I need some advice. I've recently realized that my food storage standstill is because I don't eat and store what an average person might eat and store.
For example, we don't eat pre-packaged foods like cake mixes, soup mixes, stuffing, crackers, etc... Also, there are a lot of canned items that we don't eat like chili, creamed soups, etc... And, not to mention the frozen products that I wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole.
Currently we have items like wheat, rice, salt, yeast, baking powder, baking soda, powdered milk, powdered egg, peanut butter, various canned items, various items in the deep freeze, etc.. But, I don't feel like we are any where near where we should be for having the proper amount of storage. I'm also realizing that if I don't have access to fresh fruit and vegetables, I feel like I am going to have a breakdown.
It seems like if we were to have a major national crisis and I depended upon what I have access to, I would need to have my own land of 5+ acres, own cultivating machinery, have my own chickens, goats, cows and a one-acre garden plot. Since this is a dream and not a current reality, I feel like there is a dilemma in my self-sustained vision.
So, if any of my readers cook from scratch and eat a diet based on whole foods instead of processed foods, let me know how your food storage is going. What resources do you use? Where do you get your grains? How do you store them?
6 comments:
I try to stay away from processed foods, but they are not eliminated from my diet completely. When I make cakes for birthdays, I use cake mixes. I do use cream of chicken soup when I cook some things. I have been eating lots more fresh stuff and it is wonderful...but I see your dilemma. Food storage has to be somewhat processed or it doesn't last. Except for the whole grains that are dry packed, of course. Even home canning fruit really isn't that healthy. Most if not all of the enzymes are destroyed when you cook them that long. But since we need to learn how to store and preserve food we really don't have any other choice.
I don't think there is a way to have a food storage that doesn't include some type of processing...whether it is home canning or purchasing from the store. And if I use 3-4 cake mixes a year for birthdays, that won't kill us. And when they go on sale for .50 a box I will stock up on several...because if we really need a treat in our food storage I will use it! Sanity at times like that is important.
I also think it is all a process...learning to eat healthier takes time and adjusting, especially with kids! Since spaghetti is the pasta of choice for my kids (the only kind of pasta my oldest will eat) I have A LOT of spaghetti stored.
There is a lady in my ward who eats no meat of any kind, no dairy, and almost no sugar. I have always been curious what is in her food storage...I will ask her your question and get back to you.
I have run into the same dilemma! I have a LONG way to go on my food storage to even catch up to you and most of the reason is because I really don't know what to buy.
My parents went to a missionary reunion last weekend and my mom was saying that one of the sisters had just come from a food storage training or something and they were saying that you can actually can things like baked breads -- you bake them in a widemouth jar (so you can get them out) and heat the lids so they'll seal. And you can even can fresh milk. And eggs can be stored by covering them in oil or lard (ick, I know) and wrapping the whole crate in plastic wrap. It all sounded kind of crazy to me, but I'll have to look into it when I actually have a place to put my food storage.
Julie...I think this is a delema for most people...None of us want to be in a bind with options when it comes to food storage. However we do have some options...one that is a little more expensive is a health food store, I would look into going to Wild Oats and buying some Mana Bread (which can be frozen) I would also buy some beans and things than can be sprouted just with water and some sprouting trays. Even whole raw nuts can be sprouted and ground to make all kinds of things.
As for the beef, we are going to be raising beef probably for the rest of our lives so if you run into a shortage of that we will be here for you.
Just to be on the safe side and not the starving side, I would and I am trying to stock up on case lot sales when I can. I would rather have a few things that we can eat that may not be the first choice than to be stuck waiting for my crops to grow...you know what I mean?
I have been talking to Bryan Latley about the fact that we probably better have some money here at our house that is accesable incase we have a serious emergency and we need to bum food off of other people...well not bum, but pay...I think money would be a good bardering tool.
Any way just some "food for thought"...I actually sub for a bunco group, but if you end up starting one let me know!!! Hey and I am doing Mom's night out for Mom's club this month on the 21st, we are doing a recipe exchange so you bring the dish and 12 copies of the recipe...I would love it if you and Melanie wanted to come...should be a good time...I know you guys are not in Mom's club...but when I have it at my house I just kind of invite whom ever I want! he he!
K-I did it, I made a blog. Check it out. I made a post just for you!
I agree on the fresh fruits and stuff. I'll have a hard time, but I think that is where those around us that we know will come into play. We will all be here to help eachother. We definately have to have our own storage, but if it comes to a national crisis there will be trading, you can trade some grain for fresh fruit, etc. Atleast I hope that is how it will be , but maybe not!
There are amazing ways to store things. Cheeses, butters, milks etc. I have a recipe to be able to can butter. You can...can your own homemade things they just have to be pressure cooked and you have to know what you are doing.
Food storage....when it is really needed won't matter if it is homemade or not. It will be much better for us if it is, but I think if it ever gets to the point to where we need it, then we will be greatful for what we have, just be creative!
I noticed a comment about canning baked goods...I am assuming she is talking about banana bread and such.
There is actually evidence that doing that is quite dangerous. The system is anaerobic (no oxygen) and both the ph and moisture contect to breed botulinium. I got my information from a master canner from our extension service. Here is the link to the article she gave me:
http://extension.usu.edu/files/publications/factsheet/FN-FS_250_10.pdf
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