Marti’s Corner – 40

Hi Everyone,

NOTES:

*  So I decided to follow my own advice and can some vegetables this week.  I bought 20 pounds of potatoes for $6 and then went here:  Canning Potatoes  Last time I canned potatoes, I did NOT soak them first to get the starch out.  When I opened them, I had to rinse them really well to use them.  PLUS, after about 6 years, they have “grayed” somewhat.  I have to kind of sort them and discard the gray pieces.  This week’s final tally:  20 pounds of potatoes = 33-pint jars. 

*  AND I dehydrated some corn.  It was $1.39 at Winco.  (prices are climbing!!)  This was all sparked by a recipe I found for Wild Rice and Vegetable soup.  I’ve included the recipe below.  Add meat if you want.  But I’m thinking I’ll make some “Mylar Meals” and give them to my kids for Christmas.  The recipe says it serves 6-8 (that will work for all my kids) and it only uses 1 TB of corn, carrots, etc.  So the 5 pounds of corn that I dehydrated should work.  LOL

*  My garden is still producing.  The cooler temps are allowing the plants to set fruit again.  My lettuce is growing again.  Here is an October guide for zones 9-10.  October Garden Checklist Zones 9-10 | Kellogg Garden Organics™

*  THIS week is the Great California ShakeOut.  The official event will happen on Thursday, October 21, at 10:21.  Your church or school may choose to have their drill on another day, but it will be sometime around then.  Be SURE to talk to your family members about what to do when there is a real emergency.

*  Paul Diffley shared this link with me.  He says they still have stock.  He asked for a discount and they gave him 10% off his second order.  MREdepot.com – Your Disaster Preparedness Online Superstore. Remember, when disaster strikes, the time to prepare has passed!  They are located in San Clemente, so you “could” just head on down there and check it out.

LONG TERM FOCUS: Fruit

Fruit leather is a great alternative to canned or fresh fruit in an emergency.  Here is a guide to making your own fruit leather.  She tells you how to use your oven OR a dehydrator.  How to Make Fruit Leather from Fresh, Canned, or Frozen Fruit

SHORT TERM FOCUS: Applesauce

You can make your own applesauce with one of these food mills (or strainers)

Cut apples into chunks and cook in a large pan.  No need to peel or seed or anything.  Just cut in chunks.  Put a little water in the pan so the apples don’t burn, not much, because the apples will render water as they cook down.  When the apples are soft, just scoop them into the food mill.  The applesauce will seep out through the holes and the mill will trap everything else.  Add sugar to taste.  You can put in jars and water bath process so they can store on the shelf.  It’s pretty easy, and you control the ingredients.

72-HOUR FOCUS: Notepad & Pencils

As the pioneers traveled across the plains, they often left messages for those who were following.  The messages were carved on rocks or even buffalo skulls.

With paper and pencil available, you can leave messages, document what is happening, let others know your location, and entertain children.  I have a small box with paper, colored pencils, a deck of cards, a ruler, and a pair of scissors.  A box is not ideal for a 72-hour kit, but a small pad of paper and a pencil should be considered.  The box can go with you if you need to evacuate.

MISC FOCUS: Sterile Gloves

I have had gloves in my first aid kit since AIDS first made everyone leery about touching blood.  After COVID, many people bought gloves.  Put 2-3 pairs of gloves in a small baggie and stick them in your first aid kit or in your backpack.  You just never know.  AND, you still shouldn’t be touching blood from a stranger.

FOOD STORAGE RECIPES

Wild Rice Soup

1/3 c. hulled barley or pearl barley
1/3 c. wild rice
2 TB green split peas
2 TB yellow split peas
1 TB dried corn
1 TB dried carrots
1 TB dried onions
1 TB dried celery
1 TB dried green beans
1 TB dried leeks
1/2 TB dried green bell pepper
1/2 TB dried red bell pepper
2 tsp chicken bouillon granules or 2 chicken bouillon cubes

Directions:  Bring 2 quarts of water to a boil in a large saucepan or Dutch oven.  Stir in all the ingredients.  Return to a boil.  Cover and reduce heat.  Simmer for 1 hour.  Serves 6-8.

See http://www.simplyprepared.com/home_canning1.htm for instructions on how to dry most of the ingredients.

This would look so pretty in a jar.  But, jars have been in short supply for over a year now.  Lids, too.  There is a lot of talk online about people not wanting to give away their jars.  OR, giving them as gifts and asking that the jars be returned.  I can verify this.  I check for lids and jars EVERY time I shop.  Last week, there were none.  More and more people are canning food from their gardens, or storing food in jars.  They are rodent and insect-proof.  I get it.

Applesauce Oatmeal Cookies
from Simple Recipes Using Food Storage, Cedar Fort, Inc., Springville, Utah

1 c. shortening
2 c. sugar
2 c. applesauce
2 eggs
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp cloves
3 1/2 c. flour
1 tsp salt
1 c. chopped nuts
2 c. oatmeal
1 c. chocolate chips (optional)
1 c. raisins (optional)

Cream together shortening and sugar.  Add eggs and applesauce.  mix well and then add the rest of the ingredients.  Mix well again and drop by spoonful onto greased baking sheet.  Bake at 350˚ for 10-12 minutes.

A big shout out to those who share things with me.  I really appreciate it.  

Press on.  Keep plugging away.  Just do it.

Marti