May 17 2008
Handy Little Calculator
How much food do you need?
Many people, particularly members of the Mormon Church, believe that you should stock one full year’s worth of food. There is even a calculator here to help you decide how much to have on hand to satisfy a year’s nutritional needs.
Obviously, this is not a one-size-fits-all solution. I, for one, am not at a point where I would even know what to do with 600 pounds of wheat berries. It makes no sense to stock food that you do not know how to prepare or will not eat.
But, I will say that the calculator is a good way to start thinking about how much is enough, and what sorts of foods you would like to keep on-hand for your family.
3 Responses to “Handy Little Calculator”
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What - not stocking wheat berries??!!! They could double as ammunition if you were attacked! Or as marbles or game pieces for a homedrawn mini checker board to keep the kids busy (note to self-include sidewalk chalk in emergency supplies. I can’t imagine not having wheat berries!
Anyway, on a more serious note, as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (aka the Mormon Church), I do store wheat berries, because I have learned how to use them and they are very basic. I also have a weekly supply of easy-to-cook shelf staple pantry meals, a 72 hour kit for each family member, and try to maintain a years supply of basic essentials. It has taken a long time to acquire these things, and they need constant updating. My main challenge is to do so while spending within our means. Good luck. Love the easy access to info on this site. Thanks!
I do stock wheat berries, just not huge quantities at this time.
I like sprouting them for a couple of days then making a hot breakfast cereal with them. Yummy.
My point was more that you should have stocks that you know how to use. I’d consider going all the way from a 50 pound bag of wheat berries to home ground flour and home baked bread more of an advanced skill.
Kudos on keeping your family well prepared!
One more thing - you are so right about storing what you eat. For your years supply, you can afford a learning/adjustment curve, since you’ll be using it long-term. But your immediate needs require food you can use. Some peple try to store a one months supply of “normal” foods and slowly incorporate “new” foods into their diet. Wheat berries can be used for a wealth of meals - check the internet - but soaking them in hot water with dried fruit creates a cereal that even my kids will eat (with sugar).
That’s one thing everyone should store - sugar. It may not be good for you, but try getting through a crisis without it!
Keep up the good work,
Jen
http://happyfibrofamily.today.com