Frantic Food storage!!!

Okay, so I'm not really frantic about this, but it's definitely my number one focus right now. I've had an increasing feeling that I need to stock up and get organized with food storage. I'm sure you've been hearing things about this too, it seems to be every where now. In fact, so many people are buying food storage that bishop storehouses are out of wheat (mine is getting more in two weeks, hopefully it'll stick around long enough for me to get some), and Sams club is limiting the amount of rice people can buy (4 bags a trip). The interesting thing is that my entire family (on both sides) is pushing to do the same thing: get food storage.

I have talked to several different people about food storage and their approaches to it, and I've selected a plan that I think will be best for us. In fact, I think my plan is so brilliant that I'm going to share it with you. What? I'm humble. :D

I have planned out 20 different meals that I can make out of food storage items. I am going to have a box for each month of the year, and in the box will be all of the ingredients necessary to make 15 of the meals. Then, when each new month starts, I will go down to the basement and select the box labeled for that month. I will unpack that box into my cabinets, and go shopping for 15 new meals worth of ingredients. I will then re-stock the box and put it down in the basement until I need it the following year.

Bryce and I decided on 15 meals a month because that gives us a few days for leftovers, eating out, and variety in our menu for the month. We are also going to store the recommended amount of wheat, rice, legumes, honey, etc. so we'll have long term storage as well.

I love this plan because I will know exactly what to do with my boxes of food and everything will be rationed out so I'm organized and fully prepared. Also, I'll be using my food regularly and we will be getting our money's worth out of our food storage. I think it'll be healthier for our family as well, eating more wheat and beans and such. I'm hoping this will save us more money in the long run, I seem to go to Walmart at least once every two days it seems!

I've got an excel file with all of my food storage recipes written on it, I can email the full recipes to you if you want them. Let me know and I'll email them directly to you. Let me know if any of you have any special tips, recipes, or approaches you'd like to share...I'm open for suggestions!