Do YOU Have A "Go Bag"?

I’m not going to lie guys, it’s pretty darn smoky here. I had a sinking feeling last winter when we didn’t get out normal rainfall and hardly ANY snow - that it would be bad for wildfires here in the Pacific Northwest this summer.

And here we are.

My sister-in-law lives in Spokane and literally blocks away from one of the big fires there. All I can say is her stories are “nightmare fuel”. Her family is safe and their home was spared - for now. But we all still have several months of summer left to go.

So yeah - I have been thinking a LOT about Emergency Preparedness.

Even if you don’t live out here in the western US with our risk of earthquakes and now wildfires - it’s still a good idea to be prepared for whatever Mother Nature throws our way.

Are you prepared???

A Go Bag is a backpack (or something similar) you can quickly grab as you are running out the door, filled with items you would need to survive for 3 days.

I don’t have one, but I think that is going to change real quick. Most of the suggested items make a lot of sense:

• Important documents (IDs, birth certificates, cash, etc)

• Water (at least 1 gallon per person, per day, filters, Lifestraw, purification tablets)

• Food (ready to eat foods you don’t have to cook)

• Medications

• First Aid

• Spare clothing

• Flashlights

• Hygiene Items (TP, soap, toothbrush)

• Tools (Leatherman, duct tape, pocket knife, gloves)

• Power (power banks, chargers, cables)

Your answers, and this list is not only to help me, but maybe someone else as well.

I asked ChatGPT what food items they suggest someone who is Vegan or Plant-Based have in their bags and this is what it suggests:

AI Generated Response

For a real emergency go bag, I would think differently than I do about everyday nutrition.

The priorities become:

1. Calories

2. Protein

3. Shelf life

4. Weight

5. No cooking required

The goal is simply to keep your energy up until you reach safety. Aim for roughly 2,000 calories per day.

• Nuts (a one pound bag has around 2700 calories)

• Peanut Butter (squeeze packs are lighter)

• Protein Bars (Clif, Larabars, etc)

• Trail Mix (skip the chocolate)

• Dried Fruit

• Tortillas (lighter than bread and lasts longer)

• Instant Oatmeal and/or Instant Potato Packets

• Instant Coffee (luxury item)

Avoid canned foods (too heavy), fresh fruit, canned beans, potatoes, rice, glass jars). Vacuum sealing extends freshness and reduces bulk.

End AI Response

I asked why potatoes and rice were not suggested and it’s mainly because they both require clean water and a way to cook them to eat, and for very few calories.

I hope this helps but I would really like to hear from you:

• Do you have an Emergency Plan and/or Kit

• And if you do - what is in it?

Recipe day is tomorrow and since it’s supposed to be smoky (again) AND near 100°F- it will definitely be a no-cook recipe.

Be safe, it’s crazy out there.