Stored Food and Other Supplies - When Disaster Strikes - page 35

be viable after thousands of years. Brown rice, on the other hand, has a typical shelf life of six
months to one year, which may be extended to two to three years when packaged with nitrogen
or CO 2 in properly sealed containers.
Basic Supplies
Here is a checklist of supplies to pick up for stored goods to weather longer term disruptions:
Water, stored supplies, and water-purification materials. Water is the most important commodity.
You can live for a long time without food, but when physically active during hot weather, you may
survive only three or four days without water. (See chapter 8 for detailed information pertaining to
water.)
Wheat and other grains, flours, and beans. These are the easiest bulk materials to store for calorie,
shelf life, and nutritive value.
Grain grinder. Buy a quality grinder for grinding grains into flour. You should have a hand-cranked
or combination hand-and-power unit that works without power, but an electric grinder is much easier
if you use it a lot. It is best to have one electric-powered grain mill and one that operates by hand.
Cooking catalysts and seasonings. Includes oils, shortenings, salt, leavenings, herbs, and spices.
Herbs and spices will provide essential phytonutrients and add much needed variety to the usual
monotony of stored grain and beans.
Powdered milk, dairy products, and eggs. These are good for nutritive value and variety in cooking
options. These items should be professionally packaged by a reputable food-storage company, since
without proper oxygen-reduced packaging, their shelf life will be drastically reduced.
Sprouting seeds and supplies. With a couple of jars, some nylon stockings, and a variety of seeds,
you can eat garden-fresh live foods for pennies a day. I suggest alfalfa seeds, any whole grains, mung
beans, soybeans, lentils, and cabbage, radish, and broccoli seeds. See table 3-3 for detailed sprouting
instructions.
Sweeteners. Honey, sugar, and maple syrup are not essential, but may help sweeten an otherwise
bitter experience. Honey has the advantage of being a natural topical antibiotic. It has been used for
centuries on the battlefield for helping wounds to heal, and will not spoil (to reliquefy crystallized
honey, open cap and heat the honey container, using caution if it's plastic, in simmering or lightly
boiling water).
Canned and dried fruits, vegetables, and soups. Store a variety of your family's favorites.
Canned, dried, or frozen meats and fish. Store these if you will use them.
Dietary supplements. Vitamins and minerals supplement the limited nutritional value of stored
foods. I suggest using quality supplements manufactured from live foods wherever possible (check
your local health food store).
Fuels, lighting sources, camping gear. Camping gear can provide you with portable shelter and ma-
terials for living comfortably if you must evacuate your home (see “Notes on Camping Gear” in this
chapter).
Medicines and first-aid kits.