And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair. ~ Kahlil Gibran



Thursday, January 08, 2009

Food Storage

I am a total Security Freak. I live by the mantra "Prepare for the Worst, Hope for the Best". For me, it isn't about having things for the sake of having them. It is about having everything I might need in case of tragedy. There is so much uncertainty in the world.

Mr. Barefoot thinks I am a nut.

Now, my sanity or lack thereof should not be the issue when what I am trying to do is beneficial for the whole family. Right?

RIGHT?!

Anyway, the think that I have been harping about lately is the whole food storage issue. Now, we don't have a system set up like those awesomely prepared folks who always have a years worth of food stored. I am not saying that I even want to go that far, necessarily.

That's a lie, I would love to have a years worth of food handy at all times, but I am gonna start small.

I try to keep enough food in the house that we could go a couple of weeks without a trip to the store at all times, but lately that has not really been happening.

So I am focusing my efforts a little better. At least I hope I am.

Mr. Barefoot has been talking about how much he likes buying our meat in bulk. He is talking about getting a whole hog next time, and either 1/4 or 1/2 cow just for us. He is also talking about stocking up on broiler chickens (since I am a chicken fanatic). I keep telling him that he needs to take up hunting again, cuz my FAVORITE food is venison. Oh, yummy! Venison chops with onions, green peppers, and mushrooms? Nothing better in the whole world. Not even cheesecake can top it. Sorry, Lisa. I don't really think he will ever become a hunter, though. It would take time away from other things he enjoys much more.

Stinker.

I am planning out a new coupon system so that I can take better advantage of my food buying dollar. I have been spending some serious research time on the net, getting inspired by how other folks are doing it and the absolutely INSANE amounts of $$$ they are saving.

I am also compiling tons of recipes to start using around the house. I am going to make an effort to start actually making foods more from scratch. Not that I haven't pulled a lot of the pre-packaged stuff out of our diet already, but there is still room for improvement.

On top of all that, I have been spending some serious quality time with my graph paper and seed catalogs, figuring out the garden situation for this spring. Since I am in MN, I have a few months yet before I can do much (other than start my seeds, which I SWEAR I am gonna do this year), but I am thinking that if I garden at the folks' place and my place this year I should be able to do some pretty amazing things with the veggies.

Of course, my long term plan involves planting berries by the hundred over at the folks' place, and then using our place for veggies. Then we can share the goodies back and forth and live "high off the hog".

What does that mean, "high off the hog". I gotta look that one up.

The point of all this is that.....well.....did I have a point?

Oh, yes! The point is that I am excited. I just thought I would share. I might end up posting some things that work really well for me as I get going on this, so be prepared for that.

8 comments:

Hannah said...

Hi-
I came across your blog when I was researching food storage.

That's so great that you are going to get started stocking up food. It just makes sense!

Getting started is often the hardest part, and you sound like you know what you are doing! If you ever want any extra tips or ideas, feel free to visit our blog!

Good luck!
Hannah @
http://www.safelygatheredin.blogspot.com/

Lisa said...

Venison better than cheesecake?!? Say it ain't so!! It's just the meds talkin'.

I have been working on the whole food storage issue too. Of course, it would help if I actually sort, arrange, and clean out the pantries. In the mean time, i am trying to get more beans into our diet, stock up on stuff when i have coupons, etc.

BTW, once you have a list of coupons you would really like duplicates of, go to Coupon Clippers.com. You can purchase multiples of just the ones you want, head to the store and score big! I ended up with 10 boxes of Cheerios and about a dozen containers of Smart Balance spread for pennies!

Finding Pam said...

I was just wondering why everyone is stocking up? Sorry to sound so lame...should I be worried if I don't have a huge supply of food?

RuthieJ said...

Hi Barefoot,
I'm looking forward to you sharing some of your ideas. I'm already thinking about how I can make better use of my garden space this coming summer too. And I got a great nursery catalog the other day and I've been dreaming of raspberries, blueberries and apples ever since then. I really like just going to the basement for a jar of tomatoes or the freezer for carrots or squash (and venison of course!) The convenience and actually knowing where my food came from is so comforting (knowing that we CAN take care of ourselves).

Unknown said...

A great way to keep you out of the grocery store is to buy freeze dried foods in #10 cans. They have a long shelf life (so great for food storage) and are easily incorporated into meals. Shelf Reliance (www.shelfreliance.com) has a great line they sell called Thrive. If you are interested in trying a sample, send me an email to rebeccasusannepickett@gmail.com and I will get some in the mail to you.

barefoot gardener said...

Hannah-
Thanks for the heads up and the link!

Lisa-
Yes, it is sad but true. I love venison more than cheesecake. I grew up without a lot of sweets in the house, and venison is a comfort food for me.

Thanks for the heads up on CouponClippers.com...I registered at couponmom.com, too. They match up valid coupons with local sales so you can make the most of your coupons....I can't wait to try it!

Pam-
There are a lot of reasons to stock up.

My main reason is that it is cheaper to buy lots of stuff I know I will use when the price is really low.

Also, if ever Mr. Barefoot or I cannot work, we will have a "cushion" to fall back on as far as food goes. I won't have to worry about feeding the Sprouts if we have reduced income for a while.

Also, if you preserve your own food (either grown yourself or purchased organic), you can control the amount of hormones, chemicals, sodium, fat, etc in your diet.

Ruthie-
Man, those nursery catalogs are addictive! I can look for HOURS making lists of all the goodies I want.

Rebecca-
I might have to take you up on that sample....I have always been really nervous about the TASTE of freeze dried foods....

Gina said...

Hi BG, I don't know if you read Sharon Astyk's blog (casaubon's book0 but I know you read mine! What really helped me get organized and realize I was storing food was to do the Independence Day Challenge. It'll help in other areas too such as candles and matches or blankets and toothpaste storage. I don't have the link right off hand, but search for her blog and find IDC. The important thing is to incorporate it into your everyday life (eat what you store, store what you eat).

i think it's important (especially in light of our personal situation-the first time I've actually felt like my stores are going to come in handy. My hubby doesn't think I'm so crazy anymore!)

Gina said...

oops, ust noticed Casaubon's Book on your sidebar. You already know then!!! LOL