Crystal GodfreyStore This, Not That!: The Quick and Easy Food Storage Guide

Why it took me 7 years from purchase to reading is beyond me. I'm a tester and analyzer of all things here on our homestead. Spending 12 years of tweaking what works for us. This book is very informative for the mind that pinches pennies and wants to know the 'why' behind it all. I learned a lot. Like the different types of dry milk products out there and how to read the labels. If you're new to food storage and like an easy on the eye colorful layout with photos of what they are talking about this is for you.My reasons for only 4 stars is simply this... several times they mention to check their websites for up to date infomation.... and it simply isn't at the link they provided. It appears they no longer update as the authors wrote about in the book after 2020. But a lot has happened after 2020 so I give grace there.The second reason for the 4 stars is it felt as if they were pushing a specific food storage company as they mentioned them several times... while I do appreciate all the information about reading the labels and being able to add up and divide the calories.. (something I had never considered before) I found the continued mention of the one company.. eye rolling...With all that said.... I would recommend buying this book. Especially for a newbie getting into this field. I read it cover to cover and am keeping it. Which, if I keep a book.... then I deem it useful to me.The recipes in the back will be tried and who knows.. I might even youtube the results.

Having bought two copies of the revised edition of the book for other family members and unable to contain myself, I then ordered another copy for myself. Unfortunately, I failed to pay close enough attention when I ordered and received the original version. Although I was disappointed at first, I decided I would keep the copy I received as it, too, is full of many wonderful suggestions. Just pay attention and be certain that you order the version that you prefer.

This is a good book to read BEFORE you plan your emergency food storage and emergency preparedness kits (or prepare as you read). It has lots of helpful information and I have learned a lot from Crystal Godfrey! Thank you Crystal! Although, as with anything, much of it is personal preference and you need to decide for yourself what will work best for you. So you still need to do your own research. For example, when putting together an emergency preparedness kit (aka 72-hr kit aka "bug-out bag"), think of "backpacking". In a true disaster, you'll be fortunate to walk out with your life, the clothes on your back and whatever you can carry. There are lots of light-weight, good quality backpackers gear on the market that is better suited for survival than a pre-packaged 72-hr Emergency Kit. This book helps bring these types of things to your attention, although, I have found even better products than what the author recommends in certain instances.I already have many of the products the author recommends, so I haven't read the whole book yet, but from what I have read, the author gives good, sound advice! She recommends emergency kits be prepared for two weeks now, not just 72-hrs, she provides meal plans and recipes to help you get started. I personally think some of the recipes are a little on the bland side, so I like to spice them up a bit more. I find that dehydrated and freeze dried products require more spices to make up for the loss of "freshness", and that freeze-dried tastes better than dehydrated, and even canned sometimes. I think our ancestors got it right the first time...plant your own garden, can your own food and don't rely on anyone but yourself! If you can take care of yourself, your chances of survival are much better than those who have to rely on others. And please, do not rely on your government! The worst thing you can do is put yourself in bondage to them, I don't care what they promise you! And don't rely on your neighbor either because your neighbor is going to be scrambling to save their own hide! So start getting prepared for yourself...read this book! It will help you!

I agree with the previous 5 reviews, all 5 Stars. I quit backing through previous reviews when I realized all I could say is “Ditto!” This is THE book for everyone, even those of us who, for decades, have been confirmed ________ (insert word: Preppers, Survivalists, Worry-warts, Self-sufficient, Concerned, or the more common, Nut Case :). This Student of Storage (SOS?) bought his first book, bread maker, wheat and grain grinder 40 years ago and I learned some new tricks from these ladies. Even so, the style, content and presentation in this 2016 book will educate and delight the beginning food storage student too.BTW, it is no surprise to me that the book is “out of Utah.” If you are new to food storage and/or self-sufficiency, the Latter Day Saints (Mormons) have been, and are, the cutting edge of researching, practicing and living this for decades. (Disclaimer: My cat, after lengthy consideration and a yawn, concluded I am reasonably good with food but hopeless when it comes to religion.) Bon appetite!Update - March 7, 2021: I am adding an additional 5 star book review on food storage to Amazon. “Food Storage for Self-sufficiency and Survival” by Angela Paskett in 2014. It is another invaluable, “must have” book for serious people. These books overlap but compliment each other and, if “Store This, Not That!” is the best undergrad book, “Food Storage” is graduate level. - Anna Paskett is in Utah too. I ruefully laughed when she recounted that as a 15 year old, the metal shelves in her closet started to collapse on her! If you haven’t had your food storage shelves sag and start creaking...we’ll, just hang in there and get ready!

Good read

Simple yet practical very well written and well worth twice the cost.

Very well presented. Didn't learn anything but it. Was nice to lend to my young neighbors.