Food - Week 39: Cheese
Back to cheese once more. Don’t forget powdered cheese such as Parmesan or cheddar for mac and cheese or to add to cheese soups. This week store two pounds of cheese per person. Waxed cheese will store for years on the shelf. Powdered cheese can be stored vacuum sealed in a cool, dark place or in the fridge or freezer. If storing powdered cheese store 1/2 pound per person. Block cheese can also be stored in the freezer in the original packaging. Purchase all block cheese in the same size conserving freezer space as you stack them.
If you are lactose intolerant you should stick with cheeses that are lactose free or very low in lactose. These include hard cheeses and the following: Muenster, Camembert, Brie, Cheddar (mild and sharp varieties), Provolone, Gouda, Parmesan, and Swiss.
General Store - Week 39: Isopropyl Alcohol and N95 Facemasks
As I've watched the clean-up for those who have lost homes in the western states with fires the last few years it has been hard not to become depressed. What an awful thing to happen to a family.
We've also all experienced the world of a pandemic with COVID-19 and the need to protect ourselves and our families. It is time, as with any disaster, to begin moving forward.
In case of a fire cleanup is awful as the ash can be life threatening as it is moved. Good masks are an absolute necessity. In terms of a health threat - we need to have supplies before it starts (and restock our supplies before the next disaster/pandemic.)
This week store a few boxes of N95 masks. These filter better than the average mask and will filter out germs and spores during a medical emergency. Masks should be changed every few hours. Look for made in America or the country in which you live if you are outside the U.S.
On Aug. 25, the FDA released an announcement requesting that people "stop using certain N95 respirators" manufactured by Shanghai Dasheng, a Chinese-based mask manufacturer. The company had previously earned approval for its respirators by the CDC's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), but the institute has revoked all of the respirator approvals. According to the announcement, "the company did not implement, maintain, and control a quality management system." BE AWARE
Also this week store several bottles of isopropyl alcohol for medical uses, including sanitation, but also to make paint can heaters. Prepare for both.