Hell is ever closer - part 2

[SistemaAddict]

Following on from the previous thread.

Hell is ever closer-how's your stash looking? http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/eureferendumm2016/3646002-hell-is-ever-closer-how-s-your-stash-looking

Christmas shopping is a bit shit so getting it out of the way early is good yes?

I need to freeze a chicken. I could do with a back up freezer. Maybe get ex to get one. He needs a freezer.

Back to school week here. Those already back please send help....

Stockpiling around school/ work, and school stuff. Any tips?

Work here is being a carer to two disabled children.

The problem with buying too early is that DC2 tends to have little obsessions, and then without warning will randomly decide he likes something else! I’m going to buy as much as I can for DC1 and DC3 though, so at least it’ll only be DC2 to worry about in December. Current obsession is Mario, so if that continues he’ll have a Switch Lite and a couple of games then just stocking fillers, so that won’t be so bad hopefully.

Blackeyed Do you use online shopping? That for me is the best way to stockpile, I can compare prices and only buy stuff on offer, plus it has the added bonus that they’ll carry it to my kitchen for me, and I don’t have to risk sensory overload trying to take 2 kids with ASD to the supermarket!

I don't like online shopping as I find using the computer difficult for bits that need filling in. There is usually at least one meltdown.

I wonder whether people are already stocking up in greater numbers after the news of the last few days.

I placed an order with Sainsbury's for boring stuff like tinned soup, olive oil, passata and so on, and between adding it to my trolley yesterday and checking out this morning, a few things had gone out of stock - seems there was a run on tinned custard and rice pudding, the brand of bread flour I'd chosen, some 'just add water' pastry mix to try etc.

No conclusions, just wondering if we're starting to see stockpiling as people realise that problems are looming on the horizon?

I’ve noticed a shortage of basic paracetamol and ibuprofen in most shops so I do wonder if people are stockpiling!

Paracetamol and ibuprofen shortages are patchy.

We are back to the March levels of patchiness of goods in store. There is still time to pop round a few supermarkets. Get to look at the dates as well and decide what you want.

I have read a few posts that say they have not stocked up before but will/are doing so now.

I think I am trying to disprove Bellini about a mini Tesco..it feels like a corner shop in here already.

Well it would if it was all on show.

Can anyone kindly recommend a chest freezer, I only have a normal fridge/freezer & the freezer part is enough only for a week's worth if that

Not a frequent (if ever) poster but a frequent reader so thank you all, you've reminded me of a few things we need.

Re: protein sources, have a look at this poster as it details a few things you might not have thought of. I bought some shelf stable dried tvp and soya mince/chunks (mainly for DP) but protein is in everything (where do you think the animals get it ;) )

re: stash list, I started with a piece of paper and did a tally chart for everything but it got muddled and got me really frustrated and anxious so I now have a spreadsheet. I have a tab for each 'type' eg. drinks, tinned veg, sauces, toiletries, and then I record the item, pack size, number and earliest BBE date. ALso added where it is for things that are in odd places. Not perfect but it's reassuring me. (just a bugger when DP says 'oh I grabbed x out of the stash as there's none in the cupboard' -.- )

Also for price comparison does anyone use mysupermarket.co.uk? I don't buy through it but I check it for branded/expensive items so we know where has it cheapest/on offer.

Would help if i added the link....
blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/studentlife/2017/06/27/cheap-easy-vegan-protein-sources/

I have added Chocolate Orange segments to my Christmas box and got mum a couple of tubs of chocolates. Or maybe just one and I'll have the other! Asda didn't have the small boxes of Cheerios today

Do people who use firewood purchase locally? Noticed a few online stores are doing sales but I'm not sure if they are good value or not.
My list of ideas for stockpiling keeps getting longer rather than shorter as I think of more ideas.
Anyone able to recommend veg they find is good tinned or frozen.
I find pulses, tomatoes, lentils and sweetcorn are fine tinned. And peas, carrot and swede, spinach work well frozen. Not sure what else is good though.
Am getting dried mushrooms but they are expensive.

@mamapants re frozen veg cauli and broccoli can be ok. I much prefer fresh of course but we used to keep a bag of each in for emergencies when the dc were tiny. Ime the branded ones were generally better than supermarket own and they definitely work better in a wet meal than on the side of your meat and spuds. So eg in a pasta dish or a cauliflower (and broccoli) cheese.

I don't like bought frozen peppers at all though I've seen MNers rave about them. They just cook so soggy and limp! However fresh peppers cut into large chunks and then frozen work pretty well I find.

I actually find most veg are fine if they're frozen in a pasta sauce, soup, curry, bolognese etc. I know it totally depends on your freezer space but for those who do have chest freezers it might be worth making up a few veggie lasagnas, soups, curries, aubergine parmigiana and so on while you can get the vegetables?

I find frozen cauli and broccoli surprisingly edible! I really thought I would not like them. Frozen peas are fine (I use them year round apart from the short summer season of fresh ones) and carrots are passably okay.

DP put our extra loo rolls and kitchen rolls in the loft as they were taking up far too much room in the house. Now I have extra space for more tins!

Re black beans. I buy a bag of dried a d cook the whole lot in the slow cooker, then freeze in batches. You get loads. I've done the same with green lentils.

Have just had to explain to my children why I've started stashing food under the sofa so that was a fun conversation. I think I'll introduce a topic on being prepared to our home education work, and we can talk about things like the Beast from the East.

Thanks for the tips.
Anyone tried tinned asparagus, hearts of palm, artichoke? Wondering if they worth a go.
And how about frozen mushrooms?

Eve, I already have the advent calendars (dairy free) and will be buying other dairy free stuff as soon as it appears (should be soon), i.e. selection box (Moo Free) and Santa-type confectionary for the stockings.

I'm getting crisps, crackers, biscuits etc now too, plus all my baking bits as well. I've got some oranges which DH bought reduced today, so they'll be zested and juiced and the component parts frozen.

I'm almost done with presents too. Apart from DD's big gift (though she does have plenty!).

I'm off to Aldi when I get off the train. My mission is bread flour and yeast!

Tinned asparagus is quite mushy but tasty (in NZ anyway; I've not eaten it here). My Mum used to make a kind of gratin with tinned asparagus, boiled eggs and bacon. It was delicious.

Well, a mornay specifically, if that's different from a gratin.

Chocolate oranges milk and plain are on offer for £1 in Asda.

Ooh. I foresee a trip to Asda!

No bread flour or yeast in Aldi.

Bargain oranges!

And there isn't even a space for bread flour in Aldi now. They've removed shelving and put sugar there instead.