Planning for a second wave

[GreyishDays]

Anyone got any thoughts?

I’m trying to think of consumables that could be reusables instead and have got some dishcloths. Also making sure our stock levels are maintained of general stuff. And thinking about what is really annoying to run out of and not swappable.

I’m trying to think about cold weather entertainment. So if right now we’re all about garden toys and walking and cycling, is there anything that would be useful to have if there was a lockdown in cold weather? Craft stuff I guess. Yet more jigsaws.

Anyone else got any ideas? I’m reading the ‘lessons learnt’ thread.

If it hasn’t arrived by autumn, some Christmas presents, Christmas food just in case.

Thanks for all the yeast tips. I have invested in a set of clippers during lockdown to replace the need for a barbers and we probably won’t be going back as they have been a game changer!
I invested in some dog clippers last year and they have been a great purchase too allowing me to trim the dog in lockdown. I purchased an oximeter too last week as I think it’s a good call.
I’m trying to shop to replace items in the cupboard as opposed to when we completely use items up.
I think hand gels will get harder to find again soon as everyone will be going out more and needing them again.

I realised when I was poorly in March we didn't have a thermometer so I bought a cheap one this week, I've also restocked the first aid kit which was overdue anyway. I've bought a couple of boxes of paracetamol and ibuprofen now the cheaper ones are back in stock and I'll get some cold and flu tablets.

I am a little concerned about power cuts, I have usb chargeable torches but I'm planning to buy a lantern that also charges phones, and maybe a cheap camping stove, I'm trying to be a more thoughtful consumer so I don't want to buy things we might not use, so undecided on the stove.

Everything else is just maintaining what we have in, I keep a well stocked working pantry, nothing long term. UHT milk is my only "emergency" food stuff, we've used or given away what I had so I'll restock. I filled the freezer a bit too enthusiastically when it became clear a lockdown would be happening, we're eating our way through it but definitely some lessons learned there.stock

Things I've struggled to get and will stock up on when they become more available are macaroni and baking powder.

We thought hand gel this morning - you can get a 10l refill on Amazon At the moment for £48. I normally pick up 2 x 500ml for around £15 so I’m thinking I’ll pick one up and use it to refill.

5l sorry, not 10

Thanks Littlegoth! Also loads of hand gel on Boots.com if anyone is interested in smaller quantities.

We got our cheapish thermometers in Lloyds, and so far so good.

@jammygal I've been getting dried and fresh yeast, and bread flour from a local cafe. They are packaging up and selling on their stock as it won't be used.

@NeverHadANickname I saw your aibu thread and I was going to reply to suggest you come over here. Glad you found us.
I get irritated when people confuse prepping with panic buying too

Seeds for next year. They have several years sell dates.
Also compost will last if unopened and the slugs can't get in. I was caught out this time. It's prepping way ahead, but who knows what the state of shops will be next year.

Chickens. That's my thinking.

@ScrimpshawTheSecond I'd love some chickens! Don't really have the room though sadly.

I didn't read your thread @NeverHadANickname but of course panicking and prepping aren't the same, sorry that people upset you if they can't tell the difference. I'm trying to buy a little extra every week and just think ahead a bit more rather than going in and clearing the shelves! I have two small DC and DP is a key worker so I couldn't go to the shops often (wouldn't take the DC if I could possibly help it!), and the online ordering went bananas, as we all know.

Today I realised that I am well stocked for shampoo and conditioner (thanks to Poundland) but have run out of hair serum and heat spray! Tesco used to do great (and cheap) ones but I haven't seen them for a long while. Off to check out Boots.com for that and foot cream as my poor feet are a bit sore from lots of extra walking...

Sugar for jam and marmalade making. Tesco seem to have their 5kg bags regularly so I now have two.

I'm saving all my jam jars.

I was in serious shit when the first wave hit. I had no food at home. I usually either buy food daily or go out to dinner. I read all the prepping advice back then and I am now stocked on a lot more items. I haven't panic brought anything but have just added an extra few things to my shopping every week.

I have a good 6 month supply of most house hold items now but apart from tins, rice and pasta I don't have much actual food (small freezer). Would it be wise to buy a freezer ?

I have a small chest freezer and it was a godsend

@Dunking if you have space it is really worth having a freezer. There are useful tips on the brexit threads about getting the most out of them - ie taking food out of packaging and wrapping in film/foil to save space, freezing soups and stews in bags laid flat, freezing eggs if you normally use a lot. It's amazing how much you can squeeze even into a small freezer. I find mine a huge money saver as all leftovers go in there too.
I was so glad to have plenty of food in when the shops were so mad. Didn't go near a shop for 3 weeks, and was able to help some people out as well.

I bought a chest freezer in Feb last year before Brexit (thanks to all these lovely people on here), and I honestly now would never be without it. It gives me a level of peace of mind that I can't begin to describe

Okay I'm buying that freezer ! It will have to go in the dining room that has now turned into a box room since the kids got older !

I am really ashamed that I've no idea to freeze and then reuse left overs.

I know I can freeze cracked and whisked eggs and i know I can take chicken out the freezer and put it in the fridge. I've just never really eaten freezer food so am clueless! In my current freezer I have some milk, cheese, bread bacon, chips, pizza, peas and ice cream.

Think I've got some googling to do!

DS has a food intake disorder - think along the lines of extreme fussiness, but its a medical condition. He eats a very limited range of shop-specific foods, and a tiny range of fresh soft fruit. I am freezing lots and lots of halved fresh strawberries, and whole fresh raspberries and grapes. They defrost fine if you eat them as soon as they've defrosted. The trouble with buying frozen soft fruit is that it generally isn't as sweet, and is 'wetter' when it defrosts. And then I use it all to make trifle for me.

Apart from that, our prepping stood us in good stead. I am definitely buying more flour though. I thought I had enough, but no!

Well Tidy we have used lots of flour since Lockdown, and this morning while in the fruit and veg shop I spied a solitary bag in the corner and raced across the aisle totally ignoring DH's comment about 'Don't you have a couple of bags at home?' Definitely need cakes in Lockdown

We've eaten cakes, scones, pancakes (loads of pancakes - crepe style and american), biscuits, the lot. I've never baked so much.

dunking we only ever had a small freezer and it wasn't an issue until a few months when I really wished I had a bigger one. I was intending to get one later in the year, the ones I wanted that could go in the garage were sold out but I thought Ok no probs just email when back in stock. A few weeks later Received emails from two suppliers saying never coming back into stock, don't know If discontinued or supply or delivery issues (had to be delivered by one person, not the usual two for big items) but I decided to look for an alternative brand and model and ordered that. Such peace of mind now it is in the garage slowly being filled up.

I am getting better at remembering to chuck extra bits in there (hm stock, breadcrumbs, leftover meat for soup) and to remember to lift things out to defrost and rotate. So far apart from what is already bought frozen I have added butter and grated cheese.

Thanks @lexloofah I've ordered one which should arrive in the next few days, so hopefully I'll be filling it up over the next couple of weeks !

@Dunking Google really is your friend when it comes to freezing food.
Leftovers....well it depends what you eat. We are meat eaters, so it's easy, may not be with some veggie/vegan meals.