I've been at it for a year now, but I'm still finding out new things, which
could have saved me a lot of trouble early on.
Food
Eggs are really the cheapest, most complete, and longest lasting protein
under any condition. Do not even have to
refrigerate them. Will last for weeks just sitting out. Just be sure that when
you crack one, take a whiff to see if it's still good. Salmonella is less of a
problem but its still there, so I really cook the eggs and wash hands after
breaking them just to be on the safe side. A lot of people eat them raw, so
take your pick.
Do not crack an egg into a pan until the oil is smoking hot, and then
turn the flame down to low, or use butter which will do it, hot or not.
But, if you have brought your budgies or other birds with you, do not
use Teflon. Kills them if overheated which can happen very fast. Read last months issue http://tsingle.info/jlyaug.html
Always turn off the stove when you take something from a pot to eat or take the pan to serve and then put it back on the stove. Twice now I did not notice the low flame still burning. Have lost two pan that way. Pretty expensive.
Buy spices. They have a lot of vitamins and minerals which you need and
when used liberally can sometimes fill in those corners you are lacking.
Lists some common spices and their minerals and vitamins http://www.whfoods.com/foodstoc.php
This one gives a list of spices and what dishes they are used on.
http://recipehut.homestead.com/Spices.html
One of the most complete pages I have found on spices in general
worldwide:
http://www.uni-graz.at/~katzer/engl/
And while you're at it, you might pick up a bottle of multivitamins.
They may cost a bit, but they take out the second guessing as to whether or not you
are getting the right vitamins and minerals. There is nothing which can be a
substitute for the real thing, but just in case.
You might also check out a comparison chart or two of the different vitamin/minerals on the market: Multivitamin Comparison Chart or
Comparing Vitamin Supplements These are not definitive. For instance, they do not include the multivitamin I take which is Pharmaton - a Swiss company.
Which brings me to the two vitamins which may not be in the normal range of foods any particular person eats and should therefore be looked at from your own particular perspective. Depending on your diet, you may or may not get enough. And because they are important, you should be sure that you do. The first one is Omega-3 - World's Healthiest Foods which most people get through eating salmon, or fish oil, but if not, then other good sources are walnuts, flax seed, soybeans (see full list). The second one is B12 - World's Healthiest Foods
which you can get through milk but a lot of people take it in a separate pill form.
Also, if you are taking a general antibiotic by doctor's order (do not take it otherwise), be sure that you help the stomach replenish the necessary flora of your digestive tract which the antibiotics destroy on their way to curing you of whatever the condition you have which needs curing. The best way to do this is through things like yogurt, sauerkraut, kimchi, certain probiotic-fortified foods such as breakfast cereals, energy bars and beverages. This is very important, particulaarly if you are taking antibiotics for more than a very short time. For food sources and an excellent article, see Probiotics & Prebiotics by Your Total Health, a service of NBC and iVillage
Back-ups
Always have back-ups for the most important items. If it's coffee, have a few extra small tins or packets around. If its sugar, be sure you have other
sweet syrups, honey, or backup sugar packets in the apartment. If its milk, buy some
coffee creamer just as a back up, or some small long lasting cartons of milk which
do not need refrigeration until opened, or cans of evaporated milk. For coffee,
if you use it, there is really just no substitute. And have a box of raisins.
This can fulfill all sorts of functions like snacks, being there when nothing
else is left, add-ONs to dishes and add-INs to foods (pancakes, salads). Make a list of those things which you would prefer not to be without for a day or two (of course, this depends on how often you get out, or alternatively, want to go to the market).
All you need in terms of appliances and dishes
Buy a really good sauce pan. Stainless steel is my preference, but there
are other good types out there. This one thing is worth the extra expense. Get
some advice on this.
The cheap ones are only going to give you trouble. Get one with a heavy
lid for semi baking and faster cooking. The only other utensil you need is a
strainer, a wooden spatula, and a good cutting knife (I just have a small paring knife which is great). Oh, and a cup, spoon, fork and plate come in handy.
The only other appliance you really need is an electric coffee water
boiler – not the coffee maker. Boiling the water first, speeds up cooking and
saves gas. Handy for instant soups, and of course coffee, tea and hundreds of
other things. Do not use the hot water boiler to do this for you. Too many
people have been badly scalded by water which is too hot. Especially children
and the elderly.
If you do not have a refrigerator, most old apartments and houses still
have the air cabinets which actually work during the summer to keep things like
milk and other perishable viable for at least a day, and in the spring and
fall, 2 and even 3 days.
If not, get an insulated cooler which may not be elegant but will do the
same job for you, and even longer.
Safety First
If you are cooking or heating with any form of gas, always, and I mean
always, leave a window cracked. It may cause you to use more gas, or be a bit
colder, but it could save your life.
Unless you are good at throwing up and know how to do it, have a bottle
of ipecac around for those times when you know you have swallowed something you
perhaps should not have inside. When a poison is involved, it is better not to
throw up or induce vomiting until you have called the poison control center (every
country has one). Some poisons
(corrosives) can cause greater damage on the way back up. Also if the person is
having seizures, vomiting could cause choking.
For poison emergency numbers worldwide: http://www.who.int/ipcs/poisons/centre/directory/en/
In the U.S.
the number is 1-800-222-1222.
Best overall description for handling the possibility of poisoning: http://pmep.cce.cornell.edu/facts-slides-self/facts/gen-posaf-treat.html
Additional information at: http://globalcrisis.info/poisonemergency.html
Also see: http://life.familyeducation.com/first-aid/poisons/48282.html
Saves a lot of running around, worry, making frantic phone calls.
For other emergency numbers http://globalcrisis.info/
Always have the following numbers written on a paper attached to
something like the wall. Not just in your computer. When my computer went down,
or the electricity went out, I had nothing. Finally, I attached a large sheet
of paper to the wall near the phone and started writing numbers on it such as
friends, poison control center (each country has one), emergency operator, taxi
service, fire department, police.
The only other thing which is very important to have is a flashlight and
extra batteries. And while you're at it, find out exactly where the main switch
for the lights is and how to turn it back on. Unless it’s a general blackout
for the street (check out the window), whatever may have caused it may need to
be unplugged before the main switch will hold. Hence the flashlight. Or when
the gas for the stove gives out and you need to turn on the spare outside in the dark.
Things to have on hand
Baking soda (bicarbonate of soda), safety matches, extra light bulbs,
tape (any kind), band-aids, burn ointment (although for small burns, sugar and
water applied immediately does a great job without blisters), string, nails, hammer. and a screw driver.
Company
You may want to be alone (or not) but there is one thing which you
should have and that is at least one plant. They demand very little, and if you
are not listening, nothing.
If there is anything I have forgotten, please tell me thomtar@netvision.net.il Thanks
© copyright 2008 J. Morgan Thomas All rights reserved
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