Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Low Priority Non-food Storage Items

If you and your family want to have a complete storage system, you could store everything imaginable!  However to finance this kind of supply in the short term (just like your food storage) would present financial difficulties.  You don't need to do it overnight though.  It is a long term project within the financial and time capacity of the family.  It probably should also be done in an orderly, systematic manner and not strain your income.

The following will give you some ideas of what you could store:-

KITCHEN

Aluminium foil
Plastic wrap
Can openers
Detergents/cleaning solutions
Disinfectant
Napkins
Plastic plates
Plastic bags
Paper Towels
Hand sanitiser
Rubber Gloves

Okay, so I'm not a huge fan of paper plates being used constantly, but when you have no water for a week, it is a blessing!  You don't want to use your precious drinking water on washing up.

GARDEN ITEMS

Hoe/Mattock
Poles for staking veggies
Rake
Seeds
Shovel
String
Hose


HEAT AND LIGHT

Candles
Torch and batteries
Matches
Woodpile


PERSONAL

Brushes and combs
Deodorant
Shampoo/Conditioner
Soap
Hand Sanitiser
'Feminine products'
Toilet Paper
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Baby products (if you have a baby)
First Aid Kit


LAUNDRY

Bleach
Disinfectant
Soaps/Detergents
Laundry Powder (if you don't want to make your own)


MISCELLANEOUS

Bedding
"How to" information books
Garbage bags
Radio (battery or wind up)
Small parts (nuts, bolts, screws, nails etc)
Tent
Tool kit


CLOTHING

Buttons
Material
Clothing (ready made)
Patterns
Pins and needles
Shoes
Scissors/shears
Thread

Have I forgotten anything?  These are basics, so if there's anything else that your family would use (that isn't food), write it on your list.

Monday, April 18, 2011

Week 16 of the 2011 Food Storage Challenge

$10 Challenge
Store $10 worth of Sandwich Spreads

$20 Challenge
Store $20 worth of Sandwich Spreads

I love the freedom of this challenge.  You get to store whatever tickles your fancy.  We have already stored quite a bit of honey, but you don't want to be eating only honey on your bread if you have to rely on your food storage.  These spreads go really well with damper or flatbreads if you don't have yeast to be able to make your own bread (as I didn't when I was living on my food storage - now I know you can store yeast in the freezer ;D ).

Here are some ideas on what to store:-


Nutella (or equivalent)
Peanut Butter (crunchy or smooth)
Jam  - so many varieties to choose from (conserve or 'chunky')
Cream Cheese
Vegemite (or equivalent)
Mustard pickles/relish
Tuna Spread (plain, sweet corn and mayonnaise or tomato and basil etc)
Marmalade
Jellies (mint and garlic, port and clove, lemon and thyme etc great on a cold meat sandwich such as roast beef or lamb.)


There are some really weird spreads out there too.  I have to confess that I DO have a strange looking American product called 'Baconnaise".  It really is bizarre but tastes oh so good warm cold cooked potatoes and sprinkled with chives when I'm craving something salty.  Not telling you to go out and buy it though as mine came with a chocolate offer I just couldn't refuse!  It does taste just like bacon flavoured mayonnaise.  Two flavours I like very much! I also have assorted mustards in my pantry cupboard as well.