Start new thread. last thread is here.
I’m doing some cold testing. I filled my Coleman “5 day” cooler with 4 frozen 2liter bottles. I then put in a sack of flour, a gallon of water, and a large bottle of gatorade (all items from my second fridge and already cold). I then used my indoor/outdoor thermometer to monitor the cooler temp (leaving it closed the entire time) and logged it. The tempature peaked at a cold level of 41.2F degrees and was at 44.6F when I switched the bottles out for 4 fresh ones (they still had a frozen core, probably about 50%). This was a 23 hour test. I’m going to see how long it takes to refreeze the first set of bottles at maximum cold setting in my second side by side.
From reading online, everyone seems to agree that refridgerated food should be kept at 40F or less. Clearly I am not reaching that point, so is this a waste of time?? Anyone have any alternate thinking on safe food tempatures?
Here is what the USDA thinks: http://tinyurl.com/ryryu
nopower where are you keeping the cooler (outside/inside in darkness or in the light?) and how often are you opening it?
I live in Houston, Texas and I’ve been doing a lot of prepping latley….Went to Wallyworld this morning. I bought the last of the N95 Masks…6 Boxes, none were in the paint section. Went to the camping section. Bought all of their 5 gal. collapsable water containers. (Always look up!!! They had 2 on the lower shelf and 2 more up on the top shelf) They only had 4!! They did have about 7 solar showers….but I wanted to talk to my dh about those. I wasnt sure if he wanted the one that heats…(97.00). Or the other one that was about 7.00. All the other camping stuff was fully in stock. Lots of battery operated 10″ fans….battery operated push lights…lets see, Very low on water…but always are…low on evaporated milk, surgar and flour. TP was also low. Canned goods were picked over….Lots of ladies down that isle with lists. I saw at least 4 preppers….it was obvious…they had all the usuals for beginner preppers:)…H20, tuna, tp etc….Went to Sams yesturday….everything looked well stocked exept rice, flour and surgar….canned chicken small cans were really picked over. Saw no preppers their. Dollar Tree today….Bought these neat things called Fancy Heat 2.5 Methanol Gel….Great for just heating up those little things like soup for the kids…etc. You can get 2 for a dollar…they were low on bottled water….thats all I really looked at….buyers beware of their batteries….I have purchased them and they have absolutly no life to them!!!!! I have tried many times….I have 3 boys 14,13,12 and a 21 month old little girl…..Believe me I have tried!!!! They are horrible!!! I would hate anyone to think they were getting a bargain and when TSHTF…..have no batteries to really speak of. Just a heads up on that one!!
nopower: What the USDA says and what you can get by with are two entirely different things. Upon reflection, I realized that what I will have to refrigerate if the grid goes down will be condiments, homemade margarine, some Velveeta cheese and maybe a leftover or two. The temps you are getting will do fine for storing these items until they are used up. I spent a week camping at the beach many years ago, storing all of my food in a cooler. Ice was outrageous and I guarantee you that cooler wasn’t as cold as yours was during your test and I got along just fine.
Amazing how long those bottles stay frozen isn’t it?
I finished planting my garden today, now have in tomatoes, broccoli, carrots, corn, peas, winter and summer squash, potatoes, lettuce, cabbage and beans. Bought a few more canned hams and ravioli on sale. Walgreens has flats of drinking water in the .5 liter bottles 4 for $10, picked up the limit of 2. Im planning to make strawberry jam later this week. Im now comfortably set for 6 months and am planning to work up to 12 months. I could stretch what I have now for at least another month or so but it would be pretty boring fare.
probably totally obvious-
but don’t forget that solar showers can also be used to heat water for dishes and clothes washing-
anonymous – at 15:26 -
cooler is sitting in my unairconditioned garage and the temp according to the thermometer (it does two readings) is 80–85 degrees depending on time of day. It was not opened from the time the test began till when it ended (the thermometer has a sensor on a wire that can be a ways away from the digital readout so I didn’t have to open it to check it).
HBB -
I agree that a couple degrees over 40 is probably fine, especially since it won’t be long term storage anyway. I’m trying to figure the best way to keep things cold the longest with a limited amount of gasoline. (I’m planning on 1–2 hours a day max to run the well pump and keep water pressure). I won’t be able to keep the fridge cold on 2 hours a day, but maybe I can keep the 2liters frozen and keep a cooler cold for condiments, leftovers, etc.
Hopefully I will have eaten all the frozen and fresh stuff and be into my canned goods before I ever lose power for any significant amount of time.
nopower – at 16:04 In my test, I found that running my 30+ year old chest freezer for an hour in the morning and an hour at night was all that was needed to keep the bottles of water frozen. I switched out my bottles in the cooler every 12 hours, but found out later that wasn’t really necessary. The more frozen bottles in the freezer the better. I added some foam panels inside my freezer so that the entire area wasn’t open to the ambient air when I opened the lid.
With the gas I have stored I can go 3 months this way. If the grid is down longer than that it won’t really matter anyway.
The flu prep I almost forgot, and yet a very important one. My PPV -pneumonia shot. Remember that many “flu deaths” are from secondary pneumonia. There are a lot of antibiotic resistant strains out there now and a PPV shot could save you life. If this does go to a pandemic, a pneumonia shot could save your life. If you are over 65 your county may even pay for it.
So for today’s prep, I hope I motivate some of you to check about a PPV shot. It makes your arm sore for a day or two, but it is better than getting pneumonia when the hospitals are full.
Good point DennisC. Got mine already, plus a booster on my tetanus. Also, with mumps going around, make sure you’re up to date on MMR booster and any other vacs. Ped nurse suggested my hubby get a menangitis shot since he’s a teacher. Don’t forget to make sure your pets are up to date too.
For many many years the HD & USDA & FDA had a temp of 45 degrees or lower for cold foods then in 1999 they went to 41 degrees. There are two main reasons they lowered the temp (1) Simply because 41 is better than 45 for keeping bacterial growth to a minimum (2) to “make up for” the poor food safety & sanitation habits of too many people. There are a number of factors that determine the shelf life of your foods, temp is one, time and packaging are two others that are critical. Most bacteria need several things to grow; time, temp, and oxygen (food & moisture too but the food at least is kind of a given). As many of those you can keep to a minimum the longer your food will keep. Just a couple degrees can make a huge difference. For example broccoli will keep for about 1 week in the coldest area of the typical refrigerator where as if you lower the temp to just above freezing you can double or even triple that if you have the humidity high enough. You could get even more time if you removed or replaced the oxygen atmosphere, but then acidity becomes a factor. Following are several short but very helpful web pages that I really like; the last one deals with vacuum packing perishable foods and several cautions/concerns.
Went out “camping” over the weekend, tried a few items from my bug-out bag. Those emergency blankets DO keep out wind, water, and reflect heat (Standing in front of a fire with it wrapped around me I could barely feel its heat, if any) — but they don’t really provide warmth. I say add a real wool blanket to your bug-out bag, it’s more of a psychological comfort, too.
Dennis C
how sore did your arm get? I ask because I have bad veins to begin with. Do they put it in the muscle? Did you bruise?
in the muscle- I got it in the afternoon and it was sore through half the night. (you milage may vary). It wasn’t too bad but don’t expect to go bowling.
HBB - I just checked and my 4 orginals are refrozen nearly 100% after 3 hours back in the freezer. I wish I could have checked it at 2 hours but I was busy. So probably running the generator for an hour every 11–12 hours and using that time to refreeze the bottles would probably work. And the orginals were in there for nearly 23 hours, plus they went in with the cooler at 70F to start.
I think I will try and find some information on how long those chemical cold packs last and how long to refreeze, they might help me stretch out my 2L bottle time a little.
Little projects like this help keep me from checking the Indonesia/Romania threads every 2 minutes. I sure am glad I found this place two months ago :)
I took a deep breath and finally ordered the Kelly Kettle and cooking kit from Waterstrider. Whew-$133.44 total. It will boil 2 qts. of water using twigs, bark, woodscraps, even dry grass or pinecones. Then I can cook in my Thermos. http://www.waterstrider.com Click on Kelly Kettle.
Also bought steel fence posts for catching water in tarps, and baling wire and hardware cloth (1/4 inch) for mouseproofing some food storage, just in case.
Jane that is pretty cool, But $133. ouch!
About 6 years ago I sent for a Federal Firearms License (FFL) as a collector of Curios and Relics (C&R). I am mentioning this as a prep as there has been some firearm interest on this site. I am not saying it to advocate shooting Granny next door if she wanders onto your property, please! However it has allowed me to collect surplus firearms and ammunition directly from the distributor (Century Arms, AIM, SOG, etc.) at dealer prices and I believe my investments in this area have done better than the stock market or any CD. If interested, go to the BATF.gov site, download the application, get fingerprinted, sent the papers and print card, along with A check for $30 to the govmint and in 2 months get your license. Send copies to distributors and you are in business. For those who are not into firearms, I apologize for taking your time.
MY personal prep for the moment is to get back from DC tomorrow to home, in Utah, where I will feel a lot more confortable with the latest news from Indonesia. No offense to those in N. Virginia, but I wanta be HOME!
That Kettle is so cool! I googled it and it had good reviews on several camping sites, etc. It is pricey though. Have to think about that. But, if there is no heat a nice hot cup of coffee would be nice!
I’m working on my prep letter for friends and family. I think I’m doing a pretty decent job if I say so myself. Remains to be seen if it helps.
Need to buy soda bottles this week (we never drink it!)to fill my freezer!
Laura B- I found some cheap generic pop in 3 liter bottles at Fry’s grocery for 85 cents. Since you don’t drink pop you won’t feel so bad about dumping it out if it’s cheap. Or you could always give it to the neighbor’s kids. (just kidding)
Are you kidding - those kids are nightmares anyway. The last thing they need is sugar and caffine! But thanks - I go down the spft drink aisle so rarely I forgot about those cheapie brands.
Does anyone know if there are plans anywhere for building something like a Kelly kettle? No way I can afford to buy one, but hubby is pretty handy.
Today I made doctor (physicals)/dentist appointments for everybody. Uasually I schedule these later in the summer-just before kids go back to school, but I’m doing it now. Getting extra pair of glasses for myself. Also updated my lists, and shifted homecanned goods to a cooler, darker spot in the basement. I made strawbery jam yesterday, and dehydrated some green peppers. Finishing up garden this week-weve had a cool rainy spell thats put me behind with that. Also experimenting with heating water-my solar shower is not getting that hot!
Like nopower, I’m coming up with projects to keep from checking the wiki too much!
I didn’t do this because of flu prep, but last week I got a tetanus shot. My arm hurt for about 3 days.
Go to the Dollar Store for big soda bottles—doesn’t hurt pouring the soda out!!
3l120 – at 19:39 - I had that license for over twelve years (owned a retail store) while still employed in my other job and can support everything you outlined in your post. Depending on your point of view, a win - win situation.
When you go to get updates on your injections, don’t forget to take some OTC pain relievers before you leave home. This will combat the soreness caused by the shot. If taking Asprin or Tylenol, taking a backup dose afterwards is a good idea. I do this for my yearly flu shot and did it with my son and grandson. Gee mom, no pain or inflamaion. If you tend to bruse badly, put an ice pack on it. Has anyone been brave enough to make an Icyball?
KC quiet - I was thinking about that and while I’m not handy my hubby is. I have two charcoal starters (large) and I thought that if I had a container that I could slip into the charcoal starter - tall like a thermos (have to search) I may be able to do something similar. I see what hubby thinks.
The price of the Kelly Kettle included shipping and handling to my zipcode, if that makes it any better. Kettle alone-$79.95. And there’s a smaller size-$69.95.
nopower – at 15:23
This year for his science fair project, my 12 year old grandson conducted experiments on the differences in electric and regular ice chests. He was measuring how long it took ice to melt, how well they held temp between 40–45 degrees, and difference opening the chests made between regular, precooled elec, and elec not precooled. Elec not precooled and regular chest results were basically the same on every test. He measured 30 min, 1 hr, and 3 hr tests… w/ not opening for 3 hours showing the best results. The chests were not loaded with ice or anything, except 1 qt frozen ice in plastic containers in each chest. The ice didn’t completely melt for 5 hours in the not precooled elec and regular chests, and 8 hours in the precooled chest. He was not able to hold any of them at 40–45 degrees… not even the precooled electric chest. Results might have been different if loaded with ice or more cold/frozen items, but we were wanting to know what it would be like w/o ice to hold cold/frozen items.
Might be helpful to load the chest and see if it reaches the temp and how long it holds.
BTW, he didn’t even place. But, I betcha those teachers and judges will remember his experiment somewhere down the road. *He did take first place year before last on testing various water samples using SODIS method!
Oh, the “precooled” ice chest had to be precooled for 24 hours to make a difference.
kc_quiet – at 21:02
Kelly stove = Hobo stove
I’m sure if your Husband is handy he could make one.
My mushrooms are coming up! Got one of those kits with inoculated sawdust that you mix with coffee grounds and/or paper, then you start to get shrooms in a few weeks. It’s fun to do at home, and I bet kids would have a great time with it.
I went to the local health department’s meeting on panflu last night and was pleasantly surprised. The doctor that spoke didn’t pull any punches; he didn’t just stick with the “don’t panic, eat chicken” thing, but covered the whole topic, including both bad and good news. The county is working on their plan and running simulations, “as fast as we can.”
Through our local freecycle group, I’ve gotten two sets of metal shelves for organizing my preps. (Thank you, Lily; I think you were the one that introduced me to the concept of freecycle.) And I’ve freed up some space by donating some stuff to the local peace group’s annual rummage sale—a win/win for everybody.
bump. Closing threads elsewhere due to server volume.
nopower – at 18:25 What I found was that the bottles I just put back in the freezer that had been in the cooler would not completely re-freeze within the first day, but since I had a LOT of frozen bottles it really didn’t matter, I just keep rotating. What I was pleased to see, was that just running the freezer for one hour every 11 hours kept them frozen solid.
After I was done with my tests, I removed the foam panels from inside the freezer and left the lid up for three days. I was sure that the bottles would be unfrozen by that time so I put my plywood sheeting on top of the bottles and loaded my dry prep ingredients back inside the freezer (protects against rodents). Imagine my surprise when I got some pasta out of the freezer 3 days later and found it was quite cool inside. I checked it with my thermometer and the temp inside the freezer was 50 degrees. It stayed that way for another week.
Well, I’ve decided to “splurge” and do some additional food stocking. I’m off to wallyworld this afternoon. I’ve got all the equipment that we need for necessities, and I’m just transferring some of the funds for non-necessities back into the food budget.
I don’t know how much more re-organizing I can do to find room for all of the food that I’m stocking. I have a few other hiding places … out of sight places anyway … that I can place stuff in/under but my creativity is really being pushed. <grin>
I’ll let y’all know if I see any preppers out though I probably won’t because I’ll be going while most folks are supposed to be in the office.
I am about to shell some serious dollars for an inverter. For some time I have been researching the battery bank/inverter setup and I finally came to the conclusion that I need to make this purchase so that I can safely run my computer and TV if the electric grid goes down. Those two units will provide us with information and entertainment while we SIP.
A poster on the wiki put up a link to some very inexpensive models and I was just about to order one when I decided to use a strategy I learned from Eccles. This involves using a clear definition in place of a noun or adjective. Therefore, if I replace the noun “inverter” with the phrase, “electronic devide that I will depend on” I find that “cheap” and “bargain basement” are no longer adjectives that make sense in my application.
Just a word to the wise.
You have plucked the stone from my hand Grasshopper. Time to go.
Eccles: LOL !!!!
Thank you Master.
Another thing I found while I was out and about yesterday. At the local Dollar Tree they had a supply of generic type salsa and cheese dips in jars. I’ve been looking for inexpensive … ok … cheap … (sorry Eccles - grin) … substitutes for block cheese in my recipes.
I know the stuff is cheese dip, but it is still “cheese” of a sort and can be substituted into recipes, just think of it as already melted cheese and adjust any dry ingredients accordingly. And at $1 (US) per jar that is a heck of alot cheaper than some of the other canned cheeses out there. And the stuff doesn’t taste bad either.
Hillbilly Bill – at 10:59
I bought the 700 watt inverter. Enough to run TV or computer. Short cables though, so you will either need an extension cord long enough to reach whatever you’re powering, or have your battery near what you are going to power. Deep cycle battery recommended.
I am going to make a first visit to Aldi today — there’s a new one in a nearby town and I am going to check it out. I feel terribly underprepped food and water wise — I just don’t have enough. I need to take a good inventory and figure out exactly what I do need, but I feel like I don’t have more than a few months of stuff. Any thoughts on Aldi?
Question about the PPV shots — I thought that there were counter-indications for those under 65? Did I misunderstand this? I’m under that age by a few decades, but wonder if the shot is a good idea anyway.
Hillbilly Bill – at 10:59
BTW, when I ordered in Feb. they were out of stock and it took 3 months to get to me. But it was 5 bucks cheaper back then. Supply and demand 8^)
We decided to go to our “hotlist” this morning. With the H2H spector creaping around we are picking up the last items for SIP minus the last trip fresh supplies. Massive dog/cat/chicken food, Massive( we are going to fill up our VW bus) TP, 50 gallons of stabled gasoline, a new chainsaw, a case of motor oil, 50lbs of rice, 50lbs of flour, more lard, a tub of margarine, a whole bunch o’ chocolate ( you can never have too much ) and we are filling three 50 gallon drums with water.
Aldi’s is prepper heaven, I think you will be happy when you leave. The one in our area only takes cash and debit cards, no checks or credit cards.
Oh, and take a quarter to get your cart. You’ll understand when you get there.
Eccles: you have mail
oh, and several more boxes of Red wine flu killer.
After working out the cost per hour of converting my generator to propane and buying the tank, having it installed, etc, etc I decided that is not an option. Maybe in a couple years when it is time to replace the waterheater (hello tankless propane) and the range (goodbye electric) then it might make sense to bury a large tank.
In it’s place I’m thinking of hooking up some 12v batteries and maybe convert some circuits over to run off inverter(s). This would be nice for those small power outages here and there (keep the fridge and computers up) and I could probably put 20 - 60 amps back in a day running off the generator in an emergency.
I’m also thinking about buying or building a very small generator to supply 12v power only to recharge the batteries. There was a thread over at CE about using a 1.1Hp Honda engine with a genhead to produce 15amps and he said the fuel consumption was around 20+ hours for a gallon of gas. Unfortunately he gave very little info on what he used or how he did it.
Hello All! It has been awhile since I have posted (just prior to the site going down), however, I have been reading on a daily basis after taking a short break. Psychologically I just needed a break from all of this.
Anyway, I have been continuing to prep and am now going to finish off my preps as things seem to be taking a turn for the worse. My question is in regards to water bottles. I know from reading the forum to not use plastic milk jugs, however, can I use the gallon size plastic juice containers, i.e., the type the Costco CranRaspberry juice comes in for water storage? I have been saving the and rinsing them out with bleach water so they should be sterile.
I look forward to any answers.
Thanks, Deb
Deb – at 12:17 I have used the same type of containers with no problems. I tested water I had stored in them for 3 months recently and it was fine.
Deb, I know people reuse 2 liter coke/soda/pop/whatever-it’s-called-in-your region bottles so I would think that the juice containers would be okay if they are the same type of plastic. Check the water thread on the wiki as I think this has been discussed before — if you search the forum for the water storage thread you should find it — and I will look too.
Hillbilly Bill — Thanks for the tips on Aldi — I hope it’s a good trip and that we make it — we’re going after a doctor checkup so if my assistant is grouchy, I may not get to go today. I’m hoping it will relieve some stress to get a cart of goodies to store. You are WAY ahead of me — I figure as long as I get food going, we will be okay, and I’m not thinking about how to run the tv until I’ve crossed some other hurdles.
Also got my shots last week for tetunus and PPV, arm was sore for a couple days but gone now, I am 50 & no problem getting doc to give shots, he thought it a good idea!……..having problems obtaining 55 gal blue water drums, got one but other orders from other companies are backordered, anyone have a source? Still having difficulity convincing relatives to prep, did talk some into getting tamiflu, I ordered a case of masks and sent boxes to relatives.Bird flu just on fox news!
new birdie prepper – at 12:26 When I started I was way behind a lot of other people. It’s more a matter of staying the course than racing along. I hope you get to go to Aldi’s, realistically I would not have been able to put away the food I have without their good prices. I’m also using them to build up my church’s food pantry. Check out their ready to eat soups, (Beef, Sirloin Burger, Grilled Chicken, etc.), practically a meal for two in a can.
There was just a story on CNN about bird flu scams — mostly on fake Rx meds but they did mention food storage folks on line and showed a pic of Mountain house cans……..and they are right that the food won’t cure the bird flu, but it was rather dismissive of preps, imho.
jt — I gave up on ordering 55 gal drums because I found the shipping costs to be oppressive and have purchased several of the aquatainers at wallyworld. Have you considered that as an alternative? They seem stackable and they are easy to lug around (well, easy compared to a drum). I’m going to get a pallet someplace to stack more on — right now they are on the bottom of my giganto shelves that store 900 lbs each that we just assembled.
Anyone have a link to, or general thoughts on, what preps can be stored in a hot garage? I’m planning to keep water out there and to store paper goods in tubs, and keep cat food and litter there. Of course, I fear that the canned goods will deteriorate too quickly. Am I right in that I should try to keep all of our food in the house? Thanks.
jt – at 12:29
I got a bunch of plastic drums from a car wash. They use them for the wax and soap. I don’t drink from them but they are fine for backup water to flush, laundry,etc. They just gave them to me.
new birdie prepper – at 12:37 paper goods, salt, sugar, bottles of lamp oil, bleach, books for gifts,
For the blue water drums, check the Barrels and Drums section of your yellow pages. Sometimes a local company carries them.
new birdie prepper at 12:37, could your garage be somewhat cooled with ventilation? There’s an idea in a food storage thread about ventilating my basement, because root cellars are supposed to have some air movement: a pipe with opening at floor level and one on the opposite side of the room at ceiling level, both vented to outside, with metal screening to prevent pests from coming in. (Although in a garage, above ground, it would be just a vent at floor level, no pipe. Or just vents at each side at ceiling level? If you had gables, it should cool pretty well because you could place them high up (at least it works in my imagination). But other roof styles??)
New birdie prepper---cat food will not work in a hot garage—you will get bugse like crazy and rodents will chew through the bags if that is what you use. All food needs to be in the house and if you can a vacum sealer is very helpful---I seal everything beans,rice,dog food etc. good luck
OH! that was me—I am at work
I’d keep bleach in the house too. Liquid bleach will degrade with time, and heat will just make it lose potency more quickly.
Hi Everyone, They say “fear is a good thing if it motivates you”….well, Monday, I topped off my preps. Spent $200. Today, I filled my freezer with meat and vegetables, another $200. One of my concerns is once everyone gets real nervous, we may very well see empty shelves at the market, even before a BF hits our shores……what do you think?
I agree, Commonground. I’m making the rounds tonight to hit the sales in the local grocery stores and fill some gaps in my preparations.
By the way, what do you folks think of Cash & Carry, which I gather is the west coast branch of the Aldi’s chain. Good deals there?
I have found Cash & Carry to have good deals on some things but not all. For example, I like to use Pacific’s organic chicken broth and I have found that Costco sells it cheaper than Cash & Carry. So just be sure to check the prices. Otherwise, I really like them. In fact, I just made the rounds yesterday to both Cash & Carry and Costco to top off some of my preps.
Cash and Carry, Costco, Aldi (??),Sam’s…. It is interesting to see all these big city franchise names. Our town has no franchise stores in the entire town except for the one gas station. Got to drive 50 miles to get to a WalMart. I get most of my “good” preps from the net. Got a good deal on a can of dried eggs (equivalent to 170 eggs for $9.99 -Honeyville- good for 3–5 years). I hope we have 3 years before it hits but I would be happy with 3 weeks.
DennisC – at 20:55 I think that I heard about Honeyville from you a month or so ago and ordered 2 tins of whole eggs, a box of assorted dried vegetables, and a box of assorted dried fruits (raspberries, yum), and some oxygen(?) packets. They arrived after a week or so and in great shape. Thanks so much for the info. :>) I’ll be looking forward to some blueberry/apple pancakes if I’m forced to SIP. I feel so fortunate to have this community and i feel so sad for the ‘others’.
“Therefore, if I replace the noun “inverter” with the phrase, “electronic devide that I will depend on” I find that “cheap” and “bargain basement” are no longer adjectives that make sense in my application.”
It depends on the use. I have an expensive (for the watts delivered) “Exeltech” inverter. It uses circuitry to make a better sine wave than some of the el cheapo models do.
But it does so by using more power (in its own wave-shaping circuitry). And for laptops, a clean sine wave is not even really needed, as they have their own charging circuitry, plus an installed battery. I’ve found that a $29.95 plug-in inverter works as well with my laptop and its wall wart charger as the “built like a tank” Exeltech inverter does….and it doesn’t “heat up” as much (implying less battery energy being dissipated by the inverter).
So, more expensive does not necessarily imply better…for this kind of use.
If your computer is a desktop, with a CRT monitor, a cheap inverter may not be wise. But older model laptops are inexpensive, so this might be a better way to go than using a desktop and CRT, for use during an emergency.
(This is what I’ve been doing during power failures at my place—switching over to my laptop and, if the power outage last longer than several hours, plugging my laptop into an inverter coming out of a booster battery with a cigarette lighter output).
California
My Honeyville can says they can be stored 5–10 years unopened, 1 year opened with lid covering.
Bought fifteen 4qt plastic food storage conainers with plastic screw lids for 1 dollar ea. at the Dollar Store. One will hold two boxes of cereal, or you can use them for rice, dry milk, potato flakes, etc.
new birdie prepper at 12:37 - do not store cat food in your garage in the bags that it comes in. Trust me - If you store it they will come! Rodents I mean. I made that mistake with dog food and ended up losing a couple of large bags. Also, do not store anything directly on the ground. And, just in case anyone was wondering - large disgusting rats will chew through gallon jugs of water and just about anything else. Do not store anything in your garage that they can smell. Put everything in airtight containers. I am just grateful I had time to deal with all this and learn my lesson before TSHTF. Sign me, Watching out for rats in Texas or WIT the rat killer
For those who would like some good basic and not so basic info on prepping, please go to this URL: http://www.stevenharris.net/page13.html Then listen to his seminar on Family Preparedness. I have been prepping for many years, and he has some very good ideas in his presentation. I think he comes off as a little “know it all” but he does make some very good points. It is free and definitely worth a listen. It is a good thing to send friends and family too also who may not be prepping yet. I don’t know this gentleman, just think he has some good ideas.
new birdie prepper try this for food in garage….Petco Vittles Vault — they have 2 shapes & are stackable.
Everyone, Thank you for the information on storing in the garage. I would like to think that we wouldn’t have rodents, since the cats live in the garage, but they are lazy beasts . . . . but now I am worried about my aquatainers — the big blue jugs from wallyworld. do you all think rats would get into those? Right now they are empty, but I want to store them on the shelves or on a pallet — I was planning to keep the stuff all off the concrete. WITexas, I was planning to put the paper goods in those heavy duty rubbermaid tubs, and do that with the cat food as well. Jane, will look into ventilation but I am not sure. Great suggestions. Again, great advice, all.
HillbillyBill, I *did* get to make a quick trip to Aldi’s — thank you for the tips on cash and the quarter, as I would have arrived without either without you watching out for me. I didn’t have a lot of time, but did get a 12 can flat of each of these: baked beans, black beans, carrots, tomatoes, mandarin oranges, peas. I am definitely going back soon! That may not be a lot, but it’s a start.
Now the other thread on prepping and the law has me jittery — I don’t want the house raided for my mandarin oranges….
Anyway, thanks, all!
Oh, by the way, I brought up bird flu at the doctor’s office and they said they haven’t been worried but maybe/probably should be more worried. Interesting response, I thought.
I’m workin — I’ve seen those vittles vaults and have been interested in those!! I will definitely look at those on my next trip to PetCo or on line. Thanks!
I was on this website to order a Kelly Kettle and I found these survival straws and I was wondering if anyone has bought any of them or knows anything about them. I thought they might be good for a BOB. If anyone knows anything would appreciate the information.
scooba, the straws have been de-bunked, if not outright outlawed, by the FDA as ineffective. Stay clear of them, you’d be wasting your money.
Kim
Thanks!
Bump
California – at 21:17 I also have an inexpensive inverter for those uses, but I needed a quality inverter for my fairly new and moderately expensive HDTV. I was about to buy a modified sine wave inverter, but changed my mind after talking to Eccles. He said that if I replaced “modified” with the words “not a true”, then I could make a better decision. A quick check with the manufacturer of my TV confirmed that I do indeed need true sine wave power or my warranty is voided. I have several laptops and will use them in place of the “regular” computer during grid outages, they use a lot less wattage than the CRT monitor alone.
I wasn’t implying that there is a reason not to buy an inexpensive square wave or modified sine wave inverter, just that price alone should not be the determining factor for something so vital.
new birdie prepper – at 23:00 You are most welcome, I’m glad you got to go to Aldi’s. DW and I are stopping tonight after work. In response to recent developments (Indonesia) I have added more long-term items to the regular list.
“Sign me, Watching out for rats in Texas or WIT the rat killer.”
Did you shoot them?
Quick tip- check your local area for recycled open top 55 gallon drums. Large bakeries, fruit processing plants etc, go through drums in fairly large quantities. In the Frederick Maryland area, call McCutcheon Apple Products- they have a steady supply and the last time I was there a steel drum was less than $10. They also have food grade plastic containers from 1–60 gallons. WHile a dedicated rat can check through a phenomenal amount of almost anything, steel is difficult to chew through, and plastic bagged containers are safer there than elsewhere. I combined this with a generous spacing of rat poison distributed around my stoarge area; discourages eating the good stuff and encourages eating the poison. If you cannot find recycled open top drums, I noticed that Lowes is stocking 30 gallon galvanized steel trash cans for $18 with lids.
as far as shooting rodents, I recommend a short barreled .22 pistol with shot cartridges; the short barrel causes less distortion of the shot pattern. I have gotten good results out to 7 yards on snakes, rats and pigeons. The CCI cartidges are the best, but also the most expensive. For the uninitiated, DO NOT shoot small critters in enclosed spaces with solid projectiles. A rat will not stop a .22 projectile; the bullet continues on once it has hit the rat. Richochets sting at best and can cause lethal damage at worst. (yes, that is the voice of experience speaking) Ear plugs and safety glasses strongly recommended.
Hormel, Maker of Spam, Sees 2Q Profit Rise http://tinyurl.com/ks5q7
“Hormel Foods Corp., maker of Spam and other canned meats, said Thursday its fiscal second-quarter earnings climbed 20 percent, beating Wall Street estimates, driven by gains from its refrigerated and specialty foods segments.”
<snip>
but, “Hormel’s Jennie-O Turkey Store however, reported a 21 percent drop in profits to $26.6 million due to higher feed and energy costs.”
Gee, I wonder why…??? :>)
Until my prepping began, I had never purposely bought anythng Hormel or anything from factory farms. Now, I do have many misc. cans of meat that I hope I’ll never have to dig into. not complaining though.
new birdie prepper at 23:00 - Good! You are smarter than me then - and I do think cats, even the lazy ones, will help!
Hillbilly Bill - No, silly boy, I used my bazooka! Just kiddin’, actually we use glue boards, since we have stupid dogs we can’t use poison. However, someone in the area must use poison because one afternoon, we (me and 2 youngest daughters) were leaving to go to a school program and lo and behold, betwix me and my van…..was an extremely large, sick rat and we’re talkin RAT here - not a mouse, not mice, a rat, an It Came From Another World Rat, a Creature from the Rat Lagoon rat….it was huge!! It just looked at me with those big buck teeth and dared me to get two girls (one of whom was now screaming like…a little girl) past it. So, I put the kids back in the house, drew myself up to my full height (now, I know this is going to disappoint ya’ll, cause you thought I was a tall, willowy blonde, so sorry) of almost 5′2″, grabbed a broom….and well, it was pretty ugly and for a while it was touch and go, but let’s just say, Wit the rat killer won….
bird-dog – at 09:26 “Now, I do have many misc. cans of meat that I hope I’ll never have to dig into. not complaining though.”
It just so happens I have canned ham and velveeta sandwhiches for lunch.
I like Spam! Well okay mostly I just like to sing the song from Monty Python….
that does sound good HB..i like the taste, esp. hot dogs— <G> at this point, it’s not so important. hey, maybe I’ll join you!
WIT- Perhaps you might wish to stock a few RPGs in case the rats get further out of hand?
WIT - I like Spam, too. Must be a Texas thang!
My preps are bubbling along fairly well. Being from the Gulf Coast, I also have the problem of storage (and rodents) in a hot garage. Can’t do it! Therefore, preps are in the house.
I found that by unpacking some of the food stuffs like ramen noodles, oatmeal, etc. I could put them into kits (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and store them under our beds in plastic containers.
Still stocking up on TP, cold meds, etc. I think I have enough food stuffs - but the OTC meds need to be organized and supplemented. Sam’s here I come!
Bluebonnet - we have moved some of our preps to a storage facility that is built out of cinderblocks and I have been amazed at how cool the inside of the building is, we checked when it was 97 degrees and high humidity. Yes, I am a friend of Sam’s as well!
I don’t have the rats in my garage-I have snakes! I had a snake that lived in the soap dispenser of my washer for a while. That one I left alone, it went after the mice that were after the dog food that the lazy dogs left in their dish. I was afraid the mice would chew up expensive parts of my new washer. In a scenario much like WIT at 9:32 I had to go after a snake that some how got into the bathtub, only I had two little kids that wanted to play with the snake. I’m getting somewhat used to the snakes- At least snakes don’t chew through things, nor do they spread Hanta Virus. I despise rodents!
I saw on CNN this morning that the company that makes SPAM( I think it is Hormel) Posted record profits. They made it a point to say it was because of SPAM sales. I know I helped a lot. LOL
Green Mom - we had a rat snake that hung around for a while and took care of our rodents….sigh….it appears to have moved on. I actually don’t mind snakes, the non-venomous ones that is. I was actually quite fond of one named Lady Hiss. But, with rats, it’s either them or me and I am not going anywhere. I really have a live and let live attitude with most things, but not Rats From Outer Space…I even attempted hostage negotiations with that one - go quitely, give me my mini-van and no one will get hurt. Fear not the outraged middle aged mommy with the broom, we can be friends, just leave. Did it listen? No, it did not. So….I am still here. And the rat is not…
Green Mom- makes me feel a little better about the two snakes son has lost in the house over the years. Just a little.
Hi all. Bought some additional food items at wallyworld yesterday. Its not hard to rack up a large grocery bill for the month with a family of 7 so buying almost double really pinches in the budget area.
But I’m feeling a little better about food. I still have a lot of little odds and ends that I’d like to fill the pantry out with but could make do with what I have right now for some time (3+ months or more) if we had to.
I wouldn’t say there were too many completely wiped out sections of the store. Certain brands were empty but not a specific type of item was completely unavailable.
Noticed that food item prices are continuing to increase at an alarming rate though so even if no H2H in the near future, I figure I’m ahead of the game financially by eating and rotating our stores of food.
Anyone know a good, inexpensive source of powdered sour cream? This item would make things unbelievably more varied as far as recipes.
Water barrels can be had for about $15 each outside the city … check for places selling empty pepper barrels. They are food grade and just need to be cleaned out before use.
I want to defrost my freezer this weekend and refill next week if possible.
Still needing to stock up on some paper goods and office items. Thought I would have more time to squeak it into the budget. If I can do it earlier though I will … but food for a family of 7 comes first.
Kathy in FL - I just got back from taking one of my daughters to the doctor and don’t worry - you have all the time in the world to prep, because this is “much ado about nothing” according to the doctor. Oh, it will happen sometime, but not right now, nothing to worry about, go on about your business, the CDC is watching all of this, no worries….hmmmm….now I remember…..this is why I don’t ask anyone what they think about H5N1!
Here’s a recipe I just tried out, Pinto Bean Cake. The beans just disappear, and what you taste are the fruits & spices. Very filling! (I used cooked up dried beans, with the same proportion of liquid to beans as in the pot, and a 1/4 cup additional flour high-altitude adjustment.) I tried it out with a glass of non-fat dry milk that was really OK, not what I expected.
At the Big Lots store I saw a stack of Kleenex that had a plastic add-on advertisement that they killed 99% of viruses, though the small print said that no testing with actual viruses had been done! We’re probably going to be seeing lots of attempts to make money from us.
Finally got around to buying a shotgun yesterday, hopefully won’t have to use it. But feel better having it just in case! Also got clothes line and pins at walmart . Also noticied that if you mention God on this site , they are quick to remove your input. Why is that? I wonder.
jt,
It’s been our policy from the beginning that this site is to be friendly to those of all faiths and none. Religion has been discussed here from time to time, but we don’t allow prosylatizing or arguments which clearly favor one tradition over another. This mod holds a master’s degree in systematic theology, so we are hardly unfriendly to religion. This forum is simply not the place to discuss it. There are other boards for that.
Dropped by Walgreen’s today and got alcohol swabs (on sale), eye droppers and some OTC meds. I noticed that the aisle ends had full displays full of bf (not hurricane — I’m in FL) prep products such as handgel, respiratory and flu meds, gloves, masks etc. Interesting that the store is being proactive.
Kathy in Florida at 12:49- Have you tried yogurt in place of sour cream? In many recipies you cant tell the difference. Ive been doing my own with powdered milk and a thermos-there might be a recipie on the thermos link(?)
Some rabid racoons being reported. Snakes don’t bother me, had a big one under the front porch, a large black snake by the stream. Lift up a flower pot, and depending on its size your likely to see a very good sized garter snake, a toad or some other critter, that I wouldn’t dream of distressing, usually have them upside down, but they find ways in. I passed a Costco and didn’t stop, end of the month, too many charge accounts to pay, plus house insurance and all the rest of lifes little irritants, like paying for what you buy after you’ve eaten it. Have to sit down someday and think sensible thoughts. Saw the Kelly Kettle, and it looks interesting. From here on in its only things that I would need for survival. I really think the powers that be are starting to let it filter through. The news casters don’t seem worried, but they aren’t as smug and dismissive as they were a few months ago. Of course I watched American Idol, the very first I ever saw. The winner so mediocre, the show actually entertaining. Today stopping at a rest stop that was what I heard, Watched American Idol, over and over. I like that. Life as entertainment. I think it is getting out there, slowly. People are hearing it over and over. They may prep and never admit it.
For today’s prep, I will be getting a few jars of baby food for the “sick room”. If one of us get it, some baby food, ensure, pediolyte and some items like that may be useful.
I bought silk long johns for my family today from Winter Silks (on sale, but still pricey). My thought is that it will be de rigeur as a first level if we’re without heat. Silk insulates well and it’s easy to handwash and dries quickly.
Lily, you write the best posts on the wiki.
Thank you, desertstar. Just read in the local paper that the gangs are moving into our idyllic rural area. Blood, ms13, the crips, the Latin Kings. 2/3 under 17 and thinking it glorious to die for what they beleive in. I wonder what that is? Frightening. Those weird scenarios I was thinking about, but didn’t think would happen here, just might. The library is giving away a lot of donated new age tapes.Has anyone heard of the Oracle Chamber in the Hypogeum at Hal Saflieni, Malta. It looks incredable. One of the world’s oldest temples in a chamber created for sound. Plus arab tapes, and a few others. I like weird things, and being a liker of the far out, I often come across it accidently in my travels. Synergistic.
I stopped at the local newsstand this afternoon and found some good stuff I think. Probably overdid it.
Back Home mag:”Homegrown Water Storage” and “Organic Pest Control” and “Diatomaceous Earth”
Communities mag:”Community Survival During the coming engery decline”, Preparing for a post-carbon world,Peak oil and Community Food Security, and Living the (almost) Petrol-free life
Home Power mag:the hands-on Journal of home-made power: Inverter efficiency. scads of ads for solar equipment. 12/24 VDC refrig and freezers, for ex.
Mother Earth News: “Easier plumbing with PEX (a plastic pipe) Organic soil-building plan. Declare Energy independence.
Sorry about the lack of consistency in punctuation-I’m rushing and should be cooking dinner now.
Dusty 15:05, I have noticed that at my local Walgreens as well, hand sanitizer, mucinex, pseudophed on the endcaps. They also have a pretty sweet deal on bottled water but with a limit this week. I found jarred nuts on a “last chance” sale with exp dates in 07 for a quarter of regular price last time I was in.
Today I watered the garden. That was all I could fit in prepping wise today.
I made up a list of clothes to get for SIP in three seasons. My wardrobe is pretty shabby, I look like a grad student, and don’t think living in sweats for months will do much for my psychological state. No, I won’t be wearing heels and hose in front of my computer, but all of my jeans are ratty, my sweatshirts are old and not stuff I’m going to want to face in the morning if times are tough.
Melanie- Perhaps you need to retain some of the rattiest stuff so you can “pass” in public as one of the uprepared, so as not to draw undue attention to yourself.
My wardrobe seems to consist of only two modes, “Saturday night fever” and “Chain Gang”. Perhaps I need to find something in between.
Get some nice colors that look good on you, and make sure the jeans are stretchy. You want comfort and a lift if you look at yourself in a mirror.
Eccles,
I’m pretty much “chain gang” only and Lily’s suggestions are helpful. Since I never throw anything out, the rattiest stuff will be washed and folded and stuck in the back of the closet.
Today is cleaning day: Friday. I cant leave the house once i start as i wear my cleaning clothes. I’m afraid folk would start throwing me coins! Maybe i should keep these clothes for if the balloon goes up!
I’ve worn the same shade of lipstick since 2001, and since 2001 other women ask me what color and brand. Revlon, the green plastic tube, Champagne lilac, only its pink. I don’t know why but I feel good when I have it on. Other shades, so so. I buy two whenever its 2 for 1 at CVS. One of these days they won’t make it any more. I may have a lifetime supply by now.Other women love it. I won’t say anything about men.
i finally found replacements for my purple john lennon glasses that broke! I feel like myself again now. So if TSHTF at least i can look at the world through almost rose coloured glasses :) I bought 3 pairs…just in case!
Denis c- have your kids try the pediolyte first before buying large quantities. My kids (and many others) hate the taste. Gerber makes a much better version and now they even have one that has no flavor at all that you could add to someone’s favorite drink to encourage tehm to drink.
Melanie - I just went out and got many of us new underwear for the same reason! Well, okay, the boys needed new anyway (they are boys after all), but I thought I needed to replace my old cotton regulars for a few more interesting ones! And chain gang works for me - I’m on the floor with kids all day.
We all have these little psychological lifts. For some reason Woodstock loves her purple john lennon glasses. If I wear another shade of lipstick, I feel strange until I find my green tube and then all is sunshine. I remember the guy from Kiss who went to England to form a rock group from some English music students for a reality show. He goes back to California, and he points up at the sky, See that, he says, for you in England, that’s the sun. So for Woodstock its purple john lennon glasses, and for me its Champagne Lilac (really a hot pink) lipstick.
Does anyone else out there have these must have items?
We have bought a bunch of Carhart double front work pants and some heavy duty work shirts. Also a couple pairs each of work boots. I guess if one was to have to wash the same clothes over and over again over a year these would hold up better.
oops. anonymous-19:43 That was me.
nopower: experiment with salted water in your frozen bottles, it will keep them frozen much longer.
If you are worried about losing food in the deepfrece, and If you have the room for it, add large plastic botles with salt water, it may save your food long enough to get the el back.. or buy you some time to eat it all ;)
Todays most important prep. I googled up the Bloods the Crips, Latin Kings, and MS-13. I think MS-13 might be the most important to watch out for in my county. I thought of them as big city hoods, now I’m not so sure after reading our local paper. It might be a good idea to know a bit about them if you have any gangs in your area.
If anyone is thinking of acquiring firearms - not something to be done lightly - check out your local laws RIGHT AWAY. Some states require extensive paperwork, or long waiting periods. Some places just plain don’t want law abiding citizens to have guns - much neater for the politicians to have only criminals and victims. If you want to have this option, start the paperwork early. Of course, if you don’t know when “early” was, that might complicate things a tad.
Most places, starting the papers does not mean you HAVE to purchase a firearm - but check that out, too.
We are in Arizona and MS-13 are really bad guys. They are responsible for every type of crime you can think of. They make the Bloods and Crips look like boy scouts. We had them when I lived in Kansas too and they would run people out of neighborhoods and control whole blocks.
Yes I read about them and my blood ran cold. I thought the Russian Mafia was bad, but these are out to get anyone who gets in their way, police, anyone. I am going to look quickly at tatoos now, never gave them a second thought. God knows some of the gentlest people I”ve known have art work all over, blue hair, mohawks and god knows how many peircings. These MS-13 are the ones smuggling in the illegals, they do anything and everything. Even the Mexicans are afraid of them, and in Salvador just having a MS_13 tatoo will get you thrown into jail.
Kathy in Fl at12:49…some sour cream…pricey though http://tinyurl.com/h2wap
Ive never even heard of MS-13 but I live in a small town. Who the heck are these guys?
If you are going to buy firearms, please, please, please learn how to use them. You cannot just buy a gun and stash. You are a danger to yourself and your family if you are not trained and practiced with a weapon, practiced at least a couple of times a month on a range. You will have the weapon turned on you unless you are trained and practiced. A weapon is a tremendous responsibility.
They seem to have started with Salvadorians, primarily East Coast. They are completely ruthless and violent. Google them up. I just glanced and felt chilled. I’m going to check them out again, more thoroughly. I think they might be the most evil. Are you in the East?
No, Im in Utah.
Dennis C I got baby food the other day too. I bought the book the Can Opener Gourmet and the author Laura Karr uses baby food in many of her recipes. She likes them because they have no additives or preservatives. I thought it would be a way to add real banana flavor to Bisquick for a quick bread. I bet Kathy in Fl. Has a lot of ideas on other uses.
Melanie with all your spare time maybe you could come up with some SIP Elegant Loungewear. I would be your best customer. :-) Is this another common theme for folk on the wiki – our stay at home clothes are not the best? I’m trying to write this with many disruptions and a splitting headache so I hope my attempt at humor is not falling like a rock.
They started in L.A. and Southern Ca. they are considered Americans most dangerous gang. Called Mara Salvatrucha 13. Started on 13th street in L.A. Evidently they are all over and spreading fast. Cold blooded killers. They move in where gangs aren’t an issue and before authorities really know it they are established.
Yikes! They sound brutal.
Gangs aren’t really a flu topic. There are other places better equipped to discuss this.
O.K.
Good advice, Melanie.
Kathy in FL, I’ve had good results drying sour cream in my dehydrator. I sprayed the solid sheets lightly with pan spray, covered them with a thin layer of low-fat sour cream, then broke up the dried pieces and powdered them in the blender. Sour cream certainly isn’t a necessity, but some luxuries would be nice to have at a stressful time.
Tried Cash & Carry today. They had some super deals, but you have to buy huge quantities, which isn’t all that practical for me. I did get a great deal on some cheeses, olive oil, and a few other things. I may go back and get some frozen stuff. This is part of my nefarious plan to get my parents to prep without them even knowing it: I’m going to fill their freezer with stuff supposedly for me!
Also a very important prep today: bought a couple of my favorite pizzas (Papa Murphy’s gourmet veg), baked them, cut them up, and froze them!
Just did a quick run to buy 1qt canning jars on sale. While I was there, I checked the aisles looking for holes. Water, sugar, flour and rice were hollowed out. my wife was in the same store this morning and they were all full.
Pardon a propeller-head question: Do people do baking or something for Memorial Day?
I had no idea you could dry sour cream! How do you store it and what other things have you dried?
lauraB – at 19:35
My “kids” are out of college and married. I just have the stuff (ensure, pedolyte,baby food, just in the sick room in case I or the Mrs. get ill and we don’t feel like leaving the bed. I also have a water filter/tank there, meds and such- I don’t think I will ever use it but I have a spare room and thought I would put the “sick stuff” in arms reach.- So it doesn’t have to pass the kid taste test.
Sorry Melanie, Youre right. STH, great idea! I would never have thought of drying sour cream and I ditto CH5′s question. How do you store it afterwards? I have only done fruit and am going to try jerky over the weekend. Im looking for new ideas with my new dehydrater.
When making one of my every-other-month trips to Walmart the other day, I was AMAZED to find a huge canning supply section… it took up fully 1/3 the length of a long shelf (and all 4–5 shelves). This store has NEVER had more than a few jars, lids and rings, maybe a couple of jar tongs, now they have scads of canning supplies, and I must say that they’ve lowered their prices on the stuff too; prices way better than Ace Hdwe, better selection too.
STH, at what temp and for how long do you dry your sour cream???
Check thrift stores in your area for canning jars, I can pick them up regularly for 25 cents apiece in all sizes. You wash and sterilize them anyway and use new rings and discs.
Kim, you know I wish I had written that stuff down, but of course I didn’t! I’m sorry—wish I could be more helpful on that.
CH5 and Rosie, I put the powder in a glass jar in the fridge. I have no idea how long it will keep, but I would expect at least several months in the fridge. I’ve been drying mushrooms, potatoes, celery, tomatoes, zucchini, carrots—anything I see on sale. Our local farmer’s market will start on June 1st, so a lot more dehydrating ahead.
I highly recommend an idea I got from Kim on another thread—dehydrating meat. You brown very lean meat (I’ve been using 93% lean ground beef and sliced lean beef cuts), drain it thoroughly on paper towels, then dry at 125 degrees just until hard. I store mine in baggies in the fridge, then just add it to chili and dishes like that with a little extra water. I wish I had started doing that years ago; it’s really convenient.
Eccles, I guess people might be baking picnic treats for this weekend: brownies, cupcakes, cookies, cakes with fudgy frosting, mmmmmmm. Oh, good, a news story with pictures of a dental patient, getting my mind off snacking.
I’ve gotten nearly every canning jar I own at either garage sales for WAY cheap, or for free thru Freecycle. For anyone who doesn’t know about freecycle, it’s a wonderful concept, both for getting things and for getting rid of things. Check out www.freecycle.org for more info and to see if there’s a freecycle group near you (worldwide). And for another good source for free canning jars, ask older friends and relatives if they have any jars gathering dust in their basements. Most of these folks used to can but don’t anymore, and would be thrilled to see their jars go to someone who would use them.
Bump for visibility
DW and I did our regular shopping trip to Aldi’s last night. In addition to the regular items, we purcahsed 30lbs of rice for our church food pantry and 2 cases of canned vegetables, some canned meat and 30lbs of dry beans for our stores. The rice at Aldi’s is in a huge reinforced cardboard box on a pallet. I would estimate 64 cubic feet of 3lb bags of rice. They had just brought out another one when we got there. I’m wondering how fast it goes down….
After my recent run to the grocery to add to our food preps, I am finding another need for reorganization. Will probably spend the next day or so moving stuff around … again … and trying to create a system of rotation that is going to be useful in the long term.
Kathy in FL – at 08:49 Amen to that! This weekend I am once again reorganizing the preps. I was so proud of myself after I bought a heavy duty shevling unit to hold all of our canned goods. However, I soon realized that I had to pull out all of the current stock to put new behind it. So, back to Lowes for more shelving but of a different type.
Also, I had been filling in exactly what we had used, (i.e. 6 cans of diced tomatoes, 4 cans of spaghetti rings, etc.) Now I plan to keep full cases of items in one location and single cans in another. When I use the last single can, I will refill that area from a full case and put that item on the shopping list. I have found that at Aldi’s it is much easier to buy case lots rather than individual cans.
At least that is the current plan, I reserve the right to change this in the future.
Hillbilly Bill – at 09:10 “put new behind it”
I use the “can organizers” - the kind you see for cokes and such- you put them in the top and they roll around and first one in ends up at the dispensor location. It has really simplified rotating the preps. My problem though is that only certain can sizes work.
Dennis C at 9:27-- That sounds great. I also am trying to figure out better, more convenient ways to rotate. Where did you get the can organizers? Do you have them mounted to the wall in a long row (e.g., one organizer for green beans, one for corn, etc.), and if so, was weight of the cans an issue? Thanks. Galt
Yep, Aldi is the way to go. In some states Aldi sells wine. Great stuff. Unfortunately my state CT doesn’t sell it. They do sell beer from Germany. We would have a lot of fun in Europe tricking ‘wine connoisseurs’ make them believe they were drinking 100 dollar a bottle wine. Another favorite Aldi product of mine is their Apple strudel (frozen, pop in oven) and their whole grain bread and the German coffee, everything a fraction of the prize you pay in regular supermarket.
Right now there are different areas of the house that have food stocked at different times. No basement or big pantry, so the locations vary from boxes in the laundry room to closet shelves. I’m tracking what, how much, where, and when purchased on a spreadsheet. The first “best if used by” date in any of my food stores is about 6 months away. Then I’ll have to dig into that set of stores, label with black marker the other BIUB dates, and reshuffle as needed. I’m starting to eat the staples now (for me rice & beans) so I can test recipes. With time, I’ll probably winnow out the items with short shelf lives (e.g., Nido & brown rice).
Galt – at 09:47
I have gotten them through the years from lots of places. search on Soda Can Dispenser, or Beverage Can Dispenser here are some “typical kinds” http://tinyurl.com/prseo http://tinyurl.com/ozf8l
most are for 12 oz coke cans. I like the metal ones since I sometimes have to “bend” them a little to get the larger bean cans in them. The nice think is it “rotates” your stock without having to think about it. I just have them on the pantry and cabnet shelves.
You may want to also search on kitchen organizers.
The trip to the store yesterday resulted in my “impulse buying” five 5lb bags of rice as extra reserve/giveaways. Now that I have finally been able to get some 5 gal #2 buckets and lids, I’m planning to just dump the bags into a bucket until I fill it, and then drop in a couple of dessicating packs and seal it up and throw it in the corner.
I also got some more flour. We’ve pretty much shifted all of our bread consumption to bread machine bread (I am the official bread-meister), and I have been playing with different flours and additives.
Dennis -
thanks for the links. I am going to be making some more space in my cabinets for pantry items and this is exactly the kind thing I have been wanting for canned goods. I’ll have to compare some of my typical canned items to a soda can to see what will fit and see if anyone makes larger soup versions.
I’ve been staying away from the stores since I came home with 12 large boxes of Instant White Rice and was scolded (hey it was only $40). We’re at a year of food so I’m giving it a break for a while and working on organizing and gadgets. I have 100 5mm LED lights I bought on ebay and haven’t got around to using so this weekend I think I am going to make some emergency lights for each room that run off rechargable 6v lantern batteries. I’ll probably try converting a couple flashlights to LED too (I bought a kit for my mini-maglight and really like the LEDs).
Also I was going to put in bay leaves. What are dessicating packs?
What should I expect to have to pay for 5 gallon food service buckets with lids? The storage sounds like it’s gonna get costly…I need affordable critter-proof alternatives, at least for the food stuff.
I went to a local Asian store that at first look appears like a BJ’s or Cosco, but does not have the larger quantity packaging….except rice. This store is fabulous…prices are excellent and selection is vast. Loose green teas, large bags of dried mushrooms (good for long term storage), I bought cheap shower curtains for our sick room - $1 each….and they sell fresh fish that is not farm raised. I bought a 30 lb. bag of brown rice for $12. So folks, if you have an Asian store near you give it a try.
nopower – at 10:21
lights- I love my Krill light. 120 hours on two AA’s - “sweet”
I use it to find the other things. On the LED for rooms- don;t forget that you can use the solar sidewalk lights. The only thing is that you have to keep the solar cell outside or at a window. For a while I had the cells outside and ran some wires in to the small LED’s. I was doing that before I went with a large solar array system.
lbb - ask around at bake shops, delis, etc. They have tons of them and they just pitch them out. Bring them home, wash and sterlize with bleach. Dry thoroughly before putting any food in them. I possible, get some h2 packets that help draw out moisture from food/container.
NJ Jeeper- A dessicating pack is one of those packs you see in packaging that is intended to absorb water so that things don’t rust, corrode or rot. They come in all sizes from the teensy ones that come with a new camera or MP3 player on up to ones that are used in cargo containers to keep things safe during an ocean crossing.
A dessicating pack is intended as a one time use item. Once it absorbs its maximum load of moisture, it ceases to add any further value. thus, you need to use the right size and quantity of packs for the job at hand.
In my case, I have a crate of packs from DRIERITE which I use for packing up books and papers mostly. Since they contain an essentially non-toxic dessicant (anhydrous Calcium Sulfate) I consider them safe for me to use in proximity to food packages, although the manufacturer does not lable them for use with food. I am on my own, and I understand the issues. In my case, since I know that once upon a time one of the fast food chains used the very same anhydrous calcium sulfate as a thickening agent for their shakes, and people build houses out of it, I am cool with it. Your own mileage may vary.
Any how in this case, once I am ready to seal up a bucket for good, I’ll throw the appropriate quantity in to keep the air in the bucket which surrounds the rice packages dry. This should help to extend shelf life a little bit.
“We’ve pretty much shifted all of our bread consumption to bread machine bread”
Same at our house. Otherwise, 40lbs of flour would just sit there until it went bad. Besides, it is good to know what works well before times of stress. I am working on sourdough recipes in case I someday run out of yeast which will be just about like running out of gasoline for the genny.
We are filling our “hotlist” so we took a trip to Sam’s club. The deal of the night: 50lbs of long grain rice for $11.25. We are filling 20liter NATO cans two at a time. Ouch! $3.03 a gallon. I made a trade with a neighbor for 3 50 gallon food grade water drums and he delivered them yesterday while we were at work. Yea! 150 gallons more of water.
mmmelody47 – at 10:39
I’ll second your recommendation for the Asian markets. I’ve bought rice, barley, adzuki beans, mung beans for sprouting, dried mushrooms, dried noodles (the stores near me supply local restaurants, so I get huge 5lb packs of flat fettucini style noodles for $3 - 5), peanut oil, soy and teryaki sauces, all sorts of interesting condiments, bulk teas, wooden spoons, and a really NICE 3 burner propane stove.
I am spending this weekend moving prepps, what a job it is everywhere. I have a big order coming in and I need to do some more shopping this weekend. Just got a case of the 100 hundred hour candles and 2 flashlights. For thoes of you who are baking bread check this site www.thefreshloaf.com they tell you everthing about breaking bread it is great. I have friend that is Mormon, she told me they were ordering wheat ask if I want to join in the order and I ordered wheat that come last weekend,I ordered three different kinds of wheat and I have enough to last for SIP for about three years. So folks I can bake bread, if the power is down I can bake in a dutch oven outside. By the way you need to check out dutch oven cooking ( that is the castiron pots) you can cook anything in them.
I feel that I am pretty accomplished with a bread maker and packs of instant dry yeast, but a novice if those items were taken away. This looks like good basic info for when the yeast runs out.
Had to contact police. Mailbox and post found wrecked on my return last nite. His take, car, not vandalism. Asked him about the gang issue. He’s dealt with it, and its where I assumed it to be. Now a trip to Lowes and HOme Depot to buy a new rural mailbox post. Have a new handsome mailbox,with a pheasant flying. Will stop by Asian Store for dried mushroom and cellophane noodles and oyster sauce. Have a variety of staples now. I passed on a great dutch oven before my getting interested in B.F. figured why, I’ll never be cooking again. I have a crystal ball, but its merely decoration, maybe I should start peering into its depths.
Here’s a real question to some of you sun-belt types:
I noticed how my black sheet metal large sized rural mailbox gets really, really hot in the sun. Would y’all think that if I rigged some additional aluminum reflectors to put even more sun on one I could use it as a solar oven?
Eccles-I bet that would work. I might experiment with that idea myself. Thanks
I was going to toss my old mailbox, now I will see what I can do with it besides letting it house chipmunks. (It was stuck shut, but the policeman pried it open.) Eccles, what a good mind you have.
I’ll stick it in the sun and put a thermometer in it.
paint it flat black first.
Melanie at 20:19 I agree wholeheartedly! At one point in my life I was a trained marksman…errr woman, but no longer have a need for a firearm. More and more people (even peace officers on occasion) are injured by their own weapon. Many people ask me if I think it is wise to own a firearm and my response is always the same. It is a question only the individual can answer, but the real questions are #1 “Are you prepared to use it as a means of deadly force?” and “Are you prepared for it to be used against you as a means of deadly force?” Training, not just a week long course at your local range, but real training in use, retention, safety, and the psychological aspect of gun ownership is important.
(i’ll step down off of the soap box now…and saunter back to the sofa and my tall glass of lemonade)
Eccles, thanks for the info on dessicating packs. Any comments on the plastic #2 white pails and food storage in original packages?
Anyone else with a comment feel free.
NJ Jeeper – at 15:10 I have left my rice and dry beans in the original packages and stored them in food storage buckets I got free from the local grocery. I have also used plastic kitty litter buckets after cleaning them thoroughly. Both methods have worked fine for the past 4 months.
Thanks fellow Mountaineer for the info. Will be going back thru your area this summer to Htgn, to see the parents. Will wave going when we go thru.
I’m still trying to get motivated to start reorganizing my preps. Lots of good intentions but after a morning of running around like a chicken with my head cut off I’m just plain pooped. I’ll probably start back up when my second wind kicks in this evening after the kids are off to bed.
Did find a great book today while I was out. Ball apparently has issued a new cookbook that is about 2 inches thick and is called “Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving: 400 Delicious and Creative Recipes for Today.” This ain’t your grandmother’s Ball’s Blue Book, that’s for sure.
When oldest one and husband go out of town for a week, I plan on doing quite a bit of preserving. That’s the plan anyway. I also want to do a round of house reorganization and flick and pitch of items no longer useful/needed around the house.
I also found a cookbook called Tortilla Lovers Cookbook that has some really interesting and useful recipes in it. I’ll be converting them over to prep ingredients once I get a chance.
So much to do, so little time to do it in, and even less energy to use while doing it. <grin>
NJ Jeeper - 15:10 I have used food grade plastic bags to line food buckets. I purchase them from a bulk food store, about $10 for 100 bags Put liner in the bucket, put rice, flour, sugar etc in, throw in a few oxygen absorbers and close the bag tightly, getting out as much air as possible and baggie tie it then close the lid. There are also mylar bags you can purchase for that use that you put the food in and then using a 2X4 on the top of the bucket, iron the bag closed. That is supposed to keep the food for longer. The mylar bags are between 2 and 3 bucks each and also available from a food storage store. I live in Utha so have several to shop at, other states you might have to look online. I was buying buckets but now am getting them free from restaurants and grocery stores.
NJ Jeeper – at 15:33 I’ll look for you!
Rosie thanks, I will research this.
I’‘ve started baking my own bread this week family LOVES it but my oh my it does use the flour! I’m also learning that my family, anyway, is using a lot more veg oil than some prep lists would indicate as being enough. Importance of doing this stuff NOW!!!! I used to bake all the time, got out of the habit. Hubby agreed to build a solar oven this weekend-he’s got a four day weekend. He’s a real McGyver type. I found a book at a library sale-“Solar Cookery” pub-1975. Has plans, lotso recipies. Will let you know how it goes. Also scrubbed out water barrels-they were kind of algeifeid. These are food grade white 55 gal drums-I think they had syrup from sodas? Anyway, put them under the drain spout and voila-clean (enough) water for washing and gardening.
Went on minor shopping trip this am. Ever so helpful Lady at Lowes didn’t know there were different kinds of masks. They were running a little low, but still had some. They were very busy though-lots of DIYers getting stuff for weekend projects.
Really didn’t see any holes anywhere, but have noticed different stores carrying more canning supplies.
Picked up some white food grade plastic buckets with lids free from local deli-one was two gallons of doughnut frosting! Had to wash them out, but hey, they were free! Also got three free popcorn tins from husbands office. Sales reps like to woo the staff with popcorn. Go figure that one!
A gal’s got to do what a gal’s got to do, but I’m not my husband’s favorite person about now. I used Sam’s Club’s Internet ordering tool to order a bunch of stuff for pickup and told my husband that there was an order at Sam’s that needed picking up. What I didn’t tell him is that there were 20 40–50 lb bags of cat litter, 90 Dak hams, 160 cans of tuna, 160 cans of evaporated milk, 20 gallons of light fluid (not sure I really needed that much in retrospect) and more!!!! He just called me on the way home - he’s not a happy camper :( - not to mention that it was $800!!!!!
20 gallons of what???
Lighter fluid for lighting charcoal - thinking I should take it back. S.
You might have gone a little overboard on that item….
Busy week for me next week - I’m getting out my big info packet to friends, family, neighbors, etc - at least 100+ people. Should cost a small fortune to make all the copies but I’ll feel better about in my bid to save humanity. Also very excited - taking a big prep trip to Big Lots and Aldi. How sad is that - I’m exicted to go to BigLots and Aldi! They are nowhere near me so it’s day-trip adventure for me and my toddler before the older ones get off the bus. I was feeling decent about my preps before this Indonesia cluster. Now I feel the need to build my supplies up more.
“taking a big prep trip to Big Lots and Aldi”
I don’t know about your area, but our Aldi’s only accepts cash and debit cards. No checks or credit cards. Also, you need a quarter to get a cart.
Hey, it’s a big deal when we go to Aldi’s….
Well, I’m finally biting the bullet and trying to make a list of what I would need for my family for 1 year of preps. I’ve been avoiding it because the one time I played around with the Provident Living website it made me feel inadequate. <sigh>
I’m going to do it a bit differently. I’m starting with the meats and have thus far:
I also want to put by some chorizo which runs about $1.40 (US) for a small pkg of chorizo from wallyworld … but it doesn’t need refrigeration and lasts for months.
I also am not including the combo type things like canned chicken n’ dumplings, canned beef stew, canned soups, etc.
I haven’t even begun to touch the canned vegetables, powdered milk, sugar, flour, etc. I just don’t have the heart to see how far I have left to go yet.
I think I’m good for a 3 month SIP so long as I can get water to cook with and drink. I have a couple hundred pounds of plain rice along with many boxes of rice side dish mixes. I also have a lot of cans of veggies and tomatoes to work with.
I have 2 #10 cans of powdered eggs but I sure would like to get more if I could find a local supplier … no luck on that yet.
Miles to go before I sleep …..
one the powdered eggs - you may want to get them on line (I could not find any at a good price around here) I used Honeyville. can of dried eggs equivalent to 170 eggs for $9.99 -Honeyville you can get whole, white or yolk.
http://store.honeyvillegrain.com/
I also got some of their powdered smoothie mix.
Kathy in FL – at 16:58
chorizo from wallyworld … but it doesn’t need refrigeration and lasts for months
How do you know? I hope you are right, because it sure will free up some freezer space for me! They keep it in the refrigerated section. (please, please let her be right!)
Don’t forget the smoked oysters. :)
Kathy: Note the shipping charge at Honeyville is only $4.49 for your whole order.
EnoughAlready – at 17:23
I have an Hispanic husband and I use chorizo quite regularly. I don’t know why they have it in the frig section at your wallyworld, at mine it is just on the shelves in the international aisle.
Just check the “best used by” date on the package and stay ahead of it.
Chorizo is very versatile, but an acquired taste for some. Most chorizo has a significant garlic flavor to it.
Thanks all for the directions to Honeyville. I ordered some more powdered eggs but had to go to another place to order the powdered sour cream that I’ve been wanting … but it will be worth it to know that I can add that to my food storage. It lets me add in some recipes that I figure I had to for go because I don’t plan on refrigeration … though I admit we may have it. “Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.” If we have power for refrigeration, it will let me have more room to keep water cold. <grin> Always gotta find the up-side.
Kathy in FL – at 18:08 power fro refrig.
Not only power,- realize if there is a bird flu outbreak, there are not going to be a lot of eggs around. I made sure I got the powdered eggs since, even if not H2H, there may be an “egg shortage” in the next 3 to 5 years (life time of the unopened cans).
Ditto. Same goes for the Thanksgiving turkey.
I have an idea that I was discussing on the recipe thread before it was temporarily closed due to traffic. It might be of interest for those prepping in general.
I’ve been creating boxes specifically for holidays and “international” meals.
For instance, for Thanksgiving I threw in a canned ham, a couple of cans of turkey, some turkey gravy, the makings for sweet potato casserole, cranberry sauce, the makings for cornbread stuffing, themed paper products, etc. If a worst case happens, it won’t be perfect, but it should be welcome.
For another instance a Mexican meal I threw in makings for flour and corn tortillas, salsa, refried beans, canned tamales, a box of Mexican rice, themed paper products, ingredients for tangria for the adults and Mexican hot chocolate for the kids, and crafts stuff and candy to make individual pinatas for the kids.
For Easter I did something a little funny. I have a Jell-O mold that is shaped like Easter eggs. I put that in that box along with boxes of Jell-O and unflavored gelatin and use use that to make Easter “eggs.” I also have a recipe for a artsy-crafty thing where you use used coffee grounds to make “dinosaur eggs” with tiny toys inside them. I’ve also thrown in some candies and small trinkets that can be hidden in plastic eggs.
None of these substitutes are going to be perfect, but they will let us have a fun family celebration that at least approximates what we would have done if we weren’t SIP.
Kathy in FL - I have done something similar - I bought holiday candy (Valentines and Easter) the day after when it was on sale for 1/2 price and put it away. I also bought Christmas and birthday gifts, things that were on clearance. Anyway, I think we could get the kids through their birthdays, Christmas, Valentines and Easter. I have also put away the makings for holiday dinners, though I am not nearly as organized as you are. I wanted a can of corn tonight and never did find one, though I am quite sure I have many, many cans of corn! I am going to try and inventory some of my preps this summer. Your idea of themed boxes is a really good one. I am trying now to get a sufficient supply of educational items; workbooks, school supplies, crafts, etc. Dollar General is a good source for craft items.
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We appear to have spam at 21:21 - the not so tasty kind. Oh, moderators…..
WIT - looks like me typing after too many scotches…
At Dominick’s (chain grocery) I found bacon with a longer shelf life-Hormel bits and Hormel pieces (they look the same to me). It’s in a tall glass jar, only 3 oz. though, for $1.89. The exp. date is 2009!
I second teh raves for Honeyville. I ordered a bunch of items from them and it was on my doorstep in a week. But watch out - the cans are HUGE and take up alot of space. IAt teh same time I oredred a few things from waltonfeed.com that honeyville didn’t carry. They just sent me an email this week (ordered 2+ weeks ago) saying, “oh, we are just now geting to your order and it will be another few weeks before we ship it out because we are so busy.”
Bill - thanks for the Aldi info. Good thing dh got paid yesterday!
lauraB: You are most welcome.
anonymous – at 21:21
Are you testing out some red or white wine bird flu killer? or perhaps you’re a feline strolling across a keyboard? LOL
Seriously, I have been cleaning OUT an elderly neighbor’s pantry. YUCK what a mess, so much expired food. The stuff that isn’t expired but she doesn’t like is going to her church’s food drive next week.
Later in the weekend I’ll be driving her to the grocery stores she likes to stock up of things she will eat *and* have a decent shelf life.
Watching in Texas – at 21:11
This isn’t a commercial site though I do have a few advertisements on it to pay for server and traffic load, which is fairly heavy … but if you are interested I have an educational website called Easyfunschoo that has a lot of ideas for lessons, educational crafts, etc. for preschool through advanced learners.
I’m going to back up the whole site to disk(s) fairly soon as I don’t want to lose it if my server goes down.
OK … that link should read “easyfunschool.” That’s me trying to type with a 2 year old tugging on my sleeve. <grin>
I took a couple of days off from the FW because there was stuff around here to be done that I couldn’t put off doing any longer.
I have been meaning to clean out and reorganize my food storage lately, but that’s a little too ambitious for me this weekend, maybe next week…LOL!
I did a bunch of cleaning out the basement though (to free up some space to put various supplies I already have on hand) and several ‘dump & recycling runs’. I also cleaned out the medicine cabinets, disposed of expired medicines and learned I need to get some more OTC meds.
My garden is humming along, but nothing to can so far (I’m only drying a few herbs) — I’m enjoying fresh food and anticipating devouring some sugar snap peas and broccoli in the next couple of days. Yummy! I am still hand pulling weeds (good exercise) and I need to plant a second crop of green beans this weekend (bush beans, I also have pole beans growing nicely).
Has anybody listened to the audio files at stevenharris.net? I thought they were pretty good — I’m not sure I want to do the ‘grain grinder and wheat berries’ route for stored food — I don’t eat that way now and can’t imagine going that way anytime soon.
Also I had a thought — surgeons and nurses etc who work operate on HIV/AIDS infected patients often wear clear plastic face shields to prevent body fluid splatter into their eyes and onto their faces — I wonder if a plastic face shield (bought at a hardware-type store) over a mask would help? I saw pics of a few Indonesian docs & nurses wearing them in treating Karo cluster patients, in fact I think one doc was wearing ski goggles under his face shield LOL?
Hope you all are having a decent weekend.
All, for things we might need/want to have if the power goes out Lehmans in Kidron Ohio is just wonderful to deal with. I ordered a few things on Friday night and the product was at my door on Tuesday. Their catalog is great fun to look at and their prices are reasonable on most thngs. If you have the chance to go there- do- it’s really a neat store.
Dennis C
“Not only power,- realize if there is a bird flu outbreak, there are not going to be a lot of eggs around. I made sure I got the powdered eggs since, even if not H2H, there may be an “egg shortage” in the next 3 to 5 years (life time of the unopened cans).”
Just a note, but I have several cans of the Honeyville whole powdered eggs and it clearly says the shelf life is 5 - 10 years unopened, and 1 year opened. Even better than you’re indicating, unless you have a different brand with a shorter shelf life.
When we were at COSTCO earlier, we bought a 2pack of hand crank LED lights for $20. We just went down in the basement and tested them and they are pretty nice. Much better than the one that I was looking at over at Target a couple of weeks ago and half the price.
These are labled “DuraPRO” and have three led lights in a row. Push the button once and it lights up solid, and if you push again the lights flash.
These are the first “no battery” lights that I have really liked. They don’t have as much light as a battery light, but plenty to see by, and we could easily find our food and stuff in the dark with them.
My prep was to scan my important documents (Passport, Driver’s License, Conceal Weapons Permit, Health Insurance) into the computer and burn them to cd for the fire safe (as well as a hard copy). I also scanned and copied reciepts for my firearms incase I need to prove ownership and the originals are destroyed by flood or fire.
Ran my generator for a little while to keep it maintained, other than that I’m taking it easy this weekend.
Bubba says take a break and honor those who died for us this weekend! Fly the flag and go to a memorial day gathering! Plenty of time for prepping next week.
Thanks I wondered what Memorial Day was in USA. Not being from there I’ve been busy reorganizing my pantry. I found it somewhat humorour last night, Friday, how times have changed & now my entertainment is pantry pushing. Anyway got that done and today bought a couple Coleman coolers with ice packs. Good place to store our stash of cookies/biscuits/pie shells (graham & chocolate). I can’t bring myself to get things for canning, yet. It feels like a jumping off point to buy all that is needed. I wouldn’t normally can, so using the theory “eat what you store, store what you eat, I don’t want to waste money if I never use it. I know if we grow a garden we’ll need it but in truth I don’t want to have a garden unless it becomes a necessity to survive. I’ve got two acreages so I have the space. I’m thinking maybe city folks may want land and they can help with planting & weeding which would make it a lot easier on me.
Next thing I want to do is when weather clears up to try out the Coleman stove, Coleman oven, oil lamps, water purifier and anything else stored away.
bump for visibility
Kathy in FL – at 16:58
Very impressive list. How many are in your family that you plan to feed?
nopower – at 16:26
I” also scanned and copied reciepts for my firearms incase I need to prove ownership and the originals are destroyed by flood or fire. “
Thanks for thinking of that, I had not but will do it right away.
anonymous at 8:57 — LOL!
One time I was writing an e-mail to a clothing company to complain that a blouse I had bought from them seriously bled dye when I washed it (turned the water cherry-Kool-Aid red) and walked away from the computer in the middle to see if I could find the code number for the blouse. When I came back, I found that one of my cats had walked on the keyboard and somehow managed to SEND MY E-MAIL! I bet the company got a chuckle out of that message!
With cats, where there’s a will, there’s a way. God help me if they ever figure out how to use the can opener . . . .
Bubba,
My little town does an old-fashioned Memorial Day celebration and I’m going on Monday: ceremony at the VFW memorial, followed by a parade like I remember from my small town childhood, Shriners in little cars and on bikes, the local beauty queen on the back of a convertable, all the local business people and politicians and media people, cheesy homemade floats and a street fair with all the local restaurateaurs. My little town really pulls together for these events and it makes me happy to live here. We also do a food drive for the local pantry. Monday will be my day off the flu beat.
EOD – at 22:21
Assuming it is just us and I don’t have to take in nephews or help my parents (they live some hours away) it will be Hubby, our five kids ranging in ages from 16 years down to 2 years, and myself … for a total of 7.
It seems like a lot when you just look at the list, but if you really sit down and work out a monthly menu of all the meals you eat, you realize that even one person here in the US eats a lot. Multiply that by 7 and you really start cranking up the grocery bill.
I finally got one of the Vittle Vaults—for dog food, really—very spendy at petsmart, but will hold 50# at a time. I did find smaller airtight pet food containers at Big Lots for $7.00, with scoop attached. I bought four of those to hold pasta, rice, taters and dried fruit. Unfortunately, I have to store some items in the garage and I am worried about the Arizona heat, so yesterday I inventoried the pantry and rotated things inside that might react more to heat. We only have six percent humidity here which might go up to twenty percent in the summer, but 115 degree heat is a challenge no matter which way you look at it.
Applause for the preppers! Wonderful advice! Today I’m trying out my Thermos-Nissan cooker. Bean/veggie soup. Pricey ($125 incl S&H) - so it had better work. After pricing multiple thermos’s for cooking was the best way to go. I sometimes feel inadequate to the task at hand. As I read the posts I’m taken with the ideal of maintaining the same pre-pandemic lifestyle. Hope I’m wrong, but my preps are to prepare for a post-pandemic lifestyle. No plans to keep power on here; too poor for a generator (and frightened of theft) too cloudy for solar. (However, have been a member of solar consortium for 15+ years, I AM a believer!) More than willing to contribute to keeping a community ‘lit’ - individually, not so much. Going backwards in my thinking. Not even gonna try keeping the conveniences of life going. I don’t assume a 1 month shortage, a 3 month shortage. I assume a complete lifestyle change and if I’m wrong, holy cow, I’m in the clover. I’m an urban dweller. Organic gardener for 20 years. Will continue to maintain my 2 compost piles and worm bin, but going back to chemical insect control for the duration. Can’t afford loss of one tomato, pear or apple these days. Began my preps last year and still have lovely fruit jars this year. Plan to replace at harvest time. Cannot express how very tight $$$$ is. Preps must be done done with careful planning. I plan with regard to having nothing of the past. I plan with a 3rd world mindset. Rice. Beans. Legumes. Homegrown. Period. Also, and as former military, I will NOT be getting a weapon (yet). However, as silly as it may sound, have stocked up on ‘wrist rocket’ and ammo. Helluva slingshot. Good ‘nuf for squirrels and rabbits and should buy time in case of intruder. I have simply made up my mind - I don’t want to kill ANYBODY in this dire time. Too easily to see myself there. Very cool, Melanie, regarding the religious aspects. A very good friend keeps sending me Jesus tracts these days.. I have to tell her “ I’m a Muslim, I’m a Buddhist, I’m a Catholic I’m a Sikh, I’m a Hindu,….” We’re all in this together.
Applause for the preppers! Wonderful advice! Today I’m trying out my Thermos-Nissan cooker. Bean/veggie soup. Pricey ($125 incl S&H) - so it had better work. After pricing multiple thermos’s for cooking was the best way to go. I sometimes feel inadequate to the task at hand. As I read the posts I’m taken with the ideal of maintaining the same pre-pandemic lifestyle. Hope I’m wrong, but my preps are to prepare for a post-pandemic lifestyle. No plans to keep power on here; too poor for a generator (and frightened of theft) too cloudy for solar. (However, have been a member of solar consortium for 15+ years, I AM a believer!) More than willing to contribute to keeping a community ‘lit’ - individually, not so much. Going backwards in my thinking. Not even gonna try keeping the conveniences of life going. I don’t assume a 1 month shortage, a 3 month shortage. I assume a complete lifestyle change and if I’m wrong, holy cow, I’m in the clover. I’m an urban dweller. Organic gardener for 20 years. Will continue to maintain my 2 compost piles and worm bin, but going back to chemical insect control for the duration. Can’t afford loss of one tomato, pear or apple these days. Began my preps last year and still have lovely fruit jars this year. Plan to replace at harvest time. Cannot express how very tight $$$$ is. Preps must be done done with careful planning. I plan with regard to having nothing of the past. I plan with a 3rd world mindset. Rice. Beans. Legumes. Homegrown. Period. Also, and as former military, I will NOT be getting a weapon (yet). However, as silly as it may sound, have stocked up on ‘wrist rocket’ and ammo. Helluva slingshot. Good ‘nuf for squirrels and rabbits and should buy time in case of intruder. I have simply made up my mind - I don’t want to kill ANYBODY in this dire time. Too easily to see myself there. Very cool, Melanie, regarding the religious aspects. A very good friend keeps sending me Jesus tracts these days.. I have to tell her “ I’m a Muslim, I’m a Buddhist, I’m a Catholic I’m a Sikh, I’m a Hindu,….” We’re all in this together.
Apologies for double post. Wolf’s my name.
STH at 22:36 - I’d hide the can opener if I were you - I had a cat who was very picky about the flavor of kitty chow I fed her, if I chose the “wrong” flavor, she’d just open the pantry door, find the “correct” flavor and knock it over so it spilled all over the floor and she could eat it - I had to put child-proof locks on the pantry door.
Watching in Texas at 12:53 — LOL! I can just see that!
I may be okay, since the tuna cans are on the top shelf. Then again, one of my cats likes to sleep on top of a 6-foot bookcase . . . and he knows how to open the cupboard doors . . .
Oh man, am I in trouble.
I know this is a very small thing, but it just occurred to me. All of our watches are battery operated. It takes a special jewelers tool to open the back of the watch to put the new battery in, so I either have to get the tool or be sure to get to a jeweler’s and replace the batteries just before the S really HTF!
SaddleTramp – at 15:49
I took off my watch 10 years ago, moved to the mountains and stop watching CNN- it dropped my blood pressure and life is so much simpler now. I do have a few “atomic clocks” in the house but they are AA’s and I can recharge those. If TSHTF then you may not need a watch. After all, no place to go and you don’t want to go to “timed gatherings” with lots of people.
Wolf – at 11:45
I like my thermos cooker. It is a perfect add on for the Kelly kettle (to boil the water with little fuel) and I can also drop in a cup heater (from my solar array) and cook in it. It takes a little while to get used to the longer “cooking times” but then it goes well.
I agree with you- I only have some pepper spray and hornet spray- that’s it. I am not sure I want to live in a world (or my self) if I am forced to kill to survive. And yes, I was in both the Army and Navy and was a sharpshooter.
I also agree with your approach- If TSHTF life will change and there is no point to try to keep everything the same- just the things that are important to you- take the opportunity to re-create your life the way you want it to be and not just like it was before.
“Do’N the Bump”
Bump.
DennisC,
What’s really important to us might be a big learning experience once all the stuff we take for granted goes away.
I bought some more shelves and got my preps organized…AGAIN. Now at least I can see everything and get to it easily. By looking at the purchase dates on the cans, it was obvious that February was when I had a major meltdown. Was that the Iraq clusters, or BF in Nigeria?
Closing this thread for length. The all new Today’s Flu Prep page (numero IV) is here.