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This message is actually some commentary to reply to a recent posting by a "Hoser That's Not My Brother". Since he decided to take his food-snobbery into an area that I care more than a little about, I thought I'd give a few opinions. Please go read his bit first, and then come back here and this will make a lot more sense. Actually, from other discussions, much of what I have to say is in agreement with the hoser, but I do hope to clarify some points, and give my opinion on others.
Starting off, there is much confusion in the food storage world, and he's right, what to store must come from you. "Store what you eat, and eat what you store," is an oft-repeated mantra that is very correct. Just blindly following some list will get you in big trouble if you ever need that food. You probably won't know how to use it, and it will likely give you serious problems shortly after eating. The provident living website is a great resource for very basic elements of storage, but it is just a starting point. Along with that, it's a good starting point for the information you need in actually using your storage in an efficient manner.
For me, I think one of the most important things to start out with though is by asking yourself the question, "Why food storage?". I too have gone through some inter-job difficulties before where the bit of storage we had was a lifesaver for us, but there could be more. Maybe you want to be ready for WTSHTF aka TEOTWAWKI, maybe you just know that food bought now (well, better last fall) was a great way to beat inflation, and the stock market (often by double digit percentages). Whatever the case, how much, and what you need to store will change with that definition. Me, I figure if I'm prepared for the absolute worst case that I don't think will ever happen, then I'll feel pretty good if I just get laid off without job prospects again. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.
Now, to review by category:
Grains
Yes, it is a lot of wheat to keep around, but then again, they don't call it the staff of life for nothing. Try going without bread for a week or so, and see how you feel. Sure you can say you did the atkins things before, but let's also look at some other factors. First, given a situation where you really *need* to use your storage. There is a good chance that your physical activity level is going to be changing a bit. Be it heavy stress, to just plain walking a lot more, your body will be needing those carbs quick. Also the fiber content will be very helpful in combating bad side effects of your stress levels, and other dietary changes. One word of caution though, do ease into using real whole-wheat (even from store-bought whole wheat flour), or you will have some serious issues to contend with. Wheat itself can also be used to cultivate simple meat-substitutes (hey, if you're really starving), and as stated, its protein content is necessary for making breads from other cereals. Besides all of the above stated, your grains are some of your absolute *cheapest* ways to augment just how much food you have stored, heck even at today's way inflated prices you can get sealed buckets of hard wheat for $23 or so for 45#. Add to that the fact that stored properly it has the longest stable shelf life of any food storage item, you should make sure you have a good amount of wheat and cereals in stock.
But it is smart to mix up your cereals some. Get a couple of types of rice, maybe some softer wheat (cake flour, etc), Rye, Corn, Oats, and others. you'll always want some variety in your diet, and hey, you can always just experiment with new breads too.
Oh, and do get a mill/wheat grinder. Get a powered one first, and a hand mill second. It's amazing how much better bread is with fresh flour. With a powered one you're more likely to use your wheat right now, saving yourself money, getting much better breads, and just getting healthier. Added bonus, your house smells much nicer.
Fats and Oils
Yes embrace the necessity of Fats. Well, I know I've never needed to tell a chef that, but I'll just back you up on that one. For basic storage of oils, I can answer one good reason for shortening over standard vegetable oil. Shelf life. Based on it's nature, it tends to have a longer time before it goes rancid. You have to be careful about how long you keep your oil around, which is one reason it doesn't tell you to keep too much. Most people would buy some Costco sized mega-container, and it would all spoil before it was even opened, much less the problems it would have if opened. I'll agree on the PB too, it's something we can't have enough of, and have no trouble rotating through (in fact tend to over do that :) )
Legumes
Dry beans are important for food storage, because as any Brasilian (and really any Latin American) will tell you, it's food. It's cheap food, and combined, beans and rice bring out some wonder-twin powers in each other. They combine to form more complete proteins which most of us will be lacking in a crappy situation because we won't have nearly the amount of meat we're used to. With he dry beans, yes, choose most any you like, and get some variety (and learn how to use them). Get the other dry or canned, as you would use them, but variety is good. Dried soup mix can be the basic soups you see, largely for spices, but more often refers to a Soup Base, that the canneries used to have. Was a simple soup/stock that was designed for mixing things in. Stock has great nutrition, even dried, and makes it much easier to use so much of this dried food.
Sugars
Actually, I wouldn't lower it at all. Now part of why this seems so high is based on the targeted usages for your food storage. It's expected that if you're smart enough to be storing food, you'll probably have a garden too. You'll see that sugar disappear the first time you make jam. Don't forget your body will likely be craving some things that can sooth a sweet tooth while you change diets, and adding to that, most people can really do with the stress relief of their favorite desert.
As for the kool-aid, if you've read this far I'd think you're drinking some :) . Actually one of the biggest reasons for the powdered drink mix is for water storage. Depending on how much, and how you've stored it, or what your filtration method and storage is, you can wind up with some funky flavors. It may be clean, but might taste quite off, and a little flavor will help you keep hydrated, which is pretty key in this area. Same thing camping, that mountain stream water aint always that refreshingly crisp :)
I actually think I'd want more of the honey and molasses though. We have a lot of good recipes using them.
Milk
How could you even question "other". As a chef this should be seen as too little, without even trying. Sweetened condensed milk is a good one, along with evaporated milk. But let's be even more obvious:
There are some good ideas on how you can use powdered milk too, for making things like cheese/yogurt and more. Those could help you out.
Cooking Essentials
Seasonings Seasonings Seasonings! You've got a lot of 'basic foods', you'll want to spice them up. Dried, whole, etc, and get your herb garden running.
Oh, and as for the salt, as mentioned with the sugars, just think of having to do some pickling. Oh, and tanning, since I'm sure *everybody* will be running out trying to do some of that :)
Water
This is of course something that we can't be without, but always think is the last thing that we will not have. Possibly, but I'd rather be prepared. I go with the 2gal per person, since I think if I ever really need it, it'll be in the summer here, and I know I'll need more. Plus I like to be clean, meaning more than the minimum.
As for bleach, it loses its real potency starting after about 6 months, so check as to how much you store. You can get good dried chlorine too, good to keep around, and lasts longer.
Summary
There are great books that can help with this subject, and plenty of crappy ones too. I can suggest a few, and love to help friend get ready for the best or worst of times.
Starting off, there is much confusion in the food storage world, and he's right, what to store must come from you. "Store what you eat, and eat what you store," is an oft-repeated mantra that is very correct. Just blindly following some list will get you in big trouble if you ever need that food. You probably won't know how to use it, and it will likely give you serious problems shortly after eating. The provident living website is a great resource for very basic elements of storage, but it is just a starting point. Along with that, it's a good starting point for the information you need in actually using your storage in an efficient manner.
For me, I think one of the most important things to start out with though is by asking yourself the question, "Why food storage?". I too have gone through some inter-job difficulties before where the bit of storage we had was a lifesaver for us, but there could be more. Maybe you want to be ready for WTSHTF aka TEOTWAWKI, maybe you just know that food bought now (well, better last fall) was a great way to beat inflation, and the stock market (often by double digit percentages). Whatever the case, how much, and what you need to store will change with that definition. Me, I figure if I'm prepared for the absolute worst case that I don't think will ever happen, then I'll feel pretty good if I just get laid off without job prospects again. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.
Now, to review by category:
Grains
Yes, it is a lot of wheat to keep around, but then again, they don't call it the staff of life for nothing. Try going without bread for a week or so, and see how you feel. Sure you can say you did the atkins things before, but let's also look at some other factors. First, given a situation where you really *need* to use your storage. There is a good chance that your physical activity level is going to be changing a bit. Be it heavy stress, to just plain walking a lot more, your body will be needing those carbs quick. Also the fiber content will be very helpful in combating bad side effects of your stress levels, and other dietary changes. One word of caution though, do ease into using real whole-wheat (even from store-bought whole wheat flour), or you will have some serious issues to contend with. Wheat itself can also be used to cultivate simple meat-substitutes (hey, if you're really starving), and as stated, its protein content is necessary for making breads from other cereals. Besides all of the above stated, your grains are some of your absolute *cheapest* ways to augment just how much food you have stored, heck even at today's way inflated prices you can get sealed buckets of hard wheat for $23 or so for 45#. Add to that the fact that stored properly it has the longest stable shelf life of any food storage item, you should make sure you have a good amount of wheat and cereals in stock.
But it is smart to mix up your cereals some. Get a couple of types of rice, maybe some softer wheat (cake flour, etc), Rye, Corn, Oats, and others. you'll always want some variety in your diet, and hey, you can always just experiment with new breads too.
Oh, and do get a mill/wheat grinder. Get a powered one first, and a hand mill second. It's amazing how much better bread is with fresh flour. With a powered one you're more likely to use your wheat right now, saving yourself money, getting much better breads, and just getting healthier. Added bonus, your house smells much nicer.
Fats and Oils
Yes embrace the necessity of Fats. Well, I know I've never needed to tell a chef that, but I'll just back you up on that one. For basic storage of oils, I can answer one good reason for shortening over standard vegetable oil. Shelf life. Based on it's nature, it tends to have a longer time before it goes rancid. You have to be careful about how long you keep your oil around, which is one reason it doesn't tell you to keep too much. Most people would buy some Costco sized mega-container, and it would all spoil before it was even opened, much less the problems it would have if opened. I'll agree on the PB too, it's something we can't have enough of, and have no trouble rotating through (in fact tend to over do that :) )
Legumes
Dry beans are important for food storage, because as any Brasilian (and really any Latin American) will tell you, it's food. It's cheap food, and combined, beans and rice bring out some wonder-twin powers in each other. They combine to form more complete proteins which most of us will be lacking in a crappy situation because we won't have nearly the amount of meat we're used to. With he dry beans, yes, choose most any you like, and get some variety (and learn how to use them). Get the other dry or canned, as you would use them, but variety is good. Dried soup mix can be the basic soups you see, largely for spices, but more often refers to a Soup Base, that the canneries used to have. Was a simple soup/stock that was designed for mixing things in. Stock has great nutrition, even dried, and makes it much easier to use so much of this dried food.
Sugars
Actually, I wouldn't lower it at all. Now part of why this seems so high is based on the targeted usages for your food storage. It's expected that if you're smart enough to be storing food, you'll probably have a garden too. You'll see that sugar disappear the first time you make jam. Don't forget your body will likely be craving some things that can sooth a sweet tooth while you change diets, and adding to that, most people can really do with the stress relief of their favorite desert.
As for the kool-aid, if you've read this far I'd think you're drinking some :) . Actually one of the biggest reasons for the powdered drink mix is for water storage. Depending on how much, and how you've stored it, or what your filtration method and storage is, you can wind up with some funky flavors. It may be clean, but might taste quite off, and a little flavor will help you keep hydrated, which is pretty key in this area. Same thing camping, that mountain stream water aint always that refreshingly crisp :)
I actually think I'd want more of the honey and molasses though. We have a lot of good recipes using them.
Milk
How could you even question "other". As a chef this should be seen as too little, without even trying. Sweetened condensed milk is a good one, along with evaporated milk. But let's be even more obvious:
- Cheese - Serious comfort food, excellent enzyms and good storage. Freeze dried, Canned "queso", or *real* canned cheese (that stuff is quite good, and amazing storage). Or if you have "wine cellar" type qualities, keep some cheese wheels around, they'll just get better tasting, and you know you'll rotate through them.
- Yogurt - Important dairy, will work wonders for your digestion, especially if not feeling well. But how do you store it? Well, you can get cultures that will store well, and learn to make your own!
- Soy Milk - yeah, it's worthwhile to have :)
- UHT milk - Boxed milk, stores for a year or so. Parmalat is famous for this.
There are some good ideas on how you can use powdered milk too, for making things like cheese/yogurt and more. Those could help you out.
Cooking Essentials
Seasonings Seasonings Seasonings! You've got a lot of 'basic foods', you'll want to spice them up. Dried, whole, etc, and get your herb garden running.
Oh, and as for the salt, as mentioned with the sugars, just think of having to do some pickling. Oh, and tanning, since I'm sure *everybody* will be running out trying to do some of that :)
Water
This is of course something that we can't be without, but always think is the last thing that we will not have. Possibly, but I'd rather be prepared. I go with the 2gal per person, since I think if I ever really need it, it'll be in the summer here, and I know I'll need more. Plus I like to be clean, meaning more than the minimum.
As for bleach, it loses its real potency starting after about 6 months, so check as to how much you store. You can get good dried chlorine too, good to keep around, and lasts longer.
Summary
There are great books that can help with this subject, and plenty of crappy ones too. I can suggest a few, and love to help friend get ready for the best or worst of times.
What a night, after my team paintball practice, I had to run down to the American Fork pool to help my brothers' ward scout group learn basic kayak safety. They've decided that they are doing a kayak high adventure at lake Powell this year. So my brother and I brought down two of the kayaks, and started with the basics of entry, seating, control, and water escape. It's been a few years, so the demo of water re-entry was a little scary, but I did it.
It was great to get the boats back in some water (and quite warm at that), and we'll be getting quite a few more chances to take these guys out to practice this summer so they can get the feel for kayaking before their trip. And yes, these aren't tiny little whitewater kayaks. :) 19' Seda Glider, and a 17' Necky
Yes, I'm moving on. It's time for me to go to a new place, so I'm starting to troll along with my resume for anything interesting. I won't go into my reasons here, as I am still employed :) but would like to find something new.
If for some reason you are reading this and don't know what I do, or what I'm good at, wow, I'm surprised :) but here goes a little.
I'm a very experienced Perl programmer,with previous experience in the usuals (C, C++), but those are pretty outdated in terms of experience. The larger part of my experience and background is in dealing with Billing and Finance applications, and large scale replicating site/cms tools. I'm a core developer on the Freeside billing system, and heavily involved with the local Open Source community. Go ahead, check out the resume - http://halls.lug-nut.com/jayce/resume.html
If for some reason you are reading this and don't know what I do, or what I'm good at, wow, I'm surprised :) but here goes a little.
I'm a very experienced Perl programmer,with previous experience in the usuals (C, C++), but those are pretty outdated in terms of experience. The larger part of my experience and background is in dealing with Billing and Finance applications, and large scale replicating site/cms tools. I'm a core developer on the Freeside billing system, and heavily involved with the local Open Source community. Go ahead, check out the resume - http://halls.lug-nut.com/jayce/resume.html
Found this article on Popular Mechanics recently: 25 Skills Every Man Should Know
Use it as a scorecard, where did you wind up? I do like that it is updated to include concepts such as backing up your drive.
Use it as a scorecard, where did you wind up? I do like that it is updated to include concepts such as backing up your drive.
Checked into the hotel, registered, and will be ready to feed the brain starting tomorrow. Spent the last two days touring the old grounds in WA before the conference. That's the nice thing about this being in Portland is I can visit my hometown. This time I spent the weekend hitting the old Pike Place Market, Visiting my Sister, and old friends. One of those suckers even went camping with me up to Lake Angeles .
I had packed very light for a nice summer trip, and was greeted with a heavy downpour :/ go figure. But I can live with that, and hiked up anyways. I hope to get some pictures up soon, but I didnt' get very many because my camera broke. The lens extended as normal, and then no longer retracts. Because of that, when the camera turns on it starts to try to extend, and since ti can't, it crashes. grrr..
I had packed very light for a nice summer trip, and was greeted with a heavy downpour :/ go figure. But I can live with that, and hiked up anyways. I hope to get some pictures up soon, but I didnt' get very many because my camera broke. The lens extended as normal, and then no longer retracts. Because of that, when the camera turns on it starts to try to extend, and since ti can't, it crashes. grrr..
Well, I received a sad call this morning from my grandmother this morning, a little bit of a call to the reality of the fire season. See, we have a family cabin that my dad and grandfather built when he was a teenager. I've blogged about going up there before, it's serious backcountry solace to my heart. Well, a recent lightening strike started a fire just up the canyon from our cabin. The benchmark road/canyon is filled with an old forest that is well past it's prime for a heavy fire, and due to years of mismanagement, the whole forest is a large tinderbox (lots of ladder-fuel, etc.).
Well, the fire is currently mostly headed a different direction, but it won't take much, especially with the current coverage to head down the canyon and include our cabin.
The one interesting note about this though, is that my grandmother is one of those people we all know that never got into computers. After retiring from working for the state of Montana, she retired to living her summers at this primitive cabin, when she called she had some very useful information for me.
And links to some of our cabin pictures:
Hall Family Cabin Benchmark 1
Hall Family Cabin 2
Well, the fire is currently mostly headed a different direction, but it won't take much, especially with the current coverage to head down the canyon and include our cabin.The one interesting note about this though, is that my grandmother is one of those people we all know that never got into computers. After retiring from working for the state of Montana, she retired to living her summers at this primitive cabin, when she called she had some very useful information for me.
"I have an internet number about the fire for you to call.. it's 'H' as in home, 'T' as in toy, 'T' as in toy, 'P' as in..."I think you can see where that is going. Out of it though, I found a really interesting site called inciweb, that is a good mashup of several sources of information, if you want to track any fires. Good maps. As for the fire I'm concerned about: Ahorn Wildland Fire
And links to some of our cabin pictures:
Hall Family Cabin Benchmark 1
Hall Family Cabin 2
What a way to start a day.
Remembered to grab a photo with the phone as I was pulling the tire off. Serious blowout on I-15.
Remembered to grab a photo with the phone as I was pulling the tire off. Serious blowout on I-15.
So last week I got a call asking for some help with our scouts. Apparently the adults talked the older boys into hiking up Timp. Not being one to turn down an opportunity to camp, I jumped on the chance.
True to form the kids wound up deciding not to camp as my neighbor and I were ready to go. But that wouldn't stop us. So Jamison and I headed up AF canyon and just kept driving until we found a spot to pitch our tents and sack out for the night. A few minutes of scrounging turned up plenty of firewood, and we had quite the enjoyable evening.
The next morning we quickly packed up, and headed to the Timpooneke trailhead. Following the example from the day before, what was supposed to be a large group that they needed help with turned out to be only 2 kids, which left us oh so dissapointed :).
True to form the kids wound up deciding not to camp as my neighbor and I were ready to go. But that wouldn't stop us. So Jamison and I headed up AF canyon and just kept driving until we found a spot to pitch our tents and sack out for the night. A few minutes of scrounging turned up plenty of firewood, and we had quite the enjoyable evening.
The next morning we quickly packed up, and headed to the Timpooneke trailhead. Following the example from the day before, what was supposed to be a large group that they needed help with turned out to be only 2 kids, which left us oh so dissapointed :).
Continue reading A Jaunt up Timp.
After a difficult decision-making time, I've decided to stay where I am. Yup, the new year offered me a chance to work with some friends over at BlueHost, and let me tell you, it was an opportunity worth checking out. But, it's not like my current company is treating me poorly, quite the opposite. So after much debating, I'm staying where I am for now.
Any highly experienced Perl coders that want a good paying job at a place that will treat you well, Bluehost is looking for more people (especially now) to feed their impressive growth.
Of course, in a little while I hope to be pitching for another person to come work with me here, so I won't push too hard for the other place :)
--------
Well, we just found out, our third (and hopefully final :) ) child will be another girl. Just the inverse of my family growing up.
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