Thank you preppers

[Aberforthsgoat]

Because of this section and a few threads in particular, I started thinking about having back up stores in over a year ago when my water went off unexpectedly for three days.
I built up a little stash over time, just an extra thing here and there, and when the shit hit the fan recently it meant that when I had to shield, I didn't have to panic about going to the supermarket and supplies.
In fact I've only had to have one fresh food delivery in the last six weeks.
I didn't panic buy in the midst of all the chaos or immediately prior to it either, I carried on as normal.
It also meant I could help my elderly neighbour when she was struggling to get essentials.

I'm.sure this will incur the wrath of those who don't understand the difference between panic buying and prepping but I just wanted to say thank you
I've name changed a few times but there are a few posters in particular such as Bellini who really got me thinking about how to approach being prepared sensibly.

I agree about @bellini

Glad you were ok when times were/are tough.

What were your Really Useful Items?

Hope you are doing ok. Very kind of you to mention me. There are loads of great conversations on here - I hoover up so many nuggets from everyone.

@bellinisurge you just really put it into sensible context for me - the mentality of not panicking just being sensible only buying what you can afford etc

@JamieLeeCurtains love your username by the way. I think my most useful items have been frozen and tinned veg and fruit, chickpeas and lentils and other pulses, the Idahoan instant mash, long life milk, double concentrate tomato puree and a good selection of spices and pastes and stocks for flavouring

I've seen preppers get a bit of a bashing on here and just wanted to show that you guys really help people and I'm very grateful x

I’m so glad you find use from this area of MN. I’ve used this sub forum since it’s inception (Under different names) and I feel like I learn something new every few days.

Six weeks without a fresh food shop and helping your elderly neighbour in a pandemic is impressive!

I love this forum and thanks to it, I joined a Facebook group (48% Preppers) that was mentioned on here. It’s been brilliant. I also joined an allotment group and a gardening group and am attempting to grow my own veg. I’ve done one small supermarket, just last week and was so grateful that I had lots in, as there are still empty shelves. That was the first shop in seven weeks, thanks to the advice from you brilliant people.

We fought hard for a Preppers section and after Brexit and COVID I think we've proved our worth.

Sensible, rational, proportionate prepping.

I’d like to add my thanks to all the preppers. The inspiration you provided meant my Mum has had a good store of tinned, frozen, paper and household goods and has not been in want of anything. We have been well stocked too. Where I work has just started a food bank and having plenty in my cupboard slowly built up over time meant that I have been able to donate some to help other families.

I've also been on the Prepper threads under various names, since the lead-up to the first (!) Brexit.

I'm thinking about collecting tinned vegetables now in advance of the 31st Dec potential cliff edge. There's not many tinned veg that I like that are green vegetables - green beans and spinach are about it. Can't really think of any others. Apart from marrowfat peas maybe.

Agree totally this thread was always completely calm, rational and supportive. Belini you really should write a book!!! I joined ages ago due to brexit am loved it until the 'it's just the flu' brigade started throwing rotten eggs....they're all a bit quiet now though so have ventured back on 😂

Thank you again for being so kind.
JamieLeeCurtains - consider growing microgreens on a window ledge over winter. Or my absolute favourite and currently growing on a window ledge in an old Sainsburys mini brownie box- peas for pea shoots. A cut and come again crop. You don't need a garden or lots of space on a window ledge for that. It's like a mini greenhouse. Make sure you have drainage holes in it and you can sit it in and mushroom box to catch the water. They are about the same size.

Totally agree. I'm very very thankful for this preppers topic and the lovely helpful posters on here. I started reading this section just before original Brexit when I became worried and have continued since then.

By the time Covid started being mentioned I had a nice stock of items both food and household so I felt calm and prepared which was doubly helpful as my mum died only a few weeks before lockdown so in honesty I've been so bereft I really couldn't face the supermarkets and the queues etc.

Ive got two freezers which has helped lots and a nice stock of everything we usually use. I have two young children under my feet currently (which is lovely but...) when I have a little more time I'd like to organise my spaces a bit better, makes some lists and I think we have space in the loft for some items too. I also am aware that a lot of my food store is frozen so I need to think about more shelf stable meals and go from there but that's a nice project to occupy my brain another day as my job is in event production and that's going to be on hold for goodness knows how long!

Reading the threads and suggestions has massively helped my anxious side stay under control as by undertaking this I feel much more in control and therefore more stable. It's also helped me be more frugal and think more about how to use every single thing that comes into our house. We are pretty good with food waste anyway but it's spurred me on a bit more.

I do however have one massive issue in that I keep drinking through my wine and gin stash

@Impatientwino - me too!!

I’ve lurked here since the first Brexit deadline too. I’ve found it a really helpful board. I’m not as organised as many of you but I had a couple of weeks of supplies stashed away. That was a real godsend when you couldn’t buy toilet roll round here for a few weeks!
Thanks.

Thanks @bellinisurge

I knew I'd kept all those boxes for a reason! What peas do I need? Dried peas?

Dried peas are fine. You can buy pea seeds (which are just dried peas ) off Amazon or wherever. Might be more reliable than ones bought for eating from a supermarket but you can use those too.
Soak a bunch in a mug overnight . Put some compost in your trusty brownie box, scatter the soaked peas on the compost (they work out which way is up themselves) then scatter a bit of compost on top to cover. Water. Stick on a sunny window ledge. Wait. Water regularly ish.
Cut them above the first leaf. If the crop looks tired after a bit (Or you get lazy like me) just do some more.

Thank you

JamieLeeCurtains the popular opinion on the gardening groups I’m on, it that Batchelors Bigga peas that come in a cardboard box, seems to give them best results.

Flipping heck, Totally, I've got a box of them in my stash I think

Lol. Me too! I nearly did a backflip when I found out. You can also plant any tomatoes and peppers that are starting to spoil. It’s amazing what you can grow from food you already have in the house. I’ve planted some spuds in the front garden that have sprouted.

I'd go with @T0tallyFuckedUpFamily 's suggestion. I've never tried it myself but if you have 'em, try 'em. The very fantastic Huw Richards suggests growing peas this way.

I stuck slices of supermarket cherry tomatoes in some compost about 5 weeks ago. They've come up.
Also the rooty end (iyswim) of chopped shallots. Currently sprouting beautifully in a pot outside where I am also growing garlic from shop bought garlic cloves that had started sprouting. Doubt I'll get more than oniony greens from the shallots but very hopeful about the garlic. Those overwintered outside (code for "I forgot about them") and they look good.

They have to get cold to split, do I read on one Covid thread..