Q. I was wondering what it means to rotate your food storage?
A. Rotating food storage means pulling from the front of your supply and stocking in the back so that you are always using your oldest ingredients first. The benefits are that you never waste your food by having to throw away out of date stock. Rotating also means that you have to actually use what you store and that is the real trick. More home cookin' and less McDonalds runs... :)
Q. If you are constantly using your food storage how do you ever get a years supply?
A. Very simply put, buy a little extra each time you shop. For example, decide to focus on baking essentials, baking powder, soda, salt, yeast etc. Buy a little extra each time you go to the store. Put your extra in the rear of your shelf and pull from the front. It will only take one or two trips to the store before you have a 3 month supply, a few more shopping trips and you will have a years supply of baking essentials for only a few dollars a month. Constantly use, rotate, and restock your supply of baking essentials, but shift your focus to something else, possibly canned meats, fruits, or vegetables and repeat the process.
Q. What is the difference between red wheat and white wheat?
A. The biggest difference is tannic acid. Tannic acid is found in the bran of red wheat. It is what makes the wheat darker in color and heavier in flavor. I prefer white wheat because of the sweetness of the flour due to the absence of tannic acid. White is also lighter in texture.
You will also want to be aware of the level of protein in your wheat regardless of which variety you choose. Higher protein wheat 14% and above make better yeast breads. Lower protein wheat 9-10% make excellent quick breads. Know what you are storing and how to use it. It is nice to have both protein levels in your food supply and use them accordingly.
Q. When I lived in Utah I had a basement where I kept all of my storage. In Houston there are no basements and I have no idea where to store my food.
A. I know. Doesn't that stink!?! However, where there is a will, there is a way. You are going to have to be willing to make some sacrifices that you may find inconvenient. There are all kinds of little games and secrets to "hiding" your storage, but I am going to be very up front with you because this is so important. Your families nutritional security is no game. Do not be so vain as to only purchase as much storage as you have hiding space for, and then spread it all over the house. When you have your food storage hidden under beds, and in closets, shelves, under the stairs etc. it is too disorganized and difficult to rotate and use. You will ignore it becuase it is too hard to stay on top of. Who could? As a result you will not really be prepared. Bring your storage together as much as possible. That may mean that your children will have to share a bedroom so that you have a room specifically for storage. That may mean that you or your husband may need to give up home office space, or a craft room for a food storage room. That may mean that you will have to devote part of a family room to food storage space. Now I can already hear you saying, "That is the stupidest thing that I have ever heard, I can't do that!" The answer is yes you can, you just don't want to. You have placed your convenience and your house above your nutritional security, and you will be rewarded accordingly. Rethink your priorities. When your food supply is your priority you will see things differently.
Do you have a question that everyone can benefit from? Send it in. If I don't know the answer I will research and find out.