Disaster Planning: First Things First

Have multiple copies of your business license, nonprofit certificate, payroll records, insurance policies etc.. For individuals keep vital documents such as pictures, birth, marriage, divorce or death certificates and passports, mortgage status, insurance policies, social security or green cards etc..off site securely. Back up electronic copies and keep additional copies in different secure locations. Rationale: During a technology failure, or scenario involving infrastructure damage there is no access to electronic data. If there is a structural fire, items may be destroyed. After a major earthquake some structures will sustain damage, and 50% of roads may be impassible. Back up copies in more than one location increases the odds of accessing a copy. In optimal conditions these items are time consuming to replace. If systems are down expect delays. Back up payroll records. Keep them secure. Have a work around plan to meet payroll. Rationale: Electronic processing systems will not function. ATM machines will only work if there is a backup generator. Lines will be long if any are operational. In a large scale disaster scenario, barter comes first, then cash. In the case of individuals make plans to ensure short term sustainability in the event of delayed payroll, inoperable electronic processing systems, mandatory or recommended evacuation. Do your vendors have a business continuity plan to prevent a disruption in supplies? If not, consider setting up a resource agreement with alternate vendors in the event your primary vendor doesn't come through. How long can your nonprofit continue to operate without supplies? Consider whether to keep a reserve of supplies that are critical to continued functioning. Also consider what alternate supplies you may need to satisfy your work around plans. For individuals, plan with trusted family, friends and neighbors and have items available for barter. What is you plan to pay vendors? Vendors cannot continue operating without cashflow. Rationale: Each failure to pay increases the the impact. If their business is inoperable, they can't pay their suppliers and their employees can't pay their bills which in turn affects other businesses. Above all 1. Have an clearly defined evacuation plan and meeting place. 2. Have a plan to ensure access to clean, life sustaining drinking water for 2-4 weeks in the valley and 3-6 months on the coast. 3. Have back up communication plans and practice often. Make sure your communication plan is compatible. 4. Keep some emergency supplies off-site, but nearby. If possible have supplies in a remote location also. Think strategically about emergency supplies: water, protection from the elements, then food. Safety should top the list. Consider unique needs such as diabetic supplies, life sustaining medications or an EPI pen. Don't forget pet supplies and plans. Rationale: Dividing supplies increases the likelihood of access. 5. Have a back up plan for power. Power may be off for up to two months in the valley following a major earthquake. 6. Have a plan for sanitation and gargage disposal for 3-6 months in the valley and 1-3 years on the coast. 7. Include others in your planning process. Cooperate before, during and after a disaster. 8. Have a plan to help those with special needs and train with community partners.

Food and Health-Prevention

Here are a few things we have learned.

Gum Pain
Add fresh organic cinnamon and freshly ground organic nutmeg stored in a 2-4 ounce jar. Add it to your natural toothpaste and brush teeth as usual to stop throbbing pain until you can have the condition evaluated by a dentist. They are a natural analgesic. A member or our team tried this and was effective. Individual results may vary. This should never be used as a substitute for dental care since this will not cure an underlying problem.

Migraines
Consuming a lime a day with juice and pulp prevents some forms of migraine headache. This was recommeded by someone else, and it worked for a member of our team that had suffered from migraines for forty years.

Diabetes
Coconut sugar is lower on the glycemic scale. It can be substituted for cane or beet sugar and is used in the same amount. We use it to prevent the onset of diabetes.
Cinnamon and green beans help reduce blood sugar. Cinnamon leaf extract may be helpful. A family member has found green beans very effective and eats them every day.
This is not medical advice. Always seek assistance of a qualified medical doctor.

Macular Degeneration
Kale, blueberries and huckleberries are protective against macular degeneration.

High Protein Tips During and After Radiation
Cancer patients undergoing radiation are ususally advised to eat a lot of protein to help rebuild healthy cells.
Ak-mak crackers have one gram of protein in each cracker. They are low in sodium and sugar.
1/2 cup of cottage cheese has 14 grams of protein.
Lentils are an excellent low fat source of protein and fiber.
Follow the advice of a qualified doctor. Evaluate dietary recommendations. Consider co-occuring medical conditions or risk factors such as sodium restriction or diabetes.

The next post will be on Food and Health-General Tips

Relatonship-based Nutrition Practices

In a culture of over indulgence, fast food, emotional eating and busyness, self-care and good nutrition have taken a back seat. Obesity levels have reached every age group. Exhausted working mothers may serve up hamburgers or pizza and receive applause. Employers can help by promoting relationship-based, hands-on nutrition practices in the work place. This can range from a demonstration on sprouting grains, to bread making, healthy nutrition bars, juicing or dehydrating foods.

Have you considered adding just one raised bed? Employees with gardening knowledge can teach others how to grow anything from salad greens and annual herbs to tomatoes or cabbage for kraut. 

Try offering a fruit dehydrator. It takes only a few minutes before a shift to add fruit to a dehydrator and many items such as apples or pears would be dry by the end of an eight hour shift. These snacks may be eaten on the way home to help boost energy, before work for those who skipped breakfast or as a mid-day pick me up. Think about providing a vacuum pack machine to keep a portion of dehydrated food as part of an emergency food supply for disaster preparedness.

How does this improve nutrition practices? Instead of a coke machine, consider adding a self-serve smoothie bar stocked with fresh fruit. Provide refrigerator space for fresh prepared vegetables or salads. Nuts are also a good option for those who are not allergic. When employees participate in growing and food preparation at work, they may be more likely to try it at home. The social benefits are just as important. Consider the relationships that can be built by planting a few seeds, harvesting, sharing meals, exchanging information or recipes and gaining new skills.

One of our traditions is pressing cider each Fall. We purchase 1-2 orchard boxes of apples, wash and sort, fill the hopper, press the cider, pasteurize and bottle it. This press is an original design



Hydraulic Cider press

Pressing Cider