Seriously thoughtful are you prepared?

[Stitchawl]

Our plan is for 'emergencies' rather than an End-of-the-World survival scenario.
Our 'Three Day Food' supply consists of 12 small packages, each about the size of a paperback book but lighter weight, and fit in the bottom of our daypacks. Each packages serves two, but we both carry 12 just in case. That actually gives us many days each of very comfortable eating and enough to share with others if needed. No need to ration or skimp. All we need to do is heat water and pour into the self-contained package and wait five minutes. Freeze dried Mountaineering food from the neighborhood Camping store:
Beef Teriyaki
Chicken Polynesian
Hearty Stew w/Beef
Honey Lime Chicken
Lasagna w/Meat Sauce
Potatoes & Beef w/onions
Kung Pao Shrimp
Sweet & Sour Pork
Jamaican Chicken w/Rice
Three Bean Chili
Eggs Scrambled w/Ham, Red & Green Peppers
Spinach Cheese Omelette
Eggs Scrambled /w ham
Chocolate Fudge Mousse

Why suffer?
These days one can eat palatable meals (certainly better taste than most MRE's) without the fuss and bother of cooking. While these are not gourmet meals, they taste damn good when backpacking, and will work just fine for emergencies. 5 year shelf life but we usually use them when camping so they get rotated more often.

Stitchawl

[Greg Anos]

Originally Posted by SameOldStory

I've read several places that in the major cities we have about a 3 day supply of food available. Here's the Congressional Record for what it's worth.

But that is probably true only if none of it was damaged and all of the food was distributed evenly. And that's not going to happen.

The main things to consider are cost, convenience, shelf life, ease of preparation (not the same as convenience), caloric content, and volume/satiation. After that personal preferences and variety can be considered.

So what is the cheapest way to "stock up"?

Ramen Noodles - cheaper than dirt when it's on sale. It was designed to be cooked in about 3 minutes even with low heat. Add more water to it to make you feel filled up. I like to stir in an egg just after I turn off the stove.

Macaroni and Cheese - yes, I know, WHAT A TREAT! And then there is the complaint about not having fresh milk and butter. Just wait, that part's coming. This takes longer than the Ramen to cook but is tasty and high in calories. Buy them on sale. But decide which ones you like best before buying a lot of them. Some aren't very good.

Canned foods - Number one rule > only buy what you like to eat. Why? Because you are going to be eating them long before you ever have an emergency. Buy them when they're on sale. Put the purchase date on the can. Later as you buy newer cans, consume the oldest marked cans.

Avoid snacks in plastic bags - Snacks will go bad. Even if they don't "rot", they'll taste bad after a long time. Only snacks in an airtight can should be considered. An exception to the "no plastic bag" rule for me is noodles. I just rotate them more frequently.

Canned Fruit - Even if you don't have children, canned fruit will taste like a luxury.

Bottled water - Not much to say. Just keep a lot more on hand than you think you'll need.


Sundries

Salt, pepper, etc - What ever you like. Side note - Spices may be more valuable than gold. In a prolonged emergency someone may kill for gold, but probably not for oregano. Canned tomato sauce and oregano go well with squirrel.

Coffee, tea, etc. - When I used to backpack I carried chicken and beef bullion, along with instant coffee. All you have to do is heat the water for a filling part of a meal.

Instant "juice" like drinks - Kool Aid type of stuff. Preferably the bulk type, in a jar, as opposed to the packages the make a "pitcher" full. Again, even if you don't have children, this can be a treat. Just find out what you can enjoy warm. I may prefer it cold but I can drink "fruit punch" at room temperature with no problem.


Odds and Ends

Butter flavored Crisco Shortening - It has a 2 year expiration date on the can (when new). An expiration date is the last date that a merchant can sell it. In this case that means that it can sit on your shelf for 2 years and still be OK. At that point you should use it.

So what is it good for? Take a look at margarine. It's made from vegetable oil. The same is true of Crisco shortening. I've used the butter flavored Crisco shortening in cake mixes instead of butter with no odd taste. Use it in place of the butter in macaroni and cheese. Use it to fry that squirrel, too. Best of all, unlike butter, Crisco shortening doesn't have to be refrigerated. And remember it has an unopened shelf life of two years.

Powder Milk - I don't like drinking powdered milk. But it is perfect for use in almost anything that calls for milk. Like macaroni and cheese, cakes, or pancakes.

Flour, yeast, and corn starch - If you don't already know what to do with these items you can always trade them for a can of beans. Maybe.


This is only a short list. If you have tons of money you can spend it on "survival foods" with a 30 year shelf life. If not just buy the things that you already eat when they're on sale and put them in boxes.

I've been out of work for two months due to foot surgery. But I don't have an emergency. I'm doing fine.

Y'all left out honey! It'll last for years, and is a great sugar substitute...

And Don't forget Cocoa powder in your spices...

[wodin]

Originally Posted by SameOldStory

On the other hand, I loved chemistry. That was where I got my potassium nitrate to make my own firecrackers.

Ah yes, good old salt peter. I have fond memories of mixing it with sugar and using it to power home made rockets.

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by SameOldStory

Canned tomato sauce and oregano go well with squirrel...... [SNIP].......... I've used the butter flavored Crisco shortening in cake mixes instead of butter with no odd taste. Use it in place of the butter in macaroni and cheese. Use it to fry that squirrel, too.

Is something going to cause the cows, pigs, chickies, deer, elk, etc. to disappear and force us to eat squirrel? I don't like the taste of squirrel. I want to eat cows and pigs. I don't want to be in your disaster, if that's OK. I'll find my own disaster where there are still cows. Maybe even Angus or Herefords cows. And a pig or two.

Maybe even a McDonalds.


Stitchawl

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

Beautiful list, SOS.

If I could just add............do not store these things in the garage.

Regardless of where you live, your food will suffer heat/cold extremes.

We took a coat closet which was never used (I live in the frickin' desert!) husband added shelves, and it serves as an extra pantry.

Also, I can't over emphasize the importance of water. Whats the first thing to go in an earthquake/tornado/whatever?

Power and water. Even after the water is restored, believe me, you won't like the taste of the boiled water you are forced to use until bacterial levels are safe.

Bleagh!

Yes. Water is very critical, but how much?

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

Is something going to cause the cows, pigs, chickies, deer, elk, etc. to disappear and force us to eat squirrel? I don't like the taste of squirrel. I want to eat cows and pigs. I don't want to be in your disaster, if that's OK. I'll find my own disaster where there are still cows. Maybe even Angus or Herefords cows. And a pig or two.

Maybe even a McDonalds.


Stitchawl

Depends on the nature of the disaster etc.... and what about the mutton?

[bjones6416]

Originally Posted by kennyc

Depends on the nature of the disaster etc.... and what about the mutton?

raises hand

I'll spin the wool and knit us some socks, so let's not eat the sheep until we have to, okay?

(Maybe socks with a special MobileRead logo on the side...)

[SameOldStory]

The problem with eating a cow is a big one (pun very much intended). In a serious emergency/disaster you have to cut it up and keep it from going bad.

If you look back in history you'll see that people, in general, didn't eat large animals much. Except in the larger towns/cities where there would be enough people, with enough money, to make it worthwhile to slaughter a large animal. And when they did, EVERYTHING was used.

In fact, if there were a prolonged emergency where you ran out of food, you might be far better off with a .22 caliber rifle loaded with subsonic ammunition than you would be with a much more powerful, higher caliber, rifle. Forget Mad Max, and think squirrel and rabbit.

Originally Posted by Ralph Sir Edward

Y'all left out honey! It'll last for years, and is a great sugar substitute...

And Don't forget Cocoa powder in your spices...

No. My honey has her own pack.


The whole object of that list is to show that you can put together a supply of food for very little money.

Basically, I have food for 6 months (a little over 4 months left now), water, lighting, an electric generator, some medical supplies (and the knowledge to use them), and other incidentals.

As the food is what I would normally eat, it costs nothing more than I would spend anyway. The gas for the generator gets put in my car, and refilled, about every 2 - 3 months and so cost nothing more, again. The 4,000 Watt generator was the only "big" expense. About $350, on sale of course.

If there is one reason that most people don't have an emergency supply it is probably because they don't want to think about needing it. But it really doesn't have to be a big expense.

Being prepared means comfort and some security from want. Think of it as house or car insurance. You would be pretty dumb not to have those, right?


PS - Everyone who was a Boy Scout (or Girl Scout) raise your hand.

Hand raised.

[kindlekitten]

Originally Posted by kennyc

Depends on the nature of the disaster etc.... and what about the mutton?

I loathe mutton

Originally Posted by SameOldStory

The problem with eating a cow is a big one (pun very much intended). In a serious emergency/disaster you have to cut it up and keep it from going bad.

If you look back in history you'll see that people, in general, didn't eat large animals much. Except in the larger towns/cities where there would be enough people, with enough money, to make it worthwhile to slaughter a large animal. And when they did, EVERYTHING was used.

In fact, if there were a prolonged emergency where you ran out of food, you might be far better off with a .22 caliber rifle loaded with subsonic ammunition than you would be with a much more powerful, higher caliber, rifle. Forget Mad Max, and think squirrel and rabbit.

No. My honey has her own pack.

The whole object of that list is to show that you can put together a supply of food for very little money.

Basically, I have food for 6 months (a little over 4 months left now), water, lighting, an electric generator, some medical supplies (and the knowledge to use them), and other incidentals.

As the food is what I would normally eat, it costs nothing more than I would spend anyway. The gas for the generator gets put in my car, and refilled, about every 2 - 3 months and so cost nothing more, again. The 4,000 Watt generator was the only "big" expense. About $350, on sale of course.

If there is one reason that most people don't have an emergency supply it is probably because they don't want to think about needing it. But it really doesn't have to be a big expense.

Being prepared means comfort and some security from want. Think of it as house or car insurance. You would be pretty dumb not to have those, right?


PS - Everyone who was a Boy Scout (or Girl Scout) raise your hand.Hand raised.

unless you know how to process the meat!


there is a lot in your list I wouldn't eat. I cook most everything from scratch as it is, so I guess I am always pretty well stocked up

raises both hands! I was an Explorer Scout (Boy Scout Program which accepts girls over the age of 14) and not only was, but still am a Girl Scout

[kindlekitten]

Originally Posted by kennyc

Yes. Water is very critical, but how much?

that really depends. how many animals do you have, how frugal can you be? I keep at least 50 gallons of "grey water" (used juice bottles) primarily for flushing the toilet. the toilet rules go on the "if it's yellow let it mellow, it it's brown flush it down" as soon as the power goes out (and even those rules have variables). you then have to think about how many humans will be consuming water, what you might be able to retrieve from the elements, how many animals are consuming, how often you may need to "bathe" and so on.

while I've been on "survival" expeditions where we were on a pint of water a day, that is NOT very healthy. you have to guage where your body is comfortable, and what your basic needs are. if you roll them all together, planning for at least a gallon a day for ALL needs (conservative needs) for a healthy adult is a good rule of thumb. young, old, and infirm will drastically alter that amount

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by kennyc

Depends on the nature of the disaster etc.... and what about the mutton?

That really IS the crux of the planning. Do you plan for a few days power outage or do you plan for an End-of-Civilization disaster? Do you plan to remain in your own home, or move to an area easier for survival? Not many apartment dwellers worry about keeping enough water for a stable full of horses, or have space for a room full of food for a family of four for six months. Farm dwellers need to consider the needs of the farm animals. Apartment dwellers need to consider the needs of perhaps a cat, dog or hamster.

In the past several hundred years there have only been several week long natural disaster emergencies in civilized countries where food and water have been problematic (other than war times) Flood, earthquake, snow or ice storm, hurricane, etc. With the exception of the hurricane flooding in New Orleans, neither the US nor Europe has suffered long term disaster food shortages. A week gets to be a news-worthy long term situation.

Over in the Survival forums they are all planing for 'the big one' and stocking up with a year's worth of food for each member of the family. In the knife forums they are discussing 'zombie choppers' to deal with that very serious problem. Personally, I learned how to knap flint into arrowheads, axes, and knives so that I can corner the market on them when the next ice age hits and we all have to move into caves and eat mastodons, and wooley mammoths.

What do you suppose the emergency will be that you must prepare for? My wife and I prepare for earthquakes because they occur frequently where we live. We prepare for hostage taking because we frequent areas where hostages are taken. (If we were smarter we'd stop going to those areas. ) We don't prepare for zombies and we may just live to regret it. At least, that's what the guys in the knife forums told us.

Edit: Oh... we will be very happy to eat the mutton. But even happier to eat lamb. .As for waste eating large animals... it's doubtful there would be much waste. Too many hungry people to feed.

Stitchawl

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by SameOldStory

The problem with eating a cow is a big one (pun very much intended). In a serious emergency/disaster you have to cut it up and keep it from going bad.

..... SNIP.....

Forget Mad Max, and think squirrel and rabbit.

Basically, I have food for 6 months

PS - Everyone who was a Boy Scout (or Girl Scout) raise your hand.

Hand raised.

What sort of emergency are you planning for?
Where someone would need to hunt squirrels in order to eat? Or need to store enough food for six months?

I was a Sea Scout. Does that count?


Stitchawl

[ShortNCuddlyAm]

Originally Posted by astra

I understand all of it. Maybe I have read about it or seen on TV, but it sounds so bizarre to a town rat Seeing actual people talking about it seriously, that is when you realise it is not a game anymore, it is a real life situation for many.

I live in the suburbs at present. Seeing the way people panic-buy when there's any kind of whiff of a shortage (fuel, food when the shops will be completely closed for a day, etc), I'd sooner be prepared than not - I'm not pinning my hopes on there being anything on the shelves beyond day 1 of any emergency.

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

Is something going to cause the cows, pigs, chickies, deer, elk, etc. to disappear and force us to eat squirrel? I don't like the taste of squirrel. I want to eat cows and pigs. I don't want to be in your disaster, if that's OK. I'll find my own disaster where there are still cows. Maybe even Angus or Herefords cows. And a pig or two.

Maybe even a McDonalds.


Stitchawl

Depends where the disaster is. There aren't many cows etc near here for example, but there are quite a few squirrels. And trout in the river - just remembered that. I also forgot about the river as a source of water (suitably purified).

Having to rely on McDonalds sounds like a disaster

[SameOldStory]

From post #9

Originally Posted by SameOldStory

Disaster! OK, disaster isn't always that dramatic. Sure, the world may revert back to barbarous times with millions dying. But more often than not "disaster" just means inconvenience. You lose you job or something.

Although I haven't lost my job, I am out of work for 4 to 6 months due to foot surgery. With it being my right foot, I can't even drive. Between the money and food that I've saved up it is NOT an emergency. That is a benefit of being prepared.

At 20 - 30 I needed no medical insurance. Now every little bit helps.

Ask yourself if a 4 to 6 month disability would be an emergency or an inconvenience.

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

Is something going to cause the cows, pigs, chickies, deer, elk, etc. to disappear and force us to eat squirrel? I don't like the taste of squirrel. I want to eat cows and pigs. I don't want to be in your disaster, if that's OK. I'll find my own disaster where there are still cows. Maybe even Angus or Herefords cows. And a pig or two.

Maybe even a McDonalds.


Stitchawl

Actually, I recently finished a book that starts out with a zombie cow eating someone’s ear?

[astrangerhere]

So many of these suggestions seem to imply no loss of power. I grew up in the country, and the power was usually the first thing to go. All well and good when I was with my parents and open fire or large grills were readily available. More of a problem now that my partner and I live in a town that doesnt allow grills on decks of townhouses.

Honestly, I'm not sure what we'd do, but you can bet I'm thinking about it now.