Emptied the little salt box next to the stove this morning, my hubby said 'do I need to run to the store'? I showed him the "extra pantry" in my closet. He had no idea...20 lbs salt, 75 lbs sugar, a 5 gal bucket of rice, and 2 5 gal buckets of various dry beans...thank you Lesa for your encouraging words.
Thank you for the reminders of how long things last. I’m still kind of a newbie, but thanks to my stash, I didn’t have to make the run this year before the storm! Feels good.
That's awesome! My husband helps me arrange and stash things in the cold pantry and freezer, so he knows where things are better than I... which is why I need to inventory things this January, haha!
Lol, My hubs HAD been thinking I'm crazy for several years now. But, I'm sure he's thankful now...food that's here and was bought at a much lower price! Win-Win.
My pantry has literally saved me when I ran out of money, when I fell too sick to shop and then when bad weather confined me to home. So yay for pantry preparedness.
I have been warning, my family, and my friends to start stocking up and create a safe pantry for themselves. Their attitude is they’ll just come to my house. No they’re not. They make more money than I do and I have been canning food for the last few weeks so that my shelves are full.It’s a lot of work, but I look over everything I have and I’m very happy.
A big mistake is to tell people about your stocked up pantry. I no longer tell people, but I'm sure my young grandson tells people as he likes to 'go into Nana's grocery store' when he comes over. 😁
I remember when my toddler son and I just had potatoes for a week. I tried to be creative so we would have something to eat for every meal. After that, i started making sure i had food enough for a week, and now, i have three shelves of canned and bagged basic food.
Just wanted to butt in on the honey comment for clarification for those who do not know . When you say that when you have crystalized honey, "just put it in warm water", you want yo put the *jar in warm water, not pour the honey in there. And never boil it or put it in the microwave.
Pantry observations from a pest control guy (9 years in the industry): Most homes (houses or apartments) have a maximum of a two-week food supply on hand. Makes no difference whether these people are in the top 10% income bracket or the bottom 10% income bracket. The level of pantry preparedness is shockingly low. Regarding people in the higher income brackets who may own multiple homes, unless one of those homes is fully stocked as a bug out location, they will be among the first to go extinct if the food trucks stop coming to the stores. Normalcy bias will get them killed. If I were to count the number of homes I've been in where the occupant had long-term freeze-dried food such as Mountain House on hand, I would be able to count them on one hand, and my thumb would get bored because it had nothing to do. I've been in exactly one home where the occupant actually had a food bunker of freeze dried in his apartment. Placard time (my USDA placard): Good for 5 years past code date: Anything packed in water (canned vegetables, beans, tuna). Anything packed in broth (canned meat, canned broth). Pea soup. Corned beef and roast beef hash. Hood for 3 years past code date: Anything with a tomato component to it. Boyardee. Chili. Beef stew (tomato paste is part of the base). Canned soup. Canned tomatoes or tomato sauce If i could sum up why you should have a deep emergency food pantry it would be this: Based on what I see in the field doing pest control, if the food trucks stop coming to the stores for whatever reason, most people would be for sale to the lowest bidder. They could be bought and sold with a plate of food. That is someone you do not want to be.
Wow! Thanks for sharing your observations. I would have to agree that you are probably right. I know we could do better but at least I know we can make it for a couple of months
I always feel really vulnerable when any service providers come to my house. Nobody says anything but I'm definitely stocked up. Makes me feel vulnerable to have anyone see what I have.
I spent 4 months off from work to take care of my daughter after her motorcycle accident. When I came home I was broke. My small pantry got me through the next 2 weeks till I got my first paycheck.I am working on making my pantry bigger and building my savings back up. Thank you for all your videos.
My equivalent of your popcorn diet was top ramen (12/$1), tomato soup (10 cents a can), mac&cheese (10 cents) with one hot dog chopped up in it, toasted bread sliced so the bread was thin with only peanut butter on it, and only water to drink. I lived on this for months. This was many years ago, but you never forget.
I remember having like $5 to spend on food and not having any food storage. I remember drooling over a cheap box of pancake mix but deciding against it because it I would need margarine and syrup with that. I distinctly remember in the early 80s how "rich" I felt when I was able to pick some hamburger at the store instead of beef heart, which used to be the cheapest meat around. Unfortunately, I kind of feel back like the old days nowadays. I am not ready for these per pound prices on any kind of beef.
Here in Southern Indiana, snowed in, 8 inches. Solar generators charged up, water stocked, Rocket stove ready, and Buddy heater. Been canning for years. Don't have to go anywhere.
We’re in Mount Vernon. The neighbors on the street behind us have been out of power since Sunday but we’ve been sitting warm and toasty. We were prepped too…but these teens could go back to their lives soon cause they’re eating ALL THE FOODS 😜
@@cooker-q4x We are snowed in in our place. No issues as long as we keep electricity. Woodstove has been going constantly. I am kind of glad about this because it shows my husband how important all of this food etc. is and also because it gives us a chance to make some room in the freezer because it is a blessing and a curse to start the new gardening season in spring with a freezer full of things grown the prior year!
I just wanted to thank you for what you do. I've always been a last minute lucy because of how hand to mouth my low wage jobs have always left me, plus all this upheaval that has left me homeless 3x since the pandemic started. I've been afraid to build up anything because I may have to leave it suddenly. You inspired me to push past my fear and trauma. I started building my pantry a few months ago, and when the snowstorm rocked the midwest and everyone around me started panic buying, I didn't have to, and it's all because of you. Thank you so much. Keep doing what you're doing, your influence is changing lives. ❤️
Love your head band. One week my husband and I had corn on Cobb and half bag of potatoes and tap water. That was 42 years ago. I have a huge pantry. Never again
1. White rice stored properly. 2. Dried beans 3. Rolled or Steel cut oats 4. Sugar 5. Salt (Ionly use Real Salt, or Celtic-it has the minerals still in it.6. 'Real' Honey 7. Powdered milk-low fat to no fat best 8. Canned, store bought, vegetables 9. Canned meats 10. Pasta- dry stored properly 11. Powdered peanut butter 12. Cooking oils- year dependent-coconut oil lasts longer (I can ghee, but have coconut oil &EVOO) 13.dried fruit 14. Coffee, tea (instant too)15. Powdered eggs-rotate 16. Commercially ground white flour, 2yr max stored properly, (wheat berries last longer and mill) 17. Baking powder/baking soda, limited time stored 18. Bouillon 19. Spices and herbs 20.dehydrated vegetables (I have water flavorings too in case I have to purify water for use... Watch video for ALL details! GREAT LIST LEISA❤
Had my GF over for breakfast and didn't have any syrup in the everyday pantry. Sent her to the storeroom to get another bottle. Came back and asked if I wanted her to throw out this old bottle she found on the shelf. Opened it, looked good, smelled good, small taste on the finger tip. tasted perfect. Used it. Best by Date: July 2014.
A tip about coconut oil. It's far more viscous than other fats so a little bit goes a long way. Heat your pan first, put in tiny amount of coconut oil and add food right away. The tiny amount of oil in the food doesn't overwhelm the flavor. Also, coconut oil is a great skin conditioner, hair conditioner (pre wash), makeup remover, etc.
Today my local eggs jumped from $4 to $4.50. I was saved by 100 pounds of beans I bought in Mexico plus 100 pounds of rice. I ate them for a year. Sugar made rice pudding. Add in foraged greens. I am well along on testing living without electric heat. I made several underslips from fleece lap blankets. Super warm! I ordered 2 lady long John tops, can't wait! Helps I get 10 hours passive solar heat. I picked up 3 puffy quilts for $20 from the thrift store, they have kept me warm at night. I just finished my 2019 dehydrated potatoes. After I finish my powdered veg upgrade, I think I will up my potatoes. Ever onward and upward.
Love it! I don’t put on the heater & moving soon to a colder winter climate. Trying to retire & getting ready to be poor. The fleece under skirts idea is great; imma do that. Thrift store shopping to find puffy jacket & quilt. I wear fleece jacket to sleep in. Winter heating bills are a budget blaster in a 4,000 foot elevation. Thanks for your ideas.
And another comment. I absolutely love, love this video. I too have been literally, literally hungry. 7 months pregnant and I had half a bag of potatoes, mustard and some butter, perhaps margarine? People don't understand why I pressure can. I'm a weirdo. Yet MY house is where they will go (they say laughingly) when SHTF. If you've been hungry you figure it out. KS gal from a lineage of the Dust Bowl Days survivors.
I'm currently in between jobs and doing a no spend challenge for the month I've been out of work. So far so good! I've made split pea and ham soup, chicken noodle soup, lasagna and mac & cheese with sausage links this week alone. I know I have so much peace of mind with a stocked pantry.
Just had a decent (for us) snow here in central IN. Friends were moaning about needing to go to the store, as it would be crazy and the shelves would be empty. I didn’t have to give it a second thought. ❤
Instant coffee and canned milk -🎉🎉🎉 We recently had a 30 hr power outage and I did not want to open my freezer where I store my powdered milk. I was able to still have hot coffee by the fireplace in the morning. Fun fact: I call it camping coffee 😂
This last weekend we had an almost 6 hour outage. Got my camp stove out and camp coffee perk pot and all was well. Sent my kids a picture of kitchen camping.
There's a instant coffee that has cinnamon in it. I bought it just to see, thinking maybe ok. It's now one of my special drinks. I'm English so tea is my life line, but anyone give this a try. Something new, someone different, someone added. Blessings to all.
I've been enjoying the safety aspect of not "having to" shop alone after work in tĥe dark winter months. I can CHOOSE to take my time to "shop coupons," sales and clearance, etc, during the safer day hours. Thank you for sharing your life with us. Blessings
I remember when we had really bad floods 13 years ago all the shops in our small town were closed for 10 days it was a really strange feeling. You couldn't just pop to the shop it was like a ghost town.
I too have a salt collection 😂. Sea salt, Celtic salt, Himalayan salt, Redmond’s salt, kosher salt,black lava sea salt, hickory salt and a few others. Some of the salts are finishing types so they get added to the finished product and that can change up the taste on even the most basic meals. Thank you for the reminder that prepping is not for a dooms day event but for situations that may come up in our lives
Years ago I broke my ankle and was restricted to my bed for 7 days awaiting surgery. Kitchen was upstairs so I brought a jar of instant coffee and a coffee cup to my bathroom and made instant coffee with hot tap water for the week. It wasn't great but satisfied my need. Today I keep Nestcafe rich blend in the pantry just in case
Great tips/reminders, Leisa! We all can learn something from this, or it can help us see where we have gaps. I'm not suffering the frigid storm like you and many others are but know it could happen. I'm housebound so make it a point to be very well stocked up on the items I do use on regular basis. A hot mug of instant coffee/tea/coco or bouillon is a warm treat in a power outage, you can use candles to heat water. Switched to instant coffee few years ago since it lasts longer. I could live on rice/beans/pasta, soups, veggie chili, split pea soup, steamed fresh veggies, can tuna/salmon, peanut butter, dehydrated veggies and be perfectly happy. Hoping you, Phil and all your followers are keeping safe & warm as possible. Thank you and hugs for all you do to help us on this journey. God bless us all.⚘️
I have only bought meat for my pantry in November. And spices for my pantry in January. I've been eating out of my pantry since the 3rd of November, except sweet potatoes, which I canned in November but bought more in January. I thought I was out, but when restocking my tiny pantry from the overhead bunk in my motorhome, I found 4 quart jars. I had forgotten I made a few quarts. I also thought it was cold enough and bought ice cream. But I was wrong. So, I'm very happy with my pantry challenge so far. It looks like I will have more than enough to make it thru the month. So, I now know that I can carry on board about 5 - 6 months worth of food and supplies in my small motorhome. That gives me comfort bcuz I really didn't think I had half that much.
Great tips. Just pulled smoked turkey necks out of the freezer from 1/2024 and pulled fresh collards out of the garden. I now have some canned collards on the shelf. Collards are a labor of love. It will be great to just heat and serve.
Oregano is easy to grow. It’s perennial, and hardy in zones 4 - 10, so once established, it will continue to grow every year. I have it in my garden, and dehydrate enough to last a year. It can be air dried by hanging it upside down in an airy place, or in front of a fan. Some of mine has spread into my lawn, so when the lawn in that area is mowed, it smells like pizza! If you don’t have a garden, it will grow in a pot on a patio or a south-facing windowsill. I haven’t purchased oregano in many years, and always have an abundant supply.
I do the same with a variety of herbs- thyme, oregano, mint, rosemary, sage, chamomile, calendula...the list goes on. I freeze dry enough for a year and bring in some in household pots as well for when I want fresh, My oregano has naturalized so well, I am able to freeze dry gallons of it and add it to my laying hens feed daily. I was told oregano helps lesson respiratory issues in the winter for them. i also supplement with sour dough bread, cabbage heads, and squash. I grow some cold storage vegetables specifically for them. Happy hens provide an abundance of healthy eggs daily, even in the winter!! I live in Central Maine.
Wife forgot to take out frozen chicken for a Buffalo Chicken chili crock pot meal. Broke out a couple jars of my ugly chicken, home canned chili and pinto beans, this husband does all the meals and preps, then off to the races. Thank you for teaching me the ugly chicken method.
We’ve been impacted by the snowstorm and we didn’t have to worry about fighting at the store for the necessities. I make our own bread and I keep milk on hand. We’ve gotten about 9” of snow/ice in the last 36 hours. I added a cast iron fondue pot in 2024 to my prepared pantry.
@ after watching one of your videos with all the things you can use a fondue pot for is what sold me on getting one. Growing up my mom had one and it was only used for chocolate or cheese 🧀 who knew it would be so versatile 🤗
Aaaaah, the popcorn diet. Good times. I remember it well. I also remember calling in sick because I didn't have gas money. I'm surprised I survived my twenties.
Remember hoofing it to work. And on the way home I passed a soup kitchen, the food smelled so good I was in tears passing it. I am not bold, had never stood in a soup line, the grizzled old men there looked terrifying. I considered checking dumpsters. Ultimately the neighbors were missing a couple ears of corn and a tomato. I guess thats me, Id rather steal than reach a hand out for help. But Im on the autism spectrum and using my voice or being seen doesnt come naturally to me. Grocery day was a dozen eggs and a box of crackers for lunches, boxes of macncheese and hotdogs for dinners, a couple of oranges and bananas for breakfast. That next week there was a potluck at my work. I was too nervous to attend. A person who worked next to me said arent you coming? That caused my feet to move. Igrabbed a paper plate and got the things nearest to me, rice I think and green beans. I sat in a corner table and watched the full plates walk past me as I ate. When there was no more line at the table, I did go back and filled up. I was one of the last people sitting and a couple of people were clearing up. I decided to help out while they were dithering over leftovers, I said, I can take some home. So bold of me! I did end up taking home a butter tub with random bits of leftovers. But that was my beginning. When I started trusting regular paychecks I started filling out my cupboards. 2 things I dont thinj Ill ever willingly eat again are ramen or macncheese. I kindof food hoard now.
I remember a time that what we had left was frozen turnip greens and home canned tomato juice. I despise turnip greens. I drank the tomato juice and found a stale sleeve of saltines. I vowed then no more. Soon started keeping about 2 weeks worth of groceries. Now with about a year’s worth of food since Covid.
Back in late 2008, as a single person responsible for car payment, rent, all the things - I was laid off from my office job at a construction company.... I survived because my unemployment paid rent and my phone bill - I also had my pantry (I remember a friend saying with a pantry, no matter what life hits you with, you can eat). I was out of a paycheck for just under 3 months - did this financially wreck me? Yes. BUT, I kept my landlord happy and my phone on - everyone must realize - no phone, no way to hear from potential employers. Did I eat glamorously - no; but this was before I learned about 'prepping'. My late husband taught me about 'prepping'; many say we were 'tin foil hat people' - I am like, not necessarily - I have just learned the hard way how to survive without and preparing better for longer means survival. Keep on keeping on ladies and gentleman - the road ahead is going to have pot holes.
I never even looked for a date on pasta. Before I learned the wonderful world of preservation it sat in the box on the shelf and used when needed. Can't say I ever noticed a difference in a fresh box vs old box.
I buy cafe bustelo in the freeze dried expresso.Very good if you like your coffee stronger. You can buy the little boxes for 1.00 1.25 in the little packs to see which one you like the best before you buy the big jar. Great for making iced coffee.
I just don't get not having food on hand. My mom was a single parent. My grandmother lived with us. Maybe because they lived through the depression, we always had food in the house. We went shopping every week, but we stocked up. As a new bride, I shopped every other week. I always had food on hand. I worked at a grocery store for a while and did see customers, mostly men, who shopped every day for what they cooked that night. I never understood that. By the time i moved to an island, i was a pro at stocking my pantry. I only shop once a month, and I buy bulk online. I'm growing my pantry even more because of what I think may come my way this year. But I love having choices when it comes to food, and I can't hop in the car to grab a bite to eat.
I, unfortunately, learned the hard way that parboiled rice had a shelf life closer to brown rice than white rice. I have some that’s a year old that ok, but much last that it really starts to smell rancid. Hope that helps someone!!!
Well, here is my shameful response. Yes, it does get to where it smells funky. What I do is put it raw in some water, and swish it around. I do this several times, pouring off the water each time. Believe it or not, even very old parboiled rice is just fine after that. We do this in my family and we are fine. No criticism, please, just giving you another idea.
@ thanks for the tip! I hate to pitch it! I have been cooking some up and feeding to the cats and chickens, doesn’t seem to bother them! But I will try your trick and use up the older stuff. I just really prefer the texture of that in most recipes. I like jasmine for a few things, but it’s plenty sticky. And I always feel plain white gets “mealy” we LOVE parboiled. I’m glad you shared 😀
@@vidaus-ir-lauko-durys yes-white rice, but parboiled must have more of the Germ or something, because it does not store as long, even under those conditions, in my experience
Thank you for all of this great advice!! I never thought I'd be unemployed. Then, a certain mandate happened and my pantry got me through. Now I'm gifting my niece and her family w/ cases of canned foods when I visit. Her boys fell in love w/ one of my soup recipes, so I just made 7 quarts and 18 pints (plus 9 pints of broth to stretch it). They are a super busy family (school, sports, work, etc.) on a tight budget and having healthy "fast food" on the shelf really helps out!
The only thing I would add to your list would be in the oil or fats category. Ghee lasts practically forever and it is good for the lactose intolerant. It is not vegan as it is made from cow's milk and is technically clarified butter. I'm in agreement with your list of necessary items aside from the one I mentioned. Everyone needs to be better prepared. I was so happy that I have a working pantry. We had what we needed through Covid, (I live in Oregon) through the 2020 wildfire that hit our area, and then the record breaking ice storm when we were out of power for an entire week. Thankfully I have a wood burning stove that I can cook on. The only thing I didn't have was oil lamps. I have them now. Thanks for the informative videos.
Good morning I started seriously stocking our pantry 6 months ahead of Bob’s retirement last December. That process had me looking at new ways to store things. All the paper products we use are now stored on the main level of the house - where we need them. I did a deep pitch of closet and kitchen cabinet items to make room for the food stuff we do need/ use. 90% of our dry foods are sealed in mason jars. I don’t like foods stored in plastic as some tend to draw that plastic taste. If you buy saltine crackers you may have noticed they come out of the wax sleeve with an off taste. Some people may think they don’t eat beans… yet they will eat refried beans. They need to think ahead to buy those pinto beans so they can have refried beans with their meals at home. Less expensive than buying canned refried beans. Jiff for the Win! We LOVE ThriveLife powdered eggs. With the price of eggs in the grocery store, we’re finding we use them almost daily. Thrive Life is NOT the commodities powdered eggs we grew up with. As to being the worst TL consultant… I’ll tie you ;-) Thanks for always providing great information. Be safe, Be prepared, Be Blessed!
Thank you Leisa! We are impacted with the current snow/ice/freezing rain storm. My power went out at 5AM. I have my pantry stash, along with warm clothes, blankets, etc., to depend on if the power is out for an extended time. My one friend (who also lost power this afternoon ) thinks I have been sucked into doom and gloom because I started to gather supplies. “Why do you have so much water?” The funny thing is that the city just released a “no drink” order for the water; she said she had several bottles of water for her and her husband. I did not even ask if she had enough for their two dogs. My power was restored this afternoon. I will lose some of the fridge & freezer. In the big picture of things, not a biggie. My sister, who also does not “get” my preparedness mission, commented that it was a shame that I lost some food. I told her that part of the reason I was learning to can. To reduce the food that could spoil in the freezer during power outages. I did not say, “I tried to tell you…” but I think they both now might understand. Thank you for all you do! 💕😊
Don't forget about chocolate in all it's forms. I like to make pudding from scratch with clear gel cook type and must have cocoa as the flavor ingredient. I learned to can a couple years ago and have meat and vegetables, fruit. I am a widower so I make my own bread, biscuits etc. I have learned a lot from you.
This video is so informative! I was just getting ready to vacuum seal a bunch of dried fruit I have. I got several of the cans do dried fruit for making oatmeal cups. But did not want rest to go bad as I’m only using a small amount. Now I’ll put them in glass jars or plastic bags, I’m not sure if one better than other. But thank you. You just saved me a large amount of money.
I just want to thank you for all your suggestions. I have been buying extra food/canning a lot and freeze drying. I am now able to retire early and really focus on the gardens and we are getting chickens and goats. Trying to talk my husband into a couple milk cows. I am looking forward to the new year and our homestead journey. Thanks for all your help. I love Cannuary!!
Yes, it can happen. I'm hearing of a report in my state that due to the storm, trucks are not getting through to the warehouses. While we were relatively unaffected in my part of Illinois by the snow and ice (just missed us), the warehouses not being re-supplied are in my neck of the woods.
Long storage pet peeve: items that look canned, even have plastic liss for interim use, but are really in cardboard "cans" that allow air exchange. Treat them like you would same product in paper sack. (Examples, shortening, Pringles, some dried milks, some peanuts and peanut butters.)
I vacuum seal in bags all my pasta, beans, oats and white rice and store them in big ole totes!! I just started vacuum sealing in jars those Hungry Jack's potato shreds from the dollar tree store. I'm able to fit 2 boxes in the jars. 😊
Wow. Ive never told anyone this but back in 1968, I ate popcorn for TWO weeks!! No exaggeration. Well I survived it and I now have a great pantry. Thanks for what you do.
Live in Missouri that big Strom just came, though the store was empty. However, it was kinda a flex not to have to go to the store. We were ready. Now that being said, I will have to go get more ice melt for the snow that on it way Thursday and Friday. Thanks for keeping it real.
I live in North Central Missouri. I learned a long time ago (more than 8 years) to listen to LISA and stock up and do it the right way. Wife and I have been snowed before for over three weeks. We never worry about lack of food.
It won't melt ice, but we use bird seed on pavements. Walking on it crushes it and provides grip, and the birds need it at the same time, for the same reason we do. Can reload parmesan cheese shaker jars to keep in car for when needed too.
Fantastic video Liesa. ❤️ I spent 2 days a month or so ago batch cooking and freezing individual meals and gifted myself a month’s worth. It’s a delight to have a hot dinner every night and I only have to wash the container, no pots, no pans etc. it was hard work at the time but well worth every minute.
Organized the big pantry today to take the inventory and to check preps. Had one seal that failed. I won’t complain. Getting organized in the New Year feels fantastic! Pantry tacos 🌮 for dinner. ‘An animal gave up its life’….exactly Leisa. We do our best to not waste anything here.
Water glassed eggs are wonderful way to preserve eggs! My husband puts up 2 dozen on a regular basis following the recommended, very simple steps. He never puts more than 2 dozen together in one container. Farm fresh…collected within 1-2 days and never washed eggs. Pickling lime/ distilled water solution. He has actually eaten eggs that were 12-18 months old. The taste and consistency is the same as fresh eggs. The white may be thinner.
Every time I listen to you I learn more and I find out where I either messed up or gone wrong. I find out things I need to watch like my oil and flour.
My college menus. Free condiment packets from the canfeteria. Sprouts from my windowsill and homemade yogurt. Clearance section at the grocery store. My budget was $ 30.00 a month. But when I look back I chuckle . Because I still make homemade yogurt and sprouts. Save my condiment packets. Still shop the clearance section. But I have a pantry so I dont have to rely on those things only. Thankyou Leisa for all you do to help us with our preparedness. My favorite candies are jolly ranchers and starlight mints. Dove chocolate and caramels. Have had good luck with them in air tight containers. Also if you are gluten free Oatsome flour blend will hold for 2 years if in airtight containers. In a cool dark place. If you can''t find powdered milk . I have used powdered coffee creamer in baking and in oatmeal. Cheese cloth and muslin are great to have on hand. Great for jar covers for gifts in a jar, straining yogurt for cream cheese or pressing fruit for jam. They both are very useful.
I can recommend the caramel candy recipe from the Dining on a Dime cookbook volume 1. It is very inexpensive to make and soft and very tasty. My personal favorite candy (besides fudge) is an inexpensive option like yours--I LOVE Milk Duds!
Been there. Single mom, living paycheck to paycheck, buying kerosene by the gallon for the furnace in my trailer for heat in the winter. Couldn't afford to fill the tank! Eating ramen noodle soup for breakfast and lunch. So i could feed my son. Not enough left for me to eat. Etc, etc. Took me a long time but I'm stocked for at least 8 months!! Also just got 5 and half feet of snow from Friday to Sunday this past weekend.. No biggie for us. We're always prepped for that. I forgot to take meat out of freezer and prep meals in case power went out. Hubby was in a tizzy.. Then i reminded him, we have a ton of canned meat dried as well as other and we'd be just fine. He was then quiet.:-)
Another benefit I find in having a well stocked pantry is that if family comes to visit with little to no notice I don't have to worry about rushing to the grocery store just to have some nice food to enjoy together.
Mine was top ramen (12/$1), tomato soup (10 cents a can), mac&cheese (10 cents) with one hot dog chopped up in it, toasted bread sliced so the bread was thin with only peanut butter on it, and only water to drink. I lived on this for months. This was many years ago, but you never forget.
I use small canning jars for extra spices I buy in bulk, vacumn pack them and store them in a dark cool place, they retain their flavor and they smell fresh after 3 years. Also, keep your organic flour in freezer, I just used some frozen and vacuum packed five years ago, still taste wonderful.
My local area made the nationwide news because our grocery stores were completely empty because of a snowstorm that hadn’t happened this bad in 30 years. And not only that but we’re in the single digits at night for a lot longer this year when we usually have a week and then go back to the 40’s-60’s. I’m just starting to build my stash. Trying to make sure I can feed myself and my daughter and her family if anything happens.
Really enjoy your sessions. Thanks for the tips. I have always been a pantry stocker, but have increased my inventory recently. I find it hard to rotate at my age, so what I do is stock by putting things in a different drawer or shelf for each year. If I don’t have something in the current year I just go to the next year’s drawer. Working so far.
I have gotten some Walmart 5 gallon buckets with lids food grade and put what I can in them. Yes it helps to know it's there. Now if I have to move spots it's going to be very difficult but for right now I have some food and I'm very thankful for it. Thank You for the encouragement!!😅
2023- 2024 has been very bad financially for myself and my son. My prepper pantry has been amazing. In my small town in Australia there have been times where we can not get things. Instead of having to buy on line and wait 3 to 5 days to receive it via mail and having to pay freight or postage., o was able to go into my pantry and get what I needed. Red Feather butter has been a great shelf staple
I've got a fair amount of Red Feather butter, too, here in the States. I had to order it from a food/prepper supply store online because it isn't an item I've ever seen in stores here. I've always wondered if they make a unsalted version. The cans are really pretty and they last many years, as you know.
I have been using soda bottles (16.9 oz or 20 oz size) to store rice and beans. I rinse them out and let them dry thoroughly. Then I put the rice or the beans or lentils into the bottle; I add an oxygen absorber; and then I crank the lid down tight. The next day I can see that the bottle is sucked in due to the working of the oxygen absorber. Since the bottle it has a gasket in it the bottle stays water vapor proof.
I had my own version of the popcorn diet was 6 for a buck macaroni and cheese. After one month of Mac and cheese . That was 40 years ago and I've never bought another box.
Curious if anyone is seeing shortages again? Lots of people in my town in Colorado are so freaked out about the bird flu so there panic buying again. I grew up poor so these item have always been staples in my house and always will. Most of it I put in my canning jars and put them on the shelf becuase that’s what I can afford and it’s the space I have. I have cook books to help cook outside and inside those have been fun learning how to make bread from 1700 on a fire. Also for those who can not doing canning you can store a pound of pasta in a spaghetti sauce jar. ❤ happy panty preparing
I love your Essentials!❤Your Videos are always so helpful! I am new to this Journey and from Germany😊 My grandmother had her own garden and cooked everything in glas and also canned a lot. My mom still does a little bit of gardening especially salad, some veggies, herbs and berries. She also makes her own marmelades etc., but way less than granny did. My urge to have my own grown food was always big and I had a little thing here and there, but with having kids it grown so much, we have a garden in the wood and some near our home. Potatoes is a must, like salad, herbs and berries😋 my kids love eating them from the bush, fresh and raw. I never did canning, I want to try it bad, but I have very little time, so I try to at least making marmelades, syrups and dried fruits and veggies. I love making fruit leather, my kids love to eat it😊 In our growing pantry, we have a lot of pickeled veggies, fish cans, cocoa, and tomatoes in every form😅 we also have some alcohol like vodka, rum and whisky. It gives some flavor for baking and making own liqueur and chocolate truffels. Great for gifting😉 Lisa, thank you so much for your knowledge!❤
I can relate to you eating only popcorn. When I was first out on my own at 18 I would buy frozen pop pies 2 for $1 I survived on them . One time I had one frozen chicken in the freezer at 20 y/o that I ate on for three days before I got paid! We know the lean times but never again! I have much better resources now but I’m stocked up in just in case. You live and learn. 😊
I had to retire very unexpectedly in August. Thank The Lord that I have been following and learning from ladies like Leza. I have been stocking up, especially rice and beans. My income has reduced by more than half. I have canning all week, using what I have in my stored up food. Split pea soup is about 30 cents per pint. No ham, I don't care for it. I'm shopping my pantry and pulling up my shelves. Thank you for teaching me!
I’ve got my husband involved in this. He knows where everything is, so we don’t over buy. He even organized the freezer. I am lucky to have a basement and a second floor. The old guy built shelves under the upper floor steps. This is my working pantry. Anything that needs to be used first comes up from the storage pantry to the working pantry. It’s just the 2 of us and I’ve been canning for 45 years. My kids do know if SHTF they can come over and shop.
I started out panic buying in November, then I found your channel. Luckily, I bought things I eat, so not too much wasted. I've learned a lot from these videos. Adding to the "popcorn diet" story, mine was past the best-buy date hot pockets, morning, noon, and night, from the store I worked at, as I could get them for free. My boyfriend had left me suddenly and we'd been sharing expenses. I worked at 7-11, so you can imagine the budget. I will never eat philly steak and cheese hot pockets again. I'm wanting to see if I can nudge the rest of my extended family into thinking about at least a 3 day stock, if not more, so I'm wondering if you can recommend a video you have already made, or maybe can make, an "It's not insane, zombie apocalypse, prepper shit" primer for the not-quite-convinced? If that's a tall order, no worries, I'd just like to help them combat inflation, as they have families and all. One sister works in disaster preparedness, so she's already on board, at least!
We stock Nido Fortificada. I found 2 recipes that call for powdered milk, and I can mix a jar, put it in the fridge, and the kids will happily drink it as chocolate milk. This makes sure it is rotated.
Power went out tonight for about 2 hours. Pulled ingredients from the pantry and made a yummy pot of soup! A can of chickpeas, mixed vegetables, and tomatoes. Added a couple of potatoes, a quarter of an onion, and a carrot. Finally a pint of hamburger I canned last summer. Yummy!
I was looking at your pantry, and I noticed your shelves. I live in earthquake country. My biggest concern Is of course breakage. Looking at your shelf units. I can’t help but notice the keyhole bases along the upright. I decided I’ll take Rigid material and put screws that will line up with those key holes. That way I can put a barrier to keep anything from falling off in a good shake. Further, I’m going to put that nubby shelf liner to keep things. From sliding around. I know that people follow your channel from all around the world and I’m sure any number of us have that same problem can’t help but think this method is a little safer than just bungee cord around the side. Thanks for all you do to help us. Stack it to the rafters
Absolutely love you thank you for all the info. I’ve been stocking up since 2020 information. Awesome. I’ve been slacking for a few years, but I think I need to revamp my list. Thanks again.
Split peas, barely, coffee, tea, kids love fruit juices off a can of peaches and pineapple in their tea. Flour, yeast, and a crap load of spices. Plastic doesn't keep as well, so I transfer everything into Jars. I learned my lesson years ago mice can eat through plastic.
New subscriber here. I recently moved a long way from town. I love being in the forest but the forest critters are helping themselves to my pantry. Also the shop is now a long way from home. Looking forward to getting this all organised. I've bought jars and canisters and need to get meal planning and stocking a back up pantry. and freezer. Thanks for the educational content. ❤
Hi Leasa, I just came across your UA-cam page today and throroughly enjoying your pantry building videos and more. I' ve been building my pantry for the last couple years and your videos have been such a help and encouragement to me this morning. Always wondered if I was doing it right and if I was missing things. Just the first 3 I watch today were very helpful, so I'm hooked. Your 2025 calendar is amazing thank you so much for that. That's a lot of work. Love your witty humor. A fan for life.🙋♀️
Thanks!
Thank you very much! ❤️
Emptied the little salt box next to the stove this morning, my hubby said 'do I need to run to the store'? I showed him the "extra pantry" in my closet. He had no idea...20 lbs salt, 75 lbs sugar, a 5 gal bucket of rice, and 2 5 gal buckets of various dry beans...thank you Lesa for your encouraging words.
lol. It's nice when you can surprise someone with stash like that!!
Thank you for the reminders of how long things last. I’m still kind of a newbie, but thanks to my stash, I didn’t have to make the run this year before the storm! Feels good.
That's awesome! My husband helps me arrange and stash things in the cold pantry and freezer, so he knows where things are better than I... which is why I need to inventory things this January, haha!
Lol, My hubs HAD been thinking I'm crazy for several years now. But, I'm sure he's thankful now...food that's here and was bought at a much lower price! Win-Win.
Weevle bugs will get to the rice and beans before you do.
My pantry has literally saved me when I ran out of money, when I fell too sick to shop and then when bad weather confined me to home. So yay for pantry preparedness.
I have been warning, my family, and my friends to start stocking up and create a safe pantry for themselves. Their attitude is they’ll just come to my house. No they’re not. They make more money than I do and I have been canning food for the last few weeks so that my shelves are full.It’s a lot of work, but I look over everything I have and I’m very happy.
A big mistake is to tell people about your stocked up pantry. I no longer tell people, but I'm sure my young grandson tells people as he likes to 'go into Nana's grocery store' when he comes over. 😁
Only people coming to my house is adult daughters and grand kids. I stock extra for them
I remember when my toddler son and I just had potatoes for a week. I tried to be creative so we would have something to eat for every meal. After that, i started making sure i had food enough for a week, and now, i have three shelves of canned and bagged basic food.
That’s an amazing journey you’ve had!
@SuttonsDaze it was a valuable lesson, i am glad i had to go through it to be prepared for these days now. I love your channel ❤️
Just wanted to butt in on the honey comment for clarification for those who do not know . When you say that when you have crystalized honey, "just put it in warm water", you want yo put the *jar in warm water, not pour the honey in there.
And never boil it or put it in the microwave.
Pantry observations from a pest control guy (9 years in the industry):
Most homes (houses or apartments) have a maximum of a two-week food supply on hand. Makes no difference whether these people are in the top 10% income bracket or the bottom 10% income bracket. The level of pantry preparedness is shockingly low. Regarding people in the higher income brackets who may own multiple homes, unless one of those homes is fully stocked as a bug out location, they will be among the first to go extinct if the food trucks stop coming to the stores. Normalcy bias will get them killed.
If I were to count the number of homes I've been in where the occupant had long-term freeze-dried food such as Mountain House on hand, I would be able to count them on one hand, and my thumb would get bored because it had nothing to do. I've been in exactly one home where the occupant actually had a food bunker of freeze dried in his apartment.
Placard time (my USDA placard):
Good for 5 years past code date: Anything packed in water (canned vegetables, beans, tuna). Anything packed in broth (canned meat, canned broth). Pea soup. Corned beef and roast beef hash.
Hood for 3 years past code date: Anything with a tomato component to it. Boyardee. Chili. Beef stew (tomato paste is part of the base). Canned soup. Canned tomatoes or tomato sauce
If i could sum up why you should have a deep emergency food pantry it would be this: Based on what I see in the field doing pest control, if the food trucks stop coming to the stores for whatever reason, most people would be for sale to the lowest bidder. They could be bought and sold with a plate of food. That is someone you do not want to be.
Thank you so much
Wow! Thanks for sharing your observations. I would have to agree that you are probably right. I know we could do better but at least I know we can make it for a couple of months
I always feel really vulnerable when any service providers come to my house. Nobody says anything but I'm definitely stocked up. Makes me feel vulnerable to have anyone see what I have.
Thank you for that information!!
these people will simply take food away from thrifty people
I spent 4 months off from work to take care of my daughter after her motorcycle accident. When I came home I was broke. My small pantry got me through the next 2 weeks till I got my first paycheck.I am working on making my pantry bigger and building my savings back up.
Thank you for all your videos.
You are very welcome! I’m so glad this resonated with you.
My equivalent of your popcorn diet was top ramen (12/$1), tomato soup (10 cents a can), mac&cheese (10 cents) with one hot dog chopped up in it, toasted bread sliced so the bread was thin with only peanut butter on it, and only water to drink. I lived on this for months. This was many years ago, but you never forget.
I remember having like $5 to spend on food and not having any food storage. I remember drooling over a cheap box of pancake mix but deciding against it because it I would need margarine and syrup with that. I distinctly remember in the early 80s how "rich" I felt when I was able to pick some hamburger at the store instead of beef heart, which used to be the cheapest meat around. Unfortunately, I kind of feel back like the old days nowadays. I am not ready for these per pound prices on any kind of beef.
Here in Southern Indiana, snowed in, 8 inches. Solar generators charged up, water stocked, Rocket stove ready, and Buddy heater. Been canning for years. Don't have to go anywhere.
We’re in Mount Vernon. The neighbors on the street behind us have been out of power since Sunday but we’ve been sitting warm and toasty. We were prepped too…but these teens could go back to their lives soon cause they’re eating ALL THE FOODS 😜
@@cooker-q4x We are snowed in in our place. No issues as long as we keep electricity. Woodstove has been going constantly. I am kind of glad about this because it shows my husband how important all of this food etc. is and also because it gives us a chance to make some room in the freezer because it is a blessing and a curse to start the new gardening season in spring with a freezer full of things grown the prior year!
I just wanted to thank you for what you do. I've always been a last minute lucy because of how hand to mouth my low wage jobs have always left me, plus all this upheaval that has left me homeless 3x since the pandemic started. I've been afraid to build up anything because I may have to leave it suddenly.
You inspired me to push past my fear and trauma. I started building my pantry a few months ago, and when the snowstorm rocked the midwest and everyone around me started panic buying, I didn't have to, and it's all because of you. Thank you so much. Keep doing what you're doing, your influence is changing lives. ❤️
That's amazing! You are so strong.
Grocery stores oay oretty good. Working in the produce dept. is an okay job.Best wishes.
Love your head band. One week my husband and I had corn on Cobb and half bag of potatoes and tap water. That was 42 years ago. I have a huge pantry. Never again
My father would make syrup from vanilla, water and brown sugar heated gently in a saucepan if we were out. He was a child during the Great Depression.
Thanks,! I'm going to give that a try. It might be a little bit different taste, but I bet it works.
We did sugar, water, and maple flavoring.
My Mom always made our syrup. So when I got out on my own I did to. It's cheaper and I know what's in it.
1. White rice stored properly. 2. Dried beans 3. Rolled or Steel cut oats 4. Sugar 5. Salt (Ionly use Real Salt, or Celtic-it has the minerals still in it.6. 'Real' Honey 7. Powdered milk-low fat to no fat best 8. Canned, store bought, vegetables 9. Canned meats 10. Pasta- dry stored properly 11. Powdered peanut butter 12. Cooking oils- year dependent-coconut oil lasts longer (I can ghee, but have coconut oil &EVOO) 13.dried fruit 14. Coffee, tea (instant too)15. Powdered eggs-rotate 16. Commercially ground white flour, 2yr max stored properly, (wheat berries last longer and mill) 17. Baking powder/baking soda, limited time stored 18. Bouillon 19. Spices and herbs 20.dehydrated vegetables
(I have water flavorings too in case I have to purify water for use...
Watch video for ALL details!
GREAT LIST LEISA❤
Add cocoa with the coffee and tea. Also replace 20% of flour with cocoa and you have chocolate biscuits.
Had my GF over for breakfast and didn't have any syrup in the everyday pantry. Sent her to the storeroom to get another bottle. Came back and asked if I wanted her to throw out this old bottle she found on the shelf. Opened it, looked good, smelled good, small taste on the finger tip. tasted perfect. Used it. Best by Date: July 2014.
👍😋
That's so funny! I'm glad it tasted good!
If it is real 100% maple syrup, it doesn’t go bad.. if any mold is seen floating on top, just put it in a pot and boil it … it will be as good as new❤
2014? Why that's just yesterday 😂.
Syrup is made from brown sugar, and will last forever the same as sugar, or honey.
A tip about coconut oil. It's far more viscous than other fats so a little bit goes a long way. Heat your pan first, put in tiny amount of coconut oil and add food right away. The tiny amount of oil in the food doesn't overwhelm the flavor. Also, coconut oil is a great skin conditioner, hair conditioner (pre wash), makeup remover, etc.
Today my local eggs jumped from $4 to $4.50. I was saved by 100 pounds of beans I bought in Mexico plus 100 pounds of rice. I ate them for a year. Sugar made rice pudding.
Add in foraged greens.
I am well along on testing living without electric heat. I made several underslips from fleece lap blankets. Super warm! I ordered 2 lady long John tops, can't wait! Helps I get 10 hours passive solar heat. I picked up 3 puffy quilts for $20 from the thrift store, they have kept me warm at night.
I just finished my 2019 dehydrated potatoes. After I finish my powdered veg upgrade, I think I will up my potatoes. Ever onward and upward.
Love it! I don’t put on the heater & moving soon to a colder winter climate. Trying to retire & getting ready to be poor. The fleece under skirts idea is great; imma do that. Thrift store shopping to find puffy jacket & quilt. I wear fleece jacket to sleep in. Winter heating bills are a budget blaster in a 4,000 foot elevation. Thanks for your ideas.
If you're living single it's great to use 1-2 gallon mylar bags and then pack in 5 gallon buckets or bins with tight lids
And another comment. I absolutely love, love this video. I too have been literally, literally hungry. 7 months pregnant and I had half a bag of potatoes, mustard and some butter, perhaps margarine? People don't understand why I pressure can. I'm a weirdo. Yet MY house is where they will go (they say laughingly) when SHTF. If you've been hungry you figure it out. KS gal from a lineage of the Dust Bowl Days survivors.
I'm currently in between jobs and doing a no spend challenge for the month I've been out of work. So far so good! I've made split pea and ham soup, chicken noodle soup, lasagna and mac & cheese with sausage links this week alone. I know I have so much peace of mind with a stocked pantry.
Just had a decent (for us) snow here in central IN. Friends were moaning about needing to go to the store, as it would be crazy and the shelves would be empty. I didn’t have to give it a second thought. ❤
Instant coffee and canned milk -🎉🎉🎉
We recently had a 30 hr power outage and I did not want to open my freezer where I store my powdered milk. I was able to still have hot coffee by the fireplace in the morning. Fun fact: I call it camping coffee 😂
This last weekend we had an almost 6 hour outage. Got my camp stove out and camp coffee perk pot and all was well. Sent my kids a picture of kitchen camping.
There's a instant coffee that has cinnamon in it. I bought it just to see, thinking maybe ok. It's now one of my special drinks. I'm English so tea is my life line, but anyone give this a try. Something new, someone different, someone added. Blessings to all.
I've been enjoying the safety aspect of not "having to" shop alone after work in tĥe dark winter months. I can CHOOSE to take my time to "shop coupons," sales and clearance, etc, during the safer day hours. Thank you for sharing your life with us. Blessings
I remember when we had really bad floods 13 years ago all the shops in our small town were closed for 10 days it was a really strange feeling.
You couldn't just pop to the shop it was like a ghost town.
I too have a salt collection 😂. Sea salt, Celtic salt, Himalayan salt, Redmond’s salt, kosher salt,black lava sea salt, hickory salt and a few others. Some of the salts are finishing types so they get added to the finished product and that can change up the taste on even the most basic meals. Thank you for the reminder that prepping is not for a dooms day event but for situations that may come up in our lives
Years ago I broke my ankle and was restricted to my bed for 7 days awaiting surgery. Kitchen was upstairs so I brought a jar of instant coffee and a coffee cup to my bathroom and made instant coffee with hot tap water for the week. It wasn't great but satisfied my need. Today I keep Nestcafe rich blend in the pantry just in case
Great tips/reminders, Leisa! We all can learn something from this, or it can help us see where we have gaps. I'm not suffering the frigid storm like you and many others are but know it could happen. I'm housebound so make it a point to be very well stocked up on the items I do use on regular basis. A hot mug of instant coffee/tea/coco or bouillon is a warm treat in a power outage, you can use candles to heat water. Switched to instant coffee few years ago since it lasts longer. I could live on rice/beans/pasta, soups, veggie chili, split pea soup, steamed fresh veggies, can tuna/salmon, peanut butter, dehydrated veggies and be perfectly happy.
Hoping you, Phil and all your followers are keeping safe & warm as possible. Thank you and hugs for all you do to help us on this journey. God bless us all.⚘️
The only thing I have been buying for the last 3 months is some fresh veggies and milk. The rest is in the pantry. Love the independence of it.
I have only bought meat for my pantry in November. And spices for my pantry in January.
I've been eating out of my pantry since the 3rd of November, except sweet potatoes, which I canned in November but bought more in January. I thought I was out, but when restocking my tiny pantry from the overhead bunk in my motorhome, I found 4 quart jars. I had forgotten I made a few quarts. I also thought it was cold enough and bought ice cream. But I was wrong.
So, I'm very happy with my pantry challenge so far. It looks like I will have more than enough to make it thru the month. So, I now know that I can carry on board about 5 - 6 months worth of food and supplies in my small motorhome. That gives me comfort bcuz I really didn't think I had half that much.
What size motorhome?
Great tips. Just pulled smoked turkey necks out of the freezer from 1/2024 and pulled fresh collards out of the garden. I now have some canned collards on the shelf. Collards are a labor of love. It will be great to just heat and serve.
Oregano is easy to grow. It’s perennial, and hardy in zones 4 - 10, so once established, it will continue to grow every year. I have it in my garden, and dehydrate enough to last a year. It can be air dried by hanging it upside down in an airy place, or in front of a fan. Some of mine has spread into my lawn, so when the lawn in that area is mowed, it smells like pizza! If you don’t have a garden, it will grow in a pot on a patio or a south-facing windowsill. I haven’t purchased oregano in many years, and always have an abundant supply.
@@denisemusicnut Add to that garlic chives and you have my “lawn” too. I get so hungry when mowing! Oregano loves it here.
So true on oregano. I don't mind it spreading into the lawn but it makes my husband insane! Ha!
I do the same with a variety of herbs- thyme, oregano, mint, rosemary, sage, chamomile, calendula...the list goes on. I freeze dry enough for a year and bring in some in household pots as well for when I want fresh, My oregano has naturalized so well, I am able to freeze dry gallons of it and add it to my laying hens feed daily. I was told oregano helps lesson respiratory issues in the winter for them. i also supplement with sour dough bread, cabbage heads, and squash. I grow some cold storage vegetables specifically for them. Happy hens provide an abundance of healthy eggs daily, even in the winter!! I live in Central Maine.
oregano can also be used as an antibiotic tincture.
@@cherylramirez354It’s good for your teeth and gums - just chew a fresh leaf.
Wife forgot to take out frozen chicken for a Buffalo Chicken chili crock pot meal. Broke out a couple jars of my ugly chicken, home canned chili and pinto beans, this husband does all the meals and preps, then off to the races. Thank you for teaching me the ugly chicken method.
I’m new here. I’m enjoying this very much but I have no ideas what “ugly chicken” is….please guide me to a video.
@Shells680 look through Suttons Daze videos and play list. She has many videos on ugly chicken (raw packed pressure canned chicken). Glad to have you
@@Shells680 it's Leisa's nick name for home came chicken....because it's not pretty to look at in the jar😊
We’ve been impacted by the snowstorm and we didn’t have to worry about fighting at the store for the necessities. I make our own bread and I keep milk on hand. We’ve gotten about 9” of snow/ice in the last 36 hours. I added a cast iron fondue pot in 2024 to my prepared pantry.
A fondue pot is a great addition!
@ after watching one of your videos with all the things you can use a fondue pot for is what sold me on getting one. Growing up my mom had one and it was only used for chocolate or cheese 🧀 who knew it would be so versatile 🤗
GREAT idea!!!! I bet Good Will has those.
@ I never could find one at Goodwill so I bought one off amazon.
Aaaaah, the popcorn diet. Good times. I remember it well. I also remember calling in sick because I didn't have gas money. I'm surprised I survived my twenties.
I hear you.......lol
Me, too.
Peanut butter and saltines, too many times. I'm not short of food or money now but I still do them occasionally.
Remember hoofing it to work. And on the way home I passed a soup kitchen, the food smelled so good I was in tears passing it. I am not bold, had never stood in a soup line, the grizzled old men there looked terrifying. I considered checking dumpsters. Ultimately the neighbors were missing a couple ears of corn and a tomato. I guess thats me, Id rather steal than reach a hand out for help. But Im on the autism spectrum and using my voice or being seen doesnt come naturally to me. Grocery day was a dozen eggs and a box of crackers for lunches, boxes of macncheese and hotdogs for dinners, a couple of oranges and bananas for breakfast. That next week there was a potluck at my work. I was too nervous to attend. A person who worked next to me said arent you coming? That caused my feet to move. Igrabbed a paper plate and got the things nearest to me, rice I think and green beans. I sat in a corner table and watched the full plates walk past me as I ate. When there was no more line at the table, I did go back and filled up. I was one of the last people sitting and a couple of people were clearing up. I decided to help out while they were dithering over leftovers, I said, I can take some home. So bold of me! I did end up taking home a butter tub with random bits of leftovers. But that was my beginning. When I started trusting regular paychecks I started filling out my cupboards. 2 things I dont thinj Ill ever willingly eat again are ramen or macncheese. I kindof food hoard now.
I remember a time that what we had left was frozen turnip greens and home canned tomato juice. I despise turnip greens. I drank the tomato juice and found a stale sleeve of saltines. I vowed then no more. Soon started keeping about 2 weeks worth of groceries. Now with about a year’s worth of food since Covid.
Back in late 2008, as a single person responsible for car payment, rent, all the things - I was laid off from my office job at a construction company.... I survived because my unemployment paid rent and my phone bill - I also had my pantry (I remember a friend saying with a pantry, no matter what life hits you with, you can eat). I was out of a paycheck for just under 3 months - did this financially wreck me? Yes. BUT, I kept my landlord happy and my phone on - everyone must realize - no phone, no way to hear from potential employers. Did I eat glamorously - no; but this was before I learned about 'prepping'. My late husband taught me about 'prepping'; many say we were 'tin foil hat people' - I am like, not necessarily - I have just learned the hard way how to survive without and preparing better for longer means survival. Keep on keeping on ladies and gentleman - the road ahead is going to have pot holes.
I never even looked for a date on pasta. Before I learned the wonderful world of preservation it sat in the box on the shelf and used when needed. Can't say I ever noticed a difference in a fresh box vs old box.
Tiny little animals like to move into cardboard boxes
I lost all most all of my storage pasta, all kind, please dont leave it in their boxes.
I buy cafe bustelo in the freeze dried expresso.Very good if you like your coffee stronger. You can buy the little boxes for 1.00 1.25 in the little packs to see which one you like the best before you buy the big jar. Great for making iced coffee.
I just don't get not having food on hand. My mom was a single parent. My grandmother lived with us. Maybe because they lived through the depression, we always had food in the house. We went shopping every week, but we stocked up.
As a new bride, I shopped every other week. I always had food on hand. I worked at a grocery store for a while and did see customers, mostly men, who shopped every day for what they cooked that night. I never understood that. By the time i moved to an island, i was a pro at stocking my pantry. I only shop once a month, and I buy bulk online. I'm growing my pantry even more because of what I think may come my way this year. But I love having choices when it comes to food, and I can't hop in the car to grab a bite to eat.
I, unfortunately, learned the hard way that parboiled rice had a shelf life closer to brown rice than white rice. I have some that’s a year old that ok, but much last that it really starts to smell rancid.
Hope that helps someone!!!
Well, here is my shameful response. Yes, it does get to where it smells funky. What I do is put it raw in some water, and swish it around. I do this several times, pouring off the water each time. Believe it or not, even very old parboiled rice is just fine after that. We do this in my family and we are fine. No criticism, please, just giving you another idea.
@ thanks for the tip! I hate to pitch it! I have been cooking some up and feeding to the cats and chickens, doesn’t seem to bother them! But I will try your trick and use up the older stuff.
I just really prefer the texture of that in most recipes. I like jasmine for a few things, but it’s plenty sticky. And I always feel plain white gets “mealy” we LOVE parboiled. I’m glad you shared 😀
buy rice in vacuum packaging. rice is stored for 10 years
@@vidaus-ir-lauko-durys yes-white rice, but parboiled must have more of the
Germ or something, because it does not store as long, even under those conditions, in my experience
Thank you for all of this great advice!! I never thought I'd be unemployed. Then, a certain mandate happened and my pantry got me through. Now I'm gifting my niece and her family w/ cases of canned foods when I visit. Her boys fell in love w/ one of my soup recipes, so I just made 7 quarts and 18 pints (plus 9 pints of broth to stretch it). They are a super busy family (school, sports, work, etc.) on a tight budget and having healthy "fast food" on the shelf really helps out!
The only thing I would add to your list would be in the oil or fats category. Ghee lasts practically forever and it is good for the lactose intolerant. It is not vegan as it is made from cow's milk and is technically clarified butter. I'm in agreement with your list of necessary items aside from the one I mentioned. Everyone needs to be better prepared. I was so happy that I have a working pantry. We had what we needed through Covid, (I live in Oregon) through the 2020 wildfire that hit our area, and then the record breaking ice storm when we were out of power for an entire week. Thankfully I have a wood burning stove that I can cook on. The only thing I didn't have was oil lamps. I have them now. Thanks for the informative videos.
Good morning
I started seriously stocking our pantry 6 months ahead of Bob’s retirement last December. That process had me looking at new ways to store things. All the paper products we use are now stored on the main level of the house - where we need them. I did a deep pitch of closet and kitchen cabinet items to make room for the food stuff we do need/ use.
90% of our dry foods are sealed in mason jars. I don’t like foods stored in plastic as some tend to draw that plastic taste. If you buy saltine crackers you may have noticed they come out of the wax sleeve with an off taste.
Some people may think they don’t eat beans… yet they will eat refried beans. They need to think ahead to buy those pinto beans so they can have refried beans with their meals at home. Less expensive than buying canned refried beans.
Jiff for the Win!
We LOVE ThriveLife powdered eggs. With the price of eggs in the grocery store, we’re finding we use them almost daily. Thrive Life is NOT the commodities powdered eggs we grew up with. As to being the worst TL consultant… I’ll tie you ;-)
Thanks for always providing great information.
Be safe, Be prepared, Be Blessed!
Thank you Leisa! We are impacted with the current snow/ice/freezing rain storm. My power went out at 5AM. I have my pantry stash, along with warm clothes, blankets, etc., to depend on if the power is out for an extended time. My one friend (who also lost power this afternoon ) thinks I have been sucked into doom and gloom because I started to gather supplies. “Why do you have so much water?” The funny thing is that the city just released a “no drink” order for the water; she said she had several bottles of water for her and her husband. I did not even ask if she had enough for their two dogs. My power was restored this afternoon. I will lose some of the fridge & freezer. In the big picture of things, not a biggie. My sister, who also does not “get” my preparedness mission, commented that it was a shame that I lost some food. I told her that part of the reason I was learning to can. To reduce the food that could spoil in the freezer during power outages. I did not say, “I tried to tell you…” but I think they both now might understand. Thank you for all you do! 💕😊
I'm glad you have a plan!
Wise not to go to “I told you so”. Saying such really serves no productive purpose and not saying it might leave the communication door open.
Don't forget about chocolate in all it's forms. I like to make pudding from scratch with clear gel cook type and must have cocoa as the flavor ingredient. I learned to can a couple years ago and have meat and vegetables, fruit. I am a widower so I make my own bread, biscuits etc. I have learned a lot from you.
I agree! Chocolate is an essential pantry item!
This video is so informative! I was just getting ready to vacuum seal a bunch of dried fruit I have. I got several of the cans do dried fruit for making oatmeal cups. But did not want rest to go bad as I’m only using a small amount. Now I’ll put them in glass jars or plastic bags, I’m not sure if one better than other. But thank you. You just saved me a large amount of money.
I just want to thank you for all your suggestions. I have been buying extra food/canning a lot and freeze drying. I am now able to retire early and really focus on the gardens and we are getting chickens and goats. Trying to talk my husband into a couple milk cows. I am looking forward to the new year and our homestead journey. Thanks for all your help. I love Cannuary!!
You are such a wealth of knowledge. You are just amazing. ❤
Just got 18 inches of lake effect over the weekend pantry prepared just stayed home lived off my canned meals just the way it is up here
One less thing to worry about. And yes...I did the air popped popcorn too. Was really glad to have it.
Yes, it can happen. I'm hearing of a report in my state that due to the storm, trucks are not getting through to the warehouses. While we were relatively unaffected in my part of Illinois by the snow and ice (just missed us), the warehouses not being re-supplied are in my neck of the woods.
Long storage pet peeve: items that look canned, even have plastic liss for interim use, but are really in cardboard "cans" that allow air exchange. Treat them like you would same product in paper sack. (Examples, shortening, Pringles, some dried milks, some peanuts and peanut butters.)
I vacuum seal in bags all my pasta, beans, oats and white rice and store them in big ole totes!! I just started vacuum sealing in jars those Hungry Jack's potato shreds from the dollar tree store. I'm able to fit 2 boxes in the jars. 😊
Wow. Ive never told anyone this but back in 1968, I ate popcorn for TWO weeks!! No exaggeration. Well I survived it and I now have a great pantry. Thanks for what you do.
Live in Missouri that big Strom just came, though the store was empty. However, it was kinda a flex not to have to go to the store. We were ready. Now that being said, I will have to go get more ice melt for the snow that on it way Thursday and Friday. Thanks for keeping it real.
I live in North Central Missouri. I learned a long time ago (more than 8 years) to listen to LISA and stock up and do it the right way. Wife and I have been snowed before for over three weeks. We never worry about lack of food.
It won't melt ice, but we use bird seed on pavements. Walking on it crushes it and provides grip, and the birds need it at the same time, for the same reason we do. Can reload parmesan cheese shaker jars to keep in car for when needed too.
@@kitbaker1629Umm.. parmesan cheese?
Fantastic video Liesa. ❤️
I spent 2 days a month or so ago batch cooking and freezing individual meals and gifted myself a month’s worth.
It’s a delight to have a hot dinner every night and I only have to wash the container, no pots, no pans etc.
it was hard work at the time but well worth every minute.
Sounds great!
Saving on washing up is something I never thought about with batch cooking. I feel like I have my hands in the dishwater all day every day. Hmmmm....
Organized the big pantry today to take the inventory and to check preps. Had one seal that failed. I won’t complain. Getting organized in the New Year feels fantastic! Pantry tacos 🌮 for dinner. ‘An animal gave up its life’….exactly Leisa. We do our best to not waste anything here.
❤ I know what what your saying.. As an adult I'm getting rid of stuff I don't use & replacement things we Need .
Water glassed eggs are wonderful way to preserve eggs! My husband puts up 2 dozen on a regular basis following the recommended, very simple steps. He never puts more than 2 dozen together in one container. Farm fresh…collected within 1-2 days and never washed eggs. Pickling lime/ distilled water solution. He has actually eaten eggs that were 12-18 months old. The taste and consistency is the same as fresh eggs. The white may be thinner.
Every time I listen to you I learn more and I find out where I either messed up or gone wrong. I find out things I need to watch like my oil and flour.
I am so glad it's helpful!
My college menus. Free condiment packets from the canfeteria. Sprouts from my windowsill and homemade yogurt. Clearance section at the grocery store. My budget was $ 30.00 a month. But when I look back I chuckle . Because I still make homemade yogurt and sprouts. Save my condiment packets. Still shop the clearance section. But I have a pantry so I dont have to rely on those things only. Thankyou Leisa for all you do to help us with our preparedness. My favorite candies are jolly ranchers and starlight mints. Dove chocolate and caramels. Have had good luck with them in air tight containers. Also if you are gluten free Oatsome flour blend will hold for 2 years if in airtight containers. In a cool dark place. If you can''t find powdered milk . I have used powdered coffee creamer in baking and in oatmeal. Cheese cloth and muslin are great to have on hand. Great for jar covers for gifts in a jar, straining yogurt for cream cheese or pressing fruit for jam. They both are very useful.
I can recommend the caramel candy recipe from the Dining on a Dime cookbook volume 1. It is very inexpensive to make and soft and very tasty. My personal favorite candy (besides fudge) is an inexpensive option like yours--I LOVE Milk Duds!
Been there. Single mom, living paycheck to paycheck, buying kerosene by the gallon for the furnace in my trailer for heat in the winter. Couldn't afford to fill the tank! Eating ramen noodle soup for breakfast and lunch. So i could feed my son. Not enough left for me to eat.
Etc, etc. Took me a long time but I'm stocked for at least 8 months!!
Also just got 5 and half feet of snow from Friday to Sunday this past weekend.. No biggie for us. We're always prepped for that.
I forgot to take meat out of freezer and prep meals in case power went out. Hubby was in a tizzy.. Then i reminded him, we have a ton of canned meat dried as well as other and we'd be just fine. He was then quiet.:-)
Another benefit I find in having a well stocked pantry is that if family comes to visit with little to no notice I don't have to worry about rushing to the grocery store just to have some nice food to enjoy together.
It is always good to be prepared!
I understand the popcorn diet mine was a bag of potatoes and different ways on eating that for however long I could make it stretch.
Mine was top ramen (12/$1), tomato soup (10 cents a can), mac&cheese (10 cents) with one hot dog chopped up in it, toasted bread sliced so the bread was thin with only peanut butter on it, and only water to drink. I lived on this for months. This was many years ago, but you never forget.
I use small canning jars for extra spices I buy in bulk, vacumn pack them and store them in a dark cool place, they retain their flavor and they smell fresh after 3 years. Also, keep your organic flour in freezer, I just used some frozen and vacuum packed five years ago, still taste wonderful.
My white flour lasted 5 yrs in a Mylar bag in a bucket in a dark cool place. Opened it up after 5 yrs allowed it to air for a few days & was perfect
I have a salt collection ..many many different salts...yummy 😊
My local area made the nationwide news because our grocery stores were completely empty because of a snowstorm that hadn’t happened this bad in 30 years. And not only that but we’re in the single digits at night for a lot longer this year when we usually have a week and then go back to the 40’s-60’s. I’m just starting to build my stash. Trying to make sure I can feed myself and my daughter and her family if anything happens.
Thank you - good info! Ive found roasting my own coffee to be way easier than I thought it would be. I do it once a week outside.
Really enjoy your sessions. Thanks for the tips.
I have always been a pantry stocker, but have increased my inventory recently. I find it hard to rotate at my age, so what I do is stock by putting things in a different drawer or shelf for each year. If I don’t have something in the current year I just go to the next year’s drawer. Working so far.
Soya sauce will last forever due to high salt content, so good for long term storage for your rice.
I thought about you today when I was cleaning and organizing my pantry.
I’m glad I popped into your mind!
You can put the crystallized honey in a mixer to make whipped honey. Yum!
Absolutely! It's so good!
I have made Honey Butter by mixing some honey into softened butter. So good on biscuits and cornbread.😋
I have gotten some Walmart 5 gallon buckets with lids food grade and put what I can in them. Yes it helps to know it's there. Now if I have to move spots it's going to be very difficult but for right now I have some food and I'm very thankful for it. Thank You for the encouragement!!😅
2023- 2024 has been very bad financially for myself and my son. My prepper pantry has been amazing. In my small town in Australia there have been times where we can not get things. Instead of having to buy on line and wait 3 to 5 days to receive it via mail and having to pay freight or postage., o was able to go into my pantry and get what I needed. Red Feather butter has been a great shelf staple
I've got a fair amount of Red Feather butter, too, here in the States. I had to order it from a food/prepper supply store online because it isn't an item I've ever seen in stores here. I've always wondered if they make a unsalted version. The cans are really pretty and they last many years, as you know.
I have been using soda bottles (16.9 oz or 20 oz size) to store rice and beans. I rinse them out and let them dry thoroughly. Then I put the rice or the beans or lentils into the bottle; I add an oxygen absorber; and then I crank the lid down tight. The next day I can see that the bottle is sucked in due to the working of the oxygen absorber. Since the bottle it has a gasket in it the bottle stays water vapor proof.
Excited to say I signed up as a Thrive Life consultant! Thanks Leisa!!
Awesome!! Welcome to the team!!
I had my own version of the popcorn diet was 6 for a buck macaroni and cheese. After one month of Mac and cheese . That was 40 years ago and I've never bought another box.
That sounds like a good reason to never eat mac and cheese again!
I lived on Bologna sandwiches in college and two years after! NEVER again!
My FAVORITE pantry gal on UA-cam!
❤️❤️
Curious if anyone is seeing shortages again? Lots of people in my town in Colorado are so freaked out about the bird flu so there panic buying again. I grew up poor so these item have always been staples in my house and always will. Most of it I put in my canning jars and put them on the shelf becuase that’s what I can afford and it’s the space I have. I have cook books to help cook outside and inside those have been fun learning how to make bread from 1700 on a fire. Also for those who can not doing canning you can store a pound of pasta in a spaghetti sauce jar. ❤ happy panty preparing
I love your Essentials!❤Your Videos are always so helpful! I am new to this Journey and from Germany😊 My grandmother had her own garden and cooked everything in glas and also canned a lot. My mom still does a little bit of gardening especially salad, some veggies, herbs and berries. She also makes her own marmelades etc., but way less than granny did.
My urge to have my own grown food was always big and I had a little thing here and there, but with having kids it grown so much, we have a garden in the wood and some near our home. Potatoes is a must, like salad, herbs and berries😋 my kids love eating them from the bush, fresh and raw.
I never did canning, I want to try it bad, but I have very little time, so I try to at least making marmelades, syrups and dried fruits and veggies. I love making fruit leather, my kids love to eat it😊
In our growing pantry, we have a lot of pickeled veggies, fish cans, cocoa, and tomatoes in every form😅 we also have some alcohol like vodka, rum and whisky. It gives some flavor for baking and making own liqueur and chocolate truffels. Great for gifting😉
Lisa, thank you so much for your knowledge!❤
I bought a book on canning, plus I learned what other supplies to have for it. good luck.
I can relate to you eating only popcorn. When I was first out on my own at 18 I would buy frozen pop pies 2 for $1 I survived on them . One time I had one frozen chicken in the freezer at 20 y/o that I ate on for three days before I got paid! We know the lean times but never again! I have much better resources now but I’m stocked up in just in case. You live and learn. 😊
Those lean times can be tough!
Pot pies and Taco Bell bean cheese tacos 2 for a dollar was my first year on my own at 17 go to meals
Ahhh,,,those cheap pot pies. I would still happily eat them!
Awesome information!
GREAT INFORMATION for storing powdered milk, spices, white flour, rice and pasta. I’m saving this video. Thank you Lisa.
I had to retire very unexpectedly in August. Thank The Lord that I have been following and learning from ladies like Leza. I have been stocking up, especially rice and beans. My income has reduced by more than half. I have canning all week, using what I have in my stored up food. Split pea soup is about 30 cents per pint. No ham, I don't care for it. I'm shopping my pantry and pulling up my shelves. Thank you for teaching me!
You are a true inspiration to us all.
I have an ingredient pantry and I have my regular canning closet
I’ve got my husband involved in this. He knows where everything is, so we don’t over buy. He even organized the freezer. I am lucky to have a basement and a second floor. The old guy built shelves under the upper floor steps. This is my working pantry. Anything that needs to be used first comes up from the storage pantry to the working pantry. It’s just the 2 of us and I’ve been canning for 45 years. My kids do know if SHTF they can come over and shop.
It sounds like you have a well-stocked and organized pantry.
In my young years, we survived on popcorn and also white rice with melted butter poured over it and then sprinkled cinnamon and sugar on it.
To this day I am a sucker for white rice with a bit of butter and a lot of soy sauce.
I started out panic buying in November, then I found your channel. Luckily, I bought things I eat, so not too much wasted. I've learned a lot from these videos. Adding to the "popcorn diet" story, mine was past the best-buy date hot pockets, morning, noon, and night, from the store I worked at, as I could get them for free. My boyfriend had left me suddenly and we'd been sharing expenses. I worked at 7-11, so you can imagine the budget. I will never eat philly steak and cheese hot pockets again.
I'm wanting to see if I can nudge the rest of my extended family into thinking about at least a 3 day stock, if not more, so I'm wondering if you can recommend a video you have already made, or maybe can make, an "It's not insane, zombie apocalypse, prepper shit" primer for the not-quite-convinced? If that's a tall order, no worries, I'd just like to help them combat inflation, as they have families and all. One sister works in disaster preparedness, so she's already on board, at least!
We stock Nido Fortificada. I found 2 recipes that call for powdered milk, and I can mix a jar, put it in the fridge, and the kids will happily drink it as chocolate milk. This makes sure it is rotated.
Thank you. BTW I love that old lamp in the background.
Thank you
Power went out tonight for about 2 hours. Pulled ingredients from the pantry and made a yummy pot of soup! A can of chickpeas, mixed vegetables, and tomatoes. Added a couple of potatoes, a quarter of an onion, and a carrot. Finally a pint of hamburger I canned last summer. Yummy!
I was looking at your pantry, and I noticed your shelves. I live in earthquake country.
My biggest concern Is of course breakage. Looking at your shelf units. I can’t help but notice the keyhole bases along the upright. I decided I’ll take Rigid material and put screws that will line up with those key holes. That way I can put a barrier to keep anything from falling off in a good shake. Further, I’m going to put that nubby shelf liner to keep things. From sliding around. I know that people follow your channel from all around the world and I’m sure any number of us have that same problem can’t help but think this method is a little safer than just bungee cord around the side. Thanks for all you do to help us. Stack it to the rafters
So the word is “Be prepared!”
Yep!
Absolutely love you thank you for all the info. I’ve been stocking up since 2020 information. Awesome. I’ve been slacking for a few years, but I think I need to revamp my list. Thanks again.
Split peas, barely, coffee, tea, kids love fruit juices off a can of peaches and pineapple in their tea. Flour, yeast, and a crap load of spices. Plastic doesn't keep as well, so I transfer everything into Jars. I learned my lesson years ago mice can eat through plastic.
Thanks so much for all you do, you keep me motivated 😊
You are very welcome!
I really enjoy your channel. Thank you for sharing all your knowledge. Much appreciated.
You are very welcome!
New subscriber here. I recently moved a long way from town. I love being in the forest but the forest critters are helping themselves to my pantry. Also the shop is now a long way from home. Looking forward to getting this all organised. I've bought jars and canisters and need to get meal planning and stocking a back up pantry. and freezer. Thanks for the educational content. ❤
It is a great idea to plan ahead for living in a more remote location.
Hi Leasa, I just came across your UA-cam page today and throroughly enjoying your pantry building videos and more. I' ve been building my pantry for the last couple years and your videos have been such a help and encouragement to me this morning. Always wondered if I was doing it right and if I was missing things.
Just the first 3 I watch today were very helpful, so I'm hooked. Your 2025 calendar is amazing thank you so much for that. That's a lot of work. Love your witty humor. A fan for life.🙋♀️
I am so glad you found the calendar helpful. It was a lot of work but I think it was worth it.
Lisa: "Quite animal, a gave up its life, don't throw it out.!" YES!!!