Preparing Your Emergency Food Supply -

Details for Preparing Your Emergency Food Supply

ID:	11366
Author:	jackrlandry
Title:	Preparing Your Emergency Food Supply
Article:	There are many disasters that can occur that may require you to have an emergency supply of food that can sustain you and your family for several days or weeks. To help you prepare, there is list of meals that will be great for storage, and a set of guidelines to make for the safest storing environment. Hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, major earthquakes, and extreme blizzards could leave you trapped without electricity for a period of time. If the area in which you live is prone to any of these types of devastation, you should keep an emergency pantry stocked with meals to keep you healthy until the disaster has passed. We all need protein, carbohydrates, and fats to keep up our energy, so be sure to store nonperishable meals that will meet certain requirements. Beef jerky is a good source of long-storing protein. Canned tuna is an excellent source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Canned ham and sandwich spreads can be eaten with crackers. Canned beans are an excellent source of vegetarian nutrition. Peaches, pears, berries, and applesauce are good sources of vitamin C and other nutrients. Along with fruits, canned vegetables are also a good long-term storage option that you can keep in your home. Vegetables, such as beans, peas, and carrots are important to the overall health of the body. Dried fruits, such as raisins, are another way to get the nutrition of fruit in your emergency food pantry. Whole grain crackers are good replacements for bread, and they last much longer. Almonds, walnuts, cashews, and pecans have protein, fiber, and healthful fats. Granola bars are good for sweet treats, as are dry cereals. Cereal is fortified with extra vitamins and minerals and can be eaten dry. Single-serving-sized juice that does not need to be refrigerated is helpful. Make sure to choose 100 percent fruit juices for the healthiest choice. Fruit drinks are a good addition to your emergency food pantry. In case your regular supply becomes tainted for any reason, you should have bottled water stored. A bottle of multivitamins can help supply any missing nutrients. You need to have a can opener that stays in your emergency food pantry - there is no point in having canned food if you cannot open it. Keep bags, backpacks, or other large containers close by. In the event that you have to get out of your house in a hurry, you do not want to have to hunt for a bag to carry your meal. A camping stove or small grill may be used in a safe area to heat meals. Buy single-serving sizes whenever possible, because you cannot depend on refrigeration after the containers have been opened. Make sure to periodically check the containers in your emergency food pantry, so that you do not keep meals that have passed their expiration dates. If you live in the northern latitudes, pack a separate emergency food container and keep it in your car. Choose nuts, crackers, dried beef, dried fruit, and a container to melt snow for water. Keep flashlights, fresh batteries, candles, matches, blankets, first aid kits, and any other emergency supplies you may need. Canned meals are just as nutritional as fresh foods, and they last a lot longer. They can also be a lifesaver for those with little time to cook a nutritious meal. With the potential of a national disaster occurring at any time due to weather or earth movement, it is good to keep your pantry stocked with either commercially or home-canned meals. Be sure to examine meals before consuming. If the can is dented, misshapen, or leaking, do not purchase. Bulging cans are an indication of spoilage and should not be used. Dispose of potential spoiled canned goods in a manner to prevent consumption by other people or animals. For cans not date-stamped by the manufacturer, use a permanent marker to date your canned goods and use older cans first. Although it is not harmful to store meals in an open can in the refrigerator for a day or so, it is still a better idea to store leftover canned goods in a glass or plastic covered container. The can may impart a metallic taste to the food. Remember that canned foods have already been cooked once, so do not overcook them. The liquid also includes nutrients, so rather than draining and adding water, use the canning liquid, especially in soups and stews. About the author of this article: jack r. landry is an accomplished expert in family preparedness and has been giving seminars for over 15 years. he recommends that everyone have on hand an emergency food in case of any emergency or disaster. contact info: jack r. landry jackrlandry@gmail.com http://www.foodinsurance.com
Category:	Recreation: Food-and-Drink
Date:	February 02, 2011 04:03:01 AM

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