Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread: March 31 - April 6, 2024

[SouthernBreeze]

Another spring day here, too, but storms are supposed to roll in this afternoon just about the time for my doctor's appointment. I don't like being away from home when it's storming. 80 degrees today and very humid, but tomorrow's high of only 61 with frost for the next two nights. I'll be wearing summer clothes today and winter clothes tomorrow, LOL.

Not much going on this morning other than psyching myself up for doctor's appointment. Every time I go, I'm afraid that I'll have to have an eye injection. I've heard that they hurt. Some people more than others. It would be no fun watching a needle coming straight for your eyeball!

 

[Tennessee gal]

Another spring day here, too, but storms are supposed to roll in this afternoon just about the time for my doctor's appointment. I don't like being away from home when it's storming. 80 degrees today and very humid, but tomorrow's high of only 61 with frost for the next two nights. I'll be wearing summer clothes today and winter clothes tomorrow, LOL.

Not much going on this morning other than psyching myself up for doctor's appointment. Every time I go, I'm afraid that I'll have to have an eye injection. I've heard that they hurt. Some people more than others. It would be no fun watching a needle coming straight for your eyeball!

SB, I get eye injections periodically. They give me eye drops for numbing. My injections don’t hurt. All I feels is a little pressure as it goes in. Praying for you and Cary.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

SB, I get eye injections periodically. They give me eye drops for numbing. My injections don’t hurt. All I feels is a little pressure as it goes in. Praying for you and Cary.

Oh, thank you for that info! I knew that I would get eye drops to deaden, but some have told me that it still hurts. Others have said, like you, that all they feel is pressure. If I have to have them, I hope all I feel is the pressure. I'm praying that I will just be put back on the medication I've taken in the past.

 

[John Deere Girl]

Another spring day here, too, but storms are supposed to roll in this afternoon just about the time for my doctor's appointment. I don't like being away from home when it's storming. 80 degrees today and very humid, but tomorrow's high of only 61 with frost for the next two nights. I'll be wearing summer clothes today and winter clothes tomorrow, LOL.

Not much going on this morning other than psyching myself up for doctor's appointment. Every time I go, I'm afraid that I'll have to have an eye injection. I've heard that they hurt. Some people more than others. It would be no fun watching a needle coming straight for your eyeball!

We're having weird weather like that here as well. Warm with high chances of severe storms today and tomorrow will be in the 40's with possible snow.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

We're having weird weather like that here as well. Warm with high chances of severe storms today and tomorrow will be in the 40's with possible snow.

Yeah, it's typical springtime weather for us. I call it "yo- yoing" back and forth. April is our peak tornado month, and drastic temp changes are a huge part of it.

 

[nomifyle]

The rain is over and the sun is shinning, beautiful day, getting warmer though.

 

[aviax2]

@SouthernBreeze Prayers up for you today.

Yesterday was busy with running a few errands, laundry and 5 yr. old granddaughter, that child is a hoot and keeps me laughing. Supper was Easter dinner leftovers that I was very thankful to have because I have been so tired and achy for the past few weeks and yesterday I was just done in. DH got in to see our Dr. yesterday as he’s been sick. He helped clean out a garage for someone and I think all the dust caused a sinus infection and has went into his chest. He got a shot, antibiotics and ear drops as he also has an ear infection. He’s feeling better today and not coughing like he was. I managed to get the dishwasher filled after supper but didn’t have it in me to even wipe down the countertops. We both just crawled in the bed early and watched an episode of Doc Martin, then DH went to the office to pay some bills and I watched tv although I don’t remember what I watched LOL!

Today granddaughter is in preschool, DH has taken his truck in for an oil change and I’m taking it easy. I slept in but I feel like I could sleep around the clock! The only plans for today is to rest, cook supper and clean the kitchen and go to bed early. I hate walking into a messy kitchen at any time but especially when I need to prepare food so I too try to keep everything caught up and clean as I go but I don’t always like doing it!

 

[kyrsyan]

Well, son is still tired. Despite allergy meds, he's got massive allergy "black eyes". He slept late today. I think I may need to order some stinging nettle capsules to give him a boost for the next few weeks.

We both had pressure headaches today.

Only blankets went out the window today. And while he has not been fully obsessed with it, the Etch a Sketch is still being played with. I wonder if they ever did versions with colored "sand".

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I made it fine at my doctor's appointment, today. No injections. I have to go back on the meds she already has had me on for 6 more weeks, then she wants to see me back in the office. I might have to stay on the med back and forth for quite some time. As long as it saves my eyesight, I will take the prescription drugs. I'm not going to play around when it comes to my eyesight.

Storms came through while we were in the office. It got bad there for a while. We drove through another bad one coming home. We're under a tornado watch until 9 pm.

 

[Meemur]

I'm glad that he's enjoying the Etch a Sketch, Kyrsyan. I don't believe that there are any with colored sand, but you might look on Amazon, just to check.

Glad you didn't have to have an injection, SB. Stay safe from the tornadoes!

It's 46 degrees here and windy. I woke up to snow covering the grass. Ugh! Yeah, that's April. Next week, there are supposed to be some 70-degree days.

I'd like to be working outside, but it's too cold for puttering in the garage today, so I hung up more hooks in the basement for onions under the stairs (I hang them in old panty hose). From the internet, but similar to what I do:

 

[prudentwatcher]

The last couple of weeks I have been getting little things--more ropes, more plastic basins, more sewing items, more medical items, more ammo, more canning jars. Not so much food, as we are pretty well stocked there. Just no place to put it. Did can another 5 pints of meatballs this afternoon. So easy to do.

 

[moldy]

@kyrsyan just a reminder to push fluids if using nettle. It can be really drying.

Two preps done today: dental exam and finished taxes. Have to pay on both and it is painful. Will be having a long conversation with accountant and HR rep.

 

[kyrsyan]

@kyrsyan just a reminder to push fluids if using nettle. It can be really drying.

Two preps done today: dental exam and finished taxes. Have to pay on both and it is painful. Will be having a long conversation with accountant and HR rep.

I will. He normally drinks a lot of tea or juice.

I did taxes last week. Boss was wondering why I don't take deductions until I ran the numbers. Federal surprised me. State - barely enough.

 

[patriotgal]

Day started warm and windy and went downhill fast. Temp dropped 16 deg in short time. Found all the spark plugs DH needed. Braved the grocery store. Filled holes in pantry. Grabbed lunch at kids burger stand. Ran into LEO friend who strongly suggested we stay home from 4th to 10th. (More in bomb shelter). Spent 2 hrs on hold with IRS only to have call closed after all that time. Surprise letter from them with no explanation. Joy.

Meeting with insurance guy in am regarding Medicare. He comes to us so that is nice. Still have the feeling that something is about to happen.

 

[nomifyle]

just a reminder to push fluids if using nettle. It can be really drying.

I've had a little swelling in my feet the last few days, would it help that? I get this from time to time.

 

[moldy]

@nomifyle , I would use dandelion LEAF as a better diuretic. Adding a little cayenne or ginger to get things moving might be good as well if it doesn't bother your stomach.

 

[nomifyle]

@nomifyle , I would use dandelion LEAF as a better diuretic. Adding a little cayenne or ginger to get things moving might be good as well if it doesn't bother your stomach.

Thanks for the quick reply, I've got dandelion, cayenne and ginger. And no cayenne doesn't bother my stomach. Although I think I will wait until tomorrow to drink it, I would like to get some sleep tonight.

 

[Griz3752]

Happy Resurrection Day! The plan was to do nothing today but I have a really hard time doing nothing...especially when I am sitting in a house that needs to be emptied.

Ordering DH a backup cpap mask just in case. Killing red wasps that keep coming in over the back door. Stuffed a washcloth in the spot to slow them down. I am allergic to them and have already vacuumed up a couple on the floor.

I will retrieve our pillows today. We aren't that far away from our place. There are new pillows on bed here but we are used to our heavy foam ones. First trip I make to town all the current clothes in closet will go to salvation army and women's shelter. I will keep some of the soaps, etc. After this, our only place to clean up and clean out will be MIL'S home. Can't sell it while she is in nursing home.

Will probably make a list of repairs today. A patio door was somehow shattered in past. Thank God for DH'S construction background. The rental rehab was a frightening reminder of the high cost of fixing anything. Even the tiniest plumbing parts started at $50.

DH went through his stash of mechanical preps and we will make a trip to town tomorrow for spark plugs and oil. I don't want to be out after Wednesday this week due to upcoming eclipse.

Frozen lasagna and fresh salads will be our main meal today. Gotta bring my instapot over too. Last night I made an apple pie and topped it with a pecan and brown sugar topping. Love the topping but used an Amish apple mix. They dice the apples too fine for my taste. My mom and I used to buy a couple bushels of apples every year and spend a weekend freezing apple pies. Miss her and those days.

So there I was thinking all these people are doing wise, useful things on a day many look at as a very holy day or just another holiday.

Then, "apple pie and topped it with a pecan and brown sugar topping".
My sugars took a jolt right there!

My Mom made Nanaimo bars to die for but her apple pies, particularly with a scoop of French vanilla were my favourite.

Now, i have to get my wife to try this melange.
Maybe this weekend if I'm really really good.

 

[anna43]

Sunday, I worked in the church kitchen for the Easter breakfast. We had fewer than a year ago but still a good crowd. I'll be back in the kitchen on Friday for a funeral dinner.

Last week I planned to grocery shop then we got 6" of snow followed by days of rain. The good news is we've moved down a notch on the drought index. We had another good rain on Monday. I'd planned to grocery shop tomorrow, but we're supposed to have winds in the 25 to 35 mph range with gusts to 50 mph, so I choose not to be on the road. I had an appointment on Monday, Bible study today, then Bible study Thursday morning and then late afternoon doctor's appointment, then funeral on Friday. Tomorrow was only possible day to shop. (Guess I should say today since it's after midnight!) I might try to do some of the shopping between Bible study and doctor's appointment then finish one day next week. Probably would be easier than attempting to do it all in one day.

For the first three months of this year, I've averaged $76.74 per month for groceries. I did have a $25 and $50 gift certificates which helped although I haven't used all the $50 certificate yet. Whenever I manage to shop next week, I'm sure I'll be making a significant dent in my grocery savings! I have very long list for Aldi, and shorter lists for Dollar Tree, HyVee, Fareway and Walmart. I also have quite a list for non-food items.

My tomatoes are growing like crazy. The peppers are about half the size of the tomatoes and were planted two weeks earlier. I took them off the heat mat today and just have the light on them plus I started using a fan for a portion of the day. Since I cannot shop tomorrow, I plan to transplant the tomatoes into larger pots. I went to Dollar General for potting soil, but the bags were crawling with gnats, so I didn't buy any. Luckily, we have a hardware store, and I was able to buy there. Much more expensive, but I definitely didn't want to introduce gnats into the house.

The bi-monthly food pantry was last week. Most everything was something I will use except lentils (I already have a lifetime supply), walnuts (cannot eat due to dietary restrictions) and a can of canned pasta (Yuck). I passed those items on and I'm sure someone will appreciate them. I kept a smaller bag of split peas although I already have a good supply.

I've been purging some older home canned items, so I won't "consider" them when making garden plans. I want to make beet pickles using my grandmother's recipe this year. The ones lingering on the shelf are from a different recipe that I've never cared for so will dump them. Also, last week I dumped jars of dill pickles that were limp so not eaten. Several jars of dill relish that again I don't like and haven't eaten. I decided to buy pickles and relish for my pantry and not try dill pickles/relish again. I have quite a few quart jars of 2013 tomato juice that I need to dump. I used quarts a lot when dh was living but that is too much for a recipe for me. I think I will use some of the juice to make spaghetti sauce to can. Recycling at its best!!

 

[SouthernBreeze]

It sure was a shock to our systems this morning at 40 degrees compared to 60 degrees we've been having overnight. Only 61 for our high, today, sunny, and breezy. The tornado watch expired last night without any more storms in our area.

Another day into Big Town for Cary's appointment at the Cardiac Clinic for tests.

I can hardly wait until tomorrow when I get to go grocery shopping. I'm ready and anxious to restock my pantry and freezers. Like so many others, I feel something bad is coming, and we don't have much time left to get done what we need to get done. I hate that my pantry has such big holes in it right now, but it couldn't be helped. Money got really tight for us there for a while after the scam. We're back on our feet now, and plan to go full steam ahead with stocking and prepping. I've made my list based on what I use from the pantry the most. Those are the most important items to restock right away. I'll continue to refill holes on the importance of use as I shop. It might take two separate shopping trips to get it all done. I'll be going again the middle of the month.

 

[kyrsyan]

Well, I found out why son was sleeping so much. That problem has resolved itself and we're dealing with the aftermath. But he is feeling better.

Hormone swings... I thought they would ease off after the surgery. And for the most part they have. But the last two days or so have been crazy. I'm grumpy for no real reason. I'm also have massive munchies and cravings. I just want to growl at the world and there is no real reason for it. But at least I can "see" it. And at the same time, I feel like I'm getting nothing done. Ugh!

I did take a hard look at the medicines and supplements I am on. I realized that at least one of the problems is probably right there. We increased one of my heart meds because of side effects from the hormone for the bleeding. But we didn't lower it back down when that hormone was stopped. Doc appt on Friday, I'm going to talk with her about lowering it. And since most of the healing is done, that I can see, I also lowered the Vit C, Lysine, and iron supplements back down. Especially since my blood test showed that I'm actually starting to approach normal iron levels.

And walking has restarted. Because I'm going nuts without the movement.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Just something to think about. Like I said, earlier, we've been eating solely out of the pantry and freezers for 2 months without replacing anything. I've only been buying fresh produce, eggs, bread, dog treats, and cheese at the grocery store. It has really opened my eyes to the amount of food one needs to have in stock for an extended period of time if all you depend on is the grocery store, like us. Eating solely out of the pantry for two months has really done a number on my stock, and it's made me realize that it's going to take a lot more stocking, overall, on my part to get my pantry to survive a year. Here, I thought I had at least two year's worth stocked, but reality has really bitten me in the butt.

If anyone is willing to try eating solely out of what you have stored for just a month, you will begin to realize just how much food it's going to take for an extended period of not being able to resupply. I'm talking about those who depend entirely on the grocery store eating 2 full meals a day.

Like I said, just something for everyone to think about.

 

[summerthyme]

SB...absolutely! I've often said that people (not ragging on you, here) who bring their food home one or two bags at a time have NO idea how much is needed for a year.

Heck, I still have hubby asking "why are you canning more chili? There are 2 cases plus what's on the shelf downstairs! "... and then I point out that 2 cases plus 5 jars is a MONTH'S worth if we eat it every day for lunch... and I generally only make it in season, while we have adequate stocks of ground beef, fresh onions and tomatoes.

Yes, I can make it from canned puree and dehydrated onions... but it's not the same!

For a true eye opener, I always suggest people read "Making the Best of Basics", by James Talmage Stevens. It gives a detailed overview of just how much food is needed, broken down by sex and age.

Summerthyme

 

[nomifyle]

Anna, I too, have a life time supply of lentils, but I still buy some from time to time, go figure. And I don't like dill relish either, and I can't stand pickles on my burger or sandwich. But I can eat a dill pickle from time to time.

And ST I have that book, "Making the best of basics". Which is why I have 300 pounds each of several dry foods. Its what is recommended for one person. I put that food up in 08 and 09. I have added to it since then. I need to look at it again and pass it along to my friend Morgan. It is very eye opening what it takes to feed people for a year. During the pandemic I was counting cans of different foods to make sure I had a years worth. That's why I have more than 16 cases of green beans and now we don't eat them very often. They are one of the few "green" things that DH will eat and he recently said he doesn't really like them, but he will eat them. We have pretty much stopped eating chicken, DH only likes it fried, which I don't do and that is one thing I don't care for that he cooks. Also, I refuse to eat anything Tyson, and there are several other food companies that they own and I won't eat anything from those companies either.

We do eat from our pantry and I do replace, but don't really add any more extra to it. I usually spend around $100 a month at the grocery store, sometimes a little more. And I shop every 3 to 4 weeks. We eat simple food.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

SB...absolutely! I've often said that people (not ragging on you, here) who bring their food home one or two bags at a time have NO idea how much is needed for a year.

Heck, I still have hubby asking "why are you canning more chili? There are 2 cases plus what's on the shelf downstairs! "... and then I point out that 2 cases plus 5 jars is a MONTH'S worth if we eat it every day for lunch... and I generally only make it in season, while we have adequate stocks of ground beef, fresh onions and tomatoes.

Yes, I can make it from canned puree and dehydrated onions... but it's not the same!

For a true eye opener, I always suggest people read "Making the Best of Basics", by James Talmage Stevens. It gives a detailed overview of just how much food is needed, broken down by sex and age.

Summerthyme

So true, Summerthyme. I've read the book, too, but still underestimated how much food is required for us for just a year. One just doesn't understand how much it's going to take, until they're put in a position to have to eat solely from it. I believe that our resupply is going to get shut off in the near future, and what we have stored will have to see us through for however long the situation last, if it ever gets resolved. I'm just trying to restock 2 month's worth right now. After my pantry is back to where it was, I plan to concentrate finding a place to add more stock, even if it has to set out in the open. I'm not too proud or OCD that I can't live with some food stock being seen. Up until now, I've always tried to keep it hidden from sight from others.

 

[Meemur]

Yes, SB! And there's two of you. My stash goes down a little slower because there's only one of me, but you're so right! It can go down quickly.

Not recommended for all but I can skip lunch if I eat bacon or add some coconut oil to my coffee at breakfast. I still drink at least 6 - 8 oz of water at lunch (part of staying hydrated) but I can make the food on hand last longer on the short-term, if it's necessary. And, no, that's not a long-term solution, but that would keep me going until I could acquire more food, and I do have sources not related to grocery stores. I have enough on hand that I wouldn't have to do that right away.

Switching topics: I, too, believe something bad is in the pipeline. I just paid property taxes, so I can't do major shopping for awhile, but I will do a little work for cash and hit Aldi before the weekend. I'm slowly rebuilding canned and frozen meat stocks.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Switching topics: I, too, believe something bad is in the pipeline. I just paid property taxes, so I can't do major shopping for awhile, but I will do a little work for cash and hit Aldi before the weekend. I'm slowly rebuilding canned and frozen meat stocks.

We don't have to pay property taxes, state, or federal income taxes, but taking that big hit on our finances sure put us in a bind as far as being able to buy groceries and supplies like we're accustomed to doing each month. We stopped most all spending, until we managed to put back money into our new savings account. We wanted to build that back up a bit, first.

Now that that is over with, and we feel comfortable with our finances, we're able to go back to stocking and spending on some things that are needed. First and foremost is more food.

 

[nomifyle]

For the last two days we've eaten nothing but fish that DH fried day before yesterday. For both lunch and supper. It was a lot of fish. When I make soup we eat nothing but soup for a couple of days. The soup has vegetables in it. I eat way too much but DH has a much smaller appetite. He lost weight when he had his pancreas surgery a few years ago and is determined to keep his weight down. I guess he got tired of fish because he had cheese and crackers last night.

For Easter I fixed a meal that we ate at the table. Sliced ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce and green peas. He doesn't eat sweet potatoes and I don't eat green peas. If we ate like this on a daily basis we'd go through our food more quickly. We did have left overs for supper that night. I put the ham in the freezer, I think we only ate about a third of the ham I bought.

One meal a day and maybe a snack is sustainable.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

For the last two days we've eaten nothing but fish that DH fried day before yesterday. For both lunch and supper. It was a lot of fish. When I make soup we eat nothing but soup for a couple of days. The soup has vegetables in it. I eat way too much but DH has a much smaller appetite. He lost weight when he had his pancreas surgery a few years ago and is determined to keep his weight down. I guess he got tired of fish because he had cheese and crackers last night.

For Easter I fixed a meal that we ate at the table. Sliced ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce and green peas. He doesn't eat sweet potatoes and I don't eat green peas. If we ate like this on a daily basis we'd go through our food more quickly. We did have left overs for supper that night. I put the ham in the freezer, I think we only ate about a third of the ham I bought.

One meal a day and maybe a snack is sustainable.

Granted, in a SHTF event, our eating habits would change a bit. We're used to eating 2 full meals a day. The larger meal being at supper. A light brunch mid-morning. For our supper meals, I make one meat, one starch, and one veggie, with a bread of either biscuits or cornbread. We usually have pickles, sliced tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, etc. as another side dish, plus dessert of some kind. Those are the kind of meals Cary and I were raised on, and that's how I still cook. I cook skillet meals or a casserole when I'm rushed for time or having a bad day. The way I cook adds up to a lot of different foods and ingredients to maintain variety.

 

[nomifyle]

Granted, in a SHTF event, our eating habits would change a bit. We're used to eating 2 full meals a day. The larger meal being at supper. A light brunch mid-morning. For our supper meals, I make one meat, one starch, and one veggie, with a bread of either biscuits or cornbread. We usually have pickles, sliced tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, etc. as another side dish, plus dessert of some kind. Those are the kind of meals Cary and I were raised on, and that's how I still cook. I cook skillet meals or a casserole when I'm rushed for time or having a bad day. The way I cook adds up to a lot of different foods and ingredients to maintain variety.

Of course your meals sound great but its not happening here. That's pretty much how I ate growing up, Daddy required meals like that. Fortunately DH does not. We are maintaining our health from the way we eat so I guess we are doing okay.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Of course your meals sound great but its not happening here. That's pretty much how I ate growing up, Daddy required meals like that. Fortunately DH does not. We are maintaining our health from the way we eat so I guess we are doing okay.

Everyone has different eating habits. I wasn't saying anything against yours. I was just sharing how we ate, and how much food is involved.

 

[nomifyle]

Everyone has different eating habits. I wasn't saying anything against yours. I was just sharing how we ate, and how much food is involved.

I didn't think you were at all. Your food sounds delish. But we do eat differently, DH and I are both very frugal and eat accordingly, which helps that I hate to cook. Actually its not the cooking so much its the cleaning, LOL.

DH has gone to the VA today and he will eat at mcdonalds, and I'm make a stir fry for me. I had some shredded cabbage that needed to be used, shredded carrots and I added a can of chicken broth, some seasonings and some salad shrimp. I'll scramble an egg in it and probably add a spoon of sour cream. All of that is actually on my diet.

 

[anna43]

It irritates me when I watch people who are prepping, and they show their pantries or food hauls with a multitude of unnecessary items. They are prepping to continue living like they are today which is not a reasonable goal. Prepping should be survival orientated which means basic nutrition for survival. Preps should include vitamins and supplements to cover any lacking nutrition.

If, or more likely when, the SHTF, we should immediately start rationing food and other supplies not continuing to live like the situation is temporary. Hopefully it will be, but maybe it won't and I'm leaning more to believing the latter lately.
A single can of tuna made into a casserole with noodles or macaroni can easily feed six people with proper serving size. A single can of salmon made into salmon patties or salmon loaf likewise will feed six people. If you have a smaller family, you will have numerous leftover meals from the same can of tuna or salmon.

I really feel for the people who like a slab of meat at a meal because that's not sustainable. Much better to use those slabs of meat to make multiple meals to stretch over as long a time as possible. Picky eaters are another category who are going to be in a world of hurt. I won't eat this or that isn't going to fly.

My dietary restrictions are also going to get in the way, but eating the restricted things and causing a medical crisis in a SHTF situation is not a good idea either.

One thing that I feel is very important in SHTF times is to have treats in your preps. If the family can look forward to a nice desert once or twice a week that will go a long way to relieve food fatigue. Layering a simple pudding with canned fruit in a parfait glass can make it seem much more special than it is. My grandmother used to make a gallon of cornstarch pudding for the grandkids. She would take a small portion and add red food coloring and then swirl the pink through the rest of the pudding. I was convinced that the pink was special and tasted better, but of course it didn't! Another thing my grandmother did was always to have apple butter, beet pickles and bread and butter pickles in pretty dishes on the table. The meals she prepared were as a general rule very simple, but the company and the little extras made it seem more than it was.

Other things like setting a pretty table can make a simple meal taste better. Now days thrift shops are practically giving away china and, If I had a family, I probably would buy a set or two to keep just for such times.

The fact is when I was a child, we had only one special a meal a week and that was on Sunday after church. The rest of the week we never went hungry, but meals were mundane. There were plenty of treats in the form of cookies or fruit but seldom a dessert during the week. To a large degree I raised my family the same way due to financial restraints.

 

[nomifyle]

I really like mineral water, plain Perrier in glass bottles. I use to drink two or three a day. Now I save it for medicinal issues, like and upset stomach. Getting it in glass bottles is getting just about impossible for me. Sam's has it and I'd pay the high price they have now. But I'm not going to pay for a membership just to buy Perrier. I had a friend that would get it for me when she would go to Sam's, but that's not happening any more. A decent substitute is Topo Chico and I can still get that at walmart, also gone up in price. I recently bought a 6 pack of Perrier in plastic bottles, its disgusting, so I've wasted my money on that. In the glass bottles the water maintains the fizz, in the plastic bottles there isn't any and its the fizz that helps stomach issues, and thankfully I rarely have them. So I still have several bottles left in the two cases my friend got me during the pandemic. Only the plain works for me.

During the pandemic I vacuumed sealed hard candies in quart jars for shtf times as a sweet treat. I have dried fruit in jars that is holding up well, I don't vacuum seal these.

 

[prudentwatcher]

As we have gotten older, we definitely eat less than we did. However, I am prepared to take in my honorary grandchildren and their parents, so that would expand us by three children and three adults. That would blow through things rather quickly. I do have a lot of wheat, rice, sugar, salt, powdered milk, home canned meat and commercially canned meat stored. I mean, when I say commercially canned meat (tuna-yuck, chicken, roast beef, etc), we are looking at least at 600+ cans. So we could get a year for 8 out of that. I have a lot of freeze dried fruit and veggies, as well as dehydrated fruit and veggies put away as well, not counting cans, so probably a year there. And having the means to cook it is a need as well. We are good on water for 2, but not for 8. And there is just not the space for it.

So I am great if it is just the two of us and I can use my two freezers. It will go a whole lot faster if others are here.

Same way with medicines. My better half has a terrible cold and has gone through cold medicine and cough syrup like crazy (going on 10 days sick). I still have cough syrup, but it is the generic kind which "tastes terrible" according to the sick one On the last bottle of Robitussin. I have plenty of pills for cold/flu, but you go through them quickly. There are usually 12 in a box and you use 2 at a time, so only six doses, 4-6 hours apart. Round it off at a box a day. That is a lot of boxes of pills. The sick one wanted liquid stuff because the pills were so big, but thought liquid Dayquil was terrible as well!

 

[nomifyle]

As we have gotten older, we definitely eat less than we did. However, I am prepared to take in my honorary grandchildren and their parents, so that would expand us by three children and three adults. That would blow through things rather quickly. I do have a lot of wheat, rice, sugar, salt, powdered milk, home canned meat and commercially canned meat stored. I mean, when I say commercially canned meat (tuna-yuck, chicken, roast beef, etc), we are looking at least at 600+ cans. So we could get a year for 8 out of that. I have a lot of freeze dried fruit and veggies, as well as dehydrated fruit and veggies put away as well, not counting cans, so probably a year there. And having the means to cook it is a need as well. We are good on water for 2, but not for 8. And there is just not the space for it.

So I am great if it is just the two of us and I can use my two freezers. It will go a whole lot faster if others are here.

Same way with medicines. My better half has a terrible cold and has gone through cold medicine and cough syrup like crazy (going on 10 days sick). I still have cough syrup, but it is the generic kind which "tastes terrible" according to the sick one On the last bottle of Robitussin. I have plenty of pills for cold/flu, but you go through them quickly. There are usually 12 in a box and you use 2 at a time, so only six doses, 4-6 hours apart. Round it off at a box a day. That is a lot of boxes of pills. The sick one wanted liquid stuff because the pills were so big, but thought liquid Dayquil was terrible as well!

There are some herbs that you can get in bulk that would help a cold and the misseries that go along with it. But others here are better versed on that than I am.

My recent, seemed like forever, allergy issues I relied too much on prescriptions to relieve my misery. I do have a "big" supply of those though. I sure wish I could get my hands on the good kind of cough medicine that doctors would prescribe, but that's just about impossible. During the worst of it I never coughed up anything, but now that its subsided I do cough up some clear mucus.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

We're back. It didn't take long at all. We won't know any results for a few days.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Back to the topic of prepping. I have around 100 cans of chicken, spam, tuna, ham, pulled pork, beef chunks, chili, meaty soups, and ground beef "each" right now. Several cans of roast beef, but that is yuk, so it will make good dog food. I also have 20 flats of 12 cans each of a large variety of canned veggies "each" right now. I also have stored at least 100lbs of pasta and rice, each. What I'm lacking or has gotten too low are all the ingredients that I use to make one skillet meals and casseroles of which we eat two nights off of using all those different canned meats and veggies. Why live off dry beans and rice when you can make a good nutritious meal with simple ingredients? Canned meat and veggies are just that, unless you make an effort to learn how to use them to make something more satisfying and nutritious. I'm not kidding myself over what will happen when SHTF. Yes, food will be rationed to eat smaller portions, and everything will be stretched as far as possible. In the meantime, we will continue to eat like we normally do as long as possible. I don't feel that I'm buying and stocking any unnecessary food.

We eat slab meat almost every night whether it's chicken breasts, pork chops, roast, cubed steak, Polish Kielbasa, hamburger steaks, or hamburgers. Those are not considered a part of my pantry. Just what I normally buy to use every two weeks at the grocery store. I have a good supply of each in my freezer, but in time, those will run out and no way to resupply. There is a difference in what I buy for use every two weeks and what I stock up on in my pantry. I do both.

 

[kyrsyan]

My logic has basically been that I have enough of the "everyday" menu stuff for roughly 3 to 6 months. That will keep our diet close to its normal for that time. And give me time to slowly switch us to the menu that doesn't use as much fresh or short shelf life items. The freezers will extend meats to 6 months to a year, or longer. That is honestly a giant chunk of what is in there. There are also canned versions of tuna, salmon, chicken, and turkey. I might add plain pork to that this year.

There was a long time period when earnings were very low and we were on foodstamps. About 5 years. I could only refill the pantry with whatever deals I could find that totaled under $400/mo for both son and I. By the end, the freezer was getting thin, as was the pantry, but we made it. And I built both back up. So I know it can be done. I just also know that some meals may be pretty simple and basic.

At that point, my butt had better have figured out how to grow/raise most of what we need. I don't expect to hunt. I'll be amazed if wildlife anywhere near humans lasts more than a month after most people run out of food. And one of the reasons why I want rabbits, fish, and quail in the small shed is because it is so solid and would be very difficult for people to see/get into. Chickens and ducks would, unfortunately, be very visible. As would mini pigs and dwarf varieties of goats. And sheep. But I'd find a way.

Today's brain power has been plotting the new gardens layout. I was debating buying regular raised beds for the street side, but honestly, I think I'm going to go with steel barrels cut in half. Less expensive, sturdier, and can be replaced more easily when people forget where the road is. They will need a good cleaning. And then a good painting after drainage holes are drilled. But if I can pull it off, they will also make a pretty good "fence", and do it in a way that town and neighbors can't object. (If they don't object to tire planters, they can't gripe about these.) I'm debating bright red and/or yellow as the paints.

 

[nomifyle]

DH would like a slab of meat every night, but he doesn't want to pay for it. So he is fine with the ground wild game.

People already over hunt around here, my cousin refuses to even entertain the idea this the reason why there is very little sauirrel population anymore. There are a lot of people around here that are in denial of a lot of things.

One thing I got in commodities for a little while back in the 80's was TVP. I'd mix it in with ground meat and my ex could never tell the difference. And then soy became all gmo, which is a no go for me. I do have some organic tvp in my long term pantry, but it would have to be a last thing to use.

And one other thing to use to keep from starving are our goats. It would break my heart, but you have to do what you have to do. And if we didn't eat them then someone would steal them.