BS: What Survival foods?

Subject: RE: BS: Survival foods - suggestions?
From: grumpy al
Date: 25 Apr 07 - 02:25 PM

Wesley,
you didn't like pemmican? you must have very strange tastebuds, or could that be me? I wonder.
Grumpy

Subject: RE: BS: Survival foods - suggestions?
From: GUEST,pattyClink
Date: 26 Apr 07 - 12:17 PM

Eater, good luck with the wheat experiments, sounds rough to me. The whole thing sounds a little paranoid, but you gotta do what you gotta do.

I would look into corn as well. Here in the south a lot of people still rely on home subsistence gardens which feature: corn to be ground for wholegrain cornbread, blackeyed peas, butterbeans, various greens, and the summer vegetables (tomatoes, okra, peppers, etc.)   The corn/bean combination gives a fairly complete protein set you can survive on.   And of course, this corn/bean combo was the root of the Native American diet, with squash as another foundation. For good reasons-- these things are fairly reliable to grow and simple to process.   

You can eat some of the corn fresh, let the rest dry in the field and then haul it to a mill to be ground (there are only a handful of millers left, but I think they will still mill for no cash, just leave part of your corn). Or, mill it yourself in a small grinder as you need it.

As for the cornbread, you might have to lay in some dried eggs or egg whites, otherwise all you need is salt, baking powder, and water. It's better with milk, but not necessary.

Subject: RE: BS: Survival foods - suggestions?
From: GUEST,granny
Date: 28 Apr 07 - 11:53 PM

guest eater freeze dried stays in freezer, dehydrated is left out to dry and will keep along time. Can food lasts for years if stored right. water will also keep for along time. But you can boil if necessary.People had better start stocking up because times are going to get hard.

Subject: RE: BS: Survival foods - suggestions?
From: bobad
Date: 29 Apr 07 - 12:01 AM

Properties of Freeze-dried Products

If a freeze-dried substance is sealed to prevent the reabsorption of moisture, the substance may be stored at room temperature without refrigeration, and be protected against spoilage for many years. Preservation is possible because the greatly reduced water content that inhibits the action of microorganisms and enzymes that would normally spoil or degrade the substance.

Freeze drying also causes less damage to the substance than other dehydration methods using higher temperatures. Freeze drying does not usually cause shrinkage or toughening of the material being dried. In addition, flavours and smells generally remain unchanged making the process popular for preserving food. Unfortunately, water is not the only chemical capable of sublimation and the loss of other volatile compounds such as acetic acid (vinegar) and alcohols can yield undesirable results.

Freeze-dried products can be rehydrated (reconstituted) much more quickly and easily because it leaves microscopic pores. The pores are created by the ice crystals that sublimate, leaving gaps or pores in its place. This is especially important when it comes to pharmaceutical uses. Lyophilization can also be used to increase the shelf life of some pharmaceuticals for many years.

From Wikipedia

Subject: RE: BS: Survival foods - suggestions?
From: robomatic
Date: 29 Apr 07 - 03:49 PM

I dream of a world without weapons, a world at peace.


And I dream of taking over that world, because they wouldn't be prepared!

Subject: RE: BS: What Survival foods?
From: GUEST,Eater
Date: 08 Jun 07 - 09:19 PM

I was doing some work in a remote area today and saw thousands of pounds of grasshoppers. They were everywhere. It's been a wet year, so the grasshoppers are thick. Free protein, I guess, but I mean...grasshoppers. Anyone have any experience or recipes for these delicacies?

Subject: RE: BS: What Survival foods?
From: bobad
Date: 08 Jun 07 - 09:44 PM

Pan-Roasted Grasshoppers

Subject: RE: BS: What Survival foods?
From: GUEST,Gimlet the Delicatessan
Date: 09 Jun 07 - 09:40 AM

Dwarf Bread

Subject: RE: BS: What Survival foods?
From: GUEST,CrazyEddie
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 05:06 AM

Gimlet, can I have some rat (and Ketchup) with that Dwarf Bread, please?

Subject: RE: BS: What Survival foods?
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 07:13 AM

Given the difficulty of stockpiling enough food for a really extended time of scarcity, the obvious plan must be set out in advance, and the critical need is to have the tools and organization within a core group of survivors.

Step 1: Commandeer and fortify the nearest grain elevator. Although no single grain provides a balanced diet, the surplus will be useful for barter with those who have other supplies.

Step 2: Recruit or kidnap the editorial staff at MEN. Based on experience with publishing, the editors probably know nothing very useful except the names and locations of the writers who actually may have useful skills and knowledge. Recruiting the best of these skilled people will be critical. The editors may be willing to assist in recruitment, and their contacts should be used and cooperation should be rewarded. The younger editors can be bartered as slaves once you've obtained what you need from them (if you decide not to keep them).

Step 3: Know the location, and if possible the identity of the operator(s), of the nearest illicit still. The ability to produce a continuous and reliable supply (for barter as well as for self-medication) may be extremely important to your survival.

Step 4: Recruit (or capture¹ if necessary) a Native shaman experienced in sweat lodge rituals. These have medicinal value, but inexperienced people can easily kill themselves attempting to apply them.

¹ Use extreme caution in the use of force. These guys/gals can get pretty testy.

Step 5: Recruit or commandeer the most primitive blacksmith/foundry facility and personnel accessible to your area. You're going to wear out your original set of tools in short order, and will need repairs and/or replacements. Be sure to have a ready supply of welding equipment and gases (arc welders will be difficult to use without power). You'll soon run out of gas, but should be able to convert to more primitive forge operations, using local fuels, quickly enough to work through it.

Step 6: Recruit as many older experienced women with knowledge of weaving, pottery, sewing, and gardening as possible. This may, unfortunately, require good manners, pleasant behaviour, and a few gifts and favors, but there's little hope of applying coercion usefully. Recruitment may be a long process so start as soon as possible.

Step 7: Recruit at least a few wise old men. Engineers of course should be favored for their special knowledge; but avoid those with PhDs (you can't live on equations) or with "management" credentials (you can starve in endless meetings). The useful ones can probably be recruited quite willingly through minor attention from a few agreeable younger² ladies. This step is so important the recruiting should be started immediately.

² [Hint] They're all younger than me.

Step 8: Obtain and study one or more respected Animal Husbandry and/or Veterinary texts published before 1890. Old medical books, even of this era, rely strongly on purchased "back east" medicines, but the vet books are rich in home remedies that actually (according to some reports) worked once in a while.

Step 9: Make some serious plans and get organized.

This should be enough for a start.

John