Episodes
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Intro: A gentle reminder that preparedness is about progress, not perfection.
The Myth of Perfection in Preparedness: Letting go of unrealistic expectations and appreciating the power of taking small steps.
Small Steps = Big Empowerment: Inspired by The Gap and The Gain, recognizing the progress you’ve made and celebrating those gains.
Letting Go of Perfection: Embracing preparedness as a mindset and living with intention.
Conclusion: You’re already doing so much good. Keep going, keep giving yourself grace, and celebrate every step you take. 💕
Website: www.joyfullyprepared.com
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What We Cover in This Episode:
🍽️ Why wheat, beans, oil, salt & sugar aren’t “enough” on their own
📌 Key Takeaways:
😬 How food fatigue & digestion issues make long-term survival harder
🌾 How to store and actually cook with wheat, beans, oil, salt & sugar
🥦 What to add to your food storage for a well-balanced pantry✔️ Wheat can be sprouted for fresh nutrients & cooked whole for variety.
✔️ Beans are great, but they take time to cook & can cause digestive issues.
✔️ Oil is essential for cooking & nutrition but has a short shelf life.
✔️ Salt isn’t just for flavor—it’s critical for health & food preservation.
✔️ Sugar is useful for more than sweets—it helps with fermentation & morale.💡 What’s one food storage item you think people overlook? Drop a comment or hit reply—I’d love to hear your thoughts!
🎧 Listen Now: [Insert Link]
📌 Join My Membership! → [Insert Link]
📌 Follow me on Instagram for more tips! → [Insert Link] -
Episodes manquant?
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🧸 Why Kids Reject Food Storage Meals
📖 Food Neophobia (Fear of New Foods)
Kids are wired to resist new foods—it’s a survival instinct!Taste buds are more sensitive, making new flavors overwhelming.Stress makes picky eating worse. If they won’t eat it now, they won’t eat it in an emergency.✅ How to Make Food Storage Work for Kids:
👵 Why Elderly Adults Struggle with Food Storage
✔️ Store what they already eat
✔️ Introduce food storage meals now
✔️ Keep familiar seasonings & comfort foods📖 Aging & Taste Research (2014)
Taste buds fade, making food bland or unappealingLoss of smell changes how food tastesDry, chewy, or high-fiber foods are harder to eat & digestStress & illness reduce appetite✅ How to Make Food Storage Work for Elderly Adults:
✔️ Store soft, easy-to-digest foods
✔️ Use natural flavor boosters
✔️ Rotate familiar meals into their routine💡 Join My Membership! → https://joyfulprep.kartra.com/page/mealplan
📌 Follow me on Instagram for more tips! → https://www.instagram.com/joyfulprepper/Website: www.joyfullyprepared.com
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🔹 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✔️ Why the Minnesota Starvation Experiment proves food fatigue is real
✔️ How Survivor contestants struggle with hunger, yet still refuse certain foods
✔️ Why kids and elderly adults are the most likely to reject unfamiliar food
✔️ How food storage can fail if it’s built around “survival foods” instead of real meals
✔️ Simple ways to make sure your food storage is actually usable🔹 Key Takeaways:
✅ Food fatigue is real—people lose their appetite if they eat the same food repeatedly.
✅ Even starving people refuse food—history and research prove it!
✅ Sudden diet changes can cause digestive distress—your body isn’t used to new foods overnight.
✅ Your family’s food storage should match what they already eat—store what you eat and eat what you store!🔹 Resources & Links:
📖 Join my Meal Planning Membership! → Meal Planning Membership
📖 Free Food Storage Meal Planning Worksheet → Meal Planning Worksheet
📖 Join my Facebook Group: Easy Meal Planning for Busy Moms → www.joyfulprepgroup.com🎙️ Want More? Subscribe & Review!
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who could use some meal planning and food storage tips! Your support helps more people find the podcast.
#FoodStorage #MealPlanning #SurvivalFood #SurvivorTVShow #FoodFatigue #EmergencyPreparedness #StockYourPantry #BusyMomLife
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Have you ever opened your fridge or pantry, seen random ingredients, and thought, "There’s nothing to eat!"? You’re not alone! Meal planning and food storage go hand in hand, and in this episode, I’m sharing my simple, stress-free approach to making meal planning work for your real life—even on your busiest days.
You'll learn:
✔️ Why meal planning and food storage are the perfect pair (and how they make your life easier).
✔️ The Top 10 Meals Method—the easiest way to simplify meal planning.
✔️ How to stock your pantry with the right ingredients (without wasting food or money).
✔️ How to keep meal planning flexible—so it works for picky eaters, food allergies, or busy schedules.Join My NEW Meal Planning Membership! 🎉
If you need extra support and a simple system that actually works, I’ve got exciting news! I’ve just launched a brand-new, low-cost membership for busy moms who want meal planning to feel easy, flexible, and stress-free.
For just $9/month, you’ll get:
📌 One LIVE monthly community call to plan meals together & get your questions answered.
📌 Printable templates & pantry guides to help you stay organized.
📌 A private Facebook group for support, ideas, and motivation.Join now at → JoyfullyPrepared.com
Resources & Links:
📌 Join the Meal Planning Membership → JoyfullyPrepared.com
📌 Download my FREE Meal Planning Worksheet → https://joyfulprep.kartra.com/page/planning
📌 Website: https://www.joyfullyprepared.comPodcast: https://www.joyfullyprepared.com/podcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joyfulprepper
Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/wendi-bergin
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wenbergin
Email: [email protected]
💬 Have a question or topic request? Email me at [email protected]
🎙️ Loved this episode? Please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend!#MealPlanning #FoodStorage #BusyMomLife #StressFreeDinners #JoyfullyPrepared
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What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✅ Why elderberries are a must-have plant for your garden
✅ How Wendi started making her own elderberry syrup (and now sells DIY syrup kits!)
✅ The health benefits of elderberries and elderflowers
✅ Best practices for growing and caring for elderberries
✅ Tips for harvesting elderflowers and berries
✅ How to use elderberries for syrup, tea, gummies, and more
✅ Ideas for selling elderberry products—from cuttings to syrup kits
✅ What you need to know about cottage food laws for selling homemade products🌿 Get Wendi’s DIY Elderberry Syrup Kit → https://joyfulprep.kartra.com/page/elderberry
Timestamps for Easy Navigation:
🌱 Learn More About Growing Elderberries →
💬 Connect with Wendi on Social Media → www.joyfulprepgroup.com🟢 00:00 – Introduction: Why Elderberries?
🟢 04:15 – How Wendi Got Started with Elderberries
🟢 08:30 – The Health Benefits of Elderberries & Elderflowers
🟢 14:45 – How to Grow Elderberries (Planting & Companion Plants)
🟢 22:10 – Best Tips for Harvesting & Processing Elderberries
🟢 30:05 – What to Make: Syrup, Gummies, Tea & More
🟢 38:40 – Selling Elderberry Products & Cottage Laws
🟢 45:00 – Final Thoughts & Encouragement👉 If you loved this episode, subscribe & leave a review to help more people discover the power of elderberries!
👉 Share this episode with a friend who loves gardening or herbal remedies! -
Guest: Tiffany Donaghu | Founder of Set Apart Organizing
Website: setapartorganizing.comFacebook Community: The Organized Home for Kingdom LivingInstagram & Facebook: @SetApartOrganizingTopics Covered:
✔️ Tiffany’s personal journey from homemaker to professional organizer
✔️ The three-step process to decluttering and organizing your home
✔️ How to get your family on board with an organizational system
✔️ The surprising spiritual connection between clutter and peace
✔️ Why our flesh desires to consume and how that affects our spaces
✔️ Simple, actionable tips for getting started today
✔️ The importance of holy habits and family roles in maintaining orderTakeaways & Insights:
🔹 Your home should be an oasis of peace, not a source of stress.
🔹 Decluttering isn’t just about stuff—it’s about clearing your mind and heart.
🔹 Getting your family involved means defining roles and creating clear systems.
🔹 Saying “yes” to too much in life can leave no room for the things that matter.
🔹 Sometimes, the best self-care is setting up systems that free your time and energy.Links Mentioned:
Set Apart Organizing WebsiteJoin Tiffany’s Free Facebook Group🎧 Listen now and start reclaiming your home—and your peace!
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Key Takeaways:The Banter with God: Wendi humorously recounts a conversation where she realizes she just wants to "eat, drink, and be merry" without challenges—but God has a greater purpose for growth.Shame and Self-Worth: A conference discussion on shame leads to a powerful realization: shame convinces us we are unworthy of love, blessings, and good things.Receiving Blessings with Gratitude & Worthiness: Wendi experiences an incredibly "flowy" day full of blessings, but still struggles with believing she deserves them.Motherhood and Nurturing: As women, we are called to nurture and uplift others, but we must also learn to care for ourselves and let go of shame-based thinking.A Message of Encouragement: You are deeply loved, you are seen, and you are absolutely worthy of all the good things in your life.Connect with Wendi:
💌 Email: [email protected]
🌿 Website: joyfullyprepared.com
📍 Facebook Group: Joyfully PreparedIf this episode resonated with you, Wendi would love to hear your story. Reach out and share your journey—because you are magnificent.
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When the weather turns cold, there’s nothing quite like the smell of soup simmering on the stove or fresh bread baking in the oven. In this episode of The Joyfully Prepared Podcast, Wendi Bergin shares her favorite tips for creating warm, comforting meals with minimal effort and maximum joy. From nostalgic family traditions to practical pantry staples, Wendi dives into the heart of what makes comfort food so special.
What You'll Hear in This Episode:
The power of comfort food: more than just nourishment, it’s a way to create warmth, love, and tradition in your home.Wendi’s childhood memories of her mom making bread and "scones" (aka fry bread) and how those flavors inspired her own cooking.How to stock your pantry with essential staples like beans, rice, pasta, tomato sauce, and spices to make comfort meals anytime.Tips for meal planning and building food storage to always have ingredients on hand, even during chilly days.Freezer-friendly ideas for soups, casseroles, and batch cooking to save time and reduce stress.Wendi’s love for nostalgic recipes like chicken and dumplings, cinnamon rolls, and split pea soup—and why even her husband “steals” her leftovers!Cozy Highlights:
Discover how comfort food can bring families together and pass on cherished traditions.Learn how to simplify meal prep by keeping versatile ingredients in your pantry and freezer.Hear Wendi’s funny story about her split pea soup plans and how to store soups for easy, nourishing meals.Fun historical tidbits about the importance of bread and soup for armies and sailors in the past.Links Mentioned:
Meal Planning with Food Storage Workshop
Meal Planning Workshop Series
Souper Cubes (for freezing soups and casseroles)
Souper Cubes 1 Cup Silicone Freezer Molds - Soup Cubes Perfect for Freezing Broth, Rice, Leftovers and More - Silicone Freezer Trays with Lids for Meal Prep - Aqua - 2-Pack
Recipe for Wendi’s "Company Casserole"Company Casserole Recipe - Food.com
What’s your favorite comfort food? Share your recipe with Wendi! Send her a message and let her know what dish warms your heart and home.
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In this special episode of Joyfully Prepared, Wendi sits down with Dr. Danielle McGeough, professor, mom, recovering overachiever, and host of the Plan, Goal, Plan podcast. Together, they explore the art of planning as a joyful, playful, and restorative act that brings clarity, alignment, and purpose. From decorative planning with stickers to intentional journaling, Danielle shares how planning became her way to rediscover herself while managing life as a new mom.
Wendi and Danielle also dive into the intersection of self-reliance and creativity, sharing personal stories about their transformative journeys. They discuss the value of learning skills, how to navigate mental resistance, and the importance of distinguishing between rest and restoration.
This episode is filled with humor, practical insights, and heartfelt encouragement for moms (and anyone) looking to create a more intentional and fulfilling life.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
How Danielle turned planning into a playful, restorative activity.Why self-reliance is a collaborative endeavor, not a solo journey.The difference between rest and restoration—and why both are essential.How learning a skill, like baking bread, can bring unexpected fulfillment.Overcoming mental resistance to create a life aligned with your values.Dr. Danielle McGeough
Website: https://www.plangoalplan.com/Connect with Wendi:
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @joyfulprepper
Facebook Group: Joyfully Prepared
Website: https://joyfullyprepared.com/Join the Conversation:
How do you define resilience? Share with Wendi by email or in the Facebook group!Subscribe & Review:
If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to the podcast and leave a 5-star review. -
Decluttering Your Kitchen and Simplifying Meal Planning as Self-Care
In this episode, Wendi dives into how decluttering your kitchen and simplifying meal planning can be acts of self-care. Learn why a clean kitchen can bring joy and how to start creating space—physically and mentally—through meal planning. Wendi shares actionable steps to use food storage as a foundation for stress-free meals and offers tips for building a system that supports you and your family.Key Takeaways:
Self-care includes practical actions that create peace and calm in your life.Start meal planning by identifying one go-to family meal.Build a rotating food storage system over time to reduce stress and increase preparedness.Links and Resources:
Meal Planning WorkshopMeal Planning Food Storage WorksheetConnect with Wendi:Email: [email protected]: @joyfulprepperFacebook Group: Joyfully PreparedWebsite: https://joyfullyprepared.com/Action Steps:
Identify one family meal and write down its ingredients.Check your pantry to see what you already have.Begin building a stockpile for that meal, one ingredient at a time.Join the Conversation:
What is your go-to family meal? Share with Wendi by email or in the Facebook group!Subscribe & Review:
If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to the podcast and leave a 5-star review. -
Here to expect on the podcast:
Wendy's personal challenges with kitchen management.A systematic approach to decluttering the kitchen, tackling one cabinet at a time.The importance of meal planning and preparation, particularly using food storage effectively.How is kitchen management a form of self-care?And much more!Resources:
Meal Planning Worksheet - https://joyfulprep.kartra.com/page/planning?fbclid=IwAR13DUuKIA_sVi286pBMaEDZaV9Pk0OFOn_t2Qb2v552z1ldiPqUftfahsg
Recipe for Split Pea Soup - https://www.acouplecooks.com/instant-pot-split-pea-soup/
Thrive Life Freeze Dried Food - https://www.thrivelife.com/
Connect with Wendi Bergin!
Website: https://joyfullyprepared.com/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/joyfulprep
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joyfulprepper/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/selfreliantmoms/
Download Home Storage Checklist: https://www.joyfullyprepared.com/52weeks
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Here to expect on the podcast:
Wendi's journey of personal transformation throughout 2023-2024. How to set goals from your future self's perspective rather than your present state.Understanding that transformation drives goal-setting, not the other way around.How Wendi managed setbacks and adjusted her expectations while maintaining focus on her desired transformations.And much more!Resources:
Be Your Future Self Now by Dr. Benjamin Hardy https://bit.ly/4g70iQm
Connect with Wendi Bergin!
Website: https://joyfullyprepared.com/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/joyfulprep
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joyfulprepper/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/selfreliantmoms/
Download Home Storage Checklist: https://www.joyfullyprepared.com/52weeks
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Connect with Wendi Bergin!
Website: https://joyfullyprepared.com/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/joyfulprep
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joyfulprepper/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/selfreliantmoms/
Download Home Storage Checklist: https://www.joyfullyprepared.com/52weeks
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Here to expect on the podcast:
Use a journal to record daily wins, transformations, and goals for personal growth.New skills Wendy learn last November.Wendy's spiritual growth and her relationship with God.A personal story about transforming a "bad day" into "unexpected experiences," demonstrating growth in perspective and attitude.And much more!Resources:
Podcast Episode with Carol Little - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/carol-little-winter-wellness-preserving-herbs-made-simple/id1510423135?i=1000673793577
HerbGals - https://studiobotanica.teachable.com/p/herbgals
How to Make Vanilla Extract with Sara Anderson - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sara-anderson-how-to-make-vanilla-extract/id1510423135?i=1000567791605
IndriVanilla Website: https://indrivanilla.com/
IndriVanilla Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/IndriVanilla/
Connect with Wendi Bergin!
Website: https://joyfullyprepared.com/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/joyfulprep
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joyfulprepper/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/selfreliantmoms/
Download Home Storage Checklist: https://www.joyfullyprepared.com/52weeks
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Here to expect on the podcast:
The importance of learning from failures.Acquiring new skills can enhance your ability to support those around you in difficult times.Continuously improving preparedness strategies ensures you're always ready for unexpected challenges.The value of community support and the need for multiple redundancies in preparedness plans.Benefits of maintaining internet access.And much more!Resources:
Jackery Solar Generator - https://bit.ly/3B8dm95
Rocket Stove - https://bit.ly/4ie203T
Butane Stove and fuel - https://bit.ly/4i9XQKx
Butane Fuel - https://bit.ly/41a2bao
Water Bottle Pump - Cozy BlueWater Dispenser, Portable Water Bottle Pump for Universal 3, 4 and 5 Gallon with USB Electric Charging and Automatic Off Switch (Black)
Water bottle silicon covers - 3 and 5 Gallon Water Jug Cap, Silicone Reusable Replacement Cap, Non Spill Bottle Caps for 55mm Bottle Water Dispenser Caps - Pack of 3
Well hand pump - https://www.lehmans.com/product/stainless-steel-deep-well-pump-head/
Starlink: https://www.starlink.com/
The Ministry for the Future - https://bit.ly/4g2fCgW
Scenario Planning Worksheet - https://joyfulprep.kartra.com/page/scenario
Connect with Brad Lancaster - https://www.harvestingrainwater.com/
Permaculture Institute of North America - https://pina.in/
Connect with Judith Horvath: https://www.fairhillfarm.com/
Connect with Greg Peterson: https://www.urbanfarm.org/
Connect with Wendi Bergin!
Website: https://joyfullyprepared.com/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/joyfulprep
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joyfulprepper/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/selfreliantmoms/
Download Home Storage Checklist: https://www.joyfullyprepared.com/52weeks
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Here to expect on the podcast:
Takeaways from being prepared and needing to be prepared.The most critical skills to share when helping others get ready for a hurricane.Avoid becoming a burden to others during times of need.Factors people should consider to ensure a home is safe from flooding during house hunting.And much more!Resources:
Jackery Solar Generator - https://bit.ly/3B8dm95
Rocket Stove - https://bit.ly/4ie203T
Butane Stove and fuel - https://bit.ly/4i9XQKx
Butane Fuel - https://bit.ly/41a2bao
Water Bottle Pump - Cozy BlueWater Dispenser, Portable Water Bottle Pump for Universal 3, 4 and 5 Gallon with USB Electric Charging and Automatic Off Switch (Black)
Water bottle silicon covers - 3 and 5 Gallon Water Jug Cap, Silicone Reusable Replacement Cap, Non Spill Bottle Caps for 55mm Bottle Water Dispenser Caps - Pack of 3
Well hand pump - https://www.lehmans.com/product/stainless-steel-deep-well-pump-head/
Starlink: https://www.starlink.com/
The Ministry for the Future - https://bit.ly/4g2fCgW
Scenario Planning Worksheet - https://joyfulprep.kartra.com/page/scenario
Connect with Brad Lancaster - https://www.harvestingrainwater.com/
Permaculture Institute of North America - https://pina.in/
Connect with Judith Horvath: https://www.fairhillfarm.com/
Connect with Greg Peterson: https://www.urbanfarm.org/
Connect with Wendi Bergin!
Website: https://joyfullyprepared.com/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/joyfulprep
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joyfulprepper/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/selfreliantmoms/
Download Home Storage Checklist: https://www.joyfullyprepared.com/52weeks
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Christmas is just around the corner; it's a season filled with joy and festive cheer for many. However, it might surprise you that not everyone shares the same enthusiasm for this holiday! Join Wendi as she discusses how one can enjoy Christmas without succumbing to the pressures of excessive traditions. Since, for some, Christmas traditions can be a source of stress rather than joy, it's a good idea to find simple ways to celebrate and have fun! Stay tuned!
Here's what to expect on the podcast:
What common responses do people give when they find out someone doesn't enjoy Christmas?Why doesn't Wendi like Christmas?How can individuals simplify their Christmas festivities to ensure a more relaxed and enjoyable experience?What are some ways that a family can support each other in enjoying the Christmas season?And much more!Connect with Wendi Bergin!
Website: https://joyfullyprepared.com/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/joyfulprep
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joyfulprepper/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/selfreliantmoms/
Download Home Storage Checklist: https://www.joyfullyprepared.com/52weeks
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Here to expect on the podcast:
The importance of making space for oneself as a mother.How mothers often play the role of both hero and victim in their families.Practical tips for self-care and creating space.Setting boundaries and saying no.Cultivating gratitude and finding joy in the mundane.And much more!Resources:
Episode 143: Your Family’s New Meal Planning Buddy: How ChatGPT Can Help https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-familys-new-meal-planning-buddy-how-chatgpt-can-help/id1510423135?i=1000676431485
Book: The Gap and The Gain: The High Achievers' Guide to Happiness, Confidence, and Success by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy https://amzn.to/48PcAKt
Connect with Wendi Bergin!
Website: https://joyfullyprepared.com/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/joyfulprep
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joyfulprepper/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/selfreliantmoms/
Download Home Storage Checklist: https://www.joyfullyprepared.com/52weeks
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Here to expect on the podcast:
Step-by-step instructions on how to access ChatGPT.How ChatGPT can help with meal planning, recipe creation, and food storage.In what ways can ChatGPT simplify the decision-making process when it comes to planning meals?Live demonstrations of ChatGPT for themed meal planning.And much more!Resources:
Meal Planning Workshop: https://joyfulprep.kartra.com/page/mealprep
Meal Planning Worksheet: https://joyfulprep.kartra.com/page/planning
Podcast Episode - Easy Food Storage Solutions: Ditching the Overwhelm https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/easy-food-storage-solutions-ditching-the-overwhelm/id1510423135?i=1000672007804
Connect with Wendi Bergin!
Website: https://joyfullyprepared.com/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/joyfulprep
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joyfulprepper/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/selfreliantmoms/
Download Home Storage Checklist: https://www.joyfullyprepared.com/52weeks
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