Primal Primer 18 (Nutrition)
Ancient hunters and gatherers developed various strategies to meal prep based on their needs to preserve food, manage resources, and prepare for periods of scarcity. Without modern tools or techniques, they utilized practical methods of ensuring food availability and survival.
Hunting & Gathering In Cycles – Certain times of the year provide abundant resources, such as ripened fruits, migrating animals, or fish. During these times of opulence, surplus is built. Economy is a critical weapon in scarcity; little went to waste and most to storage for later days.
Preservation Methods
Drying & Smoking – Meats, fruits, and plants are laid out in the sun or near fires to dry. Dried meat, often turned into jerky or pemmican (mixture of dried meat, fat and sometimes berries). Smoking meat over fire helps preserve it by drying it slowly and infusing with smoke; which acts as natural preservative.
Salting – More common in later periods of human development, salting helps prevent bacterial growth and extend the edible life of meat and fish.
Fermenting – Used to extend edible life and enhance nutritional value, fermentation allows for the preservation of fish, roots, and vegetables.
Food Storage Techniques – Digging pits and lining with grasses, leaves, or animal skins create natural refrigeration systems.
Preparation Drives Great Outcome
Although we no longer struggle with keeping our gathered foods from spoilage, the concept of creating conditions of surplus, and fueling convenience continues to be a challenge to most modern sapiens. Cooking bulk and storing plants & animals is the first step to avoiding irrational hunger based decisions. Healthy cave fire pre-prepped meals must be part of the plan. Meal prep eliminates the time sink of “going out to lunch” when at work; wasteful fast casual eating situations where mystery ingredients & oils infiltrate. Meal preparation saves time, encourages practical decision making, and is economical. Optimal fueling doesn’t happen from chance, it requires planning.
~Cave Implementation~
When Cave Fire Cooking, make more than you need, as increased volume takes little more time to prepare. Buy ingredients in bulk as this is more economical in cost and time. Lastly, invest in high quality glassware with securable tops that can be used for refrigerator storage and on the go consumption. Plastic containers and wraps should be avoided, especially if reheating.
Optimal Fueling Doesn’t Happen From Chance, It Requires Planning.
