How Are You Preparing For The Economic Collapse?

[GregC]

Supposing that the US dollar totally collapses and we are forced to fend for ourselves with no more markets available for all the frilly gluten free health foods we eat? {yeah worst case scenario, but it COULD happen}.What are you all going to do to keep from eating stuff like BREAD or gluten ridden foods that are the only thing available if things hit the fan? I am kinda scared at this fact mainly because I get sick from Soy and Milk products too so I am tripled screwed in this scenario. As you can imagine gluten-free foods will be of no longer importance when regular bread might be the only thing we can get.{think, great depression bread lines}. Let's toss around some ideas..I don't think I can go back to eating this stuff but don't have any clue what to do should we have desperation here.

[Jestgar]

Supposing that the US dollar totally collapses and we are forced to fend for ourselves with no more markets available for all the frilly gluten free health foods we eat?

I only eat meat and vegetables -none of the frilly stuff.

[dlp252]

Potatoes, rice, fruits, veggies and meat.

[jerseyangel]

Potatoes, rice, fruits, veggies and meat.

Yes! I did this for over a year shortly after I went gluten-free, and again earlier this year. It's perfectly healthy--I have a slice of gluten-free toast in the morning now, but could easily live without it.

I don't worry so much about (gluten-free) food as I do other things about the current state of the economy.

[MNBeth]

I've actually been thinking about this a little. (Not doing anything about it - just thinking.) Seems like rice and dry beans would be good things to stock up on. Cheap, long shelf life, little space, and they make a complete protein together. Now to teach myself how to prepare dry beans and my family to eat them!

[dlp252]

Now to teach myself how to prepare dry beans and my family to eat them!

I am definitely a NONcook, lol, and I've actually done beans and split peas...so it CAN be learned, lol!

[Phyllis28]

Living without specialty gluten free foods is how I started out 30 years ago. These foods were not readily available or for that matter worth eating. I still don't us a lot of specialty gluten free foods. I can manage without.

[celiac-mommy]

My dh is in finance, and I've never in the last 12 years, seen him as freaked out as he is right now. We've never bought into all the "crisis" of the past, like Y2K, but based on the way he's been in the last week, I stocked up my freezer last weekend: chicken, hamburger, steak, turkey, Amy's gluten-free meals were 40% off at Fred Meyer. Then I went to Costco and bought the normal stuff we'd eat-rice crackers, lara bars, trio bars, canned fruit, dried fruit, chili, pacific brand soups, pirate booty, peanut butter, etc... I have lots of cereal. My pantry and freezer are full, and other than fresh fruits and veggies, we're good for a while. I'm trying not to stress about it until it becomes a reality, but he's starting to scare me. He's such an UNDER-reacter, so this is a big deal in our house. I was also going to go to Bob's Redmill and buy some bigger bags of flours so I can make bread--I was going to do this before all this crap happened, and I got a shipment of Pamela's from amazon, so we should be set........

[Sweetfudge]

Supposing that the US dollar totally collapses and we are forced to fend for ourselves with no more markets available for all the frilly gluten free health foods we eat? {yeah worst case scenario, but it COULD happen}.What are you all going to do to keep from eating stuff like BREAD or gluten ridden foods that are the only thing available if things hit the fan? I am kinda scared at this fact mainly because I get sick from Soy and Milk products too so I am tripled screwed in this scenario. As you can imagine gluten-free foods will be of no longer importance when regular bread might be the only thing we can get.{think, great depression bread lines}. Let's toss around some ideas..I don't think I can go back to eating this stuff but don't have any clue what to do should we have desperation here.

Well, we're in the same boat w/ the soy/milk/gluten products. I've been pretty worried myself. One thing I was thinking about last night was the fact that we're ring shopping now for our anniversary next month. Maybe we ought to cut our ring budget in half, and use the other half to do some stocking up. I have hardly any food storage!

I've actually been thinking about this a little. (Not doing anything about it - just thinking.) Seems like rice and dry beans would be good things to stock up on. Cheap, long shelf life, little space, and they make a complete protein together. Now to teach myself how to prepare dry beans and my family to eat them!

Good idea! I'd substitute 1/2 the beans for peas/lentils (since I can't eat beans). Share any good recipes you come up with! I actually just got ingredients (2x's lentils for me instead of beans) for this recipe a few days ago: Open Original Shared Link

My dh is in finance, and I've never in the last 12 years, seen him as freaked out as he is right now. We've never bought into all the "crisis" of the past, like Y2K, but based on the way he's been in the last week, I stocked up my freezer last weekend: chicken, hamburger, steak, turkey, Amy's gluten-free meals were 40% off at Fred Meyer. Then I went to Costco and bought the normal stuff we'd eat-rice crackers, lara bars, trio bars, canned fruit, dried fruit, chili, pacific brand soups, pirate booty, peanut butter, etc... I have lots of cereal. My pantry and freezer are full, and other than fresh fruits and veggies, we're good for a while. I'm trying not to stress about it until it becomes a reality, but he's starting to scare me. He's such an UNDER-reacter, so this is a big deal in our house. I was also going to go to Bob's Redmill and buy some bigger bags of flours so I can make bread--I was going to do this before all this crap happened, and I got a shipment of Pamela's from amazon, so we should be set........

Yeah, a costco run is probably necessary right now. My husband's freaking out right now too. I've got a freezer full of meat, a few boxes of cereal and 25 lbs rice/tapioca flour. But I definitely think I need more.

Thanks for bringing this up Greg.

[ShayFL]

Remember if the economy collapses you will not have electricity to cook those dried beans and rice. Are you good with a fire? Dont forget if the power is cut, there goes your stock of meats in the freezer. Better get a dehydrator and make some jerky.

I have lived in FL my whole life and nearly every year a Hurricane is heading straight for me. I dont go crazy stocking up on food. I have plenty of food in the house. I just get 10 gallon jugs of water, make sure I have some batteries and wait. I never get hit. And I am always thankful that I didnt go ape buying tons of food.

And that is what I am doing right now....waiting.....

If you really want to be prepared for a total economic disaster:

Nut butters

Dehydrated veggies

Dehydrated fruit

Lentils (can be sprouted and dont need to be cooked)

Chia seeds, sunflower seeds, garbonzo beans, alfalfa seeds, buckwheat to sprout (all can be sprouted)

Meat jerkies

Buy seeds to grow you own garden

Jugs of clean water

Remember how long the depression was?......No amount of stocking could prepare us for that.

So I dont panic.....I just wait....and see.....

[missy'smom]

I guess I'm living in my own little bubble lately, despite the fact that I'm watching the news more than usual. Plus we're just busy tightening up and trying to make ends meet. I missed the hurricane coverage and still have no clue what happened and now this. During the hurricane and off-shoot storm, all I got was local coverage, first via radio, since the power was out and now they've moved on to other topics now that power is back to everyone. And the financial news I've somehow been missing too(I've caught the tiniest bit. Wanted to see Susie Orman's advice on Oprah but missed it. They move on to other topics so quickly! I guess I've been missing the national new lately too. Is it really supposed to be all THAT bad? that we're talking about stocking up ? seriously? or is this just the usual doom and gloom passing comments and speculation?

BTW, since Shay brought it up, our portable butane gas powered burner, that we bought at an asian market years ago, really helped when the power was out. 4 cans of gas for $4.99 and we cooked 6 meals on one canister and didn't use it up yet.

[Mtndog]

It is scary but I'm thinking meat, potatoes, rice and veggies too. Yep- old style Victory gardens (tough in MA winters!).

I'm trying not to think about it too much- my husband is pulling out his (very long) hair.

[celiac-mommy]

I just bought some non-perishables that we would normally eat, and pardon my ignorance, but why would this 'economic crisis' cause the power to be out? I thought it was more of a stockpile issue and the fact that truckers probably won't be making deliveries to grocery stores due to high costs, etc....

[ShayFL]

Trickle down......The original poster talks about the Depression. Most of those folks didnt have the basics. equate that to today...i.e. power.

I dont think I need to stockpile anything at this point.

[purple]

I get out my Bible read a bit, then put my trust in the Lord. If any of you have one please read this passage:

Matthew 6:19-34

[GregC]

wow, didn't expect to hear this much response from my fellow Glutenites. I thought I would be raked over the coals for being an alarmist lol. Glad to know I am not the only one worried. To the last poster with the Bible verse, that is all reassuring but, God also said "God helps those that help themselves".Be prepared and don't be ignorant of what is coming. Thanks for all the ideas on stock items you guys!--Take Care of yourselves, Greg

[aikiducky]

There was quite a nice article in Newsweek about what to do to protect yourself from the credit crisis:

Open Original Shared Link

Pauliina

[ShayFL]

I lean on my trust and faith. In my life, there has been trouble and heartache and very LEAN times, but G-d has always provided for me. So I do not spend my time worrying. I am a "problem solver" and less of a worrier. So when crisis hits, then I figure out what I need to do. I will prepare to a certain extent if I see danger on the horizon, but I do not panic. I know I will be taken care of.

[Sweetfudge]

Remember if the economy collapses you will not have electricity to cook those dried beans and rice. Are you good with a fire? Dont forget if the power is cut, there goes your stock of meats in the freezer. Better get a dehydrator and make some jerky.

I have lived in FL my whole life and nearly every year a Hurricane is heading straight for me. I dont go crazy stocking up on food. I have plenty of food in the house. I just get 10 gallon jugs of water, make sure I have some batteries and wait. I never get hit. And I am always thankful that I didnt go ape buying tons of food.

And that is what I am doing right now....waiting.....

If you really want to be prepared for a total economic disaster:

Nut butters

Dehydrated veggies

Dehydrated fruit

Lentils (can be sprouted and dont need to be cooked)

Chia seeds, sunflower seeds, garbonzo beans, alfalfa seeds, buckwheat to sprout (all can be sprouted)

Meat jerkies

Buy seeds to grow you own garden

Jugs of clean water

Remember how long the depression was?......No amount of stocking could prepare us for that.

So I dont panic.....I just wait....and see.....

Thanks for the list!

I do agree that we shouldn't go crazy hoarding tons of food, but I think having enough in your cupboards to last 6 mo - 1 year isn't a bad idea. Given that this is more of an economic crisis than a natural disaster, making sure you would be able to eat if you lost your job, or had to cut back on spending. That, at least, is how I'm looking at this situation.

[Nancym]

I'd do what I'm already doing, eat my proteins, nuts, veggies, fruits and skip all that starchy, sugary, gluten containing stuff.

[cruelshoes]

A decent supply of food storage can provide ecomonic as well as emotional security. I used to have a years supply of food back when I could store wheat, but it has become much more difficult with all the different flours I use now. I probably have 3 months worth now, with a goal of getting back to a years supply. If you think about it, food storage allows one to purchase things when they are on sale, thereby protecting against price increases. Then you can wait for things to go on sale again. It also helps when you think about having to fend for yourself in a world full of gluten.

I also:

Know how to make a cardboard box oven

Know how to make a solar oven

Make soap

Raise chickens

Can and preserve much of our food

Have a large garden

Save seed for next year from this year's garden (I only grow heirloom varieties)

Knit, crochet and sew

I think the more we learn old skills, the better off we will be, and the more protected we will be in the case of things getting totally FUBAR.

[Jestgar]

A decent supply of food storage can provide ecomonic as well as emotional security. I used to have a years supply of food back when I could store wheat, but it has become much more difficult with all the different flours I use now. I probably have 3 months worth now, with a goal of getting back to a years supply. If you think about it, food storage allows one to purchase things when they are on sale, thereby protecting against price increases. Then you can wait for things to go on sale again. It also helps when you think about having to fend for yourself in a world full of gluten.

I also:

Know how to make a cardboard box oven

Know how to make a solar oven

Make soap

Raise chickens

Can and preserve much of our food

Have a large garden

Save seed for next year from this year's garden (I only grow heirloom varieties)

Knit, crochet and sew

I think the more we learn old skills, the better off we will be, and the more protected we will be in the case of things getting totally FUBAR.

OK, that's actually quite impressive. Well into the 'above and beyond' category.

[ShayFL]

I was raised on a farm myself and am not afraid of hard work. I would do whatever I had to. I am also one of those people who would eat small birds, grubs, wild blackberries, wild grapes and whatever I could find that I know is edible. Even dandelion greens. No problem.

I do tend to always have way more food in storage than I could eat in 3 months time. Hubby laughs at me all the time because I will buy something and he will say, dont you have like 5 of those in the pantry already.

There is great emotional comfort in knowing you have enough food when you need it. So I understand hoarding. I am just not going to go crazy just yet.

[Sweetfudge]

I also:

Know how to make a cardboard box oven

Know how to make a solar oven

Make soap

Raise chickens

Can and preserve much of our food

Have a large garden

Save seed for next year from this year's garden (I only grow heirloom varieties)

Knit, crochet and sew

that's pretty impressive how do you make the ovens? and i was actually just about to make a post about this one, but what do you have to do with seeds to be able to use them next year?

[taweavmo3]

Reading all of this worries me a bit. As it is, I am having to work more just to cover the increase in food prices. I am spending close to $100 more a week on food than I was just a few months ago. For our family of 6 (all gluten-free/cf except hubby) I am spending around $900+ on food each month. It is killing us, and I don't splurge on much of the specialty foods. The only thing I buy is pasta (one bag a week), the occasional loaf of Kinni. bread, cf chocolate chips and Namaste pancake mix. I used to buy coconut oil, but I've had to stop b/c of the price. I do still use coconut milk, I can't totally give up the coconut! I also buy flours for my bread, but I have figured out that it comes out to around $3 a loaf, so that's not too bad.

My husband keeps telling me to get coupons.....which sounds great, until I go look for some. Most are for food I can't buy, and you don't get coupons for meat, veggies, fruit, potatoes, etc.

Don't know where I'm going with this, except to just vent a little I guess and add that I am worried, and need to start stocking up before it gets worse.