The Prepping Thread - A Newer Beginning ;)

VJsmum

We have various combinations of Kallax in various places - a 4 x 4 under the stairs, a 2 x 4 in the lounge as bookshelves and a 3 x 1 in the conservatory (i.e. a 2.x 2 and a 1x1 put together).  you can get drawers and cupboard doors for them as well as baskets.  All work very well...

dreaming

Just had to bin 2 bags of flour due to mites - grrr! The flour had been frozen when first bought and then put in airtight containers but just opened a bag and saw the creepy little things so obviously checked the other and it too had them. To be honest I don't do that much baking anymore - flour is mainly used for thickening etc. - so will not replace with big bags of flour. So cupboards now all cleaned out and other foods checked (so far ok). I know some people store flour in the freezer longer term but as I only have an under-counter freezer I am limited for space. I have just read that bay leaves can help keep them "at bay" (sorry - really bad pun) and I do have a bay tree in the front garden so will try that when I get some more. I think I will have a re-think about some of my stores as much of it was built up when eldest (and later her partner) lived with me and some stuff is just not getting used up.  I don't mind eating things for 2 days runiing and will freeze some but again have to think of space in freezer. Condiments are a bit of a problem - I do like to have the usual stuff but even the smallest bottles of sauce etc. sit in the fridge for weeks, possibly months. I am going to look into the cost of buying the small sachets (if they are available) as that might be a better solution and easier to store.  I could do without I guess but sometimes a little squirt of sauce just lifts a bacon sarnie for instance. Car battery is flat and hasn't been charged as I can't get to the bolt that secures it in the car with the tools I have so brother is coming round to sort it for me. He has advised me (told me off!) to back onto my little drive instead of driving onto it. He could have jumpstarted the car then but the leads won't reach as it is - duly noted and good advice for the future. Sometimes it's not about having "stuff" but a little bit of knowledge/experience that helps us feel prepared.

Si_Clist

dreaming said:

 I have just read that bay leaves can help keep them "at bay" 

Good luck with that.  FWIW we tried it a couple of years ago and it made no difference at all.  Pesky things seemed to have simply ignored the leaves and carried on as usual

daz378

Thanks for the heads up about Brexit,  vaguely realised there would be higher prices after  but as added impetus to my prepping,  been gently suggesting to colleagues  , that they buy a little extra    reasoning  long queue s in winter no fun, only gently though for op sec   reasons......think my diabetes might be playing up...couple of thirsty sleepless nights  and pains in back of calfs..... only the odd day  but best getting checked out.....you all take care

dreaming

Si_Clist said:

dreaming said:

 I have just read that bay leaves can help keep them "at bay" 

Good luck with that.  FWIW we tried it a couple of years ago and it made no difference at all.  Pesky things seemed to have simply ignored the leaves and carried on as usual

Thanks for that. Will only be buying the smaller bags from now and may just stick to plain flour as I can add baking powder if I want SR. Just remembered that I had made some bread last weekend with the last of the wholemeal bread flour but wouldn't have noticed little brown things in it (and wasn't looking then) - oops, never mind.

Si_Clist

dreaming said:

... Just remembered that I had made some bread last weekend with the last of the wholemeal bread flour but wouldn't have noticed little brown things in it ...

Think of it as extra protein that cost you nothing at all.  TBH after we found out that our flour had come alive we just stirred it up well, closed our eyes, thought of England and carried on regardless.  As my old grandad always used to say, "Worse things happen at sea" :

GreyQueen

Si_Clist said:

dreaming said:

... Just remembered that I had made some bread last weekend with the last of the wholemeal bread flour but wouldn't have noticed little brown things in it ...

Think of it as extra protein that cost you nothing at all.  TBH after we found out that our flour had come alive we just stirred it up well, closed our eyes, thought of England and carried on regardless.  As my old grandad always used to say, "Worse things happen at sea" :

  Leg-end has it that when we really ruled the waves with sailing ships and cannon, the staple grub (ships biscuit) was usually weevil-y. Noobs used to tap the biccie to make them drop out, old hands told them not to, it's extra goodness that you're wasting.

Well, have been dans le supermarche this evening. Just a Liddly. The chilly rain kept most sensible people at home, the shop was nearly empty and there was no queue to get in.

I got quite a lot of GF bread at 20p loaf (will be frozen) and some more tins for the stash. Just 4, of three different things. Aslo added another couple of pkts of paracetamol. I'm using a lot of painkillers atm, as my surgery is postponed indefinately due to a certain pesky pandemic. Need to keep the supply of those stocked up or life will be very very miserable indeedy.

Am continuing to stock up, on the down-low, a little at a time when shopping by bike. Hope everyone is well (raises virtual mug of tea in your general direction).

greenbee

Sorry to hear your surgery has been postponed GQ. I was very lucky as mine was brought forward 3 months, so happened in January when it should have been in March. I grumbled at the time, but am now extremely grateful. Make sure you're well stocked up for when it does eventually happen... 

GreyQueen

greenbee said:

Sorry to hear your surgery has been postponed GQ. I was very lucky as mine was brought forward 3 months, so happened in January when it should have been in March. I grumbled at the time, but am now extremely grateful. Make sure you're well stocked up for when it does eventually happen... 

  Thanks hun, I'm glad you got yours done before this madness started. My op would have been by the end of July at the very latest, now it's all up in the air. I will jump whenever they are up for doing it, hopefully get it done between phrases one and two of the pandemic. What can one do, other than keep on keeping on?

greenbee

GreyQueen said:

greenbee said:

Sorry to hear your surgery has been postponed GQ. I was very lucky as mine was brought forward 3 months, so happened in January when it should have been in March. I grumbled at the time, but am now extremely grateful. Make sure you're well stocked up for when it does eventually happen... 

  Thanks hun, I'm glad you got yours done before this madness started. My op would have been by the end of July at the very latest, now it's all up in the air. I will jump whenever they are up for doing it, hopefully get it done between phrases one and two of the pandemic. What can one do, other than keep on keeping on?

I gather you have to self-isolate for 2 weeks before your date, and they test you a couple of times too. And you need to think about recovery - will you go back to stay with your parents so they can feed and water you?