Coronavirus Shopping List

Coronavirus Shopping List

Coronavirus Shopping List – how to prepare for the worst but hoping for the best

This coronavirus shopping list will help you to survive during a complete shutdown and other emergency situations. It is always wise to have stocks because you never know. Are you ready?

For days now we have been bombarded with news about the coronavirus and its spread in the USA. Social Media and newspapers across the country report on it on an hourly basis. I find myself filtering the news from time to time in order to yield a more balanced perspective toward the end of finding the best possible reaction to the situation. What is most scary to most people, I believe, is the unknown, which makes it somewhat difficult to evaluate the extent of the actual threat. While I am not a fan of panicking in a situation like this, I do want to treat it with some level of seriousness and take some precaution.

Hygiene and adjusting to the circumstances

For example, increased hygiene is a given! Washing of hands regularly for about 20 seconds with soap is critical. Keeping distance with infected people and avoiding social gatherings is logical and understandable to prevent a potential spread. Furthermore, with six grandchildren not exactly close by and with varying closeness to an affected area, I find myself wanting to be prepared. In fact, in the past few days I have felt the urgency to proactively prepare for the worst even if only to avoid having to ultimately say “hindsight is 20/20”.

I filled up my freezer, refrigerator and pantry. Not knowing what ingredients would be available in the stores in a time of crisis, I decided to prepare food in such a way that I either froze them entirely or half-cooked.

I began my efforts by writing out a “corona grocery list.” It included canned food, frozen fruit, and products that have an extended expiration date.

For the freezer, I used either “Freeze Tite”, which is a plastic wrap (BPA free) that allows for freezing of single slices of meat or fish without sticking to each other.  Furthermore, I used freezer bags and containers. Enjoy my list in its entirety below, with reference to items that lend themselves well for the freezer!

Oma’s Coronavirus Shopping List:

Dairy products: pasteurized whole milk (does not need to be chilled), canned milk, milk powder, shredded cheese (freezer), butter (freezer), egg powder, baby formula.

Bread and more: crispbread (Wasa), pumpernickel bread (freezer), tortillas (freezer), crackers.

Fruit and vegetables: oranges, apples, lemons, pears, grapefruit, potatoes, sweet potatoes, onions, garlic, carrots

Condiments: salt, flour, sugar, bread crumbs, oatmeal, vinegar, oil, shortening, ketchup, mayonnaise, horseradish, mustard, peanut butter, jams and jellies, honey, stock cubes, coffee, tea,

Spices: pepper, paprika, cloves, seafood seasoning, dried basil, garlic powder, nutmeg, caraway seeds, rosemary, curry powder, Maggi.

Fruits, vegetables, and pickles: Each grocery store has a large variety of fruit – either in cans, jars or in small portioned plastic containers. My favorite fruits are pineapples, pears, peaches, mangos, sour cherries, mandarines, and apple sauce. I always have peas, carrots, beans, corn, green beans, mushrooms, tomatoes, and asparagus in my pantry. Pickled red beets and Gherkins are a must. The vegetables and fruits also can be found in the freezer aisle.

Pasta, rice, and couscous are ideal for mixing with canned vegetables and bacon to create a meal.

Meat, Poultry, and Fish: Pork chopsticks boneless for Schnitzel, beef and pork tenderloin, brisket, beef roast, chicken drumsticks, ground beef, goulash, pork belly, bacon, Bratwurst, and flounder.

Household products: paper kitchen towels, toilet paper, tissues, cleaning supplies, dish soap, hand soap, glass cleaner, disinfection spray, sponges, laundry detergent, batteries, light bulbs.

Hygiene: Make sure that you cannot run out of toothpaste, soap, shaving cream, shampoo, and everything necessary for the females.

Medication for: cold and cough, fever, allergy medication, saline solution, Band-Aids, and don’t forget to fill up the prescriptions.

Babies and toddlers: diapers, baby formula, baby food, cream, teething gel, fever reducer, nose drops

Preparation of meals:

In the following section I explain how I prepared the food and meals to preserve them. I made large amounts in order to portion the meals after the cooking process.

Meals with Meat: I washed the brisket, beef tenderloin, chicken drumsticks, Bratwurst, and flounder, wrapped them singly, and placed them in the freezer. I breaded the Schnitzel and prepared the Frikadellen, fried them on both sides for 2-3 minutes until they were light brown, wrapped them individually, and placed them in the freezer too. The beef roast was easy to prepare with the necessary ingredients. After I browned all sides of the roast, I froze it entirely with the liquids and vegetables. Of course, the bone marrow dumplings and semolina dumplings cannot be missed. I prepared them, cooked them in the beef broth, and froze all of it including the meat. It also was easy to freeze the fully cooked, green bean stew, carrot stew, split pea soup, noodle casserole, Brussel Sprouts, goulash, cauliflower, and onion cake. Find the recipes here.

Cakes: I made yeast sheet cakes topped with a variety of fruits and crumbs, egg liqueur cake, and the Sandtorte filled with chocolate buttercream, divided them, and placed them as well in the freezer. Nobody wants to miss out on the German desserts.

This Corona Shopping list is based on how I prepared myself and my family for what may come and is meant to orient you to proactively prepare you and your loves ones as well. You might have the one or other products already at home, but the list may serve as a reminder to you in terms of what you might still need to purchase.

I wish all of you health and the strength to overcome possible fears.

Yours Oma

Links to get information and updates of the Coronavirus:

https://www.cdc.gov

https://www.who.int