Marti’s Corner – 148

Hi Everyone,

NOTES:

My brother sent this to me:

** “Many of us are still thinking ’72 hour kits’.  After experiencing firsthand the aftermath and recovery process during hurricanes in Florida, I’m convinced we need to encourage people to be able to be on their own for a minimum of three to four weeks!”  Ken Kraudy, Director of Emergency Services, Sandy, Utah.  Note:  COVID took 3-4 months!

GARDEN HAPPENINGS:

** Everything is growing nicely.  I already have flowers on my tomatoes.  Flower to fruit = 8 weeks.  

**My backyard grass borders my garden and is separated by a decorative log.  I FINALLY got the clippers out and trimmed the grass along that log.  Hundreds and hundreds of pill bugs and earwigs (pincher bugs) were lurking there.  I poured diatomaceous earth on thick!!!  Some gardeners don’t mind them in the garden, but I am not a fan.  

** I have three big pots of beans.  One is in full sun most of the day.  Those were the first to sprout.  One planter has sun until about 2:00, and although it took a while, they are now up and growing.  The other one gets sun from about 9-2 (hopefully more as the sun rotates into summer).  Only 2-3 or the bean plants have even sprouted.  BUT…. I had beans there the year before last and they did fine, so I’m hopeful.

**  Remember the wildflowers that looked like weeds?  They are beginning to get flowers, and now they look like weeds with flowers.  LOL

** I love gardening, and I love looking forward to eating fresh vegetables and fruits!

THIS WEEK’S PURCHASE:  FRUIT

** Consider several cans of fruit, fruit roll-ups (on sale at Winco for $.38, or any time of dehydrated or freeze-dried fruit.  Jam can fit in this category.  When we were young (and poor and didn’t know it), we used to have jam sandwiches for lunch.  Bread, butter, jam.  

**  Fruit will add variety to your diet.  It’s just the right amount of sweetness.  Because canned fruit is packed in water, it will provide that as well.  12 Ways To Use Up Leftover Juice From Canned Fruits.  This can include making a fruity drink; sweetening BBQ sauce, adding it to a smoothie, jazzing up oatmeal, and making ice cubes for water.  Check out other ideas with the link above.

**  If you do not have a can of dehydrated apples available at the Home Storage Center, ordering a can or two can add variety to desserts, oatmeal, and snacks.  I’ve included a recipe for Apple Crisp specifically for dehydrated apples.  

Find a Home Storage Center.  (You do NOT have to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to shop at a Home Storage Center.  #10 cans of dehydrated apples are only $10.83.  AND now the Home Storage Center has freeze dried strawberries!!!  THAT cost is only about $14, compared to $30 at beprepared.com.

MISC. PURCHASE:  Batteries

It’s time to check the batteries in all the flashlights, and the smoke detectors.  You should have a flashlight in your nightstand drawer, in the car, somewhere in the kitchen? maybe? and in your 72 hour kit.  Just do it.  The flashlights won’t be any good if they don’t work.  Also remember, that the batteries will NOT last long.  You’ll need a back-up like candles, or lanterns.  Also, garden solar lights are a good idea.  BUT they also need batteries.  

FOOD STORAGE RECIPES:

Apple Crisp

From Preparedness Principles by Barbara Salsbury

3 c. dehydrated apple slices
4 c. water
    Bring apple slices to a boil in water.  Remove from heat and let sit 30 min.
1 c. sugar
1 3/4 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp salt
  Mix and stir in apple slices.  Spread mixture in an 8X8 pan.  
1 c. sugar
1 c. flour
1/2 tsp salt
Optional:  1/2 c. rolled oats
    Sift together.  
1/2 c. soft butter      Cut in until mixture is as fine as cornmeal.  Spread as a topping over apple slices.

Bake 400˚ for 30 min.  Serve warm or cold.

Apple Filled Cookies

From New Ideas for Cooking with Basic Food Storage 

Filling:

Chop or break 2 c. dried apples into small pieces.  DO NOT RECONSTITUTE as in previous recipes.  Place in a saucepan, then add:

3/4 c. water
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. chopped nuts
1 TB flour
     Cook together slowly, stir constantly to prevent scorching until thick.  Cool filling.
Cream together:
1 c. butter for
1 3/4 c. brown sugar
2 eggs
1/2 c. water
1 tsp vanilla
    Mix well and add:
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda
Blend in 3 1/2 c. flour (wheat or white)

Drop by a teaspoon onto an ungreased cookie sheet.  Mae a depression in the middle of each dop and place filling in the depression and then place 1/2 tsp of dough on top of filling.  Bake at 350˚ for about 12 minutes.

Tamale Pie

From New Ideas for Cooking with Basic Food Storage 

1 lb. hamburger
1 chopped onion
1 c. chopped green pepper
1 clove garlic, minced
     Brown together.  Drain the fat and add:
1 16-oz can tomatoes
1 can corn, drained
1 can sliced olives – drained
1 TB sugar
1 tsp salt
dash of pepper
2-3 tsp chili powder
   Simmer 20 minutes until thick.  Add 
1 1/2 c. sharp American cheese – grated
    Stir until melted.  Pour into 3 X 13 baking dish.

Topping:

1 1/2 c. milk – heat in a double boiler
1/2 tsp salt – add
Slowly add:  1/2 c. yellow cornmeal.  Cook and stir util thick, about 20 min.  
1 TB butter – add and spread over top of meat mixture
Bake 375˚ for 40 min.

Marti