What do you eat for 3 months?

uh.

geh.

yep.

On a boat, getting “stuff” is called “provisioning”.  In my experience, provisioning generally refers to food and drink “stuff” but can also  refer to mechanical, medical or other items needed for the boat.

Before we even headed out to Florida, we attempted to answer the most important questions:  how much Tito’s and TexMex is “enough”?  (update: “enough” is definitely not enough! And, of course, Tito’s we’d definitely consider a sponsorship 😉

Why yes, I am preparing for the TexMex Apocalypse

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now, here in Florida, having spent the last week itemizing needed boat “stuff”, I’m focusing on food and drink needed “stuff”, and a few extras you can get at Costco or a grocery (TP, cleaning supplies, etc).

How does one go about figuring out what and how to provision?  Well, here’s are some considerations I have considered in this endeavor (feel free, feel very free to add your 2 cents or $5 in, please and thank you):

  • Weight – It’s a major factor – insofaras how our boat performs/how fast we go/what weather we might get caught in if we are weighed-down slowpokes.  So, while the canned beans cost less than the dry beans (really!?! yes.), the weight and packaging may outweigh (heh – see how I did that? 😉 the cost.
  • Packaging – Everything that comes on the boat has to be dealt with, trash-wise.  This kind of life definitely makes you re-think your consumption and judgy-eyes of the granola-lady who brings in her own containers for bulk items; she’s still a weirdo – a weirdo with a reality check – but, now, “she” is me, yup.  All labels on tins/cans will come off with the moisture so we label and date everything.   All things that come in things, come out of their things aka packaging and these things stay on land less we carry it to the nearest port or burn, bury, or toss it overboard (organics, mostly).
  • What do I/we eat? – So, as a home-grown cook, I have a pretty good handle on what we eat regularly and what I stock my pantry with.  But . . . coming up with a list for our weekly run and of what should last us for three months was something entirely different.   So, I wrote down everything I could think of, categorized it by perishables and non, trying my best to get a balance of  proteins, grains,  fruits and veggies.  And, then there is snacks, desserts, and booze, of course.
  • Perishables – What will last?  Given the fridge on Mother Jones is similar to what you’d have in your dorm (and I filled mine in college up with beer and potato salad – not a helpful comparison to how I live now), I’ve had to re-consider what gets kept cold and what doesn’t.  I’ve learned a lot about what actually doesn’t need to be in the fridge (eggs, butter, a lot of condiments, etc).  And, I have some idea and am counting on that idea of what will likely be available to me in terms of fresh fruits and veggies (pineapple, coconut, fresh fish, yum, yum, yum!).
  • Cost – So, now I have a list but given I’m getting so much stuff and I’m on a budget, I want the best deal.  Here and abroad.  I recently heard that a regular jar of Peanut Butter in the Bahamas is $10 – ouch.  I don’t even like it that much!  But, it is the main ingredient in my beloved peanut sauce – but I digress.  Given we’re getting literally 24 cans of tuna, etc, I shopped around.  If you know me, you’re not surprised I made a spreadsheet, put it on a clipboard and went to the supermarket and wrote down the prize per ounce – tomorrow I compare with Costco and will re-post with the comparison (I know, you’re soooo welcome).
  • Where/how do I store it all?  Great!  Now, I’ve got all this “stuff”.   Where in the frik to I put it all?  Luckily, boats are full of hidey-holes and I plan to use every one of them.  Here’s my current challenge:  I’ve got complete meals (should I store these ingredients together?), snacks and desserts (should I put them in serving sizes and half away for later?), “ethnic foods” (first of all, “ethnic foods”, really?  but then in serio, do I put the TexMex and Asian in it’s respective sections or sparse them out for monthly rations) – 1st world problems, I know, ugg.
And, I’m very serious, please do share your thoughts on what I should be considering, and I’ll consider it.  You’re the best!
love,
L, D & Mr. K
ps.  Mr. K went to the vet today and he’s all set for his trip to the Bahamas.  Oh, that handsome, salty dog.
pps.  Here’s some fun pics from the post-provisioning run:

Costco provisioning

dockside label party