7.26.2011

Easily Stored Meals (for a three-month supply)


I'm getting ready to teach a course on starting a three-month supply. 

Though I don't advocate recipe sharing when developing a plan (the recipes should be ones that you already use regularly), I have seen that a list of possible shelf-stable and easily-stored meals can jog memories for those who don't think they eat anything that stores well.  I'd like to have a large list on the black board for this presentation to help people get thinking.

So, I'm asking for your help!  What meals do you store for your three-month supply?

Here are a bunch of ideas that I've compiled so far:

BREAKFAST
Granola, pancakes/waffles, french toast, cereal, oatmeal, cream of wheat, hashbrowns, bacon, eggs, muffins, smoothies.

LUNCH/DINNER
Wraps/sandwiches (PB&J, tuna, chicken salad), fish fillets, chili, Mac-N-Cheese, jambalaya, pizza, easy canned soups (Spaghettios, ravioli, chicken noodle, etc.), lasagna, enchiladas, chicken crescents, spaghetti, burritos, taco soup, beans and rice, soups, chowders, crock-pot chicken, curry chicken, chicken alfredo, shepherd's pie, pot pie, baked potatoes, quesadillas, casseroles, stroganoff.

OTHER
Various canned/dry/freeze-dried fruits and vegetables to supplement all of the above (bottled peaches, fruit leather, applesauce, canned green beans, etc.).  Grow a garden.  Fruit trees.  Sides and desserts as desired.

NOTE
All of these items can be made using shelf-stable storage items which can be stored at least three months or more.  I personally include freezer items in addition to those on my shelves.  All freezer items can be substituted with shelf items if necessary.


Obviously, these meals are all within the realm of my own recipes.  I'd love to hear your ideas!  Please, help me think outside my own kitchen.

7.19.2011

Trek

Photo belongs to the author of this blog.  Please do not use without permission.

I've been heavily involved with our church pioneer trek reenactment during the past many months.  We were able to trek the actual Mormon Trail near Fort Bridger, Wyoming.  We just returned a couple of weeks ago.  I haven't experience many things quite so humbling as to strip away many of our conveniences for several days and survive without. 

It was hard!  I had some medical inconveniences that resulted in my only walking about half of the projected 17 miles.  I was tired and worn out - even though I regularly walk several miles up and down hills.  We survived two thunderstorms with torrential rain (which had to be bailed out of our tent because there was so much water).  I was reminded about just how dependent we have become on technology and modern inventions.  I loved taking a shower at the end of our trek experience. It was so easy to just turn on the water - hot and clean. I almost cried when my husband told me he had just put fresh sheets on our bed.

I couldn't have survived like my past grandparents did - because I don't have the skills that they had.  Our water was trucked out to us - but it often ran out faster than it was available.  My grandparents had to look for their water and then hope it was clean.  Wyoming seemed devoid of life and food.  I was grateful for coolers full of food and refrigerated trucks instead of a measly 1/4 cup of flour a day like my two grandmothers had. 

We have so much!  But we rely heavily on others for it.

Just another argument for self-reliance!