Prep Consult: Newbie Prepper Makes Huge Progress Quickly

Venita lives in the southwest and has only been prepping since September. We are thrilled with the great progress that she has made in every prepping category. Thank you Venita for sharing with us!
Check out these links to items we discussed with Venita.
**Home Grown Herbalist School of Botanical Medicine (Dr. Patrick Jones) bit.ly/42OQJjp
**MyMedic mymedic.com/di...
**GreenStalk Planters greenstalkgard...
**Water storage tanks bit.ly/3ISEo5O
**VivoSun Mesh Hanging Herb Dryer amzn.to/3VtfDUa
**Find a Home Storage Center near you for the best prices on basic food storage providentlivin...
**Doorricade shrsl.com/4ennd (Use promo code PROVIDENT)
**HybridLight hybridlight.co... ( Use discount code PROVIDENT to get 20 percent off your order)
*Geneverse bit.ly/40c36D0 Use promo code PROVIDENT100 to receive $100 off
*EcoFlow ecoflow.com?aff=128
*Jackery shrsl.com/3cd2f Use the promo code PROVIDENT for 10% off all Jackery products (accessories excepted)
****Learn how to start prepping at TheProvidentPrepper.org****
Long-Term Food Storage: Creative Solutions to Build a Critical Asset
theprovidentpr...
3 Months' Supply of Food: Amazing Peace of Mind
theprovidentpr...
Best Strategies for Growing a Reliable Survival Garden
theprovidentpr...
Packaging Dry Foods in Plastic Bottles for Long-Term Food Storage
theprovidentpr...
Packaging Dry Foods in Glass Jars for Long-Term Food Storage
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How to Package Dry Foods in Mylar Bags for Long-Term Storage
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[@TheProvidentPrepper]

Check out these links to items we discussed with Venita. **Home Grown Herbalist School of Botanical Medicine (Dr. Patrick Jones) bit.ly/42OQJjp **MyMedic mymedic.com/discount/PROVIDENT **GreenStalk Planters greenstalkgarden.com/?rstr=PROVIDENT **Water storage tanks bit.ly/3ISEo5O **VivoSun Mesh Hanging Herb Dryer amzn.to/3VtfDUa **Find a Home Storage Center near you for the best prices on basic food storage providentliving.churchofjesuschrist.org/self-reliance/food-storage/home-storage-center-locations-map?lang=eng **Doorricade shrsl.com/4ennd (Use promo code PROVIDENT) **HybridLight hybridlight.com/discount/provident ( Use discount code PROVIDENT to get 20 percent off your order) *Geneverse bit.ly/40c36D0 Use promo code PROVIDENT100 to receive $100 off *EcoFlow ecoflow.com?aff=128 *Jackery shrsl.com/3cd2f Use the promo code PROVIDENT for 10% off all Jackery products (accessories excepted) *****Learn how to start prepping at TheProvidentPrepper.org Long-Term Food Storage: Creative Solutions to Build a Critical Asset theprovidentprepper.org/long-term-food-storage-creative-solutions-to-build-a-critical-asset/ 3 Months' Supply of Food: Amazing Peace of Mind theprovidentprepper.org/3-months-supply-of-food-amazing-peace-of-mind/ Best Strategies for Growing a Reliable Survival Garden theprovidentprepper.org/best-strategies-for-growing-a-reliable-survival-garden/ Packaging Dry Foods in Plastic Bottles for Long-Term Food Storage theprovidentprepper.org/packaging-dry-foods-in-plastic-bottles-for-long-term-food-storage/ Packaging Dry Foods in Glass Jars for Long-Term Food Storage theprovidentprepper.org/packaging-dry-foods-in-glass-jars-for-long-term-food-storage/ How to Package Dry Foods in Mylar Bags for Long-Term Storage theprovidentprepper.org/how-to-package-dry-foods-in-mylar-bags-for-long-term-storage/ Thanks for being part of the solution!

[@josephdone2713]

I think it is important for Venita to focus on one thing at at time. It sounds like she has so much going on simultaneously in her preparations that she may feel overwhelmed. I fell into that trap. But she has done so much that she can be pleased with.

[@valoriesmith8875]

Perhaps you could store Kleenex, TP, paper towels, stove and fire blanket etc in tubs in the garage along with the patio chair pads. Anything the heat won't ruin to leave more storage for food and all in your house.

[@kj7653]

If you keep things rotated they can survive the heat. Canned goods and paper products, even water containers, but you have to continually rotate and think hard. Palmolive (it gets really thick), laundry detergent.

[@Government-EconomicsTeacher]

I live in an area where we get 100*+ I grow tomatoes, squash, zucchini, potatoes, green beans, onions, garlic and in the fall will have carrots, broccoli, lettuce etc. You can grow potatoes in containers and many of those things.

[@kimberlygregory204]

You may consider having your garage door insulated and insulating your garage to reduce the temperature inside. This has helped signifitcantly reduce the temperature in a HOT climate. You may even get a rebate from your power company.

[@susanwestfall2051]

I bought a small electric kettle that takes about 300w, which you could use to heat water, etc. I also have a small electric fry pan and a rice cooker, both of which run on only a few watts of power. I have a solar generator and have tried all those appliances to cook with and they all fit my needs.

[@Jackie_W82]

Venita's really all over the place in this conversation. I'm having a hard time following her. She's got twice the space in her home compared to mine. Three bedrooms and lives by herself? She could easily turn one room into a pantry and easily have a year's worth of food, one room into prep storage and an office.

[@philw7174]

Way to go Venita! Keep up the good work. Thank you Jonathan and Kylene for sharing this video. Because of your and your friends encouragement I have been doing something daily for preparedness since I started watching your channel. Happy trails!

[@ritasmoot1823]

I love Cassandra from the channel Becoming a Farm Girl. Like your guest, I learn a lot from her. She grows her garden in the Green Stalks.

[@elwiub]

Great energy with this lady! Keep up the good work...it is definitely overwhelming thinking of all the things you want to do and learn. Every weekend or with downtime in the evening, focus on one project to completion and if you get to a stopping point with a project. Keep a notebook of what you need to finish it so you know where to pick back up once you get your supplies. This has helped us some when things get overwhelming and we have tons of things on our plate. 💖

[@judygeorge2011]

Oh my gosh! I feel like she's all over the board. Consider 1 task at a time. Its a process.

[@taunyaw2181]

Love this :) And I think....Becoming a Farm Girl is who you're talking about with the vertical...you're right. She has that down! Love the trama kit thoughts...your expertise as a nurse would be amazing to know what is in yours.

[@maryglover8283]

Thank you so much for connecting me to Becoming a farm girls channel🩷!!!!!!

[@MyMedic]

Definitely get a trauma kit! You never know when a life-threatening emergency can happen!

[@jaymiller3759]

after 40+ years my wife is still not on board, she will tell you that I am the crazy one, it doesn't matter though, I've got it covered, and I cook and do dishes!

[@heidigib01]

She is wrong and you are awesome.

[@paxorra5528]

My family was like your wife, then we had a long stretch of unemployment and a divorce (me & 3 kids) due to medical issues, we went through my whole food storage. It came in handy, since there was no real income for a year. (That was in the 90's). Never know when life throws a curve ball! At least you are awake & aware.

[@Goinghome9238]

As a mom that has NO one supporting me, it is hard to get a mom’s duty done and still have time to do this but I am doing the best I can. One day they will say, mom, you were right to have it JUST IN CASE.

[@tammieaf2712]

Insulate your garage door and have a vent run from your central HVAC into the garage. Or install a window unit air conditioner or mini split. My vented Florida garage feels amazing when I keep the door closed. It's not as cool or warm as inside the house, but it's more comfortable than the outside extremes. There's no air intake out there to draw in garage air, so it doesn't cause the unit to work extra hard.

[@janmyers2902]

Check feed stores for the 55 gallon blue water barrels. They are safe and usually had concentrated fruit juice in them, so all you need to do is rinse them well and then rinse with a bleach solution. People cut them in half for watering their animals. I only paid $21 dollars each for mine.

[@ladyjusticesusan]

Thank you for this idea!

[@shaza6547]

I put paper products in totes that are stacked to line rooms and easy to move to create a safe area, like Lego and insulating from heat

[@jartotable]

Putting your face online though is a fast way to have everything taken from you immediately the minute everything kicks off.

[@deanoktoday9155]

Good to practice charging the solar generator with your petrol generator. Don't forget to add engine oil for first time use.

[@VenitaVasquez]

Thank you for these suggestions for the master gardener site!

[@Goinghome9238]

Thanks for talking about small areas that have limited space. No one talks about it and sometimes the answer is easy but you maybe overthinking it. Love your channel!!

[@paxorra5528]

For the gardening I like how Kylene pointed to the herbs at Wal-mart (or any other grocery store that has the 'starter fresh herbs.) to start with the gardening. Start with the kitchen window type. I did this, it gave me the confidence (I didn't kill 'em!!) to move on to tomatoes, peppers, & watermelons! Now, if I could just be able to keep most of my garden from the ransacking horde of varmints (squirrels, raccoons, opossums, & woodchucks.) I also need to add flowers to the garden to keep the insect pests, too. I'm still learning. 😅

[@lyndasmith8747]

Don’t want to be Debbie Downer, but Moringa is not for everybody. I ordered some and was so excited to receive it after reading about all its benefits. However, I tried it three different times months apart and every time I felt awful, almost like I had the flu. I tried both Moringa capsules and the loose powder. Apparently it works for some people as per the testimonials on-line.

[@roseannejacquette9347]

This is so helpful. I also love in the southwest , but high desert. Hot days and cold nights. A challenge for growing. Dollar tree has a mini type green stalk planters. I have 2 green stalk but just purchased some of the Dollor tree one. Wind is a😮 BIG problem here. So I have to be careful of placement. I got my first green stalk at the end of last season so I’m still learning. I was gifted a second one I haven’t planted out yet. I moved my first one into my sunroom last fall and the flying knats type took over in the spring and I moved it out.

[@lf4061]

Sticky yellow bug paper helps get rid of fungus knats/flies, you just have to keep replacing the papers until finally none show up.

[@denisegrice8493]

Maybe use a rope and pulley system to keep your lawn furniture pillows, etc up out of the way and on the ceiling.

[@denisegrice8493]

In the garage.

[@SophianSeeker]

Greetings Kylene and Jonathan; Like Venita, I am also an RN, however I am retired now. Coincidentally, I also started with a trauma kit including surgical instruments, suture material and all things trauma. I also have my own autoclave and sterile pouches. Anyway, also like Venita, I focused on loading my car and truck with bug out needs. These include camping/cook stuff, water, and freeze dried packaged foods that I purchased. I then started watching your channel and have started incorporating your ideas. I started by buying a years supply of LDS foods in #10 tins, then recycling jars and PETE bottles for dry food storage. And again, just like Venita, I find myself with the same challenges. I have a huge shop but it’s far too hot in the summer. So I especially appreciated your suggestions. But here is a fear that I am hoping you can address in another video… My fear is this… If this get really bad, do you have any ideas on how we can conceal our food and water storage? I have this recurring concern of our food storage supply being confiscated. We have 7 acres, all on a sloped hillside, so I have been wondering about a hidden dugout or some sort of in-ground root cellar type ideas. Something that can be hidden and yet stay cool. Any ideas?

[@TheProvidentPrepper]

Underground is a fantastic idea. It keeps things cool. Be very careful that whatever you do is rodent and moisture proof. If I had the ability to build a root cellar, I would jump on it. I have seen them built out of many different materials.

[@janetcrane59]

PVC pipe underground can look like sprinkler lines. It makes a great cache to store extra food and valuables in small amts. Also rodent proof.

[@cookingsherry8784]

Prepper Nurse does some great online training as well as in-person training. She travels to different cities.

[@oldbloke204]

Easy enough to find things that don't cost a fortune to do courses for imo. Lots of folks seem to be making a career out of selling what is basically common sense. So much other baggage with some of them as well.

[@cookingsherry8784]

Sorry, I meant Patriot Nurse, not Prepper Nurse. I don't recommend him at all. I always get those two confused. 😁

[@oldbloke204]

@@cookingsherry8784 I knew who you meant which is why I made the comment I did. So much melodrama from some of those in the prepping community imo.

[@cookingsherry8784]

@@oldbloke204 Yes, to each their own. I like the one, but not the other. I realize her religious beliefs may be too much for some. The guy nurse is just too self-centered for my personal taste, and he tends to go on with common sense information for an hour and a half. He thinks he knows it all, and he likes to hear himself talk. He calls his channel prepper nurse, and then he hardly ever gives any real medical information. That is why I don't watch his channel anymore. Plus, he reminds me of my pedophile cousin, so that just turns me off completely.

[@oldbloke204]

@@cookingsherry8784 Not just her but all the ones that use the same template for their channels and appealing to a certain demographic. Mostly the same religious, political and other beliefs and all regurgitating the same thing to get people angry and in the club. Prepping is really pretty simple and finding out what's going on in the world equally so but most seem to want to listen to others opinions. They're making a living off it all and people can't see it.

[@babatwofive5727]

In zone 9, we grow crops about 2-3 months before more temperate areas.

[@oldbloke204]

A couple of ideas from what we are doing or where we have wasted money in the past. Here in Australia rainwater tanks are very very common. We have Poly tanks that we've had for decades now and they're great. You can get them in all sorts of sizes and configurations including for going in 4wd's, RVs and the like. Even a small one with a few thousand litres will give you a backup for quite a while if used sparingly. As to the garden we have spent absolutely thousands over the years to protect our fruit/vegies from the sun and various critters. If I was starting out with your yard and you're in a hot area I would be looking at putting up a pergola with shade cloth and enclosing it. Fruit trees can be espaliered on walls or wires so they don't take up much space and raised pot/garden bed gardening means less bending and more convenience as we get older. I would stay away from things like hydroponics as they're reliant on lots of inputs and water which may be in short supply if things go wrong. A nice organic garden can be fertilised with things that will be easier to find locally imo. I would also look at others in your area who are gardening for fruit/vegies and see what they're doing as well. I don't mean to sound negative but it will likely be quite a while before you're growing enough to have to worry about canning or whatever as returns can be very average until you know what you're doing. When starting out look at things that are hardy and easy to grow. Bush beans, Silverbeet, Potatoes etc are all great and give good returns. Permaculture can be excellent but it can also be expensive to do courses etc and there's any number of books available and channels on here as well.

[@oldbloke204]

Oh and as with all things dyor. Green shade cloth restricts flowering with some plants so we went with white which other than getting dirty does the job very well.

[@Goinghome9238]

Not negative, it’s reality. I was hoping to can tomatoes last year…. Ha! I need to plant more plants this year. 4 plants will not give you a ton to can and store when you are eating them with a family of 4. We learn as we try. Great ideas you added! Thanks

[@jabow1878]

Desert environment- don’t depend on water- depend on the heat. Gardening August through April. Prep garden in July during monsoons.raised gardens on the shadiest side of the house. Put no food high (heat rises). Think the floor- under beds, behind couches. Prepping inthe desert is so different.

[@deanoktoday9155]

I'd like to suggest getting a large chest freezer in the garage and use as a cooler. This can be controlled by a wall plug thermostat. Your solar power bank could run this also

[@user-gs3fm2rh3j]

And another suggestion don’t do a metal shed, they will add to the heat. So choose one made of a material that will be more neutral to the hot temperatures 😁👍

[@Goinghome9238]

I am going to look for a drip water system. With the cost of water really high, drip systems will save me money and make sure my plants get the water. I have to grow in pots, so it is more messy but worth it.

[@daniellewoodward4728]

Since you have a small back yard I would find native plants that serve as food instead of bushes that will not feed you. For example I live in Florida and native to Florida are scrub blueberries bushes they grow 2 ft by 2ft Bush. They are attractive and they will feed you and since they are native they don’t need any extras from me. So find what is native and start there

[@VenitaVasquez]

I have looked into solar - thanks, still doing research!

[@susieramick7202]

Great job. Prepping is so much work. And the stress learning the right choices and decision is exhausting but you're doing it. I eould evaluate the guest room. Is it used often? How many people? Necessary? Smaller bed or no bed? Totes under the bed? I turned the guest room into isles of shelving like a store and changed the slide doors to bifold doors for wide access. Stacked half with 5gal buckets, the other side is heavy duty origami shelves. I was able to keep a trundle daybed for grandkids sleepovers. The room is only 14X14.THANKS PROVIDENT PREPPERS😊

[@ruthieruef2185]

Brilliant job in such a short time next I think that this gracious lady should turn off power and practice using generator and practice using equipment she has . Practice practice using gas power her preps.

[@pamclark6686]

I'm using the Kratky method for hydroponic growing. No electricity!

[@bradleyshane162]

I inadvertently found a problem with eating lots of beans if shtf ever happens. I am the only one to eat leftovers at my house and my wife made me bean soup and like a bean dip that I ate for like 4 days almost exclusively. Which I ended up with the hiccups that I could not get rid of for 48 hours, even with medication. I could eventually fall asleep and within 5 minutes of waking they'd start back up. So beans terrify me now, it was quite an uncomfortable 48 hours.

[@jaymiller3759]

a spoon full of peanut butter works every time for me! I learned that 50+ years ago.

[@bradleyshane162]

@jaymiller3759 Idk if a spoonful of legume is the solution to hiccups from consuming legumes. I don't think I tried it and I tried a lot including medication for it.

[@Jan-d5i]

Have you looked into solar? For light, fans, and even generator?

[@NBlack-di2zn]

Is there a way to section off part of your garage to insulate against the heat ( bubble foil stuff?) and either a fan to take out heat or a small window A/C unit. Much cheaper than a storage unit.

[@NBlack-di2zn]

I should have watched the whole thing before commenting 😂 it was covered.

[@bcase5328]

Do you have a fire resistant safe? Are your important documents in it?

[@shaza6547]

If you are in storm areas like tornados, why not invest in a storm shelter and store food there. I've seen them dropped in garages and car is parked over it.

[@kimberlygregory204]

What was the name of the company of the security door? Thnak you!

[@Mari-AZ]

Thank you for information, I just search dr Jones, really enjoyed his intro video. Do you have a video chatting with him? If you don’t have one- would you consider? That would be really helpful

[@TheProvidentPrepper]

Doc Jones is coming out to our place in a few months to film a video or two with us. I'm thrilled! He really is an amazing resource with a down-to-earth approach.

[@Mari-AZ]

@@TheProvidentPrepper thank you! Looking forward to this

[@debzurawski8105]

can you insulate your garage and maybe air condition it?

[@terideck1464]

Greens talk is having a great sale right now on a new basket weave pattern for 35% off and if she uses your link she can get another 10% off if you are affiliates

[@terideck1464]

Greenstalk

[@terideck1464]

That’s Jara from Wicked Prepared that does those meals in a bag.

[@JaniceCrowell]

In humid conditions air drying does not work well

[@krisqueen5939]

🌷Only 3 months you can't grow? We can only grow for 3 months🌷in interior Alaska. 😊

[@JerzeyGypzy]

how do u have a salarium at home ? How do u deal with pests?

[@charismaticcrafter3855]

She could put AC IN her garage.

[@betsyross2.065]

Zombie for the state But still retains logical thinking in self preservation...

[@TheParallelSound]

Prepping fast is easy when you have money.... Video makes no sense.

[@marygallagher3428]

Venita's doing a great job prepping!

[@NonieK2267]

Also if she is in a hotter climate, we are 9B here in the Phoenix area there is oh Gardner her site is growing in the garden on KZbin. She’s a master gardener and she is awesome. She gives monthly what you can grow in the warm climates.

[@valoriesmith8875]

She is in Mesa and is a wonderful source for growing in hot areas

[@ElaynaSP]

For Venita something to consider for the garage is a portable evaporation (swamp) cooler. I live in Phoenix AZ as well.

[@cookingsherry8784]

Wicked Prepared has a lot of good recipes that she does for meals in a bag.

[@ritasmoot1823]

Yes! I was going to comment about Jara also! Love her and Homestead Corner! 👏

[@joycekatende2928]

You are well prepared ... well done ❤

[@cookingsherry8784]

Some of those electric coolers have solar panels that can be charged with the sunlight, which you have in abundance.

[@shaza6547]

Moringa would be perfect for your yard and can be chopped back in Autumn. Leaves are most nutritious. I live in hot humid, air conditioner is ok for food storage but canned food tends to get rust spots on top ridge. It's a huge problem. I have opted for chest freezers to store grains and dry goods and bluetti backup solar generators. Thing is the chest freezers that have dry goods can afford to go out in shtf because I'll use them then. Other freezers kept going. Storage containers for mylar bags etc cost, and freezers prevent insects and pests. I have two rainwater tanks in my garage with a year of emergency water, plus others outside for gardens.

[@ladyjusticesusan]

This lady is really thinking it through, I love her ideas. I really enjoyed this and learned a lot. I love these interviews/conversations, so much good information. If anyone has an interest in medieval life, herbs were all they had. Granted some were poisonous or just didn’t work, but once you start really studying medieval herbs there is some excellent tried and true medieval herbal medicine information out there. I really liked this video, Florida isn’t as dry, but we have the heat, so I got a lot out of this conversation. Thank you for all that you do.

[@VenitaVasquez]

Black, I am thinking if a small split for the garage- still looking into options to insulate and air condition the area-

[@Hklbrries]

Good for her - but a big difference between her and many preppers, I think, is she has more financial resources to afford things. My prep journey is much, much slower. Not complaining.

[@clydedeloach9066]

Buy and have installed a ceiling fan within your garage prep lady from the Southwest.

[@carolbruns611]

I have a small upright greenhouse that helps in winter with growing seedlings.

[@kj7653]

I don't cook either. Meals in a bag are a good place to start.

[@veevee3882]

Lol when u have money you don't need long to prepare

[@carlacarter-tf1sd]

Get a chicken for eggs

[@TUKByV]

Consider putting shadecloth over the garage, and perhaps elsewhere.

[@beastar2]

Great information.