The preparedness challenge this week is to stock up on ready-to-eat entrées. A supply of these entrée meals will be indispensable as quick meals to use in an emergency. They require either very little or no preparation at all. There are several options for entrées: canned, frozen, dehydrated, and freeze-dried.
The right spices and herbs go a long way to break up food monotony and will jazz up many recipes and transform ordinary storage foods into delicious meals. Don’t skimp on herbs, spices, and other seasonings!
Salt is one of those basic commodities necessary for life that needs to be in every food storage plan. It is inexpensive and easy to store. There are many varieties of salt available today, but for practical storage there are three main types of salt that are readily available and ideal for storing: table salt, canning and pickling salt, and rock salt.
Sugar is an important food in a preparedness plan. Although sugar has a tarnished reputation, mainly because it is used in excess in modern society, a survival diet will rely much less on processed foods containing sugar. Children, especially, have high caloric needs for their weight and may be unable to get enough energy if their calories sources are limited.
This week the challenge is to add an extra container of yeast and other leavenings to your pantry. In a time of crisis, you may need to rely more on foods prepared at home. Breads and other baked goods require leavenings, so it’s good to have a supply in your food storage.
This is the perfect time to order seeds for planting in this spring’s vegetable garden! It is also a good time to think about those seeds that are best for a crisis. You may have noticed that for the last two years some of your favorite garden seeds were out of stock early—so don’t delay! If growing a garden is something you have on your list of things to do this spring, now is a good time to make sure you have all the seeds and supplies you need.
As people recognize the benefits from living a healthy lifestyle, many are adding whole grains to their diets. So, if healthy grains are important to you, you’ll want to have a short-term supply in your pantry. Whole grains are also the foundation of a basic, long-term food storage. Together, grains and legumes deliver a complete and nourishing high-quality protein and provide more nutrition for the money than any other food.
Flour is an important basic storage item for every type of food storage plan. Some form of bread making is found in every culture. In a time of crisis bread will be welcoming and comforting nourishment.
Even if you normally try to maintain a low-fat diet, oil is important in a survival diet. Fats and oils contain a high ratio of calories to weight and are especially important in a crisis because extra exertion and stress will increase the demand for calories. Oil is also necessary ingredient in many baked goods, sauces, and dressings. It is important for sautéing and frying and most of all, it can make ordinary foods delicious—the deep-fried Bloomin’ Onion makes even the lowly onion into a favorite appetizer!
Dehydrated potatoes are tasty, versatile, filling, inexpensive, and easy-to-store. They can be prepared in a long list of satisfying side dishes and are surprisingly healthy—lots of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. They provide healthy calories along with a dose of comfort—both needed in an emergency. Potatoes are a smart choice for your preparedness plan!
Preparedness Challenge Week 7 Thanks for joining the Preparedness Challenge for Week 7! The challenge this week is to add pasta to your food storage. Pasta makes a stand-alone meal—just add a sauce or cheese.
A Preparedness Challenge Bonus From time to time I like to post an extra challenge, usually something current and kind of fun. This week, just in time for Valentine’s Day, I’m adding a bonus challenge—to
Weekly preparedness Challenge
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