Social Isolating and food.

It seems the longer I stay socially isolated the harder it is to leave the house. My hermit skills are absolutely top notch.

Buzz is my grocery guy, he goes every 3 days or so. Milk bread, coffee cream, fresh veg. I am pretty well stocked up, that's just a normal thing. One open, one in the pantry.

I've lived in some geographically (lets call them challenged) isolated areas, of the one road in and the one grocery store variety.

 I love to cook, I love to eat and I've never relied on a restaurant for meals. I don't even do the take out coffee thing. Who drinks hot beverages in a moving car? 

When the kids were young I'd make sure I had a roast, a turkey, a ham, a whole chicken and a lot of stewing beef and hamburger. I always have canned vegetables, soup and evaporated milk. 

People have kind of looked down their noses at me over the years, fresh or frozen is better of course, however when you live in a one road in place that's prone to power outages and road closures, that can of peas looks pretty darn good, and everyone knows that Yorkshire pudding is made with canned milk.

I used to buy the Easter candy as soon as it came out, if you waited until Thursday it was gone. No candy from the Bunny for the kids. The nuts and cranberry (canned) and the treats for Christmas, especially the Advent Calendars in November.

Just in case. It's same with home canning, if I miss a year I fret. No pickles! No jam!  Merde! I've always said if there's canned soup in the cupboard we'll be fine, just fine.

Well as a long time eater and cook with limited fresh and pantry supplies I can give you a few pointers.

Save your veg ends for soup stock, and make that now. Freeze it.

Do you have two hot dogs in the pack, one piece of sandwich meat? Don't waste it.
Freeze it. 

Couple crusts of bread left in the bag? It'll make great stuffing or bread for meat balls.
Freeze it.

Veggies going soft? Roast them, or blanch them.
Freeze it.

Milk about to expire?
Freeze it.

Spuds staring at you? De-eye them wash them, slice them thin and make scalloped potatoes. Use that about to be expired milk. (a note only bake 3/4 of the way will freeze better)
Freeze it.

Use up older stock in freezer, chicken, beef, veg.
Make Chili.
Make soups.
Make stocks.
Make gravies.
Make lasagna.
Make chow mien.
Make meat pies.
Freeze it!

Always use the left overs. You can put cheese on just about anything.
Also you can FREEZE cheese.

I always make sure the crackers, cereal, dry goods are in tupperware or clothes pinned tightly. 

Rotate your canned stuff so you don't become a hoarder or an eater of expired things, rotate your freezer stock and keep an extra box of freezer bags in the pantry.

I think that's it food wise, I hear you can freeze eggs too. I've never tried it, but Google it and see how.

I've been isolating since the 15th, still not too crazy. I did a knock and drop but came straight home. I've always done well on my own, and I do prefer home cooking and staying close to home.

 My health has been a concern for a lot of years. Chronic illness is an isolating business normally, so apart from the forays to the grocery store and the odd lunch or coffee with the girls I'm not missing anything. 

Stay home if you can, distance your physical self in public, wear the mask, (all the cool folk are doing it) wash your hands! Don't touch your face. Cover your mouth with your elbow when you sneeze/cough. Stay away from the old folks, drop and run supplies for them that you have wiped down with a lysol wipe. (cans handles packages) Don't have parties, keep your kids at home if you can. I know parents have to work. Be kind, be thoughtful, share.