Our General Store
This weekend I was doing some research for an article I was writing and I came across some information again that I had filed at the back of my memory. Several months ago I read a report that stated that grain growing countries were not going to be able to grow as much this year due to weather conditions. The article I discovered this weekend added the concern that those same nations will not be able to borrow money this year at rates they are accustomed to, thus, they will be planting less. Farmers everywhere still have to purchase seeds and in many places water. What this means for us is the possible repeat of what we experienced last summer with the rice shortages. Those did not last long and hopefully this will not either.
Grains are a significant part of our diet and an absolute necessity when we plan for long term storage beyond our three month supply. This week let’s add to our General Store by purchasing grains. Purchase six pounds of grains per person in your family. Last Friday I addressed the necessity of planning for the care of our extended family members during a pandemic. If you have accepted the responsibility for some of your extended family be sure to add them as you calculate how much grain you need to store this week. If properly stored grains will keep many years.
Think variety as you plan. There are dozens of grains, just to name a few; wheat, oats, white rice, brown rice, pasta, cream of wheat, cold cereals, rye, barley, sorghum, millet, buckwheat and quinoa. There are more but that should help you as you think variety. Obviously, this is not a three month supply so you will have an opportunity to add more in a few weeks. This time if you find a great sale don’t think you need to buy variety, just stock up.
How about adding some great grain recipes to our March Give Away Recipes!
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Just a few thoughts that I had after reading the topic for General Store:Grains. I have been adding enough for my family plus one. My Mother in law lives alone and she doesn’t have much family. There have already be a few times the topic of moving in with us has come up. Just wanted to say it may help to be prepared for the unexpected, or expect some extra company during hard times.
I also want to mention to others that it doesn’t help your family if you go out and buy up grains you don’t like or don’t know how to fix. Now is the time to experiment not when you don’t have the resources. I have taken the time to learn to cook with ground flax seed. I have made a few mistakes but found great ways to add to my families diet without changing the taste of the foods we already love. I know flax isn’t a ‘grain’ but is still being added to my storage to help keep us healthy. Thanks for all you do, I’ve learned a lot from you and your site.