Staying healthy during the Coronavirus

Ok so I wanted to talk about the Coronavirus today and help people stay healthy and safe during this tough time. I know in my area you can’t find anything. Toilet paper is out, paper towels, canned foods, wipes, cleaning products, cold medicines, meats, milk, eggs, rice and so much more. People are overbuying in fear of nothing being there.

Please remember the elderly don’t leave the house as often, and shouldn’t at this time unless necessary, and are in need of food and toilet paper too. Check on your elderly family and neighbors and see if they need anything.

I’m going to talk a little bit about the different foods that are good to have on hand….IF you can find them at the stores. These shelf stable foods will last a long time and provide you with the nutrients you’ll need. For those of you that aren’t used to making home cooked meals every day now is the time get creative and practice on some new recipes.

HERE ARE SOME NECESSITIES YOU SHOULD HAVE, IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER 🙂

RICE: There is so much you can make with rice. You can make plain rice and season it with a little salt and pepper and/or butter or you can make a homemade rice a roni mix like I do and oh is it delicious and so much better than store bought. Best of all, you should already have the ingredients in your pantry! Click —>HERE for the recipe. My kids like plain white rice with a little soy sauce…simple 🙂 You can add it with chicken and make casseroles or make stuffed peppers…yummy!

OATMEAL: Oatmeal is high in Fiber and Vitamin. I get a large container of quick oats and add dehydrated apples or other fruits I have on hand at the time. The kids love it and its filling. It also lasts a long time on the shelf

CANNED MEATS: TUNA and chicken in a can will last a couple years or more and are loaded with protein. If you choose to buy the vacuum sealed pouches of tuna, beware that they are usually only good about six months so a lot quicker than canned tuna.

CANNED FOODS: Obviously you want to stock up on canned foods. Veggies, fruits and especially tuna, soups etc. These last years so they’re good to have on hand.

PEANUT BUTTER: Loaded with the essential protein and healthy fats that we need and provides energy. PB lasts a long time and tastes great!

BROTH: I always have a few large containers of Chicken & Beef Bouillon granules on hand all the time. It saves more space than if I’d buy a bunch of cans of chicken or vegetable broth. Add this to rice or soups or drink it from a cup like we do when we are sick lol

NUTS AND SEEDS: These high energy foods last a long time and are in individual sealed bags making it convenient.

HONEY: Honey literally will last forever. However after awhile it will start to crystalize and get harder but all you have to do is pop it in the microwave for a few seconds and its back to normal! This can be used in place of sugar. I buy a half gallon from a local beekeeper a few times a year. I use it when I bake and in my teas 🙂

DRIED FRUITS: If you have a dehydrator then grab up some fruit and dry them up for a good healthy snack option that will last about 6 months or so

WATER: It’s good to have a few cases of water on hand. I always have bottled water. I also buy the Spring or Distilled gallon jugs of water as well.

GATORADE: Gatorade is my go-to after a night of drinking haha. It replenishes my body with electrolytes that was lost the night before…but anyhow they are great when water isn’t an option or you’re dehydrated and need a boost of electrolytes. They come in a lot of different flavors and are usually $1 or under

POWDERED MILK: I always have a bag of powdered milk in my pantry just in case. It’s an excellent source of Vitamin D and Calcium when you don’t have fresh milk available.

SEASONINGS: Most of us all have Salt & Pepper and other seasonings already on hand. I make my own Taco Seasoning (recipe HERE), poultry seasoning, rice a roni seasoning, pork rub and much more so I usually have the huge containers of spices available all the time. Don’t forget the sugar! You need sugar to bake with and of course for coffee! If you run out of coffee and want a good alternative check out my Dandelion Root coffee/tea recipe. It’s the next best thing to coffee most say! Find it HERE

CONDIMENTS: Some people can’t live without their ranch or mayo. They’re good to have on hand too when you are forced to make a not so good dinner and you want your kids to eat HAHA! Throw some ranch on the food and VOILA’! Condiments last a long time on the shelf and the fridge.

APPLES: Apples will last a few months if kept in a cool, dry area away from other produce (which will make them ripen faster) Put them in your basement or a root cellar and you’ll be good for awhile

POTATOES, YAMS, SWEET POTATOES: If kept in a cool dry space they should last about a month

WINTER SQUASH: These will last months and include the following varities… Pumpkin, Acorn Squash, Spaghetti Squash, Butternut Squash, Acorn Squash. They are loaded with Vitamins and are easy to cook

DRIED CURED MEATS: Although not as healthy as canned tuna or chicken you can stock up on dried cured meats such as Salami and Pepperoni

VITAMINS: I always have multivitamins, Vitamin C and Zinc on hand all of the time. Vitamin C & Zinc are amazing for your immune system and helps fight the nasty cold and infections.

I’ll add to the list as I think of more things. If you think something should be added please leave me a comment and let me know! Thanks for reading and stay safe & healthy!