Stepping On Cracks: July 2015

A hoarding practicum

This installment is a core element of our Disaster Readiness strategy. Again, I don't propose dedicating a closet or wall of your garage to stockpile emergency gourmet rations (though you could do that also), preserved and packaged foods that expire and need replacing in five or ten years. Instead, endeavor to make only a slight lifestyle change: Simply buy and store more of what you like to stock up anyway for day-to-day consumption. And with just a little know-how, many of these things prove useful for two or more purposes… at least, MacGyver would say it is so.

Of course, it's the dual-use and healthy stuff that you want to double up on (in storable form; multi-uses noted also); something like the following:

Week one:

olive oil (cooking, heat/light fuel, medicine)

toilet paper

oatmeal, pre-cooked (skin cleanser, medicine)

honey (sweetener, antibiotic)

powdered milk (yogurt-making)

Week two:

baking soda (cleanser, medicine)

brown rice (hot compress)

toilet paper

dried pinto beans

Week three:

toilet paper
coconut oil (fuel, medicine)

quinoa

toilet paper

crackers

Week four:

corn starch (cleanser)

packaged tuna

popcorn (insulation)

toilet paper

Get the idea? And surely you notice my obsession with good ol' TP. Reason is twofold. First, it is an item that runs out readily-from retail store shelves during a natural disaster and from a home full of guests (refugees?). Seems we can never buy enough. Second, toilet paper is the sort of thing that may prove inordinately valuable for trade with desperate neighbors as stores run dry of everything most useful. Soap is another -like cigarettes, fuel or matches in wartime- valued higher than cash or gold coins for barter. And don't go cheap: preferably the premium two-ply, ultra-soft, jumbo sized rolls (referring to toilet paper, of course).

Make sure everyone understands your system to rotate home stock from back to front. I am listing stuff that tends to last when properly sealed. But even TP is perishable, eventually. Those grain moths and roaches may not appreciate the Charmin; but silverfish and termites do. To them it’s good as angel food cake. So get everyone in house on board to grab the oldest packages first.

Too bulky? Get creative: Repurpose dead space under beds, on top of cabinets, behind fake walls. Consider wedging bulk packages of TP up between rafters in the garage (clearly marked with date purchased) to serve meantime as extra insulation.

You could even make a list… if you really like lists, specifically of items having dual-use or emergency-use value that can be stocked up extra. (Future posts to this blog will feature many of those to print and keep in your off-grid Readiness Box.) Make your inventory in a format easy to reference and update frequently and print off handy shopping lists. Build your surplus gradually, so the spouse hardly notices extra expense. But make sure you restock after that family reunion over Christmas holidays.

Below is my own listing of perishables for starters...

Perishables:

Pantry (non-refrigerated):

baking soda

baking mix, or make your own:

wheat flour

baking powder

(baking soda & cream of tarter)

shortening powder

buttermilk powder

powdered eggs

sugar

salt

vegetable shortening

cooking oil

butter

corn starch

sourdough

white vinegar

apple vinegar

white sugar

brown sugar

powdered milk

powdered eggs

cocoa powder

coconut oil

honey

maple syrup

oatmeal, precooked

soy sauce

instant soups

dried fruits & vegetables

raisins

banana chips

apple chips

coconut

tomatoes

potatoes

mushrooms

pinto beans

rice

powdered greens

(complete protein: moringa, spirulina, azolla)

noodles

spices

popcorn

corn meal

salami

pickles

packaged tuna

canned chicken

crackers

tortilla chips

nuts

chocolate chips

cheese

quinoa (gluten-free, complete protein)

powdered chocolate mix

powdered lemonade (or other flavor)

instant coffee

instant tea

lemon juice (or fresh lemons)

Medical & hygiene:

prescription medicines

aspirin

ibuprofen

antibacterial ointment

cortisone cream

sterile cotton bandaging

ace bandaging

sterile tape

tweezers

needle

suture thread

super glue (dermal adhesive)

liquid bandage

scissors

nail clippers

fine tooth comb

decongestant

rubbing alcohol

hydrogen peroxide

liquid hand soap

shampoo

portable toilet solution

witch hazel

distilled white vinegar

ammonia

boric acid (eye wash)

liquid bleach

aloe vera gel

petroleum jelly

liquid Castile soap

Fels-Naptha laundry bar soap

epsom salts

baking soda

corn starch

borax

moist heat pad

instant cold pack

sealed tooth brushes

floss

tooth paste

deodorant

essential oils (lavender, lemongrass, etc.)

Feel welcome to copy and paste this list into your favorite task manager or checklist utility. Google Keep works good. And refer back later for my updates. Of course, you will want to customize your own list. Do your own research online to compare lists of other "pantry preppers", as well as multi-use ideas:

25 Must Have Survival Foods
Unexpected Uses For Your Leftover Coffee

More ways to store spare toilet paper: