30 day food shopping list

I don't think the current "American Hiroshima" threat is credible, for a number of reasons. However, I'm not really willing to bet on it. And even if this particular threat is not credible, I have little doubt that a similar threat eventually will be. So I've decided to take preparation a bit more seriously.

We are two adults and a one year old. Typically, we make a major trip to the supermarket once a month or so. So at any given time, we have between a week and a month supply of normal groceries. There's always something we run out of (notably milk), but in general, we could eat normally for that length of time.

In addition, we do have some "preps," although I've never been too methodical about it. It's mostly rice, and I suspect it would last a couple of months. But I'm really not sure, and I've never given a lot of thought to it, other than buying a big bag of this or that.

So as a starting point, I decided to compile a shopping list of what we would need for one month. I intend to buy this today, and keep adding to it. For two or three months, I'll just buy more of the same. Beyond that, I'll fine tune it a little bit (for example, replace the crackers with equal amounts of oatmeal or rice, replace canned meat with more beans, etc.)

But to come up with this list, I prepared menus for six breakfasts, six lunches, and six suppers. My aim was for about 4000 calories per day (not including the milk). In addition, the one year old would need about a quart of milk per day. I picked 6 days to add at least some variety. I picked foods that we eat at least sometimes. These can then be rotated into our daily meals. Anythink leftover and approaching its expiration date can be donated to a food shelf and replaced.

Then, I added up the amounts of ingredients for those 18 meals. I multiplied the resulting quantities by 5 to get a month supply.

As noted above, other food is available, so some minor gaps can be filled. (For example, we do have relatively large amounts of spices, etc., so I didn't include them here). But in general, the idea was to come up with a self-sufficient list that we could subsist on if necessary.

Also, only foods are listed here (with the exception of the bleach). You have to start somewhere. And most other categories are fairly well covered, although I intend to do the same kind of thing for other categories as well.

Please let me know if I have any major gaps here!

SHOPPING LIST FOR 30 DAYS

Oatmeal 3 lbs.
Tang 30 qts. (1 1/2 large cans)
Canned Fruit 10 cans
Pancake mix 3 lbs.
Cereal 2 boxes
Spam 15 cans
Soup 15 cans
Crackers 7 boxes
Drink Mix 60 qts. (6 28 oz. cans)
Beans 6 lbs.
Rice 5 lbs.
Deviled ham 5 cans
Peanut butter 3 cans
Mashed potato 3 lbs.
Jello 5 boxes
Pasta 2 1/2 lbs.
Spagh. sauce 5 cans
Mayonaise 2 jars
Tuna 5 cans
Milk 30 qts.*
Coffee 2 lbs.
Oil 1 bottle
Salt 1 lb.
Sugar 1 lb.
Bleach 1 gal.

*-Most of this will be powdered milk. However, since we rarely use that but sometimes use evaporated and condensed milk for baking, part of the first month's supply will be canned. Subsequent months will be mostly dry.

How about some:

1. Jelly, jam, or preserves.

2. Canned Veggies

3. Some kind of bread you could either freeze or take out of the freezer (no power) and have for several days, like -- pita bread or bagels?

4. Chips of some kind.

5. A few boxes of cookies. You may get bored with no sweets on your list.

http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=001t8A

14 days to prep.....


RC I can say, without betraying any confidences, that the American GOVERNMENT takes it VERY seriously, and considers it VERY credible. To the point of doing a LOT of things that aren't making it to the radar screen of many folks....

There is much sleep being lost, many travel miles being logged, much computer time being burned, and much very finicky tech being assembled on a RUSH basis and installed in some very logical places.

and very good people working VERY hard on a task set that they fear they cannot complete in time.

Though they haven't closed the borders yet, I know... but they are DAMNED concerned.

More specific I can't get but I am convinced.

And for the link averse, here it is without the richness of the linked locations and data:



INTRODUCTION

Preparing for the risks associated with Y2K can be an overwhelming project. If you have just learned about the late start and slow progress of profitable and government organizations in dealing with their Y2K technology problems. Though there is not much time for those who would like to get ready, newbies need to "prep smart"; it is important that they concentrate first on the basics of survival): shelter, heat, water, and food. Without these first things, one's chances of surviving can be reduced to hours (depending on weather and temperature). Focusing on getting the basics done is also a lot easier than thinking about and shopping for everything that might make life more comfortable in an emergency. Once these essentials are completed, proceed quickly to the second order of preparations: light, self-defense, entertainment, investment, etc. In this order, you will proceed from first things to the second order with less anxiety about your safety and the safety of family, friends, and neighbors.

In this message, I cover the following topics and subtopics:

First Things
Heat
Water
Food
Mapping out your wishes, goals, and budget
Cheeping
As in "being cheap," stretching your budget, and having money for lots of other things that you may want to include in your personal preparations including an Aladdin Oil Lamp, Bug Out Bag, and some other things too.
There is a total of seven topics and subtopics (including the introduction) and each topic should take less than three (3) minutes to read. Generally speaking, there is a lot to cover in terms of preparing fully for Y2K. In fact, it is too much to cover in one thread (and expect someone to read that in one sitting). This message won't cover everything you need to know. My intention here is to help you think about these topics and develop a plan of action for making preparations or helping someone else make preparations as quickly as possible.

The minimum of preparation should be for 14 days for you, your family, your pets, and whoever you know that may come to depend upon you in hard times. This 14 day recommendation is based on an assumption that in the event that Y2K risks become very real catastrophes, public shelters may be organized by local governments, Red Cross, and Fema within a two week period. You should also check with local Y2K community groups that (1) may help you understand the specific risks of local services and (2) provide information about the robustness or inadequacy of local emergency preparations. Alternately, you may decide to prepare in such a way that you do not need to evacuate to a public shelter in the event that your local area is hit hard. Many people on this forum are making such preparations.

FIRST THINGS

Shelter, Heat, Water, Food, and Health. Without these first things, your chances of survival can be reduced to hours. Most people have a shelter (they can "shelter in place" at their house, apartment, etc. In there is risk of a catastrophe, you should make plans for a fall back shelter. Such plans may include any or several of the following: seeking a public shelter (contact your local Red Cross unit and find out what locations are designated as future Y2K shelters), going to a neighbor or relative's home, or bugging out (leaving your local area and going elsewhere). If the extent of a disaster is such that you will be bugging out, quickly coordinate your bug out plans with others in your local area, outer lying areas, and elsewhere. Another topic that is not well covered in this thread is health. Hopefully, you are aware of potential risks to your life and health that may be effected by failures. If you depend on prescription medicines, machines, or other medical services, plan and act upon your needs. Some suggest that a three month or more supply of critical prescription medicines is prudent.

First Things: Heat: Introduction

Heat may or may not be a serious concern. It depends on several factors. Where do you live now or plan to be and how cold does the weather get, how well insulated is your house, and how much air gets in and out of your house. Where I live it seems to rarely get down to 20 degrees (30 being freezing). Still, I find that my body temperature drops when I sleep and I am uncomfortable to sleep in less than 50 degrees with a good down comforter. I want to stay warm. The solution or solutions you develop will vary according to the duration of potential disruptions. Potentially- How long could the power be out, how long would you weather persisting power outages in your home, and where will you be? I am told that over time, your body will adjust to colder temperatures (some number of degrees less than you normally prefer). But can you adjust in less than 14 days?

First Things: Heat: Keeping Warm

There are many ways to keep warm: wear warm clothing, wrap yourself in blankets, and fire up a stove or heater that does not rely on natural gas or electricity. Wood stoves are the most expensive option; warm clothes are the cheapest solution. If you get a wood stove, you will also have to get the firewood, chop it up, and stack it. This could be a $US 2000 or more proposition. A propane stove or kerosene heater are more affordable (usually not more than $US 250), but require adequate ventilation. Thus, they may reduce the heating effectiveness of the fuel and require more fuel to balance out the loss of heat through ventilation. Some kerosene lamps may keep you warm in a tight space (like a bathroom) such as an Aladdin Incandescent Oil Lamp. Wool blankets (Pendleton and Hudson's Bay Company are among the best) and even medium weight down comforters may help you get through high 20 and 30 degree nights. For clothes, wool is fantastic and the other popular insulating materials used in snow suits (Goretex), winter, ski, and snow mobile jackets, etc. But don't forget long underwear (silk long underwear from L.L.Bean is outstanding), socks (liners and heavy socks), and hats that cover your ears.

First Things: Heat: Links

Brian's Preparation Archives: Posts on Heating
http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=000rye

Five essentials to getting the most out of your woodpile
http://hearth.com/what/essentials.html

Chimney Safety Institute of America
http://www.csia.org

http://www.chimneys.com
http://www.chimneys.com

http://www.oillamp.com
http://www.oillamp.com


First Things: Water: Introduction

According to the experts, most people can go three days without water. Years ago, I had a hard time of it on a hike in the Sierras. After about 4 hours from my last gulp of canteen water, I realized that I had been dehydrated before starting out. I was so desperate that I drank right out of a stream and was very lucky not to come down with anything. From now on, keep hydrated. That means a minimum of eight cups of water (not including what's in the caffeinated drinks and sodas that you drink). You'll also need to figure out how much water you need to store up, how to have access to it (well or whatever), or how to filter and/or distill potable water. Will you have water for 14 days?

First Things: Water: Health

According to the World Health Organization, contaminated water is the largest health problem in the world. Throughout the world, 50,000 human beings die every day to waterborne disease. The Center for Disease Control estimates that 1,000,000 people in the United States of America suffer health problems caused by microbiologically contaminated water each year. In the U.S., an average 1,000 people die every year from water-related diseases. Furthermore, waterborne gastrointestinal infections account for 80% of all diseases in the world. Health-related problems from chemical contamination is also a serious problem. Biological and chemical water-related health problems are expected to dramatically increase around the world as public water treatment centers seem likely to be temporarily disabled by Y2K technology failures.

The three natural biological water-related health threats are bacteria, viruses, and protozoa-- all of which are generally invisible to the unaided human eye. Bacteria are one-celled organisms that generally vary from 0.2 and 1.5 microns (maximum 10 microns). The most common waterborne bacteria which cause infections include: typhoid, para-typhoid, dysentery, colibacillosis, and cholera. Viruses vary in size from 0.1 to 0.004 microns. While most a virus can pass through the smallest filter, viruses tend to adhere to particles in the water. Many filters can filter out these virus-carrying particles. Common water-borne viral infections include hepatitis, yellow fever, and poliomyelitis. Protozoa are one-celled animals; they vary in size from 10 to 100 microns. They can be carried by insects or in the form of cysts when outside of the human or animal organism. Water-borne protozoans that cause disease include amoeba, giardia, cryptosporidium, and malaria.

Chemicals (found in tap or well water) that may cause health-related problems include toxic chemicals, heavy metals, and common radionuclides. Among the toxic chemicals are trialomethanes, PCB, PCE, detergents, and pesticides. Some heavy metals to be concerned about may include aluminum, asbestos, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, and mercury. A common radionuclide such as Radon 222 may be found in some well water in areas where Radon is a problem.

First Things: Water: How much?

The experts say that you need one gallon of water per day. I say that the number of gallons you need will vary according to how long you guess that water will be out, how long you will weather out persisting water outages in your home, and what you'll do if you bug out. Let's start with 14 days of water after which we would assume that the worst was over. Some of you will be amazed at how much water you would want to have stored. Guess how much water you go through in an average day. And just because you don't do the dishes or laundry doesn't mean that your water use isn't many, many gallons.

You'll need water for everyone in your house and whoever joins you for the following: drinking, bathing, washing dishes, flushing toilets, and possibly washing some clothes like undergarments. Figure on one gallon per person per day for drinking and washing dishes, 5 gallons per day per flush, and about 5 gallons per day for a light load of hand-washed undergarments. Therefore, a party of five flushing the toilet three times per day and washing a small number of undergarments will need to store a total of 350 gallons of water (stored in seven 55 gallon barrels).

70 gallons for drinking and washing dishes
210 gallons for flushing the toilets
70 gallons for clothes washing.

First Things: Water: Water Storage

Depending on where you live (house or apartment and city, suburb, or country), your access to water and storage capacity will vary. 350 gallons of water (stored in 55 gallon barrels in different rooms) will be about the maximum for second or higher floor apartments. Roughly, it is about 2,800 pounds of weight on that floor -- not to mention all your other stuff. If you are in a house or have a house with some yard, storage is less a problem and allows you several options: pond, above ground kiddy pool, well, etc. Let's say that the average cost of very large water storage solutions is about $US 1.00 per gallon. Generally, 55 gallon barrels for food and water storage can be obtained for less than $US 10.00 each from a soda, juice, or other beverage bottling plant. You may also want to pick up a PYTHON which is used by aquarium enthusiasts for filling and draining big aquariums. The PYTHON attaches to a kitchen sink spout and comes in a number of different lengths. It can also be rigged to redirect water from a barrel to other things without electricity. However, you will need good water pressure.

First Things: Water: Water Treatment

There is much debate about treating tap water (if you get city water) for storage. So check with your water provider and find out if you need to add bleach. There are also other chemical agents used to treat water for biological contaminants, but I would stick to bleach (chlorine) or use a filter. Dry chlorine, also called calcium hypochlorite has the added benefit of extended shelf life. Providing it is kept dry, cool and in an airtight container, it may be stored up to 10 years with minimal degradation. If you want to keep chlorine in larger quantities, this is the item to store (according to Bingo1). It must be ONLY 65% calcium hypochlorite, no additional anti-fungals or clarifiers. There are a variety of filters on the market. The Katadyn and Doulton-type filters generally provide "mechanical" type protection against Crytosporidium, Gardia, cysts, and spores. Filters that use carbon may be helpful as a chemical filter, but generally the run of the mill carbon-based filters have a short life and become a fantastic breeding ground for micro-organisms. In most cases, it is a good idea to boil your water for 5 to 10 minutes after it has been treated with bleach or filtered.

In an EXTREMELY well-ventilated area, (Hint: OUTSIDE!) add and dissolve one heaping teaspoon of high-test granular calcium hypochlorite (approximately 1/4 ounce) in two gallons of water, thus creating a liquid bleach solution which is the approximate equivalent of "Clorox" & other off-the-shelf bleach products. This solution can then be used to sanitize water as necessary. Five pounds of dry pool bleach (costing about $10-15) will make 640 gallons of stock bleach solution which will treat 640,000 gallons of clear water, or 320,000 gallons of cloudy water.

You can also get a filter such as those used by the Red Cross and other organizations such as the hand pump Katadyn, the British Berkefield Water Can, or the Seychelle Personal Water Filtration System. Katadyn and Doulton-type water filters can get very expensive, very fast. The hand pump Katadyn and Berkefield water can generally retail for $US 250.00. On the other hand, you can take a filter with you... but not a well or several 55 gallons filled with water (each filled 55 gallon barrel weighs about 440 pounds). There are less expensive filters that generally use the same filter as the more expensive units. If you are interested in these less expensive filter units, you might consider the Seychelle Personal Water Filtration System. The Seychelle or equivalent come as plastics bottles or canteens and are good for 200 gallons. These are affordable (about $US 25) and may be ideal for your 14 day preparations or bug out bag.

First Things: Water: General Links

Brian's Preparation Archives: Posts on Water
http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=000vFW

Does anyone know where I can get the best price on water drums? An Older Forum Post.
http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=000VTq

Small problem with my 2 liter bottle water storage. An older Forum Post.
http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=000iLs

First Things: Water: Storage Links

Harvested Rainwater
http://www.greenbuilder.com/sourcebook/RainwaterGuide1.html

Storing Water
http://www.millennium-ark.net/News_Files/LTAH_Water_Store(3).html

How and where to Store Water
http://members.aol.com/keninga/water.htm

Collecting Rainwater
http://www.pol.com/people/jrobbins/roofrain.html

watertanks.com
http://www.watertanks.com/main.html

First Things: Water: Treatment Links

EPA: Emergency Disinfection of Drinking Water
http://www.epa.gov/OGWDW/faq/emerg.html

Purifying Water
http://www.millennium-ark.net/News_Files/LTAH_Water_Pure(2).html

Basic Survival Rain Water Filter System
http://www.baproducts.com/rainwatr.htm

The Solar Puddle
http://www.accessone.com/~sbcn/puddle.htm

Solar Water Distillation - Stills
http://www.solardome.com/SolarDome84.html

Water Purification - Links from RMSG
http://www.artrans.com/rmsg/water/pureh2o.htm





-- Stan Faryna (faryna@groupmail.com), November 30, 1999
Answers
CONTINUED

First Things: Food: Introduction

While some can continue to exist up to a month without food (and possibly suffer irreversible internal damage and health problems for the rest of their life), most people don't like to skip more than one meal. They can get quite cranky about it. Without power, the refrigerator and freezer food will go bad. If the grocery store shelves are empty, you'll be glad that you filled up your pantry, basement or whatever. In fact, you should plan on nutritiously balanced meals that are rich in calories, vitamins, nutrients, and other essential things -- while you can make such preparations.

Once you have a handle on the nutritional requirements of your people, pets, and guests, you can figure out how this works out in terms of canned/dehydrated foods and specific foods that you, your family, your pets, and your guests normally eat. Be fully aware of food allergies and preferences. While it may seem that you have enough food in the cupboard or pantry right now to feed you and yours, please do not underestimate the general unpleasantness of people and animals that do not eat well during a time of high stress. In fact, it is unlikely that you have 84 sixteen ounce cans of everyone's favorite vegetables right now. 84 sixteen ounce cans of vegetables is about what a family of six needs for 14 days in regard to the daily recommended consumption of vegetables according to USDA guidelines).

First Things: Food: Calories and Nutrition

According to the USDA Food Pyramid, the daily ratio of servings of different food groups looks like this:

Fats, oils and sweets (sparingly, but it is necessary)
Milk, yogurt, and cheese group (2-3 servings)
Meat, poultry, fish, dry beans, eggs, and nuts group (2-3 servings)
Vegetable group (3-5 servings)
Fruit Group (2-4 servings)
Bread, cereal, rice, and pasta group (6-11 servings).
The USDA makes the following recommendations for caloric intake:

1,600 calories is about right for many sedentary women and some older adults
2,200 calories is about right for most children, teenage girls, active women, and many sedentary men. Women who are pregnant or breast feeding may need somewhat more calories.
2,800 calories is about right for teen-age boys, many active men, and some very active women."
These caloric level recommendations were based on findings of the National Academy of Sciences and on caloric intakes reported by people in national food consumption surveys. Those that have pets will have a better idea of what amounts and kinds of foods are appropriate for their pets, therefore I am avoiding specific recommendations on nutrition and calorie requirements of animals. If you own pets, you may not be able to bring your pets to a public shelter. If facilities for pets have been set up, your pets may be kept separately in a stressful and infectious containment area. Therefore, you may decide on sheltering in place (in your home) or elsewhere and will need to make the appropriate preparations for more than 14 days.

My two large breed puppies will each consume about one pound of dry food, one pound of wet food per day, and other treats and vitamin/mineral supplements. 14 days of food preps for them would include two 20 pound bags of their favorite kibble, two cases of their favorite canned dog food, one dozen biscuits, one dozen pig ears, one 12 ounce bottle of flax oil, and one bottle each of Vitamin C, Glucosamine, and other multi-vitamin capsules. Due to the assumed low priority of pets, pet food, and pet supplies, I personally feel that it is prudent to make adequate pet preparations for a total of 3 months of disruptions though you may only be preparing for 14 days. Such preparations may allow you to forestall potential difficult decisions to put down your pets or let them loose upon your neighbors.



First Things: Food: Cost and Calories

In their preparations for Y2K, some have found that food preps can become very expensive. Even if you buy it on sale, store bought canned food can become very expensive when you try to get the calories to match up with individual requirements. For example, one entire 12 ounce can of green beans on sale at $US .70 may have 80 calories. A mixed can of carrots and peas of the same size and sale price might only have about the same amount of calories. Therefore, if you have a family of six and are feeding each person 2 cans per day for 14 days, that comes out to 168 cans at $US 117.60. This may seem like a lot of food to you, but it only provides 160 calories per day to each person. In other words, you have to make up 1400 to 2600 calories per person in other foods.

One strategy for boosting the total caloric value of your Y2K food stockpiles (without spending a great deal of money) is by including a good store of honey, syrup, pasta, olive oil, and vegetable oil. If you are making pan bread with each meal, for example, load it up with honey or dip it in olive oil. Include several servings of pasta per person at least one meal per day. Consider making lots of pancakes. Fry as much of your food as often as possible-- especially if people are hauling water and chopping wood. It might help to get a southern food-cookstove cook book. Many of those high calorie southern dishes evolved from old slave recipes-- slaves that often were short of food supplies and yet had awesome energy requirements due to their many difficult chores. The food is not rich, filling, and high in calories for no reason.

First Things: Food: Storage

Canned foods have various expiration dates. Typically, a can of vegetables is good for at least two years from the date of its canning. Fruits are typically good for at least one year from the canning date. Grains, sugar, and the like will usually store a year or too in a good bucket that was packed with nitrogen or carbon dioxide. Buckets that include food sealed inside mylar liners are even better. While dehydrated canned foods generally have a shelf life of ten years or better, these processed foods are more valuable for their storage life and vitamin content than their actual calorie content. Of course, the shelf life of both canned foods and dehydrated canned foods will be effected positively or negatively by temperature, exposure to sun light, and moisture. Buy canned foods that you already eat, or start including canned foods in your meals in order to adjust to digestive challenges that may be posed by an intensive canned food diet. While the ideal situation is to both can and dehydrate your own foods, but this is a time-consuming chore. The point is that you know what you like and you know how to make it taste best to you. People that would like to incorporate living foods into their meals, might consider sprouting alfalfa and other seeds.

First Things: Food: Growing and Cooking

Food is a really big subject that includes growing and cooking in addition to storage, nutrition, and caloric requirements. Check out Sally's Y2K Kitchen for more information about cooking and planning Y2K meals. Check out Old Git's posts in the archives for a lot of info on growing things.

First Things: Food: General Links
Brian's Preparation Archives: Posts on Food
http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=000ryq

Brian's Preparation Archives: Posts on Food Storage
http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-one-category.tcl?q_and_a_p=t&a mp;topic=Year+2000+Preparation+Archive&refers_to=NEW&category= Food+Storage+and+Preserving

Brian's Preparation Archives: Posts on Growing Food
http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=000ryo

First Things: Food: Storage Links

The Food Storage FAQs Version 3.0
http://waltonfeed.com/GRAIN/FAQS/Default.htm

Walton Feed Info Page
http://waltonfeed.com/sitemap.html

Solar Food Drying
http://www.epsea.org/dry.html

National Food Safety Database
http://www.foodsafety.org

North Dakota State University Publications
http://ndsuext.nodak.edu/extpubs/foods.htm

Food Preservation Data Base
http://www.enter-2000.com/Tips/food_preserve.htm#basic

Food Storage Life
http://www.glitchproof.com/glitchproof/storlifofgro.html

First Things: Food: Related Books

Suzanne Ashworth, Seed to Seed

Mike and Nancy Bubel, Root Cellaring : Natural Cold Storage of Fruits and Vegetables

Jane Cooper, Woodstove Cookery: At Home on the Range

Barbara W. Ellis (Editor), The Organic Gardener's Handbook of Natural Insect and Disease Control

Carla Emery, Encyclopedia of Country Living

Dan Halacy, Cooking With the Sun : How to Build and Use Solar Cookers

Joseph C. Jenkins, The Humanure Handbook : A Guide to Composting Human Manure

Harriet Kofalk, Solar Cooking : A Primer/Cookbook

John J.Mettler , Jr., Basic Butchering of Livestock & Game

James Talmage Stevens, Making the Best of Basics: Family Preparedness Handbook

Steven Thomas, et al., Backyard Livestock : Raising Good Natural Food for Your Family


MAPPING OUT YOUR WISHES, GOALS, AND BUDGET

Time is short and your cash and credit may be in short supply too. With 30 or so days left to 00, you do not have much time to research and understand the arguments expressing optimism and pessimism in regard to the risks associated with Y2K. How will you complete the first phase of your Y2K preparations? You know, first things. It's likely that you won't complete your preparations, if you don't do it smartly. Prep smartly: start with a pencil or pen and some paper. Map out what you need, define practical goals, and develop a budget. I know you can do it in your head, but you may not remember everything in a day or much less a week. The first thing to do (once you have your list) is "x" out all the things you want to need, but do not apply to the immediate survival and health of you, your family, and any others.

CHEEPING

You know what you need (you wrote it down on paper), you know how much each category is generally going to cost (you wrote this down too), and you are ready to go out and spend your hard-earned cash. Depending on how much personal time you have to hunt down a good bargain and how much money you can afford to spend, you may want to hunt for deals. On the other hand, time is running short for getting your preparations done in time for a New Year's Party.

TOP 11 PLACES TO GET THINGS CHEAP OR FOR FREE

Number 11. Ebay (non-electric music boxes, used Hudson Bay Company 100% wool blankets, etc.)

Number 10. BJs, Big Lots, Costco, Kmart, Sam's Club, and Walmart (canned food and more)

Number 9. Sales at the local grocery or other stores (canned food and more: most yourdonites)

Number 8. Estate Sales (fireplace inserts, wood stoves, garden tools, firewood)

Number 7. Yard/ Moving Sale (gas-kerosene cans, kerosene heaters, firewood, and more)

Number 6. Public Storage Auctions

Number 5. Dollar Store

Number 4. Soda, juice, and food plant-factory (55 gallon food grade barrels)

Number 3. Store and Restaurant Dumpsters (food containers and more)

Number 2. Local Dump and Junk Yards (canning jars and lids)

Number 1. Your local Y2K nut (they'll have water, food, heat, and more: Y2K Pro) "Just be sure you contact the appropriate authorities to confiscate their guns and ammunitions, first."

Got any other ideas for the top ten cheapest places to get stuff? Send me an email at info@giglobal.com.

Cheeping: Link

Best Preparation Buys: A Recent Forum Message
http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=000xBy

Cooperative Preps: Cooperative Buys on Y2K Preparations
http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=00 1YZS

additional links

Girl Scout's on Y2K preparations
http://www.girlscouts.org/girls/Why/Y2K/Y2K.htm
(contributed by FM)

Which Are Your Favorite Y2K Preparation Checklists? (For The New GI): A good forum thread
http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=000shh
(contributed by Diane J. Squire)

Scanning Reference
www.panix.com/~clay/scanning/index.html
All the frequencies (by state) that you need. Also has military, federal, space shuttle,
satellites, railroad, aircraft, etc.
(contributed by flb)


If you would like to print this essay and send it to someone you care about, please do.


Good luck to you all, and God bless you.

Sincerely,
Stan Faryna
faryna@groupmail.com

Disclaimer

This document is created and designed to provide information on the Year 2000 computer date problem. It is provided with the understanding that neither Stan Faryna or any other contributors to this document are engaged in rendering legal, accounting, investment, spiritual, or other professional services or advice. Persons needing such advice are advised to seek private and personal counsel. The author and contributors are providing certain information that is, at the time presented, believed to be an accurate portrayal of facts. All information should be used as a general guide only and not as the ultimate source of information. The author and contributors shall not be liable and/or responsible to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused, or alleged to be caused, directly or indirectly, by any information provided.


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-- Stan Faryna (faryna@groupmail.com), November 30, 1999.

Yes that REALLY is "Stan's 14 days of SPAM"

now we'll see who remembers it.....

(we lovingly refer to it aws Stan's 14 days of SPAM" because people were ticked that he was posting it about every 3 days, or so.

The folks who were bitching were unaware (because they chose to be) that the MODS at the time ASKED Stan to post it that often....)

I would add:
-gravy, canned, packaged or chicken/beef stock
-soups

how about toilet paper,
cloth diapers, plastic pants, pins

do you have dish soap, laundry soap, shampoo
toothpaste
maybe 5# sugar, honey
some sweets, brownie mixes--comfort foods would be real helpful

might want to double the beans, rice and oats
flour for bread or baking mix, baking powder, baking soda, some packages of yeast

check out the 'scotch broth' recipe--it is very cheap to make 25# of, can store in bags or a bucket and 1 cup dry will feed 4 adults. i think this is a tremendous thing to keep on hand. you can flavor it with broth, soups, meat, anything. it is delicious! im convinced it will be a lifesaver.

maybe double the bleach?

and never underestimate the power of a bottle of brandy.

its great your are making a plan. i wish you the best of luck and happy prepping!


jazzy

Thank you for the link and the voluminous quote.

But thanks especially for the specific suggestions.

I was thinking about jelly or jam, so I've added that to my list. Also, some syrup might be nice with that 4 pounds of pancake mix.

As far as the bread, vegetables, chips, cookies, and some others. Those are usually available in the house with the "normal" groceries. As I increase this list past one month, I probably will add in some storeable substitutes for them. (The general idea was to have a list that I could simply muliply by 12 eventually to have a 1 year supply. But I will do some tweaking before I do that, so I appreciate the suggestions.)

Soup was already on the list!

The non-food items (toilet paper, diapers, soap, etc.) are fairly well taken care of right now, but I do intend to do a similar exercise to figure out how much of that stuff I need to have, rather than just getting "a lot" and hoping it's enough.

Thanks again. I appreciate the suggestions!

RC said:

Thank you for the link and the voluminous quote.

But thanks especially for the specific suggestions.

I was thinking about jelly or jam, so I've added that to my list. Also, some syrup might be nice with that 4 pounds of pancake mix.

As far as the bread, vegetables, chips, cookies, and some others. Those are usually available in the house with the "normal" groceries. As I increase this list past one month, I probably will add in some storeable substitutes for them. (The general idea was to have a list that I could simply muliply by 12 eventually to have a 1 year supply. But I will do some tweaking before I do that, so I appreciate the suggestions.)

Soup was already on the list!

The non-food items (toilet paper, diapers, soap, etc.) are fairly well taken care of right now, but I do intend to do a similar exercise to figure out how much of that stuff I need to have, rather than just getting "a lot" and hoping it's enough.

Thanks again. I appreciate the suggestions!

Click to expand...

Ooops! Should have said more than 15 cans of soup. You can make some
great rice dishes with cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soups.

Roxann said:

Ooops! Should have said more than 15 cans of soup. You can make some
great rice dishes with cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soups.

Click to expand...

I'm in Minnesota, where you can't cook _without_ cream of mushroom soup. So we usually have a lot in our "normal" groceries as well.

Tomato soup is good for cooking, too, and any soup that starts with "Cream of . . ." could be useful. I like Cream of Celery, even though celery is a dirty word to my husband.
If he doesn't see the can, he doesn't know he's eating it.

Consider adding some canned gravy, or powdered gravy mixes (if we're talking possible nukes here, remember that it won't be possible to use your entire house, including kitchen appliances while sheltering from the early, heaviest radiation. You need to think about "open a can and eat it" stuff... God forbid)

Anyway, anything that will "spice up" rice and beans and make them taste different after the first weeks or month... gravy, salsa, even ketchup.

Also, consider getting some of the "convenience" mixes like the "Rice a Roni Wild rice", or the various beans and rice mixes... they are already preseasoned. You might want to consider stuff like Chicken Helper- and canned chicken to make it with. Those "meals in a box" that they sell int he supermarket on the same shelf as the Hamburger Helper stuff really aren't bad... I bought a bunch of them for my youngest son when he moved into a bachelor apartment, and he found that they could be divided into two meals, because they all seem to come with TWO cans of everything. He just needed to measure and divide the biscuit mix or pasta that came with them... However, many of those may not be able to be prepared on the stove top, so check the instructions...

This may seem like quibbling, but unless you really can't stand the stuff, buy Miracle Whip instead of mayonnaise. Believe it or not, you can keep it out on the counter at room temp for a week or more without worrying about it spoiling. Something about the extra vinegar in it....

And think about buying anything that WON'T keep at room temp in small containers, so you don't have to worry about food poisoning if the power is out.

Seasoning mixes and spices may help liven things up, too. And "cold cereal" will keep half of forever, and can be eaten straight from the box. Cheerios are great finger food snacks for toddlers, too.

What about juice?

Summerthyme

I always find it interesting that these items are usually left out of prep lists. In my opinion they are very important but people won't believe it until they need them.

1. Laxatives......what ever your choice is.....stimulant or bulk, psyillium or guar gum .......milk of magnesia, etc. but get something.

With the foods most people are putting up......"survival foods" it won't be long before your belly will be so clogged up you can't have a bowel movement. That may not mean much to you right now but, oh boy!....will it ever be important if it happens. If not for you then get it for your kids.

Most food prep lists for survival contain very little all important "greens".
If you don't have greens you will be in trouble further down the line.

Putting up canned veggies isn't enough because most people will put up peas and corn and carrots

I haven't noticed hardly any freeze dried or other in the way of greens. Apparently they don't keep well for long storage but they are important.

If you don't put up "greens" in some manner then get some kind of whole food greens in powdered form.

Something that comes to mind right away is Chlorella and Spirilina. I have read where a person can live almost exclusively on these two whole foods because they contain not only vitamins but enzymes.

2. Vitamin supplements/healing herbs and nutrients/enzymes.

Most of our foods now are so depleted in nutritional value that we are eating nothing more than bulk that stops hunger pangs but doesn't feed our bodies.

Don't forget to put up a good supply of vitamins and herbs/enzymes.
This will compliment your empty value canned foods.
Your body has to have a variety of these nutrients. You won't be getting proper nutrition eating 30 days of spam or more.

Those are good points. I didn't know that about Miracle Whip vs. mayonaise. Actually, I had Miracle Whip in mind.

Yes, for this list, one of my concerns is that some of the items (but not all of them) can be prepared with no cooking or minimal cooking. And with the exception of the Mayo, most of the items would not require any refrigeration. I will definitely make in Miracle Whip.

For this list, I was mostly concerned about having one box of food that I know will last about 30 days. So at this point, I'm not too worried about how bland it is, etc. But I am definitely taking notes for what I need on the next projects: First, the long term stuff. The original idea was to just multiply this list by 12 or whatever. That's basically still the plan, but I will definitely include the ideas here (such as gravy mixes, etc.)

Also, I think we normally have enough canned goods to last 14+ days--things that require no cooking at all. But for peace of mind, I'm going to put together a similar list of that stuff, so we know we have at least that much at all times.

And I do need to give some thought to juice. Giving RC, Jr., Tang and Koolaid is better than nothing, I guess, but I do have to figure out how to have a supply of juice. I suppose the one gallon bottles is the way to go. I would think they have a fairly good shelf life, as long as they're rotated regularly. The boxed juice probably has a longer shelf life, but they can get pricey.

Jazzy,

What is "Scotch Broth"?????

Never heard of it. Please share.

You can buy large cans of juice (I'm too lazy to get up and look what the exact size is) Juicey juice is 100% juice, shelf life is very long in cans. But I hate canned juice, but it's always in my back up supply. (editted to add: think of the powder mixes; you'll need to go into your clean water supply to make the stuff. Canned/bottled/boxed juices, koolaids require no reconstitution. My H2O supply is finite)

Granola bars, crackers w/peanut butter, pre packaged granola mix, puddings all have a decent shelf life and good energy boost/variety and no cooking involved.

I cringe at the idea of eating "spegghettios", my child even as a toddler balked at it, but a few cans are stored because if TSHTF we'd be happy enough for variety.
(which is also how I feel about cheeze whiz, but we have some, expires in > 2years).

Whey protein powder mix; cheap amino acids (12$). Might liven up the powdered milk, give some protein/energy.

Just some ideas to add to all of your great ideas.

Scotch broth used to be a wonderful Campbell's soup with lamb and pearl barley. Don't think they make it any more, at least not available in my area.

One thing I have found valuable is packing one weeks worth of food in an 18 gal bin with a lid that keeps it airtight especially when other bins are stacked on top. You can fit enough non-perishable food for two and a half as you are doing.


I have other preps as well, of course, but the bins are turning out to be very good. No water/ moisture gets in, no rodents or bugs, and a complete week in each bin. We are rotating through the bins (especially through hurricane Francis last year--10 days of no elec, and it was a dry run.)


Whatever you do, be sure to pack a few goodies. They are better than a million dollars when the time calls for something special.


Seabird

Go visit my website for details on another version of the exceltent list of 30 days of food under your bed.

Also:
- How to make an alcohol soda can stove.
- How to install Cloth Daipers.

Canned salmon is a great protein, fat & essential oils source. Inexpensive (in season), normally has an expiry of 5-7 years, can be eaten right out of the can or cooked with other staples. Good cat/dog food too. I recently found a can I'd bought in '00, expiry '07..tasted great, no spoilage or strong(er) fish smell

RE Spam. I found the turkey type more palatable. Also the dollar stores stock American Pride ham&bacon meat. Similar to Spam but much better taste IMO.

Canned milk supply can be extended with the dry milk. Makes the dry taste better too.

Canned whole tomatos. Did you know those are the freshest ripe tomatos outa the fields? (they wouldn't hold to market so they're canned right away. ) And they're packed tomato juice..2 for 1.

Juice.... The bottled stuff- make sure it's 100% juice. Tang or whatever is definitely better than nothing. I've stored the half gallon bottles of juice- all kinds, from grape to cranberry blends to apple, etc... for up to 4 years with no discernible loss in taste. We've got a cool cellar for storage, but you can figure they'll last a solid year or more unless you keep them in a hot garage.

The other choice, a bit pricier, but nice is the "shelf stable concentrates" which come in aluminum cans. Take up a lot less room, mix up easily- but you've got to have water to mix them.

Dreamseer is correct about making sure you have both laxatives and something for diarrhea control... although you *think* you are storing what you eat, most of us supplement the basic storage foods with lots of fresh stuff. A couple of pounds of dried prunes will pretty much solve the laxative problem!! Dried apricots are also nice, concentrated sources of fiber, calories and vitamins.

Speaking of which- you DO have a supply of vitamins for both the little one and yourselves, right? A good multivitamin per day is an awfully cheap "insurance policy".

As far as greens... you can dry things like celery leaves, or lightly blanched spinach leaves, etc. But the easiest "fresh green" source, even if you're bunkered in a makeshift fallout shelter, is sprouts. The 'net has lots of instructions for homemade sprouters... usually just a jar with a mesh lid so you can rinse and drain them conveniently. Alfalfa sprouts taste very much like raw peas... sweet and mild. Loaded with vitamins and all sorts of important stuff. A few ounces of alfalfa seeds will make a BUNCH of sprouts... they're usually ready to eat in 3-4 days. Although they're best for you raw, for a baby there's no reason you couldn't lightly sautee or simmer them in a bit of broth and mash them up.

Also, especially because you have a little one, make sure you have Pedialyte, or the WHO formula for rehydration mixed up.. or at least the ingredients on hand. Diarrhea in adults is usually no more than a PITA, but in infants, the loss of fluids can be critical. You want a way to get the electrolyes back into them if necessary- and Gatorade is too concentrated for this.

Summerthyme

Dosh said:

Jazzy,

What is "Scotch Broth"?????

Never heard of it. Please share.

Click to expand...

Another member was kind enough to post this recipe a while back.

SCOTCH BROTH MIX.

You'll need a large and long container, - we use the Rubbermaid ones which are approx. 4ft x 2 ft long. This will allow you to make up *batches* of 165lbs of soup mix at a time, which you then package in Mylar Bags w/oxygen absorbers, heat seal (we have a steam iron and a plank of wood 36" x 20" which we just smooth the bag out across and iron shut for a vacuum seal) and store in smaller Rubbermaid containers which each take the 165lbs you'll be packaging. The ones we use say they will hold 26 gallons (volume) and they cost about $6 each here. Not much more than a cardboard box from U-Haul.

You'll need to make it in 12 batches, - it's hard work to mix.
For each batch you'll need...

4 x 22lb (or 10kg) rice. (Any kind will do).
2 x 11lb (or 5kg) kidney beans
2 x 11lb (or 5kg) barley
2 x 11lb (or 5kg) lentils (yellow)
1 x 5.5lb(or 5kg) green split peas
1 x 5.5lb(or 5 kg)chick peas

Method:

Put in two bags of rice to mixing container
Then add each of the other ingredients 5kg at a time, mixing as you go. (Use surgical gloves or you'll have no nails left, LOL!).
When you have all the other ingredients mixed in with the first two bags of rice, add the last two bags of rice and *REALLY* mix well or you'll get all rice on the bottom of your mixture.

Then take 3 *large size* Mylar Bags www.sorbentsystems.com/products.html and start scooping in mixture. We just use a 2 quart juice jug for a scoop. When you have it 2/3rds filled, add 2 oxygen absorbers and put plank over the mixing container and then spread the Mylar Bag tops over the plank and seal with a HOT steam iron. You should have a 3" seal at least. The mixture will fit nicely into the 3 Mylar Bags and we usually fill them and then seal them all at once so we can get the best seal possible. Then place Mylar bags into your 26 gallon container, label, and put lid on tightly. These are Rodent Proof and can be stacked three high. They should be kept in a cold dark place and they will keep for 20 years at least stored this way.

MAKING SOUP.

Take 16oz of the dry mixture and put in about 6-7 quarts of water (with a nut of butter or a tsp. of olive oil to prevent soup boiling over) and add 3 tblspns (or to taste) of powdered soup stock. We like to use chicken stock.

Then add any veggies, meat, & seasoning you like (if available). (We like to also put in lots of garlic) (DO NOT USE ONIONS - they'll spoil the mixture).

Bring to a boil and let simmer for two hours and you have enough soup for two days for 4 people.

On the second day you'll need to add some more water (it thickens in the fridge overnight) and another tblspn stock. Make sure to boil for at least 10 minutes the second day to kill off any potential bacteria, - especially if you are not storing in fridge, but just in a root cellar or like that in the event of no electricity in summer.

We make our own bread and have a thick slice fer dunkin' with a large bowl of this delicious soup and it serves as a main meal. You are FULL after just one (large size) bowl of this stuff.

Kids will usually only be able to eat half a bowl w/bread, or a small bowl, whichever you prefer. Adults will likely want a nice big bowl.

If there is any mixture left on the third day, just add the new mixture to it. You will need less of course, but you'll get to know how to gauge things as you go along catering to the requirements of your own little family.

If you make up one batch at a time, it'll cost you approx. $125 for all the ingredients, including 3 x 10lb canisters of powdered soup stock. (One for each Mylar Bag). That's very doable I think, and in no time you'll have your 12 batches or 1,980lbs of soup mix. (Do it over 12 pay-days, and if you are paid weekly, - you'll have your 10-year-supply in just 3 months).

We saved up and bought ours all at once and just took a weekend to get it over with, - the packaging I mean. I get my Rubbermaid containers from Wal-Mart, both the long ones for mixing, and the small ones.

If you are going to store your soup mix in a garage, you might want to get those rolling Rubbermaid Garbage cans and use these instead of the 26 gallon containers. They have locking lids, can be wheeled around and are water and Rodent Proof. Only RUBBERMAID products *guarantee* that they are Rodent Proof, so I rarely buy anything else. The Rubbermaid Garbage cans are twice as expensive as the 26 gallon containers, and can't be stacked, but if you have a lot of room in your garage and don't like lifting, they may be the best choice for you. Remember, - either way, you'll have 12 containers with 165lbs of soup mix in each.

Stored in cold storage, they don't need to be rotated. If they are stored at room temperature, you will want to slowly rotate them over a 10-year period.

Here in WA state SAFEWAY HAS CHICKEN BREASTS /with rib cage for 99 CENTS A POUND UNTIL NEXT WEDNESDAY.

NOW IS THE TIME TO BUY IN QUANTITY AND PRESSURE CAN CHICKEN BREASTS! It beats the heck out of eating so much beans, and it is cheap and easy to do. Get a BALL canning book.

Vitamins and protein powder for each member of the family.

suzy

Are there any suggestions out there for someone who has food allergies? Specifically: wheat, peanuts, MSG, mushrooms, strawberries, chocolate. Thanks for any and all suggestions.

I do have some substitutes stocked up; however, they generally don't have the shelf life of other products.

SPICES!!!!!


TABASCO!!!

There is some spice sauce that is similar to Tabasco, I THINK it's Marie someone or other and they have 3 or 4 different "colors". I've tried 3 of them and they INCREASE the spiciness of Paki food quite a bit (you go from "Hmm that's tasty, and nicely spicy" to sweating. and you don't need much.)

Red and Green Curry paste. Neither needs refrigeration. BOTH kick ass..... BOTH bring to mind Marcinko's "C'mon ICE CREAM" story.

And Summerthyme is right. laxative (we use stool softeners withOUT the stimulant), buy these ion the 200 or more bottles.
TYPICAL dose of this runs 1-6 per day, divided 2 or 3 doses.. You'll figger it out (too much is pretty obvious, too little won't be helping)


Loperamide Hydrochloride (Immodium) buy these in the 96 or larger bottles.
MAX dose here is 8 per 24 hours, USUALLY 2 are taken at the first (or whatever one you want to be the last ) diarrheal movement, 1 or 2 at the next one until it stops or you reach the max of 8 per 24 hours


YMMV, I'm not a medical professional, this is not medical advise, check with your practitioner, etc, etc., etc. This is just the protocol we followed on the trip.

RC,

Just a couple comments come to mind...I'm thinking mainly of protein sources and an absence of complex carbs, which the body needs for their nutrition as well as for breaking down and making full use of our other sources of nutrients.

I dunno if you like Irish cuisine, but I like canned corned beef as one meat to stock and recommend this to the board. It's not salty and greasey like the spam, and sometimes cases go on sale dirt cheap that last for years: I got some at a local pharmacy, of all places. The main thing I use it for is soup, with rice and canned tomatoes in a tomato base, cabbage when available (38 cents a pd in season), some pepper and caraway seeds to taste, diced potatoes can be added. Just frying it with diced potatoes and no spices added is corned beef hash. Canned potatoes though have imho a very bad industrial taste, so I only use fresh. There are lots of recipes online I'm sure; these are just my main preferences.

That soup (thick hearty stew really) is good with corn bread, and those cheap jiffy boxes (3-4 for a dollar) have a recipe for cooking them on a stove top (camp stove). The jiffy boxes taste dry, but I substitute canned creamed corn as the only liquid, and melt butter on top, plus add sugar to the batter, so it's almost like spoon bread and very good. If you have eggs to add, then it easily holds shape to slice. I kinda invented that recipe from a wonderful corn spoon bread I had at a Mex restaurant, although theirs is more mushy for true spoon bread, but I prefer it firmer to dip in the stew. The batter can have added anything: Mrs. Dash, sauteed onions, cubbed cheddar cheese, sausage, even cubbed summer sausage, formed into muffins, lots of options.

Canned chicken with your mayo, and relish if you like, mixes into a nice chicken salad, pepper/season to taste, a quick lunch with crackers or whatever for a high protein meal.

Starkist iirc is the company that now has all those mylar bag seafoods with long shelf lives, if you can eat seafood: clams, salmon in little steaks unlike the canned, i think crab meat, lots of variety.

There are lots of stored protein sources now, including the different legumes, and so you need not have only the high fat and salt spam.

Also it looks like you don't have any complex carbs, and so may want to look into that a little. The legumes have complex carbs, as does whole wheat which is harder to store, but also long grain rice is complex as the complex carb portion of the rice is removed in processing to simple white rice. Long grain or even wild or brown rice can be mixed in with the cheaper white in cooking, and offers a lot of nutrients that are robbed from the white so is good for energy and health, as those nutrients even help your body process better the other stuff too.

Canned veggies...the nutrients are bleached out into the broth, so if you can find a use for them that is palatable, then that is good. Some soups will tolerate the broth, and some bread recipes that are hearty will tolerate the broth as a water substitution, but you need to play with it as the taste is a bit industrial so needs to be adjusted.

Salt kills bugs. Boxed preps, like jiffy mixes or pasta, can be stored for years if you put them into ziplock bags and sprinkle in a teaspoon or two into the ziplock. Even flour will last for years that way, pour into a ziplock, then double-bagged in another ziplock with salt in that outside bag.

Tomatoes are very acidic, so canned ones need the date checked, but they will last years, just avoid rust (and dents, like all cans, as that's linked o botulism). Jarred tomatoes I think last longer. Someone here dipped all their canned goods in wax to prevent rusting, as they had a cool cellar to store them in. If that's an option, then canned stuff lasts heck a generation I reckon.

Dry milk turns rancid very quickly. There was a thread recently on a brand that is good; maybe someone here remembers it and can link or make a recommendation on that brand or storing procedures to maximize shelf life. Likewise, pantry items that contain dry milk will turn rancid, like powdered Ranch mixes, etc.

There have been lots of posts over the years of dried eggs and cheese being very good. I've not tried them, but maybe someone who has tried them can comment on them.

Thanks for the tips everyone. There are too many to respond to individually, but the ones I didn't already know, I definitely will take into consideration.

I did buy almost everything on the list last night, with a few substitutions. Looking at all of those cans of Spam (actually the WalMart generic brand) didn't look all that appetizing, and they were kind of expensive, so I only bought half as many and substituted some other canned meats, such as vienna sausage, canned hash, etc.

They didn't have the beans and rice--this is a regular WalMart, not one with a full grocery department, so I'll get those at the supermarket. Although Mrs. RC will cringe when she sees more rice, since we already have a lot in the "long term" haphazard storage. But I want to make this a more or less self-contained supply (and yes, it will probably go in a Rubbermaid container marked "Month 1" and I'll get started on "Month 2).

I don't know the exact cost, because I also bought some other items, and I still need to get the beans and rice. But I think the total was about $120, which seems like cheap insurance, especially since we'll eventually eat most of it anyway.

On the cheep?

Several jars of Chunky Peanut butter, a spoon, water. It may not be fun, but you will live. Add jam if you have bucks. I can survive on about a jar of Peanut butter per week. Remember I did not say fun... but you will get by.

Helium

Data Junkie: we use Dehydrated Eggs in many things, they don't work very well in omlets but are great in baked goods.

I've found some of the Dehydrated Cheese are decent while others are vile. The Kraft stuff is decent.

Vacuum packed milk, and even corn meal will not go rancid. I've had corn meal go bad in a couple weeks! That's Flori-duh for you.

I've been hawking the canned salmon for months now. Walgreens sells them for under 79¢ or a $1 quaterly. 15oz cans -- they have bones in them pick out the big bones and grind up the smalls ones in a blender [good source of calcium]. Mix with an egg, ~10 crushed saltines, 1/4 small minced onion and fry up in oil for some really yummy salmon cakes. Use enough saltines to damp dry the mix out.

Don't forget the canned chilli, Albertsons quaterly sells the 15oz foil box @$1 each.

We really need to have recipe forum.

There is a recipe section here, Ozfuzzy. It's under the Homemaking & Homesteading sig. Go visit!

Got to agree with HA on this one, Peanut Butter.. It has protein and lasts a good long time if kept right.

Also don't discount those Raman soups, they are good meal "stretchers" You can toss some canned meat (spam, Vienna sausage) and some Tabasco.. and in a pinch its good stuff.

I got loads of spam and Vienna saus here.. along with the regular canned goods, and thankfully both the wife and I like spam.. so its safe to store lol

ofuzzy1, thanks for the tips! the salmon cakes sound yummy, but i have to avoid seafood so am thinking of substituting canned chicken

peanut butter is a staple for me, so much so that everyone says i should audition for big brother as adding jelly on PB&J weeks to me is a luxury, heh

one valuable nutrition trivia on peanut butter is that if you put it on bread that is stone ground whole wheat (verses enriched), you get complementary proteins equivalent to a meat serving...very important for maintaining muscle mass

goatlady2 said:

Scotch broth used to be a wonderful Campbell's soup with lamb and pearl barley. Don't think they make it any more, at least not available in my area.

Click to expand...

You are right Goatlady, they don't seem to make it anymore.

I have 2 recipes for it..the first is the one like what came in the can and the second is the dry mix that was mentioned.
Here ya go.

Scotch Broth soup....

lamb cut in chunks or a leftover leg on the bone.
onion chopped
1 purple top turnip, peeled and chopped
carrots chopped
celery chopped
chicken broth
barley
Sautee the onions and celery, add the rest of the ingredients and cook until barley is done. DEEEElishush!

Scotch broth dry mix is simply barley, dried beans in any combo, split peas, rice and any other dry thing you care to add. Cook in broth or water for a nutritious and easy meal that doesn't spoil too easily. If you add onions or meat it would have to be consumed in one meal to avoid food poisoning.

> Scotch broth used to be a wonderful Campbell's soup with lamb and pearl barley. Don't think they make it any more, at least not available in my area.

sounds yummy!

here are a few more recipies:

http://www.usd.edu/~socrean/arts/recipes/scthbrth.htm
http://www.dianaskitchen.com/page/soup/9910_29.htm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/database/scotchbroth_8116.shtml
http://www.rampantscotland.com/recipes/blrecipe_broth.htm
http://www.soupsong.com/rscotchb.html
http://www.cooks.com/rec/search/0,1-00,scotch_broth,FF.html
http://www.floatcottage.inuk.com/scotchbroth.htm

Oh - and Campbell's still makes it - available here, among other places:

http://www.americanpoems.com/B0002BQLM8/Campbells_Scotch_Broth_Soup.php
http://www.campbellsoup.ca/en/products/condensed.asp?cat=3&prod_id=33

12 cans for $29.40 from Amazon looks like the best price.

-t

For those who don't like prunes..think sauerkraut!!!! That will clean you out in no time, plus it's really good for you. You can use it in different recipes too. I just made stuffed hot peppers last night using it. Mixed the kraut with some Italian sausage, stuffed the peppers, and put a can of tomato soup over the top. Baked it about an hour. It was GOOD! We used to make big meatballs with kraut in the middle of each, and cover them with tomato soup and bake too.

Did anyone mention honey?

Great shelf life, and a wonderful natural product. To prevent crystalization I would recommend several smaller containers rather than one or two large ones.

GB7

Edited to add: I would also recommend some breakfast bars with real oatmeal in them. A good quick snack that has some nutritional benefits.

night driver said:

Yes that REALLY is "Stan's 14 days of SPAM"

now we'll see who remembers it.....

(we lovingly refer to it aws Stan's 14 days of SPAM" because people were ticked that he was posting it about every 3 days, or so.

The folks who were bitching were unaware (because they chose to be) that the MODS at the time ASKED Stan to post it that often....)

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That brings back memories. Spam is wonderful. You can throw it in a frying pan, but some Tobasco on it and go to town. Just remember boys and girls, 30 days is a long time.

I'm at 14 days with Hurricane stores and another 30 with TSHTF stores. If TSHTF, my 30 day store goes to 45 with the last 20 turning into a mobile store. I will not plan on riding things out depending on civilization to return to "normal" if it is TEOTWAWKI as in the American Hirsohima scenarios....sometimes it's better to be on the move hunting for your food rather than depending on the almight Supercenter...

I didn't even read the responses on this thread, but I have a few suggestions.

You have only THREE of you in the household. Unless you're one of those people who can eat the same thing over and over, you do NOT want to buy anything in BIG containers.

I threw away LAST week a jar of apple sauce that had sat around in my frig until it got the black stuff. I bought some little applesauce containers on sale...little ones [because we're only looking for a LITTLE taste of the stuff when we cook pork or something] Don't buy those BIG cans, and don't buy stuff that you won't use.

It takes ya a few years, but there's a methodoligy [did I spell that right?] to shopping in the US. Stuff goes on sale REGULARLY and it's YOUR job to ensure that you have the money for when the time comes when the stuff YOU want goes on sale. In that way, you can save sometimes up to 50% of the price of the items you want.

You're not saving any money by buying stuff in large quantities just to see it rot.

Heh. I lost my train of thought, so I should quit posting now, but don't be fooled by these people who claim to be preppers. SOME of them just encourage people to buy more than they'll ever need. Use your head; decide on your own tolerance levels. *I*'m one of those women who don't feel comfortable unless I have 24 double rolls of toilet paper in the house, but men don't use as much, so some feel comfortable with just two rolls!

Everyone's different, so just go with YOUR flow [and not someone else's flow].

AnitaS said:

You have only THREE of you in the household. Unless you're one of those people who can eat the same thing over and over, you do NOT want to buy anything in BIG containers.

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That was my main intention in coming up with this list. I started with sample menus for 6 days, and then decided on the quantities. In purchasing items, for almost all of the perishable items, I bought packages that could be consumed in one or two meals.

In a few cases, this wasn't practical. For example, we probably wouldn't want to eat an entire jar of Miracle Whip in one day (or actually two days, as I think it would probably be safe the second day in most weather conditions). For that reason, on those items, there would either be some waste, or they would be set aside and used in cooler weather. There's not a lot of variety on my list, but there's enough that you wouldn't be forced to open a large container that couldn't be safely stored.

If you shop around carefully, moderate sized containers are usually as economical as larger institutional sizes. In fact, often they are cheaper per ounce. But yes, purchasing containers that could be consumed within a couple of meals was a key consideration. (Of course, most of the items on the list are dry, and would not go bad for several days after the package was opened.)

Was there any particular item on my list that prompted this concern? Where I listed a quantity such as "can" that would generally mean a normal-sized can that could be eaten by three people at a single meal. So for this 30 day list, there are 15 cans of soup listed. That means that our diet would include one can of soup every other day. I don't think this would pose any risk of food going bad after being opened.