How to Make Your Fruits & Veggies Last Longer
Just about everybody loves fruits and vegetables. And knowing how good they are for us adds another positive dimension to eating them.
But there is a downside. If you don’t eat fresh fruits and vegetables during the first few days after you buy them, they usually go bad.
We promise ourselves we won’t let it happen again, but a week later we look in the fruit bowl and see dark brown bananas or soft oranges. Or we open the veggie drawer in the fridge and smell something we know doesn’t belong there.
Today I want to provide you with two valuable pieces of information. The first is tips on how to make your fresh fruits and vegetables last longer. The second is an easy way to always have delicious and long-lasting fruit on hand and ready to eat.
Let lettuce leaves go AWOL
If you buy bagged salad at the grocery store, you know how great it looks when you place it in your refrigerator. But after it’s opened and you use some of it, watch out. The lettuce will start wilting quickly.
A good way to avoid this is by removing the lettuce leaves from the rest of the salad items, washing them off, and placing them in an airtight, zippered bag.
If instead you purchase a head of lettuce, remove the individual leaves and soak them in a bowl of cold water for a couple of hours.
Then rinse them off and put them in an airtight, zippered bag, then place it into the fridge. Your lettuce leaves will stay crisp and fresh much longer this way.
Onions, asparagus & herbs
Onions are another item that can go bad, sometimes even before you use them. To avoid this, chop them up when you get home from the store, put them in a resealable bag, and place them in the freezer.
Remove the bag and grab what you need next time you’re preparing a salad, then return the bag to the freezer.
One of the reasons other vegetables such as asparagus start wilting too soon is because they lack hydration. To offset this, store them upright in a glass with about an inch of water in it. Or, wrap a damp paper towel around the base of the asparagus.
You can do the same thing with herbs including parsley, basil, coriander, dill, mint, and others. If you want to be frugal, you can store leftover herbs in an ice tray in your freezer and pour water over them. Other herbs such as rosemary and thyme can go in an airtight bag in the fridge.
Fruitful strategies
If you’d like items such as tomatoes, apples, pears, melons, avocados, and mangoes to ripen because you want to use them in the next day or so, leave them in a bowl on a countertop where you’ll see them and not forget about them.
But items such as grapes, berries, and citrus should be refrigerated so they don’t deteriorate too quickly.
If you cut fruit and only use some of it for a meal, protect the remainder from softening too quickly with an airtight seal.
Then place that bag or container in the fridge. This will help your fruit last much longer.
Bacteria-fighting vinegar
One thing to keep in mind when ensuring that fruits and vegetables last longer is not storing them together in the same bag or container.
Some fruit produces ethylene gas, which can make vegetables (and other fruit, for that matter) ripen too quickly.
When you get berries and other fruits back to your home from the store – or from picking them outdoors – wash them in a 3-to-1 or 4-to-1 ratio of water to vinegar. The vinegar will help kill any bacteria found on fruits.
Let them dry on parchment paper, then store them in a container with the paper. But leave the lid slightly open to give moisture a chance to escape.
A few more tricks
- For fruit that has not ripened yet – such as apples and peaches – put them in a paper bag and place it on a windowsill.
- You don’t need to wait until you’re ready to eat your fruits and vegetables to wash them off. Do it as soon as you return from the store or your garden and they’ll be ready to eat as soon as you want them.
- Most fruits will last longer in a fridge than in a bowl on a table or countertop. Including apples, berries, grapes, apricots, pears, peaches, nectarines, and cherries.
- But some fruits will do better at room temperature. Such as bananas, oranges, grapefruit, cantaloupe, watermelon, lemons, and limes.
- If you wait a little too long to eat fruit but you’re still not ready to eat it, chop it up, place it in airtight bags, and toss it in the freezer. You’ll want to use it later for smoothies.
Utilizing these tips and tricks to making fruits and vegetables last longer will reduce food waste and help you save money by preserving precious resources.
Freeze-Dried Berry Super Pack
A moment ago I mentioned berries. They are among the many fruits that are both tasty and nutritious. Picking your own berries while hiking is a fun activity – as long as you know which ones are safe and which ones aren’t.
But if you’d prefer a one-stop shopping experience for berries, I’ve got one for you. It’s the Freeze-Dried Berry Super Pack from 4Patriots.
It gives you 96 servings of freeze-dried blueberries and strawberries (48 servings of each) designed to last 25 years under proper storage conditions.
Packed in triple-layer Mylar pouches, the freshness and flavor stays in. Eat them right out of the bag or combine them in your favorite recipes. To cook, just boil, simmer and serve.
Preparedness Notes for Monday — December 12, 2022
On December 12, 2019, the British General Election was won by Boris Johnson‘s Conservative Party in a landslide win with 80-seat majority. Scottish National Party also won 48 of 59 seats in Scotland. — Today’s feature article was penned by SurvvalBlog Field Gear Editor Tom Christianson. — We are in need of entries for Round […]
Recalling the Recent Past… Preparing for a Rough Ride Ahead
When you look back at the past three years, what thoughts enter your mind?
I hope you’ve celebrated some personal joys such as anniversaries, the birth of children or grandchildren, and maybe even retirement.
But it’s hard to overlook the turmoil in the world that has impacted all of us in some way.
Many Americans have had a very rough go of it since early 2020. The pandemic may have made them ill or stolen loved ones from them.
Extreme weather or wildfires might have damaged their homes. Inflation, including rising food prices, may have set them back financially. Water contaminations could have involved additional expenses and inconveniences.
Preparing for the Future is Key
Before I expand upon some of the recent serious problems that have affected us these last few years, I want to remind you that preparedness is the key.
Yes, I realize you’ve heard that from us many times before. But just looking at the disasters that have occurred and how many people found themselves without power, sufficient amounts of food and clean water tells us how important being ready is.
Because many of the problems we’ve encountered recently are bound to repeat themselves. As an example, it’s been a quiet hurricane season so far, but historically hurricane seasons peaks mid-September and weather experts are predicting an uptick at any time.
In a moment I’ll let you know a great way to get prepared for just about any eventuality with just one decision.
Pandemic Invaded Our Shores
National Preparedness Month has launched. It’s a good time to remind ourselves of recent and current events that make preparing for an uncertain future necessary.
Number one on just about everyone’s list for unforeseen events has been the COVID-19 pandemic. After reaching our shores in late 2019 and then exploding in 2020, it has affected all our lives.
The coronavirus infected more than 90 million Americans. And killed over 1 million. It resulted in countless job losses. And seriously damaged the economy.
As more and more people became ill, COVID also disrupted the supply chain. For just about every product imaginable. We’ve all seen lengthy delays in orders we’ve placed, along with extreme inflation & food scarcity.
Extreme Weather Wore Us Out
Of course, extreme weather has also caused incredible amounts of damage over the past three years. As well as loss of life.
The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season was horrendous. It produced 30 named storms (the most on record) and 13 hurricanes. Including six major hurricanes.All told in 2020 there were 22 billion-dollar weather and climate disasters.
In 2021, the big weather event was the Deep South freezeout. Texas and other states faced frigid temperatures. The combination of blizzards, ice storms and tornadoes resulted in hundreds of deaths. And lengthy power outages.
The big story so far this year has been heat waves. Record temperatures have been seen in many places. Adding to drought conditions and destroying the livelihoods of some farmers.
Wildfires Scorched Our Land
The year 2020 was also a record-setting wildfire year in California. And caused considerable damage in seven other western states. More than 9,000 fires in the Golden State resulted in the torching of nearly 4.4 million acres.
The 2021 wildfire season brought more of the same devastation. The U.S. experienced some 45,000 fires, scorching 5.6 million acres of land.
This summer, the McKinney Fire spread to more than 60,000 acres. Mainly in and around the Klamath National Forest near the California-Oregon border.
The fire claimed at least four lives and nearly 100 homes. More than 2,000 people evacuated.
Floodwaters Engulfed Our Homes
About six weeks ago, floodwaters resulted from 8 to 10.5 inches of rainfall in 48 hours.
They resulted in 37 deaths and severe property damage in eastern Kentucky. Parts of Virginia and West Virginia were also affected. Water contaminations followed.
The common denominator with natural and manmade disasters is power outages. This becomes increasingly true as our electrical grids grow older.
The worst year yet for power outages in the U.S.? You guessed it – 2020. But the last two years have been no picnic.
In 2021, Winter Storm Uri and Hurricane Ida produced millions of blackouts. Heat waves and storms this year have also rendered the grid vulnerable.
Patriot Platinum Survival Package to the Rescue
Now, there’s something to be said for making preparations over a number of years. But wouldn’t it also be nice to have a one-stop-shop for ultimate peace of mind? Well, it’s here – your all-in-one survival package.
Let’s face it. You need more than hope to outlast a crisis. And I can’t think of a better way to spell hope than with the Patriot Platinum Survival Package.
This emergency kit features food, power, fire, water and much more. It has everything you need for a crisis. This kit includes 20 of our top survival products. Including two solar-powered generators & 3 solar panels. As well as water purification products and 6 months’ worth of survival food designed to last 25 years.
And get this. Your Patriot Platinum Survival Package is available now for $500 OFF! With 26 free bonus gifts. And on an easy monthly payment plan. But only until tomorrow.
This is your chance to cover all your preparedness bases. And gain the priceless peace of mind that comes with knowing you can handle any emergency. All with just one purchase.
Experts Warn: Inflation Here for Foreseeable Future
All of us are seeing rising prices and shortages in our grocery stores. Many shelves are emptier now than they’ve been for nearly two years. And when you find what you want, the price is higher than it was a month ago.
We’re also seeing much higher prices at the gas pump. And our healthcare costs are rising sharply. In fact, it’s difficult to find anything we need these days that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. Including natural gas, new and used cars, housing rents, insurance, and clothing.
Inflation is happening all around the world. The United Nations estimates that in the past year, global food prices have skyrocketed by nearly 33%. Fertilizer costs have gone up by more than 50%. Oil prices have risen by nearly 66%.
The number of food-insecure people around the globe has doubled over the past two years. And more than 500,000 are experiencing famine conditions. This is an increase of more than 500% since 2016.
Antonio Guterres is secretary-general of the U.N. He warned of “the specter of a global food shortage in the coming months.”
Food a Victim of Soaring Inflation Rate
Here in the U.S., inflation recently hit a 41-year high, with the inflation rate rising to 9.1%. The Fed was expected to come up with another interest rate hike yesterday in an attempt to tame this beast. But that change is unlikely to curb this out-of-control problem in the near future.
In May, consumer prices were 8.6% higher than in May 2021. Food prices were up 9.4%. With some items – meat, poultry, fish, eggs – up 14.3%.
Two-thirds of the food banks in the Feeding America network are facing greater demand than normal.
More than 70% of U.S. consumers report being somewhat or very concerned about shortages and out-of-stock items.
Energy & Gas Prices Rise
Energy prices are up 34.6% over last year. That’s a huge leap. Fuel prices jumped 16.9% in just one month. A gallon of gasoline costs 48.7% more than it did a year ago.
Recently the national average for gas was $4.90 per gallon – 30 cents higher than in the previous month. Of course, in some areas such as the West Coast, it’s even more.
Those energy and gas prices contribute to rising food prices. That’s because most of the food we consume must be transported from different cities or states.
Macro Trends Advisors founding partner Mitch Roschelle said he expects inflation to stick around for a while. Long enough to be an issue in the November midterm elections. And maybe even in the 2024 presidential election.
Healthcare Costs Spiral
One of the many other ways Americans are being hit hard by inflation is in the healthcare arena. For example, the cost of drugs is up nearly 37%.
In 1960, healthcare spending made up 5% of the total gross U.S. domestic product. In 2020, it reached nearly 20%. That’s one-fifth of the U.S. economy. And it’s growing.
James Spencer is a data scientist at GlobalData. He said, “Our healthcare industry is in dire need of financial help. Or a policy restructure to allow it the financial freedom to… respond to our needs… without collapsing.”
Total healthcare expenditures rose to $4.3 trillion last year. That’s according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. That amount is expected to rise to $6.8 trillion by 2030. In other words, the experts aren’t expecting things to improve any time soon.
Food Shortages Also an Issue
Let’s get back to rising food prices and availability. Consumer Brands Association CEO Geoff Freeman says U.S. groceries typically have 5 to 10% of their items out of stock at any given time.
These days, it’s more like 15%. At some stores, the unavailability rate is even higher. That’s due to extreme weather, labor and truck shortages, and the pandemic.
Patrick Penfield is a professor of supply chain practice at Syracuse University. He said, “As you walk through a lot of stores you won’t see the quantity and quality of items you are accustomed to seeing.”
Rising food prices and shortages are not going away anytime soon. That’s what just about every financial expert is saying. We all need to do what we can to prepare.
Foraging 101 – Your First Day at Living Off the Land School
There are two good times to forage for food.
One is now, in order to collect food items you could use both now and during an emergency situation. The other is when you actually need those items due to a crisis.
Regardless of when you do it, you’ll need to know how. And that’s what today’s communication is all about.
This is “Foraging 101,” and I’ll be giving you a test later. Not really, but Mother Nature might test you some day, so it’s best to be prepared.
Knowledge is power
The first thing you want to do is learn as much about foraging as possible. Hopefully this information today will help. But you should also consult online articles and books about the subject.
The most important things you’ll learn from these articles and books is which plants are safe to eat and which are poisonous to humans. As our friend and former Navy SEAL Cade Courtley says, “Knowing what you can and cannot eat could save your life.”
Look for field guides with detailed photos and descriptions so you’ll be able to identify the plants you are considering gathering and eating.
Among books you may want to check out are The Forager’s Harvest by Samuel Thayer, Food for Free by Richard Maybe, Identifying and Harvesting Edible and Plants in Wild (and Not So Wild) Places by Steve Brill and Idiot’s Guide to Foraging by Mark Vonderbruggen.
You might also want to keep a journal as you’re foraging, listing which items you’ve chosen to gather (and which ones you haven’t) and why. Try to list both the common names (such as hemlock) as well as the Latin names (such as Conium maculatum and Tsuga canadensis).
Where two or more are gathered…
Finding a foraging partner or two will also make the activity more enjoyable. I’m guessing you have at least one family member, friend or neighbor interested in preparing for the future.
Each of you will have a different skill set and knowledge base, so you can help each other out along the way.
Some of them might be able to guide you toward places where the gathering is good. And where it’s not. Or vice versa. Either way you’ll be gathering food that is healthier for you than what you’ll buy in stores. Not to mention free.
Eventually you’ll be able to get to the point where you can identify plants not only by sight, but perhaps by smell and feel as well. You’ll also learn that some plants are often found near others. For example, yellow dock and pokeweed are frequently located in the same area.
Once you’ve gathered items you want to cook and eat, swap recipes with your partners and maybe even enjoy a meal together. Many wild foods are much richer in essential vitamins and minerals than what you can purchase.
Start slowly and progress
Don’t try to do too much too soon. You want these foraging experiences to leave a good taste in your mouth – figuratively and literally – and that might not happen if you overdo it and come back exhausted and sore.
Start with the easy-to-find foods such as dandelions, berries and sagebrush. They’re easy to recognize.
Get to know the area where you’re foraging with several trips there before staking out new territory. There are many native edible plants in most areas. You’ll learn that certain parts of some plants are fine for eating, but others are not.
Don’t forage for plants too close to busy roads. They may absorb lead and other toxins. Also avoid areas where pesticides have been sprayed. Try to learn the water source for the plants you forage. Stay away from plants too close to standing water.
You’ll probably find great places to forage near your home. As the seasons eventually change, you’ll see new foods you didn’t see before. But remember not to uproot plants. In some areas this is illegal. Take only the flowers and leaves.
Freeze-Dried Berry Super Pack
Foraging is fun. Think of it as a combination of hiking and gardening. Get good at it and you’ll be able to live off the land.
Earlier I mentioned berries. They are a great source of tasty nutrition. Now, picking berries can be a lot of fun. But if you also want a one-stop shopping experience for berries, here it is.
It’s the Freeze-Dried Berry Super Pack from 4Pariots. It gives you 96 servings of freeze-dried blueberries and strawberries (48 servings of each) designed to last 25 years.
Packed in triple layer Mylar pouches, the freshness and flavor stays in. Eat them right out of the bag or combine them in your favorite recipes. To cook, just boil, simmer and serve.
May 2022 in Precious Metals, by Steven Cochran of Gainesville Coins
Welcome to SurvivalBlog’s Precious Metals Month in Review, where we take a look at “the month that was” in precious metals. Each month, we cover gold’s performance and the factors that affected gold prices. What Did Gold Do in May? May was an extremely volatile month for most assets, and gold was no exception. Inflation […]
How Will You Stay Cool When the Power Goes Out?
If you had to experience a power outage of several days, which season of the year would you choose?
I think most of us would select fall or spring. That’s when temperatures are generally less extreme. Your home would probably not become unbearably cold or hot during an outage in those seasons.
But what if the blackout had to occur in winter or summer? Which of those two would you choose? This would probably depend on where you live. In northern states, you’d rather have a summer outage. In southern states, you’d choose a winter outage.
But no matter when or where an outage occurs, it’s inconvenient at best and dangerous at worst. According to the CDC, approximately 400 Americans die each year from summer heat. At the very least, food would likely spoil during a blackout.
Outage causes and responses
With warmer weather making its presence felt in the U.S. – and with plenty of hot weather on the way – today I want to discuss how we can keep ourselves cool during a power outage.
Spring and summer lend themselves to power outages. Due to extreme weather that often occurs during those seasons. Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes invariably cause blackouts.
Even excessive heat can do it. In fact, it’s the number one weather-related killer. That’s according to the National Weather Service. Sometimes power comes back in a few hours. Other times outages last much longer.
In addition to finding ways to stay cool, you’ll want to report the outage to your electrical utility. And turn off electrical appliances.
Also, unplug major equipment. Including air conditioning units, computers and televisions. When power is restored, it can come back in surges. And that can damage electronics.
Ways to chill in a blackout
Here are some specific ways to stay cool during a power outage from safeelectricity.org and other sources.
- Dress in loose, lightweight clothing. This allows for airflow between your skin and the material. Organic fibers such as cotton and linen are the best choices. Lighter-colored clothing will reflect, rather than absorb, light and heat.
- Stay on the coolest, lowest level of your home as much as possible. Close off the hotter rooms of your home. Place a towel at the bottom of the door to keep warm air from seeping through.
- Use natural ventilation to cool homes and consider purchasing battery-powered fans.
- Wait until evening to use a generator to power heat-generating appliances.
- Avoid physical labor as much as possible. Any such activity should be reserved for the cooler portions of the day.
- Drink plenty of water and avoid heavy meals. As well as caffeinated drinks and alcohol. If you’re perspiring, drink fluids containing electrolytes.
- Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. A freezer that is half-full or full can keep foods frozen for 24 to 48 hours. Food can stay safe in an unopened refrigerator up to four hours. If an outage lasts longer than four hours, remove and pack meat, milk and other dairy products in a cooler with ice.
- Use safe alternative food preparations. A barbeque grill is an excellent way to prepare food. Always grill outside.
- Keep a first-aid kit in your home and in your car. Make sure it includes scissors, tweezers, safety pins, aspirin, eyewash, and rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide.
- Close all drapes and blinds on the sunny side of your residence.
- If the temperature is cooler outdoors than in your home overnight, open some windows to let cooler air in. Hang a damp towel against that open window. Air will cool as it passes through the damp fabric, cooling the room somewhat.
- Take a cool shower at least once a day. And don’t be in a hurry to dry off. The water will cool your body temperature as it evaporates.
- Take your family and pets to a basement or other cool location if you have one. Also consider going to an air-conditioned public place during the hotter daytime hours. Such as a movie theater or shopping mall.
Finally, check on friends and relatives – especially children, seniors, and those with medical conditions or disabilities. Some of them may need to seek emergency cooling shelters.
Breezy Cube Portable Air Cooler
Your first choice for staying cool in warmer months is probably your air conditioner. But during an outage, you won’t be able to use it. You need an alternative.
And that’s exactly what the Breezy Cube Portable Air Cooler from 4Patriots provides. This new wireless device features a powerful fan and cooling mister that will keep you comfortable during a blackout.
Weighing less than two pounds, it’s very portable. You can easily move it with you from room to room.
The 4,000 mA battery is easy to recharge. And it couldn’t be simpler to use. There are only two buttons.
How To Survive A Nuclear Bomb | 7 Things You Need to Know
Nuclear bombs are some of the most devastating weapons of mass destruction known to mankind. Learn how to survive a nuclear bomb attack and be prepared for one with this handy how-to guide. RELATED: Underground Bunkers | What You Need to Survive It All How to Survive a Nuclear Bomb | A Handy Survival Guide 1. […]
Do You Remember Winter Storm Uri?
The high temperature in Houston, Texas one year ago today was 72 degrees. No one enjoying the splendid weather in the Deep South that day had any idea what was coming.
But then a major winter and ice storm swept into the South. And then raced east and north. Named “Winter Storm Uri” by the Weather Channel, it caused unprecedented damage.
Nearly 10 million people in the U.S and Mexico lost power during the February 13-17 extreme weather event. More than 170 million Americans were placed under a variety of winter weather alerts. They were issued by the National Weather Service.
America had not seen so many blackouts caused by one storm since 2003. It was the costliest winter storm on record ($195 billion in the U.S.). And it resulted in more deaths (at least 237) than any storm since 1993.
Bone-Chilling Cold
For many in Texas and other parts of the South, the record cold was crippling. And life-threatening. Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas experienced temperatures not seen in decades. Thanks to the southern migration of the polar vortex
On February 15, 2021, it was colder in Houston, Texas than in Houston, Alaska. And Oklahoma City experienced its coldest morning since 1899.
With no power to heat homes, water pipes froze and burst. Icicles hung from kitchen faucets in Houston. Ambulances in San Antonio were unable to meet the demand.
Galveston officials called for refrigerated trucks. Their purpose? To hold bodies they expected to find in homes without power.
Grid Was Minutes From Failing
On February 14, Texas established a winter peak demand record for electricity. Temperatures fell into the single digits. Or lower in some areas.
In Houston, warming centers were forced to close because they lost power. Walmart closed more than 350 stores in Texas and other states. The Texas grid simply was unable to provide needed power.
Temperature drops increased the demand for electricity. But cold and ice kept the supply of energy – especially natural gas – from being delivered.
U.S. Representative Marc Veasey of Texas said an industry executive told him this. The power grid was minutes from failing on February 15. Only rolling outages saved it.
Severe Cold = Power Outages
A record-low temperature of minus-2 degrees was recorded at the Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport.
Much of the power equipment in Texas was not winterized. So widespread power outages occurred.
Des Moines, Iowa recorded a temperature of 17 degrees below zero on February 16. It was 30 below in Hastings, Nebraska.
In Little Rock Arkansas, the temperature plummeted to minus-1 degree. That was the coldest day since 1989. It was 20 below in Fayetteville.
Storm Moved East
As the storm moved east, Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas and Alabama were hit hard as well. More than 109,000 lost power in Louisiana. Over 60,000 in Mississippi suffered blackouts.
Other states were also struck. People in Kansas were urged to conserve energy as a state of disaster emergency was declared.
The unprecedented demand for electricity strained Oklahoma’s electrical grid. And its natural gas infrastructure.
The storm even caused damage and injuries in Georgia and Florida. Including from tornadoes spawned by the storm.
Overall, power outages were reported in 15 states. Including North Carolina, Kentucky and West Virginia. Plus Virginia, Tennessee, Indiana and Ohio.
Icy Roads Impassable
Not surprisingly, countless drivers were affected. Accidents and icy roads led to Interstate 10 being shut down. Between Baton Rouge and Lafayette, Louisiana.
Across seven Louisiana parishes, nearly every major road was closed in both directions. Due to icy roadways.
Prior to the closures, there were numerous accidents. Including a 14-vehicle pileup involving three jackknifed semi-tractor trailers.
In Mississippi, ice was reported on roads and bridges in 66 counties. Traffic was at a standstill in many places. Due to accidents and vehicles sliding off roads.
In northern Alabama, a 20-vehicle pileup blocked both directions on U.S. Highway 231. Houston police were trying to deal with 134 traffic crashes.
Snow Coverage Set Record
By February 16, nearly 75 percent of the lower 48 United States was blanketed in snow. That was the highest percentage since NOAA began tracking it in 2011.
Even in areas of the country where cold weather is the norm this time of year, roads and schools were closed. Flights and sporting events were canceled.
Many who experienced power losses shivered at home. Or tried to find open warming centers.
It was warm enough in part of the Southeast to avoid snow. But large hail, damaging winds and five tornadoes affected five states.
Are You Ready for Another Uri?
So, what’s the point of rehashing this monumental weather event one year later? The point is to remind you that it could happen again. Anytime and anywhere.
Simply put, people who are prepared for extreme weather with backup power and other supplies are much better able to deal with an emergency.
We’ve already had considerable weather problems just in the last few weeks. Maybe there won’t be another Winter Storm Uri this month. But maybe there will be. Are you prepared for it?
You will be with the Patriot Power Generator 1800 from 4Patriots. It’s designed to provide electricity for important devices and equipment during a power outage or disaster situation. From your phone to a space heater. From your fridge to a CPAP machine.
This generator has two outlets and four USB ports. And can power almost any device that would typically plug in. It also comes with a 25-foot long extension cord. That way you can easily place the solar panel outside while keeping the generator inside.
It weighs only 40 pounds. So, it’s small enough to take anywhere and store discreetly. And you can daisy-chain additional solar panels for even more power and faster charging. It operates quietly and produces no emissions. So it’s safe to use indoors.
Imagine the peace of mind you’ll have when you get your own solar generator. If a crisis hits and your family asks, “When will the power come back on?”, you’ll reassure them that they’re safe. And that they’ll have plenty of electricity to power critical items.
Top Food Choices for When the Power Goes Out
We may be scattered across the country from each other, but we’ve all experienced the same thing at one time or another. Or perhaps many times.
The electrical power goes out. And there’s no telling when it might come back on. If you don’t have a generator, or there are other things you need to power up with your generator besides your refrigerator, you have some food decisions to make.
Such as what you can safely eat and drink before those foods and beverages go bad. Now is the time to take a quick peek in your refrigerator to see if you have enough for a couple of meals.
But don’t keep your refrigerator door open too long. The last thing you want is to allow warm air into a refrigerator that is already slowly losing its ability to cool food.
Fridge first, then pantry
Next on your agenda should be determining what’s in your pantry. And what kind of meals you can make without power.
Because once again, you don’t know how soon power will be restored. This will be easier because most of the items in your pantry have longer shelf lives than those in the fridge.
While canned food is not a great long-term survival food plan, it doesn’t hurt to have some canned food available.
It won’t taste as good as your freeze-dried survival food. And it definitely won’t last as long. But it has its place in a food pantry.
Canned food serves a purpose
Among the canned food you might want to keep in the pantry are vegetables. Such as corn, peas, chickpeas and green beans. Plus black beans, lima beans, carrots, beets and others.
You can also include canned fruit in your pantry. Such as apricots, peaches and pears. As well as Mandarin oranges, pineapple, cherries, grapefruit and mixed fruit.
For additional protein, include a variety of meats in your canned stockpile. Such as chicken breast, cured ham, corned beef and roast beef hash. Plus Vienna sausages and spaghetti and meatballs. As well as fish including tuna, salmon and sardines.
Soup is another canned staple you should have. Such as chicken noodle, tomato and vegetable. And squash, mushrooms, beans and lentils. Stew is another canned item. Including beef pot roast, beef barley and vegetable beef.
And don’t forget to keep a manual can opener on hand. You’ll feel pretty silly if you have 50 cans of food and no way to open them because the power is out.
Other non-perishable choices
There are plenty of other foods you can keep in your pantry that don’t come in cans. They do come in handy, however, when you’re hungry and the power is out.
Boxed food such as cereal won’t last too long. But it should be fine for the duration of most power outages. You should also have plenty of protein and fruit bars on hand. As well as dried fruit, granola bars, peanut butter and other nut butters.
But hold off on most of those items until you’ve consumed any fresh fruit and breads you have on your counter or kitchen table. They’ll go bad first, so eat them before that happens.
As far as beverages are concerned, drink your refrigerated milk first, then your canned juices. Keep some non-perishable pasteurized milk or non-diary milk around as well.
How long until food spoils?
Getting back to your refrigerator for a moment… If a power outage continues for several hours or more, how do you know how long your food will stay good?
As a general rule, an unopened full freezer can keep foods safely frozen for about 48 hours. Most food in a refrigerator will remain safe for about four or five hours.
A food thermometer will allow you to check the internal temperature of meat. It should be 40 degrees or lower.
And remember this slogan: when in doubt, throw it out. You’re better off being hungry until the power comes back on than being sick for days afterward.
Shake it up with this meal replacement
Choosing a meal replacement during a power outage can be difficult. But here’s an easy selection I’d recommend.
It’s the 4Patriots Survival Shake Kit – Chocolate. I’m willing to bet you’ve never had a survival drink that tastes this good.
You get 32 servings in one kit, designed to last 20 years. This quick energy and nutrition provider gives you 29 grams of protein and 480 calories in one serving.
It may be the easiest food preparation you’ve ever experienced. All you do is add water and shake. Then enjoy a creamy, malted milkshake flavor.
The 4Patriots Survival Shake Kit is made in the USA, ships from the USA and comes directly to your door. With free shipping in the 48 contiguous states.
It comes in “disaster-resistant” packaging. And in convenient, stackable boxes. Keep some at home, some in your bug-out bag and some in your car. It’s perfect for emergencies. Or anytime you get a craving for a delicious chocolate shake.
Just writing about it makes me want one!
