There are as many ways to prep as there are preppers. Stockpiling longterm stuff you find on sale, buying buckets of freeze-dried food, preserving your own… The list could go on and on. But, have you tried "prepping by recipe?"

The concept is exactly what it sounds like. You choose some of your family's favorite meals, and then you create a way to serve that dish made only with long-term food. In my opinion, these meals are far more tasty and welcome than adding water to fettuccine alfredo from a bucket.

Please keep in mind these are examples. You may follow a completely different diet. I just chose the typical diet that consists of meat, grains, vegetables/fruit, and dairy. None of these lists, of course, is comprehensive.

Meat

For meat, I recommend freeze-dried or home-canned. Please remember that home-canned meat is far better within the first 9-12 months. This is not a long-term option but can really help in a power outage.

For freeze-dried options, there are all sorts of #10 cans to make any carnivore happy.

• Diced chicken

• Pork sausage

• Ground beef

• Diced beef

• Pulled pork

These each contain around 20-25 servings.