Remember how it was back when making preparations for the zombie apocalypse was just a fun mental exercise? Sure, the world may not need to worry about zombies just yet, but the past few months have proven that disasters can occur. What’s worse is that they often strike when you least expect it and if you’re vegan, doing vegan prep can seem daunting.
This scenario can often be a lot worse for vegans. As you are well aware, most commercially available food contains milk and animal-derived products. Thus, you often have to visit certain stores to ensure that you get vegan, plant-based food.
Of course, during emergencies, it isn’t as easy to get your hands on such foods. This is why it is so important to make preparations ahead of time. In fact, you should always have a backup plan just in case things go south.
Here are the top tips for prepping for any kind of emergency. They will help you stay prepared no matter how dire the situation is:
Start a Vegetable Garden
If there is one thing this pandemic has taught us, it’s that we are too dependent on grocery stores and chains. Without them, we are almost completely unable to feed ourselves and our families. This is inconceivable!
It is especially mindboggling since just a few generations ago, most people grew at least a few crops in their backyards. As food became more readily available, though, this practice soon declined. Well, it should happen again, just to be on the safe side. Plus who doesn’t enjoy fresh, home-grown organic produce?
Of course, not everyone has the space to grow a garden. If you are fortunate enough to have a sizable backyard, however, you should certainly get started on growing fruits and vegetables. It is best to opt for fruits and veggies that can be harvested, frozen, and stored for a long period.
This way, you will have a continuous supply of “fresh” foods throughout the year. Now, this practice can come in useful even if there is no disaster in sight. It can be a wonderful way to enjoy summer fruits and vegetables once the season has long passed you by.
Vegan Prep: Stock Up Slowly
Hoarding food when a disaster has hit is a no-no – it is simply selfish. There are many low-income families and elderly individuals who can’t afford to stock up on food all at once. A far better option is to stock up on various items slowly.
As you can imagine, you can’t stock up on all kinds of food. You will need to buy foods that can be stored for a long period. The farther away the expiration date is, the better. The best kinds of foods to buy include canned fruits and vegetables, pasta, vegan bouillon cubes, dried beans, white rice, and peanut butter.
Now, it should be noted that canned items aren’t necessarily the healthiest option. However, they will do in a pinch. Make sure to always read the label of these foods and to determine what preservatives or additives have been included. Do your research and check that every one of these ingredients is safe for you to consume.
Vegan Prep: Consider Dried, Powdered Versions of Food
One thing you should start looking into is dried, powdered foods. There are now more options than ever before including fruits, vegetables, cacao, peanut butter, and nuts. While these can’t be used as a substitute for a balanced diet, they certainly work well as supplements.
It is also possible to find non-dairy milk powders. All you need to do is add water and these will look and taste just like the real thing. Since you can make only as much milk as you need, you don’t have to worry about wastage.
Nonetheless, the main advantage of these powders is that they have incredibly long shelf-lives. Some may even last for a couple of years as long as they are stored properly. They also don’t require as much storage space as whole foods.
Keep in mind that these powdered foods aren’t always readily available. Thus, you may have to do some digging online to unearth stores that sell them.
Maintenance: Store Your Food Properly
Even food that has been specifically designed to last for a long time needs to be stored properly. If it isn’t, it can easily spoil. So, what’s the best way to store your rations after you’ve done all your vegan prep?
The best way to make sure that your rations last is to store them in a cool, dry area that is away from direct sunlight. Pantry cupboards or storerooms should work just fine. Make sure that there isn’t any moisture in these areas, however.
There should be plenty of room for all your rations. You should avoid piling heavy items on top of lighter ones. This could end up tearing cans or causing tears in bags or other containers. This will compromise the vacuum seal keeping the foods fresh.
You should carefully check every container before placing it in storage. Ensure that there aren’t any tears or any kind of damage to the containers. In addition to reducing the lifespan of the foods, these openings can also lure rats and other insects, causing further destruction to your stores.
It is a good idea to check on your rations now and then. This will help to keep moisture out of the space. And, if bugs have invaded, you can move the rations or use humane tactics to evict the creatures. These steps will ensure that you will still have plenty of stores when you need them.
So, there you have it – the emergency prep that all vegans should know about. Hopefully, you will never have to face another emergency situation. However, taking these precautions will give you peace of mind.
Not to mention, if something happens again, you can take care of your family while remaining vegan. Thus, it is worth your while to look through these guidelines and follow them as needed. You may just end up feeling relieved that you did.
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