Whether a tornado, floods, economic collapse, or even a zombie apocalypse ... this blog will help you prepare. ... by Author V.P. Lawrence #survivalcookingliving // Instagram @survivalcookingliving
Fridge Food
So... here's what we ate today:
Breakfast:
-yogurt (kid had goat, Hubby/I had greek)
-apples (shared with Hubby, me, kid and our bunny)
Lunch:
-rice crackers
-pears
Dinner:
-carrots (shared with Hubby, incl bunny!)
-deli turkey with gf bread for kid, bagel for me
-hubby had chicken/broc pot pie
Guess we're eating on the fly again. It's too late to do this tonight, but tomorrow after showings are done, I'll put some white navy beans, bacon, onion and later tomato sauce in the crockpot so we'll have them cooked to eat the next day. Always have them stored!
Ate Out - oh no
Breakfast:
-goat yogurt
-handful dry gf cereal
Lunch (at Village Inn):
Kid: eggs, bacon, applesauce, milk
Me: turkey and bacon flat-bread sandwich, applesauce, chamomile tea
Well, I'm embarrassed to say that we ate out again for dinner.... met up with Hubby who we don't usually see during the week.
Dinner (at Outback Steakhouse):
Kid: baked potato, orange juice (carrots later at home)
Me: salad, sweet potato, grilled shrimp
Hubby: pork tenderloin, string beans, garlic mashed potatoes
So... I didn't do great planning meals yesterday. Barely any veggies. Hope to do better today - we still have some fresh zucchini I harvested the other day and we sure do like them raw!
On a good note... we're actually supposed to close today! Streamers! Confetti! Okay, hold on... maybe I should wait until we've actually signed the documents. I just don't trust the situation.
Quick Healthy Menu
Breakfast:
-dry chex cereal
-fresh pear
Lunch:
-rice crackers
-canned fruit
-pumpkin seeds
-sunflower seeds
Dinner:
-gluten-free bread with butter, garlic powder, and cheese, melted in toaster oven
-carrots
-baby spinach
-cole slaw (me, not kid!)
I'll be soooo glad when this fiasco of a house-sale is over, and we move. But this is teaching me a lot about not being able to use a microwave (sold it day because our first scheduled closing date).
It's time for a Snack Meal!
Baby carrots
Dried peas
Turkey lunchmeat
Rice crackers
Gluten-free chocolate chip cookies
Water
I’ll be glad when this house is sold! Hmmmm... wonder where my camera is?!
Cocktail Party Menu Using Stored Foods
Light some candles. Dress to the nines. Decorate with fancy placemats and silk flowers. Bring out all of those decorations you've stored over the years.
Serve about 4-5 savory bits, and 1-2 sweet treats towards the end (to signify that the party is wrapping up soon). Rule of thumb is 6-8 bites per person per hour of a 2-hour cocktail party where no other food will be served. Always over estimate how much to serve (you'd rather have leftovers than not enough).
SAVORY BITS:
Spicy Walnuts - good with martinis
Seafood Skewers - easy and delicious
Black Bean Salsa with Chips
Deviled Ham Spread on crackers
Velveeta Cheese Spread on crackers
SWEET TREATS:
Rum Pineapple - no cooking involved
No-Cook Peanut Butter Candy
Packaged mints or hard candies
DRINKS:
We recently discovered that our local superstore for liquor/alcohol has the little airplane-sized bottles of almost everything. Sometimes they run specials on the little ones, from 26 cents to $1.99. We bought a bunch - various kinds - and will use next time we have a party. Everyone can choose their drink: from flavored vodkas to kahlua to butter schnapps, whiskey and brandy.
Serve a Party Punch too.
FUN:
Most cocktail parties are, in our humble opinion, quite stuffy and sedate. However, the purpose of YOUR cocktail party while being enclosed or confined is to alleviate boredom, so kick it up to an actual Par-tay by having some FUN! Get out the board games, Twister, or cards, and have a tournament. Or everyone can bring an instrument so you can have a jam session. Who cares if no one can carry a tune in a bucket, or everyone plays a different song or the same song in a different key? It can be so much fun that your guests might not want to leave.
Er, sorry.
No-Cook Menu: Black Bean Salsa/Chips
-Black Bean Salsa*
-Tortilla Chips
-Dried Apples and Mangos
-Refreshing Citrus Drink*
Not much, but because it's all healthy, it's a good meal to eat and eat as much as you want.
*Recipe already on this blog
No-Cook Menu: Meat/Crackers
Crackers
-with velveeta (generic) cheese (no refrig needed)
-and summer sausage (no refrig needed)
Canned Fruit
Candy Bar
Juice Box
Well, doesn't sound extremely creative, but all is food that stores well, and doesn't require cooking or refrigeration.
No More Daily Menus for Rotation Diet
We are the type of the family that likes to decide what to eat at the last minute. This planning a day or a week before is killing us! Aargh! On top of that, my stomach is still in knots from the huge influx of whole grains. My poor IBS.Plus, we think we've discovered that my Son has some kind of reaction when he eats wheat. This is interesting, from a behavior standpoint, a diet standpoint, and now, a storage standpoint. I guess no wheat for him means more rice, rice pasta, potatoes, chips, etc. No canned chicken noodle soup. Ah man... :(
So... this grain rotation diet will continue in this household for several more months, but most people are coming here for our stored-food recipes and cooking techniques. That's what we'll continue to give you.
Thank you for your patience as we strive to help as many people as possible. We are trying to post 2-4 times each per day.
The Williams Family
Menu: Soy
Breakfast
Yogurt
Lunch:
Soy Muffins*
canned pineapple
---Son:dried soy beans
---Hubby:defrosted cooked steak pieces
---Me:gelatin
Dinner:
Bacon-Wrapt Tofu*
Pork-n-Beans (canned)
Carrots
* Recipe posting today
Copyright (c) 2009 New View Group, LLC
Menu: Potatoes
Breakfast:
Yogurt
Lunch:
Homemade french fries (made night before)
Fruit cocktail
---Hubby: Leftover steak pieces (from freezer)
---Son: canned chicken with melted cheese
---Me: gelatin, leftover tuna salad
Dinner:
Carrots
---Hubby/Me: Baked sweet potatoes, skillet beef*
---Son: baked white potato, scrambled egg
* recipe posts today
I know, doesn't sound like much fun. I'm sure the creativity of the menus will pick up when my stomach stops hurting. Right now, my ulcer prevents my thinking clearly.
Menu: Quinoa
Me:
Breakfast: yogurt
Lunch: gelatin, canned pears, scrambled egg
Dinner: a TASTE of the "Almond & Fruit Quinoa", carrots, dried peas
Hubby:
Breakfast: yogurt
Lunch: leftover ribs (from freezer), applesauce,
Dinner: Almond & Fruit Quinoa*, carrots, dried peas
Son:
Breakfast: yogurt
Lunch: canned pears, scrambled egg, dried fruit
Dinner: a TASTE of the quinoa (if I can get him to eat any), chicken from a can, carrots, dried peas
*recipe posting today
Suggestions for No-Cook Foods
In case people don't get around to reading our response as a posted comment, here it is:
The beef jerkey, chipped beef and tuna suggestions are good.
Dried fruits and veggies don't HAVE to be reconstituted - just be sure to drink plenty of liquids with them to avoid constipation. Vienna sausages. Nuts/seeds. Canned fruits. Rice cakes and crackers. MREs. Granola bars. Cereal (make milk from powdered OR use apple juice OR eat dry). Kippers, sardines, oysters, clams (near the tuna). Spam. Deviled ham. Protein bars. Protein drinks or powder. Juice boxes. Instant gatorade/drinks/hot cocoa.
Of course, fresh fruits and veggies - raw.At the dollar store, we buy little tuna-kits, and chicken-salad-kits (bumble bee brand) - they come with pre-made salad and crackers. The grocery store also has bigger kits, with a serving of fruit and sometimes a mint. No refrigeration needed for these.
Son ate a spoonful of peanut butter last night because he was still hungry. Actually, he does this pretty often. Ok, we do too. Only a spoon to wash!All of these things are good, too, for your 72-hour kit or Bug-Out-Bag. Really... anything that you can just open the packaging and eat straight. There's probably several items in your storage and/or pantry right now.
Now... what are other ideas for foods you can store that don't involve cooking and letting people know you have food?
Menu: Wheat (pancakes, pizza, pasta, bread)
Breakfast:
Pancakes (from a mix) with chocolate chips
Honey (not syrup)
Lunch:
fresh baked bread (in the bread machine)
pears (canned)
spaghetti sauce and pasta
Dinner:
Personal Pizza Pies (experimenting using cast iron skillets & mix)
salad (from windowsill planters)
Personal Pies (pre-made pie crusts, canned pie filling)
Tomorrow's Grain is quinoa, amaranth, or millet.
Menu: Oats (oatbars, meatloaf)
Breakfast:
no-cook oatmeal*
Lunch:
apple oatbars*
vienna sausages
Dinner:
meatloaf* (adults)
scrambled eggs (picky-kid)
carrots
*recipe posts today
Menu: Rice (crackers, muffins)
As you know, today is the 2nd day of our Grain Rotation Diet (to discovered food allergies, and to make sure we can provide healthy varieties if we get snowed in or some other disaster prevents us from getting out and about). We're also attempting to use only foods we've stored for emergency-prep (pantry, frozen, dried), or that we've grown on our windowsill (and later, in our garden).
Yesterday's Black Eyed Pea Soup with Ham was very yummy! There was enough to put in the freezer for Hubby's lunch box on the next CORN day.
So...Today is Friday, here's our family's menu for today, which focuses on Rice:
Breakfast:
Rice cakes with peanut butter & flax/sesame seeds
Lunch:
rice crackers
dried fruit (or an apple or pear)
tuna salad
Dinner:
cooked rice with honey
...OR...
brown rice muffins*
chicken and rice-noodle soup*
Snack:
nuts and seeds
* recipe to post today
Menu: Corn (Grits, Corn-FryCakes, Black-Eyed Pea Soup)
Day 1:
Today starts our Grain Rotation Diet (to discover food allergies, and to make sure we can provide healthy varieties if we get snowed in or some other disaster prevents us from getting out and about). We're also attempting to use only foods we've stored for emergency-prep (pantry, frozen, dried), or that we've grown on our windowsill (and later, in our garden). So...
Today is Thursday, here's our menu for today, which focuses on Corn:
Breakfast:
-Grits (instant or cook)
-Eggs (powdered or fresh)
-Bacon (jarred or frozen/cooked)
-Applesauce (jarred)
Lunch:
-Lunchmeat (from freezer)
-Peanuts
-Fruit Cocktail (canned)
-Corn Chips
Dinner:
-Corn FryCakes (from scratch, smothered in honey)
-Black-Eyed Pea and Ham Soup*
-Apple Bits*
Snack:
-Popcorn
* Recipe(s) to post today
Tomorrow is Rice day! YUM!! Meanwhile, we plan to post about 30 days worth of menus concentrating on (1) our grain rotation diet, and (2) using stored foods. 29 more days to go!
Stored Food (experiment)
- Minced Garlic - from $22.35 to $6.95 ( http://beprepared.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_FS%20S304_A_name_E_Minced+Garlic )
- Italian Seasoning - from $71.84 to $6.95 ( http://beprepared.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_FS%20S307_A_name_E_Italian+Seasoning )
- Premium Cinnamon 3% - from $17.49 to $5.50 ( http://beprepared.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_FS%20S300_A_name_E_Premium+Cinnamon+3%25+%28Korintji%29 )
- Sour Cream Powder - from $30.95 to $23.95 ( http://beprepared.com/product.asp?pn=FS%20D055 )
... and so on. We are definitely placing an order in January when we get paid. Meanwhile, this poses a question that begs your input...
Assuming you only have the products from Emergency Essentials (http://www.beprepared.com/), dried fruits/veggies/soybeans from Just Tomatoes (http://www.justtomatoes.com/), a few bulk items from Sam's Warehouse like olive oil, honey and salt, and water, could you prepare an entire year of menus, and not get bored?
We're working on compiling a list and have to admit, we're having fun. If you have any thoughts, be sure to post them here in the comments' section.
Thank you... The Williams Family
p.s. They are not compensating us in any way; this is just our project!
Seasons Greetings
We want to take this time to wish you a special Holiday season - no matter your beliefs - from our family to yours, enjoy a safe and happy holiday.- Take advantage of the great sales around this time of year: canned vegetables or pie fillings, hams and turkeys for the freezer, fresh produce like winter squash and potatoes.
- Keep it simple. A plate of fresh vegetables or fruits or cheese with a little hummus for dipping is a great appetizer. Bake a chicken or turkey that self-bastes, or better yet, use that crockpot.
- Be safe in the kitchen.
- Let the kids help. At least, ask them.
- Leave the clean-up for later, or someone else. Enjoy the presence of family and friends.
- Simmer some apple cider and mulling spices in a crockpot or coffee urn. Makes the house smell wonderful.
Enjoy this time of year. Family and friends are nearby. If they aren't, find someone to care for. Gift the gift of friendship (yes, and food) to someone who needs you. Because you ARE special, and you ARE needed. And loved.
Blessings.
Holiday Gathering
First, remember, that if is NOT all about the food. Sure, most people come over expecting outstanding delicious dishes but that doesn't meal expensive and intricate. Just different. Decorate a table with color placemats, pinecones tied with gold ribbon, and light candles/turn down the lights. For food, keep it simple. How about ... ...
- a canned ham, heated with pineapple and maple syrup, OR a lentil and ham soup
- fresh baked bread, with a dipping "sauce" of olive oil with herbs de provence
- sweet potatoes, sliced, baked, and topped with "butter"
- green salad
- dessert of dates, apples, pears and other fresh and dried fruits with cheese and special crackers
Third, if you plan to exchange gifts, put a dollar limit on them. This is a rough year for most people. Hubby and I aren't even exchanging gifts at all this year. We put a few dollars away each payday for Son but the adults in our family really aren't getting anything - a basket of bread mixes, a box of special coffees and assorted tea bags. Son made pictures for a few family people.
Enjoy this time of year. Don't stress - BELIEVE that life is not only worth living, but worth enjoying!
Happy Holidays
Gardening Catalogs
Check out our gardening blog: http://www.survival-gardening.blogspot.com/ - we'll be noting gardening catalogs over the next several days.