The Essentials (continued)
Food, water, shelter, and security are the most basic human needs--the essentials researched by Maslow, and illustrated within his 'hierarchy of needs'. Thus far, we have touched upon some basics, a discussion far from complete. We continue now with a more in-depth discussion of food storage, pertaining to what kinds of foods might be better, in terms of several dimensions of note. In addition, water-related topics will begin to become more in focus, although not really in-depth, at this point...
Food Storage and Prep: Prepackaged?
Previously, we discussed the basics for acquisition and storage of food[s]. Rather than prepackaged meals, etc., the emphasis was on stocking staple items with extended storage capabilities: pastas, rice, beans, and canned/boxed goods. It is suggested that by utilizing basic staples [mostly carbs], and supplementing and/or preparing with canned, boxed, and bagged sauces, veggies, and/or other packaged foods, one can sustain a reasonably varied diet. However, a perusal of many 'survival' food sites, and the foods they promote showed an emphasis on pre-packed (PP) meal entrees, and then, mostly pasta dishes. Such would be fine, in my view, with the caveat that they were, indeed, 'good' and palatable. Unfortunately, several problems arise from such pre-packaging:
- Palatability: One must first determine that a PP product is palatable. This suggests that one must purchase and sample a particular brand/item to ensure that one would enjoy it, keeping in mind that long-term storage foods preclude "...on-second-thought" or 'do-overs'. What you have is what you will be eating. So, if a preparation is borderline on palatability, it will likely go uneaten until all other alternatives are exhausted. Further, this could mean that one might have to endure prolonged periods of consuming that which may come to be reviled. It also could become quite expensive searching for the PPs that suit one's tastes, not to mention waste of those opened PPs which do not pass a taste test.
- Variety: Although PP foods come in many varieties, and from different sites and/or packers, in order to get real variety in both tastes/textures, and nutrition, it may be impractical or even unreasonable to assume that one can afford to rely on PPs. As suggested, PPs are predominantly pasta/staple-based mixtures, and there really is not much variety. Conversely, with a little imagination, one can start with a staple such as pasta or rice, and add any number of ingredients, spices, flavors, etc., to suit one's mood or tastes, given they are part of your storage cache.
- Cost/Shelf-life: Many PPs come in large #10 cans for extended storage needs, and presumably, cost-effectiveness. However, unless one is sharing food with a crowd of friends/family, large PP cans may, in fact, prove to be more expensive, due to waste and/or secondary storage parameters. Yes, they have lids which can be used for very short-term storing of leftovers. However, it seems that one could expect to be eating a lot of the same foods, over and over, in the approximately 30-day window of its spoilage. This goes back to both previous points regarding palatability and variety, both of which are decreased by large PP cans. On the other hand, given that both preceding points (1 & 2, above) are corrected by the utilization of smaller, or single-serving portions, the additional cost may be prohibitive ($/meal or $/calorie)
Given the foregoing, it seems more reasonable, on several dimensions, to find and store items that you do [now], and will [in future], eat. Purchase staples with which to flavor and enhance other stored items, rather than rely mainly upon PPs. For example, given pasta dishes, it seems more reasonable to purchase and store a variety of noodles, macaronis, etc., in quantity, then stock up on various spices, sauces, flavorings, and veggies like tomatoes and mushrooms [canned or dehydrated] that can be added for palatability and variety. For both ST and MT storage, canned sauces are both cheap and practical, and come with great variety (alfredos, primaveras, etc...). The same can be said for both rice and bean-based meals, soups, stews, and so on. One's food variety is limited only by imagination, resources, and storage capacity; emphasize variety by investing in staples, and an assortment of spices, flavorings, and sauces. Doing so will also conserve financial resources. Instead of opening a huge can of PP which will have to be consumed shortly, prepare meal-sized quantities using flavors you already know that you enjoy. (PS: If indeed a PP meal is preferred or established as 'good' food, one can always add variety by adding spices/sauces or additional ingredients...)
Water
Of course, the main essential in any survival strategy is the availability of potable water, not only for maintaining hydration, but also a necessity for preparing meals. Although one can go without food for extended periods, the same cannot be said for water (approx. 3 days). Thus far, the procurement and storage of water has been overlooked in this series, for a variety of logistical and psychological reasons. For example, being that it is a universal need, one might assume that our various governmental entities will ensure its availability. Second, it is difficult to store an adequate quantity of potable water, and many have neither the capacity for water storage, nor the basic knowledge of the processes involved. Some kind of a mental block relating to denial may be another aspect...
Realistically, one truly cannot count on dubious governmental departments to ensure our survival, that is for sure. Remember the victims of Katrina, and the futile FEMA efforts to get fresh water to thousands gathered at a stadium? Like, five days--DAYS! Further, we have no way of knowing for sure what particular situation will present a need for implementation of our SHTF plan; will it be natural disaster? financial collapse? war? plague? aliens or zombies (lol)? Given that most people rely upon pumps, and therefore, the availability of electricity, for access to water at the tap, there are several scenarios which might preclude reliance upon city water, even if it were known to be safe (and other scenarios in which it might be unsafe). Most folks don't have their own private wells, and even fewer have storage capacity for more than a few days or weeks worth. Granted, some investment in time and materials would serve us all well.
However, what seems to be the simplest alternative, to me, is not actually storing a large quantity of water, but instead to maintain the capacity to filter water. It is said that over seventy percent of earth's surface is water, yet only a tiny fraction is drinkable. Utilizing the many existing sources, including rainwater, it seemed most tenable to rely upon a reusable ceramic filter element/system. These so-called 'ceramic candles' are available on the web, from Amazon.com, and elsewhere, at a reasonable cost (~$20-$30each), and a 10-12 gallon system fairly easily made for under $75.00 USD. At this point, I personally have two reusable filters, and plans/ideas for the system, not yet constructed. I hope to have a more detailed exposition regarding this system, later, but the following provides the basics...
The Ceramic Candle Filtering System
Basically, the 'system' consists of two 5-gallon (or larger) buckets available almost anywhere (type = HDPE--evidenced by a '2' surrounded by the recycling code 'triangle' on the bottom of the bucket, and/or HDPE). The top bucket/lid is fitted with one or more of the ceramic candle filter elements, which will filter and drain into another bucket/lid upon which it sits, the latter of which serves as a short-term storage container. The more 'candles' fitted, the faster the filtering, and the greater capacity, in terms of gallons/hour. If the bottom bucket is elevated on a small platform, and fitted with a spigot, filtered water is available for use--easily and rapidly. It requires no power, and little space.
The .9 micron ceramic filter elements are said to filter out most impurities, bacteria, and even viruses. They also increase the clarity of the drinking water. Even greater filtration can be obtained with more dense ceramic filters, costing more, but realistically, such may be redundant. They are easily cleaned with a scotch-pad-like scrubber, and are thus reusable. One can use tap water, rain water, pre-filtered lake/river water, well water, etc. As stated, this type of filter is truly affordable (see above), making this system the simplest and most cost-effective purification system available, in my opinion. Compare to the Big B***** system and others, which use the same type elements. If you need or desire the stainless steel, you will pay much more for it. Given the dubious quality of 'tap' water and various biologic/chemical impurities present in most modern city water systems, it might be a good idea to filter all your water even now, pre-SHTF. I presently use an in-line filter for coffee and drinking water purposes, and I can attest to the difference it makes in both flavor, and in the time between cleanings (coffee maker, esp.). If indeed the quality of the tap water became in question, post SHTF, The filtering system mentioned would seem to ensure clean, usable water without boiling, regardless of the source. If used with tap water contaminated with chlorine, it may be advisable to set aside a 5G bucket overnight prior to filtering.
Additional Water Resources
As stated, filtration may be the easiest, and most cost-effective potable water solution. However, it is not applicable in every case nor is it practical for some. Without getting into detailed scenarios, it might be a good idea to have additional water resources. One such thing would be water treatment chemicals to either purify or maintain purity of stored water. Another would be storage containers, rainwater catchment systems, etc.
It seems prudent to have some chemicals on hand to purify questionable water sources, and especially for those occasions when one is away from known good resources, on-the-run, or in outdoors camping situations (etc). These may be used as adjuncts in addition to filtration. Some issues may be resolved by pre-settling particulates in cloudy water, or chlorination with simple bleach, found everywhere (unscented!). Note: Allowing chlorinated water to set seems a good idea, prior to filtering. Another chemical treatment is available for increasing the time that your stored water remains viable. Several purification and stabilization/storage chemicals are readily available online and likely even at the nearest Wally mart, in liquid and/or packaged powder or tablet forms. I cannot attest to their efficacy or cost, as I have not researched this other than informally. Because I have no real plan or capacity to store water at this time, and have little knowledge about this topic at present, I will just mention it, in passing. I do plan on having some bleach and/or purification chemicals on hand though, just in case.
In terms of actually gathering and storing any quantity of water, it seems some type of rainwater system would be most practical. Gathering and storing rainfall depends, of course, upon getting some measurable rain, which can be problematic in some regions, and during droughts, which seem to be frequent in my region, the last few years. I have done some preliminary research into this topic, and have come to think that a simple sturdy trash container (again, HDPE--see above) might serve as the most economical alternative. Placement is fairly straight-forward--somewhere rain runs off a roof, or one may design/build a more intricate downspout system. There are many plans and ideas on the 'net, free or cheap, and others that can be purchased outright (see YouTube, also). I may implement a simple system in the near future, so again, more on this later...
