Well, the world did not end this New Years, but then we weren't prepping for Y29 were we?
Much to do with the new year. Here are some of things I tackled the past couple of days.
* Cleaned out a hallway walk in closet and another smaller closet in the same hallway. We have been blessed with plenty of closet space, but we have the ability to fill any storage space with as much junk as possible in the shortest amount of time. I now have two more storage areas for my preps and less clutter.
* Cleaned out the laundry room and inventoried my cleaners and disinfectants. We were in better shape then I thought, but we need more laundry detergent. Along the way, I cleared out two more cabinets (more storage space), threw away a bunch more junk and cleaned up quite a bit, (lots of interesting things behind a dryer).
* Pulled a stack of boxes and other trash out of the garage for heavy pickup.
* Took a pile of stuff down to the recycling box in the shopping center.
* Restacked and inventoried food storage space under the guest bathroom. Threw away a stack of flats the canned food came in and moved several cans to Big Pantry 1.
* Cleaned out Decoy Pantry 1 in kitchen. Nice little stack of ethnic foods and odd ball packages to fool any home invader looking to steal some victuals.
* Dumped all the patio pots into the compost heap along with plenty of table scraps. I have two huge piles for spring fertilizing cooking away.
I had some spare time after this, so I created a few more websites to take advantage of the New Year. Simple subjects like resolutions and how to quit smoking, etc. Hope to start making some extra money (we will all need that in 2009).
I get most of my information from the Internet and so I spend a good amount of time online. I read this little blog post this morning..
I like how these writers cite movies as an example of why survivalism is a waste of time. Rarely do they mention specific real events like Katrina, cold weather emergencies, power outages, 9/11 and other imaginary events which have occurred the last few years.
With the holidays, a number of our fledgling SHTF writers must have some spare time on their hands. New SHTF fiction on AR15, Survivalist Boards, and Y2K. I am sure there is more out there; if you find a good online piece of SHTF fiction, feel free to leave a comment.
Showing posts with label SHTF food supplies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SHTF food supplies. Show all posts
Friday, January 02, 2009
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
SHTF: Starving Children
Here is the standard survivalist line: Provide for me, my family, my select friends who were invited to join us only. The list is closed after that.
Here is the un-standard problem. The next door neighbor comes over three weeks after the event and begs for anything to eat. You know the family; your kids and theirs played together before everything went in the handbasket.
What would you do?
For me, that means "Sure, come on in and let's get them fed". Period.
I won't let a child I know go hungry no more than I would want one of my children to go hungry. What's more is you, me and everyone else does better when we work together within our own community in this case, with our neighbors.
They will be one more set of eyes to watch my back and can do it because I helped feed them.
Now, here are some scenarios where I am not helping anyone.
- Stranger shows up at front door and says "Hey, yall got some food?" or something like that. Sorry, I don't know you and by the way, we are starving in here too. Nope, no food here.
- Dad (or mom) shows up with kids and proceeds to help himself before the children have been served and have eaten their fill. This Dad piles his plate and scarfs it down. Sorry, I take the plate (with gun in hand) and Dad waits outside for kids to get be done.
- Kids balk at eating, complain about the food and demand something different. After pausing to notice Mom's face turning whiter then death, I take the food up and show the little tikes the front door. Mom can teach manners at that point.
Which brings up a real scenario which will happen when you help the neighbors out.
My family and I have had more than a few families over for dinner. My wife cooks from scratch, serves healthy food and there is never a shortage of fresh vegetables at any meal.
Family number one comes over. Little boy says the food my wife places before him is yucky. His mother makes excuses and let's him stuff himself on bread and dessert. Little girl proceeds to drown her food in a half a bottle of ranch dressing and dumps a bowl of parmesian cheese on the whole mess. Than says she is full. Dad comments on how cute she is and let's her play on the floor while he eats three helpings of everything including the last of the pasta and meat without noticing if anyone else has eaten.
Family number two comes over. Children are home schooled by mom, incidentally and have manners which are strangers among today's coddled children. Both Little Girl and Little Boy gorge themselves on my wife's fresh cucumber salad and have two servings each of her homemade soup. Both sit at table while parents are still eating and despite their fondness for the bread my wife made, leave the last piece for my son (who is chastised to give to one of his guests).
Post SHTF you will see both kinds in your home once the stores are empty. Exhibit your Christian kindness, but be prepared to remind people of manners and behavior while eating your hard saved preps.
Ho ho ho. Happy Holidays.
Friday, December 12, 2008
SHTF: Survival Garden
This topic comes up frequently at Prepare and I have written about it before here.
We all know to store food and water and other consumables. But after the balloon goes up, we will go through our stored food. Knowing this, we have been told over and again to plan on growing and harvesting some of our own food.
Unless we live in a rural area surrounded by 5 of more acres, the rest of us are forced to make due with our back and front yards for food production.
Now, if you have never gardened before, you are in for a surprise. I think gardening is easy and fun myself, having been an avid vegetable gardener for more than ten years.
But, if you have never grown anything more than mold in your fridge, gardening food is not easy. Especially if you want to grow enough for a family.
There are numerous websites out there which point out the best way to get started, so I won't repeat the obvious, only the answers to questions people with our mindset want to know.
How much space do I need to have to feed a family of four?
With enough space, year round growing and good soil, a 100 x 200 can feed a family with a few big BUTS thrown in.
- This is vegetables with a few fruits thrown in. No wheat, large amounts of corn and limited potatoes. That means hardly any starches which can be converted to breads and stored.
- Where you live is a big part of it too. For most it means tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and melons in the warm months and carrots, squash, potatoes, in the cool months.
- Colder climates would do well having cold frames or a green house for longer grow times.
- Leafy vegetables can be grown but only during cooler "shoulder" months like early spring and fall - these vegetables do not do well in the hot summer. Grow mustard greens though.
How much space do I need to grow wheat?
Wheat takes a lot of space to grow enough for adequate production yields. A great article in Organic Farming I read about 10 years ago had a backyard farmer producing 75-100 pounds of flour from one acre of wheat. That is a low harvest for a manual (he harvested everything with a scythe to prove he could do it) crop.
So what carbohydrates should I grow?
Corn. Remember though it takes several rows clumped together to pollinate - i know because of my crop this summer.
Also, corn loves water - pray for rain or have a good supply on hand in the survival garden.
Also, potatoes. Plant them in a raised 3x8 bed about 12" deep at least. Have plenty of enriched (compost) soil. After they grow tall greens, bury everything in 6-12" of straw. In this situation, you can harvest as many as 100-200 potatoes (I have done this before).
What about this Mel Bartholomew book all the preppers talk about?
Here it is, All New Square Foot Gardening
. Prep writers love to cite it but I don't know if they have used it.
The idea behind square foot gardening is to create a producing garden in a limited amount of space. It is done using a grid, built and placed over a garden area. Seeds or seedlings are placed within each section of the grid and cultivated. Bartholomew's website has several examples of success stories using Square Foot Gardening.
Minimal gardening does work, people in other countries have done it for years. I remember seeing small gardens all over Europe when i was stationed there. Old and young alike worked the backyard plots and produced beautiful produce. They have to because they have so little land to work and the prices are high.
But you have to practice with this method of agriculture first.
Can I grow fruit trees?
Yes, but they take years to produce fruits. Most fruit trees require more than one tree for pollination. There are dwarf fruit trees, but read the fine print on those you purchase online. Sometimes they are 2-3 years from producing fruit. Bottom line - an orchard of producing fruit trees take years from planting to production. Also, fruit trees require lots of care and maintenance.
Try growing melons and berries in the meantime. Both can be grown in one season.
After the SHTF, where am I going to get fertilizer and chemicals to treat my plants once my stocks run out?
From the same place our forefathers did. First, build a compost heap now. Compost is a natural fertilizer that no self-respecting farmer does without. Take some chicken wire and fence off a 4X4 area. Put leaves, then soil, then kitchen waste (vegetable and fruit peelings, eggs shells, coffee grounds, etc. but no grease, meat or people/dog/cat waste) in layers. Keep somewhat moist and turn once a week or so.
If pests (rats or mice) show up in the heap, move it to a closed container. I use an old trashcan with a lid and it works great for me.
Also, google Dirt Doctor for Howard Garrett's organic methods for fertilizer and pest control. Most of the supplies can be bought now cheaply and last forever. Others can be obtained naturally long after the SHTF.
Also, many garden pests can be controlled by our egg and meat machines - chickens, goose and ducks.
What do I do in the winter?
Some edibles grow fine in the winter. Kale, garlic, onions. Also, google cold frame and put a couple together on the patio during cold months. Or bring a container garden inside and place by a window.
Don't forget to grow herbs! Sure they make food taste better, but some have medicinal properties. Herbs can be grown in containers easily.
Finally, learn how to store what you grow. Too many gardeners toss or giveaway their surplus during the summer months. Canning and drying brings the bounty of summer home in the winter. Besides, after the SHTF, you won't be tossing anything out I am guessing.
Plan on starting some gardening now in the winter with a window sill garden. During the winter, measure out and plan on garden spaces around your home. Start with a 6x6 area, build, plant in the spring and then build another. By the summer, you should have 3 or 4 of these producing beds around your home. Cover the patio with containers full of herbs, tomatoes, and peppers. Use a side yard running on the east side of your home for a 3 row spread of corn.
Whatever you decide to do, make your plans now, buy the seeds and tools and get busy. By this time next year, having a home garden may be your best bet for fresh produce and food in the troubled future.
Get your non-hybrid garden seeds here now!
We all know to store food and water and other consumables. But after the balloon goes up, we will go through our stored food. Knowing this, we have been told over and again to plan on growing and harvesting some of our own food.
Unless we live in a rural area surrounded by 5 of more acres, the rest of us are forced to make due with our back and front yards for food production.
Now, if you have never gardened before, you are in for a surprise. I think gardening is easy and fun myself, having been an avid vegetable gardener for more than ten years.
But, if you have never grown anything more than mold in your fridge, gardening food is not easy. Especially if you want to grow enough for a family.
There are numerous websites out there which point out the best way to get started, so I won't repeat the obvious, only the answers to questions people with our mindset want to know.
How much space do I need to have to feed a family of four?
With enough space, year round growing and good soil, a 100 x 200 can feed a family with a few big BUTS thrown in.
- This is vegetables with a few fruits thrown in. No wheat, large amounts of corn and limited potatoes. That means hardly any starches which can be converted to breads and stored.
- Where you live is a big part of it too. For most it means tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and melons in the warm months and carrots, squash, potatoes, in the cool months.
- Colder climates would do well having cold frames or a green house for longer grow times.
- Leafy vegetables can be grown but only during cooler "shoulder" months like early spring and fall - these vegetables do not do well in the hot summer. Grow mustard greens though.
How much space do I need to grow wheat?
Wheat takes a lot of space to grow enough for adequate production yields. A great article in Organic Farming I read about 10 years ago had a backyard farmer producing 75-100 pounds of flour from one acre of wheat. That is a low harvest for a manual (he harvested everything with a scythe to prove he could do it) crop.
So what carbohydrates should I grow?
Corn. Remember though it takes several rows clumped together to pollinate - i know because of my crop this summer.
Also, corn loves water - pray for rain or have a good supply on hand in the survival garden.
Also, potatoes. Plant them in a raised 3x8 bed about 12" deep at least. Have plenty of enriched (compost) soil. After they grow tall greens, bury everything in 6-12" of straw. In this situation, you can harvest as many as 100-200 potatoes (I have done this before).
What about this Mel Bartholomew book all the preppers talk about?
Here it is, All New Square Foot Gardening
. Prep writers love to cite it but I don't know if they have used it. The idea behind square foot gardening is to create a producing garden in a limited amount of space. It is done using a grid, built and placed over a garden area. Seeds or seedlings are placed within each section of the grid and cultivated. Bartholomew's website has several examples of success stories using Square Foot Gardening.
Minimal gardening does work, people in other countries have done it for years. I remember seeing small gardens all over Europe when i was stationed there. Old and young alike worked the backyard plots and produced beautiful produce. They have to because they have so little land to work and the prices are high.
But you have to practice with this method of agriculture first.
Can I grow fruit trees?
Yes, but they take years to produce fruits. Most fruit trees require more than one tree for pollination. There are dwarf fruit trees, but read the fine print on those you purchase online. Sometimes they are 2-3 years from producing fruit. Bottom line - an orchard of producing fruit trees take years from planting to production. Also, fruit trees require lots of care and maintenance.
Try growing melons and berries in the meantime. Both can be grown in one season.
After the SHTF, where am I going to get fertilizer and chemicals to treat my plants once my stocks run out?
From the same place our forefathers did. First, build a compost heap now. Compost is a natural fertilizer that no self-respecting farmer does without. Take some chicken wire and fence off a 4X4 area. Put leaves, then soil, then kitchen waste (vegetable and fruit peelings, eggs shells, coffee grounds, etc. but no grease, meat or people/dog/cat waste) in layers. Keep somewhat moist and turn once a week or so.
If pests (rats or mice) show up in the heap, move it to a closed container. I use an old trashcan with a lid and it works great for me.
Also, google Dirt Doctor for Howard Garrett's organic methods for fertilizer and pest control. Most of the supplies can be bought now cheaply and last forever. Others can be obtained naturally long after the SHTF.
Also, many garden pests can be controlled by our egg and meat machines - chickens, goose and ducks.
What do I do in the winter?
Some edibles grow fine in the winter. Kale, garlic, onions. Also, google cold frame and put a couple together on the patio during cold months. Or bring a container garden inside and place by a window.
Don't forget to grow herbs! Sure they make food taste better, but some have medicinal properties. Herbs can be grown in containers easily.
Finally, learn how to store what you grow. Too many gardeners toss or giveaway their surplus during the summer months. Canning and drying brings the bounty of summer home in the winter. Besides, after the SHTF, you won't be tossing anything out I am guessing.
Plan on starting some gardening now in the winter with a window sill garden. During the winter, measure out and plan on garden spaces around your home. Start with a 6x6 area, build, plant in the spring and then build another. By the summer, you should have 3 or 4 of these producing beds around your home. Cover the patio with containers full of herbs, tomatoes, and peppers. Use a side yard running on the east side of your home for a 3 row spread of corn.
Whatever you decide to do, make your plans now, buy the seeds and tools and get busy. By this time next year, having a home garden may be your best bet for fresh produce and food in the troubled future.
Get your non-hybrid garden seeds here 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!
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.
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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