Posted on 03/23/2008 11:36:40 PM PDT by nw_arizona_granny
Americans finding soaring food prices hard to stomach can battle back by growing their own food. [Click image for a larger version] Dean Fosdick Dean Fosdick
Home vegetable gardens appear to be booming as a result of the twin movements to eat local and pinch pennies.
At the Southeastern Flower Show in Atlanta this winter, D. Landreth Seed Co. of New Freedom, Pa., sold three to four times more seed packets than last year, says Barb Melera, president. "This is the first time I've ever heard people say, 'I can grow this more cheaply than I can buy it in the supermarket.' That's a 180-degree turn from the norm."
Roger Doiron, a gardener and fresh-food advocate from Scarborough, Maine, said he turned $85 worth of seeds into more than six months of vegetables for his family of five.
A year later, he says, the family still had "several quarts of tomato sauce, bags of mixed vegetables and ice-cube trays of pesto in the freezer; 20 heads of garlic, a five-gallon crock of sauerkraut, more homegrown hot-pepper sauce than one family could comfortably eat in a year and three sorts of squash, which we make into soups, stews and bread."
[snipped]
She compares the current period of market uncertainty with that of the early- to mid-20th century when the concept of victory gardens became popular.
"A lot of companies during the world wars and the Great Depression era encouraged vegetable gardening as a way of addressing layoffs, reduced wages and such," she says. "Some companies, like U.S. Steel, made gardens available at the workplace. Railroads provided easements they'd rent to employees and others for gardening."
(Excerpt) Read more at dallasnews.com ...
I hope you will join in, so that this thread will be useful to us, when we need to find information of all types.
This first post, on my first ever thread, is for you:
http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2008/03/23/news/features/doc47d014b00d865081336026.txt
Food as art
By Jomay Steen, Journal staff
For Staff Sgt. Rhodello Nuval of Ellsworth Air Force Base, cooking is more than his military job, it is his art. Evidence of this is found on his culinary Web site, Nuval.net, which opens with, “Cooking is not just simply cooking to feed people. It is an art that helps tantalize the palate of your guests, family members or patrons.”
As his job, Nuval works for hours at the base kitchen to feed the service personnel. But he’s often the go-to guy to cook up feasts for base deployments, dinner parties for friends and children’s birthday parties.
Recently Nuval created two no-fuss, affordable dishes that easily could feed drop-by visitors or be served for Sunday dinner. The main dishes required about 40 minutes from preparation to finish, leaving plenty of time to put together a salad and side dish.“I fell in love with Italian wines while in Italy. It brings extra flavor into the sauce,” he said.
Master Sgt. Jesse Barcega stopped by the kitchen to taste Nuval’s Lemon Herbed Tenderloin with a blueberry coulis sauce drizzled across the plate. Barcega knew he was in for a delicious treat.
“We rarely do this type of cooking at our kitchens,” he said.
As expected, the pork drew praises from the EAFB head of food services.
“It has a spicy taste, but not too spicy. It’s very juicy,” he said after taking another bite.
“The tenderness is perfect.”
Barcega quizzed Nuval on the amount of time the young cook let the meat rest before carving the tenderloin into medallion-sized pieces. Nuval generally waits for a minute or so. After the discussion, Barcega advised for a longer wait time.
“Don’t cut meats fresh from the oven. Let the steam cook and seal the juices in … so let it rest for three minutes,” Barcega said. “But he’s the chef.”
It is advice heeded by Nuval, who oversees four noncommissioned officers and 16 airmen to complete the daily meals at the base. It is a job at which he not only excels, but also enjoys.
“It’s not only my job, it’s my passion,” he said of cooking.
continued.
http://www.dailydemocrat.com/ci_8625297?source=rss
Food costs keep rising
Assistance programs working families hit hard by price hikes
By SARA STEFFENS/MediaNews Group
Article Created: 03/19/2008 08:14:15 AM PDT
Four-dollar gallons of milk are just the beginning.
With sliced wheat bread topping $4 a loaf and eggs selling for $3.50 a dozen, even frugal shoppers can’t escape the sharpest spike in food prices in nearly two decades.
“It means I have to buy less,” said Thelma Johnson of San Pablo, pushing her half-full cart out of a Richmond Safeway this month. “I can’t buy as much meat as I used to. The only time I buy meat now is when I catch a sale. I’m eating more vegetables, which is probably good for me.”
Overall, food prices rose 4 percent in 2007, nearly twice as much as usual and the biggest single-year increase since 1990, according to the economic research service of the USDA.
And in 2008, prices are expected to surge another 4 percent.
For many consumers, growing grocery bills pale in comparison to the impact of rising fuel costs and the housing market slump, said Ephraim Leibtag, an economist who forecasts food prices for the USDA.
But for lower-income households - especially seniors on fixed incomes and families with small children - food costs hit hard.
“Those are the consumers that $4 milk is really going to put a crimp on their budget,” Leibtag said.
Rising fuel and energy prices are part of the problem, driving up costs for both farmers and retailers.
continued...
http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/disaster/guide/g_fppqdi.html
Disaster Preparedness
Preparedness Questionnaire Discussion
1. Do you think that your family is relatively well-prepared for a disaster such as an earthquake, tornado, winter storm, fire, flood or hazardous material incident? The emergency management community hopes that you are ready! It’s hard to imagine a disaster so destructive and widespread that the American Red Cross wouldn’t be able to reach you and your family in a matter of hours with cups of coffee and warm blankets. But potential for such a disaster does exist. The New Madrid earthquake fault, right here in Illinois, is an example of a disaster with enormous destructive potential. The emergency management community has plans in place to respond to these widespread disasters. Their goal, of course, is to help the most needy (those trapped by fallen buildings, in burning homes, crushed cars, etc.) first. In order to meet that goal they need to be able to count on Illinoisans who are not in imminent danger to fend for themselves for at least 72 hours. Your well-prepared family could help save the lives of others, not just yourselves.
2. Do you believe that the community you live in is relatively well-prepared for a disaster? What do you REALLY know about your community’s disaster plans? Do you know if your community has a siren warning system? Do you know what it means when you hear a siren? For example in the Champaign/Urbana area each siren that is sounded means you should remain in your shelter for another 30 minutes. So if you hear one siren, seek shelter. If you hear a second siren, remain in your shelter for another 30 minutes. In other communities a second siren may indicate an “all clear.” Some communities do not have a siren system at all. It is important that you know about your community’s siren system. Remember, most warning sirens are designed to provide warnings to those working or participating in other activities outdoors. They are not designed to provide blanket coverage for those inside a closed building. Use the NOAA weather radio or commercial radio or television broadcasts for weather information when indoors. Remember, non-local cable or satellite television channels most often will not provide local weather warning information.Has your county ESDA (Emergency Services Disaster Agency) coordinator worked with local hospitals, nursing homes, day care centers, shopping malls, schools, etc. to make sure they have a plan for what to do during an emergency? Do you know who your ESDA coordinator is? He or she is in the phone book - you might want to give him/her a call.
3. Have you discussed disaster preparedness with your family? If you have a plan of what you will do during a disaster but you haven’t shared it with your family ahead of time, your plan may not work! Each family member needs to know how to phone for help, escape out of the house, and seek safe shelter in the house. Each family member needs to know how to be safe when they are out of the home (at work, school, play). Each family member needs to know how the family plans to reunite if it becomes impossible to return to the home.
4. Do all members of your family know how to call for help? If you have kids, do they know how to phone for help? Do they know to dial 911 (if it is available where you live)? If you don’t have 911, do you have the number of the Sheriff, Police, Fire, Ambulance, Poison Control, responsible friend/relative, etc. near the phone? Do your kids know what sort of information they will need to give over the phone (i.e., the address of the home, their last name, etc.)? Do they know to phone from outside of the house if the house is on fire? Do they know to stay off the phone during an electrical storm?
5. Have you conducted a home hazard hunt and fixed potential hazards? Many disasters at home can be averted with a simple hazard hunt. Is the home fire-safe - no frayed electrical cords, no overloaded outlets, working smoke detectors, working carbon monoxide detectors, no flammable liquids near sources of heat or flames? Are working fire extinguishers easily available? Is the home earthquake safe—no unsecured heavy objects (mirrors, bookshelves, etc.), the water heater bolted to the wall?
6. Do you have a Family Disaster Supply Kit? In your supply kit you will need ALL of the things it will take to survive 72 hours. This will include food and water of course, but also medicines, blankets, flashlights, etc. Even if you don’t put together an actual kit (although we encourage you to do so), think about having at least enough food, water and medicine at home with you to last 72 hours.
7. Do you have a Disaster Supply Kit for each car? A small box in the trunk of your car, with blankets, a first-aid kit, cash, food, flashlight, radio, etc. could literally mean the difference between life and death. Every car should have a kit. You might want to change the contents of the kit for the different seasons of the year.
8. Are you current in First-Aid training (within the last 3 years)? Basic first-aid, for example how to stop bleeding by applying pressure, can be crucial, even life saving knowledge. First-aid courses are often offered by local American Red Cross chapters and local hospitals for nominal charges. Think how happy you (and the victim) will be if you are able to make use of current training in an emergency situation.
9. Are all responsible family members current in First-Aid? Unfortunately, there is the possibility that YOU might be the victim! Does everyone in your family know basic first-aid?
10. Are you current in CPR (trained in the last 3 years)? CPR - Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation is a simple technique that has saved many folks who would have otherwise been choking, drowning, smoke inhalation, or heart attack victims. When you think about a few hours of training saving a loved one’s life, isn’t it worth it?
11. Are all responsible family members current in CPR? Again, there is the possibility that YOU might be the victim! Or, you might not be home when the incident occurs. Be sure that everyone in your family is trained.
12. Do you have operational smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors? Having a smoke detector and/or a carbon monoxide detector in your home is NOT good enough! You need to make sure they are operational, that is, they must have working batteries. An operational smoke detector more than doubles your chance of escaping from your home alive. Two good rules of thumb are check your detectors once a month (pick a day of the month, say the 1st, and make a habit of checking the detectors every month on the 1st); when you change your clock for daylight savings/standard time, change the batteries of detectors too.
13. Do you have a charged ABC fire extinguisher? There are three basic classes of fires. All fire extinguishers are labeled using standard symbols for the classes of fires they can put out. A red slash through any of the symbols tells you the extinguisher cannot be used on that class of fire. A missing symbol tells you only that the extinguisher has not been tested for a given class of fire. Class A: Ordinary combustibles such as wood, cloth, paper, rubber and many plastics. Class B: Flammable liquids such as gasoline, oil, grease, tar, oil-based paint, lacquer, and flammable gas. Class C: Energized electrical equipment - including wiring, fuse boxes, circuit breakers, machinery, and appliances Many household fire extinguishers are “multipurpose” A-B-C models, labeled for use on all three classes of fire. If you are ever faced with a Class A fire and don’t have an extinguisher with an “A” symbol, don’t hesitate to use one with the “B:C” symbol. WARNING: It is very dangerous to use water or an extinguisher labeled only for Class A fires on a Class B or Class C fire. > Do you know where your fire extinguisher is? Do you know if it is still fully charged (they can lose their charge over time)?
14. Do you know how to use the fire extinguisher? Using a fire extinguisher is not completely straightforward and the time to learn how to operate one is NOT during a fire. Follow the four-step PASS procedure. Pull the pin: This unlocks the operating lever and allows you to discharge the extinguisher. Aim low: Point the extinguisher nozzle (or hose) at the base of the fire. Squeeze the lever above the handle: This discharges the extinguishing agent. (Some extinguishers have a button instead of a lever.) Sweep from side-to-side: Moving carefully toward the fire, keep the extinguisher aimed at the base of the fire and sweep back and forth until the flames appear to be out. A good practice might be to purchase two fire extinguishers—one to keep and one to let each family member practice on.
15. Do you know how to turn off all utilities (gas, electricity, water, etc.)? For a variety of reasons, it may be necessary to turn off the utilities in your home. Do you know where the water main is? Do you know where the circuit breaker box is? Does everyone in your family know NOT to turn off the electricity if you have to stand in water to do so? Both the Extension Service and the American Red Cross can provide you with instructions on how to turn off your utilities.
16. Do you know where your family records are? If your house burned down today would your insurance papers, household inventory, receipts, etc. burn too? A great place to keep your valuable papers (marriage certificate, birth certificates, passports, insurance papers, household inventory, etc.) is in a safe deposit box. It is probably not wise to keep your will in a safe deposit box though. A will is best kept with your attorney or a close friend (if you die it will become difficult for others to access your safe deposit box, making it difficult for them to find your will).
17. Do you know where your family will meet outside your home in case of an emergency? If your family is separated during an emergency you should have two contingency plans in place. The first plan should be a place to meet near your home (such as across the street at a neighbor’s) if the emergency is something like your house burning down. The second plan should be a place to meet in your community, away from your home, (such as a local business or friend’s house) if the emergency is something like your neighborhood being evacuated. By knowing ahead of time where to rendezvous, family members can avoid needlessly worrying about members that are fine and concentrate on family members that are unaccounted for.
18. Do you know at least two exits from every room in your house in case of a fire? Most rooms have a door and a window. If the window is a second story window, do you have a way to escape safely (i.e., a fire ladder)?
19. Have you practiced an emergency drill in your home within the past year? Drills are a terrific way of making sure that everyone in the family (kids and adults) understands and has the physical/mental ability to carry out the plan your family has developed. If kids get confused about whether to stay inside or leave the house during a fire for example, the time to get them straight about it is BEFORE anything happens.
20. Do you have an out-of-area phone contact? Believe it or not, long distance phone calls are often easier to make immediately following a disaster than are local phone calls. If everyone in your family knows to phone “Aunt Susie in Oklahoma,” Aunt Susie can help link families that have been separated and help identify those family members that are unaccounted for.
21. Do you know about disaster plans at your workplace, at your children’s school or day care, etc.? Few of us spend 100 percent of our time at home, so we need to know about the disaster plans at the other places we (and our loved ones) spend time. Be sure that you know what the plan is and that it is a sound plan.
22. Can you list the actual cash value of EVERY item in your home, garage, and patio? You may be asked to create such a list after a fire, tornado or flood! Obviously, a wise choice is to make that list (often times called a household inventory) well before a disaster occurs. A household inventory can provide you with some excellent information for deciding how much insurance to purchase as well. The Illinois Cooperative Extension Service and the Illinois Department of Insurance have recently put together a household inventory which is available for a nominal charge.
23. Do you know what your homeowners insurance covers? Are you aware that virtually NO homeowners insurance policies cover damage done by floods, earthquakes, mine subsidence or sewer backup? Some homeowners insurance policies do not even cover frozen pipes or damage caused by the weight of snow! How can you be sure you are covered for the hazards you face? First, find out what risks are in your area (you may not be at risk for mine subsidence, for example, if you do not live near a mine). Then discuss these risks with your insurance agent and make sure you have the coverage you need. To purchase flood insurance you will need to be living in a community “participating” with the National Flood Insurance Program. If your agent is unfamiliar with flood insurance call the following for more information: Illinois Department of Insurance (217-782-5020 or 312-814-2427) National Flood Insurance Program (800-638-6620)
24. Some family members have special needs, for example the elderly, mobility impaired or sick. Do you have a plan for making sure these members will be safe during a disaster? Check your family disaster plan and make sure it will work for everyone. For example, if the family plan is to seek shelter in the basement during a tornado warning, be sure everyone in the family is able to negotiate the stairs to the basement. If some members are unable to go to the basement, make sure you have a second plan in place for them (i.e., seek shelter in an interior room, under a heavy piece of furniture).
25. Do you have a plan for your pets? A simple sign on your door, alerting the fire department to the fact that you have pets inside, could save your pets’ lives. Bringing a pet to a temporary shelter may pose health risks that the local shelter may not be willing to cope with. It’s a good idea to arrange for a place ahead of time (maybe a friend or relative) where your pets could stay temporarily in case of an emergency.
26. Do you know the difference between the National Weather Service’s “watch” and “warning” signals? A watch means conditions are favorable for hazardous weather to occur (watch tv, etc.). A warning means hazardous weather is occurring, imminent or highly likely. Take protective action. Watches and warnings are issued for weather hazards that pose a threat to life and/or property, including tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, floods/flash floods, winter storms, and extreme wind chills or heat.
There are lots of places to turn for more information about disaster preparation and planning:
* Illinois Emergency Management Agency (Springfield office)
* Emergency Management Agency (each county and many municipalities have an EMA coordinator)
* American Red Cross (organized in “chapters” across the state)
* Illinois Department of Insurance (Springfield and Chicago offices - also check with your agent)
* National Weather Service (offices across the state - ask for: Warning Coordinator Meteorologist)
* State Fire Marshal’s Office (Springfield office - also check with your local fire department)
Written by: Holly Hunts, Consumer & Family Economics Specialist July, 1996.
Further revisions by Rick Atterberry, March 2006.
Return to:
* Disaster Guide Content
Gee, grow your own veggies? Who’d have thunk that? Next will be some crazed idea of eating meat.
http://lds.about.com/od/preparednessfoodstorage/a/72hour_kit.htm
72 Hour Kit for Emergency Preparedness
[This is a good list of items you will want to consider, in case you have to leave your home.....granny]
Laughing with you, this was the closest article that I could find, that would work to start a survival in todays world thread.
Gardening is a good idea.
Raising your own meat is an even better idea.
The best pork that I have ever grown, was fed on goats milk soaked barley and other grains.
It did not taste like this stuff from the store.
If they lock all the stores, how long will you be able to survive.
Gardens in NW Arizona are rare, so we talk about them.
OK, we talked about it off and on and here it is, the survival thread.
Come and add your thoughts, suggestions, recipes and whatever you think we need to know..........except war news.....
LOL and guess who will be the first that has to post war news...me.
Spring is here, it is Easter Time and a time to rejoice.
A blessed celebration of His Resurrection to you, granny.
Recipe?
I’m on a spring diet (a yearly event).
6-8 cups of water a day.
2-4 cups of tea.
1 large cup of coffee.
Think EXERCISE and do it.
After the weight loss, have a good BBQ.
Smiling at you.
marked to read later
Oops, I’m a little off topic.
Sorry about that.
[This is not over by any means, Indonesia has had over 100 deaths and it is in many countries and still growing]
http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/disaster/guide/g_a1flu.html
Avian Influenza Talking Points
We expect high path H5N1 to arrive in the U.S. While it’s possible that it will not reach our borders, we are preparing as if it will.
* This expectation relates to the rapid spread of the virus overseas and the start of spring migration – with the potential for wild birds to mix in the flyways.
The arrival of high path avian influenza would NOT signal the start of a human flu pandemic.
* There is no evidence that the virus is passed easily from human to human anywhere in the world.
* Almost all of the human illnesses and deaths in other countries have been attributed to direct contact with infected birds
Properly prepared poultry is safe to eat.
* Even if high path H5N1 reaches the U.S., it is unlikely an infected bird would enter our food supply
* Proper cooking kills the avian influenza virus, just as it does many other germs.
We have experience responding to high path avian influenza – we’ve done so three times in the United States.
* Most recent – 2004, confined to one flock
We are expanding wild bird testing as an early warning system.
* We are working with the Department of the Interior, states, and universities to finalize a plan to increase testing as spring migration begins.
* Wild birds move along predictable pathways during migration and many birds that nest in Alaska spend winters in parts of Asia where the high path H5N1 virus is endemic.
* This early detection plan prioritizes testing in Alaska, elsewhere in the Pacific flyway, and the Pacific Islands. This will be followed by the Central, Mississippi and Atlantic flyways.
* The plan calls for a combined testing of 75,000 – 100,000 live and dead birds (DOI, USDA, and states combined) in 2006 and conducting 50,000 habitat samples (feces and water)
* The plan also establishes a systematic approach to the collection and tracking of sample data
* The plan uses a combination of five strategies to achieve early detection. They are:
* Testing wild birds that have died or are sick
* This offers the highest and earliest probability of detecting the high path H5N1, if it is introduced in the U.S. by a wild bird
* Sample testing of live wild birds
* Sample testing of hunter-killed birds
* Monitoring and testing of sentinel species
* Testing of environmental samples
Detection in wild birds would NOT mean high path AI will reach commercial poultry because the U.S. poultry industry is very sophisticated.
* Biosecurity practices are part of daily operations at commercial poultry farms (“biosecurity” practices are sanitary practices that provide protection)
* Commercial poultry are typically raised in covered buildings – offering limited exposure to wild birds
* Most commercial operations control access to and from those buildings and require workers to follow sanitary procedures as they come and go
* The U.S. commercial poultry industry is highly consolidated – meaning we have many birds in close, confined locations – so it would be easier to wipe-out the virus
We have a detailed response plan in place and the ability to quickly dispatch a team to the scene of an outbreak.
* We have 600 USDA veterinarians and 385 animal health technicians. In addition, there are 400 state veterinarians and 250 state animal health technicians who work cooperatively with USDA on animal health issues.
* We have the ability to tap into a network of 1,300 state and local veterinarians and animal health technicians if needed (called National Animal Health Emergency Reserve Corps.)
Additional Background Information
Monitoring Domestic Flocks: We work with state and industry partners to monitor and test domestic flocks, including those at live bird markets and commercial poultry operations
* Also - “Biosecurity for the Birds” program for backyard flock owners
* This program teaches backyard flock owners about important biosecurity - or sanitary - practices and how to identify and report signs of illness in birds
* Approx 50,000 backyard flocks in U.S. (2003 figure)
Border Control: We have several protections in place at our borders.
* USDA quarantines and tests all live birds imported from countries other than Canada, except returning U.S.-origin pet birds that are tested and allowed to go through home quarantine.
* We have three secure quarantine facilities where birds are held for 30 days and tested for AI.
* USDA prohibits imports of poultry raised or slaughtered in countries where high path H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry or traditionally raised poultry, not in wild or migratory birds.
Feathers: the importation of commercial shipments of raw bulk feathers from highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza (HPAI) affected countries must comply with USDA regulations to prevent the introduction and dissemination of HPAI H5N1 into the United States. These shipments are required to have a certificate of processing according to USDA regulations and an import permit.
Note: USDA regulations address importation of poultry and poultry products. We do not have the authority on labeling fully finished commodities containing feathers such as comforters, pillows, jackets, etc.
* USDA has a smuggling interdiction team that works closely with the Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection to prevent illegal smuggling of birds and poultry products
International Assistance: We are expanding our assistance to countries affected by high path H5N1 - knowing that anything we can do to contain the virus overseas, will help to protect both animal and human health in the U.S.
* We have sent teams of experts to educate, conduct research, and assist other countries with monitoring and eradication efforts.
* We are preparing to work as part of an international team to conduct country by country assessments of their needs in relation to AI
Response Plan details: In the event of an outbreak, we are prepared to take five main steps:
* Quarantine the affected poultry operation(s)
* Secure the area and limit movement
* Increase AI testing throughout region to quickly detect any spread
* Humanely destroy the infected birds
* Sanitize the area and maintain quarantine until tests confirm the area is AI-free
Vaccines: Additionally, USDA maintains a bank of bird vaccines to protect healthy birds outside a control area, if necessary.
* The vaccine would be used to create a firewall around a quarantine to prevent spread
* 40 million doses
* (20 million for H7 and 20 million for H5 – proven effective against highly pathogenic H5N1 AI)
* (specifically - 10 M H5N2; 10 M H5N9; 10 M H7N2; 10 M H7N3)
* Another 70 million doses in development
Lab Capabilities: We have a network of 39 USDA-certified federal, state and university laboratories capable of conducting AI tests (part of National Animal Health Laboratory Network)
* The combined capacity is 18,000 tests per day (500 tests per day per lab)
* During the exotic Newcastle outbreak, a single lab in the network could run 80,000 tests in one day. Spread among 39 labs, the 75,000-100,000 live and dead bird samples and 50,000 water and feces samples would not a huge increase in testing during a one year period.
* USDA operates premiere lab in Ames, Iowa (National Veterinary Services Laboratory) where confirmatory testing is conducted
Funding: Thanks to the President’s leadership in identifying this as a priority, and our ability to access animal health emergency funds, we have the resources needed to prepare and respond.
* In 2006, USDA received $91 million in supplemental funding to fight A-I here at home and overseas
* In addition, our 2007 budget includes $82 million in appropriated funds to address AI
Laughing, and you are not off topic, a diet, with a BBQ to follow, sounds like the way to go.
Got any secrets for the BBQ?
I know all about those water diets, will pass on them.
I was laughing so much that I did not wish you a blessed Easter season, it is indeed special this year, you can feel it in the air.
Will pass on the exercise.
I have a huge garden planned this year with over 600-Veg-plants within a limited area.
Two Words, "Compost Tea"..
Prayers this thread catches many new ideas, and readership!
These are interesting times, and even though I consider my family VERY prepared, I’m always on the lookout to improve our stash!
May I be the first to add the old FR standby!
B.L.O.A.T! (Buy Lots Of Ammo Today)
Yes, always start with good music playing in the background and good weather outside.
A veggie tray with 2 dips, a fruit tray, -0- transfat chips, 2 BIG steaks (or lamb chops or salmon steaks or chicken), adult beverages, and a lo-cal dessert.
Perfecto.
Repeat at least once a week until summer ends.
Laughing with you.
Yes, Sunday was beautiful and it was/is a blessing.
Oh! Happy Easter! and Please place me on your ping list for this and other threads you are Hosting!
Thank You!
JD
Granny, thank you for starting this thread. I have the feeling that many will benefit in the long run.
I have been stocking up for a year, now. My pantries got so full, I had to clear our shelf space in my cupbords in the garage. (I could probably feed a ‘family’ of 30 illegal immigrants for a year.)
Right now, people tend to scoff at the thought that we might need to prepare for the future. Not for long, though, I don’t think. Take a serious look at what is happening to our economy, and to the value of our dollar.
What if? Those are the two words we need to remember, here. What if prices continue to rise for food, gas, utilities? What if there are shortages in the grocery stores?
Gas prices are skyrocketing. Close to (or even over, $4/gal. in some places in CA.)
Trucks that have to deliver food to our markets will have to charge more to compensate for that. (Many small trucking companies are shutting their doors because they can no longer make a profit).
Wheat and corn are at an all time high. There are water shortages in some areas. Poultry, beef and pork are rising costs. Remember when bacon was just over a dollar a package? (Like a little over a year ago.) Paper products are going through the roof. And, I don’t see anything that tells me it will get better.
Best to start preparing now, folks. Not in a “dooms-day-the-sky-is-falling-woe-is-me” attitude. Just an attitude of preparedness for whatever may happen to our economy down the road.
What would it take? Just a few dollars more a month to start. Watch for sale items. Two for one’s are usually marked up quite a bit, so know your prices. Check the ads every week, and use coupons - buy necessities that are on sale - make room for extras. Know what your family needs, and pick up one or two more of that necessity, each time you go to the market.
Don’t panic - or go overboard. Just slowly, start building a little bit of security for you and your family.
You can do it - and I hope (and pray) that it will go to good use - even if you have to say ‘yorkie’ was wrong, and then give it to a food bank next year.
What would it hurt to be prepared?
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