So that was completely unexpected. I mean by the average American anyway. When life throws you a curb-ball you need to get on the bandwagon and fast. This is why I didn’t blog last week guys but now I can share with you an emergency food supply for a family of 5, other supplies to have on hand plus ways to keep busy at home.
Emergency Food Supply For Family of 5
If you haven’t yet, I highly recommend you have a 2-4 week supply of food for your family. It’s been rumble and tumble for us but I finally feel like we have enough to last us for at least 1 month. You may be ahead of the game with me here but in case you aren’t, I wanted to share ideas. Here are some things we stocked up on:
Beans
Rice
Onions
Quinoa
Canned carrots
Canned peas
Canned corn
Frozen Mixed Vegetables
Frozen Corn
Canned salmon
Canned sardines
Canned Chicken 10-12
Canned Tuna 15
Canned Tomato sauce 7
Canned Crushed Tomatoes
Boxed broth (Chicken and Bone broth)
Lots of potatoes
Gluten Free pasta (since 2 of us needs gf foods)
Eggs (3 cartons)
Sunbutter (we have a peanut allergy kid) 3
Peanut Butter 3
Almond Butter 3
Jelly 4
Bread (3 wheat loaves and 2 gf loaves)
Wraps (Gf) 3
Canned Fruit
Canned Beans, kidney, black, baked, etc.
Dried Beans (4 bags but we already had this)
Coconut Water (electrolytes)
Gatorade 2 cases
Water (you should get at least 1 g per person, but the more the merrier)
Salt
Pepper
Granola Bars
Dried Raisins
Cheese
Cereal 4-5 boxes
Mayo substitute (my husband is sensitive to eggs)
Cooking Oil (our choice is Coconut Oil and we got 2 large containers)
Gf Flour 2 bags
Gf Oats 4 bags (this can be breakfast and used in baking, and thickening stews)
Milk 3
Bananas 3
Apples
Sweet Potatoes
Big Pack of Toilet Paper (or course)
I’m sure there is more because as I type the rest of this I think of things and come back. But this is most of what we’ve gotten so far. If it seems essential but not listed like baking soda, it’s probably because I already had plenty.
What I Wish I Put On Our Emergency Food List
Crackers
Beef or Chicken Boullion
Ramen
Yeast (cannot find it for less than $30!)
Almonds
Other nuts and Trail mix
Powdered Egg
Bacon
Pea, Rice or Bone Broth Protein Powder
More Dried fruit
Protein bars and more Granola Bars
More Canned vegetables
More Pasta and Sauce
Shelf-stable milk (ordered some so we’ll see)
Butter and Butter Substitute
More Sugar
Fresh or jarred Garlic
Fresh or jarred Ginger
Cabbage
Celery
Sourdough Bread Starter
Back up Electricity Generator
Some of these will come with orders I put out earlier this week.
Other Emergency Supplies for Your Family of 5
There are a ton of other things to think of besides an emergency food supply for your family. Here are some things to think about besides your neighbors pics of their newly painted cabinets. But I will address things to do and keep busy at home later in this post. Some of this was taken directly from the Red Cross – they are the officials on emergency kits if you want more.
- N95 or surgical masks
- Work gloves, Latex Gloves
- Hand sanitizer (there was some on Amazon a few days ago, but if you are proactive you should find some)
- Household liquid bleach
- Paper Towels, Plates, Cups and Utensils
- Clorox or Lysol Wipes
- Bleach powered Laundry Detergent
- Soap and Lots of it
- Extra Wash Cloths and Towels
- Fever reducing medicine (Motrin and Tylenol or others)
- Cough Medicines
- Medicine for Muscle Aches, include Epsom Salt
- Humidifier
- Garbage Bags
- Manual Can Opener
- Charcoal, Propane if you have a grill
- Gas Can
- Flashlights, candles, lighters, matches
- AA & AAA batteries (check your flashlights, you might need D batteries too)
- Plastic sheeting
- Duct Tape
- Local & emergency info: write down important contact numbers, know the location of the nearest hospitals, etc.
- USB-powered fan
- Towels
- Scissors
- Cell phone and Computer Chargers
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible
- Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)
- Family and emergency contact information
- Printed out Map of the area
- Extra cash
- In today’s world, a Credit card for in-person purchases would be best
- Prescription medications (a month’s supply if you can get it)
- Baby formula, bottles, diapers, wipes, diaper rash cream
- Pet food and extra water for your pet
- Feminine hygiene products ladies! And for your daughters
- Paper and pencils, Printer Paper
Things to Do At Home with Kids
An emergency food supply for family of 5 isn’t the only thing to be thinking about in an emergency. Us moms also need to think of things to keep our little ones busy, especially if we are going to have to stay put for a while. I created a schedule for my older kids but some of the ideas will overlap for littles. Here are some ideas:
- Coloring Race
- Card Games
- Board Games
- Logic Games Online
- Pokemon Go
- Minecraft Online
- Independent Reading
- Outside Play
- Obstacle Courses
- Chores
- Create a Game
- Create a Story
- FaceTime or Google Duo with Friends
- Call Family
- Help Make a Meal
- Make a Dessert
- Learn a New Skill (Drawing, Piano, Calligraphy, How to Change Oil, etc.)
- Do a Drama and Record it for Family or Friends
- Play The Floor is Lava, Hide and Seek, Simon Says, etc.
- Video Games
- Rearrange their room
- Gardening or Yard Work
- Paper Dolls
- Sew Cloth Dolls
- Sticker Books
There are also a ton of craft, art and science experiment books you can get online or as an ebook. Pick something and get started!
Ideas for Moms at Home
Finally, I want to share some ideas for what to do at home as an adult. If you are at home, sheltered in place, there are still tons of things to do! I do mean besides the regular chores and being with your family. Some ideas:
- Start a Blog!
- Organize Your Photos
- Read any books you’ve been meaning to
- Create a New Budget
- Create a Home Management Binder
- Declutter different areas of your home
- Study the Bible
- Call on all of your friends and family and check in with them
- Check-in with Neighbors and the Elderly
- Learn to Cook, Bake or Preserve Food
- Learn a New Recipe
- Write a Thankful List
- Write Letters
- Write out a Prayer Request List
- Write a Book
- Look up any type of hobby or skill you can learn at home
- Take a Class on Udemy or any other online platform (Libraries have these for free, visit their websites)
- Make a List of Movies or Shows you can watch with any of the streaming services or on Youtube (you can make a list for you and for your kids)
- Start a Garden
- Get a Work From Home Job
- Online Games
- Organize Records and Paperwork
- Organize Your Garage
Of course, this whole blog is about how to be a stay at home mom, creating routines, and how to organize your life, so feel free to look around. Anything I miss? Let’s help each other out, so please comment.
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