Building the perfect pantry

Hello everyone!  Todays post is about the most efficient way to store a staple stockpile of food for traveling.  It will cover how to store it, what to include and what NOT to keep.  So, lets begin with storage.  If you have a little bit of money to invest before you set off, and I cannot stress enough, do not start off with nothing like we did, lol its terrible to try to aquire items while rollin.  Plastic totes with lids are great,  they are airtight and the perfect size to fit under seats freeing up more storage space.  Having said that, our no money solution to it was oversize milk crates.  They dont slide, and stack together, locking them into place if packed correctly ( canned goods and other heavy items on the bottom). Unfortunately, they are not airtight, so tupperware of some sort is a must with them for perishables, but the upside is that the open top makes for easy access while youre driving.  Fumbling with lids for a snack is just a few steps away from texting and driving, in my opinion.  Now, what to put in your pantry...Canned goods are a MUST!  Try and pack full meal items such as hearty soups, stews and chilis; no refrigeration needed, full servings of at least 3 food groups and can be eaten right out of the can if you dont have access to a microwave or other cooking device.  Crackers are a great alternative to bread as they do not mold nearly as easily and if you have access to meat will still be able to work like bread, only smaller.  Embrace the grownup lunchable people.  You can never have too much peanut butter,  its a great substitute for protein when you cant find fresh meat,or have no way of storing it, it almost never goes bad, and I dare you to find a food bank that doesnt give it away.  Added bonus, you can pair it with almost anything for any meal, get creative.  Example: donated box of plain melba toast = tastes like cardboard, paired with thick layer of p.b.= nice breakfast sandwich, + jelly = delicious breakfast and covers three food groups!  Cheap trail mix of any kind, normally expensive in most stores, but not at Dollar Tree!  Get to know that store well.  Everything and I mean EVERYTHING for just a dollar.  Try and keep something salty and something sweet at all times cause I guarantee if you dont have it, you Will crave it.  A cooler works well for fresh produce even if you dont have ice, but try and eat that stuff asap, or just go with canned, its easier to keep without having to keep it cold.  Keep a bag with every kind of gas station, truckstop and fast food condiment known to man!  Theyre free to take, dont need to be refrigerated, and can be used for a variety of things.  Dont forget salt and pepper, and if you can get it, powdered garlic, apart from it being a seasoning it is also a natural tick and mosquito repellant.   Do not try and store anything fresh for more than a few days,  If you cant eat it or store it properly, give it away!  Trust us, food poisoning while traveling is not only uncomfortable, and terrible but also VERY dangerous.  Always keep a stockpile of water obviously, but for those of you who NEED some flavor to your beverages,  powdered mixes are great, inexpensive ( thanks again Dollar Tree!) and easy to store.  Above all, never be afraid to try new things!  whether you are in a region that you are unfamiliar with, or just never liked it before, throw away those misconceptions.  Going hungry for a few days will definately change a picky eater.  Above all, be thankful for what you have, or what someones willing to give, it may save your life, and if you keep an open mind, you might just try the most delicious things you would have never even dreamed of eating.  I know I did.

                                                                    - Thanks for reading!

                                                                                        -Mr. FiX and LaDy DyMe