Power outage Menues

[not2late]

Recently, we had some bad weather and lost electricity for a few hours. So, let's get some ideas going on for emergency situations, like no power, no water, etc.

Basic foods that don't need refrigeration:
For all phases:
Canned meat: tuna, chicken, turkey, corned beef
Canned vegetables: spinach, green beans, pumpkin puree
Dried meat: jerky,
Dried veggies: several camping stores sell "freeze-dried" vegetables.
Oil: peanut, safflower, olive etc.
Herbs and spices
Powdered cream: I haven't tried this product, but ExpertFoods sells it.
Powdered eggs and powdered egg whites

OWL and Beyond:
Nuts
Dried fruit: several camping supply stores carry freeze-dried fruits.
Canned fruit: there are no sugar added canned fruits on the market.
Canned or dried beans.
Canned vegetables: Phase dependent

If you still have refrigeration (all phases):
Dairy: cheese, eggs, cream,

OWL and beyond:
Dairy: yogurt

Cooking equipment:
If you have a grill, you're in luck. You can grill foods. Also if you have cast iron pots or a skillet, you can set it on the grill and fry or stew foods. Water can be boiled in a pot that has no plastic handles, etc.

Otherwise, you might want to invest in a butane powered hotplate.

Any other tips and ideas, post them here.

[Desertthorn]

Good subject post.
Generally the lights are only out for a few hours at most, but one thing you should refrain from doing is opening the refrig during this time. In fact a little sign on it to remind the kids to stay out is a great idea.
Always have a "just in case" plan because you just never no when a widespread power outage will happen.

[not2late]

Can't agree with you more. A couple of years ago, Hurricane Isabel came and I was powerless for 1 week. It was challenging staying on the WOE, but I managed to do it.

[chickaDee59]

Great Post!! Something we don't think about until it happens and we are without power!

[not2late]

I'm bumping this up because it seems timely at the moment.

[texwife&mom]

summer sausage.
peanut butter.

water, water, water, water!!!!

[not2late]

Drinking water tips:
http://www.nsf.org/consumer/natural_...ter_safety.asp

[angelsfort]

you can also get smaller sized cooking things (like grills and stuff) at camping stores... these come in handy during a power outage.

[not2late]

Bumping this up, in light of hurricane season.

[MotherOfGizmo]

Yep, we were just discussing our "hurricane prepardeness kit!" Getting things in order just in case.