Blog 3
I am a firm believer in founding your food storage on basics. The basics are wheat, milk, honey, and salt. However for most of us, the basics are much more than that and have a broader adaptation to life styles and health situations. The truth is that "basics" are grains about (65% whole), milk (or milk substitute), legumes, fats, sugars, and salt with vitamins (or garden seeds) and water added. By expanding the scope of the "basics" food storage can be adapted for almost anyone and still meet nutritional needs.
There are several reasons why we start with the basics as the foundation of a food storage program. Here are some of them:
1. LONG SHELF LIFE - except for powdered milk, unrefined basic storage foods will store indefinitely when kept dry, dark, air tight,and at 70 degrees or below. Higher temperatures shorten shelf life,but foods will still last longer than canned goods stored the same way.
2. THEY ARE THE LEAST EXPENSIVE FOODS - a year's supply of basic foods for an adult can costs as little as $200 to $250 or less in some cases. A year's supply of any other kind or combination of foods costs $700 to $4000 for each adult.
3. THEY PROVIDE THE MOST NUTRITION FOR THE VOLUME - basic foods are dry foods except for the fats and oils. Water is necessary for many of them to be cooked and/or eaten. Therefore, the space necessary for storage is much less than canned goods which have liquid in addition to the food.
4. THEY PROVIDE ALL BUT VITAMINS A & C - even these vitamins can be provided by unusual grains such as amaranth. Sprouting can also provide small amounts. It is best, though, to store vitamins and/or garden seeds for fresh vegetables until a supply of canned fruits and vegetables can be maintained.
5. THEY ARE THE BASIS OF A HEALTHY DISEASE PREVENTION DIET -nutrition and health research indicates that the healthiest diets are low fat, high fiber, high complex carbohydrate diets. Whole grains, legumes, and low-fat milk are all a part of this diet. Once the foundation is being established, expanded food storage comes into play. Start with fruits and vegetables high in Vitamins A and C and then the sky is the limit! Your basics (remember it's not just 4 items) need to be a part of your daily diet but, there is so much more that you can put in your food storage and there is so much you can do with it.
Keep in mind as I previously explained in my first post that in a time of and emergency there are enough things going on to upset the average person or family members, so when you store you food keep this in mind, having familiar food for children or loved ones can men the difference between this feeling like an emergency or just a camping trip. Storing comfort food that children are used to can keep thing calmer in your home.
List of items to be stored-
Creating a list of items helps you keep tabs of items you may forget and need. Remember a lot of this is basic and can be adjusted to needs specific to the individual; for instance- I have not listed any items for babies, you may add this to your list if needed.
Please feel free to copy or print out this list and have it as a check off ,for obtaining your complete storage.
Having these basics on hand at all times will ensure you ease of transition in any emergency or crisis situation that could or may arise in the near future.
Many of the items listed below have been duplicated in other list, this is so you can see where they fit in.
I am a firm believer in founding your food storage on basics. The basics are wheat, milk, honey, and salt. However for most of us, the basics are much more than that and have a broader adaptation to life styles and health situations. The truth is that "basics" are grains about (65% whole), milk (or milk substitute), legumes, fats, sugars, and salt with vitamins (or garden seeds) and water added. By expanding the scope of the "basics" food storage can be adapted for almost anyone and still meet nutritional needs.
There are several reasons why we start with the basics as the foundation of a food storage program. Here are some of them:
1. LONG SHELF LIFE - except for powdered milk, unrefined basic storage foods will store indefinitely when kept dry, dark, air tight,and at 70 degrees or below. Higher temperatures shorten shelf life,but foods will still last longer than canned goods stored the same way.
2. THEY ARE THE LEAST EXPENSIVE FOODS - a year's supply of basic foods for an adult can costs as little as $200 to $250 or less in some cases. A year's supply of any other kind or combination of foods costs $700 to $4000 for each adult.
3. THEY PROVIDE THE MOST NUTRITION FOR THE VOLUME - basic foods are dry foods except for the fats and oils. Water is necessary for many of them to be cooked and/or eaten. Therefore, the space necessary for storage is much less than canned goods which have liquid in addition to the food.
4. THEY PROVIDE ALL BUT VITAMINS A & C - even these vitamins can be provided by unusual grains such as amaranth. Sprouting can also provide small amounts. It is best, though, to store vitamins and/or garden seeds for fresh vegetables until a supply of canned fruits and vegetables can be maintained.
5. THEY ARE THE BASIS OF A HEALTHY DISEASE PREVENTION DIET -nutrition and health research indicates that the healthiest diets are low fat, high fiber, high complex carbohydrate diets. Whole grains, legumes, and low-fat milk are all a part of this diet. Once the foundation is being established, expanded food storage comes into play. Start with fruits and vegetables high in Vitamins A and C and then the sky is the limit! Your basics (remember it's not just 4 items) need to be a part of your daily diet but, there is so much more that you can put in your food storage and there is so much you can do with it.
Keep in mind as I previously explained in my first post that in a time of and emergency there are enough things going on to upset the average person or family members, so when you store you food keep this in mind, having familiar food for children or loved ones can men the difference between this feeling like an emergency or just a camping trip. Storing comfort food that children are used to can keep thing calmer in your home.
List of items to be stored-
Creating a list of items helps you keep tabs of items you may forget and need. Remember a lot of this is basic and can be adjusted to needs specific to the individual; for instance- I have not listed any items for babies, you may add this to your list if needed.
Please feel free to copy or print out this list and have it as a check off ,for obtaining your complete storage.
Having these basics on hand at all times will ensure you ease of transition in any emergency or crisis situation that could or may arise in the near future.
Many of the items listed below have been duplicated in other list, this is so you can see where they fit in.
This link will help you be able to figure out how much of each item below, you'll need for your personal storage.
Please fill free to contact me if you feel there are items I have missed out on.
Spread the love!
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Cooking & Baking Essentials:
Baking powder (lb.)
Baking soda (lb.)
Brown sugar (lb.)
Cooking oil (q.)
Corn meal (lb.)
Corn syrup (lb.)
Dry beans (lb.)
Dry lentils (lb.)
Dry Lima beans (lb.)
Dry soup mix (lb.)
Dry soy beans (lb.)
Dry split peas (lb.)
Dry yeast (lb.)
Enriched white flour (lb.)
Enriched white rice (lb.)
Evaporated milk (12-oz can)
Flavored gelatin (lb.)
Granulated sugar (lb.)
Honey (lb.)*
Jams or preserves (lb.)*
Mayonnaise (q.)*
Molasses (lb.)*
Nonfat dry milk (lb.)
Peanut butter (q.)*
Pearled barley (lb.)
Powdered fruit drink (lb.)*
Rolled oats (lb.)
Salad dressing (mayonnaise type)*
Salt (lb.)
Shortening (q.)*
Spaghetti or macaroni (lb.)
Water (gal.)*
Wheat (lb.)*
Vinegar (gal)
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Baking:
Baking powder (lb.)
Baking soda (lb.)
Cooking oil (q.)
Corn syrup (lb.)
Dry beans (lb.)
Dry split peas (lb.)
Dry yeast (lb.)
Enriched white flour (lb.)
Enriched white rice (lb.)
Evaporated milk (12-oz can)*
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Wheat Grain:
Barley
Corn meal
Corn whole
Flour, enriched white
Oats, rolled (reg/quick)
Pasta macaroni
Pasta spaghetti
Popcorn
Rice white enriched
Wheat - hard
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Fruit:
Applesauce, 32 oz
Fruit cocktail, can 16 oz
Fruit drink, dried
Mandarin orange, can
Peaches, can 29 oz
Pineapple, can 15 oz
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Legume:
Beans,
kidney Beans,
navy Beans,
pinto Beans,
soy,
Lentils,
Peas, split green
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Meat & Soup:
Beef-ground, canned 12oz
Bouillon- beef
Bouillon- chicken
Pasta sauce w/wo meat
Soup, canned 10 oz,
Soup ready made
Spaghetti sauce ready made
TVP-beef
TVP-Chicken
TVP-Pork
Tuna, canned 6 oz
Turkey, canned 14 oz
Dry Soup mix
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Oil & Fats:
Oil
Vegetable Shortening
Mayonnaise
Salad Dressing
Peanut Butter
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Spices:
Cinnamon
Extract, maple
Pepper
Vanilla
Nutmeg
Salt
Garlic Salt
Italian Seasoning
Mexican Seasoning
Chili Powered
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Sugar:
Honey
Sugar granulated,
Brown Sugar
Molasses
Jams & Jellies
Corn Syrup
Fruit drink powdered*
Hard Candies
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Vegetable:
Carrots, dried
Carrots canned 15 oz
Green beans can 15 oz
Onions, dried
Potatoes, flakes
Potatoes, granules
Sweet corn, can 15 oz
Mixed vegetables Can 15 oz
Tomato powder
Tomato sauce can 8oz
Tomato Paste can
Tomato paste tube
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Dairy:
Dried milk
Evaporated milk
Cheese sauce canned
Cheese sauce powder
Dried cheese/Parmesan/Romono
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Water:
Water
Bottled Water
Distilled water gal
Water, drum 55 gal
Water purification tablets
Water purification system
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Non Food Items:
Clothing:
Boots Socks, white tube
Underwear
women's underwear, bra
Pants
Shirts
Hats
Head scarfs
Winter clothing, sweaters, wraps, coats, scarves caps, mittens, gloves
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Toiletry:
Dental floss
Disposable razor
Fem hygiene
Shampoo
Conditioner
Soap, bath, bar
Toilet paper
Toothbrush
Tooth Paste
Mouthwash
Deodorant
Sunblock
Baby oil
Washcloths (white)* Can be doubled as toilet paper in emergency- cleaned in bleach
Wet Wipes
Hand sanitizer
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Fuel & Light:
Candle, 2 hour
Firewood/coal
Matches (250 wood stick)
Sterno fuel cans
BBQ briquettes
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Household:
Bleach
Detergent, clothes
Dish soap
Ammonia
Hexol
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Medication:
Acetaminophen 500mg
Antibiotic ointment
Bandages, 80ct
Ibuprofen 200 mg 100 ct
Rubbing alcohol
Syrup of Ipecac
Vitamin supplement
Hydrogen Peroxide
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Money:
Cash, Five dollars
Cash, One dollar
Cash, Ten dollars
Cash Twenty dollars
Dimes Nickels Pennies Quarters
Gold & Silver
One *slight* correction to your statement about "canned foods"....
ReplyDeleteTwice in our history, canned foods over 100 years old have been found, and found to be edible--and in the US case--found still to be nutritious.
Please see http://www.internet-grocer.net/how-long.htm
Also, canned meats, with NO water added, are available at http://www.internet-grocer.net/realmeat.htm (grocery store meats all ahve water added which reduces the quality). Sample cases are available to try.