2022 Self-Reliance Goals

[mama2one]

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[mama2one]

Yeah... fabric is an oft forgotten prep. A year into it and I doubt you will be able to find any.

why do you need fabric?

didn't buy new clothes for teen past 2 school yrs
instead she "shopped" our closets
wears husband's old t-shirts, sweatshirts, flannel shirt
wears old tops of mine, some as old as 20 yrs that I wore for work but still great condition
husband & I keep favorite clothes for years/still wear
husband & I not much into clothes shopping

daughter 1/2 inch taller than me so my stuff fits her
surprisingly husband's clothes fit her, too

 

[SavedByGrace3]

why do you need fabric?

didn't buy new clothes for teen past 2 school yrs
instead she "shopped" our closets
wears husband's old t-shirts, sweatshirts, flannel shirt
wears old tops of mine, some as old as 20 yrs that I wore for work but still great condition
husband & I keep favorite clothes for years & still wear
husband & I not much into clothes shopping so just keep wearing same stuff

daughter 1/2 inch taller than me so my stuff fits her
surprisingly husband's clothes fit her, too

Yeah... my wife and I go through wardrobe and see things we wore 23 years ago and cannot stand to throw them out. "I can wear that working in the garden..."
We would be hoarders if we are not careful.

 

[mama2one]

We would be hoarders if we are not careful.

we do donate clothes
husband no longer wears sweaters so he donated those
he used to get free T-shirts at every work trade show
has SO many from around the world

he's slowly going through t-shirts but has some odd attachment to them, lol

 

[mama2one]

https://digitaldm.com/electronic-fashion-labels/

looks like digital labels can easily be cut off so no worries

 

[tturt]

Self reliance goals.

But some flexible solar panels use toxic chemicals as semiconductor materials.

 

[Benjamin Müller]

I would like to expand my recipes so that I can get creative with meals. It's easy to find a new recipe and realize you need to go to the store for a special ingredient. So I want to find more simple recipes, but tasty recipes, or figure out if I'm missing ingredients so I can get them before hyperinflation.

Right now I see a lot of gourmet baking requiring pastry flour (I have none) and am thinking of trying to get some in the pantry before it's too late.

 

[public hermit]

What about water? What are folks' water plans? The first thing we all need is water. I'm on a well, but it's too deep to hand pump (I think). There is a small river nearby. Water will always be the thing. In an emergency situation, everything is planned around the availability of water.

A friend of mine, her grandfather hand dug their family well. Maybe that seems extravagant to us, or out of the ordinary, but it doesn't have to be. I do know how to witch water. It does work. We used to do it locating city water lines when I worked phone line construction. Unlike gas lines that are buried with a line for locates, all you usually have are maps for water lines so witching gives you a better sense of where they're actually at. There are a lot of old ways worth exploring.

 

[mama2one]

What about water?.

we don't live where water has ever been rationed

however, it does seem a lot of places such as out west water has been rationed OR water is running out

we do filter water & husband keeps a stack of bottled water in our garage

 

[tturt]

Know there are several egg substitutes that work out for baking. How to have a few breakfast eggs a month? Researched raising chickens including the downsides so that's out. Anyone have experience with the crystals, granules or freeze dried eggs?

 

[tturt]

Since disposable diapers aren't self reliant, need to find a few cloth ones

 

[mama2one]

how much cash do preppers keep on hand?


we do pay cash for groceries, gasoline
ordered checks are lost in mail, so we're going around paying cash for local bills like water, electric, internet

 

[tturt]

Sorry about the lost checks.

Havent read an amount but it did state to have 5s and 10s.

 

[mama2one]

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[Benjamin Müller]

Unless you make a lot of pastries you won’t use it enough before it expires. No-knead bread is simple and delicious. Delving into sourdough is worth it. The starter isn’t difficult to manage and you can use it in many recipes.

As long as bugs don't get to flour; I have found it lasts well past expiration, so I'm not too worried about that.

You don’t need to purchase obscure ingredients. Let your palate be the guide. Look at the things you consume and their frequency. That’s your starting point.

Nope. Not looking for obscure ingredients, but rather common ones that I take for granted. For example: I realized the other day that if I do more turnip-kraut, I need way more salt than what I've got now. (By the way: I freaking love turnip kraut better than cabbage!)

Freezer cooking is another option. The meals are easy to put together and ready to go when you need them. The majority use everyday ingredients.

~bella

I try to avoid freezing. I prefer to prepare as though it'll be like the 1800s with no freezer, no electricity.

There are DIY posts on making your own. You can purchase the covers and make the rest. Get a bin with a lid and add a scoop of oxy to soak them.

I do the same with sanitary napkins. This is the brand I use.

Small = pantyliners
Large = pads

Three to four sets of large pads is enough. They’re absorbent and have a charcoal lining to prevent odors.

Thank you for the link. While there's plenty of sanitary napkins in this house, emergency back-up might be good for the ladies. Never know if a crisis last longer than you planned for!

 

[mama2one]

As long as bugs don't get to flour; I have found it lasts well past expiration

we keep flour on top shelf of fridge

 

[Benjamin Müller]

That was posted to a lady.

Lol. I know, but I hadn't seen those before and got to take in account all people's in the family. So while it wasn't meant for me, it's still useful information.

 

[Benjamin Müller]

Oh and I'm not sure if all flours go rancid or at least, if they did the fat content is so low it would be indistinguishable in taste. I think they found wheat flour in the pyramids and it was still stable. Flours like Almond or Hazelnut -- the more gourmet flours I could understand. Also oxygen causes rancidity, so if it's in an airtight container with some oxygen absorbers, it'll last quite some time.

I read someone had flour they sealed down in 2010 and they broke it out during COVID and made a beautiful loaf of bread. Lol. Tasted fine, they said. So yes, the type makes a difference, but storage is everything.

 

[SavedByGrace3]

we keep flour on top shelf of fridge

Yes... we are getting into the habit of putting flour and other "pest" vulnerable grains into the freezer for a few days. That should kill any nasties. We then take the item out and prep it in the usual way.
Back in about 2014 we bought a 50-pound bag of dent corn for the purpose of one day grinding it up and making a cheap source of community food. I opened the bag and hundreds of little bugs came out at the bottom. We believe them to be sap beetles. I am sure you will not be shocked to learn that this is par for the course when it comes to dry goods. Just freeze the product and that will kill any eggs or whatever might be in there.
People really do not want to know what is in their food. The FDA has allowances for the "lengths of hairs, sizes of insect fragments, distribution of filth" in your food. It is allowed up to a certain percentage. Ugh. Just eat it and be glad ya got some.

 

[SavedByGrace3]

Thanks to all for the contributions. It is nice to have an active forum again.