Marti’s Corner – 135

Hi Everyone,

NOTES:

I came across this video today and got all excited about making, using, and experimenting with my lanterns.

INDOOR Emergency Heat and Light | Power Outage Heat | SHTF – YouTube

I’m pretty sure I have a few lanterns somewhere, and they are probably still wrapped in plastic!!!  Also, I just checked at WalMart last week and there was no kerosene to be found.  I suspect that as we get closer to summer and the camping stuff goes on the shelves, it will reappear.  You can also order paraffin lamp oil on Amazon.

In the meantime,  I want to find and try out my lanterns.  I think they are in a container somewhere in the garage.  LOL

I also think I will order some of these:  

It’s a lantern top that screws onto a mason jar!!!  $12 on amazon.  Here is the link:  B&P Lamp® #2 Kerosene Lamp Burner for Mason Jars and Fruit Jars to DIY Oil Lamp (Brass)

You can pick up an extra roll of wick-33 ft roll for $12.  That price is $.36 per foot.  

Although I think this is a really good idea, you want to be careful with glass.  If you drop this when it is lit, you could have a real disaster.

*** IN OTHER NEWS:  We’ve passed the winter solstice.  Our days will continue to get longer- slowly, to be sure, but longer nonetheless.  And wow!  2024.  I gotta admit that growing up in the 60’s, 2024 was the year of science fiction.

GARDEN HAPPENINGS:

Yeah, there is STILL stuff happening in the garden.  I found something that looks like this:

Only mine is attached to a branch of my green pepper plant.  I’m so glad I didn’t destroy it.  Evidently, it is the egg sack of a praying mantis.  Who knew??  Score for me!!!  I hope it’s a good omen for the garden.

The tomatoes are finally all pulled up.  Still have carrots growing, and bell peppers struggling on.  And…lettuce….always lettuce.

THIS WEEK’S PURCHASE: pasta, macaroni = 10 pounds/packages.  Last week, I noticed that the price of pasta had come down somewhat.  Grab a couple packs of what you use the most.  For me, that’s linguini, spaghetti, macaroni, small shells, and penne.  Get 2 of each, date them, (vacuum seal if you are able), and stick them in a closet.  They will last at least a year.  It may seem like a lot, but if you use one pack per meal, that’s only 10 meals (less than 2 weeks.).  For the two of us, I usually use 1/2 package, and we still have leftovers.  I vacuum seal the remaining pasta and stick it on the shelf for next time.

MISC PURCHASE(s):  Do you have an alternative cooking source?  Even a BBQ will work.  I had friends who cooked their entire turkey dinner on a BBQ because their stove was broken. 

The best solution is to have a few choices:  a campstove, a thermal cooker, a kerosene burner, etc.  Even a $15 hibachi and some charcoal will work.

Your alternative to this is to have food you can eat cold:  crackers, cereal, cans of beans, whatever.  That might get you through a day or two, but it will quickly get old!!!

Already have a secondary cooking source??  Consider some colloidal silver

American Biotech Labs – ASAP 22 Plus Silver Solution – Immune System Support, 22 ppm Silver Solution Dietary Supplement – (16 oz) : Health & Household

This is only one of many options available on Amazon.

Of all the “witch doctor” holistic medications I use, THIS is my favorite!  I love it so much, I have given samples to people I know who are suffering.  

I have used it for eye infections, including styes.  One drop in my eye a few times a day and the infection will clear right up.

I have used it in my mouth for irritated gums or cold sores.  It is amazing.

I have used it for wound care, externally.

Some people drink 1 TB a day for health and immune properties.  Anti bacterial.  Anti viral.

Uses:  abscesses, acne, bladder infections, boils, burns, diaper rash, psoriasis, sore throats, warts.  

FOOD STORAGE RECIPES:

I made split pea soup from leftover ham on Christmas.  I used the recipe from 12/24/23.  Oh my gosh!  It was delicious.  Craig was not so sure about eating green soup, but I ate the leftovers for almost a week.  So delicious!  Best I’ve ever made!

Easy Chili

I’m always searching for a really good chili recipe, but usually end up making this instead.  

1 pint canned ground beef, or 1 pound browned ground beef

1/4 c. chopped onion

1 large can pinto beans  (I think I prefer these over red beans but either one will work, right?)

1 can tomato soup

1 can diced tomatoes

Chicken Cacciatore

I like that you can use fresh chicken breasts, canned chicken or freeze dried chicken.  If you use freeze dried chicken, reconstitute before dusting with flour or just add it in.  Canned chicken can probably just be added to the sauce with the onions and garlic.  No need to brown.

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (This is way too much for us.  I’ll probably only use one, just cut it up a bit)

In a baggie:

3 TB flour

1 tsp oregano

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

    Shake the chicken in the flour mix to coat.  In a skillet, heat

1 1/2 TB olive oil or vegetable oil.  Add chicken and cook to golden brown.  Turn and add:

1 medium chopped onion  (I use dehydrated)

2 cloves garlic  (I used garlic from a jar)

Continue cooking until onion is translucent and garlic is fragrant.  Add

 1 can stewed tomatoes, undrained

1 large green bell pepper, chopped (I use dehydrated).

Cook about 8 minutes until chicken is no longer pink inside and sauce is thickened.  Turn chicken after 4 minutes.  

Serve over hot cooked rice or noodles so plan ahead.

Chili Ravioli Bake

This is one of those throw-together recipes.  

1 can ravioli

1 can corn, drained

1 can chili, no beans

1/2 c. grated cheese

1 c. crushed corn chips

In a casserole dish, layer the ravioli, corn, and chili

Top with grated cheese and crushed corn chips.  Bake

350˚ for 10-15 min until hot and bubbly.  

Marti Shelley

Make a plan for 2024