Week 39 Deep Pantry/ Food Storage Challenge

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 I feel it is more important now than ever to get stocked up. Take a  little time and look at where your holes were in your deep pantry while you were in lockdown. Make a list and try to fill them in. I don’t know if we will have a second round of lockdowns or not, but I do know we are getting ready to go thru some food shortages and some rough economic times.

I know money is tight right now but at least try to get some of the basics. You can go to January’s deep pantry challenge to see what they are. And remember to EAT WHAT YOU STORE AND STORE WHAT YOU EAT.

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.

 

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.

The amounts are for two people If you have more just double to what you need.

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 with the list later. Always better to buy when on sale than not.

25 pounds Wheat or Flour/ Cornmeal

25 pounds of wheat or flour. If you have a wheat grinder wheat stores a lot longer then flour if stored correctly in an airtight container.

Cornmeal if you store cornmeal you need to store in a cool place and be sure to rotate. An alternative is to buy whole corn or cracked corn and grind your own. If you do this you will need a corn grinder most wheat grinders will not grind corn.
I buy my whole corn and cracked corn at the feed store just make sure it is just corn with nothing added. I use the whole corn to make masa for tortillas with. The cracked corn I use to grind for cornmeal. Storing your corn this way it will last a very long time.
I also like to buy a little roasted blue cornmeal I like the roasted taste. You can do this with yellow cornmeal. Just put on a cookie sheet then put in the oven at about 375 degrees stir occasionally till it smells roasted and has browned a little be careful not to burn. Adds a very good flavor to your cornmeal

The extra item this month is to try and find alternate heating sources. With winter on its way and all the disasters going on in the world right now, fires, hurricanes, terror attacks, and all the other things going on. You need to have an alternate heat source then if something happens to your power source you will still be able to stay warm. There are many places that are without power right now. How would you heat your house without power? A wood stove is ideal but some people are unable to have a wood stove so they will have to find alternatives. If you do have a wood stove be sure to have enough wood to last all winter. There are some really good propane heaters out there but you will have to have propane stored also. Be careful about ventilation when considering your heat sources. Endless people have been asphyxiated due to carbon monoxide poisoning because they chose the wrong option to heat their living space. Some buildings have windows that will not open, and this must be considered when thinking of your heat sources. Be sure and have carbon monoxide detectors.
Also, it would be wise to have some extra warm clothing and blankets on hand. Long underwear, thick socks, gloves, hats (something comfortable enough to sleep in), warm outer clothing, and good sleeping bags and/or blankets for every member of the family are a must. I’d consider co-sleeping as a family during the coldest of nights as well. Nothing like body heat to warm you up!

The action item this month is a grab and go binder,
This will have copies of all your important papers, insurance papers copies of credit cards, social security cards, licenses, bank account information, marriage, and divorce papers. In addition to phone numbers, addresses. You could even add a flash drive with some important pictures and pictures of the contents in your home. This way you only have minutes to leave your house you can grab it and have copies of the important papers in case something happens to your home. Be sure to store somewhere safe but also easy to grab in a hurry.

 

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.

 

What were you able to get done this week?