FOOD & PLANTS EDUCATION

In the industries parts of the world, most of us have grown dependant on food goods being transported to our local stores. Many people take for granted that they will be able to buy food every week or few weeks from their local stores. Many families store less than a week of foods at a time. But what happens when trucks, trains and planes stop delivery to the stores due to a disaster of global proportions? If you watched the unfolding of the Katrina disaster in New Orleans, then you have a pretty fair idea of what will go down. But unlike Katrina, should a global disaster strike we will not have the luxury of government stepping in to offer aid - more than likely you and your family will be totally on your own.

In my own study of this situation the "disaster" will be slow moving. As the Auroral Oval spreads a little further south each day toward the equator, we can expect drought conditions in otherwise productive farm lands - like in the Midwest. We may also expect power outages and a slowing of shipped goods.

It is best to begin preparing yourself and your family for the shortages to come.

EQUIPMENT YOU MIGHT WANT TO HAVE ON HAND

3 or 4 Ice chests

A barbeque grill with a side burner - extra charcoal or LP gas to run it. NEVER USE GRILLS INDOORS!

A smoker grill - and enough charcoal to run it.

Metal pots, coffee or tea pot and other pans that can be used over open flames.

Large pots to boil water in and clean containers to store cooking and drinking water in..

POWER FAILURE PLAN

Following a power failure you need a plan to feed your family and make good use of the food stores you have on hand.

1. Begin cooking or using all freezer and refrigerated items first. Use up eggs and milk and dairy products and fresh produce that will spoil rapidly.

2. Keep the freezer and refrigerator closed (put this on a strict protocol) children and the elderly people will often stand in front of the fridge for the cool air - especially in hot weather - so watch this closely or ALL your food will go bad in two days or less.

3. On the third day cook all meats. Cooked meat last longer that raw meats. Cook and store in cool place.

4. On the fourth day any meats or food items that have not been cooked need to be thrown away or if you have an ice chest transfer these things to an ice chest and cook them quickly. Wipe out and clean the freezer and fridge with a strong cleaner or bleach (otherwise this is going to stink big time) and throw away condiments. Pickled items may last a day or two longer. Sealed beverages will still be OK.

5. Do not eat thawed frozen boxed items (like pizza, pot pies and such that have no protective wrapper on them after 4 days). If these items have become wet with the juices of thawed meats - these will be highly contaminated and are likely to make you very sick if you eat them - throw them away.

6. When you begin using canned or dry goods to cook with, make sure you fix just enough to feed your family one meal at a time - leftovers will often go bad in hours especially in hot weather.

7. If the weather is hot cook in the cool part of the day to avoid heating up the house - in cool weather cook in the cool part of the day to help heat the house - like if you have a fireplace, pot belly stove or such.

8. Have enough soap on hand to clean dishes - use paper plates and disposable dishes - use soiled paper products as fire fuel.

9. Boil all water HARD for at least 8 minutes before you cook with it to remove contaminates and bacteria. (See more tips on water collection and preservation under WATER)

FOODS SHORTAGES

Living on the Gulf Coast for many years and having survived many hurricanes and living without power for a month has taught me how to cook and stock for the hurricane season. However, power may not be the only thing affecting you if we get hit by waves of strong solar radiation, you may also be without transportation as well. So you need to keep this in mind when stocking your home.

Keep a close eye on the weather in crop producing areas and pay attention to shortages and thinning stocks in your grocery store. If you see stocks of specific items in your area getting thinner and thinner each week changes are there is a NATURAL reason the item is in short supply - don't assume the store forgot to reorder it. At this time (March 2010) I am seeing systematic shortages in the following categories - this is likely just the beginning. Also look for the price of foods to go up as shortage continue to occur. It is wise to buy now when prices are lower before shortages get to the critical stage.

Pet treats and snacks: In 2008 the pet snack isle was a full isle of 6 shelves with 2 rows each for popular brands. Today this isle is a half isle with sometimes popular brands get 5 or 6 rows and others deleted - this is a clever merchandising trick to fool you - pet snacks in some areas have been reduced to one third of what they were carrying just two years ago.

Leafy Salad Greens: I see prepackaged leaf greens being offered in smaller portions at the same or a slightly higher price. Again, these repacked greens used to take up a space 10 feet long and 6 shelves space - now they are 5 feet wide and 4 shelves space.

Yogurt: I'm seeing not only less on the shelf, but yogurt companies are down sizing serving portions - many have gone from from 8 ounces containers to 4 ounces. The price is staying the same...

Butter: More and more frequently, I am seeing the real butter counter either out or very thin.

Specialty Milks: Like heavy cream, buttermilk, half and half is increasingly thin or out of stock.

Pumpkin: In the news last fall that the Libby pumpkin crop failed due to flooded fields. Look for higher prices in can packed and whole pumpkins this fall. Buy early.

WHAT FOODS TO STOCK UP ON

DAIRY

Dairy products are among the first things you loose once we loose refrigeration. Lay in a supply of alternatives products.

Non-fat Dry milk that can be mixed with water in small portions or canned dry buttermilk.

Canned condensed milk and/or, sweetened condensed milk.

Milk alternatives that do not require refrigeration, like soy milk.

Jared cheeses or vacuum packed cheese, or cheeses still still in the wax rind..

Powdered eggs.

Butter substitute spices (Note: a hundred years ago jam, preserves and honey and spiced oils were used instead of butter on bread - interesting that both are less calories and more nutritious!)

FRESH PRODUCE

Fresh produce we are already seeing is getting thin in some areas and the situation is likely to get worse as things progress. Vegetables provide the lion's share of vitamins and minerals for our bodies, so this is an important part of our diet (or should be). For vegetable you like it would be wise to buy and put back canned or dehydrated stocks - beginning now. Buy a few cans or packages each payday to put back. Make sure they have a two or three year fresh date. This ways this will still be fresh when you need them.

Also it may be wise to invest in a couple of books on edible native plants - make sure this reference has color pictures of plants in your area. When I was coming up my mother would walk the yard and make a salad out of plants she picked out of the grass or at the woods edge. She would pick things like lambs ear, dandelions (all editable), common violet flowers, pine nuts, fennel and such. Knowing what you can eat fresh plants in your area can add vitamin and minerals to your diet when the produce selection runs thin.

Another thing you might want to invest in is a bean sprouter. They are not expensive and you can get fresh bean sprouts to grow in less than 4 days - on your kitchen counter - to add fresh greens to your diet.

You may also want to invest in a book on canning and preserving foods - and the equipment to do this - it may prove very helpful in the long run.

Perhaps next year you might want to try putting back some long storing fresh produce, things like white and sweet potatoes, acorn squash and other hard veggies. You can also store herb and seasoning vegetables like garlic and onions. Make a cool dark place to store them either in your house or perhaps in your basement or you might can dig a root cellar. Store them on well ventilated racks with plenty of air around them and turn them occasionally and check for mold or rot.

Also you may want to begin storing nuts and seeds. Must nuts and seeds contain high levels of protein and vitamins and they are easy to store. Store still in the shell is best.

MEATS

According the ancient mayan accounts, they lost 50% of their animals through the last Shift. I see no reason why that would change if we are hit by strong solar rays - without protection many animals will not make it.. So meat may be something that will become rare in our diet. Already we are seeing TV commercials (likely government sanctioned) suggesting that we have "meatless" Mondays. For a while you may be able to get by with canned meats. Buy and put back canned meats that are right size to feed your family one meal at a time.

Generally, should we get hit by a strong solar flare, we can more or less line meat off the menu.

GRAINS

Since nearly the beginning of time BREAD has been the greatest staple in food in the world. Today we march into a store and face a counter of almost any kind of bread we can imagine. Yet should that counter disappear from now on, could you make bread yourself? Now would be a good time to learn to make good bread from scratch and begin stock piling grains like, flour, rice, oats and corn. Also since cereal contains the greatest nutrition per ounce of anything else you can eat, it would be wise to stock up on a wide variety of cereals and cereal grains. Many civilizations have servived on little more than bread and water - so begin stocking piling all grains - a few each pay day. Look for very high vitamins and minerals in the cereals you choose and buy a LOT of it. Also stock up on flour, rice and other grains. When everything else is gone - this may be the only thing that sustains you and your family.

FRUIT

In today's world, fruit is shipped all over the world to markets but when the shipments stop you may be reduced to only local fruits or fruits that you can grow yourself. Fruit is a critical part of our diet. The lack of the vitamin C that is so abundant in fruit is what cause an epidemic of deaths in the middle ages and aboard ships scurvy was a common cause of death. It would be wise explore other vegatables that are high in vitamin C to prevent disease down the road. Also buying fruits and learning to can foods and preserve fruits and vegatables can be a real asset to surviving well.

I also recommend that you buy locally growing fruit trees and plant them in your yard - MAKE space for them in a protected area. Plant roses. Roses and rose hips are a good source of vitamin C - harvest the pedals and hips and dry them - you can make a tea with them - about a tablespoon per cup will add vitamin C to your diet. You may also begin to save seeds that come out of the fruits you are eating now - dry and store in zip-loc bags - this costs nothing and you can plant them after the crisis.

CANNED GOODS

Canned goods are a wonderful way to stock food for the long term. Be sure to stock a wide variety of canned foods and ROTATE YOUR STOCK and check expiration dates.

STAPLES

It would be wise to lay in a very good supply of staples such as salt, sugar, tea, spices, condiments and such. Salt and sugar will no doubt be in short supply. My grandmother lived in fear of "rationing" of these items after she survived the Great Depression in the 30's. She kept a huge supply of both on hand at all times. Keep in mind that both salt and sugar are both used in preserving foods. So it would be wise to stock up on these as well.

PRESERVATION

When I was child coming up, knowing how to preserve foods was a part of my childhood. I learned to can things by watching my grandmother doing canning from spring to fall - each thing in season. I also learned how to dry things and protect them from mice and such. This would be a good time to learn how to preserve foods, how to dry them, how to can them and put up supplies so that you can store both.

Recently, in the TV special Aftermath: World Without Oil was a small section on how to preserve foods. I found it interesting that in a pinch - a car with the windows cracked can work as an excellent food dehydrator. For other methods of preserving foods you might want to order some books, videos or take classes offered in your home town. This knowledge may be critical to your survival after the Shift.

GARDENING

There may come a time when your survival may depend on what you can grow yourself. Now would be a good time to learn to grow food plants - even if you do it in buckets on a patio. Buy some books, videos or education films to learn, look into local classes that offer "extension" class that teach how to grow things.

I will be adding to this page as time allows. Also if anyone wants to me to post or link to article on foods I will be happy to list them below. We may run some workshops on this as well.

 

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