Start building your emergency food supplies little by little rather than all at one time.
Read any of the survivalist themed blogs and websites and they will tell you to get busy either a) buying large (hundreds of pounds) quantities of wheat, cooking oil, powdered milk and honey or b) purchasing a stockpile of long term storage food (LTS) from one of the big name online retailers and quickly, as in NOW! NOW! NOW! have a one year or more food supply for you and the family.
If you agree with this statement and have the credit card available with lots of room, please visit any of the Mountain House links on this site and charge away - I would like to show my other half that blogging like this pays off!
But if you are like most of us, laying down a few thousand dollars for a UPS pallet of freeze dried food or a hundred or so white buckets of wheat is out of the question. Instead, our journey of a thousand meals begins with a single can, to paraphrase the famous Chinese quotation.
The conventional wisdom is easy to follow: When shopping, but two for each one. So, instead of buying one can of coffee, pick up two. Same with tuna fish, peanut butter, spaghetti, and so on.
Eat one and stock the other in a quiet out of the way spot in the house. In our home, we have one large walk in pantry for long term supplies and one small one for daily usage. You may decide to use the cabinets in the bathroom, under a bed or the hall closet for your long term foods.
Next, purchase foods to replace short term storage food supplies. For instance, we buy two gallons of milk a week. For a long term replacement, once a month I buy one big box of dried milk, repackage in a large freezer bag, and then store it in a sealed white bucket in the back of the pantry. You can do the same with other perishables like eggs (buy one bucket of powdered eggs every month) as well.
The next problem is dealing with fruit and vegetables. Canned fruit nutrionally are nothing more than fruit flavored sugar with little vitamin or mineral content. Sure, we have some on the shelf for a pinch, but they are not useful for maintaining a healthy diet.
Canned vegetables taste pretty bad out of the can, as in like the metal they are packed in and also suffer from low nutrional content.
We like to eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables in our home and there are two solutions for long term food storage. First, grow a garden! We have tomatoes, greens, berries, grapes, fruit trees and even a stand of corn in our yard. It's not hard and the whole family actually enjoys the results.
Second, buy fresh produce at the store and start canning (storing hot in jars with lids and rings using a canner) and drying (food dehydrator). Both retain more nutritional content than canned foods and learning to can and dehydrate are useful skills for everyone to learn.
Finally, stock up on dried foods which store well and long term. By dried foods, I mean rice, beans, sugar, salt, spices (especially hard to get ones like cinammon, nutmeg, black pepper and so on), and oatmeal. While it is nice to stock up on wheat, if you don't have a grinder or know what to do with wheat, than it won't do you much good. Before running out and buying 400 lbs of wheat for the family, go to the health food store and buy a pound or two, look up some recipes online and learn how to use the stuff.
Most of all, don't go into debt purchasing food you have never eaten or don't know what to do with. Buy what you eat, suitable alternatives and store appropriately.
Showing posts with label emergency food supplies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label emergency food supplies. Show all posts
Thursday, June 09, 2011
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Prepare: Getting Started Part Two Food
Overwhelmed? Gettting prepared is too much work? The thought of building a one year food supply seems too daunting? Never fear, the journey starts with a single step.
Survival experts say building a supply of stored foods for an emergency should be a priority. Whether it is a three day supply in the car or six months at home, having stored food is a great insurance policy. Many who are suffering in today's economy have been thankful they put back extra food. They have been able to live off their preps while money has been tight.
If you are new to prepping, maybe you have been reading some of those SHTF fiction stories online and feel completely out classed as the hero places an order for a one year supply of LTS food from Mountain House without a care in the world. It sure gets depressing when you look at your bank balance and know a similar action would be impossible.
But here's what you CAN do. You CAN buy extra food in small amounts and put it back for a hard time. You only need a plan and to get started. Don't get stressed because there is not a pallet of number ten cans piled up in the basement. Rather, focus on getting a one week supply, then two, then one month and so on. OR start getting certain bulk foods each week or every paycheck and building a multi month stockpile of food one at a time.
Note: we all eat differently. I know in my house, we are more likely to make meals from frozen or fresh meat, fresh vegetables and starches like rice, pasta or potatoes. In your home, you may use more canned and packaged foods. As long as there is not a dependence on "to go" meals or pre-packaged foods like TV dinners then a food storage plan can be developed.
And in a survival situation, we will have to make compromises in what we eat anod where it comes from.
So, for our survival food storage program, we are going to make some deliberate shopping choices when we go to the supermarket.
The easiest way to start is the "buy two" plan. Instead of buying one or two packages of spaghetti noodles, pick up twice as much. Two packages go in the pantry and the other two go into a storage bucket or bin. Take a piece of paper and write down what is in the bin and the quantity. Use this strategy and put extra effort on dried and canned goods.
Or you can start buying bulk sizes. A one pound bag of rice may be enough for a couple of meals. But for about the same price per pound, maybe even less, we can buy a twenty five or fifty pound bag of rice. Rather than going to the grocery store, we will get bulk purchases like these from the warehouse club or a specialty ethnic store.
The same can be done with pasta, dried potatoes, flour, sugar, salt, and spices.
Again, don't do this all at once. Week one, buy a fifty pound bag of rice. Week two, buy ten or twenty pounds of pasta. Week three buy twenty five pounds of brown sugar and so on.
Once a month, take an inventory of what is in the pantry and in storage. Then make a "fill in the blanks" shopping trip. That is, pick up the items missing which will complete a one or two week food supply. A few cans of chicken or tuna. Some canned soups. Maybe some bullion cubes or peanut butter. As they say, rinse and repeat. Once the checklist says that a one week food supply is complete, aim for a two week, then one month and so on.
Are warehouse prices better than the grocery store? Sometimes they are. Check the per can or package price and compare to your local market. My warehouse store has 12 cans of tomato sauce in a box for about six dollars. That's .50 a can. My grocery store has a similar product for about .80 a can, so the warehouse store wins.
However, grocery store brand canned vegetables are often cheaper, when on sale and are often three cans for a dollar. Keep a comparison "price book", watch sales and clip coupons. Again, if canned grean beans are on sale, pick up twice as many as you think you will use and store the extra.
Finally, understand where food comes from. You can raise some of your own food. Start a small vegetable garden in the yard. Plant tomatos and herbs in pots on the patio or porch. Plant a fruit tree. You can start a real food insurance program if you have the ability to produce some of what you eat.
Don't get overwhelmed about building a food supply. Start small on your food plans and build from there.
Get your supply of storable food at eFoodsDirect.com!
Survival experts say building a supply of stored foods for an emergency should be a priority. Whether it is a three day supply in the car or six months at home, having stored food is a great insurance policy. Many who are suffering in today's economy have been thankful they put back extra food. They have been able to live off their preps while money has been tight.
If you are new to prepping, maybe you have been reading some of those SHTF fiction stories online and feel completely out classed as the hero places an order for a one year supply of LTS food from Mountain House without a care in the world. It sure gets depressing when you look at your bank balance and know a similar action would be impossible.
But here's what you CAN do. You CAN buy extra food in small amounts and put it back for a hard time. You only need a plan and to get started. Don't get stressed because there is not a pallet of number ten cans piled up in the basement. Rather, focus on getting a one week supply, then two, then one month and so on. OR start getting certain bulk foods each week or every paycheck and building a multi month stockpile of food one at a time.
Note: we all eat differently. I know in my house, we are more likely to make meals from frozen or fresh meat, fresh vegetables and starches like rice, pasta or potatoes. In your home, you may use more canned and packaged foods. As long as there is not a dependence on "to go" meals or pre-packaged foods like TV dinners then a food storage plan can be developed.
And in a survival situation, we will have to make compromises in what we eat anod where it comes from.
So, for our survival food storage program, we are going to make some deliberate shopping choices when we go to the supermarket.
The easiest way to start is the "buy two" plan. Instead of buying one or two packages of spaghetti noodles, pick up twice as much. Two packages go in the pantry and the other two go into a storage bucket or bin. Take a piece of paper and write down what is in the bin and the quantity. Use this strategy and put extra effort on dried and canned goods.
Or you can start buying bulk sizes. A one pound bag of rice may be enough for a couple of meals. But for about the same price per pound, maybe even less, we can buy a twenty five or fifty pound bag of rice. Rather than going to the grocery store, we will get bulk purchases like these from the warehouse club or a specialty ethnic store.
The same can be done with pasta, dried potatoes, flour, sugar, salt, and spices.
Again, don't do this all at once. Week one, buy a fifty pound bag of rice. Week two, buy ten or twenty pounds of pasta. Week three buy twenty five pounds of brown sugar and so on.
Once a month, take an inventory of what is in the pantry and in storage. Then make a "fill in the blanks" shopping trip. That is, pick up the items missing which will complete a one or two week food supply. A few cans of chicken or tuna. Some canned soups. Maybe some bullion cubes or peanut butter. As they say, rinse and repeat. Once the checklist says that a one week food supply is complete, aim for a two week, then one month and so on.
Are warehouse prices better than the grocery store? Sometimes they are. Check the per can or package price and compare to your local market. My warehouse store has 12 cans of tomato sauce in a box for about six dollars. That's .50 a can. My grocery store has a similar product for about .80 a can, so the warehouse store wins.
However, grocery store brand canned vegetables are often cheaper, when on sale and are often three cans for a dollar. Keep a comparison "price book", watch sales and clip coupons. Again, if canned grean beans are on sale, pick up twice as many as you think you will use and store the extra.
Finally, understand where food comes from. You can raise some of your own food. Start a small vegetable garden in the yard. Plant tomatos and herbs in pots on the patio or porch. Plant a fruit tree. You can start a real food insurance program if you have the ability to produce some of what you eat.
Don't get overwhelmed about building a food supply. Start small on your food plans and build from there.
Get your supply of storable food at eFoodsDirect.com!
Monday, February 08, 2010
Prepare: Shopping Basket
Let's say you are on the road or nearby and you need to get some quick supplies before they are all gone. However, the grocery store has limited purchases to a single hand basket to keep the "hoarders" at bay.
So into the store you go with basket in hand. The goal is to get enough food or stuff for a few days. Let's say enough to fit into a backpack for instance.
If you are on the move, the most important things to have are water, protein and the ability stay energized and replace electrolytes. There is no way you are going to get three days worth of water into a hand basket, so instead concentrate on food.
Go to the packaged meat section. Get..
- foil wrapped single servings of Spam
- foil wrapped single servings of tuna
- small cans of vienna sausages or tuna
Go to the diet food section. Get..
- a handful of protein bars. Go for the most protein in a serving. Myplex have 27 grams per bar.
- get any packets of electrolyte mix if they have it. If not, go the drinks section and get envelopes of gatorade.
Go to the drug section and get..
- one 100 count bottle of aspirin
- one 100 count of multi vitamins
Go the bakery section and get carbs..
- three packs of tortillas or pita bread
(flat gets more in the basket)
Lot's of room left..
Go to the baking section and get..
- dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, etc)
- nuts (peanuts, sunflower seeds, almonds, etc)
Go to the grocery section and get..
- single serve packets of peanut butter or nutella
- Bags of M&M's
If there is any room left, grab a handful of small oranges or bananas and pile them in. Or maybe some quick energy drinks like 5 Hour Energy, which is small and takes up only a little room. Or a small bottle of bleach. Or some trash bags or ziplok storage bags, but only if you can take them out of the box in the store.
Only thing left to do now if find a water source and then hit the road.
Thursday, January 07, 2010
Prepare: The Prepper Diet
The new year means it is time to get rid of those holiday pounds. At least that is what many think this time of year. Dieting, working out, join a gym, and so on.
I have been working out for some time; a mixture of running daily with weights. I refuse to put money into a gym if I cannot guarantee I will go daily, so I lift in my garage.
This year, I tried something different and am killing two birds with one stone. I put myself on the Prepper Diet. I only eat the foods I am storing and plan on eating if the SHTF.
For breakfast, its oatmeal. I only put honey on it as refrigerated milk will not be available (I have dried milk, but I am saving that for the kids). I also put some dried fruit on from time to time as well.
For lunch and dinner its rice, beans and ramen noodles. I make two cups of rice a day in the rice cooker and eat that throughout the day. I used canned beans for the first few days, but then switched to dry. I cook a big pot and eat them for two days straight.
The ramen are considered a treat and are not eaten daily.
The other day, I had four crackers with one of my meals again, as a treat and to break up the monotony. I only add salt and garlic powder to the beans and rice.
To drink, its tea or water only.
The diet results: I have last about six or seven pounds since starting. Yes, its starting to get boring and I have found myself staring at the can of Pringles in the pantry or the cookies left over from the holidays, but I am resisting so far.
One thing I do is tell myself that those other foods are for the kids and if this truly was SHTF time, I would eat less anyway and save as much as possible for the family.
This has been fun to try and if I lose some of this gut, then its a good thing. Finally, there is no reason to store rice, beans, noodles and the rest unless you really eat the stuff and are ready to live off it.
That's it.
I have been working out for some time; a mixture of running daily with weights. I refuse to put money into a gym if I cannot guarantee I will go daily, so I lift in my garage.
This year, I tried something different and am killing two birds with one stone. I put myself on the Prepper Diet. I only eat the foods I am storing and plan on eating if the SHTF.
For breakfast, its oatmeal. I only put honey on it as refrigerated milk will not be available (I have dried milk, but I am saving that for the kids). I also put some dried fruit on from time to time as well.
For lunch and dinner its rice, beans and ramen noodles. I make two cups of rice a day in the rice cooker and eat that throughout the day. I used canned beans for the first few days, but then switched to dry. I cook a big pot and eat them for two days straight.
The ramen are considered a treat and are not eaten daily.
The other day, I had four crackers with one of my meals again, as a treat and to break up the monotony. I only add salt and garlic powder to the beans and rice.
To drink, its tea or water only.
The diet results: I have last about six or seven pounds since starting. Yes, its starting to get boring and I have found myself staring at the can of Pringles in the pantry or the cookies left over from the holidays, but I am resisting so far.
One thing I do is tell myself that those other foods are for the kids and if this truly was SHTF time, I would eat less anyway and save as much as possible for the family.
This has been fun to try and if I lose some of this gut, then its a good thing. Finally, there is no reason to store rice, beans, noodles and the rest unless you really eat the stuff and are ready to live off it.
That's it.
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
Prepare: Building the One Year Food Supply
With the news being so cheery lately, all of us are concerned about putting some control back into our lives. That means making sure we have the basics covered in these trying times including food and the ability to feed our family.
Job loss or total SHTF, food is at the top of the priority list. Every day, each member of the family eats several times a day. We refill the pantry with weekly and sometimes daily trips to the grocers. But what happens if the Safeway is closed or looted and emptied forever?
Having a food storage plan in place can build a real insurance policy against hunger. However, the task is daunting to even the best of us.
Companies like Nitro Pak sell complete canned meal systems for one month to one year. Many of the foods contained in these packages can be obtained by anyone and stored similarly; its not rocket science. Here are a list of foods you can buy today at the grocers or warehouse store to build your food storage plan with.
Beans - go for red kidney and pinto. I happen to like black beans as well. Get the dry type and store in five gallon plastic buckets. Beans will last for years, provide protein and are filling.
Rice - American, jasmine, or long grain. Get the twenty five or fifty pound bags, put in plastic five gallon buckets and store in a cool, dry place. You can put oxygen absorbers in the buckets as well to ensure long term freshness. Rice is filling, lasts forever and is the best filler or platform to build a meal upon.
Remember, brown rice has more oils and may go rancid sooner.
Soup bases - Chicken and beef. Most warehouse clubs sell the really big containers of these products. Use a soup base for soup or to flavor the rice you stored above. Soup bases must be stored in an airtight container and put in a cool, dry location free from moisture and humidity.
Milk powder - Milk powder is more than for drinking. It can be added to any soup or cereal to provide a thickener and a boost of calcium. Dry milk has no fat so it lasts longer and will not go rancid like canned or perishable milk. But dry milk has to be kept in a cool, dry place in well sealed container. Get the five gallon buckets and add oxygen absorbers for best results.
Honey - While sugar lasts a long time, honey is a healthy alternative with plenty of uses. Honey has been known to last for hundreds of years as it has been found in tombs and forgotten stashes. Get the five gallon containers rather than the little glass jars or "honey bears". Some stores sell honey in the big buckets, but make sure that the honey is real and not corn syrup with honey flavoring.
Dried fruit - Dried fruit like bananas, apricots and raisins last a long time in proper containers. They can be eaten as they are or served with hot cereal, in a dessert or rehydrated with water for a side dish. Store in a cool, dry place in a five gallon bucket. Many types of dried fruit can be found at the warehouse store, but watch the prices. Often, dried fruit is very expensive and is not cost effective for storage. A better idea is to get a dehydrator and dry seasonal fruit yourself.
Wheat - This is a tough purchase for many city folk. For starters, large quantities of wheat such as hard winter red is not available at the standard grocers or the warehouse club. Some organic stores carry it, but at higher prices for smaller quantities. The best bet is to find a grain supply source nearby rather than paying for shipping from one of the big outlets like Honeyville. Another problem with grain is "What to do with it?". Most of us have never had to grind grain to make cereal or flour. But that is where those things come from and having the knowledge to cook and use whole grains is crucial. Grain lasts literally for years in storage (remember the grain story from the Bible with Joseph and the Pharaoh?). Put whole wheat in five gallon buckets and store in a cool, dry place.
Pasta - Noodles are cheap and easy to get. Buy the largest bags you can find at the grocers or warehouse and store in five gallon plastic buckets. Pasta can be a platform for any meal and can be served with almost anything.
Cooking oil - Vegetable or olive. Oils do go rancid and will not last forever even in the best storage. But make sure you have five or more gallons on hand at all times. Cooking oils can replace butter when grilling or cooking over a flame. Also, our bodies need a certain amount of good fats which come only from oils.
Oatmeal - There is no complete food storage plan without oatmeal. Oats are easy to get in large containers from the grocers and you should have several pounds on hand at all times. Store in five gallon plastic buckets and your oats should stay fresh for months if not years. Serve oats with dried milk, dried fruit and honey for a hot, filling and nutritious meal.
There are some long term storage foods which are difficult to purchase from retail stores. Textured vegetable protein, cheese powder, powdered eggs, dried vegetables, and dried meats. These things will have to be purchased online from a company like Nitro Pak. The best part is these products come in long term storage containers which are easy to store and have on hand.
Anyone can start on a one year food storage plan, but you need to get busy now. Go to the grocery store or warehouse club with the list above and buy some of each item, store in proper containers, and start building a real food insurance plan.
Job loss or total SHTF, food is at the top of the priority list. Every day, each member of the family eats several times a day. We refill the pantry with weekly and sometimes daily trips to the grocers. But what happens if the Safeway is closed or looted and emptied forever?
Having a food storage plan in place can build a real insurance policy against hunger. However, the task is daunting to even the best of us.
Companies like Nitro Pak sell complete canned meal systems for one month to one year. Many of the foods contained in these packages can be obtained by anyone and stored similarly; its not rocket science. Here are a list of foods you can buy today at the grocers or warehouse store to build your food storage plan with.
Beans - go for red kidney and pinto. I happen to like black beans as well. Get the dry type and store in five gallon plastic buckets. Beans will last for years, provide protein and are filling.
Rice - American, jasmine, or long grain. Get the twenty five or fifty pound bags, put in plastic five gallon buckets and store in a cool, dry place. You can put oxygen absorbers in the buckets as well to ensure long term freshness. Rice is filling, lasts forever and is the best filler or platform to build a meal upon.
Remember, brown rice has more oils and may go rancid sooner.
Soup bases - Chicken and beef. Most warehouse clubs sell the really big containers of these products. Use a soup base for soup or to flavor the rice you stored above. Soup bases must be stored in an airtight container and put in a cool, dry location free from moisture and humidity.
Milk powder - Milk powder is more than for drinking. It can be added to any soup or cereal to provide a thickener and a boost of calcium. Dry milk has no fat so it lasts longer and will not go rancid like canned or perishable milk. But dry milk has to be kept in a cool, dry place in well sealed container. Get the five gallon buckets and add oxygen absorbers for best results.
Honey - While sugar lasts a long time, honey is a healthy alternative with plenty of uses. Honey has been known to last for hundreds of years as it has been found in tombs and forgotten stashes. Get the five gallon containers rather than the little glass jars or "honey bears". Some stores sell honey in the big buckets, but make sure that the honey is real and not corn syrup with honey flavoring.
Dried fruit - Dried fruit like bananas, apricots and raisins last a long time in proper containers. They can be eaten as they are or served with hot cereal, in a dessert or rehydrated with water for a side dish. Store in a cool, dry place in a five gallon bucket. Many types of dried fruit can be found at the warehouse store, but watch the prices. Often, dried fruit is very expensive and is not cost effective for storage. A better idea is to get a dehydrator and dry seasonal fruit yourself.
Wheat - This is a tough purchase for many city folk. For starters, large quantities of wheat such as hard winter red is not available at the standard grocers or the warehouse club. Some organic stores carry it, but at higher prices for smaller quantities. The best bet is to find a grain supply source nearby rather than paying for shipping from one of the big outlets like Honeyville. Another problem with grain is "What to do with it?". Most of us have never had to grind grain to make cereal or flour. But that is where those things come from and having the knowledge to cook and use whole grains is crucial. Grain lasts literally for years in storage (remember the grain story from the Bible with Joseph and the Pharaoh?). Put whole wheat in five gallon buckets and store in a cool, dry place.
Pasta - Noodles are cheap and easy to get. Buy the largest bags you can find at the grocers or warehouse and store in five gallon plastic buckets. Pasta can be a platform for any meal and can be served with almost anything.
Cooking oil - Vegetable or olive. Oils do go rancid and will not last forever even in the best storage. But make sure you have five or more gallons on hand at all times. Cooking oils can replace butter when grilling or cooking over a flame. Also, our bodies need a certain amount of good fats which come only from oils.
Oatmeal - There is no complete food storage plan without oatmeal. Oats are easy to get in large containers from the grocers and you should have several pounds on hand at all times. Store in five gallon plastic buckets and your oats should stay fresh for months if not years. Serve oats with dried milk, dried fruit and honey for a hot, filling and nutritious meal.
There are some long term storage foods which are difficult to purchase from retail stores. Textured vegetable protein, cheese powder, powdered eggs, dried vegetables, and dried meats. These things will have to be purchased online from a company like Nitro Pak. The best part is these products come in long term storage containers which are easy to store and have on hand.
Anyone can start on a one year food storage plan, but you need to get busy now. Go to the grocery store or warehouse club with the list above and buy some of each item, store in proper containers, and start building a real food insurance plan.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
SHTF: Strange places to stock up - Part Two
SHTF: Strange places to stock up - Part Two
So, the poop has made the fan smelly and everyone else is heading for the grocery stores or Sam's Club to clean them out. Where can you go? Yesterday, we considered the toy store of all places, today we look at another, yet less off the beaten path place for stores after the SHTF.
The drugstore.
Sure, there will be folks piled up at the subscription counter to get another 30 days of anti-anxiety meds or blood pressure pills, but today's drugstore is a great place to get lots of other goodies.
Food - The CVS, Walgreens or Rite-Aid always has a huge stock of food, including canned and other shelf stable foods on hand. There are lots of those little cans with pop tops which can come in handy if one is on the move on foot and traveling lite.
Besides the food aisle, there are edibles throughout the store; at the check out line, gift rows, etc. Get a handbasket rather than a bulky cart and load up.
Don't forget; drug stores have a huge diet section. That means protein bars and some things not found at a traditional grocers like body building supplements - lots of calories and proteins.
Water - Water, the staff of life, is in the drug store as well. Bottles and jugs. But there is also bleach and iodine handy in the drugstore, useful for sanitizing more down the line.
Hardware - gloves, basic tools, batteries, flashlights and other basics can be found now at the modern hardware store.
Obvious - take advantage of the hardware store for a large selection of things found there in large amounts; multi-vitamins, first aid supplies, OTC (over the counter) medicines, baby supplies, and of course drugs (with prescription).
So, the poop hits the fan and you are on the road or five miles from home and need to resupply. Rather than deal with that panicking mob outside the Safeway, go two doors down to the drug store and get what you need in short supply.
Good luck,
Monday, December 28, 2009
SHTF: Strange places to stock up - Part One
Strange places to stock up - Part 1
Ho Ho Ho! Christmas is now behind us and the New Year is on the way. While taking part in the great consumer grab over the holidays, I was in several different types of retail establishments which gave me time to make some observations which may come in handy.
If the Shumer his the fan, most of us might jump in the sled and head to the nearest grocery store or warehouse club for food, water, etc. However, we all know that the Safeway or Kroger is the first place to get hit hard. It helps to have some alternatives!
Here is the first in my suggestions of alternate places for supplies off the beaten path.
Since it was Christmas - the toy store. "Huh? The toy store? What good is a Monopoly game or Barbie doll going to me?" you ask in disbelief.
Try the mega Toys R Us toystore. The front of the store has a huge snack and candy section. I found bottled water, snack food, candy and better yet, protein bars. Apparently, some brainiac in marketing realized they could get some impulse buys on overpriced junk in this section from their shoppers.
Don't forget to see the check out line where they have even more edible junk.
Also, most toy stores now cater to babies as well. Besides valuable diapers, wipe and relate paraphanalia, there is almost always baby formula, food and jugs of sterilized water (for the over protective mothers in the crowd).
And there are batteries out the wazoo in the toy store. Can't have enough of those.
In the toy section, look for Easy Bake Ovens. They contain baked goods and there is usually a section of refills for those things as well. In a pinch, this is food.
The toy store is just one "off the beaten path" for supplies like food to keep in mind should the balloon go up when you least expect it!
Ho Ho Ho! Christmas is now behind us and the New Year is on the way. While taking part in the great consumer grab over the holidays, I was in several different types of retail establishments which gave me time to make some observations which may come in handy.
If the Shumer his the fan, most of us might jump in the sled and head to the nearest grocery store or warehouse club for food, water, etc. However, we all know that the Safeway or Kroger is the first place to get hit hard. It helps to have some alternatives!
Here is the first in my suggestions of alternate places for supplies off the beaten path.
Since it was Christmas - the toy store. "Huh? The toy store? What good is a Monopoly game or Barbie doll going to me?" you ask in disbelief.
Try the mega Toys R Us toystore. The front of the store has a huge snack and candy section. I found bottled water, snack food, candy and better yet, protein bars. Apparently, some brainiac in marketing realized they could get some impulse buys on overpriced junk in this section from their shoppers.
Don't forget to see the check out line where they have even more edible junk.
Also, most toy stores now cater to babies as well. Besides valuable diapers, wipe and relate paraphanalia, there is almost always baby formula, food and jugs of sterilized water (for the over protective mothers in the crowd).
And there are batteries out the wazoo in the toy store. Can't have enough of those.
In the toy section, look for Easy Bake Ovens. They contain baked goods and there is usually a section of refills for those things as well. In a pinch, this is food.
The toy store is just one "off the beaten path" for supplies like food to keep in mind should the balloon go up when you least expect it!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Prepare: Prepper for President of the US
How many times have you said "If I were president, I would..."? Usually, it is reaction to something on tv which further exhibits the idiocy of our appointed leaders.
And usually our reaction is to something which makes our blood boil like taxes, mistreatment of our military or the UN.
However, from time to time, I give it real thought of solutions and how I could bring them into being if I were President.
Lately, I have been very concerned about famine, starvation, and the price of commodity foods in the world. With weather, fuel prices, and environmental lunacy looming which will adversely affect the ability of this country to grow enough food to feed ourselves (and a good hunk of the rest of the world), food production and storage are first and foremost on my mind.
If I were president, I would embark on the following plan - Project Egypt or Joseph - I can't decide yet. If you are a student of the Bible, you remember the account from the Book of Genesis where Joseph, favored son of Jacob, was sold into slavery by his brothers and ended up in a position of authority in Egypt. During this time, Joseph interpreted the pharaoh's dream that a famine was about to fall upon the land.
Because of the dream interpretation, Egypt went on a crash course of famine prevention. They laid in a store of grain for seven years and when the famine came, they kept their population fed and solidified their power over their neighbors.
If President, I would start a famine prevention plan as well. I would rebuild the grain silos across the country, but specifically in regards to where the population is currently. I would buy excess grain, oats, rice, and wheat from farmers. There would be no more agricultural subsidies not to grow food. The excess production would be stored until there was at least a seven year supply of food, both human and silage, in storage.
Next, I would rebuild the Strategic Petroleum Reserves. Politicians seem to think it is a piggy bank for lowering the price of gasoline at the pumps, it's not. It is an emergency source of fuel to power the US in the event of a crisis. I would do the same with coal, natural gas and uranium.
I would rebuild the nation's emergency medicine stockpiles and again, they would be distributed throughout the nation so they would be accessible to all areas with minimal travel.
So why do this? Because, it is a matter of time until we have a nuclear attack, EMP burst, biological attack or something similar which will show the weakest parts of our defenses. The ability to feed, fuel and treat ourselves if production were halted or brought down to a lower level.
But there are no offers to sit in the White House so we get to cross our fingers and hope for the best.
And usually our reaction is to something which makes our blood boil like taxes, mistreatment of our military or the UN.
However, from time to time, I give it real thought of solutions and how I could bring them into being if I were President.
Lately, I have been very concerned about famine, starvation, and the price of commodity foods in the world. With weather, fuel prices, and environmental lunacy looming which will adversely affect the ability of this country to grow enough food to feed ourselves (and a good hunk of the rest of the world), food production and storage are first and foremost on my mind.
If I were president, I would embark on the following plan - Project Egypt or Joseph - I can't decide yet. If you are a student of the Bible, you remember the account from the Book of Genesis where Joseph, favored son of Jacob, was sold into slavery by his brothers and ended up in a position of authority in Egypt. During this time, Joseph interpreted the pharaoh's dream that a famine was about to fall upon the land.
Because of the dream interpretation, Egypt went on a crash course of famine prevention. They laid in a store of grain for seven years and when the famine came, they kept their population fed and solidified their power over their neighbors.
If President, I would start a famine prevention plan as well. I would rebuild the grain silos across the country, but specifically in regards to where the population is currently. I would buy excess grain, oats, rice, and wheat from farmers. There would be no more agricultural subsidies not to grow food. The excess production would be stored until there was at least a seven year supply of food, both human and silage, in storage.
Next, I would rebuild the Strategic Petroleum Reserves. Politicians seem to think it is a piggy bank for lowering the price of gasoline at the pumps, it's not. It is an emergency source of fuel to power the US in the event of a crisis. I would do the same with coal, natural gas and uranium.
I would rebuild the nation's emergency medicine stockpiles and again, they would be distributed throughout the nation so they would be accessible to all areas with minimal travel.
So why do this? Because, it is a matter of time until we have a nuclear attack, EMP burst, biological attack or something similar which will show the weakest parts of our defenses. The ability to feed, fuel and treat ourselves if production were halted or brought down to a lower level.
But there are no offers to sit in the White House so we get to cross our fingers and hope for the best.
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
Prepare: Cooking and Food
Do you have a "every time I am at the grocery store list"?
This is a list of things you get every time you set foot in the store. It is a great way to build up your food storage.
First, set a budget, $5.00, 10.00 or 20.00. Not more than that or it will put a huge dent in your finances before you know it.
I generally go the grocery store twice a week. One day is "Big Shopping Day". That is where I fill the cart with the usual staples like meat, bread, milk, and so forth. I always use a list and always use coupons. I generally hit two or three stores before I am done. All the of stores must be within a couple of miles of home or the gas costs eats up the food savings.
Once a week, I have to go "pick up a few things". Sometimes it is something my wife needs for a meal or for baking. Other times it is more milk or bread although I try to keep three weeks of perishables on hand at all times.
When I go the store, I pick up a few things every single time.
- One 1lb bag of rice or one bag of noodles (elbow).
- Two 1lb bags of dried beans.
- Two cans of something, usually with protein like canned beans or tuna fish.
- Two cans of fruit.
- One four roll of toilet paper which ever is on sale.
All in all, I usually never spend more than seven dollars on the above. Sometimes it is a little over five.
All of these purchases go into the pantry. The rice and beans go into 5 gallon buckets in their plastic bags after they spend the night in the freezer. The cans go on the shelf.
This builds up a nice little supply of back up food with long shelf life. After a month, you have enough food for a family for three days or longer if you do it right. A year of this can mean a big dent in a month's supply of food. And it only cost about ten dollars a week. That's a fast food meal or a movie ticket.
When it comes to food, I am not a gourmet. It drives my wife bats because I eat very simply. I like bread, meat, potatoes, and little else. But I do like to cook. Cooking is a skill which all of us need before (to save money) and after (to eat, live) the SHTF. Aunt Bee is not coming over to make me a chicken dinner every night.
Because of I am all thumbs in the kitchen, I like cookbooks, the older the better, to prepare foods. New cookbooks have too much "soothing diversity and cultural awareness of foods and the sustainability they bring to persons throughout the world".
Not for me. I like a book which presumes one knows where their food came from and accepts facts such as cows and chickens are for eating.
One of my favorite cookbooks was written in the 1930's and is called French Cooking in Ten Minutes
Don't get me wrong. This is not "Filay Minyon and Snails". This is simple food, prepared quickly, for little money and with a small amount of equipment. The author based his writing on the way people lived in France in the 1930's. Most only had two burner gas or coal stoves (think Coleman stove anyone?).
The book contains recipes which take a few minutes to make and contain basic ingredients nearly everyone has at home. And the meals are filling and complete. And the author is politically incorrect by today's standards. He tells readers how to properly kill a trout ("whack its head against the side of the kitchen counter") before cooking. Why calves brains are so good cooked in butter. Why you should "stick up for yourself" and eat sausages and tuna fish for lunch if you want.
It's a great basic cooking book which can help a useless eater like me in the kitchen, or that young person you are sending off this fall to work or college. It's cheap too. A good buy in my book.
The world is heating up. I was pretty depressed last week, but feel alot better this week. I think we are about to turn the corner. Don't get me wrong. I am prepping for the worse, but I think the end game scenario is changing while we speak.
Some of the "powers that be" are working in their exit strategy now. Keep that in mind!
This is a list of things you get every time you set foot in the store. It is a great way to build up your food storage.
First, set a budget, $5.00, 10.00 or 20.00. Not more than that or it will put a huge dent in your finances before you know it.
I generally go the grocery store twice a week. One day is "Big Shopping Day". That is where I fill the cart with the usual staples like meat, bread, milk, and so forth. I always use a list and always use coupons. I generally hit two or three stores before I am done. All the of stores must be within a couple of miles of home or the gas costs eats up the food savings.
Once a week, I have to go "pick up a few things". Sometimes it is something my wife needs for a meal or for baking. Other times it is more milk or bread although I try to keep three weeks of perishables on hand at all times.
When I go the store, I pick up a few things every single time.
- One 1lb bag of rice or one bag of noodles (elbow).
- Two 1lb bags of dried beans.
- Two cans of something, usually with protein like canned beans or tuna fish.
- Two cans of fruit.
- One four roll of toilet paper which ever is on sale.
All in all, I usually never spend more than seven dollars on the above. Sometimes it is a little over five.
All of these purchases go into the pantry. The rice and beans go into 5 gallon buckets in their plastic bags after they spend the night in the freezer. The cans go on the shelf.
This builds up a nice little supply of back up food with long shelf life. After a month, you have enough food for a family for three days or longer if you do it right. A year of this can mean a big dent in a month's supply of food. And it only cost about ten dollars a week. That's a fast food meal or a movie ticket.
When it comes to food, I am not a gourmet. It drives my wife bats because I eat very simply. I like bread, meat, potatoes, and little else. But I do like to cook. Cooking is a skill which all of us need before (to save money) and after (to eat, live) the SHTF. Aunt Bee is not coming over to make me a chicken dinner every night.
Because of I am all thumbs in the kitchen, I like cookbooks, the older the better, to prepare foods. New cookbooks have too much "soothing diversity and cultural awareness of foods and the sustainability they bring to persons throughout the world".
Not for me. I like a book which presumes one knows where their food came from and accepts facts such as cows and chickens are for eating.
One of my favorite cookbooks was written in the 1930's and is called French Cooking in Ten Minutes
Don't get me wrong. This is not "Filay Minyon and Snails". This is simple food, prepared quickly, for little money and with a small amount of equipment. The author based his writing on the way people lived in France in the 1930's. Most only had two burner gas or coal stoves (think Coleman stove anyone?).
The book contains recipes which take a few minutes to make and contain basic ingredients nearly everyone has at home. And the meals are filling and complete. And the author is politically incorrect by today's standards. He tells readers how to properly kill a trout ("whack its head against the side of the kitchen counter") before cooking. Why calves brains are so good cooked in butter. Why you should "stick up for yourself" and eat sausages and tuna fish for lunch if you want.
It's a great basic cooking book which can help a useless eater like me in the kitchen, or that young person you are sending off this fall to work or college. It's cheap too. A good buy in my book.
The world is heating up. I was pretty depressed last week, but feel alot better this week. I think we are about to turn the corner. Don't get me wrong. I am prepping for the worse, but I think the end game scenario is changing while we speak.
Some of the "powers that be" are working in their exit strategy now. Keep that in mind!
Friday, July 10, 2009
Prepare: Cheap Survival Food
"Which Foods Are Gone After A Crisis?"
Food is king. Well, actually, the article I read today said that Ramen was king. I agree when it comes to cheap, lightweight, filling food, ramen noodles rock.
Ramen is considered the fare of hungry college students, underpaid office workers and struggling families. However, it is a big part of my survival food plans. Why?
It's cheap. It costs less than $.10 a pack often. It hardly weighs a thing. A person can easily carry 20 of things in a bug out bag. It is sold in bulk. You can buy a 15 pack at a regular grocery store.
Drawbacks - it has lots of sodium, some fat and other stuff which is not very good for you. In a survival situation, these may be good things.
Here is a great story about the history of ramen noodles.
What else is cheap food for survival?
Macaroni and Cheese
Forget comfort food, mac and cheese is survival food. It can be made with only the ingredients in the box, milk and butter, while nice, are not neccessary.
Macaroni and cheese is a favorite of children and adults. It can be purchased at the grocers often at "3 for a dollar" sales and the non-Kraft version is even cheaper.
I have made mine with dried milk and powdered butter, so that can be done as well.
Rice
Rice per cup costs next to nothing when purchased in big 50lb bags. All that is required is water to make.
Rice can stretch a can of stew or soup into a meal for two (or more in really hard times). Rice stores forever when properly contained.
Beans
Rice's best friend. Dried, can be stored for years. Only need water to cook. Soak overnight to cook and it helps remove some of the "gas effect". Rice is a healthy food as well. High in fiber and protein. And dried beans are cheap.
Oatmeal
Same as rice, cheap and good for you. Buy in big packages. Store in large sealed buckets and it lasts for years. I used some oatmeal I purchased in 2005 for baking last weekend. Had it in a sealed bucket in the back of the pantry. Tasted fine.
Again, water is all that is needed.
There are lots of cheap survival foods which can and should be stored now while the stores are full and food is available. Remember, to pick up appropriate storage buckets to store the food in.
Whether it is a hurricane, storm, war or end of the world, a good food storage program starts with you.
Food is king. Well, actually, the article I read today said that Ramen was king. I agree when it comes to cheap, lightweight, filling food, ramen noodles rock.
Ramen is considered the fare of hungry college students, underpaid office workers and struggling families. However, it is a big part of my survival food plans. Why?
It's cheap. It costs less than $.10 a pack often. It hardly weighs a thing. A person can easily carry 20 of things in a bug out bag. It is sold in bulk. You can buy a 15 pack at a regular grocery store.
Drawbacks - it has lots of sodium, some fat and other stuff which is not very good for you. In a survival situation, these may be good things.
Here is a great story about the history of ramen noodles.
What else is cheap food for survival?
Macaroni and Cheese
Forget comfort food, mac and cheese is survival food. It can be made with only the ingredients in the box, milk and butter, while nice, are not neccessary.
Macaroni and cheese is a favorite of children and adults. It can be purchased at the grocers often at "3 for a dollar" sales and the non-Kraft version is even cheaper.
I have made mine with dried milk and powdered butter, so that can be done as well.
Rice
Rice per cup costs next to nothing when purchased in big 50lb bags. All that is required is water to make.
Rice can stretch a can of stew or soup into a meal for two (or more in really hard times). Rice stores forever when properly contained.
Beans
Rice's best friend. Dried, can be stored for years. Only need water to cook. Soak overnight to cook and it helps remove some of the "gas effect". Rice is a healthy food as well. High in fiber and protein. And dried beans are cheap.
Oatmeal
Same as rice, cheap and good for you. Buy in big packages. Store in large sealed buckets and it lasts for years. I used some oatmeal I purchased in 2005 for baking last weekend. Had it in a sealed bucket in the back of the pantry. Tasted fine.
Again, water is all that is needed.
There are lots of cheap survival foods which can and should be stored now while the stores are full and food is available. Remember, to pick up appropriate storage buckets to store the food in.
Whether it is a hurricane, storm, war or end of the world, a good food storage program starts with you.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Prepare: Budget Survival Food List
I have made similar entries on this topic before, but it comes up frequently in conversations with others unfamiliar or new to preparing.
Food. We take for granted that the grocers will be open twenty four by seven down the street or that Costco will have pallets of food always available. The reality is, we have it good with the amount and supply of food in our stores. It was not always that way.
"The First Things To Go After A Crisis"
Two generations ago, the standard grocery store was a corner Piggly Wiggly not much bigger than a 7-11. It was dominated by canned goods and staples like flour and sugar. Produce was out front in barrows for passersby to examine and purchase. A butcher stood at the back of the store and cut steaks and chops to order. There was no plastic wrapped meat and shoppers had a limited, but fresh choice of meats.
A generation before that, we had open markets with butchers, green grocers and the like often time hawking still living animals like chickens, geese and ducks. Eggs sat in baskets next to metal covered cans of milk.
And here we are today. With massive warehouses of food minutes away from home. Walmart, Sams, Costco and he numerous supermarkets as well.
Food, comparatively speaking to earlier generations, is still cheap. Those oranges from Brazil, coconuts and bananas from the Pacific, limes from Mexico were unheard of in our grandparents time. And the cost back then would have been a working man's wages for a handful or bananas or lemons.
However, at the same time that food is available and cheap, it is also a blink away from being gone. For instance, what happens when gasoline is no longer available for shipping? Or if civil war breaks out in Mexico? Or a virus or bug affects crops in Florida or North Dakota?
We depend so much upon healthy water, air, conditions, weather, relations with other countries and fuel that any of these factors or a combination of them could disrupt our food supplies in just a few days.
Fortunately for you and me, most of our fellow citizens are still scarfing down a) fast food, b) to go meals from restaurants, c) prepared foods from the gourmet grocers, d) frozen meals and e) a pre-packaged diet plan advertised by a middle aged celebrity which means..
There is plenty of food for us today and tomorrow to stock up on. Regular things like produce, meat, canned and packaged food, and frozen staples. That means we can stock up now and go back for more tomorrow before it is all gone.
With the diminishing power of the dollar, how long before Mexico, Chile or Brazil decide they aren't going to send any more lemons, limes, oranges or bananas our way?
Or what if the Middle East goes nuclear bonkers (five minutes away any day) and oil shoots to 200.00 a barrel? Nearly everything in the store will be in short supply or so high priced your mortgage payment will look like a deal compared to food.
With money tight, what can you do today?
First, stock up on things which can make meals for several days and months. Not a frozen "hot pocket pizza" but real food.
Suggestions -
- Rice
- Dried beans
- Powdered milk
- oil and cooking lard
- canned vegetables and fruit
- canned meats like tuna and salmon.
- Sugar, syrup and honey.
- spices
- salt
- canned soups
- flour, baking powder and baking soda
All of these foods will keep for months if not years. And when combined together, can make healthy and filling foods.
This will work as long as water and power are available. For water, start storing water now and have a plan to get more. Even rain water can be filtered and boiled and drunk. Further power can come from a hot plate attached to a car battery if need be.
Best of all, budget and money. These foods above are relatively inexpensive. Unlike Long Term Foods like MRE, these ingredients can be combined to make many meals over a long period of time. MRE and the like are good for short term, on the move meals and worse of all, are very expensive.
So, save some money, make a list and start stockpiling these foods now. One more piece of advice, augment your stored food with a decent garden. Seeds are real cheap and available right now.
Food. We take for granted that the grocers will be open twenty four by seven down the street or that Costco will have pallets of food always available. The reality is, we have it good with the amount and supply of food in our stores. It was not always that way.
"The First Things To Go After A Crisis"
Two generations ago, the standard grocery store was a corner Piggly Wiggly not much bigger than a 7-11. It was dominated by canned goods and staples like flour and sugar. Produce was out front in barrows for passersby to examine and purchase. A butcher stood at the back of the store and cut steaks and chops to order. There was no plastic wrapped meat and shoppers had a limited, but fresh choice of meats.
A generation before that, we had open markets with butchers, green grocers and the like often time hawking still living animals like chickens, geese and ducks. Eggs sat in baskets next to metal covered cans of milk.
And here we are today. With massive warehouses of food minutes away from home. Walmart, Sams, Costco and he numerous supermarkets as well.
Food, comparatively speaking to earlier generations, is still cheap. Those oranges from Brazil, coconuts and bananas from the Pacific, limes from Mexico were unheard of in our grandparents time. And the cost back then would have been a working man's wages for a handful or bananas or lemons.
However, at the same time that food is available and cheap, it is also a blink away from being gone. For instance, what happens when gasoline is no longer available for shipping? Or if civil war breaks out in Mexico? Or a virus or bug affects crops in Florida or North Dakota?
We depend so much upon healthy water, air, conditions, weather, relations with other countries and fuel that any of these factors or a combination of them could disrupt our food supplies in just a few days.
Fortunately for you and me, most of our fellow citizens are still scarfing down a) fast food, b) to go meals from restaurants, c) prepared foods from the gourmet grocers, d) frozen meals and e) a pre-packaged diet plan advertised by a middle aged celebrity which means..
There is plenty of food for us today and tomorrow to stock up on. Regular things like produce, meat, canned and packaged food, and frozen staples. That means we can stock up now and go back for more tomorrow before it is all gone.
With the diminishing power of the dollar, how long before Mexico, Chile or Brazil decide they aren't going to send any more lemons, limes, oranges or bananas our way?
Or what if the Middle East goes nuclear bonkers (five minutes away any day) and oil shoots to 200.00 a barrel? Nearly everything in the store will be in short supply or so high priced your mortgage payment will look like a deal compared to food.
With money tight, what can you do today?
First, stock up on things which can make meals for several days and months. Not a frozen "hot pocket pizza" but real food.
Suggestions -
- Rice
- Dried beans
- Powdered milk
- oil and cooking lard
- canned vegetables and fruit
- canned meats like tuna and salmon.
- Sugar, syrup and honey.
- spices
- salt
- canned soups
- flour, baking powder and baking soda
All of these foods will keep for months if not years. And when combined together, can make healthy and filling foods.
This will work as long as water and power are available. For water, start storing water now and have a plan to get more. Even rain water can be filtered and boiled and drunk. Further power can come from a hot plate attached to a car battery if need be.
Best of all, budget and money. These foods above are relatively inexpensive. Unlike Long Term Foods like MRE, these ingredients can be combined to make many meals over a long period of time. MRE and the like are good for short term, on the move meals and worse of all, are very expensive.
So, save some money, make a list and start stockpiling these foods now. One more piece of advice, augment your stored food with a decent garden. Seeds are real cheap and available right now.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
SHTF: Real Last Minute End Of The World Grocery List
The SHTF.. Zombies are running in the streets.. Nuclear weapons have exploded..
So you have one last chance to hit the grocery stores and add to your stocks at home.
Hopefully, you already have a multi-month supply of food on hand. There is no way one trip to Kroger or Safeway, (along with everyone else) is going to leave you with enough to survive the coming months and years.
Here are some things to grab while the getting is good and everyone else is grabbing beer, cigarettes, candy and liquor.
Food preservation -
Canning jars
Canning rings and lids
Canning salt
Salt, kosher, regular, rock and sea salt
Vinegar
Paper products -
Paper towels
Paper napkins
Paper plates
Toilet paper
Feminine products
Cleaning supplies -
Bleach
Lysol (spray)
Mr. Clean, Pine sol or similar type product
Sponges
Mop heads
Tub and tile cleaner
Ammonia
Cooking oil and lard -
Vegetable oil
Crisco or similar type product
Olive oil (often overlooked in the ethnic food sections)
Pam or other cooking spray
Food packaging -
Zip lock bags
Aluminum foil
Plastic wrap
Plastic bags
Food saver bags
Medical -
Aspirin
Vitamins
OTC cold remedies
Stomach and digestion medicine
Herbal supplements
Bandages, first aid supplies
Sunblock
Insect repellent
Rubbing alcohol
Hydrogen peroxide
House and home -
Mouse and rat traps
Borax
Insect spray
WD-40
Liquid plumber
Fuel and lighting -
Matches and lighters
Camp fuel (if available)
Charcoal (use first, does not last long).
Lamp oil (citronella for instance)
Batteries (will be going fast and first, check the check out aisles).
Flashlights (same as batteries but necessary).
Fresh Fruit and Vegetables -
Potatoes, onions, carrots, shallots, turnips, beets and any other root vegetable lasts a very long time - take what is left.
Apples and oranges if available
Cooking supplies -
Yeast
Baking powder
Baking soda (also a cleaner)
Flour (who is going to loot flour?)
Sugar
Salt
Dehydrated egg whites
Powdered milk
Baking mixes including corn bread, bisquick and pancake mix
Miscellaneous -
Protein powder
Protein bars
Weight loss drinks (full of protein)
Bullion cubes
Energy drinks
Tea bags
Coco
Most of the items on this list are "boring" to the average panicked looter. Remember, they will be grabbing comfort foods (soda, sweets), canned goods and expensive vices (liquor, beer, cigarettes, cigars, ice (of all things!) and chocolate.
Take what is available and keep in mind non-traditional outlets for food like convenience stores, dollar stores and truck stops.
Stay safe and don't bring children or elderly along during these forays.
Good luck and get ready!
Remember to comment and click below! I want your feedback!
So you have one last chance to hit the grocery stores and add to your stocks at home.
Hopefully, you already have a multi-month supply of food on hand. There is no way one trip to Kroger or Safeway, (along with everyone else) is going to leave you with enough to survive the coming months and years.
Here are some things to grab while the getting is good and everyone else is grabbing beer, cigarettes, candy and liquor.
Food preservation -
Canning jars
Canning rings and lids
Canning salt
Salt, kosher, regular, rock and sea salt
Vinegar
Paper products -
Paper towels
Paper napkins
Paper plates
Toilet paper
Feminine products
Cleaning supplies -
Bleach
Lysol (spray)
Mr. Clean, Pine sol or similar type product
Sponges
Mop heads
Tub and tile cleaner
Ammonia
Cooking oil and lard -
Vegetable oil
Crisco or similar type product
Olive oil (often overlooked in the ethnic food sections)
Pam or other cooking spray
Food packaging -
Zip lock bags
Aluminum foil
Plastic wrap
Plastic bags
Food saver bags
Medical -
Aspirin
Vitamins
OTC cold remedies
Stomach and digestion medicine
Herbal supplements
Bandages, first aid supplies
Sunblock
Insect repellent
Rubbing alcohol
Hydrogen peroxide
House and home -
Mouse and rat traps
Borax
Insect spray
WD-40
Liquid plumber
Fuel and lighting -
Matches and lighters
Camp fuel (if available)
Charcoal (use first, does not last long).
Lamp oil (citronella for instance)
Batteries (will be going fast and first, check the check out aisles).
Flashlights (same as batteries but necessary).
Fresh Fruit and Vegetables -
Potatoes, onions, carrots, shallots, turnips, beets and any other root vegetable lasts a very long time - take what is left.
Apples and oranges if available
Cooking supplies -
Yeast
Baking powder
Baking soda (also a cleaner)
Flour (who is going to loot flour?)
Sugar
Salt
Dehydrated egg whites
Powdered milk
Baking mixes including corn bread, bisquick and pancake mix
Miscellaneous -
Protein powder
Protein bars
Weight loss drinks (full of protein)
Bullion cubes
Energy drinks
Tea bags
Coco
Most of the items on this list are "boring" to the average panicked looter. Remember, they will be grabbing comfort foods (soda, sweets), canned goods and expensive vices (liquor, beer, cigarettes, cigars, ice (of all things!) and chocolate.
Take what is available and keep in mind non-traditional outlets for food like convenience stores, dollar stores and truck stops.
Stay safe and don't bring children or elderly along during these forays.
Good luck and get ready!
Remember to comment and click below! I want your feedback!
Thursday, November 13, 2008
SHTF: Food Riots
A long time ago, I wrote a post which basically laughed at concept of "food riots". For the most part, I stick by what I said which is "food riots" are unlikely in our present situation.
BUT and that's a big but, there are some situations which would lead quickly to rioting over food.
Here are some real scenarios which might lead to food riots.
Long term trucking strike - Teamsters (and truckers in general), emboldened by a new Democratic political leadership and inspired by repeated bailouts and favors for other strained industries demand lower fuel costs, increased wages, lower taxes on their rigs and better working conditions.
When Congress and private business is unable to meet their demands, truckers begin a sudden and rapid shutdown of trucking across the country. At first average drivers notice less traffic on the freeways and enjoy their shorter commutes. But as gasoline deliveries cease, and businesses start closing for lack of deliveries, the country begins to worry.
The president considers issuing an emergency order temporarily nationalizing critical parts of the trucking industry which further exacerbates the problem. Consumers start to make runs on banks, grocers and retailers to stock up so they ride out the crisis.
Grocery stores run out of critical products in the first day and within three days are nearly out of stock of most items. The President orders National Guard troops to start transporting food stocks from distribution warehouses, but the allocation becomes a political nightmare as various members of Congress, state governors and well connected city mayors get preferential deliveries to their constituents over other, less well connected leaders.
As the accusations start to fly, people begin to panic. Convenience stores, vending machines and restaurants are stripped of anything edible by roving mobs caught up in the situation. Criminals begin targeting homes for food stocks rather than cash or jewelry. Grocery store managers and owners are targeted for violence and kidnapping.
As some deliveries make their way into the cities, mobs overrun the trucks and distribution points leading to shootings and gun battles with police. Several cities go under curfew and the Guard is called out.
Hospitals, day care centers, schools and other institutions are either out of food or on short rations leaving the most vulnerable to starvation and illness. The situation spirals out of control as the President comes on television to announce to a hungry nation he is ordering national martial law and nationalization of the entire food production chain in the U.S. for the duration...
A distant war
A sudden flash fire war breaks out as Israel drops conventional bombs on Iran which escalates to a small scale nuclear conflict in the region. As a result, all oil exports cease suddenly leaving the Western world, dependent upon 70% of its fuel from oil products, without little fuel.
Naturally, the government steps in and declares immediate rationing and curtailment on fuel usage. Farmers need fuel for their machinery, truckers and trains need diesel to run and homeowners need fuel oil for their heaters and winter is setting in. Mathmatically, there is not enough fuel to go around and to make matters worse, Mexico and Canada are stopping all exports to supply their own country's needs.
The Strategic Petroleum Reserve, designed to tide the U.S. through these types of crises, has only a 90 day supply of crude and most of that is of a grade unusable by U.S. refineries. The situation worsens.
What started as an inconvenience for the American worker and consumer has become a life and death struggle as grocery stores are emptied by panicking mobs. Police and ambulances, running on rationed fuel, are unable to respond to emergencies and the problem explodes.
Mobs fight over food from stores, restaurants and each others homes. As soft politicians used to polls and backroom deals are unable to confront the crisis, new strong men spring up and quickly demonize farmers who are "obviously hoarding vast quantities of fresh produce, meat, eggs and other foods" from those who need it more than they. Impromptu allocation forces (raiders) begin the task of spreading out from urban areas to "inventory and request" (loot) any agricultural operation within traveling distance.
The situation deteriorates as the violence leads to civil war within the U.S....
Food riots can occur in certain situations. Hopefully they won't..
Best to get ready anyway...
BUT and that's a big but, there are some situations which would lead quickly to rioting over food.
Here are some real scenarios which might lead to food riots.
Long term trucking strike - Teamsters (and truckers in general), emboldened by a new Democratic political leadership and inspired by repeated bailouts and favors for other strained industries demand lower fuel costs, increased wages, lower taxes on their rigs and better working conditions.
When Congress and private business is unable to meet their demands, truckers begin a sudden and rapid shutdown of trucking across the country. At first average drivers notice less traffic on the freeways and enjoy their shorter commutes. But as gasoline deliveries cease, and businesses start closing for lack of deliveries, the country begins to worry.
The president considers issuing an emergency order temporarily nationalizing critical parts of the trucking industry which further exacerbates the problem. Consumers start to make runs on banks, grocers and retailers to stock up so they ride out the crisis.
Grocery stores run out of critical products in the first day and within three days are nearly out of stock of most items. The President orders National Guard troops to start transporting food stocks from distribution warehouses, but the allocation becomes a political nightmare as various members of Congress, state governors and well connected city mayors get preferential deliveries to their constituents over other, less well connected leaders.
As the accusations start to fly, people begin to panic. Convenience stores, vending machines and restaurants are stripped of anything edible by roving mobs caught up in the situation. Criminals begin targeting homes for food stocks rather than cash or jewelry. Grocery store managers and owners are targeted for violence and kidnapping.
As some deliveries make their way into the cities, mobs overrun the trucks and distribution points leading to shootings and gun battles with police. Several cities go under curfew and the Guard is called out.
Hospitals, day care centers, schools and other institutions are either out of food or on short rations leaving the most vulnerable to starvation and illness. The situation spirals out of control as the President comes on television to announce to a hungry nation he is ordering national martial law and nationalization of the entire food production chain in the U.S. for the duration...
A distant war
A sudden flash fire war breaks out as Israel drops conventional bombs on Iran which escalates to a small scale nuclear conflict in the region. As a result, all oil exports cease suddenly leaving the Western world, dependent upon 70% of its fuel from oil products, without little fuel.
Naturally, the government steps in and declares immediate rationing and curtailment on fuel usage. Farmers need fuel for their machinery, truckers and trains need diesel to run and homeowners need fuel oil for their heaters and winter is setting in. Mathmatically, there is not enough fuel to go around and to make matters worse, Mexico and Canada are stopping all exports to supply their own country's needs.
The Strategic Petroleum Reserve, designed to tide the U.S. through these types of crises, has only a 90 day supply of crude and most of that is of a grade unusable by U.S. refineries. The situation worsens.
What started as an inconvenience for the American worker and consumer has become a life and death struggle as grocery stores are emptied by panicking mobs. Police and ambulances, running on rationed fuel, are unable to respond to emergencies and the problem explodes.
Mobs fight over food from stores, restaurants and each others homes. As soft politicians used to polls and backroom deals are unable to confront the crisis, new strong men spring up and quickly demonize farmers who are "obviously hoarding vast quantities of fresh produce, meat, eggs and other foods" from those who need it more than they. Impromptu allocation forces (raiders) begin the task of spreading out from urban areas to "inventory and request" (loot) any agricultural operation within traveling distance.
The situation deteriorates as the violence leads to civil war within the U.S....
Food riots can occur in certain situations. Hopefully they won't..
Best to get ready anyway...
Monday, October 20, 2008
SHTF: Emerigency Lightweight Foods
At school, the office or on the road, there is no worse fear than the thought of being miles from home without transport. Being the kind of distance which requires days or weeks to get home on foot.
In this situation, what you can carry on your back or pack may be all that is available and edible? First, one must be prepared.
A quick list of lightweight foods to see you home or to another location...
- Ramen noodles (eat cooked or raw).
- Oatmeal and grits.
- Granola, dry cereal.
- Protein bars, the higher protein the better.
- Cereal and granola bars.
- Single sliced Spam packages.
- Crackers.
- Sealed packages of tuna or salmon.
- Dried fruit, raisins, etc.
- Candy, not chocolate (melts) but hard candy.
- Dried milk
- Coffee, tea bags
- Drink mixes like Kool Aid and Tang.
- Cookies
- Pop tarts
- Bullion cubes, dried soup mixes
Pack plenty of zip lock bags for repackaging.
Only thing left is water, how to carry it and where to get it.
Part two!
In this situation, what you can carry on your back or pack may be all that is available and edible? First, one must be prepared.
A quick list of lightweight foods to see you home or to another location...
- Ramen noodles (eat cooked or raw).
- Oatmeal and grits.
- Granola, dry cereal.
- Protein bars, the higher protein the better.
- Cereal and granola bars.
- Single sliced Spam packages.
- Crackers.
- Sealed packages of tuna or salmon.
- Dried fruit, raisins, etc.
- Candy, not chocolate (melts) but hard candy.
- Dried milk
- Coffee, tea bags
- Drink mixes like Kool Aid and Tang.
- Cookies
- Pop tarts
- Bullion cubes, dried soup mixes
Pack plenty of zip lock bags for repackaging.
Only thing left is water, how to carry it and where to get it.
Part two!
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
SHTF: Emergency Supply List
Financial markets are heating up and there is no end in site. Couple that with gasoline shortages in the Southeast, tensions in the MidEast, crazy dictators on every corner and a nuclear weapon in every home and you got trouble.
Here is your Emergency Supply List for Now
Food -
Go get lots of staples like sugar, flour, powdered milk, corn meal, crisco, cooking oil, baby formula, canned meat, vegetables, fruit, oatmeal, peanut butter, and honey.
Water -
Buy some water storage containers, the bigger the better and fill at home. Get a good water filter system and replacement filters. Plan a water catchment system for rain water. Get a water well if possible.
Garden -
Go get a variety of seeds for this winter and next spring. Get hand tools and fertilizer. Start a compost heap. Lay out garden space wherever possible on your property. Get large containers for the patio.
Security -
Secure your home with good locks on doors and windows. Measure and purchase wood to board up windows and vulnerable exterior areas. Decide what type of defensive weapon you would be willing to use and obtain what is necessary. Park your cars in the garage or make sure they are secure and out of sight at all times.
Communication -
Get a good AM/FM/shortwave battery powered radio. Get simple walky talkies for each member of the family. Create a communications system for family members with code words for emergency situations.
Medical -
Get a list of prescriptions (including eyeglasses) and get extras. Stock up on aspirin, cold formulas, pain relief, baby medicines, feminine products, soap, alcohol, razors, antibacterial hand gel and bandages of all sizes.
Finances -
Make sure bills are paid and money is available in the bank and in cash at home. Have a credit card available for last minute purchases. Invest in junk silver coins for a post-dollar world.
Work -
Brush up on any skills someone would want and pay for. Like automotive, handyman, electrical, nursing or plumbing work. Be ready to grow food, sew clothes, protect property and lives.
Stay focused, faithful and charitable. Consider the fall of the Roman Empire, the Dark Ages, the Great Depression, wars, famine and revolt. Man survived, adapted and thrived after every one of these events. You will too.
Here is your Emergency Supply List for Now
Food -
Go get lots of staples like sugar, flour, powdered milk, corn meal, crisco, cooking oil, baby formula, canned meat, vegetables, fruit, oatmeal, peanut butter, and honey.
Water -
Buy some water storage containers, the bigger the better and fill at home. Get a good water filter system and replacement filters. Plan a water catchment system for rain water. Get a water well if possible.
Garden -
Go get a variety of seeds for this winter and next spring. Get hand tools and fertilizer. Start a compost heap. Lay out garden space wherever possible on your property. Get large containers for the patio.
Security -
Secure your home with good locks on doors and windows. Measure and purchase wood to board up windows and vulnerable exterior areas. Decide what type of defensive weapon you would be willing to use and obtain what is necessary. Park your cars in the garage or make sure they are secure and out of sight at all times.
Communication -
Get a good AM/FM/shortwave battery powered radio. Get simple walky talkies for each member of the family. Create a communications system for family members with code words for emergency situations.
Medical -
Get a list of prescriptions (including eyeglasses) and get extras. Stock up on aspirin, cold formulas, pain relief, baby medicines, feminine products, soap, alcohol, razors, antibacterial hand gel and bandages of all sizes.
Finances -
Make sure bills are paid and money is available in the bank and in cash at home. Have a credit card available for last minute purchases. Invest in junk silver coins for a post-dollar world.
Work -
Brush up on any skills someone would want and pay for. Like automotive, handyman, electrical, nursing or plumbing work. Be ready to grow food, sew clothes, protect property and lives.
Stay focused, faithful and charitable. Consider the fall of the Roman Empire, the Dark Ages, the Great Depression, wars, famine and revolt. Man survived, adapted and thrived after every one of these events. You will too.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
SHTF: Survival Foods on a budget
Remember the TV show "Jericho"? If you recall, the story centered around a sudden nuclear attack on the United States which left the country fractured and disorganized. Food shipments stop and within a few months the town is existing on rice rations and trying to grow turnips and carrots in their backyards.
I don't ever want to be in that sort of jam and for several years have been into preparedness. Most of my preparedness plans however, have centered around food - where to get it, how much on hand, etc.
With those two things in mind, there are several types of "preppers". Most can be broken down into one of two groups: Those who have been doing it for years and those who are new. The newcomer camp is getting stronger because of the recent financial news, gasoline shortages and hurricanes.
If you are a new prepper and found this site while searching the internet and just received your golden parachute payment from AIG, Lehman Brothers or Bear Stearns, please go to either the Ultimate Family Preparedness Pak link above or the Mountain House link on the right and get a year or more supply of food.
If you are a new prepper and recently watched your net worth drop to pocket change but still want to build a supply of survival foods for the coming months and years, I can help you there.
When building your survival pantry, you must remember the goal; do not starve. Often, newcomers get caught up in the "eat what you normally do" philosophy and quickly realize they don't have the money or space for several cases of Slimfast, Stouffers frozen dinners or McDonald's (or 365 lattes from Starbucks) nor to mention the means of keeping such fare fresh and edible.
Rather, plan on building a "just in case, budget survival food system for the end of the world".
Welcome to the Frugal End of the World Restaurant. Here are the specials...
Oatmeal -
Healthy and filling, oatmeal is cheap and easy to make. Go to the grocery store or better yet, warehouse club and purchase 10 or more big containers of instant oats. No, not the little packets, but the big 3 Minute Oat canisters.
You will be eating a cup of this a day. It is easy to make and can make itself by adding boiling water and leaving in a thermos or closed pot for 15 minutes. You will need one cup of water for each bowl of oatmeal, so store an equivalent amount of water now. Water comes from the tap in your home or apartment and is less expensive than the bottled stuff. Put water in large sealed container and it will last a long time.
Price: Large containers with multiple servings = less than $5.00
Ramen Noodles -
Ramen Noodles are the cheapest food known to man. Exaggeration, but nearly true. They sell Ramen by the case, but individual packets are usually .10 or .15 each. My warehouse store sells a case of 40 or 50 packets for less than 7 bucks each. Buy as many cases as possible and stick them under the bed.
Another cup of water should be stored for each packet purchased.
Price: Case of 24 to 72 from different retailers = less than $5.00
Vitamins -
A good multi vitamin to replace nutrients missed due to lack of variety and fresh foods. Buy a generic rather than a One-A-Day type product. Get at least 500 tablets, more if you can afford them.
Price: Large bottle of generic vitamins = $10.00 or less
Tea -
Coffee is too expensive and sodas won't keep long. Your body will want caffeine once you drop the daily Starbucks habit post-TEOTWAWKI. Tea bags are cheap, cheap, cheap, especially the store brands. Get a few hundred and add to your stores.
Water again, one cup per tea bag.
Price: 100 count box of generic tea bags at my local market = $2.99
Bisquick -
You may prefer another type of product, but I like Bisquick for preparing easy pancakes and biscuits. Bread is a comfort food and people like it.
Many Bisquick recipes call for milk or eggs. Let me tell you from my poor lifestyle past experience, you can get by with water in many cases and it works.
Bisquick comes in really big boxes at warehouse stores they sell to organizations which host pancake breakfasts and what not. You can generally get a big box for less that $5.00.
Price - Big box with multiple servings = $5.00
Rice -
Rice has gone up in price, but has stabilized lately and is readily available again. Start with a 25 or 50 lb bag and build a supply from there. Put it in a bucket with lid to keep the bugs and water out.
Again, cup water for each cup (actually two, but you get my drift).
50 lb bag at warehouse store - $20.00
Extras -
Buy some large bags of generic sugar, flour, and salt. Garlic powder and pepper are nice to have as well.
Extras - $2.99 - 11.99 per bag.
That's it.
What about protein? Guess what? In a survival situation, you can survive without it. For the big meat eaters out there, it will take some getting used to, but if you are man enough for the new world, you will deal with it.
(If you really are a baby, buy a case of Vienna sausages or Spam. Treat yourself to a can once a week for Sunday dinner. Odds are you will gobble the whole case down the first week so this is a moot point).
What about variety? There won't be much, but for a couple of hundred dollars, you can easily put together a 1-3 month food supply. And with the food suggestions above, you can estimate how much water will be needed and start storing that as well (it is found in the tap in the kitchen, again).
Budget a hundred dollars this month and next (that's 22 Starbucks visits) and you can build a fast supply of foods which incidentally, will last for several months if not longer.
Repackage most of the above products in water proof buckets and store under the bed or back of closet.
When the poop hits the fan and your cupboards are running bare, you have a supply of food that most of your neighbors will be envious of. (Might want to take some of those food savings and make a tangible investment with Remington, Winchester or Ruger).
I don't ever want to be in that sort of jam and for several years have been into preparedness. Most of my preparedness plans however, have centered around food - where to get it, how much on hand, etc.
With those two things in mind, there are several types of "preppers". Most can be broken down into one of two groups: Those who have been doing it for years and those who are new. The newcomer camp is getting stronger because of the recent financial news, gasoline shortages and hurricanes.
If you are a new prepper and found this site while searching the internet and just received your golden parachute payment from AIG, Lehman Brothers or Bear Stearns, please go to either the Ultimate Family Preparedness Pak link above or the Mountain House link on the right and get a year or more supply of food.
If you are a new prepper and recently watched your net worth drop to pocket change but still want to build a supply of survival foods for the coming months and years, I can help you there.
When building your survival pantry, you must remember the goal; do not starve. Often, newcomers get caught up in the "eat what you normally do" philosophy and quickly realize they don't have the money or space for several cases of Slimfast, Stouffers frozen dinners or McDonald's (or 365 lattes from Starbucks) nor to mention the means of keeping such fare fresh and edible.
Rather, plan on building a "just in case, budget survival food system for the end of the world".
Welcome to the Frugal End of the World Restaurant. Here are the specials...
Oatmeal -
Healthy and filling, oatmeal is cheap and easy to make. Go to the grocery store or better yet, warehouse club and purchase 10 or more big containers of instant oats. No, not the little packets, but the big 3 Minute Oat canisters.
You will be eating a cup of this a day. It is easy to make and can make itself by adding boiling water and leaving in a thermos or closed pot for 15 minutes. You will need one cup of water for each bowl of oatmeal, so store an equivalent amount of water now. Water comes from the tap in your home or apartment and is less expensive than the bottled stuff. Put water in large sealed container and it will last a long time.
Price: Large containers with multiple servings = less than $5.00
Ramen Noodles -
Ramen Noodles are the cheapest food known to man. Exaggeration, but nearly true. They sell Ramen by the case, but individual packets are usually .10 or .15 each. My warehouse store sells a case of 40 or 50 packets for less than 7 bucks each. Buy as many cases as possible and stick them under the bed.
Another cup of water should be stored for each packet purchased.
Price: Case of 24 to 72 from different retailers = less than $5.00
Vitamins -
A good multi vitamin to replace nutrients missed due to lack of variety and fresh foods. Buy a generic rather than a One-A-Day type product. Get at least 500 tablets, more if you can afford them.
Price: Large bottle of generic vitamins = $10.00 or less
Tea -
Coffee is too expensive and sodas won't keep long. Your body will want caffeine once you drop the daily Starbucks habit post-TEOTWAWKI. Tea bags are cheap, cheap, cheap, especially the store brands. Get a few hundred and add to your stores.
Water again, one cup per tea bag.
Price: 100 count box of generic tea bags at my local market = $2.99
Bisquick -
You may prefer another type of product, but I like Bisquick for preparing easy pancakes and biscuits. Bread is a comfort food and people like it.
Many Bisquick recipes call for milk or eggs. Let me tell you from my poor lifestyle past experience, you can get by with water in many cases and it works.
Bisquick comes in really big boxes at warehouse stores they sell to organizations which host pancake breakfasts and what not. You can generally get a big box for less that $5.00.
Price - Big box with multiple servings = $5.00
Rice -
Rice has gone up in price, but has stabilized lately and is readily available again. Start with a 25 or 50 lb bag and build a supply from there. Put it in a bucket with lid to keep the bugs and water out.
Again, cup water for each cup (actually two, but you get my drift).
50 lb bag at warehouse store - $20.00
Extras -
Buy some large bags of generic sugar, flour, and salt. Garlic powder and pepper are nice to have as well.
Extras - $2.99 - 11.99 per bag.
That's it.
What about protein? Guess what? In a survival situation, you can survive without it. For the big meat eaters out there, it will take some getting used to, but if you are man enough for the new world, you will deal with it.
(If you really are a baby, buy a case of Vienna sausages or Spam. Treat yourself to a can once a week for Sunday dinner. Odds are you will gobble the whole case down the first week so this is a moot point).
What about variety? There won't be much, but for a couple of hundred dollars, you can easily put together a 1-3 month food supply. And with the food suggestions above, you can estimate how much water will be needed and start storing that as well (it is found in the tap in the kitchen, again).
Budget a hundred dollars this month and next (that's 22 Starbucks visits) and you can build a fast supply of foods which incidentally, will last for several months if not longer.
Repackage most of the above products in water proof buckets and store under the bed or back of closet.
When the poop hits the fan and your cupboards are running bare, you have a supply of food that most of your neighbors will be envious of. (Might want to take some of those food savings and make a tangible investment with Remington, Winchester or Ruger).
Thursday, September 18, 2008
SHTF: My end of the world grocery list - Pt. 2
I posted my end of the world, pre-TEOTWAWKI grocery list the other day and left off some key products. Read the original here...
I went grocery shopping over the weekend and saw all the things I left off the list that should be included. Yes, having a UHaul in the parking lot to load everything for an emergency would be helpful.
"Do you really have enough food stocked when the SHTF?"
So, part two of the "End of the World Grocery List for Emergency Supplies and Survival Food Storage".
- Oatmeal
- Peanut butter
- Dried fruit.
- Granola and other long lasting cereal (forget the Cap'n Crunch).
- Nuts, canned are best.
- Feminine products (for you, for the females in the household or for trade).
- Chocolate and honey.
- Laundry detergent
- Rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide.
- Trash bags.
Also, why get canned soups rather than canned meat or vegetables first? Because canned soups can be served over rice and makes a filling complete meal. Canned meat by itself is.. well a can of meat.
Good luck,
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
SHTF: My end of the world grocery list
Uh-oh. The teevee says the poop has hit the oscillator! You have one chance to hit the Sooper Saver before the starving, rioting hoards clean it out. What to do?
My SHTF Shopping List gets you started.
Here we go!
Take the largest vehicle you own, bring all the cash you have on hand. Don't forget, if the banks are still running and the ATM machines are up, bring a credit card and debit card and use both first!
Once in the store, grab a cart (that's buggy for your foreigners and northerners).
Hit the baking aisle first. Grab flour, salt, sugar, cooking oil, yeast, corn meal, powdered milk and Crisco.
Head for the diet or health section. Grab the biggest containers of protein powder (you know for weight lifters) they have.
"Do you really have enough food stocked when the SHTF?"
Head for the pharmacy. Get aspirin, cold/flu remedies, children's medicines and vitamins, stomach remedies (especially diarrhea) and all the first aid supplies you see.
Head for hardware. Take all of the following: kitchen matches, cooking fuel, batteries.
Your cart should be full. Pay, load car, come back.
Go to paper products. Toilet paper - full cart. Get another cart and fill with bottled water. Every load after this get one case or two of water and put on bottom of cart.
Pay, come back.
Paper products again. Paper towels. Cleaning products - bleach, lysol, any other disinfectant products. Water filters if they have them.
Go to canned food aisle. Regular size cans of soups first. Cases of them if available. Get coffee, coco and tea.
Pay and come back.
Go to dry food aisle. Rice, beans, instant potatoes, pasta. The biggest bags.
Go to canned goods again. Now you can grab those cans of meat you wanted when you first came in.
Pay and load. Come back.
More canned food if time. Go to baby section if applicable or not. Get powdered formula. Get diapers. Great trade good.
Pay, load and drive away if the mobs are on top of you.
Avoid - booze, tobacco, produce, ice, DVD's, books, sodas.
Your list may vary, but start with the basics and make your way up to treats.
See End of the World Grocery List Part 2 here.
My SHTF Shopping List gets you started.
Here we go!
Take the largest vehicle you own, bring all the cash you have on hand. Don't forget, if the banks are still running and the ATM machines are up, bring a credit card and debit card and use both first!
Once in the store, grab a cart (that's buggy for your foreigners and northerners).
Hit the baking aisle first. Grab flour, salt, sugar, cooking oil, yeast, corn meal, powdered milk and Crisco.
Head for the diet or health section. Grab the biggest containers of protein powder (you know for weight lifters) they have.
"Do you really have enough food stocked when the SHTF?"
Head for the pharmacy. Get aspirin, cold/flu remedies, children's medicines and vitamins, stomach remedies (especially diarrhea) and all the first aid supplies you see.
Head for hardware. Take all of the following: kitchen matches, cooking fuel, batteries.
Your cart should be full. Pay, load car, come back.
Go to paper products. Toilet paper - full cart. Get another cart and fill with bottled water. Every load after this get one case or two of water and put on bottom of cart.
Pay, come back.
Paper products again. Paper towels. Cleaning products - bleach, lysol, any other disinfectant products. Water filters if they have them.
Go to canned food aisle. Regular size cans of soups first. Cases of them if available. Get coffee, coco and tea.
Pay and come back.
Go to dry food aisle. Rice, beans, instant potatoes, pasta. The biggest bags.
Go to canned goods again. Now you can grab those cans of meat you wanted when you first came in.
Pay and load. Come back.
More canned food if time. Go to baby section if applicable or not. Get powdered formula. Get diapers. Great trade good.
Pay, load and drive away if the mobs are on top of you.
Avoid - booze, tobacco, produce, ice, DVD's, books, sodas.
Your list may vary, but start with the basics and make your way up to treats.
See End of the World Grocery List Part 2 here.
Monday, August 25, 2008
SHTF: Suburbs - Should I stay or should I go?
Welcome Woodpile Readers! Thanks for stopping by and please visit again!
Big fracas today over on TB2K about whether one should stay in the suburbs after the SHTF or flee to a pre-positioned rural location... see if here..
A lot of hotheads and hotter opinions being expressed which is a shame, because both sides are missing the real problem.
First, more people, I would hazard to guess without looking at census information, live in urban and suburban locales rather than in true rural areas.
And with the national and international scene being what it is, more and more of these suburban dwellers today are developing the prepper mindset like their rural prepping counterparts do which is "How do I prepare for what if?".
That being the case, the real problem is "how do suburban dwellers responsibly and creatively prepare for TEOTWAWKI without planning on becoming a burden to their country pals?".
Here are a few of my plans/suggestions that might be of value to the suburban dweller post-TEOTWAWKI.
1) Prep now. Buy lots of non-perishable foods, storage equipment, tools, supplies, etc. now while prices are reasonable and stocks are high. For instance, this weekend the wife and I invested in more storage buckets, water filters, OTC medicines, vitamins and other essential stuff.
"Do you really have enough food stocked when the SHTF?"
2) Put a plan in place for Day One of the SHTF for your home and family. How to get from point a to point b. Communications. Safety. Transportation.
3) Can you disguise your presence in the neighborhood? Some of these suggestions have to be done beforehand while others they day of SHTF..
a) Have measured pieces cut now and plywood over exterior visible windows from the street and rear of house once the trouble starts.
b) Erect the highest fence around the exterior rear of your property as allowed by the city and neighborhood association. (Do this now).
c) Move running vehicles to rear of home or into garage. Cover over garage windows with more plywood ( have that plywood ready now). Back cars into garage and be able to open doors manually if forced to evacuate.
d) Consider leaving one, partially disassembled vehicle in front of the house. Put it on blocks or jacks or flattened tires.
e) Put a pink or yellow typewritten piece of paper on the front door which declares the property is foreclosed and uninhabitable. (Before the emails start.. I know, a piece of paper is not going to stop a determined group of illiterate gang bangers. Rather, it is part of a complete illusion.. work with me).
f) Put a sign in the yard which states the house is foreclosed as well. See above.
g) Limit activity and leave and come only through the rear of the property. Let no sign or presence be known i.e. generators, bar-b-que grills, etc.
4) Devise a defensive strategy for your home. Early warning alarms, (can be as simple as trip wires and cans), peepholes, viewpoints, sniper nests, diversions, reinforce exterior walls, create an interior saferoom, fall back positions and escape routes. Besides your favorite firearms, purchase a number of inexpensive weapons for backups and handouts to those joining you. I particularly prefer the SKS as it is inexpensive, can take a lot of punishment and is relatively easy to use.
5) Connect with other neighbors. This is tricky because unless you know your neighbors real well, they may or may not be reliable in a scrape. I fully expect most of my neighbors to collapse under the strain or flee before hand. That being the case, my presence will be as low as possible and I plan on using any left behind resources as possible.
6) Get a replenishing water source. I am a big proponent of sand point drilled wells for suburban situations. Of course your water table must be taken into consideration and if a hand dug or sand point well is out of the question, you are going to need, at minimum, the following:
a) a creek, river or lake on your property.
b) lots of bleach, filters and fuel for boiling. (solar panel, batteries and hot plate work too).
c) Big storage like multi hundred gallon containers or cistern.
d) rain water catchment system.
Remember, your rural friends will have this same consideration as well. Just having a well on a rural property does not mean an unlimited, uninterrupted supply of water.
7) Once the back yard is hidden from view as best as possible, expand your garden. Start on this now. I have been gardening edibles for years and it is something learned over time not the day after the SHTF.
Along those lines, stock plenty of seeds, (multiple years), hand tools, fertilizer and build at least one large composting area (I have two).
8) Lay out areas where additional gardening can be done. For instance, nearby vacant lots, golf courses, abandoned backyards, etc.
Remember, most of these areas will be overgrown in a few weeks. Pick out a spot as far from view as possible and surrounded by higher weeds or grass. Create a 6 x 6 garden square, till, replenish the soil and plant. Surround with chicken wire. Leave a couple of empty five gallon buckets in the enclosure to catch rain water. Check a few times a week under cover of darkness or in early morning hours and tend.
If possible, plant fruit trees in back yard. Drive or walk your neighborhood and catalog existing fruit trees and types. I have found over two dozen good producers in my neighborhood. Know how to prune and tend to these trees after the original owners have "moved on".
9) Stock up now on anything needed to preserve food including a couple of dehydrators, canning jars (and lids!), spices for jerky, etc. Target had a starter home canning system available for less than 40.00 this weekend. That is a fast food lunch for a family of five. No excuses why you have not bought this type of hardware.
10) Get solar panels and deep storage batteries. You are not powering a fridge and clothing dryer, but a few basic appliances and communications gear. A battery powered hotplate emits no smoke like a grill or fireplace. My suggestion is to check online for panels or try a Fry's if they have them where you live. Fry's had 85 watt panels on sale not too long ago. A simple home system is not that hard to set up (or tear down and hide if need be). My neighbor has four panels he rolls out onto his side-of-house driveway on sunny days and uses them to power his workshop tools.
11) You don't have to be in the country to have livestock. Most municipalities allow homeowners to have a few chickens or rabbits. Mine allows me up to 6 hens and one rooster. I can also have goats and rabbits as long as they are not a nuisance. Better to have two laying hens now than none the day after.
12) Plan an escape route and fall back position. No plan, suburban or rural is perfect. You may have to flee as well. Have a plan.
I have a choice. For right now i am staying in the suburbs. I know the area and I have my supplies in tact. Your plan may be completely opposite, but any plan is better than having no plan at all.
Big fracas today over on TB2K about whether one should stay in the suburbs after the SHTF or flee to a pre-positioned rural location... see if here..
A lot of hotheads and hotter opinions being expressed which is a shame, because both sides are missing the real problem.
First, more people, I would hazard to guess without looking at census information, live in urban and suburban locales rather than in true rural areas.
And with the national and international scene being what it is, more and more of these suburban dwellers today are developing the prepper mindset like their rural prepping counterparts do which is "How do I prepare for what if?".
That being the case, the real problem is "how do suburban dwellers responsibly and creatively prepare for TEOTWAWKI without planning on becoming a burden to their country pals?".
Here are a few of my plans/suggestions that might be of value to the suburban dweller post-TEOTWAWKI.
1) Prep now. Buy lots of non-perishable foods, storage equipment, tools, supplies, etc. now while prices are reasonable and stocks are high. For instance, this weekend the wife and I invested in more storage buckets, water filters, OTC medicines, vitamins and other essential stuff.
"Do you really have enough food stocked when the SHTF?"
2) Put a plan in place for Day One of the SHTF for your home and family. How to get from point a to point b. Communications. Safety. Transportation.
3) Can you disguise your presence in the neighborhood? Some of these suggestions have to be done beforehand while others they day of SHTF..
a) Have measured pieces cut now and plywood over exterior visible windows from the street and rear of house once the trouble starts.
b) Erect the highest fence around the exterior rear of your property as allowed by the city and neighborhood association. (Do this now).
c) Move running vehicles to rear of home or into garage. Cover over garage windows with more plywood ( have that plywood ready now). Back cars into garage and be able to open doors manually if forced to evacuate.
d) Consider leaving one, partially disassembled vehicle in front of the house. Put it on blocks or jacks or flattened tires.
e) Put a pink or yellow typewritten piece of paper on the front door which declares the property is foreclosed and uninhabitable. (Before the emails start.. I know, a piece of paper is not going to stop a determined group of illiterate gang bangers. Rather, it is part of a complete illusion.. work with me).
f) Put a sign in the yard which states the house is foreclosed as well. See above.
g) Limit activity and leave and come only through the rear of the property. Let no sign or presence be known i.e. generators, bar-b-que grills, etc.
4) Devise a defensive strategy for your home. Early warning alarms, (can be as simple as trip wires and cans), peepholes, viewpoints, sniper nests, diversions, reinforce exterior walls, create an interior saferoom, fall back positions and escape routes. Besides your favorite firearms, purchase a number of inexpensive weapons for backups and handouts to those joining you. I particularly prefer the SKS as it is inexpensive, can take a lot of punishment and is relatively easy to use.
5) Connect with other neighbors. This is tricky because unless you know your neighbors real well, they may or may not be reliable in a scrape. I fully expect most of my neighbors to collapse under the strain or flee before hand. That being the case, my presence will be as low as possible and I plan on using any left behind resources as possible.
6) Get a replenishing water source. I am a big proponent of sand point drilled wells for suburban situations. Of course your water table must be taken into consideration and if a hand dug or sand point well is out of the question, you are going to need, at minimum, the following:
a) a creek, river or lake on your property.
b) lots of bleach, filters and fuel for boiling. (solar panel, batteries and hot plate work too).
c) Big storage like multi hundred gallon containers or cistern.
d) rain water catchment system.
Remember, your rural friends will have this same consideration as well. Just having a well on a rural property does not mean an unlimited, uninterrupted supply of water.
7) Once the back yard is hidden from view as best as possible, expand your garden. Start on this now. I have been gardening edibles for years and it is something learned over time not the day after the SHTF.
Along those lines, stock plenty of seeds, (multiple years), hand tools, fertilizer and build at least one large composting area (I have two).
8) Lay out areas where additional gardening can be done. For instance, nearby vacant lots, golf courses, abandoned backyards, etc.
Remember, most of these areas will be overgrown in a few weeks. Pick out a spot as far from view as possible and surrounded by higher weeds or grass. Create a 6 x 6 garden square, till, replenish the soil and plant. Surround with chicken wire. Leave a couple of empty five gallon buckets in the enclosure to catch rain water. Check a few times a week under cover of darkness or in early morning hours and tend.
If possible, plant fruit trees in back yard. Drive or walk your neighborhood and catalog existing fruit trees and types. I have found over two dozen good producers in my neighborhood. Know how to prune and tend to these trees after the original owners have "moved on".
9) Stock up now on anything needed to preserve food including a couple of dehydrators, canning jars (and lids!), spices for jerky, etc. Target had a starter home canning system available for less than 40.00 this weekend. That is a fast food lunch for a family of five. No excuses why you have not bought this type of hardware.
10) Get solar panels and deep storage batteries. You are not powering a fridge and clothing dryer, but a few basic appliances and communications gear. A battery powered hotplate emits no smoke like a grill or fireplace. My suggestion is to check online for panels or try a Fry's if they have them where you live. Fry's had 85 watt panels on sale not too long ago. A simple home system is not that hard to set up (or tear down and hide if need be). My neighbor has four panels he rolls out onto his side-of-house driveway on sunny days and uses them to power his workshop tools.
11) You don't have to be in the country to have livestock. Most municipalities allow homeowners to have a few chickens or rabbits. Mine allows me up to 6 hens and one rooster. I can also have goats and rabbits as long as they are not a nuisance. Better to have two laying hens now than none the day after.
12) Plan an escape route and fall back position. No plan, suburban or rural is perfect. You may have to flee as well. Have a plan.
I have a choice. For right now i am staying in the suburbs. I know the area and I have my supplies in tact. Your plan may be completely opposite, but any plan is better than having no plan at all.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Prepare: Emergency Food Supplies
Take a look at your food situation at home. What sort of shape are you in?
The average home has food in the refrigerator and freezer, the cupboard and maybe in a closet type pantry.
This same average home emergency food supplies consist of whatever is on hand in these locations. Now, how long can those supplies last in a real emergency? I am not talking about a 8 hour power outage but real emergencies like a biological or nuclear attack, pandemic, or massive and widespread civil unrest.
Now how long can the average home's food supplies last? A few days? Maybe a week?
For real preparedness, you have to start thinking about your home's food supplies and what you and your family will do in a real emergency.
To start, break down your food supplies into a "consume order" plan. For instance, foods which are perishable in the refrigerator will go first, followed by foods from the freezer.
Next, foods which do not require refrigeration or freezing, but have a shelf life all the same.
Finally, ling term food supplies will be consumed when augmented with other food sources.
So to get started on your emergency food supplies and your plan.
Take an inventory of your shelf stable food supplies such as canned and dry goods, macaroni and pasta. How many days will those foods last? Your goal should be to have at least three months of those types of foods on hand for your entire family and with some available for others. Better yet, because these foods last longer, shoot for six months or a year if possible.
Next, concentrate on your long term emergency food supplies such as sugar, flour, rice, dried beans, cooking oil, honey, corn starch, baking powder, dried fruits and vegetables and jerky.
Attempt to store at least one year supply of these basics.
Finally, consider long term storage foods like those available from specialty retailers like Emergency Essentials, Provident Pantry, etc. Some people like to store military Meals Ready to Eat (MRE), but I have mixed thoughts about those.
The goal behind your emergency food supplies is to have a long term stored food plan in place before a real emergency takes place. Remember, the day IT happens will be the day it is is too late to do anything about it.
The average home has food in the refrigerator and freezer, the cupboard and maybe in a closet type pantry.
This same average home emergency food supplies consist of whatever is on hand in these locations. Now, how long can those supplies last in a real emergency? I am not talking about a 8 hour power outage but real emergencies like a biological or nuclear attack, pandemic, or massive and widespread civil unrest.
Now how long can the average home's food supplies last? A few days? Maybe a week?
For real preparedness, you have to start thinking about your home's food supplies and what you and your family will do in a real emergency.
To start, break down your food supplies into a "consume order" plan. For instance, foods which are perishable in the refrigerator will go first, followed by foods from the freezer.
Next, foods which do not require refrigeration or freezing, but have a shelf life all the same.
Finally, ling term food supplies will be consumed when augmented with other food sources.
So to get started on your emergency food supplies and your plan.
Take an inventory of your shelf stable food supplies such as canned and dry goods, macaroni and pasta. How many days will those foods last? Your goal should be to have at least three months of those types of foods on hand for your entire family and with some available for others. Better yet, because these foods last longer, shoot for six months or a year if possible.
Next, concentrate on your long term emergency food supplies such as sugar, flour, rice, dried beans, cooking oil, honey, corn starch, baking powder, dried fruits and vegetables and jerky.
Attempt to store at least one year supply of these basics.
Finally, consider long term storage foods like those available from specialty retailers like Emergency Essentials, Provident Pantry, etc. Some people like to store military Meals Ready to Eat (MRE), but I have mixed thoughts about those.
The goal behind your emergency food supplies is to have a long term stored food plan in place before a real emergency takes place. Remember, the day IT happens will be the day it is is too late to do anything about it.
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