Marti’s Corner 104

*** This is something I’ve always wanted to do. Rather than pass it by, and look it up in the summer, I’m just going to include it here. Making ice cream in a Ziploc sandwich bag.

How to Make Ice Cream In a Bag – Easy recipe for Kids

** I heard a great story the other day at dinner.  One of my friends was somehow poked by a stick.  Her leg just wasn’t healing.  She put Neosporin on it, but it didn’t heal.  SO, she went to the doctor.  The doctor tried a few things, but nothing worked.  Finally, they suggested she go to “wound care”.  She did.  They told her to wash it with Dial hand soap.  Then dry, then bandage so NO air can get in.  She had adhesive pads that seal all around the wound.  She said it was amazing!  Within two days, it had begun to heal and within a week it was gone!!!  Dial hand soap.  It MUST be Dial.  Who knew???

** Just a reminder,  you should have a 3-month food supply. 

It’s easier than you think to build, but it may truly save your life one day.  Here’s a good resource about that: https://extension.usu.edu/preserve-the-harvest/food-storage

GARDEN HAPPENINGS:

**When you pick carrots right from the garden, it seems like they go instantly limp.  So here is what I found out today:  How to store carrots from the garden, so they don’t go limp ~ Garden Tips

**  I got almost all my tomatoes planted.  I’m going to go ahead and put everything outside EXCEPT the celery and cucumbers.  I read an article once that said cucumbers are like people.  They want the temperature to be 80˚ pretty consistently.  Celery is tricky.  They want it warm, but they don’t like full-on sun.  Last year I tucked them among the tomatoes so they got some shade.

**  I did NOT take my own advice, and I did NOT cover my plants after I set them out.  Then it was warm yesterday and the pumpkin had several leaves that got sunburned!  

THIS WEEK’S PURCHASE- dry beans, 20 pounds

Chicken, ground beef, fish, eggs…… these are animal proteins.  Protein is comprised of 20 amino acids.  Eleven of these amino acids are produced by the human body.  But for good health, we must get the other nine amino acids from the food we eat.  When a food contains ALL nine of these amino acids, it is called a “complete protein.”  Animal proteins are complete.  A few complete plant-based foods are quinoa, buckwheat, blue-green algae, and soybeans.  They may not contain as much protein per serving, but they are complete.  You can combine foods to get a complete protein:  

• nuts and whole grains (peanut butter on whole wheat toast)
• whole grains with beans (beans and rice, hummus and pita bread, bean chili and crackers, refried beans and tortillas)
• beans and nuts or seeds (salad with chickpeas and sunflower seeds)
• rice and beans

You can see that beans are important to an overall diet.  Get a 20-pound bag of beans at Costco or Winco and store it as is (away from rodents) or repackage into Mylar Bags (seal closed with iron) or vacuum seal.

MISC PURCHASE: needle & thread

Just pick up a pack of needles.  You can use them to get a sliver out or to darn clothes (especially socks!) or even sew a wound back together.  PS. I want to be unconscious first.

Ransack your house for 2-3 spools of thread and put the needles and thread in a zip lock baggie.  In my 72 hour kits, I have a small piece of fabric and two or three needles threaded in the fabric.  That way they don’t get lost in the bottom of the bag someplace.  I keep the needles in the first aid kit.

FOOD STORAGE RECIPES:

Before I share the recipes, I wanted to share some meal ideas that do NOT have meat in them.

• grilled cheese
• tomato soup and whole wheat rolls
• vegetable/rice soup
• bean and rice burritos (make your own tortillas)
• lentil soup
• broccoli cheese soup
• bean and cheese enchiladas
• teriyaki vegetables and rice
• peanut butter and jam sandwiches
• cheese pizza with veggies
• butternut squash soup (THIS is surprisingly good.  I made it when Craig’s kids were all here, and they all wanted the recipe!)
• chili with wheat instead of ground beef

As part of your food storage, just keep in mind what your body needs to thrive (not just survive).  Either learn to can meat, or buy cans of meat, or buy freeze-dried meat, or plan on doing without meat and having the necessary items to keep your family healthy.

I want to share three recipes from “Food Storage Made Easy”.  They have collected recipes from their readers that have shelf-stable ingredients.  

Shelf Stable Recipe Book (Free Download) – Food Storage Made Easy

Swedish Beef and Rice
1 can Golden Mushroom Soup
1 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
4 TB butter (or powdered butter equivalent)
1 can of evaporated milk
    In a saucepan, combine the above ingredients.  Stir until smooth
Add 1/4 c. flour and 1/2 c. water and stir till smooth
Add to soup sauce and stir.  Slowly add
2 c. water and stir.
1 can roast beef, drained – add
Serve over cooked rice.

To make evaporated milk using powdered milk, mix 1 1/2 c. water with a heaping 1/2 c. of INSTANT milk.  Blend very well.  This will be the equivalent of about a 12- oz. can.

Cowboy Delight – Mexican Casserole
1 family-size package of Kraft macaroni and cheese – cook as directed.
     OR use 3 c. macaroni, 1/2 c. powdered cheese, 6 tsp butter, 6 tsp powdered milk)  Cook macaroni and add the other ingredients)

Meanwhile, brown 1/2 lb hamburger and
1/2 onion, chopped
    Add to the macaroni and cheese
1 can chili with beans
1 can tomato soup
1 TB chili powder
1 can corn
    Cheddar cheese, cubed – optional
    Fritos – optional
Add all ingredients.  Pour into casserole dish and top with crushed Fritos.  Bake 350˚ for 30 min.

Garden Chicken Stew
1/2 c. dehydrated carrots
1/2 c. dehydrated white onions
1/2 c. dehydrated green bell peppers
1/2 c. dehydrated celery
1/2 c. potato dices
1/2 c. orzo (or any small pasta)
2 TB Italian seasoning
9-10 c. water
3 TB chicken bouillon
1 jar chicken or 1 12-oz can
Boil all ingredients for 20-30 min.
You can sneak in fiber by adding Benefiber or any “natural” fiber into the broth.

Marti Shelley