Aren't we glad that we prepare?

 Many of you know that due to medical issues, I don't go to the grocery store.  There is a really good volunteer service that shops and delivers groceries where needed.

I make my grocery list ahead of time to have it all ready when the order taker calls every other Monday.  I generally browse the online sale ads for the store the service uses.

Prices have become so outlandish that I found only one item in the ads I was interested in or could afford.  Family size boxes of Little Debbie Nutty Bars for $1.99 each.  And because I have an unquenchable sweet tooth and because I know that life is good if one has Little Debbie Nutty Bars, I ordered 3 boxes!

Little Debbie Nutty Bars aside, I find myself changing the way I order my groceries.  

I have been in the prepping world for a number of years and have stashed the required rice, beans, etc.  There are shelves holding home canned foods and shelves holding dehydrated foods.  There are boxes holding powdered milk and flour and sugar and as many other staples as I could think of.

My rent has increased along with other bills.  Perhaps now is the time to use some of my food storage.

I spent some time this morning looking through my recipe file for items I can make at home rather than buying at the grocery store.  The only ones I have tried are hot chocolate mix and a couple of gravy mixes.  But because I cook for only one, I'm thinking maybe some of the seasoned rice mixes might be good.

Just for fun I took a look at the ingredients list on a bag of Knorr Rice Sides.  No surprise to find at least half a dozen ingredients with names I can't pronounce.  I am not a health nut as attested to by my love of all things 'Little Debbie,' but I think I would rather make my own convenience mixes where I know what's in them.  A Google search brought up several websites for homemade mixes.  Pretty sure I can find some that will fill the bill.

This morning, I also set up my bread machine.  These arthritic hands don't do well anymore, kneading bread dough.  The last loaf of bread - the cheap stuff - cost me about $4.  I can make my own bread for pennies.  And it tastes better.  And I can use the machine to stir up and knead dough for cinnamon rolls or burger buns or whatever else appeals to me.  Take that, miserable inflation!!

We are preppers.  We find ways around the high prices.  Some farm.  Some garden.  Some raise livestock.  And for those of us who are past our prime and simply cannot work like that anymore, we figure out how to do what needs doing any way we can.

Especially now - stack when you can.  Pray always.