The Hard Times Cafe

It takes much fore thought to have a successful pantry stockpile.  Time and resources are certainly involved.  We've discussed a few different ways to had to your stock pile without breaking the bank so to say.  We've talked about how important it is to buy what you eat. 

The golden rule of pantry keeping

1. Store what you eat.

2. Eat what you store.

3. Use it or lose it.

We've discussed how each family is different so everyone's menus will vary but now is the time if your going to change your eating habits, to do it.

I'm a list maker by nature so to make list to me is part of life.  And with a large pantry is almost a must.  I do a list of items I'd like with their quantity and a list of how close I am to my goal with each addition to the pantry  I make.  I also have a chart showing me where everything is stored with the expiration dates thus allowing me to use that which will expire soonest first. 

Your list are also good to help you realize what you might need focus on most.  Obviously if your just starting your going to want to make essentials priority.  Having 5 jars of miracle whip and no tuna to use it with really would be unproductive.  On the other hand having 5 cases of tuna and no miracle whip, well you could still do something with the tuna.  Now the idea thing would be to have 3 cases of tuna and a jar of miracle whip so you have the best of both worlds.  List will help you to even things out.

I cannot emphasize enough to please rotate, use what you buy and replace it.  Time goes by quickly and our minds are poor memo keepers.  You may think that case of soup you bought was just last summer but with as quick as time passes you could find out it 3 summers ago and expired last summer without a properly kept list, without rotation and without use of your storage goods. 

The goal is to have a grocery store in your home to shop from regularly.  When you go to the neighborhood warehouse (grocery store) restock your own shelves from the back to the front.

One thing I believe I've neglected to say on home storage is do not store your plastic containers containing dried goods on a concrete floor.  It can seep moisture into the container from the bottom up.  Always put a piece of wood between the floor and the containers.

Also as in previous post, it is so important what you store your food in.  Keeping food in their original containers can be detrimental to your pantry.  New plastic food grade buckets and lids are worth the investment.

Until next time at The Hard Times Cafe

The Intentional Peasant