Take Stock In The Home Pantry
Its that time of year: taking stock in the pantry. I do it in the Spring so I can see what we used most, what we donāt use much of, make list so I can buy on sale (remember to look at expiration dates), make sure my stock is rotated properly and clear out dust and what nots, in addition to thinking about what to put up/dry or grow come summer.
Some dry goods I like to buy in bulk. An example is beans. I get them cheaper in bulk weight than those tidy little bags or boxes (same with rice). I bring it home, sort through taking out the rocks, dirt clods, broken beans, sifting them gently in my hands before placing them in canning jars with screw cap. Commercially canned goods, I look in the discount aisle for the slightly dented cans or go to the discount grocer warehouse. Donāt get the real beat up ones for storage in case the seals/seams have been violated.Ā I like to stick with most things in jars because I worry about can linings/seams but I do buy some things in cans like tuna.
Some fruits that I can not grow (or at least not in quantity of field lugs worth like strawberries and apricots) I purchase at peak season when they are cheaper, put in the dehydrator and then into canning jars with screw cap. The grocer will often give me a discount if he know I am buying volume (donāt be afraid to negotiate a price).Ā Occasionally they will throw in a free case that needs to be dealt with immediately because it is turning quickly. Develop a friendship with your produce grocer and you both can benefit. I still do the hot water bath canning a little and occasionally bring out the mehu-liisa to steam juice but not as much these days. My go to is the dehydrator.Ā
I also keep an herb pantry: part medicinal, part culinary. Its important to keep an eye on those because they are more fragile and have limited shelf life. I like to grow my own as much as possible. I do not buy in bulk nor buy from the grocer unless I know the product is organic and notĀ irradiated.Ā This last part is very important!
Keeping a back up stock of some toiletries is a good idea becauseĀ s o m e people forget to tell you when they have used the last bit... like shampoo or toilet paperĀ = /Ā . Same goes for some simple first aid items like aspirin, bandages, diarrhea tablets, activated charcoal, antiseptic, wound cleanser ā¦ you know, a regular first aid kit with a refill on standby (but later exp dates).
I also have a back up pantry for the pets. Not so much the canary -- its not that heās not deserving, its just that he eats seeds that I already buy in bulk and then give him similar fruits and veg we eat (I feed him a lot out of the garden, his favourite is the nasturtium blossoms). But the cat and the dog both have back up emergency rations (wet can goods) in case they run out. Or if there are extended power outages and all the shops close down because everything is computerized/ electric!Ā
Some side thoughts of āpreparednessā since I brought up the lack of electricity. Throw in some batteries for your transistor radio, torches (lanterns/flashlights) or get a solar backup charger for your phone and charging batteries. If you have gas cooking and heat, no worries (this is why I donāt keep a big freezer section -- my fridge-freezer is electric)! If you are chained to your electricity, think about cooking and heating safely! No killing yourself off with carbon monoxide poisoning nor burning down the house BBQing in the dining room!!Ā They have handy little hand warmers that are activated by shaking (for power outages, I keep some for the canary and the kids at bedtime get one in a sock -- it works better than the big red rubber hot water bottles that get cold in the middle of the night). Also look at some camp gear (backpacker stove, sleeping bags, etc). Donāt get all upset thinking you need tons of stuff and all the money it will cost. Think it through. Think of it as an investment. Think about being prepared and just save up and work a Ā l i t t l e Ā piece Ā at Ā a Ā time for your basic needs. Or ask for these things as gifts for Christmas, birthdays or what ever :)
If you have medication, see if you can get them in 3 month supplies. I know this is expensive and some insurance companies wonāt (and some medications can not) but some pharmacies will actually entice the insurance companies with great discounts if they go the 3 month route or see if they will at least let you over lap the refills. Talk to your pharmacist -- sometimes they have great ideas. Same for the elderly you care for and pets that need special meds. Iām not saying horde; I am saying be prepared if there is some reason you can not get your Rx filled on time.
Some people store water. We store very little unless we know a large storm is approaching then we bottle our own and use regardless. Mainly because if it is out for extended time, the tap water taste weird. Consider your needs and where you live.
Now you can sayĀ āoh thatās fine for you and yoursā but think about it: in the long run it saves time and money; you can budget a pantry little bit at a time; you donāt become depended as much on outside sources during weather/ emergencies or if you are ill or heaven forbid (!) you lose your income. Unexpected guest can crash your grocery budget but with some planning of basics, you can pull off some pretty great culinary feats out of your pantry!
So think about it. One or two extra items when you go to the market. You can start a pantry almost anywhere if you donāt have a large kitchen or pantry room: a closet, under your bed, that upper shelf or where ever you have a little space as long as it is cool, dry and preferably not in direct sun or place where it can freeze (learn more about food storage). Remember to buy things that you will eat normally and rotate your stock! Soon you will find that it is fun, a sense of pride in your little self-sufficient/ emergency ready stores and a very practical habit!
