I’m in a constant battle against business trends already just trying to cook big/cheap(though not for 100).
I had to drive an extra 8 miles to get whole carrots because the closer grocery store only carries trimmed, peeled baby carrots. I did quite a bit of shopping at that other store and will continue to do so since it’s on my way home from work.
I did stop by the closer store but only bought two items and spent $20. Normally I would spend about $100. Oh well. That’s what they get for going with postmodernism.
As food prices continues to climb, more people will learn to make soups and stews and learn other methods to stretch things. Then they’ll start a garden and get some laying hens and maybe start raising their own meat. If fedgov makes modern fertilizers unaffordable, people will use manure.
I doubt I’m the only one doing these sort of things.
It’s about time to start the ham stock for that soup. I’ll be buying more hams because they go a long way. Come Spring, I’ll be running the smoker most every weekend. Boston butts and whole chickens and some sort of stew or beans in the vertical chamber. The occasional ribs and salmon.
I am moving if all goes to plan later this week. I am getting chickens for sure at the new place. I have plenty of room for rabbits & a few goats. Not enough for cows, but my cousin down the road & numerous other relatives & friends have herds so I can get beef from them. I get pork & meat chickens from a family member who is turning a traditional farm (soybean fields, etc) into a regenerative farm.
I am moving my 4 metal raised beds (bought on sale a couple of years ago). They may be light weight enough that I do not have to take them apart, but they will break down into 4 side pieces & 4 corners if necessary. I will be in the market for more if I can find them on sale.
We now will have 2 wood stoves (none at current place) & I can foresee my cast iron 7 qt casserole on one of them, simmering away with a stew or whatever. We have plenty of room for storing wood (not enough trees to cut off our place, unfortunately), but the guy down the road has a yard full of stumps & stacked wood so I would bet I can get a winter’s worth off of him.
Once we close on the place I will post pics of the shop - it’s a fantastic space and I will have room for all of dad’s tools to take with me. I might even tackle building my own chicken tractor :-)
I am very concerned about food security & being self sufficient - I think SHTF times are likely & if Trump loses, a certainty. The new house has a full basement so I have room to ramp up significantly my current modest prepper efforts. We will be far enough in the country that when grocery store shelves in town are empty, it’s less likely folks will end up on my door step. Current place would be overrun with inner city ferals of the worst sort in no time. New place is in an area with more self- sufficient country folks. Bonus: gorgeous mountain views!!
Trying not to count my chickens before they hatch as the saying goes, but the thought of living there is getting exciting.
All; Overlooked tubers; Turnips are good in stew and soups. You can slice noodles made of rutabaga and use them in your soups or stews. And of course are great springtime prepper food that grows quickly!
I’ve been switching more and more to canned carrots. Not as good as fresh, but they’re easy to use and widely available.
I’ll be buying more hams because they go a long way.
One definition of eternity.....a baked ham in the fridge.