Tag: Prepping Basics

Hi Everyone,

NOTES:

*  If you have used oxygen absorbers before, you know they are NOT all the same.  Print this and keep it in a binder, or find a safe place on your computer so you will have this information.  Locally, we can get oxygen absorbers at Winco.

Of course, they are easily available online.  I DO use them when I package things in mylar bags.  But I do NOT use them in jars because I have a vacuum sealer (BEST investment EVER!!)  

*  My daughter gave me the gift of “StoryWorth.”  I think that’s what it’s called.  They would send me a topic each week, and I would write about my memories.  These stories were then accessible to all my kids or whoever wanted to read them.  But today, I found this:

*  Butter Powder

    I am putting together some “Cookies In a Jar,” and one of the recipes includes butter powder.  You can get it on sale at more than 50% off here:  Augason Farms Butter Powder 2 lbs 4 oz No. 10 Can : Grocery & Gourmet Food.  I don’t know how long the sale will last.  Coincidentally, this article came up on my Pinterest feed:  How to Use Butter Powder.  She explains how butter powder is made and that it does not taste and act exactly like butter.  It doesn’t melt like regular butter, and you would NOT want to put it on toast.  But it works perfectly in baking.  Just check the brand for mixing rates, add the powder to the dry ingredients and water to the liquid ingredients, and bake as directed.  There is a recipe below for a “just add water” pancake mix that includes powdered milk and powdered butter.  (Frankly, I just buy Krusteaz and call it good, but homemade gets rid of all the chemical preservatives, etc.)

*  I’ve also included a recipe for Apple Crumb Cake using all stored ingredients.

*  I have “canned” butter before.  Some of the jars are still on my shelf.  It turns out just like softened butter.  It tastes and acts just like real butter because none of the oils or fats or solids are removed.  It’s pretty amazing.  With the price of butter, I am constantly watching for a “really good deal” so I can replenish my stock.

GARDEN HAPPENINGS

*  I finally got my seeds planted:  tomatoes, celery, and bell peppers.  This will give them a good 8-10 weeks to grow before the last frost.

*  This caught my eye.  I’ve grown potatoes for two years now, and frankly, I have not had a lot of luck.  https://irisheyesgardenseeds.com/potatoes-growing-guide/

I have been planting them in deep, 10-15 gallon grow bags.  I get green foliage, tend it lovingly all summer, and when I dig them up in the fall, if I’m lucky, I’ll get 5-6 small potatoes and maybe one big one.  Such a disappointment.  Maybe if I ask nicely, Craig will make me one of these for next year’s garden.  My friend, Linda, told me I was not planting enough seed potatoes and not planting them close enough.

I remember my dad, living in southern Utah, used old tires.  He put dirt and potato starts in one tire, and as they grew, he would add another tire and more dirt.  Same principle, but maybe slightly less aesthetic.  

*  I have never used “row covers” because most of my vegetables are in grow bags, not in rows in a garden.  But this article had a lot of good reasons to use them – especially in helping ward off insect damage (a problem I have!!!)

Reasons to Use Row Covers | Almanac.com  This website also has useful links to all kinds of gardening questions and problems.

THIS WEEK’S PURCHASE: split peas, barley, & lentils

These are easy to store and will give variety to your storage.  You can buy #10 cans of them here: Emergency Essentials® Lentils Large Can – Be Prepared – Emergency Essentials, $19 for 5 pounds

OR, you can buy in bulk here and store in 2-liter bottles or any other recycled container.  At our local Winco, I think 1-pound bags of lentils are about $1.25.  So, 5 pounds would be $6.25.  Quite a difference!  Our Winco also has red and green lentils. 

When you make lentil soup, you get a thick, hearty meal.  A little bit will fill you up and last for a long time.  And while you’re at it, it’s a good idea to back up your computer.  This should probably be done at least once or twice a month, if not more often.

MISC:

Time to update photos of your family.  Tomorrow, after everyone is dressed, just snap a photo of everyone. 

FOOD STORAGE RECIPES

Pancake mix:  Just add water
From the website practicalselfreliance.com

2 c. flour
1/2 c. milk powder
1/3 c. malted milk powder (sounds good already)
1/3 c. powdered buttermilk
1/4 c. whole egg powder
2 TB sugar
1 TB baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
To use:  mix 1 c. of pancake mix with 1/2 c. water

Apple Crumb Cake
Also from practicalselfreliance.com

3 c. flour
2 TB baking powder
1/3 c. whole egg powder
1 3/4 c. water
1 1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. shortening
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 c. dehydrated apple slices chopped and rehydrated
    (could use fresh apples)
Blend all ingredients and pour into a greased 9 X 13 baking dish

Crumb topping
2/3 c. brown sugar
3/4 c. butter powder
2 TB water
1/2 c. flour
1 tsp cinnamon
Mix all the topping ingredients with fork until crumbly.  Sprinkle over the cake.  Bake 375 for 25-30 min.

Country Soup Mix
1/2 c. barley
1/2 c. split peas
1/2 c. white rice
1/2 c. lentils
2 TB dried minced onion
2 TB dried parsley
2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp lemon pepper
2 TB beef bouillon
1/2 c. alphabet pasta
1 c. twist macaroni
Add 3 quarts water
2 stalks celery diced
2 sliced carrots
1 c. shredded cabbage – optional
2 c. diced tomatoes (1 can)
Simmer 1 hour until all the grains and vegetables are done.

—

Marti

Hi Everyone,

NOTES:

*  Can you make cheese from nonfat powdered milk?  The answer is YES, but you need Rennet Tablets Junket Rennet Tablets, 0.23 Ounce (Pack of 2).   Here are the directions:  Mozzarella Cheese From Milk Powder Recipe | In The Kitchen With Matt

*  PreppingDeals.net – Prepper Supplies, Survival Gear, and Augason Farms

This is kind of a cool site.  I get daily links (which can be a pain, I admit), but I usually scan them once or twice a week.  Sometimes they offer REALLY good deals.  They primarily deal with Augason Farms’ dehydrated and freeze-dried foods.  I have purchased and used this brand.  But there are other deals as well.  Check it out.

GARDEN HAPPENINGS

*  I’m itching to start my late-winter garden plants by seed.  To know WHEN, just subtract 100 days from your last frost date.  You can get there here:  https://www.almanac.com/gardening/  

My zip code says the first frost is Jan 3, and my last frost is Feb 14.  But here’s the thing.  I know for a FACT we had three frost days last year in March.  So, I’m going to go with March 14 instead.  Having said that, you can go ahead a plant, but be ready with frost blankets just in case.  According to Nicole Burke at Gardenary.com, she says to count backward 100 days from your last frost date.  THAT is the date you can start seeds indoors.  Well, counting back from March 15, you get to Dec 7! – which is today as I’m typing this.  So, probably sometime during the next week, I’m going to try and plant my broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage. 

THIS WEEK’S PURCHASE: sauces 8-10 jars

Time to pick up some additional jars/cans of

spaghetti sauce, alfredo sauce, or whatever sauce you might add to pasta to form the basis of a meal.  If you don’t want to store canned sauces, pick up ingredients to make your own:  tomato sauce, tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, etc.  Alfredo sauce is difficult to make from shelf-stable items, so it would be worth getting a few jars if you have favorite meals using this sauce.

MISC PURCHASE: fuel, propane

This is a great time to make sure that all your propane tanks are full.  If we ever have to cook with our BBQs, propane will sell out quickly.  In fact, you should probably have a spare tank as a backup.  Don’t have a propane BBQ?  You can get a small camp stove for a reasonable price, AND an attachment that will let you hook it up to a large tank.

FOOD STORAGE RECIPES

Chili Mac

This is just what it sounds like:  chili with macaroni.  What’s NOT to like??

Boil some water and cook 1/2 pound pasta (elbow macaroni or another similar type), drain

While the pasta is cooking, start on the chili.
1 large yellow onion diced (1-2 TB dehydrated onions reconstituted)
1/2 green pepper, seeded and diced (1 TB dehydrated green pepper reconstituted)
1-2 TB olive oil
     Sauté onions and pepper in oil.
4 cloves minced garlic (1 TB minced garlic reconstituted)
    Just put all dehydrated veggies in a small cup, add hot water, and let them sit for 15 min or so until they look like you JUST chopped them!

Add the garlic and sauté a few min more
1 lb ground beef – add and brown  Drain if needed
1 TB ground cumin
1 TB red chili powder
1/2 tsp smoked paprika or sweet paprika
1/2 tsp salt
1 can crushed tomatoes (14 oz.)
1 8-oz can tomato sauce
1 c. beef broth
1 TB tomato paste
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
   Bring to a boil, and simmer about 10 minutes while flavors combine and chili thickens.
Then add the cooked pasta and toss well to combine.
Optional:  Top with cheese and either cover or place in the broiler for 2 minutes to melt the cheese.
Serve with sour cream

Hawaiian Haystacks

I just bought an e-book advertising recipes using food storage.  I was pretty disappointed to see that there were only 12 recipes using all shelf-stable foods.  There were lots of recipes using fresh foods, but that was not what I was looking for.  ANYWAY……  Hawaiian Haystacks was one of her food storage recipes.  For me, they are like making hamburgers or tacos.  It’s not conducive to just two people.  AND… I DO like fresh tomatoes and green onions on my haystacks.  But, in a pinch, this would make an easy meal.

rice:  1 c. rice + 2 c. water = 3 c. cooked rice.

1 can Cream of Chicken Soup
1 can chicken
1 can crushed pineapple (I prefer pineapple tidbits)
1 pkg Chinese noodles (I’m not sure what the expiration date is on these, but there is a really yummy Christmas treat that I make with them, so one package could serve double duty.)

If you have never had these haystacks, you give everyone a scoop of rice.  Mix the soup with the chicken, heat, and spoon over the rice.  Then pile on top what sounds good.

I like:
peanuts (you’d think this would be weird but it is SO good)
Chinese noodles
green onions
diced tomatoes (also seems weird but tastes so good)
pineapple
cheese (ditto)

Other people like:  celery, green or red peppers, chopped broccoli, olives, spinach, coconut, raisins, and mandarin oranges

Christmas Jumbles
NOT a food storage item.  Well, I guess it could be if you have chocolate in your food storage!

As promised, this is my treat using Chinese Chow Mein noodles that I only ever make at Christmas for no particular reason.
1 package semi-sweet chocolate morsels
1 package butterscotch morsels
1/2 package Spanish peanuts
1 bag Chinese Chow Mein noodles
Melt the chocolate carefully in the microwave or with a double boiler.
Add the nuts and noodles.

Spoon out onto tin foil or wax paper with whatever utensil will let you make small drops of yumminess.  Two spoons?  A spoon and a fork?  Two forks?  Whatever will work.  Let them cool and harden.  SO GOOD!!!

—

Be vigilant!  We do NOT know when, but we know emergencies WILL come!!!

Marti

Hi Everyone,

NOTES:

*  You can easily make your own baking powder.  According to an article I read, MYO: Double Acting Baking Powder | Make Your Own, commercial baking powder contains small amounts of aluminum.  Double-action baking powder helps make baked goods light and fluffy (biscuits, etc.).  Baking powder contains both an acid and a base.  Baking soda is the base, and cream of tartar is the acid.  Corn starch is added to prevent premature activity and absorb moisture.  All recipes made with baking powder are meant to be baked immediately, within 5 minutes of mixing.  

To make 1/2 c. of Homemade Baking Powder to keep on hand:
2 TB baking soda
4 TB cream of tartar
2 TB cornstarch

Plastic bags have a tendency to “sweat,” which can have undesirable consequences on your homemade baking powder.  Better to use a clean, dry glass jar.

You CAN purchase aluminum-free baking powder such as Rumford.  

Rumford Baking Powder, 8.1 Ounce : Grocery & Gourmet Food

To test your baking powder, put 1/2 tsp into half a cup of hot water.  If it bubbles heavily, it is still good.

*  We had a fireman in our ward who could gather in a rope, hand over hand, and coil it in such a way that he could throw it out again, and it would simply uncoil as it sailed through the air.  It was the coolest thing!  I think of him every time I see a chart like this – 40KnotsBSA.

Don’t you wish you knew all these knots and how to use them?  I do.

GARDEN HAPPENINGS

*  My cherry tomatoes that finally began to blossom AFTER the hot summer months are finally ripening!  Oh, they taste so delicious.  I have large green Roma tomatoes on a few plants, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed they will ripen.  Carrots are up; broccoli is up.  Just waiting for the “winter” vegetables to grow. 

THIS WEEK’S PURCHASE: baking soda & baking powder: 1 box each
Unless you are going to make your own baking powder, you will want to store some.  Each of these only has a shelf life of about 1 year, so every year, about this time i.e., baking time, I try to remember to get a fresh box. 

MISC PURCHASE: yeast, vanilla
Even if you do NOT bake bread, get the yeast.  Think of it as a “just in case” item.  Just in case you need to make your own bread.  Try to keep it in a cool place (the freezer works too).  And get some imitation vanilla.  You can get REAL vanilla — I did for years.  But suddenly, it’s like $25 a bottle!!!  And…. according to the internet, you cannot taste a difference in baked goods. 

FOOD STORAGE RECIPES

The Best Mashed Potatoes from The Prairie Homestead

The Best Mashed Potatoes Recipe • The Prairie Homestead

Who doesn’t LOVE mashed potatoes?  Potatoes are so inexpensive if you buy them in a 5 or 10-pound bag.  It’s just using up all those potatoes before they spoil that is the trick.  

I like to bake 5-6 at a time.  We have 2 for dinner. Then I can slice up 1-2 and fry them for breakfast.  You can also have twice-baked potatoes on another night.

With a few ingredients, you can have DELICIOUS potatoes.

3 pounds russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and quartered.
2 cloves garlic, peeled (not chopped)
1 TB fine sea salt
1 bay leaf
        Add to a pot and cover with water.  Boil and simmer for 20-25 minutes until potatoes are tender.
Drain potatoes and immediately place them back into the hot pot.  Discard the bay leaf, and stir the potatoes for 1-2 min over low heat until the water cooks away and the potatoes are dry.

3/4 c. sour cream
6 TB unsalted butter and 1/2 tsp salt OR
      6 TB salted butter, no extra salt needed
1/4 c. whole milk
1/4 c. black pepper
    Mash until smooth.  Serve immediately.

Cheddar Biscuits (Red Lobster copycat)

I make a very small batch (6-7 biscuits).  If you want more, just double or triple.  These are SOOO good!

1 c. flour
1 TB sugar
1/2 TB baking powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
scant 1/2 tsp salt
    Mix together
In a measuring cup, melt 1/4 c. butter (1/2 stick) and then add 1/2 c. whole milk

Add all at once and mixt just until blended

1 c. grated cheese

Drop by 1/4 c. on parchment.
Bake 450˚ for 10-12 min.
While they are baking
Melt 1/4 c. butter and add
1/4 tsp garlic salt.

Brush on immediately!

Frosting for Gingerbread Houses

When my kids were young, we made gingerbread houses every year.  Of course, I didn’t use gingerbread!!!  I used graham crackers instead.  The object was to build a house, get messy, and eat candy……. so there you go.

BUT, you need the frosting that will dry hard as a rock.  Here it is:

2 eggs whites, at room temperature (Just let the whole eggs sit in a cup of hot water for a few minutes)
1/2 tsp cream of tartar
     Mix egg white until foamy.  Add the cream of tartar
3 c. powdered sugar.  Add a little at a time.  Beat 3-5 minutes until thick and holds it shape.
Spoon a bunch into a baggie.  Seal the bag, snip off a corner and voilá, instant piping bag.

—

Marti

Hi Everyone,

NOTES:
** The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints operates Home Storage Centers where you can buy #10 cans of food, including wheat, rice, beans, oats, etc.  You do NOT need to be a member of the church to purchase supplies there.  The prices are very reasonable.  This link has a video and explanations of what is offered there.  You will find a link to find a Home Storage Center near you.  There are 101 locations across the United States and Canada.  You can also find a price list.  https://providentliving.churchofjesuschrist.org/self-reliance/home-storage-centers?lang=eng

** I watched this video about DIY pantry pest removal.  How to Get Rid of Pantry Pests Guaranteed (4 Easy Steps)

**  Here is an article about 14 natural alternatives to antibiotics.  In short:

• HONEY can be used to treat wounds and boost the immune system.
• GARLIC – just chew on a peeled, raw clove, and the antibiotic properties will be directly absorbed into your bloodstream.  If that is too strong, just put the garlic in a little honey or oil.
• OREGANO oil is called Caracole and can fight bacteria that cause infections.  Oil of oregano can fight MRSA, and other resistant bacteria.  Dilute it with a carrier, and you can treat acne.  Don’t apply directly to the skin.
• APPLE CIDER VINEGAR can kill staph infections.  It can also be used to disinfect wounds.
• THYME contains caryophyllene and camphene, both antiseptics.  It even works on antibiotic-resistant strains.
• LAVENDER oil can be mixed with a little coconut oil and applied to wounds to prevent infection.  
• TURMERIC can help fight chest congestion and coughs.
• ECHINACEA  has been used to treat the common cold.
• COLLOIDAL SILVER can be used for cold sores and other wounds.  Personal note:  I use it every time I have sore gums or any kind of mouth irritation.  They will be gone in a day!!!!

Check out the rest of the list here:  Homestead Survival Site – How to Live Off The Grid in Comfort and Style

GARDEN HAPPENINGS
We put up a frame so that we can cover our tomatoes with a frost blanket.  We USUALLY don’t get frost until February-March.  But the temps are supposed to get down to the middle 30s at night this weekend.  I’m in Zone 9B.  I’ve got green tomatoes on the vines and am holding out hope they will make it through.

I dug up all the zucchini, even the plants I planted in August.  They are just not going to make it.  Not hot enough in the day, much less at night.

I ordered a few packets of seeds so I can start indoors about the middle of December.

The broccoli is up and doing well, as are the carrots.  Gardening is such an IFFY activity for me. 

THIS WEEK’S PURCHASE: soup – 20 cans
It used to be that 20 cans of soup would cost you about $10.  Not so today.  If you get them at Winco or Costco, you can probably get them for under $1 each.  You can get soup that is ready to eat (Progresso) or soup that just needs water (Chicken Noodle) or soup that you would use in a casserole (Cream of Mushroom).  Maybe a few of each?  Just buy what you would normally use.  I store Cream of Mushroom, Cream of Chicken, and Tomato soup.  After trying some Progresso soup, I was disappointed at how watery it was, so I made my own vegetable soup and canned it!!!  Whatever you choose, pick up a few extra cans on your next shopping trip, write the date on them, and put them in a closet.

MISC PURCHASE: Toilet Paper
Another month of bathroom tissue.  Just do it.  Build up to a 5-6 month supply. 

FOOD STORAGE RECIPES

Beefy Rice
1 c. rice
2 c. water
1 tsp salt
    Prepare rice according to directions
1 can Cream of Mushroom soup
1 TB dry onions  (I usually rehydrate first by soaking in a small cup of hot water for 10-15 min)
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 pint beef (or 1/2 pound hamburger, browned and drained)

Swedish Beef over Rice or Potatoes
1 can Golden Mushroom soup
1 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
4 TB melted butter
1 can evaporated milk
     Stir until smooth
In a cup mix:  1/2 c. water and 1/4 c. flour.  Add to the soup mix.  Heat till bubbly.
Add:
1-pint ground beef OR 1 12-oz can of roast beef
Serve over rice or potatoes

Chili
1 pint ground beef or 1 pound beef, browned and drained
1/4 c. chopped fresh onion or 1 TB dehydrated onion
1 large can of pinto beans.  You can use dried beans if you soak them overnight.  1 c. dry beans = 3 c. cooked beans
1 can tomato soup
1 can diced tomatoes
Add chili powder, salt, pepper, etc.

—

Marti

Hi Everyone,

NOTES:

*  My goal last summer was to dig out my sun oven and actually use it.  I’m happy to announce that I did it!  Several times, even.  Now, my next goal (and it will probably have to wait until next summer) is to try some cast iron cooking.  I have some cast iron cookware that I’ve bought here and there at estate sales, etc.  I also have some cool equipment that I thought I couldn’t live without.  Like this…CampMaid Charcoal Holder & Lid Lifter – Dutch Oven Tools Set (2 Piece Set) and I still think it’s really cool.  BUT, I’ve never actually used any of it.  I did find a great resource with links, how to care for your cookware, how to control the heat, and even easy recipes.  Here it is: Dutch-Oven-Handouts.

*  Randomly, I saw this substitute for sour cream:  Mix 2/3 c. powdered milk and 3/4 . water until smooth.  Add 1 tsp vinegar and bit until thick. 

GARDEN HAPPENINGS

*  Last year I started my tomato plants indoors on Jan 1.  You can get a packet of seeds for as low as $2-3.  If you wait to buy tomato plants at Lowes in March, you will pay $5-6 for each plant.  I also bought a Roma tomato at the grocery store, let it ripen a bit on the counter, then scooped out the seeds.  I let them sit in a small jar of water for 2-3 days, then drained them and dried them on a paper towel.  I planted them to see what would happen and they grew!!!!  

Anyway, back to the story.  Even planting them on Jan 1, they were still small when I wanted to plant outdoors in the middle of February.  So, this year, I thought I’d plant indoors earlier, like the middle of Dec.  Which means I need to start shopping for seeds now!!

I encourage you to try and garden something.  At a Regional Representatives Seminar in Sept 1976, the leaders were told, “Grow all the food that you feasibly can on your own property.”  

If I had my way, my house would look like this home in LA County, near Pasadena.  They live in a regular suburban neighborhood and have become nearly self-sufficient!   Urban Homestead

* Heirloom Tomato Seed – Oregon Spring | Non-GMO Vegetable Gardening This packet of tomato seeds is $2.49.  It contains approx. 90 tomato seeds.  Really?  Do you NEED 90 seeds?  We should all get together, order seeds and split the cost and the seeds.  Right???

*  Can I reiterate that I do NOT save money by gardening.  BUT…. it’s a skill like all other skills.  It takes practice.  And there is no denying the taste!  If nothing else, I’m trying to be obedient to counsel given.

THIS WEEK’S PURCHASE: brown sugar
Have you noticed all the baking items on sale at your local grocery store?  Okay, if not on sale, at least on display.  This is when I start stocking up on flour, sugar, and other baking items.  Brown sugar actually lasts quite a long time just in its bag, stacked on a shelf.  If you have a vacuum sealer, this is how I store mine.  If you find that your brown sugar has hardened, just put it in a baggie with a piece of bread.  This works for me every time, and softens the sugar within a day or two.  Others say they use fresh apple slices.  

Do you HAVE to store brown sugar?  Do you USE brown sugar?  If so, pick up 4-5 2-pound bags.  It’s only $1.58 at Winco this week.  You CAN make your own brown sugar. How I Make Homemade Brown Sugar.  If you go this route, you have to store molasses.  

One or the other:  buy some extra brown sugar, or buy some molasses.

MISC PURCHASE: water purification tablets

Potable Aqua Water Purification, Water Treatment Tablets – 50 count

Do you have these?  These tablets will provide water purification for camping, hiking, traveling, and emergency water preparedness situations.  It makes water bacteriologically suitable to drink, even in emergency water purification situations.  In this video, he shows you how to make a simple water filtration system using crushed charcoal, fine sand, small gravel, and empty water bottles.  He uses scummy pond water and with the filter and some way to kill the bacteria (boiling or water purification tablets), he creates drinkable, clean water.  

You don’t have to grind your own charcoal, you can get it in the fish section of Walmart.  You can get small pebbles in the same section — the kind that go on the bottom of the fish tank.  I got some at Home Depot.

Do you know who Mark Rober is?  Well…… I know him.  Yeah, it’s true.  His family went to the same church we did and he was my son’s age.  And now he is famous!  Who knew?  He produced THIS video about water purification:  Drinking Nasty Swamp Water (to save the world)

I looked on Amazon trying to find this product and found it here:  P&G Purifier of Water Portable Water Purifier Packets. Emergency   Each of the 12 packets will filter 2 1/2 gallons of water, for a total of 30 gallons of clean for $25.  Either one of these systems would be a good plan to have for your 72-hour kits.

FOOD STORAGE RECIPES

Brown Sugar Oatmeal Cookies
This is from Ree Drummond, the Pioneer woman

1 c. butter, softened
2 c. packed dark brown sugar
    Beat together until fluffy.
2 tsp vanilla – and and mix
2 eggs – Add one at a time, scraping the bowl after each one.
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
  Add and mix
1 1/2 c. flour – Add and mix until just combined.
3 c. old fashioned oats – stir in until just combined.
Drop by spoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet, spacing them a couple inches apart.  Bake 12-13 minutes or until dark and chewy.  If you like crispy cookies, bake a little longer.  Let cool.
**Add 1/2 c. finely chopped nuts if you want.

Apple Pan Dowdy

This is a “Taste of Home” recipe

You can use dehydrated apples if you have them.  Just cover with water and soak for 15-20 minutes.  They won’t “crisp” up like fresh, but will soften and become pliable.  After baking, you won’t even know the difference.

In a saucepan, combine
1 c. packed brown sugar
1/4 c. flour
1/4 tsp salt
   Add
1 c. water
1 tsp lemon juice
   Cook and stir over medium heat until thick.  Set aside.

Make the topping:
2 tsp baking powder
1 c. flour
1/4 tsp salt
    Mix together.  Then cut in
3 TB butter.  Then add
3/4 c. milk (whole or 2%)
   Mix just until moistened.  Set aside.
In a 1 1/2 quart baking dish, arrange
5 c. sliced, peeled apples
1/2 tsp cinnamon – sprinkle over apples
To the cooled brown sugar sauce, add
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp vanilla
2 TB butter
   Stir smooth and pour over apples.
Drop dough by spoonfuls over sauce.  

Combine:
1 TB sugar and
1/8 tsp cinnamon
   Sprinkle over dough.
Bake 350˚ until top is brown and apples are tender, about 55 minutes.  

King Ranch Chicken Casserole
I like this one because: a) except for the cheese, you can store all the ingredients, b) you can make it ahead and freeze it.  Score!

1 whole fryer (3-4 lbs, cooked and cut into bite-sized pieces
     This will be about 4 c. chicken
1 large onion, chopped and sauteed
2 c. grated cheese
2 c. chicken broth
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can Ro-tel tomatoes and green chilies
    Combine the soups and set aside.
Spray a 9 X 13 casserole dish.
Layer 6 corn tortillas
1/2 of the chicken
1/2 of the onion
1/2 of the cheese
Pour half of the chicken broth over the layers.
Repeat layers and pour remaining broth over top with remaining cheese.
Cover the pan with tin foil.  Bake 350˚ for 45-60 min.  After 45 min., remove the foil and continue baking another 15 min.

—

Marti

Hi Everyone,

NOTES:

**  Here is a sheet called EASY FOOD STORAGE FOR 1-3 WEEKS.  It suggests a list of easy canned goods and how to expand them to make meals.  For example, start with 1 can beef stew and add 1 can mixed vegetables and 2 c. cooked barley.  Check it out for some ideas.  

*  Do you want a thorough first aid kit?  Here is a pdf Level I MOD II Personal First Aid Kit Contents with a comprehensive list of things that should be included. 

*  Have you thought that in a drought, you could drink your pool water?  Well, I always wondered about this.  

“Alan Martindale, the water quality supervisor for the city of Mesa, Arizona, says there are four very important reasons NOT to consume swimming pool water, other than a gulp or two by accident when splashed in the face by your toddler.

• High total dissolved solids (mineral content such as chloride, sulfate, calcium, and magnesium) can cause a laxative effect, not a good problem to have in an emergency!
• Treatment chemicals are not safe for long-term ingestion.  Pool chlorine is often stabilized with cyanuric acid, a derivative of cyanide.
• Chlorine-resistant critters such as Giardia and Crypto (typically from pets) can be present, as well as sin particles, skin oils, hair, and other yucky stuff left behind by swimmers.
• Boiling pool water will only increase the concentration of chemicals and total dissolved solids.”  (Survival Mom, Lisa Bedford, p.29)

Now, having said all that, I have a Berkey water filter, and that is supposed to filter out all those things.  So I think I’m good to go.

*  Check out this web page from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Plano, Texas.  Food Preparation, Cooking, and Recipes – Plano Preparedness.  You will find a 15-day menu, chicken and rice casserole by Paula Deen, Chili recipes, Dutch Oven cooking, Wheat recipes, and a bunch of other good stuff.  You can also go to preparednessplano.org for additional topics.

GARDEN HAPPENINGS

*  Here is the Kellogg Garden November planning guide:  Fall Gardening: November Garden Checklist Zones 9-10 | Kellogg Garden Organics™

*I have managed to get enough green beans for 2-3 dinners.  I have not pulled the carrots yet.  The lettuce is finally thriving again.  I JUST planted more carrots and some broccoli.  They are both cool-weather crops and will not die if there is a light frost.  

*Time to feed the plants again (I try to do this as close to the first of the month as I can). 

THIS WEEK’S PURCHASE: vegetables

The cheapest way to store vegetables is just to buy cans.  I have beans and corn – mostly.  I do have a few cans of peas/carrots.  I USED to have cans of diced potatoes, but I did not rotate them as I should have and after a few years they turned black.  The beans and corn will last for YEARS after their expiration date.  YEARS!!!!  I have read that the nutritional value decreases as the cans get old, but frankly, the nutritional value decreases as soon as the vegetable is canned!  Fresh is always best!  

I read a blog the other day about someone who was trying to live for one month without going to the store.  After three weeks, he had run out of things to eat and was surviving on his canned vegetables.  So… THAT’S something to keep in mind as you make your purchase.  

Dehydrated vegetables are lighter and take less space.  BUT, they are more expensive and you need water to rehydrate.  

You can buy carrots through the Church Store here:  Carrots | United States.  Remember you can only get a case and not individual cans.  One case (6 cans) $58.50.  If you wanted to share a case, that’s only about $10 per can which is a pretty good deal.  Emergency Essentials has carrots for $27.99 a can.  For that price, you might as well get 1/2 case and have 3 cans instead of one.

Carrots do not freeze dry very well.  I tried it, and all the color blanched out of the carrots.  I now have white freeze-dried carrots.  I wonder what they will taste like?  I’m afraid to try.  LOL

MISC PURCHASE: 5 gallons of gasoline

“Preppers” say you should not let your gas get below the 1/2 mark.  My stepfather used to say the same thing.  Somehow, I always manage to get down to the fumes before I coast downhill to the gas station.  Then, about 5-6 years ago, I read a blog about a family whose child had just gone off to college, and they were contemplating what they would do if there was an emergency and they had to go and get them and bring them home for safety.  They decided to store gasoline.  

Here are the safety rules:

Don’t store it in your house.  We have a five gallon container and it’s outside – AWAY from the house.  

Gasoline does not last more than 6 months.  So twice a year (Conference time, vernal equinox time, June and December, whatever) we put that stored gas into one of the cars, then refill the container.  The red five-gallon containers are NOT cheap!  GARAGE BOSS – Briggs and Stratton Press ‘N Pour Gas Can, 5 gallon, Red

This one is about $27.  Plus the gas and you’ve spent a good $50-60! BUT, since that time, we have found them at garage sales and estate sales and picked up a few more.  

Just think about this idea, keep your eyes open, and you will be able to get what you need.

FOOD STORAGE RECIPES

Italian Chicken
Serves 8

This recipe comes from the book 100-Day Pantry by Jan Jackson.

1 16-oz box farfalle pasta
1 can chicken broth
1 4-oz can mushrooms
1 can diced Italian style tomatoes (2 cans if you like it more saucy)
1/2 c. Parmesan cheese
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp garlic powder
1 TB dried parsley

Directions:

Combine chicken broth with the drained water from the mushrooms, chicken and tomatoes and heat to boiling.  Add the pasta and simmer, covered, until pasta is cooked.  Add canned items, stir to combine.  Add parmesan cheese and spices.  Stir all together and serve

Multi-Grain Spanish Rice

This comes from the book, Those Wonderful Grains II, by Chef Brad.  The recipe for homemade tortillas comes from The Everyday Gourmet, by Shari Haag.

4 c. grains (recipe recommendation is to use equal portions of white rice and red quinoa, uncooked)  This is going to make A LOT of rice!  You can freeze the leftovers or cut back on the recipe.
1 small can green chili enchilada sauce
6 c. beef, vegetable or chicken broth
1 jar 16 oz. salsa
1/2 c. pine nuts optional
1/2 c. pumpkin seeds optional
1/4 c. oil
1/4 c. sugar
2 TB tomato bouillon (I bought some of this by accident and have not known what to use it for.)
1 TB onion powder

Heat oil in large kettle.  Add sugar and heat until sugar starts to burn.  Add grains, seeds, and nuts, stirring regularly until well toasted.  Add remaining ingredients.  Bring to a boil and reduce heat.  Cook for 20 min.  Then stir all grains and liquids together and serve.

Homemade Flour Tortillas

1 c. all purpose flour
1 c. whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 c. water
1 tsp oil

In a bowl, mix together both flours and salt with a whisk.  Mix the water and oil in a small cup and slowly add just enough to make a soft dough.  If you find the dough to be sticky, add a bit more flour.  Knead 5 min.  Cover the dough with a towel and let rest 20 min.  Make 10 balls of dough and roll each into a thin 10″ circle.  Cover the tortillas with a damp towel to avoid drying out.  Cook on hot griddle.

Filling:  Kirkland (Costco brand) canned roast beef, Mexicorn, beans, sliced olives, salsa, or any other filling that sounds good.

Creamy Crock Pot Chicken Stew

This recipe comes from twohealthykitchens.com

2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 tsp salt
2 15-oz cans new potatoes, drained
1 16-oz bag frozen carrot coins
2 c. frozen diced onions
1 14 oz can petite diced tomatoes undrained
1 can organic chunky tomato bisque
1 can organic cream of mushroom soup
1 TB cornstarch
2 tsp soy sauce
1 tsp balsamic vinegar

Put chicken in bottom of slow cooker and sprinkle with salt.
Add potatoes, carrots and onions
Add diced tomatoes, tomato bisque, mushroom soup, cornstarch, soy sauce , and vinegar.
Cook on low 6-8 hours or high 4-6 hours.
Remove chicken and dice or shred.  Then return chicken to slow cooker and stir back into the stew.

My note:  From MY food storage, I’d probably use dehydrated carrots and onions.  BUT if I had fresh carrots and potatoes on hand, I’d probably go with those.

—

Marti

Hi Everyone,

NOTES:

I got to thinking about sprouting the other day.  I decided this would be a GREAT gift to someone:  sprouting seeds, a sprouting jar, and a piece of netting to cover the jar.  That’s it.  

I purchased seeds here: Organic Lentil Salad | Crunchy Lentil Fest Sprouting Lentils.  These are my favorites!!!

** This is a wonderful article on natural herbs, what to store, and how to use them.  My Go-To Herbs and Herbal Remedies That I Always Have on Hand – Survival Mom

I have “dabbled” in making potions.  I LOVE when they work!!!  

**  In cleaning out my fridge, I saw my poor crusted-over bottle of sourdough starter.  I poured out the gray hooch on top.  If you want super sour bread, then stir it in.  I poured out 1/2 of the starter in the jar, added fresh water and flour, and set it on the counter.  This morning, it was bubbling like crazy.  I poured out 1/2 of the starter and added water and flour, and put it back in the fridge.  

What I NEED to do is use it more often!!!

**  I had to look up dry beans to cooked beans ratio…. AGAIN.  Found this lovely chart on this very informative website:  Using Dried Beans: Conversions and Measurements.  

I’m making chili for our church Halloween party and thought, “Why should I spend nearly $5 on 4 cans of beans when I can get dried beans for much less money?”  With the price of food… we need to cut corners where we can.  So, Friday night, I was soaking beans!!! 

THIS WEEK’S PURCHASE: OTHER beans

I had beans on the “to buy” list for June, but now is the time to buy some other types of beans for variety.  In my storage, I have and use pinto beans, small red beans, small white beans, black beans, and garbanzo beans (probably some kidney beans in there too).  I would probably store more types of beans if I had recipes for them.  PS (No lima beans at our house).  

If you have #10 cans of beans that have been in your basement for 20 years, it’s probably a good idea to get more.  Old beans can be difficult to soften.  

One cup of old beans, wash and sort.  Boil 3 c. water for 1 c. beans.  Boil for 1-2 minutes.  Take off heat.  Add 3/8 tsp baking soda.  Cover and let soak for 1 hour.  Rinse and add water again 3 c. water to 1 c. beans.  Boil.  Reduce heat and simmer for 1-2 hours. 

I found a good article:  How to soften beans

The author gives you 10 ways to tenderize old beans, and he explains EVERY one:

1. Cook in a pressure cooker
2. Increase the soak time
3. Short boil method
4. Baking soda method
5. Add salt
6. Use distilled water
7. Add sodium bicarbonate
8. Increase cooking time
9. Avoid adding high-acid ingredients
10. Bean flour  (whatever this is???)

MISC ACTIVITY: Write down 7 recipes

Yes, write them down.  Seven things your family loves to eat.  Other than fresh food, what staples can you buy now and keep on hand?  How can you make these recipes shelf stable?  Can you buy some freeze-dried vegetables?  Or meat?  Start buying ingredients so that you have 4 of each ingredient.  One month of planned meals. 

FOOD STORAGE RECIPES

White Bean Soup Mix In a Jar
1/3 c. dried yellow split peas
1/3 c. dried green split peas
1/3 c. dried pinto beans
1/3 c. dried kidney beans
1/3 c. dried great northern beans

In a small zip lock baggie:
1/4 c. instant minced onion
2 tsp chicken bouillon
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp cumin

Directions:
The night before, soak beans.
The next day, drain the water and add
8 c. clean water.
Add spice packet to beans and water.  Boil 2 minutes, remove from heat, cover and let stand 1 hour.
Add 2 medium carrots chopped
2 medium stalks celery, chopped
2 pounds ham shanks or meaty ham bone
Heat to boiling, reduce heat.  Cover and simmer about 2 hours or until beans are tender.  Remove ham shank and remove ham from bone.  Cut in 1/2 inch pieces and stir back into the soup.

Dreaming of a White Christmas Soup Mix In a Jar
1 package regular or non-fat country gravy mix
2 TB chicken bouillon
2 TB dried minced onion
2 TB dried celery flakes
2 tsp dried parsley flakes
2 1/2 – 3 c. uncooked wide egg noodles or other pasta
Empty jar into a 4 quart saucepan or dutch oven
Add 8 c. water.  Heat to boiling.
Reduce heat.
Add 1 10-oz can chopped chicken
Cover and simmer 5-6 minutes.

Applesauce Cookies in a Jar
1 c. brown sugar
2 1/4 c. flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
3/4 c. raisins
3/4 c. chopped nuts

Directions:
Whip 3/4 c. butter or shortening until light and fluffy

Add 1 egg and 1/2 c. applesauce and beat until mixed.  Gradually stir in mix.  Drop teaspoons of dough on a greased cookie sheet.  Bake 8-12 min at 350˚

Three Bean Chili In a Jar
1 c. kidney beans
1 c. pinto beans
1 c. black beans

In a zip lock baggie:
2 TB onion flakes
2 tsp garlic powder
2 TB dried cumin
2 TB chili powder
1/8 tsp cayenne optional
2 TB parsley
1 TB dried oregano
2 TB dried cumin

To make:
Soak beans 10-12 hours.  Drain and rinse.
2 lbs ground beef or ground turkey browned and drained
3 quarts water or beef stock
2 28-oz cans diced tomatoes
1 6-oz can tomato paste​
salt and pepper to taste

Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low.  Cover and simmer 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally.  Serve with chopped onion, shredded cheese, corn chips, sour cream, avocado, or your favorite toppings.

—

Marti

Hi Everyone,

NOTES:

*  I saw this on Facebook:  

“2+ years ago, I cracked a dozen eggs into muffin cups, froze them, then popped them out and placed them in a ziplock to store in the freezer. Last week, I ran out of eggs to feed my visiting brother for breakfast. Remembered the frozen eggs, thawed overnight in the fridge, whisked and scrambled in the morning, and he never knew. I tasted them before I fed them to my company, and I couldn’t tell a difference either!  2+ years!  Hooray for food storage! (Thought you all might like to know).”

Then I read all the comments.  One or two people said their eggs were kind of rubbery.  One or two said they had better results if they whisked the eggs a little before freezing.  My freezer is FULL FULL…   Not sure if I have room, but this is a good idea.  One person said they try to keep three dozen eggs frozen at any one time.

Oh, I just read another post where they cracked the eggs into an ice cube tray, froze them, popped them out, and put them in a baggie in the freezer!

GARDEN HAPPENINGS:

My lettuce is finally starting to grow again!  I’ve moved it from the north side of the house, and it is getting more sun now. 

​My tomatoes are growing again.  I picked a ripe one today.  Just waiting for more.

In our zone (9B), you can still plant vegetables:  beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, swiss chard, peas, spinach, and salad turnips.  Here’s a chart What Can I Still Plant? I found by zone for what you can still be planting in October.

THIS WEEK’S PURCHASE: Onions, Peppers

The one I bought at the store was 17 oz. for about $8.  This is just about $7 per pound.  BUT…. in the bulk section, you can get dehydrated onions for $3.36 a pound, which is about 1/2 the cost.

It’s amazing how many recipes call for onions.  I have not bought fresh onions in a LONG time.  You can get both chopped onions and minced onions dehydrated at your local grocery store.  This one is from Amazon:  15 ounces for only $6.50!

They are WONDERFUL!!!

I did a little experiment for you to show the difference between chopped onion and minced onion. 

Here they are in their dehydrated state.  Really, you can’t dice onions that small!!	I usually soak them in water for 15 minutes.  Sometimes I heat up the water in the microwave, and they seem to plump up faster.

If the recipe calls for me to sauté the onions, I start soaking them while I’m getting things ready, then sauté as usual.  But if I’m making soup or sauce, I just dump the dry onions into the mix and let them simmer.  

I also highly recommend dehydrated green peppers. This 8 oz. bag holds about 4 c. of peppers and is $16.99.  For reference sake, I just dehydrated my own peppers that I got on sale for $.50 each and they were HUGE.  Four diced peppers turned out to be 1/2 c. dried.  I did 32 peppers and got about 4 c. – or $16 for the same amount.  AND it was a couple of hours of work!!!!

What a difference these two spices will make when you start cooking with your dry beans and rice! 

After I started using the dehydrated onions, I started buying them in bulk, not wanting to ever be without them!  

MISC PURCHASE: Cash

Instead of buying something, take $20 in small bills and tuck it into your 72 hour kit. In fact, you should put a little money in EVERYONE’S kit!   Don’t have one??? Then hide it in your car.

FOOD STORAGE RECIPES

Last year I gave my kids a box with dehydrated apples, banana chips, cookies, and several mylar bags with soup, or stew, that they could just add water to and cook. 

Here are some of them I liked best.

Chicken Noodle Soup in a Jar

(I’ve made this several times and I LOVE it)

In a pint jar:

1/2 c. freeze dried chicken (OR just include a can of chicken)
1 1/2 c. broken fettuccine noodles (about 3.5 oz)
1 TB plus 1 tsp chicken bouillon
1 tsp garlic granules or powder
1/4 tsp dry thyme
1/8 turmeric (for color and flavor)
​1 TB dehydrated celery
As many dehydrated carrots as I can pack in the jar and still close it.​

Top with an oxygen absorber and seal jar tightly.  I didn’t do this.  Instead I vacuum sealed the jars (and I will do the same for you if you just bring them over).

Directions:  Combine contents of the jar with 5 c. boiling water.  Simmer 12-15 min until noodles are tender.

Rainbow Bean Soup Mix

3/4 c. dried red beans
3/4 c. great northern beans
3/4 c. split peas
3/4 c. lentils (preferably red or yellow)
3/4 c. black beans

Season packet in a small snack baggie:
2 TB dried minced onion
2 TB beef bouillon
2 TG dried parsley flakes
2 tsp dried basil
2 tsp powdered lemonade mix with sugar
1 1/2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp dried oregano.

Layer into a wide mouth 1 quart canning jar.  Add the small bag of seasonings and vacuum seal or top with an oxygen absorber.

​I did NOT copy the cooking directions.  So, if I had to guess, I’d soak the beans overnight, OR wash them and cover them with water, then bring to a boil, turn off the stove and let them sit for 1-2 hours.

Then replace the water with clean water and add the spices and simmer until the beans are cooked. 

​Variations?  Add sliced Kilbasa sausage, or ground beef, or leftover roast, or any type of meat.  You can also add any type of vegetable that is left over in your fridge.

​Taco Soup In a Jar

2 c. quick-cook black beans (You can find them on Amazon) Dehydrated, Fast-Cooking Black Beans

1 c. freeze-dried ground beef (or add later)
1 TB dehydrated minced onion
2 TB taco seasoning
1 TB beef bouillon
1 tsp salt
1/3 c. tomato powder
1/3 c. dehydrated diced bell peppers
3/4 c. freeze dried corn (or dehydrated)

Place in a mason jar in this order:

beans, beef, onion, seasonings, tomato powder, bell peppers, corn.  Shake to settle contents.

Vacuum seal or use an oxygen absorber. 

Potato Soup In A Jar

In a quart jar:
1 3/4 c. instant mashed potatoes
1 1/2 c. dry milk
2 TB chicken bouillon
2 tsp dehydrated onion
1 tsp dried parsley
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp thyme
1/8 tsp turmeric
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 c. dehydrated potatoes

Directions:  Add 4-6 c. water till desired thickness is reached and simmer until potatoes are tender.

—

Marti

Hi Everyone,

NOTES:

**  If you ever have to evacuate, OR if you have a fire, OR if you lose power, OR if there is a major earthquake or other natural disasters, you may wish you had copies of important papers.  I suggest you either 1)  Get a notebook and put photocopies in the notebook and keep it on a handy shelf, or

2) Scan all these documents and put them on a flash drive.

Here is a good list:

• Birth Certificates         
• Marriage license/divorce papers, child custody papers
• Passports and driver’s licenses
• Social Security cards
• Naturalization papers and residency documents
• Military/veterans papers
• Critical medical information, including insurance policies and copies of insurance cards
• Cash, in the event ATM or bank services are disrupted
• Certificates for stocks, bonds, or other investments
• Bank statements (not sure you need a lot of these, maybe just one to verify your account number)
• Credit card numbers (just lay them on the printer and scan away
• A list of phone numbers for financial institutions and credit card companies (sometimes they are on the back of the cards – scan both sides)
• An inventory of your household possessions (best done with a camera – it will take you 20-30 min to go through your house, open all drawers and cupboards and closets, and snap away)
• Appraisals of valuable jewelry, art antiques, and heirlooms
• Home improvement records
• A list of names, phone numbers, and email addresses of critical personal and business contacts
• Deeds, titles, and other ownership records for homes, autos, RV’s, boats
• Powers of attorney, including healthcare powers of attorney
• Wills or trust documents

Just set aside a Saturday morning, Sunday evening, or another day to get it done.  JUST DO IT!!!

**  I did me some canning this week.  Someone offered me free jars.  Empty jars take up as much space as full jars, so I decided to fill them. In the quart jars, I put beef, potatoes, carrots, and a few onions.

In the pint jars, I put chicken, carrots, celery, and a few onions.

With each jar, I have options:  eat as is, thicken with a roux, put in a pie crust, add corn, beans, or peas.  Now, this yumminess can just sit on the shelf (actually under the bed) until ready to use.

**  Someone on FaceBook asked about walkie-talkies.  Someone else answered with these:  Motorola Talkabout T465 Rechargeable Two-Way Radio Bundle

The product description says they have 22 channels and go “up to” 35 miles.  For $90 (that’s a lot of money for me), these would be a GREAT addition to your 72-hour kits.

GARDEN HAPPENINGS:

**  You can get 30 packets of seeds for $40 here:  SURVIVAL GARDEN – HEIRLOOM SEEDS – Discount Preparedness

They are all heirloom seeds, which means you can save the seeds of the plants for use the next year.  They are nitrogen packed for a 25-year shelf life in an air-tight, moisture-proof resealable bag.  It includes tomatoes, 

zucchini, spinach, pumpkin, peas, broccoli, cabbage, cucumber, carrots, green beans, peppers, etc.  

These are aphids underneath the squash leaves.  Check your leaves!!! Planted two zucchini next to the old vines that I’ve tended all summer long and that have produced next to nothing!!!  Ugh.

THIS WEEK’S PURCHASE: Tomato Sauce & Diced Tomatoes

I have not “canned” tomatoes for a long time – since the prices on fresh tomatoes went up.  When fresh tomatoes are $1.00 a pound, and you can buy a can of tomatoes for $.65, then get the cans.  I’ve been using my tomatoes and tomato sauce all summer.  Time to stock up again. 

MISC PURCHASE: Feminine Supplies

Don’t need them?  How about pet supplies?  

No pet?  Get something for you:  a lotion you like, hair product, makeup, contact lens solution, bath powder, or something you use often and wouldn’t want to be without.

FOOD STORAGE RECIPES
All the recipes today are from

Foodstoragemadeeasy.net

Mexican Wagon Wheels
1 pint canned ground beef or 1 pound ground beef browned and drained
1/2 c. dried onions
2 cans diced tomatoes
2 cans corn
2 packets taco seasoning
1 can tomato sauce
1 can chicken broth
about 4 c. water
1 lb. wagon wheel pasta
Add everything but pasta to the pot.  Stir and bring to a boil.  Add the pasta and cook until tender.  Serve with sour cream and/or shredded cheese if available.  You could use beans instead if you had no shelf-stable ground meat.

Swedish Beef and Rice
1 can Golden Mushroom Soup
1 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
4 TB butter
1 can evaporated milk
    Combine in a saucepan.  Stir until smooth.
Mix 1/4 c. flour and 3 1/2 c. water, adding a little water at a time till smooth.  Add the flour mix to mushroom soup sauce and stir until it begins to bubble.  Add
1 can roast beef drained
    Cook just until heated through.
2 c. rice (prepare according to package directions)
Spoon Swedish beef sauce over cooked rice

Chicken and Rice
1 box Chicken Flavored Rice-A-Roni
     Prepare according to package directions, using the juice from 1 can chicken as part of the water needed.
Once the rice mix is cooked,
1 can chicken
1 can peas (or 1/2 c. dehydrated peas, reconstituted)
Heat through before serving.

Next day:  It dries out overnight.  You can add 1/2 can Cream of chicken soup and 1/2 c. reconstituted powdered milk to smooth it out.

—

Marti