I live in upstate NY. We get our fair amount of snow over the winter, plenty of below zero days, and the occasional blizzard or ice storm. There are times we go without power, or just have to hunker down until the roads are clear. Now, I'm perfectly aware that everyone, not just families with food allergies, should be preparing for winter conditions. However, I think that because food allergy families can't just make do with whatever they find at the gas station down the block, we need to think ahead in a very strategic way. Today, I'm going to share my Top 5 items to stock up on for the long winter ahead!
(Drum roll please...)
Number 1: Shelf stable milk alternative. (Especially if you have toddlers or pre-schoolers!) Each time you do your regular grocery shopping trip, pick up one (or two) large container (s) of whichever milk alternative your family uses. We use Rice Dream Rice Milk as our shelf stable alternative.
Number 2: Canned tomatoes. Whether you've canned your own, or you purchase them, lay in a supply of canned tomatoes. Stock a variety so you can make sauces, soups, or add them to a crock pot recipe. Canned tomatoes are versatile, and can be used to create many different warm comfort-food dishes. Again, just pick up an extra can or two each time you go shopping for your weekly groceries.
Number 3: Pasta. All different shapes and sizes. Whether you eat rice pasta, or wheat pasta, stock up on this hearty staple. Pasta can provide good energy for those days you might have to shovel the driveway, or knock the ice off your roof! It can be a main dish, side dish, ingredient in a dish... When the brand of pasta we purchase goes on sale, I buy a LOT of it.
Number 4: Baking staples. Flour (GF if that is what your family needs), sugars, baking powder, baking soda, salt, vanilla, shortening. If you have a good supply of baking staples, you can make breads, pancakes, waffles, dumplings, biscuits, hey - maybe even some cookies! I tend to stock up on these items using sales or coupons.
Number 5: Last, but perhaps most importantly, stock up on prescriptions. Refill all your/your child's prescription medications in case you cannot get to the pharmacy due to whether. No one wants to be without epinephrine, nebulizer supplies, steroid cream, or antihistamine when they need it.
May you have a safe winter, and may you eat well if you get snowed in!
As always, from The Allergy Safe Kitchen, I wish you "Good Cooking, and Safe Eating"!
Photo Credit: Gregory Van Horn
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