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In times of uncertainty, it’s nice to be able to be self-sufficient. 2020 Started with incredible energy, and it felt as if this year was going to hit a home-run, that energy was stripped from Americans as quickly as it was generated. With the COVID-19 pandemic, Americans were jolted with fear and panic of the unknown. Grocery store shelves empty, restaurants closed or offering curbside pick up, gyms shutdown, all businesses besides essentials closed, life as we know it was flipped upside down. Imagine this, before this happened, you had a lush garden, necessary supplies to last a few months, canned goods to feed your family, water storage, being a little more self-sufficient, so in times of uncertainty, you are prepared. Even in small spaces, you can plant a garden to feed a family. The amazing thing about gardens is if done correctly, they last a whole season, which is more than likely long enough to get through unforeseen circumstances. You can also can and preserve veggies to make them last longer, such as making tomatoes into a sauce and then freezing the sauce. Now maybe a good time to consider alternative power sources, solar is a great option for having power without depending on your electric company. Even having enough power to run small necessities is a good idea. If there’s one thing 2020 has already shown us, it’s that we need to be more prepared as individuals and families. It doesn’t take much to become a little more prepared for times we can’t predict.

Preparing for unprecedented times can feel like uncharted territory but here’s a checklist or a few necessary items for your home, keep in mind you should have enough of these supplies to last two weeks.

•Water-15 gallons of potable water per person • Food-non-perishables • Firelighters, matches, wood • Light-headlamps, candles, flashlights, lanterns • Medical Kit-an extensive first aid kit • Hygiene-wet wipes, Clorox wipes, hand sanitizer, soap, laundry detergent • Power-spare batteries, generator • Board games, cards, books, movies.