20 replies to this topic

[Adalaide]

A note in addition to everything Takala said, which is all good advice. Make sure you keep your emergency kit where you can get to it. If, under the worst circumstances roads are really bad and you slide off the road and other people are too, you don't want to be getting out and fishing in the trunk. You want to be able to get to your stuff from inside your vehicle. I do agree that having a 4WD is a good idea, especially in CO, but if you have never driven one before or a larger vehicle wait to buy one until weather is better. Get comfortable with it during good weather so you won't be driving something you aren't particularly comfortable behind the wheel of in the snow. Better you are driving a car you are comfortable driving than an SUV or truck you aren't. I drove a small Escort for many years in PA and have never been in an accident. Also, yes, an emergency kit for all seasons is truly essential. If you break down in the middle of summer and have to to walk somewhere or wait for help in blistering heat you'll be grateful for that 90 degree water stored in the back seat, no matter how hot it is when it hits your mouth.

[Juliebove]

I always keep stuff in the house to make soup. Back when I could eat chicken, I would use chicken broth, canned chicken, celery, onion, carrot, peas go well with this too, and either some rice or pasta. I can't have chicken now so... I would use either tomato juice or V8 or if I have none in the house then watered down tomato sauce and then whatever veggies I have in the house. Maybe some rice or pasta.

But probably my favorite quick meal is three cans of beans (different kinds), one can of corn and a jar of salsa. You can drain the beans or not, depending on how soupy you like your chili. The original recipe was just this. Heat through and serve over rice. But I like to Dr. things up and I will usually add some onions, cilantro if I have it and chili powder.

I also always keep refried beans in the house and will eat them warmed up with tortilla chips or as tacos either in taco shells or warmed tortillas. I just really love beans!

For this coming week, I'll cook up a package of dried beans. And I'll make some Spanish rice. Normally I would have cooked ground beef in the freezer but we just ate it all. But I do have chopped onion and bell peppers that I bought when cheap and froze them.
So the night before I will just take some of those out to defrost. Then all I'll have to do is brown the meat, add it to the rice and seasonings (salt, chili powder and salsa), add water and the veggies and cook. I use brown rice. It's a very easy dish and it will make a lot so we can eat it for several days.

[Em314]

Excellent advice. I always keep an emergency kit in my Jeep, year round. I simply keep seasonally appropriate stuff. And always always always a book, yes! I like to keep fruit snacks and since it isn't that big a deal with the nuts for me, things like Trio bars or Kind bars. I also keep a Mio or a box of those powdered single water flavor packets because I can't stand plain water. Yes, kind of snobby to think that even in an emergency I'd want flavored water but whatever. At least I'm honest with myself. Oh my gosh, a house without Chex is hardly a house! That would be almost as bad as a house without Pebbles. Have on hand at all times: Chex, peanut butter, powdered sugar, chocolate chips. Also probably Pebbles, butter (or some such) and marshmallows. Who needs meals when you have have muddy buddies and krispy treats!!!

And now for an extreme tangent: ...how did I miss that Pebbles are gluten free??? Thank you, Adalaide!

[GFreeMO]

We are going to get over a foot of snow between now and Wed night! I will be taking all of your tips to heart!! Lets hope that I don't fling myself off a mountain or end up in the river!

[GFreeMO]

I always keep stuff in the house to make soup. Back when I could eat chicken, I would use chicken broth, canned chicken, celery, onion, carrot, peas go well with this too, and either some rice or pasta. I can't have chicken now so... I would use either tomato juice or V8 or if I have none in the house then watered down tomato sauce and then whatever veggies I have in the house. Maybe some rice or pasta.

But probably my favorite quick meal is three cans of beans (different kinds), one can of corn and a jar of salsa. You can drain the beans or not, depending on how soupy you like your chili. The original recipe was just this. Heat through and serve over rice. But I like to Dr. things up and I will usually add some onions, cilantro if I have it and chili powder.

I also always keep refried beans in the house and will eat them warmed up with tortilla chips or as tacos either in taco shells or warmed tortillas. I just really love beans!

For this coming week, I'll cook up a package of dried beans. And I'll make some Spanish rice. Normally I would have cooked ground beef in the freezer but we just ate it all. But I do have chopped onion and bell peppers that I bought when cheap and froze them.
So the night before I will just take some of those out to defrost. Then all I'll have to do is brown the meat, add it to the rice and seasonings (salt, chili powder and salsa), add water and the veggies and cook. I use brown rice. It's a very easy dish and it will make a lot so we can eat it for several days.

Thanks for the ideas!! I love the the beans idea. Your post is making me hungry.

[Adalaide]

We are going to get over a foot of snow between now and Wed night! I will be taking all of your tips to heart!! Lets hope that I don't fling myself off a mountain or end up in the river!

Don't fret, the storm is so fizzled it is pathetic. They said we'd get over a foot too. Psh... inches, just inches. Done snowing here though so it is ON ITS WAY!

Get to the store today and you won't be flinging yourself off any mountains. Don't forget the Chex, Pebbles, and other goodies to make treats with. Oh right... and my margarine, butter type thing I use is the one with flax in it. Because in my head it sounds healthier. Anyway, it makes amazing treats.