Preparations Update

[montanabill]

I can see now why people dehydrate food from cans when it approaches the ‘expiration date’. I have cans 3 or more years past date and just opened some apricots. Not good, with the flavor more like the can itself. Time to bring out the dehydrator and use it, or consider freeze drier.

I freeze dryed all my slightly older canned food. It can be stored in non heated rooms here in montana now and should be good for 20 years. Plus it is a lot lighter to move. If I am going to the trouble to freeze dry I make sure the food is in good shape going in....

 

[d_marsh]

Wheat berries would be good. (You have a grinder?). Also sugar has no expiration date. Salt is another. Those are what popped into my head- are those the sorts of things you had in mind?

I have sugar and salt, but flour instead of wheat berries. I presume wheat berries are used to make flour? What else can you do with them? I do not have a grinder.

I am just looking for stuff that has a long life span in a bucket, inside mylar with an oxygen absorber.

 

[Peanut]

I got the rest of my new medical supplies yesterday. Now comes the hard part, have to organize everything. Some items will go in my Ghbag, a few for the tote in the bathroom closet and the rest for my vehicle kit.

The vehicle kit is waterproof, contains a molle ifak and a separate first aid box. Have 3 stainless kits, veterinarian, suture and dental tools. Have plenty of sutures, blades and a preloaded skin stapler. Got electrolytes, water purification tablets and water straws, bandaids, gauze, water proof tape, iodine prep solution, tourniquets, ace bandages, quick clot. Even got a small box of disposable thermometers, iodine swabs. Gloves, masks and I have small 4oz plastic bottles, intend to fill those with alcohol and add them to the kits.

The biggy… a black molle bag for plant tinctures in plastic bottles. They turn a run of the mill medical kit into a great kit!! I think of them as a force multiplier. They buy time for serious injuries or illness if travel is impossible or delayed. I hope I never have to use any of it but given my age and the political climate, a good kit is reassuring.

 

[d_marsh]

So I selected another product to add to the food stores. And its something I won't be eating unless circumstances demand it. Dried whole egg powder. I decided that I wanted to store more protein and it was a pretty easy and not too expensive way to do it.

Anyone have experience with Auguson farms or ReadyWise foods? They sell 10# cans of dehydrated foods for a pretty reasonable price. May be my next purchase.

 

[Neb]

So I selected another product to add to the food stores. And its something I won't be eating unless circumstances demand it. Dried whole egg powder. I decided that I wanted to store more protein and it was a pretty easy and not too expensive way to do it.

Anyone have experience with Auguson farms or ReadyWise foods? They sell 10# cans of dehydrated foods for a pretty reasonable price. May be my next purchase.

The Princess buys Auguson Farms and Mountain House.

Ben

 

[Morgan101]

Anyone have experience with Auguson farms or ReadyWise foods? They sell 10# cans of dehydrated foods for a pretty reasonable price. May be my next purchase.

I have used both, but truthfully, all I can say is that delivery was prompt, and the pricing was good. Both of our purchases were buckets, and they are for long term storage. We did not open them or try any of the food.

For additional protein we have protein powder, which you can get at any health food store. Even Wal Mart carries it. We also stock powdered peanut butter, which we have tried, and it tastes fine.

 

[d_marsh]

I did some cleaning and organizing in the supply room. Checked some dates, rotated stock, swept up the room, put out some bug and rodent traps - just in case, tested the motion alarm and dialer, tested the surveillance camera and made sure the deadbolts and security hinges were solid. I also assembled and set up another metal shelving unit for my next round of purchases, which at this point will likely be 10# cans of dehydrated food.

I am debating putting in one of those pepper spray foggers connected to a motion sensor. The thief could still end up with my stuff but would pay for it in snot and pain. I think the ATF would frown on a motion activated gatling gun. Maybe one of those paint ball claymores filled with glass marbles would work?

 

[Amish Heart]

Shelf stable eggs are fine in a pinch. I freeze dried and also froze lots of eggs. But we have chickens and get lots.

 

[Neb]

Shelf stable eggs are fine in a pinch. I freeze dried and also froze lots of eggs. But we have chickens and get lots.

Count your blessings.

We are zoned for three max and no roosters.

Ben

 

[Caribou]

I have sugar and salt, but flour instead of wheat berries. I presume wheat berries are used to make flour? What else can you do with them? I do not have a grinder.

I am just looking for stuff that has a long life span in a bucket, inside mylar with an oxygen absorber.

Wheat berries last indefinitely, flour goes rancid eventually. You can sprout wheat berries or you can boil them for cereal.

 

[Magpie]

There are many things I can't find here, like dried egg powder, so I looked up UK Amazon. Its not something I have ever bought, as we have hens, and I freeze surplus eggs. The one think I notice is the sellers never put any dates on the descriptions. Now I do play fast and loose with dates as a rule; but I would like to know before I buy. I've noticed here in supermarkets the use by or best before dates have changed dramatically since before Covid. I know there was a shortage of tin at one point, so maybe tins aren't being made in the same manner. Not sure what the excuse is for other products though.

 

[Tommyice]

Count your blessings.

We are zoned for three max and no roosters.

Ben

Count yours Ben. I'm not "allowed" any.

I qualify that "allowed" with there are some people in the borough that do have them and don't seem to be bothered. I wouldn't have them now--travel back and forth to the cabin upstate leaves me with no chickensitter.

 

[Amish Heart]

I know the next town up the road that little granddaughter will have to go to school at can't have chickens. Not my favorite town at all...all the houses super close together, and it's a small town, just little back yards. That town always loses power with the slightest of wind. There is a "happenings" page on facebook that people post stuff on, and it seems that their town council votes in the craziest laws. The only animals really allowed there are pet cats, dogs, and probably a canary.

 

[kd4ulw]

The only animals really allowed there are pet cats, dogs, and probably a canary.

That begs the ‘my chicken identifies as a canary’ comment.

 

[Snowman]

Bee Prepared to Pay More at Sam's Club and Costco :

"Sam’s Club has quietly made changes to its membership agreement this summer, according to the trade publication Retail Wire.

The report says:

- Members will have to pay an additional $60 a year for a premium membership if they want early access to stores from 8 to 10 a.m. to beat crowds.

- In addition, the minimum purchase for free shipping will now be $50: until now you could get almost everything shipped free, even items costing just $5 or $10."

https://www.wbrc.com/2024/07/22/sams-club-costco-members-unhappy-with-changes/

Some Sam’s members are also irked by a new introductory offer, where new customers can join for just $25 — half price.

The $25 deal is not open to existing members.

 

[Snowman]

Some Sam’s members on social media said they are considering switching to Costco.

But that may not provide any savings.

Costco just announced its membership fees are going up from $60 to $65 in September, its first membership increase in 7 years. Its basic membership was already $10 more expensive than Sam’s.

In addition, Costco will now require members to scan their Costco card when they enter the store in an effort to cut down on unauthorized shoppers.

 

[angie_nrs]

Bee Prepared to Pay More at Sam's Club and Costco :

"Sam’s Club has quietly made changes to its membership agreement this summer, according to the trade publication Retail Wire.

The report says:

- Members will have to pay an additional $60 a year for a premium membership if they want early access to stores from 8 to 10 a.m. to beat crowds.

- In addition, the minimum purchase for free shipping will now be $50: until now you could get almost everything shipped free, even items costing just $5 or $10."

https://www.wbrc.com/2024/07/22/sams-club-costco-members-unhappy-with-changes/

Some Sam’s members are also irked by a new introductory offer, where new customers can join for just $25 — half price.

The $25 deal is not open to existing members.

Good information, but I'm not sure it has anything to do with this particular thread.

 

[Snowman]

You don't shop there to "Stock Up"...?!?

https://www.costco.com/augason-farm...it-226-total-servings.product.4000036908.html

 

[angie_nrs]

No. But even if I did, I personally don't think it belongs in this particular thread.
No offense.....just MHO.

 

[Snowman]

See Post # 4385...

 

[LadyLocust]

You don't shop there to "Stock Up"...?!?

https://www.costco.com/augason-farms-deluxe-30-day-emergency-food-supply-5-gallon-survival-food-with-72-hour-be-ready-“on-the-go”-kit-226-total-servings.product.4000036908.html

We don't have either one here. There is a Costco about an hour away that some folks will go to.

 

[Snowman]

On the Right side of the above pic, it shows Delivery...!!!

 

[Weedygarden]

We don't have either one here. There is a Costco about an hour away that some folks will go to.

I drive about half an hour to the closest one to me. That is why I only go once a month, give or take.

 

[Weedygarden]

I am debating putting in one of those pepper spray foggers connected to a motion sensor. The thief could still end up with my stuff but would pay for it in snot and pain. I think the ATF would frown on a motion activated gatling gun. Maybe one of those paint ball claymores filled with glass marbles would work?

That can get YOU into some deep trouble.

 

[LadyLocust]

I drive about half an hour to the closest one to me. That is why I only go once a month, give or take.

Guess I'm partial. I like Azure Standard. I can add to it as I remember or the need arises and I pick it up a couple blocks away once per month. It's worked out really well for me. The other part is I'm not fond of cities so like to avoid going there. Like I said, I know folks who love it - I'm just not one of them. (I don't care to shop at all so there's that too )

 

[Caribou]

Guess I'm partial. I like Azure Standard. I can add to it as I remember or the need arises and I pick it up a couple blocks away once per month. It's worked out really well for me. The other part is I'm not fond of cities so like to avoid going there. Like I said, I know folks who love it - I'm just not one of them. (I don't care to shop at all so there's that too )

I have used Azure Standard few times. I go to Costco on a semi regular basis. The nearest Costco is 40 minutes away but I prefer the one an hour away. I’m not saying that I have never made a special trip to Costco but if I am going into Anchorage I do as many chores as possible. Having 4 or 5 stops is not unusual and usually the trip is scheduled around a doctor visit.

 

[joel]

 

[angie_nrs]

July was a busy month. Stocked up on a few things.....

Hubby got a new pew pew.
I got a new to me (and barely used) pew pew.
We got a few more boxes of pew pew pew's.
I picked up some more gold coins.
Hubby got a new chainsaw with chains.
I got a new cultivator for the garden.
We picked up some more meat for the freezer on sale.
I got a thremal monocular which will hopefully come in handy this winter to measure heat loss and rectify it.
Stocked up on some seasonings.
Picked up some O2 absorbers.
Picked up some more ammo storage boxes, which are good to store lots of things.
Got a bunch of heavy beverages (water/beer) to stock the garage b/c we had the truck.
Got some extra hand held foldable fans b/c I use them all the time, I'm always hot! I have one in my purse, in the car, next to the recliner, camper, etc. They would be life savers in a power outage without electric fans.

 

[LadyLocust]

July was a busy month. Stocked up on a few things.....

Hubby got a new pew pew.
I got a new to me (and barely used) pew pew.
We got a few more boxes of pew pew pew's.
I picked up some more gold coins.
Hubby got a new chainsaw with chains.
I got a new cultivator for the garden.
We picked up some more meat for the freezer on sale.
I got a thremal monocular which will hopefully come in handy this winter to measure heat loss and rectify it.
Stocked up on some seasonings.
Picked up some O2 absorbers.
Picked up some more ammo storage boxes, which are good to store lots of things.
Got a bunch of heavy beverages (water/beer) to stock the garage b/c we had the truck.
Got some extra hand held foldable fans b/c I use them all the time, I'm always hot! I have one in my purse, in the car, next to the recliner, camper, etc. They would be life savers in a power outage without electric fans.

Why do you get a new pew pew and I don’t? That’s not fair. If you’re going to get a new toy, you should get me one too. Geesh, what’d I do?

 

[angie_nrs]

Why do you get a new pew pew and I don’t? That’s not fair. If you’re going to get a new toy, you should get me one too. Geesh, what’d I do?

How's about I let you try out the new cultivator? Then we can go and shoot some pew pew pew's! Sorry about the imogi.....but it's the only one we've got now. Mine doesn't look like that!

We stumbled in to a new (to us) gun store......come with us next time! I'm sure we'll be back again. Most of the guns were used, but still nice and shiny AND the prices were awesome. I had absolutely NO intention of buying anything until ......well......my eyes locked. Love at first sight!