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.
This 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 with the list later. Always better to buy when on sale than not.
This week you will want to get.
50 pounds wheat or flour/ Condiments eg. Mustard, mayo ketchup, hot sauce, salad dressing, etc.
Condiments
If money and /or space are an issue you can make most of your own condiments from stuff you probably already have, you can go Here to see how to make your own mustard.
Here to make your own 57 steak sauce.
Here to make your own seasoning salt.
Flour / Wheat
Are you using your flour and wheat? Buy extra and start using it now make your bread and pasta. If you are buying wheat, grind it and use it. This way you know how to do these things so if you have problems you have time to work them out before you are dependant on these items. Plus your family gets used to eating this way and it will not be such a great shock to them if you have to start using your food storage not to mention so much better for them.
The action item for this month is to learn C.P.R. and some 1st aid. A lot of fire departments and Red Cross centers will offer CPR and basic 1st aid classes for a small fee and sometimes for free.
The extra item this month is packs, we use our hunting packs for this and we take them where ever we go. Each one of us has our own. These would be the same thing as bug out bags. I will try to get a post up soon on what to put in them. If you already have your packs take this month to go through them and add or replace what needs to added or replaced.
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.
I have been using my flour to bake bread, so I know what you mean by having the family get use to it ahead of time.
Thanks Connie, for the recipes and all the helpful information!
Kellie,
So glad you have gotten prepared. Pretty sure we have a long road ahead of us. I do plan on sharing more recipes and DIY’s now that things have changed so drastically. I am also getting ready to start some new sourdough starter will have to work a little harder at keeping it fed lol. I do have a little yeast but will more than likely be making all breads from scratch now and don’t want to have to rely on yeast for all of them.
Stay safe and don’t go out if you don’t have to.
Connie
Connie;
Again a good suggestion, Stocking up on the “staples” is a very MUST for the beginner, as much as maintaining the Deep Pantry for us old-timers.
If I might make a very VERY strong suggestion..
Do NOT go to the stores now, seriously there is a Panic going on.
I did a “drive by” of both Sam’s Club and Wally OMG, the parking lots were 100% full AND lines in the street trying to get in. Cannot even imagine the craziness going on inside the stores.
Please people, stay calm, prepare as you can, but DO NOT risk the idiots and your safety for a few supplies. If you absolutely need to go out, take a second AND third person to keep their eyes open.
It is time to Hunker Down somewhat, stay home, keep AWAY from Crowds.
Just wanted to tell you Thank You! I have read your blog for a while. Last early fall, I got this feeling I wanted band needed to up my game with my pantry. I now have 12 months or so of food and three full size freezers. One with a whole beef, one veggies and another of fruit. With everything going on with the corona virus, I thank you and give you the credit. You inspired me to get it done. We will be planting the garden soon, fruit trees are blooming and spring will be here soon. It is crazy here in the grocery stores. The Walmart in a near town of about 26,000 is running out of everything. You can’t find toilet paper anywhere! There were about 35 people lined up this morning waiting for them to open. No bread, chicken, butter, cheese, canned vegetables, orange juice, etc by about 1:00 p.m.
Nancy,
Thank you and I am so glad you got ready for all this craziness. And thank you for letting me know that I inspired you to prep that has been one of my main reasons for doing this. I have always said if I can help even just one person then it makes it worth the time and effort I put into this. And isn’t it nice knowing you don’t have to venture out into all the craziness?
Stay safe, and don’t go out if you don’t have to.
Connie
A little side note….
Hey all, did a last trip to Sam’s Club around 9:30, what a friggen Mad House
ALL of the upper Shelving Racks were empty. Very little meat except the $18-$24 per pound Prime Rib and such. Chicken gone as well as 95% of pork.
Chatted with an employee I know there… Looked completely exhausted, said they stocked 18 pallets of TP and PT the night before, was sold out in 15 minutes.
Had vegetables a plenty and frozen foods, Quickie Foods were cleaned out, figure people don’t know how to cook anymore. (The 5-75 foot rows of Pizza and Junk Foods were wiped)
Will be my last Shopping trip for a while, picked up a Six Pack of ½ gallon Gin…. Better than fighting over a 12 pack of TP. They did have a LEO stationed at the Exit and one rooming the store…. REALLY????? This crapo is getting all out stupid when ya need the PD at/in a store.
All I got to say is….. What the heck would happen if something like “Lights Out” happened or several US cities got nuked from some wacko?
Just Saying
NRP,
So glad you are finally getting to really retire, could have not picked a better time haha. The stores here are also crazy I have to admit I really didn’t expect that of our little town but just goes to show you never know. Although we don’t have any LEO’s at the stores “yet”. I heard that there are no beans to be had in my little corner of the world not sure if true but someone said even Adobe was out crazy. You know it is a little surreal we have been getting ready for something like this for a while but now that it is here it is all most like a dream. I know deep down it is going to take a while for things to gt back to normal but part of me is like naw things will be OK in a couple of weeks (we can only hope 🙂 ). Very long road ahead of all of use now I feel like as soon as this is over we will be in a severe depression.
Stay safe and don’t go out if you don’t have to.
Connie