Prepping to Fail (Part 2): FOOD

In Part 1, we examined the (probable) initial effects of a global crisis  which rendered our fiat 'money' worthless. Without further explication, the situation was predicted to result in need of such basic necessities as FOOD, because of hoarding, looting, etc. In this case, failing to prepare is prepping to FAIL, and the result is certainly not desirable--and may prove to be disaster. In this post, we will explore preparations for stocking up enough foodstuffs to survive the initial effects of the predicted crisis. At this point in time, many are aware of the necessities presented, but perhaps have not yet begun to act upon 'the push' they have discerned; now is the time to act.

"(B) Stock up on the necessities; being prepared for the fail:

1) Food 

Personal recommendation: Three (3) months supply of staples, per person, minimum. First off, one must come to realize that during the crisis-to-be, food that we eat will be used simply to sustain; it is not a matter of what one wants, but rather what one needs, so keep it simple. Storing munchies and junk food is a waste of time, resources, and space. Also keep in mind that one will not be able to run to the corner store to grab a gallon of milk and/or bread, etc. Think STAPLES, and especially those that can be stored for an extended period. As alluded to in the previous post, it was not explicitly predicted that one would lose power to refrigerate, but in preparing for the fail, let's assume it may come to this (though perhaps not initially).

Another important facet of stocking up on necessities is that eating patterns--what one eats, and when--will be different than those currently established. Keep in mind that it doesn't take that much intake to simply maintain the body's metabolic functions; the ultimate goal of minimalism and survival. Plan on two meals/day/person, or perhaps a CC breakfast (coffee and cigarettes) and only one main meal. It's not about taste, and it's not about schedules; eat as little as you can, and only when you have to--when you FEEL hungry in the gut. Also keep in mind that proteins and fats not only fill and satisfy, but also keep the hunger at bay longer than starches/carbs. On the other hand, starchy staples like rice, potatoes, etc., are relatively cheap, and are often easily stored, or come in storable form (eg., boxed mashed potatoes, au gratins, etc.). Plan on combining starches, proteins, and fats as much as possible to maintain health and energy for the long term. 

So, what will we be eating? Cost-effectiveness and storage capacity will be main factors. Most likely meals will be predominantly [starchy] food staples like pastas and/or rice, as well as beans and soups. If one has experienced self-sustaining in early adulthood, or in college, be ready to 'rinse and repeat' the austerity and simplicity (lol). If it doesn't come in a can, box, jar, or bag, it probably won't store, and therefore, you won't  be eating it, for long. In the near future, I will test-sample a month (or more) of meals prepared as presented herein, itemizing meal costs and storage parameters, as well as palatability, nutrition, etc., for those interested...

Note: Many things can be prepared on a stovetop, in one pan, whereas others will require an oven or microwave. In the eventuality that electricity fails, consider alternatives like LP gas-powered burners, wood, or charcoal grilling/smoking, and stock up on fuels[s], accordingly. At this stage, we are assuming utilities are intact, for purposes of cooking. However, the majority of meals described will (or can) be prepared on stovetop or grill, considering the eventuality of losing basic services. Later, more complex strategies will be explored which entail even more basic survival techniques. Hopefully, these will not be needed ("hope in one hand, and shit in the other, and see which fills up first"). Keep in mind that many foods can be eaten out-of-box or can, and many can be stored (opened) for a relatively long time.

STAPLES:

Try to acquire large bags of beans and rice (50-100# each) at a local grocery store. Smaller bags of different (similar) types of dry goods, such as lentils or peas, can add variety and nutrition value. These can be split up into smaller bags and/or containers, as needed, for storage, and/or mixing and dividing them for individual days/weeks/months. Seasonings and such will be a plus, so stock up on whatever you prefer (a small amount of canned or processed meat and some spices will improve palatability and vary nutrition). Pastas like noodles and macaroni, and 'ramen' are cheap to buy and easy to store, as are sauces that one might wish to use with them. Bouillon (chicken/beef/veggie) comes in powder or cube form, and can be stored for use as a seasoning for beans, rice and pastas, as well as preparing powdered potatoes, mixes, etc.

The aforementioned will often require potable water to prepare, and a heat source. As suggested in the prior post, it was assumed that these services would be available, at least in the short term [However, things may deteriorate more rapidly than expected, so back ups should be considered: water storage and purification processes, and alternative cooking sources such as 'Coleman-type' stoves, and/or propane burners, or wood for grills/fireplaces].

BASIC FOODSTUFFS & SUPPLIES

a) Canned goods: 

Beans (any/all kinds, esp. flavored ones like 'Ranch-style', etc) , soups, veggies, sauces (tomato and pasta/spaghetti sauces), tomatoes, chili (w/ beans and w/o), meats (chicken, turkey, ham, bacon bits, jerky, etc.), stews, and fish (tuna, salmon, [mackerel, sardines?--yuk]), canned milk, fruits, and juices, pasta-type meals (spaghetti-Os, etc), freeze-dried or canned cheese powder (may substitute macaroni cheese pouches from store-bought packages), and flavored meat alternatives or TVP. Canned nuts, peanut butter, and the like will provide a good source of fats and protein, and good nutrition (and taste good too! woot!).

b) Mylar-packed or boxed/bagged goods (other non-perishables, or extended storage foods):

Beans, rice, lentils, peas, and mixes of same (eg., 15-or multi-bean soups, etc), biscuits and bread (incl. muffins) and/or pancake mixes, pastas (incl. mac-n-cheese), mashed or otherwise potato sides (eg., au gratin, etc.), gravies, crackers, cookies, and snack mixes, cereals, oatmeal or 'malto-meal-like' foods, dried fruit (raisins, etc.), soup and flavorings, assorted bouillon flavors, meal-in-a box or can, such as some 'chinese' foods and pasta meals, powdered dry milk and eggs (whole = better), flour, sugar, salt, pepper, and seasonings/spices, and multi-vitamins/supplements

c) Jars, bottles, etc:

Pickles and pickled items (eg., jalepenos or even eggs), mustard, ketchup, onion &/or garlic, olive/veg. oil/canned lard or shortening, juices, and canned or bottled beer/wine/alcohol*, and water. Vinegar can be used to clean, as well as purify and preserve foods, so this might be considered a staple. Jarred honey will keep indefinitely, and can be utilized to sweeten, if one runs out of sugar. Coffee and tea, as well as artificial creamer would be a necessity for me, personally. I start each day consuming a good portion of a pot, and I generally use artificial sweetener and creamer. During my 'test', I will discover exactly how much is needed for a month; it might turn out that freeze-dried might be the only real alternative, given the bulk, for long-term considerations...we shall see. 

*Note: Lots of alcohol; this was used on extended voyages to the 'New World' on sailing ships in days of old--it has calories, won't go bad, and might help keep 'spirits' up (pun intended). To get the most bang for a buck, grain alcohol and clear distillates like vodka are cheap and available by the gallon. These also double as antiseptics in a first-aid kit you should consider a necessity. It will be of utmost value in bartering with others for anything you run out of, as well. Think about it...

d) Frozen and/or freeze-dried foods: 

If one has a freezer available, stocking up on meats, sausages, etc would be good for short-to-mid-term storage. however, one might be foiled by potential power outages of any length. I will discourage reliance on this possibility (how's that hand filling up?). Freeze-dried foods re relatively expensive unless they are extant in your local market, not aimed at the 'survivalist' market. However, one might be surprised at the variety of such items that are already available locally. Things like dried cheeses, eggs, etc., may only be available on some internet sites aimed at this population, and will often be overpriced, by comparison. Shop around and avoid these as much as possible.

Arguably, one can survive on as little as 500 calories/day for months, and perhaps years, if need be. I personally have done so, in past, and the result after more than a month was simply weight loss (~25 lbs)--something nearly all can appreciate. The diet I engineered was pretty simple, and basic, yet I was able to eat all I wanted of the foods prepared and was never feeling hungry or wanting. It did not include much meat except chicken/turkey breast (available canned, as it relates here). As to health issues, I am unsure, long-term. I recommend one stock up some multivitamins and/or supplements, just in case.

I'm fairly certain that the listing of items above is incomplete, and will undergo some modifications. Please recommend anything not listed or considered via comments (keeping in mind the parameters herein are limited to initial phases of food shortage). However, the true test will be planning, preparing, and consuming a trial month's worth of meals, which I am prepared to do, beginning soon. Many of these items I already have stocked in my pantry, and so I might go ahead and try a minimalist approach with readily available stocks, without getting fancy and/or ordering some of the items mentioned. I plan on documenting what I eat and how it was prepared, and perhaps a nutrition count, ongoing, maybe as a day-by-day diary. 

Keep in mind that one will have less waste if this was accomplished as a team effort, not soloing it as I will describe. There is strength in numbers, and it would be more efficient to make larger meals for more people at one time. Given the gravity of the 'event' to come, it is highly recommended that one join with friends and/or relatives in a more communal setting, when/if this is to come to pass. Joint planning and preparation is also advisable. More on this later...

Prepping to Fail (Part 1)

The tyme has come to start preparations for the upcoming (major) fail. I'm talking serious beer here; the doom and gloom and the feces-fan convergence. Whereas some might conclude that there is the [slight] chance that a total failure in world and US economies can be averted, or even stalled, I resign to inevitable defeat, preemptively and unilaterally. we FAIL. Let's just admit it and get prepped for the inevitable (get real, mon).

So, (A) what does one need to get prepped for, and (B) how does one go about said preparations?

(A) The feces-fan convergence (FFC, or shit-hits-the-fan [SHTF]): entails a global economic failure and likely, a world-wide depression, along with severe hyperinflation in traditional fiat currencies. This means, simply, 'money' aint gonna be worth doodly-squat. Given that everyone of modest or minimal means (90% of the pop+) will rapidly run out of funds to buy necessities, there will be civil unrest, rioting, and probably looting in nearly all population centers. I'm not talking about a mass of idiots camping in parks with no real agenda, or some nebulous socialist crap--I'm talking about people who are actually hungry and can no longer afford to meet the most minimal of needs (eg., food)--Riots that make those in Greece and London look like a slumber party pillow fight between sorority girls. It won't be pretty.

Considering many folks out there are living hand-to-mouth already, the urban poor are likely the first to begin the spree, looting, trashing and burning their own neighborhoods first. But it will spread. Thus, it will likely be low-class area shops and supermarkets that get cleaned out first, leaving one with limited options to provide for oneself and one's family (hence, spreading). Hoarding of essentials will quickly clean out current stocks of bare necessities, in other areas. Martial law will become prevalent. However, soon enough there will be no more food available, and no shops open. Meanwhile, prices will ceiling for whatever is available, making things unattainable even for those of modest or greater means. Government foodstuffs passed out by troops, and soup lines, may soon become the only real sources of food. Access to such services and supplies will be restricted.

Given 'money' worth squat, and urban riots cleaning out stocks, the search for food and supplies will progress to groups of looters beginning house-to-house searches for their needs. Public servants will already be exhausted, and the public will be left to fend for themselves, for the most part (martial law, curfews, and National Guard troops notwithstanding). Medicines and healthcare provisions will start to run out, or become unavailable. Gub'ment will take over essential services and communication, likely with cell phone and internet disruptions for the general public. However, at first, I do not see losing utilities such as electricity and natural gas, and probably landline telephone, as a consequence. These may persist for quite some time.

The foregoing will occur very quickly. This means that one must have a plan and preparations ongoing, to satisfy the most basic of needs: food. Given that most households probably have a week or more of edibles on hand, food riots and looting will probably be unlikely for a couple weeks, but hoarding will begin immediately following whatever crisis begets the scenario described. Either way, if one hasn't prepped by stocking up a generous supply of foodstuffs and especially non-perishables, one is going to be 'up-the-creek'. Also, given that 'money' will not be used, one thing that is sure to have value is food, and it might surprise you what people will exchange for it, if they have failed to prepare. Hence, before any other mode of barter or exchange is adopted, anywhere, food will be the most valued commodity, at least in population centers, and in 'developed' countries where we are all dependent upon our "fat" way of life (consumers in non-agricultural, urban environs).

This may differ considerably in undeveloped or developing economies, and/or rural areas, who may escape, avoid, or delay some of the worst of these consequences. Yes, the last will be first, and vice-versa, go figure (only prophesied for a couple millennia+).

(B) Stock up on the necessities; being prepared for the fail:


1) Food <to be continued...see Parts 2-3>

Personal recommendation: Three (3) months supply of staples, per person, minimum.
a) canned goods
b) Mylar-packed goods
c) boxed goods and other non-perishables, or extended shelf-life items
d) frozen foods

2) Essential supplies <to be continued--see Parts 4-5>

a) Water

b) medicines

c) First-aid

d) Cleaning supplies

3) Shelter & Security <to be continued--see Parts 6-7>
a) Housing-Urban vs Rural-fencing-strength in numbers
b) defense [gun]
c) dog[s]

4) Power and utility alternatives (post-utilities) <to be continued...>
a) solar lights+
b) hot water?
c) Heating/cooking

Squashing the Insolent Buggers

The other day, I started noticing some unwanted occupants (OK, ants) in my coffee 'fixin' zone. For background purposes, this the area where I stock my strategic reserves of both creamer and sweeteners, to be used in my daily coffee intake. Part of the area is used to store my reserves of fixins, and another is used to pour and mix. My twin towers of sugar and sweetener (Splendiferous), alongside my extra-rich creamer, and assorted support items, and such (eg., plastic spoons). For those who are not real coffee consumers, or those that partake lightly, let me assure that the area plays a significant role in supporting my daily energy needs; the key to maintaining a level of 'get-up-n-go' required by my "morning person" persona.

I gotta tell you that it was, initially, not all that disconcerting. After all, I can tolerate a few 'natives' in my zone, and they are welcome to the scraps and waste left behind, perhaps as a consequence of early-morning exuberance. Gotta maintain that coffee flowing into the bloodstream, after all. So, yeah, as long as they didn't threaten my daily routine, and the flow of coffee, everything was copasetic. However, I had underestimated these occupiers' tenacity, as well as their sheer numbers and capabilities. What started as a few scouts and scroungers evolved into a horde of enemies exerting their claim on MY area.

Initially, the response was to smack a few, and wipe the counter clean of the remains and remaining. Soon, however, there were too many for such partial measures. Then it was time to get serious. In response to the apparent takeover, I got out a can of 'bathroom cleaner'--you know, the bubbly kind--and hit them with an airstrike of epic proportions--Shock and awe, man! I left them struggling in the toxic, sickeningly-sweet smelling bubbles for all their peers to discover, lest they ever dare invading 'my' area, or threatening my strategic reserves again. I figured that would do it. Later I came and cleaned up the mess, and noted with satisfaction that there were no more enemies in view. I figured the rout was sufficient to intimidate those pests for an extended period, but I was mistaken.

After a brief lull in activity, the ants returned, albeit in smaller numbers. They began to infiltrate the tray containing the reserve containers. It was soon apparent that these knaves had actually gotten into the containers!  Man, I had no idea how they had managed to get into those; after all, they had snap-close pour spout covers. These usurpers were threatening the flow of fixins, and potentially affecting my everyday existence (lame as it is). Not to mention the economic impact; I had just filled up that sugar, which was to be my reserve for maybe a year (I personally don't use the stuff, so only guests typically use).

To make matters worse, the container invasion was first reported/witnessed by my son, who is kinda squeamish about bugs, germs, black dots in white crystals, and such, so it became imperative that I empty the entire contents and start anew, with a fresh supply. They had decimated my two towers--I even had to go purchase a whole new bag of sugar (man, that stuff is like gold nowadays?). Truth be told, sans the eyewitness, I likely would have simply scooped out the violators and ensured a good seal for future prophylaxis. No such half-measures though; my 'street-cred' would suffer without a crushing victory and total restoration of order--and damn the expense!

After a sufficient build-up of energy, I soon retaliated with another airstrike, this time sparing no expense. It was like hitting a fly with a sledgehammer. Although there was really no contest, I had 'mission accomplished' in no time. Even wiped up their pheramone trails. Yeah, there might be a few 'in the wild' who might someday return for a rematch, but suffice to say it was indeed, a total victory. Now my reserves are safe, the coffee flows freely, and its a bug-free zone. Funny, I have come to love the smell of bathroom cleaner in the morning--it smells like--victory!