Mark the Date an Item Was Opened.

     Everyone that practices emergency preparation and storage usually ends up wondering how long will their supplies last.  The way I answered that question is that when I open a product, such as shampoo, I take a permanent marker and I write the “opened” date on the container.  Whenever the contents become used up, I mark that date down in my record of supplies.  Count the number of days from “opened” to “used up” and there you go! 

     I have used this "opened" date method for accurately finding out how long several of my items actually last.  That enables me to be prepared for specific lengths of time to have my prepping supplies serve my needs.  I suggest that you try doing the same thing to find out how long your own supplies will last.  For example, that shampoo of mine lasted a specific amount of time, but I was the only person using it.  My wife doesn’t like the shampoo I use, so she uses another brand.  Yesterday I used up that shampoo that I opened on the 20^th of October 2014.  Calculating that period of time, I found that my daily use of shampoo in that sized container  lasted me 132 days.  Make note of how many people use the product you are tracking.  That's important information when making quantity calculations. 

 
    Using this method accurately identifies the consumption rate of each product, whether it be shampoo, bar soap, laundry soap, catsup, cooking oil or whatever.  Doing it this way you can plan your preps without having a glut of one product over another.  Your preps will be very much more organized than before.

     I hope this benefits you in your efforts to be prepared for life's unexpected challenges.  Even though they may be unexpected, we know they're coming our way.  It's just a matter of time. 

Have a great prepping day!
Bob Hotaling
preppingpatriot@gmail.com

I Bought These Food Storage Pantry Items Today.

     It seems that accumulating the fruits and vegetables necessary for my food storage pantry is more challenging than I expected it to be.

     Not by choice, I ended up studying best-by date movement or lack thereof on store shelves for at least a couple of years.  I ended up doing this to see what products would actually be beneficial to have in my everyday food pantry that also serves as my food storage.  I was determined to not just amass foods that all had the same best-by dates.  People really need to pay attention to the best-by dates when buying their foods.  Some of Wal-Mart's canned fruits seem to be canned in almost yearly intervals, which is fine, but you just have to space out your purchase so it doesn't become an issue for you to have to deal with.  Somehow, the stores can have three or four different best-by dates on a shelf that has just been fully stocked. 

     I firmly believe in not buying a case of a food where all the cans have the same best-by date.  Unless the best-by date is years away where I know our daily use would exhaust that product before the date came, I don't buy large lots of canned foods.  I also do not buy Manager's Specials when they are selling cases of a particular canned product.  Usually, when they do that, the  best-by dates are getting ready to be met.  People usually end up giving foods like that away or decide to use it until they can't bear to see another can of it in order to not exceed the best-by date.

     I always take my Inventory 3-Ring Binder with me to check the dates on every product I purchase.  Initially I didn’t do that.  I found out that by not taking it and using it for a guide, I ended up buying some foods that had earlier best-by dates than ones I had purchased six or more months ago.

     I share this with you here to hopefully help you avoid that same issue.  Today I went to Wal-Mart and purchased some canned and jarred fruits and vegetables.  I want to share the items and best by dates with you.  Now maybe you don’t use some of these foods.  You still need to watch the best by dates on whatever foods you do buy for your family.

     Here are those products and their best by dates:

 

Green Giant Sliced Mushrooms   -   March 2018
Bruce's Candied Yams   -   December 2017
Polar Sliced Pears   -   April 2017
Luck's Fried Apples   -   May 2015
GV Sliced Pears in Extra Light Syrup   -   March 2017
Dole Tropical Fruit   -   February 2016    

     This information shows that you don't need to stock up on only MRE's or freeze-dried or dehydrated foods.  I have some of those foods as well, but my primary foods are normal everyday grocery store foods.  Simply tracking the best-by dates allows me to successfully accomplish this.

     I hope this information is helpful to those folks that realize the importance of being prepared for enduring any interruption in their daily lives, whether it be from a power outage, a snowstorm, hurricane, truckers strike or whatever else may come along. 

     Stock up on some foods for your family’s protection so you won’t be caught like most of the population will be.  They think the doors to the store will always be open, and if they aren’t, it’s the government’s responsibility to take care of their families. 

Have a wonderful day, and thanks for stopping by!
Bob Hotaling

How long do grocery store foods last before reaching the best by date?

For those folks who are considering tracking the best by date of items in their food storage pantry, this is a partial list of some items and their best by dates that I have recently purchased. 

You may not like the same things that I do, but this list is intended to show that you can get normal food with long best by dates from a regular grocery store.  You don't need all your preps to be MRE's or freeze-dried or dehydrated foods.  It's best to have a good mix so you don't have to get into your long term storage foods for short term events.
 
Happy Prepping!
Bob Hotaling

Food Category	Serving Size/Total	Best-by Date
FRUITS
Apples, Fried w/Cinnamon, Luck's	1/2 Cup	Jun-15
Apples, Fried, Luck's	1/2 Cup	Apr-15
Applesauce w/Cinnamon, White House	1/2 Cup	Dec-15
Craisins, Ocean Spray Original 24 oz. Bag	1/3 Cup	Apr-15
Cranberry Sauce, Whole Berry, GV	1/4 Cup	Nov-15
Cranberry Sauce, Whole Berry, Ocean Spray	1/4 Cup	Sep-15
Fruit Cocktail, 100% Juice, GV	1/2 Cup	Mar-16
Fruit Cocktail, NSA, GV	1/2 Cup	Mar-16
Fruit, Dole Tropical	1/2 Cup	Dec-15
Oranges, GV Mandarin in Light Syrup	1/2 Cup	Jan-16
Peaches, Sliced, in Juice GV	1/2 Cup	Mar-16
Pear Slices, Polar in Glass Jars	1/2 Cup	Jan-17
Pineapple Slices, Dole, in Heavy Syrup	2 Slices	Sep-16
Prunes, California Ones Pitted, Single Wrap	4 ea.	Aug-15
Raisins, Sun Maid in Individual Serving	1 oz./Box	Dec-15
Roland Canned Papaya Chunks in light syrup	1/2 Cup	Jul-16
Very Cherry Fruit Combo, Del Monte	1/2 Cup	May-16
VEGETABLES
Banana Peppers, Sliced Sweet	1 oz.	Mar-16
Bean Salad, Four Paisley Farm, from BJ's	1/2 Cup	Nov-15
Beets, GV Pickled 14.5 oz.	4 Slices	Jun-15
Black Eyed Peas, GV, Canned	1/2 Cup	Dec-16
Carrots, Glory Seasoned Honey	1/2 Cup	Mar-16
Goya Light Red Premier Kidney Beans Can	1/2 Cup	Jan-18
Green Giant Creamed Style Sweet Corn	1/2 Cup	Oct-16
Mushrooms, Sliced, in Jar, Solids and Liquids	1/2 Cup	May-15
Olives, GV Stuffed	5 Ea.	Jan-16
Olives, Pearl's Medium Pitted California Ripe Black	5 ea.	Nov-16
Potatoes, White, New Sliced, GV	2/3 Cup	Oct-15
Sauerkraut, Silver Floss, Barrel Cured, Shredded, Jar	2 Tbsp.	Nov-14
Sweet Corn, Whole Kernel, Libby's Naturals, Non-BPA	1/2 Cup	Dec-16
Sweet Potatoes, Glory  29 oz.	2/3 Cup	Jan-16
Tomato Paste, Contadina	1/4 Cup	Nov-15
Tomato Sauce, Del Monte, w/Garlic & Onions	1/2 Cup	Jul-15
Tomatoes, Diced w/Garlic & Onion	1/2 Cup	May-15
Vegetable Soup, Campbell's Chunky Savory	1 Cup	Dec-15
Vegetables, Libby's Mixed  15 oz.	1/2 Cup	Dec-15
Yams, Bruce's Candied	2/3 Cup	Sep-17
PROTEIN
Beans, Baked, Bush's Best Country Style 28 oz.	1/2 Cup	Jan-16
Beans, Bush's Best Onion Baked, 28 oz.	1/2 Cup	May-17
Beans, Garbanzo, Bush's Best	1/2 Cup	Jan-18
Beans, Goya Premium Garbanzo	1/2 Cup	Jan-19
Beans, Red Kidney, Low Sodium	1/2 Cup	Jan-18
Beef Ravioli, Chef Boyardee	1 Cup	Sep-15
Beef Stew, Dinty Moore	1 Cup	Dec-16
Campbells Chunky Sirloin Burger Vegetable Soup	1 Cup	Sep-15
CB Spaghettios with Franks	1 Cup	Nov-15
Chicken & Dumplings, Sweet Sue	1 Cup	Sep-15
Chicken, Chunky, in Can @ Sam's	1/3 Cup	Nov-16
Corned Beef Hash, Hormel	1 Cup	Feb-17
Corned Beef, Hormel White Label	2 oz.	Mar-18
Dark Red Kidney Bean, Bush's Low Sodium	1/2 Cup	Feb-17
Deviled Ham, Underwood, 4.25 oz. can	1/4 Cup	Jan-18
Ham, DAK Canned, 1 Pound Can	2 oz.	Feb-18
Peanut Butter, Jif Natural	2 Tbsp.	Apr-15
Peanuts, Planter's Dry Roasted,Lightly Salted	1 oz.	Apr-15
Pinto Beans, Bush's Best, in Chili Sauce	1/2 Cup	Oct-16
Ravioli, Chef Boyardee Mini	1 Cup	Mar-15
Sausage Hash, Hormel	1 Cup	Apr-17
Sausage, Vienna , Libby's	3 links	Apr-16
Spaghetti and Meatballs, Chef Boyardee	1 Cup	Oct-15
Treet, Original	2 oz.	Sep-16
Turkey, Chunky, in can @ BJ's	2 oz.	Sep-16
GRAINS
Apple Jacks, 17 oz. Box	1 Cup	Feb-15
Bisquick Heart Smart	1/3 Cup	Apr-15
Cheerios, Plain, Whole Grain Oat Cereal	1 Cup	Jun-15
Corn Muffin Mix, Jiffy	1/4 Cup	Jan-15
Gold Medal All-Purpose Flour 5# Sack	1/4 Cup	Jun-15
Oatmeal, Quaker Old Fashioned, Contains NO CALCIUM	1/2 Cup	Mar-15
Pasta, GV Thin Spaghetti (Blue Box)	2 oz.	Mar-15
Pasta, Knorr Chicken Flavor Fettuccini	2/3 Cup	Oct-15
Pasta, Knorr Italian Sides, Four Cheese	3/4 Cup	Aug-15
Pasta, Knorr Sides, Butter & Herb Fettuccini	2/3 Cup	Sep-15
Pasta, Original Spaghettios	1 Cup	May-15
Pillsbury Bleached All-Purpose Flour 5# Sack	1/4 Cup	May-15
Rice, Knorr Sides Creamy Chicken	1/2 Cup	Sep-15
Calcium Sources
Beans, Bush's Best Canned Navy,127 mg of Calcium in 1 and 1/2 Cups.	1 1/2 Cups	Jun-16
Black Beans, Goya, Can	1/2 Cup	Nov-17
Borden Condensed Milk, has 120 mg of Calcium per 2 Tbsp Serving.	2 Tbsp.	Jan-16
Collards, Glory Seasoned, 357 mg of Calcium when chopped and cooked.	1/2 Cup	Nov-16
Double Q Pink Salmon 14.75 oz.	1/4 Cup	Sep-17
Fish Steaks, Beach Cliff, in Soybean Oil w/Bones.  One can has 330 mg of Calcium.	1 Can	Jan-19
Glory Seasoned Collards, 357 mg of Calcium when chopped and cooked.	1/2 Cup	Jan-16
Greens, Margaret Holmes Mixed, Seasoned Turnip and Mustard Greens.	1/2 Cup	Jan-17
Grits, Quaker Instant, Box of 12, 100 mg of Calcium per Pouch.	1 Pouch	Jan-15
Instant Oatmeal, Quaker Original	1 Pouch	Apr-15
Molasses, Brer Rabbit Unsulphered, 137 mg of Calcium per tablespoon.  137 x 2 Tbsp. = 274 mg of Calcium per 2 Tbsp serving	2 Tbsp.	Mar-18
Quaker Instant Oatmeal Apples & Cinnamon, has 100 mg of Calcium per Pouch	1 Pouch	Jan-15
Quaker Instant Oatmeal Peaches & Cream	1 Pouch	May-15
Salmon, Pink, Double "Q" has 200 mg of Calcium per 1/4 Cup serving	1/4 Cup	Sep-18
Sardines, Beach Cliff, in Soybean Oil w/Bones.  One can has 330 mg of Calcium.	1 Can	May-18
Sardines, Ocean Prince Lightly Smoked, in Soybean Oil w/Bones.  One can has 330 mg of Calcium.	1 Can	Oct-18
Sardines, Sol-Mex, in Tomato Sauce 15 oz. Can.  Has 400 mg of Calcium per serving	1/4 Cup	Dec-16
OTHER FOODS
Argo Corn Starch	1 Tbsp.	Sep-15
Hunt's Catsup No Preservatives	1 Tbsp.	Jul-15
Karo Syrup	2 Tbsp.	Oct-15
Kikkoman Low Sodium Soy Sauce	1 Tbsp.	Sep-16
Lee-Perrins Worcestershire Sauce	1 tsp.	Jan-15
Log Cabin Pancake Syrup w/no HFCS	1/4 Cup	Jan-16
McCormick Mild Chili Seasoning	1 1/3 Tbsp.	Dec-15
Mt. Olive Sweet Relish in Jar	1 Tbsp.	Oct-15
Welch's Natural Strawberry Spread in Plastic Jar	1 Tbsp.	Dec-14
DRINK MIXES
Alpine Spiced Apple Cider	1 pouch	Oct-15
Coffee Mate Coffee Creamer 16 oz.	1 tsp.	Jan-16
Country Time Lemonade Mix	1/8 "Cap"	Mar-16
Maxwell House Instant Coffee	1 tsp.	Aug-15
Nesquick Chocolate Syrup 22 oz.	1 Tbsp.	Oct-15
Nestle's Hot Dark Chocolate Drink Mix	1 pouch	Apr-15
Tang Orange Drink	1/8 "Cap"	Mar-15