Today's post is getting in just under the Saturday deadline. We had friends drop by just as I was going to write earlier. Then there was one thing after another and... here it is early evening. So I'll make it quick just to get it in today.
As for my eyes, they are a little better but I still cannot read out of my right eye. The steroid eye drops were stopped on Wednesday night and that came with its' own side affects. So we will see what happens. I'm praying for a good report when I see my retinal specialist nest week. In the meantime, excuse any typos please.
I've been asked what is the difference between a regular pantry and an emergency pantry. Well, in a lot of ways they overlap. The regular pantry is the heart of the kitchen as it is where the food is stocked up (especially on sale) that you need for your everyday food preparations.
It may also hold extras of other basics you need such as coffee filters, paper towels, etc. I have a very basic (and not very deep) pantry for meals, a baking pantry in the yellow vintage cabinet, and I have had a cold & flu pantry set aside in a Rubbermaid style container.
I consider extra paper products, dish washing soap, liquid hand soap (I wash my hands a lot when cooking it seems), disposable plates, kitty food, and such... all a part of the pantry. Some families would include items like disposable diapers, hygiene supplies, etc..
The basis for my pantry is what I need to have on hand to prepare meals, do some baking, and take care of the house. It is mostly the same all year but there are some seasonal items.
An emergency pantry is what I have on hand given circumstances when it won't be possible to go to the store... from a possible snowstorm to TEOTWAWKI (which no one can really prepare for).
Part of my regular pantry would be utilized in such an emergency. All of it if there is power or an alternative way to cook. Some things I keep on hand for emergencies assume there is no way to cook other than building a fire outside or on the grill. Since I live in the country, that is an option. Hopefully not in January.
Items I have on hand for an emergency situation would have little need in normal times unless I choose to use them. For instance, I have oil lamps that are essential in an emergency but just nice to have in the darker months of the year. I have a NOAA weather radio that can be used as a... radio.
I have a very good Berky water filter that we did use when we didn't have a built in under the sink filter. It was purchased in the 1990s so when I had a little extra money last year, I used it to replace the old filters. I could have done a whole lot of things with the money but having the new filters gives us a practically new water filter to use... just in case.
I keep food such as granola bars in a small bug out bag (which really needs attention), as well as in my purse and in the glove compartment of the car. High blood sugar is not good but low blood sugar can kill you. I've been close before so I may be more than a little paranoid about the subject of snacks.
Where you live will also make a difference as to your emergency pantry. Where I live, chances are high that any emergency would require staying home. If you live near a fault line or in an area that has seen floods or wildfires before, you need to add very well prepared bug out bags for each of your family and pets.
Your age and circumstances make a difference, too. There are only two of us at home now (well, three if you count the one with fur) so both pantries are different than they once were. Thanks to her fairy godmother, Florie has her own pantry. ;)
For an emergency pantry, I'm trying to collect Mountain House pouches again to have on hand since they have a long shelf life and are easy to use. But their prices have increased a lot. All emergency type food costs have increased. I guess I can't be surprised when it seems like the world has gone crazy.
Honestly, entire books are written about the subject of an emergency pantry but I think that answers the question. Regular pantry... regular life. Emergency pantry... what you are in an emergency situation such as bad weather in your area or when transportation is shut down even when the emergency is not local.
We can't prepare for everything. Most of us have neither the space nor the finances to do so. But it is far better to have some rice and beans put in a Tupperware style container than nothing at all. So often we do nothing because we cannot do everything. That is human nature. Not smart but still human.
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Mountain House six pack of pouches... here. This is the chicken and dumplings, one of the dinners I really liked when I tried it. I did some research and found by buying a box of one type of item at a time, the price is still what it used to be. It isn't as fun as buying one pouch of a few different breakfasts or dinners to try but the way to go on a budget. Their products also come in a #10 can.
I've heard Auguson Farms is really good, too. They make most of the products available through Jim Bakker's website. Unlike Mountain House, which was originally packaged for hikers and backpackers, Auguson Farms is a true preparedness product.
I hear their blueberry pancakes mix is delicious... here. It would be a fairly inexpensive long term storage product to put back. I have not tried any of their products.
Big Berky has long been considered the granddaddy of the water filters. It was a pricey purchase back when my husband was still working in the 1990s but it got a lot of use and two new filters practically make it new again. Info... here. There are good smaller filters that I have not tried.
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2 comments:
Dear Brenda, I hope you get a good report on your eye! Our most likely scenario is also staying home. Our high risk factors are power outages and on the farm bushfires. I think also shortages are high on my list. In any event power loss and shops shut go together.
I have a usual pantry and then a real emergency pantry with alternative ways to cook, heat, lighting, batteries and all sorts that would help keep us going. This includes medical, water and even things to barter with.
While we cant anticipate everything having our eyes and ears open is a good idea. Yet amazingly few people do! xxx
Just for information -- I can usually purchase some Arguson Farms prep foods at our local Walmart. I might look for those blueberry pancakes ... need some yummies and comfort food in times of distress. I have a box of different candies (mostly chocolate since we love the stuff) put away for those times as well. Sometimes it's the little things that bring a bit normalcy to trying times.
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