It seems once again Australia is coming into a challenging period with covid. Our case numbers are very high and it's affecting supply chains and putting our hospital system under excess pressure. It is a very good time to stay home as much as possible, if you are able to do so, to do our bit to slow the curve and minimise pressure on the health care system which is groaning under the weight of it all.
Once upon a time, children spent a huge amount of time at home. These days children do alot of extra-curricular activities and often 'go' to places to have fun. But play is children's work. Art supplies, walks to the local park/beach/bushlands, board games, puzzles and the like can keep children occupied without needing to go too far from home. I
The government is quickly making policy changes to try and minimise food shortages, such as removing restrictions on truck drivers and the like, but none the less shelves are empty, meat shortages are predicted and no doubt many Australians are feeling anxious.
If you are a single person, these restrictions may not be a real issue, but as a family of six with the same restrictions applied without exception, they can quickly become problematic.
However, we are fortunate to have a reasonable stockpile to see us through. We are not peppers by any means, but we are a large family living 1hr20mins round trip from the supermarket. On top of that we live off-grid and sometimes we sometimes get flooded in for several days at a time, so we always keep a well stocked pantry.
If you are a daily shopper, try not to panic about the news we are hearing. It's not too late to change your habits and start a bit of stockpile to see you through. Take a deep breath and lets start planning.
Firstly, look at the staples you use most. How much do you use? What do you look to grab? These are the things you need some spares of. Think of simple, nourishing meals you and enjoy and write out the ingredients you will need on hand to prepare them. Then when you go to the shops instead of only buying what you need for that day add an extra packet of rice, pasta, oats, a can of tomatoes, tomato paste, flour, sugar etc as you can afford too. These basics are cheap to buy and are versatile. They have a long shelf life too, so they won't go to waste.
Making Rhonda Hetzels meatballs from Down to Earth. Click HERE for the recipe.
Most recipes will require some form of oil or fat, so ensure you have a spare couple of blocks of butter on hand and the same for your oils of choice.
When it comes to dairy we keep a box of long life milks in the cupboard at all times and a pack or two of powdered milk. Powdered milk is not great to drink, but it is perfectly acceptable in baking cakes and making pancakes etc. It can also be used to help make thickened yoghurt. Cheese can be frozen and if you buy a plain pot set yoghurt, it can be used as a starter for you to make your own at home really easily.
There are meat shortages predicted, and already when we go to the shops the meat section is often nearly bare, so look at sections of the freezer that are less popular. Chicken thigh fillets with the skin and thigh bone intact is lovely seasoned with salt, pepper, paprika and then browned in the pan and popped in the oven to cook through. They may look a little more daunting to cook, but I promise you it need not be complex. If you can, buy a little extra to pop in the freezer. Some cans of tuna/salmon can also be handy to have on hand and are shelf stable. Pepperoni or salami can pack a punch in a simple pasta dish or pizza, last a long time and a little can go a long way.
Eggs are nutrient dense and are great for things like scrambled eggs, quiche, cakes, pancakes, and a huge assortment of meals. If you can't get eggs, did you know that flaxseed and chai seeds can be used in baking as an alternative? They also last a long time in the pantry so can be helpful to keep on hand just incase you run short. You can google quantities you need in baking if you are going to sub them for eggs.
Now is also a great time to change habits and get to know your local butcher and green grocer. Because they specialise in one particular area, they will most likely have more contacts to local supply chains and who they can buy form. We are finding our local IGA is remaining better stocked when it comes to fruit and veggies then the bigger supermarkets because they have pre-existing relationships with local suppliers.
These shortages are expected to last a few more weeks yet at least, and it seems the uncertainty surrounding covid is something we are going to have to continue to learn to live with and adapt to. It is tiring I know, and I suspect many people feel a deep sense of grief and loss of control about the whole situation. While we can't control the situation, we can often control how we react to it. We can ensure we are eating good nourishing food to keep our bodies as strong and healthy as possible. We can look after our mental health by staying connected to friends and family and if needed, we can seek external help via our GP or Beyond Blue has a whole range of resources available. We can spend time in the garden, or in nature to help ground us and we can continue to make a conscious effort to look for the beauty within our ordinary day to day lives. Last night I cooked meatballs in a creamy sauce and chocolate brownies for dessert, which are some of my children's very favourite foods. The look of excitement and happiness on their faces as they tucked into their dinner and argued about who was going to eat the last meatball made my heart happy.
However, do be mindful not to hoard food. There is a big difference between sensible stockpiling to ensure you can meet your families needs and hoarding food you're not actually going to use that others could. Being prepared is not an excuse for selfishness and we have seen throughout this pandemic that panic buying serves no one well.
I hope and pray you are well dear readers, how are things in your neck of the woods?
Much love,
Emma
xx
