show up ready to learn. Questions? Contact Jennifer Shaw (phone 801-982-0551).

Here is a detailed list of what will be available that day.

Bringing in the sheaves

We had a fantastic turnout and an informative presentation when we kicked off our workshop series last month. Now it's time for the next workshop: Wheat! We'll learn about storing, cooking and grinding wheat; making bread; proofing yeast; cooking whole wheat; and how to use grinders. We still have spaces available, so email Jennifer Shaw or phone her at 801-982-0551 to register, or visit the Event Brite page. (You'll be prompted for a password; it's liveready.) We'll see you Thursday at 7 p.m. at the 5th and 6th Ward building on the corner of Bangerter and 4100 South.

Workshops start this week

We're very excited about the first of our workshops, Family Plan Overview and Bag Meal, coming up this Thursday. All spots have been filled, but we will have a waitlist. You WILL need to sign up to have a chance to attend. Please contact Jennifer Shaw (phone 801-982-0551) to be added to this list — or, conversely, if something comes up and you're unable to attend, please let Jennifer know so someone from the waitlist can take your place. Thanks, and we'll see you at the Bangerter building on Thursday!

Are you ready?

The first of our monthly Live Ready workshops is just around the corner, and we've had a healthy response. We have a maximum capacity of 100 at each workshop, so please sign up as soon as possible.

The easiest way to register is at our Eventbrite page, where you can sign up for as many of the monthly workshops as you'd like — or sign up for the whole series at once. You will need to enter the password liveready to view the page. Alternatively, you may contact Jennifer Shaw (phone 801-982-0551).

Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions:

This is just a Relief Society thing, right?

No, it isn't just for the ladies. Everyone can benefit from this knowledge, and all are welcome.

May friends of other faiths or from outside the stake be involved?

Yes.

If other members of my family attend with me, will we each get a "Take and Make" packet?

We will prepare one packet per household unless you request otherwise. Please let us know if you'll need more and we'll gladly prepare one (or more) for you!

What are the monthly themes?

See this post for a complete schedule.

Presenters needed

As we mentioned in our introductory post, the Live Ready Conference and Fair on March 21 at the stake center will include four 45-minute class rotations and a variety of fair booths in subjects such as financial and important documents, personal health and fitness, home preparation, and water/food preparation and storage.

We are looking for additional teachers and presenters. If you or someone you know can teach a 45-minute class or present an informational booth, please contact Jennifer Shaw with your name, phone, email and topic or class title.

Please review the official church policy on building use if you are interested in presenting a workshop or booth.

Online registration now open

We're excited about our upcoming Live Ready Workshop Series! As we prepare to share these informational monthly workshops, we have set up an online registration system. Because of high interest, you do need to register. (There is a maximum of 100 attendees per workshop, so don't delay.)

Click here to go to our Eventbrite page, where you'll have the option of choosing one or more monthly workshops or signing up for the entire series at once. You will need to enter the password liveready to view the event. (When you go to the page, you'll see an option to sign in or create an account. You don't need to bother with that. Just enter the password in the little box provided.)

Monthly workshop schedule

In our introductory post, we mentioned that one component of our stake's Live Ready initiative is a series of workshops at the Bangerter building on the fourth Thursday of most months, teaching a variety of important skills. Here's the schedule:

Jan. 22:  Family Plan Overview
Assessing your family's food storage needs, what to store and how to store it, making favorite meals into bag meals.

Feb. 26: Wheat
Storing, cooking and grinding wheat; making bread, proofing yeast, cooking whole wheat, how to use grinders.

March 26: Rice and Pasta
How to measure and cook perfect pasta; cooking rice and troubleshooting problems with cooking rice; freezing meals.

April 23: Corn
Using corn flour in cookies, muffins and soup; making polenta.

May 28: Oats, Sugar and Honey
Nutritional value of oats and whole grains; types of sugar; cooking with less sugar; caramelizing sugar (sugared nuts); substituting honey for sugar; proper care and storage of honey.

June 25: Legumes
Nutritional value of legumes; storing, cooking and using legumes (fat substitute, meat extender); bean flour; protein complements; softening old beans.

Aug. 27:  Powdered Milk  
Taste testing different brands of powdered milk; making yogurt from powdered milk; making sweetened condensed milk, hot cocoa mix; etc.

Sept. 24:  Salt, Oil and Seasonings 
Types of salt and their uses; types of seasonings to store to add interest and appeal to basic food storage; growing, harvesting and using herbs, including how to make an herbal infusion.

Oct. 22: Gluten Free
Using gluten-free flours to make delicious bread, rolls, breadsticks, pizza dough, cinnamon rolls and cupcakes.

These workshops will provide instruction, interactive demonstrations, taste testing and "Take and Make" packets. Come and learn how to use your food storage in everyday cooking! Attendance is limited to 100, so please register online (you'll need to enter the password liveready) or by contacting Jennifer Shaw (phone 801-982-0551).

Welcome to Live Ready!

Wait … what is Live Ready, anyway?

It's two very important activities sponsored by the Jordan North Stake in 2015. One is ongoing; the other is a special one-time event.

LIVE READY WORKSHOP SERIES
• Fourth Thursday of each month, 7-8:30 p.m.
• 5th and 6th Ward building (the "Bangerter building" on the corner of 4100 South and Bangerter Highway)

This series will teach a variety of important skills. The 2015 series will focus on cooking skills and will provide instruction, interactive demonstrations, taste testing and "Take and Make" packets. Don't just keep food storage in your basement! Come learn how to use it in everyday cooking.

Watch for a full schedule in a future post.

Everyone is welcome, but space is limited, so please register online (use the password liveready to view the event) or contact Jennifer Shaw (phone 801-982-0551).

LIVE READY CONFERENCE AND FAIR
• Saturday, March 21, 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
• Jordan North Stake center, 3900 S. 4000 West

This activity will teach important skills and principles for protecting our homes and families and will inspire us to be prepared in our everyday lives.

• Keynote speaker Darrel Wood — a Verizon communications specialist who relocates to areas where a disaster has struck, or is about to strike, and assists in rescue efforts — will share stories and give advice based on his firsthand experience dealing with emergency situations.
• Four 45-minute class rotations will cover a variety of topics.
• There will be a variety of booths to attend and explore.
• KidZone activities and classes will be offered for children ages 3 to 12.

Note: We are looking for additional teachers and presenters for the 2015 Live Ready Conference and Fair. If you or someone you know is available to present at this conference, please contact Jennifer Shaw of the Jordan North 2nd Ward at 801-982-0551 or lynnifershaw@gmail.com. (Details on online registration coming soon.)

Come learn and be inspired to LIVE READY!