I have been thinking about food storage a lot lately . Perhaps it stems from all the natural disasters and economic "woes" we have seen lately. Maybe it's the Spirit urging me that I need to get moving on this. Whatever the case may be, and at any rate... (That's for you, Nika). I have been slacking in this area, and really need to get rolling with it. Until now I've used these excuses: "We're not settled somewhere yet," "We don't have enough extra money," "I don't feel like going to the cannery," "We move too often, and I don't want to lug all that food all over The United States," or "Our place isn't big enough."
We have had a SMALL food storage (about 16-20 cans from going to do dry pack canning when Allen and I were in the Singles' Ward), but we have whittled away at that. Most of what's left is wheat (or other stuff that's past it's expiration date). So, enough excuses! Time to get serious about this--even if it means lugging "all that food" everywhere we go.
I like what our Cheney ward did, so I've put together a plan based on that. (They would pick something each month to focus on--wheat, oil, spices, etc). So, here's my plan for the year:
September: Flour (4 Huge Bags)
October: Sugar (4 Huge Bags), Macaroni (5-6 Large Bags)
November: Water (2 Big Boxes from Big Lots), Rice (6 Huge Bags)
December: Oatmeal (8 Cans)
January: Peanut Butter (5 Large Cans) (We go through A LOT of PB at our house!), Water (again)
February: Salt, Yeast (3 jars), Spaghetti (5 Large Bags)
March: Oil (5 Liters), Jam (5 Jars), Honey (4 Jars) (We also go through a lot of honey at our house).
April: Soup (Cream of Mushroom & Cream of Chicken) (Bulk from Costco).
May: Spices, Flour again (4 Huge Bags)
June: Green Beans, Tomato Sauce, Tomato Paste, Diced Tomatoes (Costco)
July: Pinto Beans (5 Large Bags), Water
August: Oatmeal , Sugar
I realize that this isn't a "true" 1-year supply, but it's a start. There are also lots of other things I'll need--toilet paper, diapers, wipes, toothpaste, etc. But this plan will allow me to focus on a little bit each month, rather than being overwhelmed with it all at once. And as our budget grows, there will be room to add more . I would also like to start doing more canning, and maybe we'll buy a side of beef when our budget allows.
Anyway, sorry for the boring post, people. I just thought if I post my plan here, maybe I'll be more likely to stick with it. :)
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Food Storage
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
7 comments:
You might want to check the lds.org page that shows the revised expiration dates. We had storage that I thought was too old and according to the revised dates, it's still okay.
Looks like a good plan, I should follow it too.
Go you! I need a plan as well. I will have to send you something that my mom is doing in her ward. We all need to be better about storing up!
I have been thinking a ton about starting my food storage too. I like your year plan. I also want to have a 72 hour kit. I decided for Christmas this year I am going to get my self food storage.
You are SO smart to do even a little - it adds up, and you're at least semi-prepared!
As for toilet paper & all those non-food items: I just buy lots more than I need, and then keep filling up what I use and adding even more. It's not a true 'year' supply but I will not run out of tp, shampoo, soap, diapers, etc. if the stores close for a few weeks. I like feeling prepared.
Funny how so many of us have this on our minds. I've got a great group of friends here and we decided once a month to go do dry pack canning and ya know what it's alot of fun. There's about four of us that go and we all come with the things we want and we can it all together. It's almost like a girls night out, food and talking, only we're not eating the food-hey new diet plan. : )
I really should do a food storage of my own... but now that I'm not married anymore Mom said I can use theirs. Ah the perks of being single. Mooching off the 'rents.
Good call with the plan though, I find that I'm more likely to do things if I put it in writing or tell other people about it. Then I'm embarassed if I DONT follow through. :) Happy Monday!
Post a Comment