Marti’s Corner – 152

Hi Everyone,

NOTES:

** As you are looking forward to having all your children home for the summer, check out justserve.org.

There are nearly 80 service projects available.  Some are one and done and some are ongoing.  Just Serve is nationwide, maybe even worldwide.  Just put in your zip code.  It is free to match up your time available and your talents with others who could use your help.  If you work with a charity who could use volunteers, there is a place where you can sign up for free.

**  Also, check out this list  100 Summer Fun Ideas for Kids and Parents.

** Home Storage Centers.  Did you know that over 60% of the people who shop at the Home Storage Centers are NOT members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  All are welcome there.  The food is packaged in #10 cans and sold at cost.  The church does NOT need to make money by selling this food.  Most of the growing, packaging, and shipping is done by volunteers.  Here is a current list of locations.  Home Storage Center Locations

This TikTok shows the Storage Center in Houston.  Mine is similar.

Find ‘Home Storage Centers’ on TikTok

**No place to put your food?  Here’s Maureen: Family Home Storage – Meet Maureen

GARDEN HAPPENINGS

I checked the back of my broccoli leaves and found these eggs on every plant!!!  If there are only a few of them, I just squish them with my thumb.  If there are a lot, I cut that part of the leaf off!  Don’t wait until they hatch!

**This site, by Utah State University, lets you look up your specific plant to find what garden pests to expect and how to deal with them.  Agricultural Pests by Crop | USU

**  Now that the weather is warming up, my lettuce is starting to bolt.  This is normal and part of the life cycle of a plant.

When this happens, though, the leaves can taste bitter.  No worries, just pull it up and plant more.  During the hot summer, from seed to bolting can be as short as 5-6 weeks.  So, about every 3 weeks, try to plant another tray of lettuce.  Currently I have 7 trays of lettuce.  It’s just WAY too much for 2 people (as most of you know because I’m always trying to give it away.)  I’ve found a shady spot under some trees and I’m going to move the lettuce there.  I’m also going to downsize to 3 trays.  This will be much more manageable.

I also have celery that is bolting.

THIS WEEK’S PURCHASE:  Wheat 

I’ve attached a pdf labeled Minimum Year Supply

It is suggested we have 300 pounds of grain per person per year.  You don’t need to store all that in wheat.  Grains can include flour, oats, pasta, rice, cornmeal, corn, and mixes – like pancake mix and muffin mix.

So, what are you going to do with wheat, because if you are like me, I just don’t grind and bake with wheat on a weekly basis.  

But what if all the supply chains stopped.  Like 2020.  You can live without wheat.  My grandson has Celiac’s disease so he is totally gluten free.  But me??? I LOVE bread.  That smell when it comes out of the oven!  It’s heavenly.  And hot bread with butter (and jam or honey) is so delicious. And then there are homemade rolls and cinnamon rolls.  Or English muffins and tortillas.  

If you have older children (yes, boys too) make it a project this summer for all of them to learn how to make bread.  I have a friend who says her daughter used to earn money by selling homemade rolls!  

But, “Who will grind my wheat,” said the Little Red Hen?  Start by asking people in your  church congregation if anyone has a wheat grinder.  Not a church goer?  Ask at a PTA meeting, ask your neighbors, post on FB you are needing to grind some wheat.  SOMEONE will have one.  

Anyone who lives near a Winco can get ground wheat in the bulk section.  You can also get wheat berries (kernels) there as well.  

One case of 6 cans of wheat is over 30 pounds and will fit under your bed.  AND at the Home Storage Center it is only about $6.50 a can.  

Are you one of those families that has cans of wheat from LONG LONG ago???  Time to break open those cans and use it up.  Start by using just a cup or so in each recipe you bake.  My only suggestion is that when you add the liquid, let it sit for 4-5 min for the liquid to absorb the wheat.  Wheat is heavier and you may need another TB or two of liquid to get the right consistency.

One further note:  Wheat flour wants to go rancid rather quickly after it has been milled.  Once ground, it will stay fresh for about 4-6 weeks sitting on your kitchen shelf.  In a sealed container in the refrigerator, it will stay good for a year or so.  In the freezer, it will keep for years.  Better to store the wheat unground, and grind it as you use it.

MISC. PURCHASE: folding shovel – This is great to keep in the car.  For anyone who has been stuck in mud or snow, you know how valuable this can be.  Also great for digging a fire pit, or putting out a fire.  They are not expensive.  This one was about $15. 

Everyone should have a car kit with flares, a small first aid kit, a shovel, and some granola bars.  You can ALWAYS use granola bars.  LOL  PLUS, in my car kit, I have an old pair of tennis shoes in case I’m wearing heels and have to walk.

FOOD STORAGE RECIPES:

Cinnamon Muffin Recipe

4 c. flour

2 c. sugar

4 TB cinnamon (seems like a lot to me)  I wonder if it’s supposed to be 4 tsp?  Even that seems like a lot.

1/2 tsp salt

8 tsp baking powder

    Mix dry ingredients in a bowl.  Add

2 c. of oil, 2 c. milk, 4 eggs or egg substitute.  Mix just unti the flour is coated.  Bake in greased muffin tins or in paper muffin liners.  350˚ for 20-25 minutes.  Serve with canned cold peaches.

Cream of Chicken soup substitute

Makes the equivalent of 9 cans of soup.  Store in a quart jar.

2 c. instant dry milk

3/4 c. cornstarch

1/4 c. chicken bouillon

2 TB dried onion flakes

1 tsp basil

1 tsp thyme

    To use:  combine 1/3 c. mix with 1 1/4 c. water.  Heat over medium heat until  thickened.

Prize-Winning Brownies

from Wheat For Man, by Vernice Rosenvall

1 c. sifted whole wheat flour

1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp baking powder

     Sift together dry ingredients

2 TB butter

1 tsp vanilla

1 c. brown sugar

     Cream sugar, butter and vanilla

Add 1 egg and beat well until light and fluffy

2 squares chocolate, melted – add

Add dry ingredients and 1/2 c. canned milk

1 c. nuts optional – stir in.

Pour into a buttered 9X9 baking pan.  Bake 30-35 minutes at 350˚

Marti Shelley