Water and Food Storage

Water and food storage are two of the key things we need in case of an emergency. Each time I write a post I hope to reach a few families to get them started in the quest to do what is right and be prepared for the unexpected. Sometimes the news is a bit much and some of it may be untrue, but the reality is this, people can’t depend on the government to take care of us when a disaster or emergency situation challenges us or our family.

It’s a fact, some people have been on government assistance for a short time, and some for years. I personally know of some that have been living off the government for 12-15 years. It’s a way of life for them. Some have health issues, some just can’t seem to keep a job. I’m not judging anyone, I have never had a husband that couldn’t keep a job. Mark was offered several jobs over his career. We were very blessed and we did not take that for granted.

I started working once my daughters started school full-time. Here’s the deal, I was bored and needed to do something, so I looked for a part-time job. The rest is history. This is one reason I decided to teach the world about water and food storage tips to be prepared for the unexpected. It’s my passion because it’s been a way of life for me, and has been since I was very young.

Government Can’t Take Care Of Everyone

But the government will not be able to take care of everyone if a major disaster hits, it’s just not going to happen. So, please gather your neighbors together, if possible, and talk about how you can work together if a disaster hits, and it will. It’s not a matter of if we have a disaster, but when.

We must have food storage and water stored, at the very least. I’m not a doom and gloom person, but I realize what will happen if we have a grid down, as in zero power. And it will happen, I promise.

My Book

If you haven’t purchased my book I highly recommend you get the hard copy. If you have my book, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Let’s teach the world to be prepared for the unexpected. Prepare Your Family For Survival 

Ted Koppel’s Book

Please read this book by Ted Koppel, it will open your eyes as to how unprepared our country is for a major disaster. It is not a fictional book, it has facts that are backed by previous government worker experiences. I’m personally appalled at how unprepared our government is for anything emergency and disaster-related. Okay, I will get off my soapbox. We must be prepared today, not next week, to take care of ourselves. Period. So, let’s get started with a few tidbits today.

Water and Food Storage

1. Water

We need water to hydrate ourselves, cook meals, reconstitute some of our food storage, wash our clothes, wash dishes, and for personal hygiene, at the very least.

Water is critical in order to survive, we will die without water. Now, the American Red Cross recommends one gallon of water per person per day. That is not enough my friends, please store four gallons per person per day, if possible. If we have a major disaster, which I believe is imminent, we will be on our own. If you have a way to purify water that would be awesome, either with a Berkey bottle or LifeStraw If you can afford a Big Berkey with extra black elements that would be awesome.

Thrift Stores or Garage Sales

You can survive if the water you have stored is drinkable. I didn’t buy everything in my food and water storage inventory in one day. I have slowly collected and organized my emergency preparedness items from thrift stores, and garage sales, and I have been blessed to have sponsors send me items to review and show my readers. You can also boil water in a Dutch oven if you have fuel to heat the pot. A Sun Oven uses zero fuel to bring water to a boil. Here again, you must have the sunshine or that purchase would be useless.

Where Can I Store Water In My House?

Here’s the deal, you can store water behind a dresser, under beds, in the garage (2 inches off the concrete), in closets, and behind a couch. Now, there are so many other ways to store water, you just have to be creative and yet still be able to live in your house. I have to have my house “a house of order,” no clutter. But, I must store water, so I had to look around the house for several places to store as much water as I can possibly stash. Here are two places you may want to consider if space is available. One is under a queen bed (56 gallons in WaterBricks), and BlueCans behind a dresser.

Queen Bed

These are WaterBricks, I have a total of 56 gallons under this queen bed. The size I used for storing under the bed is the 3.5-gallon WaterBricks.

Dresser Turned On An Angle

These are BlueCans, my favorite water to store. Yes, it’s expensive, but totally worth the cost since it will last 50 years. If you have a question about the 50 years, please check out this website: BlueCan.com. The cheapest place to purchase these cans is Brownell’s.

2. Food Storage

Food storage is a must to keep our family fed and nourished. I personally don’t worry about the calories in the food I purchase for short-term or long-term storage. Here’s the deal, I buy what Mark and I will eat. Truth be known, we do not count calories today, so I buy the food we will eat. Simple, right? Why buy and store food you haven’t tried before, or food you tried and really don’t like, but think it’s easy to store and use?

Where Do I Start

Here’s my Where do I Start printable I hand out at classes I teach about food storage. It’s simple, you write down what you eat for each meal for seven days. Easy peasy. You don’t have to buy #10 cans for all your food storage. I recommend starting with the basics, the food you eat every day. You don’t need to invest in a pallet of food storage that tastes like cardboard. If that works for you, go for it. It does not work for me or my budget.

Freeze-Dried Food

A freeze-dried #10 can last longer and tastes great. Yes, they are more expensive, but you can eat the food right out of the can. I love freeze-dried fruits and vegetables. Remember, one can at a time. These cans have a longer shelf-life, typically. Every manufacturer states the shelf-life for their respective products.

Dehydrated Food

Dehydrated food needs to be cooked, but it’s less expensive in #10 cans. It also has a shorter shelf-life, typically. Every manufacturer states the shelf-life. They are great for soups and casseroles.

Beans, rice, and baking staples are critical.  If you can make bread, crackers, pancakes, or biscuits you can survive. This is why you need to live in a neighborhood with like-minded people. Hopefully, everyone has the skills to bring to the table when a disaster hits in your neighborhood. Please discuss water-food storage tips with each other.

Bartering Items

Coffee and green tea will be great bartering commodities, trust me on that one.

Cases of Food

Grocery stores’ cases of fruits, vegetables, and prepared cans of food like chili, beans, stews, etc. are great sources to get started too. Just throw an extra can or two in the shopping basket each time you shop. If your budget allows it, buy a case when your local stores have case lot sales.

Final Word

You save money every time you stay out of the store. If you have an extra can in the pantry, yay, one less trip to the store. May God bless you to be prepared with water-food storage and other emergency preps.

Food Storage by Linda