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Featured Author
Carolyn Nicolaysen
MEET AUTHOR Carolyn Nicolaysen
Carolyn Nicolaysen grew up in New Jersey where she loved baking with her grandfather, swimming, singing in school choirs, and visiting the Jersey Shore. Carolyn joined the Church while attending Central College in Pella, Iowa, where she earned a degree in home economics education with an emphasis on foods and nutrition and a minor in science. She met her husband, Don, at BYU Provo where she studied for the last semester of her senior year. As an educator, Carolyn taught high school in California, served two terms as an elected trustee on her local school board, and helped write grants and curriculum for the school district. She has taught personal and family preparedness for thirty years. Having lived in areas where she experienced hurricanes, ice storms and tornadoes, flooding and earthquakes, Carolyn has developed a passion for readiness. She speaks at church, emergency responder meetings and community preparedness events, does private consultations, writes the Totally Ready Facebook page and authors the Totally Ready website. Carolyn is a favorite guest on several blog talk radio shows. She is a licensed Amateur Radio operator (K6CJN) and has received first responder training from FEMA and NOAA.
Carolyn has authored several eBooks, her latest being the Totally Ready Binder: Tips and Tricks for Now and When Disaster Strikes. All her eBooks are available at Totallyready.com. She founded Operation Christmas Ornaments to serve survivors of disasters. Don and Carolyn are the parents of four children, and the grandparents of eighteen. They live in New Braunfels, Texas.
Follow Carolyn’s blog at: Totallyready.com Join the Totally Ready Facebook page at: Facebook.com/TotallyReady/
Author's Published Articles
Raising Our Children to Be Self-Reliant
My 12-year-old student said, "But we are never going to…
Are You Prepared For an Auto Accident?
Emergencies don’t always come in the form we expect, but…
Lessons Learned: Five Day Kits
We have recently seen horrendous flooding in North Carolina and…
Evacuation: It Can Happen to You
As I watched the horrific firestorm in southern California, I…
Self-Reliance for the Last Days
"Recent surveys of Church members have shown a serious erosion…
Bringing Hope and Joy to Those Feeling Forgotten
It’s been five years since a small group of friends…
Tips to Make This a Safe Holiday Season
Self-reliance is not just about preparing for disasters but also…
Why Are So Few Preparing and What We Can Do to Help
Preparing has been a culture, a lifestyle for hundreds of…
How Will You Prove You Had 200 Cans of Food?
Flooding, hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, all have destroyed homes and put…
What Are Your Plan B and C to Survive a Disaster?
As we have watched in horror the disasters of the…
Practical Tips for Helping After Helene and Milton
Floodwater is both dangerous and destructive after the initial threat…
Lessons Learned from Hurricane Helene
Hurricane Helene has been devastating. Forecasters warned the residents to…
Pillars of Preparedness: Dos and Don’ts
September is National Emergency Preparedness Month and the perfect time…
Is Your Child’s School Prepared for Emergencies?
Teachers, administrators, school support staff, and classroom volunteers, are the…
Stay Safe: What to Do When Lightning Strikes
Understanding the dangers of lightning is important so you can…
How to Be Ready for a Hurricane with Days or Hours to Prepare
It’s time to complete your hurricane/typhoon preparations for a safe…
Hurricanes Coming: How to Stay Safe in Your Own Home
Hurricane season is here and here with a vengeance. I…
Work on Your Preparedness without Busting the Budget
With the advent of many stores that sell items for…
Before the Power Outages Come: Save Money Now
Recently Pacific Gas and Electric announced to its customers in…
Is a Grid Failure Coming?
Congress is presently holding hearings discussing the fragile grid nationwide…
How Prepared Are You to Communicate With No Phone or Internet?
A disaster strikes, and your neighborhood is badly shaken. Some…
Helping After a Disaster: Be Prepared
With all the flooding and tornadoes in the news it…
Human Trafficking: Prepare and Protect
In 2018 the United States, along with Mexico and the…
You May Think You Don’t Have Room, Think Again
It's time to think creatively and make the most of…
Are You Really Ready For the Most Common Disaster?
If you or a loved one lives in the path…
How Prepared Are You Really?: A Self-Assessment
The world has become a more expensive, often meaner, and…
When the Tap Runs Dry
Water storage is absolutely essential to a good preparedness plan.…
Give the Gift of Preparedness this Christmas
Throughout the season, we gather with family and friends to…
What Can We Learn From the Attack on Israel?
What does this all mean for us? Only time will…
Send Your Student to College Prepared
How prepared will your student be to survive and thrive…
You Too Can Prevent Forest and Neighborhood Fires
A few years ago, I had the opportunity to visit…
Insurance Tips: The Importance of Taking a Home Inventory
More distress is on the way as snow melt continues…
Temperatures Are Soaring: Stay Safe
Temperatures are soaring throughout the world. Following are a few…
Preparing Spiritually and Temporally This Summer
Summer is a great time to help our family, children,…
Vacations Are Great: Is Your Home Safe?
Let’s suppose you are contemplating a little vacation, a business…
A Fun Way to Prepare Kids for Challenging Times
Summer is the ideal time for parents and kids to…
Becoming Spiritually Prepared: A True Follower of Jesus Christ
We know both temporal and spiritual preparedness are essential to…
Dust Storm Coming — Emergency Preparedness
Dust storms may seem like an unlikely, even crazy topic…
Your Own Personal Recession Doesn’t Have to Defeat You
Do not let the “experts” tell you not to be…
If Flooding Comes to Your Neighborhood
Forecasters are predicting major flooding this spring for many regions.…
Time to Answer Your Questions
Disasters are increasing and the wise of all religions and…
What Stumbling Blocks Are Keeping You From Getting Prepared?
With billion dollar disasters occurring every 20 days, it may…
Billion Dollar Disasters Every 20 Days – Make a Plan
President Ezra Taft Benson taught: "Too often we bask in…
Helping People Feel Remembered, One Ornament at a Time
Each year, thousands suffer after surviving a natural disaster. As…
Stay Safe During the Long, Cold Winter
Yes, you can get hypothermia or frostbite in your home…
The Holidays are Here: Are You Inviting a Burglary?
As we enter the holiday season, the threat of burglary…
Give the Gift of Preparedness this Holiday Season
Here are useful preparedness items to give your loved ones…
Fires Can Happen to You Too
Neighborhood fires happen and no neighborhood is exempt. Are you…
But Are You Spiritually Prepared?
With General Conference a few days away, let’s think seriously…
Making Airline Travel a Pleasure Not a Nightmare
A recent travel nightmare that happened to a friend of…
Becoming an Emergency Manager One Day at a Time
What is emergency management? It is the organization and management…
How Safe Are Your Children’s Schools?
You can help your schools prepare by asking some specific…
Drought: What You Can Do To Save Water and Money
We should all be praying for help from above. But…
We’re Havin’ a Heatwave: Tips for Making it Bearable
With added stress on the power grid, increased fires, natural…
Time to Become a Savvy Shopper
With inflation out of control, food shortages, recession on the…
It’s Going to Be a Hard Summer: Prepare Now
Here are five reasons this summer might be a long…
Dealing with Food Storage When It’s Time to Move
The time has come, and we are moving from California…
On the Road to Debt Freedom: Taking a New Kind of Vacation
A simple vacation, in familiar surroundings, will give you that…
Items You Should Get Out of Your Food Storage
As we store, there are some things we should not…
The Domino Effect of War and Inflation
If you have been following posts at Totallyready.com you understand…
Prepare Children for Difficult Economic Times
When we help children understand there is happiness in providing…
The Shortages are Just the Start: Here’s What You Can Do Right Now to Prepare
In October of 2019, I published article about preparing for…
What We Learned the Past Two Years: How it Affects Preparing in 2022
You may have thought you knew all there was to…
After a Disaster: Don’t Fall Victim of a Scam
With two huge disasters in just one month, it is…
The Grinch Who Stole Christmas and You Let Him
Thieves love the holiday season. They can do all their…
Christmas Should be Happy and Bright
Why do we make everything so complicated? Now is the…
Food Storage: But Where Do I Put All Of It?
Empty and understocked shelves in the grocery store are not…
Food Storage Questions, Answered
There are many, many, concentrating on Food Storage after being…
Are You Prepared for the Challenges Ahead?
Ask yourself the following questions as you obey and begin…
Creating a Culture of Self-Reliance: What’s Next
National Emergency Preparedness month is coming to an end but…
Creating a Culture of Self-Reliance: Week Four
Strong families don’t happen by accident. They are created intentionally.…
Creating a Culture of Self-Reliance: Week Three
It’s time to assemble a Five-Day kit. Experience has shown…
Creating a Culture of Self-Reliance: Week Two
This week as a family, think through a disaster and…
Creating a Family Culture of Self-Reliance
September is National Emergency Preparedness Month in the United States.…
Shake Rattle and Roll: Are You Ready?
Earthquake frequency and severity is increasing and will continue to…
Your Emergency Preparedness Questions, Answered
With a pandemic once again causing concern, political unrest, and…
When Thunder Roars: Staying Safe in Summer Storms
Lightning is fascinating to watch but also extremely dangerous. In…
“Don’t Forget the Birds”: Preparing Your Family for Fire Season
Droughts threaten the safety of millions across a dozen states…
Prices are Soaring and Shortages Coming
I am very, very concerned that everyone understand the impact…
What You Can Do Now to Prepare for Inflation
Experts are warning it's time to hang on to our…
Fill Your Emergency Kits with Useful Foods You Will Actually Enjoy
Having spoken with many survivors and those who have volunteered…
What Texans Would Like You to Know about Losing Electricity
As we reflect on the past year, people I speak…
Household Solutions When a Power Outage Finds You Unprepared
I recently asked family, friends and readers to tell me…
Teaching Your Children to be Financially Self-Reliant From the Start
When we help children understand there is happiness in providing…
And Then the Lights Went Out
Power outages are becoming more and more frequent. Everyone should…
Guarding Against Financial Collapse
Today we are facing perilous times. We have experienced a…
Don’t Be Left in the Dark Wondering What to Do
Let’s keep moving forward and preparing for whatever comes. Now…
An Emergency Most Will Face and How to Prepare: Power Outage
Now that you have determined the emergencies most likely to…
Things I #GiveThanks for During this Pandemic
As I have been reflecting on President Nelson’s challenge to…
Preparing Your Family for Disaster: Not Making a Choice – is a Choice
What have we learned during these recent months of lifestyle…
This is Not Your Granny’s Food Storage
Food storage was often characterized by worldly critics as eccentric…
Take the 30-Day Preparedness Challenge
September is National Preparedness Month in the USA, and there…
You May Be Sabotaging Your Food Storage
Food storage and emergency preparations require planning, continuing education, and…
A Heart-to-Heart About Food Storage
The year 2020 has been a wake-up call. Disasters will…
Pandemic: What Have We Learned About Ourselves and God’s Purpose?
I asked friends, family and those who participate on the…
What We Have Learned – Let Us Not Forget
Pandemics are unwelcome visitors, but they can teach us much…
COVID-19: An Opportunity to Re-Think Food Storage
We know more challenges will come before the Savior returns.…
Staying Connected and Having Fun While Stuck Inside
How often have we lamented shortened summer vacations as schools…
Coronavirus: News and Fun with the Kids
Here are some specific scams to avoid that have cropped…
COVID-19: Calming Your Child’s Fears
Following a disaster, we are so concerned with the physical…
Your Coronavirus Questions Answered
As conditions change regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19) there are more…
What You Would Need for a Self-Quarantine
The news on the coronavirus gets worse with each hour…
Coronavirus: As the Threat Grows, It’s Time to Prepare
Both fear and apathy seem to be growing when considering…
Coronavirus Questions Answered
Since the Coronavirus first came to our attention, there have…
Coronavirus Outbreak: What You Need to Know
The Coronavirus is making news as it spreads throughout the…
Self-Reliance is Possible in 2020
A self-reliant lifestyle whether financial, spiritual or another doesn’t just…
Wonderful Traditions to Help Your Family #LightTheWorld
I would love to share with you how we have…
What People Wished They Had Prepared When California Blacked Out
The phone calls, texts and news alerts became routine as…
Flu Season: Self-Quarantine with Food Storage
When a pandemic strikes, we will be confined to our…
In Case of a Community Health Emergency: Be Ready to Self-Quarantine
Although much of this article refers to preparing for a…
Is Another Pandemic Around the Corner?: How to Prepare
You can and should prepare now for the possibility of…
Food Storage Myths You Might be Believing
Despite the clarity of warnings to prepare, myths and misunderstandings…
There Shall be Famines, and Pestilences, and Earthquakes
We see many references in the scriptures, The Holy Bible,…
Food for Your 120 Hour Kits that You’ll Actually Eat
Having spoken with many survivors and those who have volunteered…
Making Your Home into a Safe Haven for When Disaster Strikes
With hurricane season upon us, it seems time to examine…
No Money for Emergency Preparedness? 30 Ways to Start Saving
Many Stake presidents, Bishops, Stake and ward Relief Society presidents…
You Too Can Afford to Prepare
Over the past twenty years, I have taught many self-reliance…
Tips for Dealing with Summer Heat During a Power Outage
Recently Pacific Gas and Electric announced to its customers in…
Inventory: Do You Really Know What You Have?
Natural disasters do happen. Hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires, tornadoes, tsunamis, volcanoes,…
Preparing Your Family for the Flood Waters that Bring a Spike in Food Prices
Portions of the United States, especially in the upper Mississippi…
Tips for Emergency Preparedness on a Tight Budget
I’m surprised by how many of those I speak with…
Government Study Confirms What Prophets Have Been Telling Us All Along
There is a change in the wind. Yes, at workplaces,…
Building Your Food Storage: What are You Waiting For?
When a disaster can be predicted people will not only…
Teaching Children Financial Self-Reliance
Most of us have experienced the stress caused by severe…
Here Comes the Flu: How to Stay Prepared and Stop the Spread
There has been a slow start to flu season this…
Traditions and Preparations to Help Make Your Christmas more Peaceful
Why do we make everything so complicated? Now is the…
What to Do When You’re Stranded in Winter Weather
Every year people die because they are unprepared with the…
Disaster in Paradise: How You Can Help Those Who Have Lost Everything in the California Wildfires
This week has been devastating for over 7,000 families who…
How to Prevent a House Fire From Ever Breaking Out in Your Home
Last week was National Fire Prevention Week. We have explored…
How You Can Prevent Next Year’s Wildfires
During this year of devastating wildfires across the western United…
Do You Have Enough Faith to Prepare?
Several years ago a friend who was suffering with bipolar…
Spared from the Flames: Miracles at Camp Liahona
On Thursday, August 2nd 2018 the Fremont California Stake young…
66 Amazing Emergency Preparedness Uses for this Everyday Item
Bandanas are inexpensive and easy to carry in your emergency…
Preparing for the Possibility of Evacuation
The thought of having to evacuate is not a pleasant…
The Refiner’s Fire: Losing Our Dream Home to Lava
We dreamed of a home on the Big Island of…
Dealing with Uninvited Guests: A Preparedness Plan for Home Invasion
It is terrifying to wake up in the middle of…
More Important Tips for Keeping Your Family Safe This Summer
As members of the Church, we are not only concerned…
Protecting Yourself From Civil Unrest
Civil unrest is a real concern when planning for an…
What to Do if a Family Member Ingests a Harmful Substance
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, approximately forty six…
School Safety: How is Your School Doing?
Unfortunately we have become all too aware of school safety…
Alleviating Your Family’s Restlessness During Times of Disaster
During a time of stress it is so important to…
Keeping the Answers to Your Most Urgent Questions Available During an Emergency
Not sure what to do? Check your binder. Here are…
Therefore Let Us Not Sleep, As Do Others
After a disaster we often decide now is the time…
“We Are His Hands”: An Interview with Mormon Helping Hands in the Aftermath of Hurricanes
The past few weeks have reminded us of the horror…
Five Minute Evacuation: What to Take When You’re Getting out Fast
When you have time, the list of items to take…
All is Not Lost: Rescuing Memories After the Flood
Clean up after a disaster can be a nightmare as…
The Floodwaters are Receding: What Now?
As floodwaters recede in Texas we look toward hurricane season…
Terrorism: Acknowledging the Threat, Minimizing the Fear
Do you know what to do should a terrorist attack…
Minimizing the Fear of a Terrorist Attack
As of June 23, 2017 there have been 596 terrorist…
Why Mylar Blankets are an Essential for Emergency Preparedness
Many in the preparedness community discourage the purchase of mylar…
We’re Havin’ a Heat Wave: 23 Things to Do About It
There are things we can do to be more comfortable…
When the Power Goes Out and You Still Need to Cook
Since power outages are the most common of all disaster…
Does Your Family Have an Evacuation Plan in Place?
The past two weeks have been very challenging to those…
To Eat or Not To Eat: A Guide to Food Safety After a Power Outage
Food in a full freezer will stay frozen about two…
Our Power Outage Wake Up Call
During a recent storm, we experienced 50-60mph wind gusts. As…
Emergency Preparation for a Power Outage During Winter
Since power outages almost always accompany a weather related disaster…
Everyday Items that Could Save Your Life
Sometimes it's the everyday things that save lives or help…
Before you Head “Over the River and Thru the Woods”
None of us plan to get in trouble, but for…
Preparedness Stocking Stuffers for a Buck
With the advent of many stores that sell items for…
Your “How-To” Guide for Off the Grid Cooking
It's one thing to know that you're going to have…
Cyber Attack? No Problem: Off the Grid Cooking
All of this talk of catastrophic power failure is fearsome,…
Ready or Not: The Reality of a Cyber Attack
Following a hurricane or earthquake food supplies can be cut…
Emergency preparedness: Peaches, Peaches, Everywhere
The question I have heard the most frequently over the…
What to do With All That Powdered Milk
Now that you are systematically storing food and finally getting…
Protecting Your Food Storage Investment
I have been concerned lately when I hear families say…
Seventeen Ways to Sabotage Your Family Food Storage Plan
Food storage and emergency preparations require planning, continuing education, and…
How to Buy Food Storage Without Breaking the Bank
Now that you have thought through a food storage plan…
Stocking Up on Food Storage: Where to Start
We know we should have food stored, but it's an…
Why You Should Get Prepared Right Now
It's easy to think of emergency preparedness as a really…
Checklist: Preparing to Leave Your Home for Vacation
It’s that time of the year, planning and taking that…
Can’t Imagine Food Storage Without Real Cheese? Wax Your Own
Cheese is one of those comfort foods you probably do…
Basic Survival Skills: Signaling
Should you become lost while camping or stranded due to…
What You Should Know About Dutch Ovens
Dutch Ovens are an excellent tool in times of emergency.…
Quick and Easy Shelter on Wheels
It is my belief that, in an emergency, whenever possible…
Chaotic Times: Are we Ready and Prepared?
How will my living expenses be impacted by events in…
It’s Invasion Time: Keeping the Mice Away
I have had a discussion with several family members and…
Christmas Should be Happy and Bright
Why do we make everything so complicated? Here are some…
72 Hour Kits: A New Look
The threat of earthquakes, another severe winter, floods, drought, terrorism…
Basic Survival Skills: Water Part Two
Finding and using water is the most important survival skill…
Earthquake: Coming to a Neighborhood Near You
Over the past five years we have scene mega earthquakes…
Warning Our Neighbors: Survivors Share Their Stories
There are so many aspects to emergency preparedness that we…
Tips to Help You Stick to Your Budget
With the drought in California, crop losses in Florida and…
Saving Water, Time for New Habits
How Does the California Drought Affect You?
Emergency Prep article: When the Real Work Begins
As the weather is taking on a mind of it's…
Ordinary to Extraordinary Survival
What can you do with lipstick, an umbrella, petroleum jelly,…
Prepare for a Flu Pandemic, with Food Storage
How do you prepare for a pandemic that could leave…
Emergency Preparedness: Ready to Run in Thirty Days
Is your household ready to evacuate? You can do one…
Pandemic: Here We Go Again?
Pandemics don't care if it's summer vacation, Christmas or spring…
Evacuating – Don’t Forget the Birthday Cake!
Each person in the family may have a very different…
Emergency Preparedness: It’s Not All About Food
Here's the critical list of non-food items you'll need for…
Is Your Kitchen Busting Your Budget?
A few facts about what food preparation really costs and…
I Don’t Want My House to Look Like a Warehouse
Now that you are purchasing food each week for your…
I Don’t Want My House to Look Like a Warehouse
Now that you are purchasing food each week for your…
The Lord is Hastening the Work: Are You?
We need to be more focused on missionary work, family…
What We Learned from Hurricane Sandy
We often fail to consider the damage to the infrastructure…
Thirty-One Simple Ways to Start the New Year Right
Kick off the new year with a day-by-day emergency preparedness…
Is Your School Prepared for an Emergency?
Is your school prepared for an emergency? In the wake…
Prepare to be a Better Member-Missionary: A Gift Guide
As we prepare for a disaster we gather information, read…
The Perfect Time for a Prepared Christmas
The prophets have never told us to prepare for a…
Could You be Next? 23 Things You Need When the Power Goes Out
If a weather disaster has ever happened in your area…
West Nile Virus Outbreaks at Record Highs
West Nile Virus cases reported to the CDC through the…
Camping: A Preparedness Primer
Being prepared for your next camping adventure, could make the…
Preparing Spiritually for the Media Frenzy
With all our preparation to be self-reliant, shall we talk…
Make Your Home a General Store
Does your family preparedness storage look like a General Store?…
Your Home, a Shelter from the Storm
Emergencies are no respecter of persons. From a simple power…
Over the River and Through the Woods without Killing the Kids
Those long travel hours can be brutally boring for children.…
Protecting Your Family from Neighborhood Crime
Property crimes are up in many parts of the nation.…
How to Guard Against Home Invasions
Home invasions are escalating. Times are tough and money is…
Prepare Now for the Next Irene
Is your household ready for the next "Irene"? Since September…
Secure Your Home Against Burglary
Stop...Thief! With the price of gas and other basics skyrocketing,…
Water, Water, Everywhere and Not a Drop to Drink
Flooding and lack of drinking water go hand in hand.
Has the Time for Preparation Passed?
Record-breaking hurricanes, flooding and soaring food prices have created a…
Is “Extreme Couponing” the Answer to Self-Reliance?
Extreme couponing has become the new buzz word on the…
All is Not Lost: Rescuing Treasures After the Flood
Your precious things may still be salvaged after they have…
Is there a Flood Coming to Your Neighborhood?
Forecasters are predicting major flooding this spring for many regions.…
Food Shortage or Food Storage: Which do you Choose?
Food supplies quickly disappear when looming disaster is apparent. People…
For All These Things Must Come to Pass
Uncertain times require certain things of us in order to…
The Weather Outside is Frightful-Preparedness as a Winter Traveler
When winter rain and snow comes in double measure during…
The Right Food Storage for your Family
There is a change in the wind. Yes, at workplaces,…
Ideas for Emergency Preparedness Christmas Gifts
Just in case your friends and kin could benefit from…
CERT Training for the Prepared Volunteer
In response to a real emergency situation, there are many…
Calming a Child’s Fear after a Disaster
Earthquakes, fires, floods, tornadoes and even unemployment are frightening and…
Create a Family Emergency Plan – Communicate in an Emergency
What will you do if disaster strikes while you are…
Lessons of Katrina: Civil Unrest and Evacuation
In the wake of a major disaster like Hurricane Katrina,…
Providing Shelter in a Crisis
Among your top concerns in any disaster scenario is finding…
Prepare to be Prepared at College
There are prep schools that prepare students academically to succeed…
Food Storage MythsWhat You Don’t Know Could Hurt
It's not only what you don't know about food storage…
Preparing Your Family for a Traffic Accident
The spirit of self-reliance and a little knowledge can make…
Back to the Future – A World without Electricity
Have you heard of an EMP? It is an event…