2006 $20 WEEK PREP CHALLENGE-WEEK 1
- Thread starter prudentwatcher
- Start date
prudentwatcher
Veteran Member
Splicerswife, you are just too funny. It's amazing to me that a lot of people don't know how to cook from scratch. Part of the idea behind the thread is that there might be limited power (if any) to cook, so the quicker the better. I am including things to make bread, biscuits, etc. If people would actually make their own mixes to save money, I would think that was great. However, a new prepper would probably have a hard enough time to just keep up with the suggestions above. Making their own mixes might push them over the edge.
I'm bookmarking the site.
I'm bookmarking the site.I am a scratch cooker, but when the electric is off it pays to have some things to eat that are low energy cost and still desirable. And fast works on busy hard working days too.
Are these lists supposed to balance out once through the year? Because if something is on sale one week I can see spending the whole $20 on it!
Are these lists supposed to balance out once through the year? Because if something is on sale one week I can see spending the whole $20 on it!
Splicer205
Deceased
prudentwatcher said:Splicerswife, you are just too funny. It's amazing to me that a lot of people don't know how to cook from scratch. Part of the idea behind the thread is that there might be limited power (if any) to cook, so the quicker the better. I am including things to make bread, biscuits, etc. If people would actually make their own mixes to save money, I would think that was great. However, a new prepper would probably have a hard enough time to just keep up with the suggestions above. Making their own mixes might push them over the edge.
I know you're right, Prudentwatcher, but I sure hope those who don't know how to cook, learn, and learn soon. When the day comes that we won't be able to just open a can or box and make a meal, there are going to be so many other skills we'll need to learn, that it would be good to at least have home cooking mastered. MHO of course.
Taz
Deceased
There is a VERY significant glitch in your preps here. Mixes such as corn bread, Bisquick, cookies, etc will not last more than about 6 months. If they have any fat in them they will go rancid...or they will not rise in the pan when you bake them. Better to make you own. Just buy the component parts and make your stuff as you need it. Its not hard. But if you really think we are going to go back to the stoneage, you HAVE TO consider having the right tools, like grain grinder and buying whole bulk grains. We have all the tools and we have the basic foods. I learned with y2k that "easy" was a waste. The products got buggy or just deteriorated too badly. Right now I am waiting for the garden seed catalogs. Thats where I will be spending my prep dollars. It takes basic foods, tools and skills. Ya all need to be practicing those skills now.
Taz
Taz
I have had cookie mixes and cake mixes and some others last years as long as I freeze them first and keep the bugs from getting them again - also some of the mixes like for cakes,cookies,brownies and muffins I make and I use for christmas giving so they get rotated at least once a year - the mixes are not stored in the best conditions heat wise since at least half the year the place they were stored in was 90 degrees - will be interesting at the new place with cooler temps -
also I do not buy these mixes at regular prices - I buy them when they are on sale and also with coupons so many times are less than scratch when you consider things like choc chips in cookies - of course I have been know to buy the limit of whatever <g> I have had them last longer than the bags of flour and before anybody says anything I have wheat and a grinder stored also but sure is nice and convienent to have them bought made up
also I do not buy these mixes at regular prices - I buy them when they are on sale and also with coupons so many times are less than scratch when you consider things like choc chips in cookies - of course I have been know to buy the limit of whatever <g> I have had them last longer than the bags of flour and before anybody says anything I have wheat and a grinder stored also but sure is nice and convienent to have them bought made up
WriterMom
Veteran Member
This week's prep list
Here's my $20 prep list for this week:
ShurFine
Pasta 48oz 1.25/ea 3 @ $3.75
Peanut Butter 18oz 1.00/ea 2 @ $2.00
Salad Dressing 16oz 1.00/ea 2 @ $2.00
Giant Eagle
Starkist Tuna Pouches 3oz 1.00/ea ($1.00/3 coupon) 3 @ $2.00
Campbell's Select Soups 1.25/ea ($2.40/6 coupon) 6 @ $5.10
Kraft Mac-n-chz 5pk 2.50/pk 2 @ $5.00
Total = $19.85
Not many good prep items on sale at any of our local grocery stores, but I will be doing a fairly large "prep" shopping trip to Aldi's later this week (I do these every 4-6 weeks and spend about $100). My favorite Aldi items are the instant non-fat dry milk (4lb box for $6.99) and any of the baking items (very cheap!). We regularly make nonfat dry milk and mix it in equal volumes with 2% milk - saves a bit of money and we don't really notice a taste difference.
Great thread - I love everyone's comments!
Writermom
Here's my $20 prep list for this week:
ShurFine
Pasta 48oz 1.25/ea 3 @ $3.75
Peanut Butter 18oz 1.00/ea 2 @ $2.00
Salad Dressing 16oz 1.00/ea 2 @ $2.00
Giant Eagle
Starkist Tuna Pouches 3oz 1.00/ea ($1.00/3 coupon) 3 @ $2.00
Campbell's Select Soups 1.25/ea ($2.40/6 coupon) 6 @ $5.10
Kraft Mac-n-chz 5pk 2.50/pk 2 @ $5.00
Total = $19.85
Not many good prep items on sale at any of our local grocery stores, but I will be doing a fairly large "prep" shopping trip to Aldi's later this week (I do these every 4-6 weeks and spend about $100). My favorite Aldi items are the instant non-fat dry milk (4lb box for $6.99) and any of the baking items (very cheap!). We regularly make nonfat dry milk and mix it in equal volumes with 2% milk - saves a bit of money and we don't really notice a taste difference.
Great thread - I love everyone's comments!
Writermom
prudentwatcher
Veteran Member
Yep, you are trying for a year supply. So if you have a great deal on veggies for example, you could spend your whole $20 on that and knock a hole in your allotment of veggies for the year.
I agree that everyone should know how to cook from scratch, but I'm not up to teaching everyone to do so. Some basic cookbooks would be necessary for someone who didn't know much about cooking, preferably a cookbook with lots of pictures.
I have old cake mixes, brownie mixes, etc., that I use and they are usually older than a year. The only thing I have a hard time with is pancake mix--pancakes end up like hockey pucks. I wonder if adding some baking powder to the older mix would help.
Buying things like a wheat grinder, dehydrater, canner and pressure canner are necessary for a long-term prepper, but the idea of the thread is for the newbie prepper, to whom the idea of a wheat grinder might seem a little extreme. Gardening and/or sprouting is also necessary for long-term preppers, but it can take a bit to even learn gardening basics. Every summer I always joke that I'm glad we don't depend on my gardening efforts to eat, or we would be really, really skinny.
Good job, writermom. Nice variety at decent prices. Lots of protein.
Anybody else want to play?
I agree that everyone should know how to cook from scratch, but I'm not up to teaching everyone to do so. Some basic cookbooks would be necessary for someone who didn't know much about cooking, preferably a cookbook with lots of pictures.
I have old cake mixes, brownie mixes, etc., that I use and they are usually older than a year. The only thing I have a hard time with is pancake mix--pancakes end up like hockey pucks. I wonder if adding some baking powder to the older mix would help.
Buying things like a wheat grinder, dehydrater, canner and pressure canner are necessary for a long-term prepper, but the idea of the thread is for the newbie prepper, to whom the idea of a wheat grinder might seem a little extreme. Gardening and/or sprouting is also necessary for long-term preppers, but it can take a bit to even learn gardening basics. Every summer I always joke that I'm glad we don't depend on my gardening efforts to eat, or we would be really, really skinny.
Good job, writermom. Nice variety at decent prices. Lots of protein.
Anybody else want to play?
Splicer205
Deceased
prudentwatcher said:Yep, you are trying for a year supply. So if you have a great deal on veggies for example, you could spend your whole $20 on that and knock a hole in your allotment of veggies for the year.
I agree that everyone should know how to cook from scratch, but I'm not up to teaching everyone to do so. Some basic cookbooks would be necessary for someone who didn't know much about cooking, preferably a cookbook with lots of pictures.
I have old cake mixes, brownie mixes, etc., that I use and they are usually older than a year. The only thing I have a hard time with is pancake mix--pancakes end up like hockey pucks. I wonder if adding some baking powder to the older mix would help.
Buying things like a wheat grinder, dehydrater, canner and pressure canner are necessary for a long-term prepper, but the idea of the thread is for the newbie prepper, to whom the idea of a wheat grinder might seem a little extreme. Gardening and/or sprouting is also necessary for long-term preppers, but it can take a bit to even learn gardening basics. Every summer I always joke that I'm glad we don't depend on my gardening efforts to eat, or we would be really, really skinny.
Good job, writermom. Nice variety at decent prices. Lots of protein.
Anybody else want to play?
O.K. I'll teach. Line forms to the left. Don't crowd, people. Getcha some flour, put in a spoon of baking soda a pinch of baking powder (or use self rising). Add a little milk, just like when you were little and playing mudpies. A little thinner consistency than the mudpies. If you don't have milk, use water. Then add an egg, and if you have it, a little oil. Stir. Put on hot lightly greased griddle. Voila! Pancakes.
If you want syrup, put some brown sugar in a pan. Add enough water to make real, real thick mudpies. Heat on a very low burner. Voila! Syrup for pancakes. If it burns, slather it with jelly or jam, roll and eat. There, I played.
Taz wrote:
Mixes such as corn bread, Bisquick, cookies, etc will not last more than about 6 months.
It's not quite that bad. I had one box of Jiffy Corn Muffin mix that turned up after about 3 years, not stored particularly well. It was still quite edible, although it did seem to have a slight metalic taste to it. It did rise, but not as well as it should have.
Fresher is better, but six months is awfully conservative.
Splicerswife wrote:
If you want syrup, put some brown sugar in a pan. Add enough water to make real, real thick mudpies. Heat on a very low burner.
My dad's recipe was equal parts of water, white sugar, and brown sugar, along with maple flavoring if available. Just bring it to a low boil and let some of the water evaporate.
When I've tried it, it comes out a little bit too watery, so it would probably be a good idea to reduce the water and/or let it simmer a little longer. Even without the maple extract, it does the job.
Mixes such as corn bread, Bisquick, cookies, etc will not last more than about 6 months.
It's not quite that bad. I had one box of Jiffy Corn Muffin mix that turned up after about 3 years, not stored particularly well. It was still quite edible, although it did seem to have a slight metalic taste to it. It did rise, but not as well as it should have.
Fresher is better, but six months is awfully conservative.
Splicerswife wrote:
If you want syrup, put some brown sugar in a pan. Add enough water to make real, real thick mudpies. Heat on a very low burner.
My dad's recipe was equal parts of water, white sugar, and brown sugar, along with maple flavoring if available. Just bring it to a low boil and let some of the water evaporate.
When I've tried it, it comes out a little bit too watery, so it would probably be a good idea to reduce the water and/or let it simmer a little longer. Even without the maple extract, it does the job.
Jesse said:
This was the post I was trying to make last night when the board died.
Jesse, you aren't taking in even enough calories to cover your metabolism needs. I suspect your body won't let you lose weight until you increase your calories. Don't let anyone talk you into starving yourself to lose weight - which is exactly what is happening. Weight Watchers has a solid program that allows you to lose weight gradually and eat about 3-5 times what you are consuming right now - and they encourage you to eat nutritious foods. Check out the community boards at www.weightwatchers.com
Good luck!
BrSpiritus
Senior Member
Super Fresh had 2lb 10oz Cans of Crushed tomatoes on sale for .53 cents a can, normally $1.53 a can.
Jesse
Membership Revoked
To Ferret...
Thank you, Ferret!
I do appreciate your concern. I have pregnancy induced Hashimotos Disease, a severe hypo-thyroid condition for which there is no known cure. Believe me when I tell you there is *nothing* that I haven't tried in the last seventeen years (WW included, and I gained weight there) to lose the extra bit of weight I'd like to. It's not critical though, so I just stay in shape and eat only when I'm hungry and only what I need to.
FWIW: I just got the results back from a thorough physical I had done at my physician's insistence (because I rarely go to the doctor's and they don't like it if you don't show up at least annually) and my blood work, stats (pulse, BP and respiration etc. ), and general internal health couldn't be better.
I'm a Naturopath, so have been able to use those God-given skills to do what *is* possible to keep my body as healthy as it can be given my personal circumstances. I'm not complaining. I doubt I'll ever be a size 5 again (what I was when I became pregnant with our last child) but I don't think I'm a danger to shipping just yet!
I'm not "starving myself" either, since I make sure I take all the supplements my body needs that I don't derive from "regular" food. It's worked this long, and it's worked well. I have good skin, teeth, and hair for my age (50) and *lots* of energy. For the curious, a picture of me taken just less than a year ago can be found here: http://p081.ezboard.com/ftwcsfrm54.showMessage?topicID=49.topic
We're all different, and I suspect that genetically I just don't have a fast metabolism anyway, so Hashimotos didn't help. I look at my grandmother, who will be 93 in July if she is spared, and can't ever remember her eating an actual meal. She says she just "likes a taste" and truly that's the way she eats, even when visiting here from Scotland; a little bit of this and a little bit of that. I've watched her do this as far back as I was aware of her eating habits. She was 55 then, as I remember that particular birthday of hers. (She cried that day, thinking she was old. ) I often wonder what she thinks now...
Recent and not so recent studies have also shown that as long as the basic requirements are being met, it's actually *far* more healthy to eat only a little. Consider the following study, which I've posted here before though not for a while:
"In his book, Dr de Lacy Evans when reviewing a study of centenarians in England in the 19th Century said:
"On reviewing nearly 2,000 reported cases of persons who lived more than a century, generally we would expect to find some peculiarity of diet or habits to account for their alleged longevity. Instead we find that some were living amongst all the luxuries life could afford, others in the most abject poverty--begging their bread; some were samples of symmetry and physique, others cripples; some drank large quantities of water, others little; some were total abstainers from alcoholic drinks, other drunkards; some smoked tobacco, others did not; some lived entirely on vegetables, others to a great extent on animal foods; some led active lives, others sedentary; some worked with their brain, others with their hands; some ate only one meal a day, others four or five; some few ate large quantities of food, others a small amount; in fact, we notice great divergence both in habits and diet, but in those cases where we have been able to obtain a reliable account of the diet, we find *one* great cause which accounts for the majority of cases of longevity - moderation in the quantity of food."
Thus perhaps the first rule in dieting for longevity is to eat sparingly, whatever the make up of the diet. Even on a bad diet this rule will still permit better health and extended life because less wear and tear will have to be endured by the body."
******************
I'm not purposefully "dieting for longevity," but I have seen enough in life so far as to believe this study to be true.
Love, Jesse.
P.S. Sorry for the thread drift. However, it might be *useful* to preppers to know that we are generally a lot healthier when we eat half the calories that the so-called "Western diet" calls for.
Thank you, Ferret!
I do appreciate your concern. I have pregnancy induced Hashimotos Disease, a severe hypo-thyroid condition for which there is no known cure. Believe me when I tell you there is *nothing* that I haven't tried in the last seventeen years (WW included, and I gained weight there) to lose the extra bit of weight I'd like to. It's not critical though, so I just stay in shape and eat only when I'm hungry and only what I need to.
FWIW: I just got the results back from a thorough physical I had done at my physician's insistence (because I rarely go to the doctor's and they don't like it if you don't show up at least annually) and my blood work, stats (pulse, BP and respiration etc. ), and general internal health couldn't be better.
I'm a Naturopath, so have been able to use those God-given skills to do what *is* possible to keep my body as healthy as it can be given my personal circumstances. I'm not complaining. I doubt I'll ever be a size 5 again (what I was when I became pregnant with our last child) but I don't think I'm a danger to shipping just yet!
I'm not "starving myself" either, since I make sure I take all the supplements my body needs that I don't derive from "regular" food. It's worked this long, and it's worked well. I have good skin, teeth, and hair for my age (50) and *lots* of energy. For the curious, a picture of me taken just less than a year ago can be found here: http://p081.ezboard.com/ftwcsfrm54.showMessage?topicID=49.topic
We're all different, and I suspect that genetically I just don't have a fast metabolism anyway, so Hashimotos didn't help. I look at my grandmother, who will be 93 in July if she is spared, and can't ever remember her eating an actual meal. She says she just "likes a taste"
and truly that's the way she eats, even when visiting here from Scotland; a little bit of this and a little bit of that. I've watched her do this as far back as I was aware of her eating habits. She was 55 then, as I remember that particular birthday of hers. (She cried that day, thinking she was old. ) I often wonder what she thinks now...Recent and not so recent studies have also shown that as long as the basic requirements are being met, it's actually *far* more healthy to eat only a little. Consider the following study, which I've posted here before though not for a while:
Diet and Longevity.
"In his book, Dr de Lacy Evans when reviewing a study of centenarians in England in the 19th Century said:
"On reviewing nearly 2,000 reported cases of persons who lived more than a century, generally we would expect to find some peculiarity of diet or habits to account for their alleged longevity. Instead we find that some were living amongst all the luxuries life could afford, others in the most abject poverty--begging their bread; some were samples of symmetry and physique, others cripples; some drank large quantities of water, others little; some were total abstainers from alcoholic drinks, other drunkards; some smoked tobacco, others did not; some lived entirely on vegetables, others to a great extent on animal foods; some led active lives, others sedentary; some worked with their brain, others with their hands; some ate only one meal a day, others four or five; some few ate large quantities of food, others a small amount; in fact, we notice great divergence both in habits and diet, but in those cases where we have been able to obtain a reliable account of the diet, we find *one* great cause which accounts for the majority of cases of longevity - moderation in the quantity of food."
Thus perhaps the first rule in dieting for longevity is to eat sparingly, whatever the make up of the diet. Even on a bad diet this rule will still permit better health and extended life because less wear and tear will have to be endured by the body."
******************
I'm not purposefully "dieting for longevity," but I have seen enough in life so far as to believe this study to be true.
Love, Jesse.
P.S. Sorry for the thread drift. However, it might be *useful* to preppers to know that we are generally a lot healthier when we eat half the calories that the so-called "Western diet" calls for.
I understand that this means that over the course of the year you balance it out. That said, here goes my try....
Sav-A-Lot Store
green beans- cut 14 oz. 5 @ .35 1.75
mandarin oranges- 11 oz. 2 @ .39 .78
tomatoes with chiles: 10 oz. 2 @ .49 .98
navy beans: 1# .59
red beans: 1# .69
white rice long grain: 3# .99
wide egg noodles: 12 oz. 5 @ .69 3.45
3 cheese ranch dressing: 32 oz. 1.99
Bumblebee tuna pouch: 3 oz. 2 @ .69 1.38
Louisiana dirty rice/red beans and rice
(convenience foods) 8 oz. ea. [.89] 1.78
Velveeta Kraft mac/cheese: 2 @ 1.69 3.38
Pure vanilla extract: 2 oz. 1.99
Total: $19.75 before state taxes of roughly 5%
Sav-A-Lot Store
green beans- cut 14 oz. 5 @ .35 1.75
mandarin oranges- 11 oz. 2 @ .39 .78
tomatoes with chiles: 10 oz. 2 @ .49 .98
navy beans: 1# .59
red beans: 1# .69
white rice long grain: 3# .99
wide egg noodles: 12 oz. 5 @ .69 3.45
3 cheese ranch dressing: 32 oz. 1.99
Bumblebee tuna pouch: 3 oz. 2 @ .69 1.38
Louisiana dirty rice/red beans and rice
(convenience foods) 8 oz. ea. [.89] 1.78
Velveeta Kraft mac/cheese: 2 @ 1.69 3.38
Pure vanilla extract: 2 oz. 1.99
Total: $19.75 before state taxes of roughly 5%
prudentwatcher
Veteran Member
Good deal on the egg noodles, might have to go take a look at those.
Thanks so much to whoever posted that Publix coupon on salmon. It was $1 off any size of that brand and the smaller, tuna size cans were $1.19 each, or .19 after the coupon. No limit. I have a lot more now. There was also a coupon in the same flyer for $1 off Kleenex big boxes, on sale 3/4.00, or 34 cents each after coupon.
Splicerswife, do you measure for those pancakes or does the mix "just look right"? My MIL makes "flapjacks" (look like crepes to me), but she never measures and nobody can make them like she does. So it has to be an annual treat when we see her because we can't make them.
This thread has already paid off for me. Keep those ideas coming, you guys are doing great.
Thanks so much to whoever posted that Publix coupon on salmon. It was $1 off any size of that brand and the smaller, tuna size cans were $1.19 each, or .19 after the coupon. No limit. I have a lot more now.
There was also a coupon in the same flyer for $1 off Kleenex big boxes, on sale 3/4.00, or 34 cents each after coupon.Splicerswife, do you measure for those pancakes or does the mix "just look right"?
My MIL makes "flapjacks" (look like crepes to me), but she never measures and nobody can make them like she does. So it has to be an annual treat when we see her because we can't make them. This thread has already paid off for me. Keep those ideas coming, you guys are doing great.
Adding to this weeks list:
PW you're so welcome, thanks for starting this thread.
The Publix Coupons are still valid until the Jan 06th - 14oz Pink Salmon for $0.50 and Tuna -- Dooh, I didn;t think to buy the tuna, the salmon has been out of stock for two weeks, they only get a few in and poof gone. Only the dented ones left behind so I got them and put them on the use it now shelf.
and $1 off suebee canned chicken. Look for the thick 'yellow' holiday flyer
CVS- drugstore, where you need a blasted card.
14oz Pink Salmon for $1
Campbells soups buy 1 get one free ?~$1.2x?
Again go visit Granny's kitchen for recipes on how to make stuff from scratch.
PW you're so welcome, thanks for starting this thread.
The Publix Coupons are still valid until the Jan 06th - 14oz Pink Salmon for $0.50 and Tuna -- Dooh, I didn;t think to buy the tuna, the salmon has been out of stock for two weeks, they only get a few in and poof gone. Only the dented ones left behind so I got them and put them on the use it now shelf.
and $1 off suebee canned chicken. Look for the thick 'yellow' holiday flyer
CVS- drugstore, where you need a blasted card.
14oz Pink Salmon for $1
Campbells soups buy 1 get one free ?~$1.2x?
Again go visit Granny's kitchen for recipes on how to make stuff from scratch.
Splicer205
Deceased
prudentwatcher said:Splicerswife, do you measure for those pancakes or does the mix "just look right"?
Well, Prudentwacher, I see I'm gonna have to charge extra for your lessons. I dun went n' splained it to you simple as kin be. Dinja ever make mudpies?
CSB, looks like one of those high tech, go by the measurement people, so please refer to post 56. Now, ya got it?Correction the Publix coupon was NOT for tuna, just salmon, including 6oz wild pink skinless/boneless a great deal at 19cents. Alson included were the 14oz pink boned and skined @ 50c, pouched ?6oz? skinless/boneless @ 89c -- all after coupons.
We buy the StarKist "Tuna Fillet" Solid Light Tuna, it is dark meat but in a solid chunk like albicore. It tastes so much better, and has lower Mercury than white meat - so they say.
I mix one water and one olive oil, drain both cans well, mash well, then add two large heaping tablespoon dollops of mayo - mix well - Yummy.
Next hurricane season I'm giving the friends the single size mayo packets as presents. Costco has them 200 for <$9 . No refridgeration needed.
We buy the StarKist "Tuna Fillet" Solid Light Tuna, it is dark meat but in a solid chunk like albicore. It tastes so much better, and has lower Mercury than white meat - so they say.
I mix one water and one olive oil, drain both cans well, mash well, then add two large heaping tablespoon dollops of mayo - mix well - Yummy.
Next hurricane season I'm giving the friends the single size mayo packets as presents.
Costco has them 200 for <$9 . No refridgeration needed.
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