What to Feed Your Family When the Power Goes Out

[cyndi]

In the wake of hurricane Florence, consumer reports published this article with some really tasty no fridge, no cooking recipes.

Relevant here because many of us live with minimal refrigeration 

https://www.consumerreports.org/eme...7512&kwp_0=959054&kwp_4=3214759&kwp_1=1349953

 

[Dingfelder]

The 1/1 ratio of vinegar to oil she recommends for salad dressing will be very vinegary indeed! Otherwise, good enough ideas if fairly obvious. The main thing the article made me think about is how nice it is to be able to use my propane tank for cooking.

It also made me think about chickpeas(garbanzo beans) again and how handy they are. They are a major protein source in many parts of the world, I've read, and likely to become much more important in the future as the cost of meat continues to rise.

It's definitely a good idea to have lots of canned beans and peas around if you're worried about food security, especially if you have no way to cook. There's a lot of protein and even some fat in them, and they're dirt cheap compared to other protein sources.

 

[Solani]

Hi,
Having been a "prepper" and off-grid for most of my life, this way of life will most definitely follow me even when living on the road. Having your own pantry of pressure cooked canned or dried meats, veggies, etc. etc. really makes life much easier, when you don't have much of a cooling system. I realize that I'll have to minimize my stores, as I won't have the space I have now but, I will be bringing my pressure cooker with me and buying meat etc. in bulk, pressure cooking, just on a smaller scale. Same with dry goods such as beans, rice, pasta. Will still buy the bulk wares, put in smaller Mylar bags with oxy absorbers. If for no other reason, to keep the bugs and other creepy-crawlies out of my food supply, plus it's cheaper to buy in larger quantities. I know how to build a portable solar dehydrator so, that won't be anything that changes either. Only difference will be that I won't be bringing my electric dehydrator. Plus it takes way to much electricity to run and I know I won't have much of that... A multitude of different spices are a must, as it drastically cuts down on having to have a large variety of base ingredients, when you can use the same ingredients but spice them differently. Variety is very important and helps keep me relatively sane...
//Solani

 

[travelaround]

Solani, maybe you could offer a prepper food workshop at RTR?

Speaking of beans, my prepping consists of mainly water and dry beans... since I'm vegetarian (mostly vegan) ... my intention is, if food becomes unavailable, to sprout the beans for fresh veggie food. Or cook them . . .

 

[Solani]

^
Good Morning,


Yes, I could to do a prepper food workshop at RTR. Won’t be this year though, as I’m still in the process of getting everything together and getting my Truck in compliance with US standards, since I’m coming back down to the States from Canada. Long story, won’t get into it here…
 
But next year, I’d be happy to hold a workshop. I am definitely NOT the “speak comfortably in front of a bunch of people type” but, I’ll get over it! LOL
 
When I’ve been trying to think of different things where I could be of use to others in the community, I’ve have been thinking about doing workshops regarding several homesteading/prepper skills that could be very useful in making life easier as well as more inexpensive, when living off the beaten path. I don’t consider myself to be an “expert” in any way shape or form. I’ve just been living this way for many years and through trial and error, know what works for me. If anyone could possibly benefit from my experiences, I’m more than happy to share what I know and how I do it.
 
Among other items I also make my own natural soap, shampoo, dish soap and laundry soap, as well as other body/skin products such as salves/creams/lotions, moisturizers, various bath/shower products, bug repellant and more. These can successfully be made both vegan and non-vegan. I don’t feel that one type is better than the other. It just comes down to personal preference. Basic ingredients are very low cost.
Apart from the benefit of knowing how to make soap from scratch, the main reason I make my own bath and body products, is knowing exactly what’s in the stuff I put on my skin and knowing there are no chemicals, detergents or other harmful ingredients. Our skin is the largest organ in/on our body and it doesn’t take more than 20 seconds for whatever you’ve put on your skin to be absorbed into your bloodstream. Our skin sucks up enough cr*p from the air around us, no need to add more harmful stuff…
 
Yes, beans are a highly recommended staple to stock up on, regardless of what can happen. If nothing “happens” you at least never have to buy beans again… Add to that, dried beans that are stored properly are shelf stable for at least 15+ years. Same with rice and many other dried foods. Unfortunately, white rice has a longer shelf life than the more nutritional brown rice does and I do prefer brown rice as well as the various wild rice blends over plain white rice but, if you’re hungry, you eat what you have and spice it in as many ways as you can think of and even try some that you haven’t thought of before. Never know if you like it until you try it. *smile*
You can get most of the nourishment/fuel your body requires from a mix of beans and rice. All kinds of seeds and beans are highly nutritious both prepared in meals and when sprouted and eaten raw, not to mention they taste good, or at least most of them do… But regardless, stock up on multi vitamins/minerals for those nutrients your body needs that you won’t be able to or have a hard time providing through what you eat. Most of us even living in a regular house seriously lack when it comes to all the vitamins and minerals our bodies need to function properly. Costco’s (multivitamin/mineral) Kirkland brand is inexpensive and, in my opinion, a good brand that covers most your body’s needs.
 
I also gather herbs and make my own herbal supplements and elixirs/tinctures.
 
I’ll quit here… LOL
 
Sorry for the “soapbox” rant
//Solani

 

[Solani]

UPDATE EDIT WARNING...

I tried to edit my post but it wasn't allowed due to the 15 minute rule, so. this is being posted but should belong at the end of my post above...

"[size=small]PS Edit warning... Do NOT attempt any form of pressure canning inside of an RV/Van/SUV/Car/whatever... When pressure canning, it involves very high temperatures for an extended amount of time. RV and smaller camp stoves butane/propane are not made to handle those temps for that amount of time. You will need to have at least have a larger model outdoor camping stove. Propane is fine, higher quality electric plate/induction etc. also fine. but, you can/should NOT be in a small enclosed space regardless... Outdoors, preferably with a type of screened/mosquito/bug tent that has plenty of air circulation to keep things sanitized. Wintertime without any flying thingies, fine to be out in the open without screening... Sorry, I really felt the need to post this warning. Don't want to hear about any accidents due to canning in a small enclosed space, or on a small cooking device."[/size]
//Solani

 

[travelaround]

Thanks for the warning, and good to hear you'll consider doing a workshop during RTR 2020 (or WRTR) ... I have no leadership in RTR/WRTR, in fact, at this point, have never been to one yet, but I hope those in charge will see this and be in contact with you about this. I think good speaking skills are not nearly as important as knowing your topic (as you do) ... and the speaking will come easily when you're talking about something you're enthusiastic about and know a lot of details about.

 

[Solani]

^
Thank you :heart: 
//Solani