You will come to know that what appears today to be a sacrifice will prove instead to be the greatest investment that you will ever make.
Gordon B Hinckley
10 Food Storage Staples
Rice is the most versatile staple in your pantry! Rice can be used for hot or cold dishes, all flavors and varieties of ethnic dishes, and combined with another protein, it will make a complete protein. It will sustain life for a long time compared with a variety of other proteins or vegetables.
Pasta is definitely one of the cheapest meals you can make. Much like rice, the options for mix and match are almost endless. It also offers the carbohydrates that we all need and crave to keep us going!
Beans are really a powerhouse of nutrition. And when combined with another protein such as rice or grains, they form a complete protein needed by the body. They are relatively inexpensive to purchase, and really easy to use, once one practices just a bit. They are a great substitute for meat if you have issues with eating meat. And, they are really nutritious, especially if you learn to sprout them
Rolled Oats is another grain that is so versatile. It can be used as cooked or cold cereal, mixed into cooking like meatloaf and hamburgers, or used greatly in baking. It can be ground into flour and replace wheat flour. It is very inexpensive and very nutritious, and has a long shelf life
Canned meats are fairly inexpensive, especially if you buy them when they are on sale. They are a cheap source of protein and can be used in sandwiches, casseroles, salads, and a variety of other foods. They have a fairly good shelf life and a great variety, such as tuna, ham, chicken, turkey, salmon, and others. You can can your own meats, dehydrate meats, or use other meat substitutes as well.
Sugar is a must. I know some of us think we can get by without much sugar, however it is necessary in our diets, especially if we are doing our own baking and cooking from scratch. We need the calories, and we need the SWEET! It is an essential food for cooking and for comfort. Don’t underestimate the power that a variety of sugars could have. White, brown, powdered, syrups, honeys, among others are the options available out there for sugars.
Seasonings are important, because let’s face it, rice and beans with no flavor are going to get pretty boring after awhile. They will keep you alive, but you won’t be enjoying the journey. Dried or powdered garlic is probably one of the best and most versatile flavorings to have. Then remember some dried onions, oregano, salts, and peppers, and whatever your family’s favorites are, have a supply of them so your family can stay happy!
Oil is another staple. We are always told to have this in our storage supply. And until you do a lot of baking and cooking yourself, and you all of a sudden run out, you don’t realize the value of it. It doesn’t have a really long shelf life, but it is so important. It also carries the valuable fats that you body needs, especially when in survival mode.
Powdered Milk is another essential that will offer important vitamins and nutrition, especially if you have small children. It is something that can be used as a drink, but also in so much of your baking and cooking. It is easy to hide in recipes, because when combined with other foods, people can’t “taste” it. But speaking from experience, when you use it often enough, you will get used to the taste, even the kids will drink it, if that is what is offered.
Wheat is my final, but not least important item. Wheat is vital to sustaining life for a long period of time if you are actually in that type of situation. It can be used in so many ways. wheat when sprouted is a powerhouse full of nutrition and contains all of the essential vitamins and minerals needed to survive, including being packed with vitamin C! Wheat is definitely a grain that has the ability to sustain life for a long time.
Happy and Healthy Prepping
Davilyn
