I know I'm not the only one who's been feeling the tug of "get your year supply in order!" It seems like that prompting has only been getting stronger since I first felt it over a year ago. I tried a few different approaches. First, I planned 30 meals and figured out how much food it would take to make each meal 12 times. That resulted in a pretty good plan, until I became a better cook and the ingredients soon became obsolete. Then, I stumbled upon OAMC or Freezer Cooking and thought I could just rotate out meals and build up a years worth of entrees. It sounded alright, until 3 months in I figured out that the big dogs use preservatives in their frozen foods for a reason. heh.
So, we all know we're supposed to have a year-supply, but the "HOW do I know when I've got a year's worth of food?" is always a hang up.
Which is why I just have to tell you about this cool new tool I found that got me and C all planned out [calorie counts included] during one single family night. We even had time to make a plan for our 72-hour kits.
Introducing:
The Custom Food Storage Calculator
You seriously go there, input each member of your family including their daily caloric intake, input some basic preferences and it spits out a complete food-storage plan, in POUNDS.
The plan being in POUNDS is important, I'll tell you why.
A lot of food storage places will calculate how much of each food item you need in #10 cans, or other obscure measurements specific to their products in an effort to monopolize your business. Shelf Reliance gives you information in pounds so you have the ability to purchase the raw ingredients from other places when they go on sale, because honestly, I don't have $4,000 extra to spend on food that's going to be in #10 cans. I do, however, have extra money in my grocery budget every month that could easily go toward extra flour, rice, beans, bottled water, etc. that are in usable containers so I know the food won't be wasted.
Check it out. I promise, it's worth all 45 minutes it takes.
How's your food storage lookin'? Any tips/tricks for the rest of us?
LOVE this. seriously. I am so wanting to get started on this and this company seems awesome. Btw my friend is a consultant for this company and goes around and does parties to get more people aware of this and she brings some of the food so that people can see what it actually tastes like. We should have a party and then we could get some stuff for free!
ReplyDeleteKristin, thanks for the link...I too have been feeling the tug. It be so freaky to have something happen and not be prepared, or...come to think of it... have nothing happen and still not be prepared.
ReplyDeleteYou're so cool.
ReplyDeleteBut no joke about the food storage pressure! But really, it's so expensive. We're workin' on it though.