Marti’s Corner – 48

Hi Everyone,

NOTES:

*  It is late for this, but if you want to make something as a gift, check out the attached list.  Christmas Gifts from the Pantry

*  In the middle of Christmas, it’s actually time to think about your Spring Garden.  Last year, I planted my tomato plants (indoors) on Jan 1.  Think about what you want to plant, and get the seeds now.  I decided to order from this company:  Pinetree Garden Seeds – Superseeds.com  The cost of the seed packets was super inexpensive.  HOWEVER, you don’t get very many seeds.  I think the tomatoes I ordered only had 10 seeds.  But then again, I’m only going to plant 6-8 tomato plants of 3 different varieties, so 10 seeds were plenty.

LONG TERM FOCUS: Baby Items   One of the saddest stories I heard was after Hurricane Katrina.  New Orleans was flooded and a lot of people were moved to Houston.  One mother of two babies in diapers had nothing.  She was left to beg on the street for food.  But also diapers.  She talked about having to scrape out the diapers and put them back on her babies.  She talked about going to gas stations and trying to get people to help her.  

We know that empty grocery shelves are only a few days away and can stay empty for weeks.

Get cloth diapers!!  Even if you never have to use them.  You could get a bucket at Lowes, with a lid, and store the cloth diapers in it.  If you have to use the diapers, you could use the bucket to keep them in between washes.  You “could” store baby wipes, but you could also just store a few washrags, then wash them along with the diapers.  Stick in some Desitin, and baby powder, and you’re good to go.  Maybe add a small container of bleach.  (Fill the bucket with water, and add a little bleach to soak the diapers between washes.)

Another item that is really cool is this:

It’s for grinding your own baby food.  The top lifts out, you put food inside (fruit, veggies) and press down as you turn the handle.  Instant baby food.  In an emergency, it would be the perfect thing for feeding infants and toddlers.  Baby Food Mill – Hand Crank

I’m pretty sure that after I bought this, I never bought baby food again.

SHORT TERM FOCUS: Mayonnaise

Mayonnaise won’t keep for years.  Don’t store too much.  Maybe 1-2 jars.  It’s just nice to have some on hand if you run out.

72-HOUR FOCUS: Tin Foil

Fold some up and keep it in your kit. This website lists 10 ways tin foil can help in an emergency “outdoor” situation.

Survival Skills: 10 Uses for Aluminum Foil

Get 2 extra foil boxes and keep them in the garage.

This site lists 33 uses for aluminum foil in an urban emergency situation.  33 Prepper Uses for Aluminum Foil | Urban Survival Site

FOOD STORAGE RECIPES This recipe comes from Food Storage Made Easy

Shelf Stable Saturday: Pantry Jambalaya

Pantry Jambalaya 2 boxes of Rice A Roni, chicken, beef, creole, or Spanish rice. 1 can diced tomatoes 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained 1 can corn, drained 4 c. water 6 chicken breasts or any kind of meat.  You can also use canned meat.

Pour rice and seasonings from the box into a large casserole pan.  Add tomatoes and their juices, black beans, corn, and water.  Stir to mix.  Place chicken on top raw.  If using canned chicken, just mix in.  Bake 375˚ for about 1 hour, stirring every 20 minutes.  For variety, you can add peppers, kidney beans, chiles, anything you can think of.

This next recipe comes from Deals to Meals.  Deals to Meals

Beach Street Lemon Chicken Linguine Marinade: 1/2 c. olive oil 2 cloves garlic 2 TB Cajun seasoning 2 TB lemon juice 2 TB minced parsley 1 TB brown sugar (or more if you like it sweeter) 2 TB soy sauce 2 chicken breasts, sliced (OR 16 extra-large shrimp)

Combine in a Ziploc bag.  Add meat and toss to coat.  Refrigerate 1-12 hours.  Cook chicken with the sauce in a large pan on medium heat till chicken is cooked.  If using shrimp, preheat oven to 450˚ and bake for 7-10 minutes.

Cook 1 lb linguine in salted water.  Drain and rinse.  Combine:

juice of one lemon zest from one lemon 1/2 c. chopped green onion 2 TB olive oil 1/4 c. fresh parsley Toss with hot pasta.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper

Add chicken or shrimp WITH marinade into the pasta.  Toss.  Add

parmesan cheese to taste and toss.  Serve warm.

Our last recipe comes from Food Storage Made Easy

Energy Bites It uses food storage, it has no refined sugar, or butter, or baking, or real need for measuring.  If it’s sticky, add more dry stuff.  If it’s too dry, add more honey.  

2 c. old fashioned oats      (or 1 c. oats and 1 c. coconut) 1/2 c. peanut butter 1/3 c. raw honey 1/2 c. chocolate chips (You can chop them to make them go through more of the mix) 1 tsp vanilla

Mix together and refrigerate for 30 min.  After the mixture is cool, roll into balls and store in an airtight container in the fridge.

Marti