Hurricane Ike Fooding/Flooding

[RawPaw]

We just got our power back on literally minutes ago. I didn't stay raw at all eating my food and my neighbor's food. We just didn't know when things would get better. Better raw-preparation for next time, though.

Ike was sooo unexpected because I work on the computer a lot and don't watch TV at all. I wish internet news was more localized. We didn't even know about the bank implosion until yesterday.

We got damaged relatively lightly compared to Galveston. Yes, that area is very Katrina-like.

[JEN]

Glad to hear you are safe and well. Its tough times for the people of Galveston and the surrounding areas. My thoughts and prayers go out to those affected by the storm.

[Thick]

Many of the stores near me are open again. If anyone needs some raw food, I can help you.=)

[RawPaw]

Many of the stores near me are open again. If anyone needs some raw food, I can help you.=)

I'll have to check the stores first, but yeah...I'll take you up if I need it. How did you fare?

[Thick]

My house and family are ok. We had our fence blow off, but no structural damage.

Really, us Houston area RFT's should go to the meetup and get to know each other for situations like this, hmm?

[Raine]

I'm thankful that FEMA has stepped up to the plate to cover the hotel expenses for the 3,500+ people that are in town due to being displaced by Ike. They stated that they will do that for 30 days. So many of the evacuees are already out of money. Of course, hearing that Galveston will essentially be out of commission for several weeks lends one to think that it may be longer than 30 days.

Very glad to hear you all are ok.

[Erika]

I was right along with you and still am. I live in South Houston in a 3rd floor apartment and my complex got hit really hard. I was very scared that my windows were going to blow in and my roof was going to come right off. I kept trying to think to myself what I would do if the roof came off, I didn't know if I would be sucked out of the house or what... surely the cats would be but they wouldn't stay in the bathroom where I put them. We have those metal car ports here and I could hear the metal bending and twisting outside then there would be a loud bang as it ripped off the poles and went flying across the parking lot. I have lots of photos of the complex, maybe I'll post a few. I ended up not getting any major damage but I did get water in my 3rd floor apartment due to the rain coming in sideways through the door cracks and windows. I am still shocked at the water though because my windows fit really well and the door has a pretty good seal. I'm going to see if the complex will replace the carpet though. I've had lights since yesterday but I've been trying to clean up the house and I've been parked in gas lines and standing in grocery store lines for hours.

I bought carrots at whole foods and they had some kind of slimy film on them and didn't taste good at all so I'm going to take them back. None of the other stores that I have been to have any produce at all so I've been living on canned food, ramen noodles, soup, frozen pizza, whatever the store has. It's very difficult because I can't waste my gas going across town to a whole foods again just yet (return of the carrots will have to wait) and the stores around here are nearly empty. This mess really does suck and the curfews are kind of crazy. I'm kind of glad for the experience and being able to protect my home but I don't want to go through this again. Hopefully it's many years before we have another one.

[spicyfull]

My Best to you and everyone in that situation. May God continue to grant Peace in such a Terrible time in unfortunate people lives.

[Raine]

Hang in there Erika.

It sounds like the powers that be want to keep a strong hold on how things are progressing which is understandable.

Galveston is supposed to have 500,000 bikers at the end of next month for the Lone Star Rally - if it can still be held, that would be a massive influx of much needed cash for the area. Those of us on the biking side are waiting to see if the initial request for us to volunteer to help with clean up is still wanted. If so, I'll bring you a box of Larabars!

[JEN]

Erika is your mail, ups, or fedex running??? I can send you a few things if it is. Just let me know. Ive been in your situation after Katrina. No gas, no stores, no power, water, etc., and in the heat. I remember wanting a salad sooo bad. Let me know if I can help.

[Erika]

Raine, the Larabars would be awesome, I'll actually pay you for them, I have no idea where to get them around here. If you know of a store or a chain that carries them, I'll call them and see if they are open now and go get some, that way you don't have to bring me any.

Jen, thank you so much. I really want carrots right now lol. I think I can wait though because the stores around here should be getting some produce soon.

I have water, lights and cable now. Many areas around me still don't have power and that's what is keeping some of the stores closed but I do have power in my home. I will be fine and I don't have any needs as of the moment but I thank everyone for trying to help. It's times like these that tend to bring people together and it's nice to see people trying to help their neighbors.

Thank you again for offering to help and I'll let you know if I need anything but I think I'm going to make it (with or without my carrots lol).

[gritsnla]

Having been through Gustav and out of electricity for 11 days, I wished that I would have been at high raw. I was thinking that it would have been easier to have had non-refrigerated produce than regular SAD food that needed refrigeration. You know, sit on the counter melons, apples, 'naner, etc. Needless to say, wasn't high raw and went back to caffiene and processed....just too easy to do along with the family.

Now that things are getting back to something that resembles normal, it is time to get back to raw and feeling better.

Again, wishing everyone health and peace during this time.

[JEN]

Erika if you find you cant get anything fresh, just shout. Anyone esle there too. I will be glad to share with ya. I didnt get a salad until after a month or 2when Katrina hit and I wasnt even raw then. I also got the last 2 bags of romaine lettuce in the only open store which was super walmart. There was hardly any produce in the store. I know the stores will have to replensih their stock and that means waiting for trucks to come in.
Im glad you guys have power and water again. I know its gotta be much harder for the folks in Galveston. Again my prayers go out!!

[Erika]

Sorry to hear that you guys went through Gustav and Katrina. I know that those times were really hard. I hope that things are back to normal now for you.

I finally found carrots today YAY!!!
I also got some organic baby spinach and some cilantro which are all my favorites so I'm good for a while. The lettuce at the store was horrible so I didn't bother. It looks like the store near by which is an HEB will be carrying some good stuff soon so I'm not worried now.

If I can do anything for anyone else here that might need some help from the hurricane please let me know. If you know of anyone that might need clothes, personal care items, food etc. I can help now that the store is open and I've been meaning to clean out my closet anyway.

[Raine]

Erika -- if you will visit www.Larabar.com they have a store locater on their website.

.

[Riiiya]

i don't particularly expect a natural disaster, but in case something happens to disrupt the normal flow of things- i keep alfa-alfa seeds for sprouting (i just realized how easy it is!) chia seeds for fullness (i bought like 5 lbs online lol) and i have a whole jar of bee polen for nutrition (of course many here don't eat it but i don't mind it. that's the cheapest "superfood" i can afford lol)

good luck to you all! i can't even imagine what such an experience would be like :(

[carolg]

Erika,
Larabars is sold at Costco if one near you and cheapest there from what I understand without buying them.

donations:
I know Joel Osteen Ministries has a big outreach posted that came through our emails for donations. www.joelosteen.com:

Meetup Houston:
Meetup contact Houston--they meet 2x monthly:
Meetup.com, type in zip, raw foods vegan living got me this information for RF in your area and meeting next Thursday with contact email contact info.

The Houston & World Vegan Raw Food Meetup Group
There is a regular meet up that occurs every second Wednesday and every fourth Thursday of the month at the Taft Street Coffee House. Please contact Tambra Baron at TambraBaron@Yahoo.com for more information and to RSVP. Thank you.

Next Meetup: Thu Sep 25 at 6:30 PM
Meetup topics: Alternative Health, Vegetarian, Vegan, Raw Food
--
To safety and quick restoration to all affected, I pray.

Carolg

[Gittel]

Hi, everyone! This is my first time on the computer since Ike visited us. Thank G-d, we are fine. A few leaks in the roof and a broken window, but all is well. It certainly has been interesting. New appreciation for air conditioning, water pressure, refrigeration, telephone contacts, and good neighbors.

As far as food is concerned, we did great for almost 2 weeks. Before the hurricane hit, I bought bags of apples, oranges, grapefruit, grapes, a watermelon, lots of avocados and tomatoes, portabello mushrooms. I made a list of some of the foods that I served my family:
pico de gallo
cucumber slices with nori and avocado
chopped apple, pear, celery, raisins, nuts
orange, grapefruit, grapes
cabbage, celery, avocado, onion
corn salad (from quickly-thawing frozen corn)
orange and yellow peppers, celery, avocado, tomato
marinated portabello mushrooms

I had planned to try finely hand-chopping ingredients for marinara sauce and spiralizing yellow squash, but I never found the energy to do so before the power came back.

I missed my food processor and my BlendTec quite a bit. I was also not able to use lots of water to clean the fruits and veggies, as we had limited bottle water available and the tap water was not deemed safe for many days.

I now have two refrigerator/freezers and an upright freezer to refill with yummy frozen fruits and veggies. Sadly everything was lost. Not so sadly, so was all of the SAD food still left that I never had the heart (or pocketbook) to throw away. Yes, we lost a lot of $$$ (actually several hundreds), but I will restock with good stuff.

I hope that everyone is safe. This is what is most important. Hugs to all.
Gittel

[JEN]

Wow, long time with no power huh. Glad to hear you made it thru. Its amazing how much we appreciate raw after such a disaster. Its the light at the end of the tunnel. Thanks for the update!!