A prudent person foresees the danger ahead and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. Proverbs 27:12

Remember having a deep pantry isn’t just about having extra food on hand. It is also about having the means to survive in an emergency situation, having all the extra food isn’t going to do you much good if you can’t cook it when the power is out.

If you are having a hard time trying to afford to fill a deep pantry read my post on “having a Deep Pantry on a tight budget” Don’t forget to share what you were able to do this past week to have a deep pantry/food storage. Let’s encourage each other. And if you have a question feel free to ask or if you have the answer to a question feel free to answer.

If you have a tip or idea you can share that also. As I said let’s make this a place where we can share and encourage others to get that deep pantry. The first month was a jump start to get a little ahead so if things go south before you can get everything you want, at least you have something to survive on. If you are just starting you will want to go back and start with January’s challenge. The amounts are for two people If you have more just double to what you need. Also while you are doing this if you see something on sale that you think you will need to pick it up. You can catch up the with the list later. Always better to buy when on sale than not.

10 pounds powder milk / Baking soda, and Baking powder or Cream of Tarter.

10 pounds of powder milk

Baking soda ( Sodium Bicarbonate ) as I have mentioned before you can get a 50-pound bag of sodium bicarbonate at your local feed store for about ten dollars it is the same thing you buy in the store just a lot cheaper. So many uses for it cleaning supplies, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, make washing soda out of it, there are many more, not to mention to cook with.
I would suggest cream of tarter instead of baking powder with this you can use you baking soda to make your own baking powder.

1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons cream of tarter
Use right away. If you are not going to use right away add 1 teaspoon of cornstarch.

The extra item this month is to work on alternate cooking sources such as a solar oven, thermal cooker, wonder oven, rocket stove, a bbq grill or even on your wood stove. This way if the power is out you have a way to cook.

The action item this month is to learn to can, if you don’t know anyone that can teach you, there is a ton of info on the internet, and u-tube has a lot also. Start with water bath canning then move up to pressure canning. You can pick up a nice pressure canner for under 150 dollars and you can also use it to water bath can. Wal-Mart has a water bath canner for about 40 dollars.

Every week you will want to put back water. You can buy it, or fill your empty juice and soda bottles. You can also store water in your empty canning jars, as you empty your jars just add some water and put the lid back on. You don’t have to can this water but if you wanted to you could. You can also put water in bleach and detergent bottles ( this will be non-potable but you could flush and wash dishes with it.). You can go here for more information water.

Every week you will also want to put back a few dollars, even if it is a small amount it will add up. Save your ones and if you can your fives and all your loose change from paying with cash. It will add up pretty quickly.

Continue planning your garden and getting it ready.

Any time you have a chance to pick up something extra do so. I think we are running out of time to have things put together, the stock market is at all-time highs, every time in history that it has done that it eventually falls way back down. From what I can see we are following the same path as they did right before the great depression. So the more prepared you are the better you will be able to deal with things.