Whatever Wednesday

Garden Tips

Parade magazine had some good tips on Sunday. The link to the whole article is here. The tip I am most eager to try is the one about eggs shells and tomatoes.

Eggshells are a good source of calcium, essential for tomatoes; without it, they develop brown patches known as blossom-end rot. Just crush the shells and sprinkle the bits on the soil.

I'll let you know if it works!

Making resumes work

The News Tribune had a great article Sunday on making the most of your resume work. Be sure to check out other links on their page. There is even a free trail at a networking site. You may think you need not worry about this but odds are you know at least one person who is unemployed right now. So if you don't need it for yourself think about those you know.

Tasty Tuesday

Spices

This is our final instalment of Bare-Bones Basics, but that does not mean it is not important.

Basic spices that can add life (per Preparedness Principles) to most foods are salt, pepper, vanilla, cinnamon, and chili powder and /or basil. I personally need onion powder, garlic powder, a great grill mix and Johny's.

Look at your super stores (Costco/Sam's) for great prices. Also most super market have baking sales twice a year. Once around the winter holidays (Thanksgiving & Christmas) and again around Easter. These are also the times that your Sunday paper and online coupon sites will have a great number of baking/spice coupons out.

Store your spices in airtight containers. A cool place is also best. Even though they look awesome in a spice rack on your sunny kitchen counter that really is not the best place. A nice cool cupboard is ideal.

Bouillons

"What IS bouillon?", some of you might ask. I know I did at one point.

"Bouillon cubes are compressed, flavor-concentrated cubes of dehydrated meat, poultry, or vegetable stock and spices. Instant bouillon granules are the loose, granular form of the concentrate. Salt is usually listed as the first ingredient; thus , both are very salty." Preparedness Principals pg.72

Ways to use: Add it to any grain you are cooking. I love adding chicken bouillon to rice. No need to add anything else. Add to your soup base, beans, or just to a pot of water for a comforting broth (add a some noodles for a basic soup) for someone who is sick.

As with most foods store in an airtight container is a cool dry cupboard. Generally the life span is 1-2 years but I have used some that has been a few years past that and had no problems.

Money Monday

Over the last month or so we have done a brief overview of the church's All Is Safely Gathered In pamphlet. As we have done so, I hope that some of you have implemented or improved your money management practices.

I finally worked up the courage to do a budget. Not just my bills this time. I budgeted for everything I thought I would need to. I also set my budget under what we really bring home. I wanted to be able to set some aside in savings.

I have yet to get the courage up to add up all the numbers and see how well (BAD) we did. Thursday is the big day for me to get that done. So I am a little afraid. LOL!! I am going to do it though. One day we will get it figured out. As long as I am actively working on it I will make progress.

As you work on your budget remember that they do evolve. Debt go away (hopefully) and other expenses rear their ugly heads. So we need to review and revamp often.

Food Storage Friday

Legumes

The food guys list the legumes brake down as 30 lbs. dried beans(any variety you want), 5lbs. Lima beans, 10 lbs. soy beans, 5 lbs. split peas, 5 lbs. lentils, and 5 lbs. dried soup mix.

As always if your not going to eat it don't store it. However legumes provide so many essentials to your diet. You need to have some and variety is always nice. So if nothing else have 60 pounds of any combination of beans (legumes).

Mayo clinic has a great little brake down on different legumes and their uses plus cooking tips. Here

Shelf life: According to a BYU site legumes have a shelf life of 8 years.

Tasty Tuesday

I know I was supposed to make brown sugar today but alas I do not have molasses. So another day for that. Today we will continue on our pantry basics journey.

Grains

Again we go to the food guys for a great brake down list. A one year supply for one adult brakes down to: 150 lbs. wheat, 25 lbs. flour, 25 lbs. corn meal, 25 lbs. oats, 50 lbs rice, and 25 lbs lbs. pasta. The general rule should be store what you eat, eat what you store. Going by that look at the list see if there is any thing you never use and omit it and beef up another category. In total you should store 300lbs. of grains per person.

Shelf lives: wheat 20+ years, flour 3-5 years, oats 4-5 years, pasta 6-8 years, white rice3-4 years, cornmeal minimum of one year and can be stored up to 5 years. Remember proper storage conditions can extend the life of your food. Cool, dark and DRY! Airtight containers are also a must.

Where to buy? For most of this list you can hit up your local church cannery or mega store(Costco/Sam's). I hear Winco has a great bulk section and gives a little price break if you buy a whole bag.

Survival Saturday

Have I got a site for you!

This lovely gal posted a comment on this blog a few days ago and of course she left a link to her awesome survival blog. So here it is Preparedness Pro. This gal has covered it all I am not even going to try and list it. Also she has a great blog and site list on her side bar. Go check her out!!

Food Storage Friday

The Sweet Stuff !!

According to the food guys a year supply for each of these for one person would look like:

Sugars 60 pounds total

3 pounds Honey

40 pounds sugar

3 pounds brown sugar

1 pound molasses

3 pounds Corn syrup

3 pounds Jam

6 pounds Powdered fruit drink

1 pound Flavored gelatin

Remember: Store what you eat, Eat what you store!!

The average American eats over 60 pounds of sugar each year. It is in so many things we love to eat from candy bars and pastry creations to spaghetti sauce and chili. So don't pull the i don't eat sugar bit with me! LOL!! No diets allowed either! :)

Sugar should be stored in dry airtight combiners. If your happens to hardened it is still usable just brake it up with a hammer or warm it in the oven until it is soft enough to use. Indefinite storage life.

Brown Sugar should also be stored in an airtight container. FYI brown sugar is white sugar with molasses add into it. (look for next Tuesday post!!!) You can make you own!!

Honey stored properly honey can keep for decades becoming darker and more flavorful. Airtight and cool temperatures are the key! Hardened honey can be warmed in a water bath to liquidize it again.

Corn syrup and Molasses have a shelf life of about 18 months. As always airtight and cool temps! Corn syrup is a sugar and molasses is a by product of sugar production.

Powdered fruit drink means the cannery fruit drink to me, however I assume that powdered Gatorade or kool-aid is the general idea.(if I am wrong speak up and tell me)

Gelatin to me this is good 'ole JELLO!! Easy to store, cheap to buy, and generally a crowd pleaser. Remember to rotate and check boxes for expiration date.

Thrifty Thursday

7 ways I saved money this week.

1. Planned dinner around my pantry instead of making a grocery run.
2. Using cards I already have instead of buying new spendy ones for teachers thanks yous. Yes the cards are unused!! :)
3. Opened the curtains and turned off the lights.
4. Used a redbox code to get a free movie rental.
5. We ate in all week.
6. Made cookies and bread. Also made rootbear floats at home VS. going to DQ!!
7. Used the BBQ instead of heating up the house.

There are a lot of things I do on a normal basis that most people would consider scrimping it. For me though they are just normal. So are a few of those:

1. Kids and Hubby took lunches to work and school.
2. Used powdered milk in my recipies.
3. Always look at clearance first when shopping.

That's all I can think of right now. LOL!! What are some things you do to save money?

Whatever Wednesday

Garden updates

We have flowers!!! The peas have darling little white flowers.

Strawberries also have TONS of blossoms and some berries again!

The tomato plants has it's "um yeah cute" yellow flowers.

And here are some pictures of the rest of the green stuff. My broccoli that was so pretty is now wilted yuck. No idea what happened or what to do. My radishes are getting HUGE leaves but no root. Again no idea. I did go get a different brand of seed and planted more. We shall see. My second planting of beans is towering over my first planting. Carrots are getting tall.

A little Change!!

Okay I am a brown girl so sorry you all had such a hard time reading this with a dark background. However...I LOVE THESE GREEN POLKA DOTS!!! I hope you do too!!!

Thrifty Thursday

Just like the Restaurant

One of my families goals is to stop eating out as much. We would like to keep it down to twice a month, but we will probably bee weak and go out once a week. We will try though. So to accomplish my goal I set about to find the foods I love in a cheaper way. Making them at home. Initially this can cost a bit to get set up with the pantry items you will need to have on hand. In the long run though it is way cheaper. Plus can be a whole lot funner than waiting in line and having to possibly put up with bad service or cranky kids (your or theirs).

In may search I found a great little site that hosted some of my top favorites!

Restaurant Recipes

Below are a few of my to die fors right off the top!

KFC original recipe!!!
olive garden bread sticks recipe
Outback steakhouse potato soup recipe

Whatever Wednesday

Garden Update

Here is lettuce from our garden. The kids loved it. This picture was taken about 3 weeks ago and can you believe some of this is still in my fridge looking as fresh as the day we picked it!!!

We picked these strawberries tonight to go with our store bought ones. They are tiny but yummy!! I put the quarter in for a size reference.

Other garden news!

Our 1st batch of peas are at least 3 feet tall and the second batch is not too far behind them. Beans are coming along, the second batch is taller. LOL! I gave me radish bed a string talking to then pulled them up. The didn't grow(leafs grew but no ball), so I planted some more!! My first set of carrots are getting so tall. Something ate the greens off the second set but the third is poking up through the soil!! My bigger than I could have imagined broccoli is turning yellow and wilty GRRR!! And my lettuce is awesome and continuing to grow. The 2 second batches are about 3 inches tall. Yummers! Also this month we plan to plant our Halloween pumpkins and some watermelon. We will see how they do.

I need help!!

Is this blog helpful to you?

Do you visit often?

What do you want to see?

Do you like the daily themes (Money Monday, Tasty Tuesday, Whatever/Workin' it Wednesday, Thrifty Thursday, Food Storage Friday, Survival Saturday, Sunday)?

What would you change?

If ever there was a time to comment now would be great! Thanks!!

Money Monday

Teaching our Family about Money

As we learn to manage our money better let us also teach our children those lessons.

LDS Living Magazine has a great article about how to teach your kids about money. Click here.

SmartPiggyBank is a site that helps your kids learn how to manage their money.

At my house my two older kids have divider banks. I t is basically a long box with three separate sections. First is tithing, then savings, and then FUN! We tithe 10% of our increase. Then we put 10% into savings. The rest is theirs to spend. They have learned to love the toy clearance isle. LOL!! Tyler has learned to save up for bigger Lego's and Elizabeth has learned it is sad to go broke over Whoppers. Kids will be kids.

Sunday

In Honor of June being Tratitional Family Month

We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.

All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.

In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshipped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.

The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.

We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God’s eternal plan.

Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.

The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.

We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.

We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.

This proclamation was read by President Gordon B. Hinckley as part of his message at the General Relief Society Meeting held September 23, 1995, in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Survial Saturday

Kids stuff

Here are some handy sites and phone numbers for surviving your children.

Safety Info

Product Safety and recalls Consumer Product Safety Commission 1-800-638-2772

Gun safety LOK-IT-UP Safe Firearms Storage Campaign 1-877-LOK-IT-UP

Burns NW Burn Foundation 1-888-662-8767

Car seats Safety Restraint Coalition 1-800-BUCK-L-UP

WA Poison Center 1-800-222-1222

Parenting Support

Child and Family Web Guide

Common Sense Media this site reviews movies, games, and books.

Family Help Line 1-800-932-HOPE support for parents and families

Food Storage Friday

Cooking Oils and Fats

One adult needs to store a total of 25 lbs. of fats and oil for their year supply. This can be divided in several ways. According to the food guys calculator they split it up as: 4lbs. shortening, 2gals vegetable oil, 2qts mayonnaise, 1qts salad dressing and 4 lbs of peanut butter. This is ONLY a suggestion. Remember: Store what you eat, eat what you store.

Fats are essential for or health as well as much needed ingredients in some of our favorite recipes. So in short YES you do need this as part of your storage!!

Things to take into consideration:

• There are many cooking oil options such as almond, avocado, butter, canola, coconut, corn, grape, lard, nut, olive, peanut, pumpkin, safflower, sesame, shortening, soybean, sunflower, and vegetable blend.
• Shortening has a great shelf life (5 years +) but contains trans fats so use sparingly.
• Lard does not store well as it tends to go rancid. It has no shelf life out side of the fridge.

Places to buy:

• bulk food stores. Costco has great prices on all of these items.
• regular grocery stores. These are stocked. Watch sales and use coupons to get the best deals.

How to store:

• original container
• cool, dark spot
• remember to rotate!

Honeyville Discounts

HAPPY SUMMER from Honeyville Farms

SUMMARY: 10% OFF YOUR ENTIRE ORDER* from Thursday, June 4, 2009 thru Tuesday, June 9, 2009 at 6:00PM PST. Simply enter the coupon code PREPARE09 during checkout. Act now! Take a look at the WHAT'S NEW category for all of the great new items that we're rolling out including Freeze Dried Blackberries, Hard Red and White Wheat in the can, and our new line of Puddings. http://store.honeyvillegrain.com

Thrifty Thursday

Take a mini vacation

Not everyone can afford a trip to Disneyland or a romantic getaway cruise. Here are some ideas for local and lower cost day trips and mini-vacations.

The local zoo. For me this is Point Defiance and North West Trek. Also we are planning a trip up to Woodland Park Zoo (here is a coupon worth $2 off up to 4 tickets). Point Defiance and NW Trek have a great combo membership you might want to consider. Remember memberships can make up for what you would pay in one or two visits. Plus when you have a membership it is like a prepaid fun-day!

Local water parks and/or theme parks. For me this would be Wild Waves Water Park & Enchanted Village.

Museums and Historical Centers. Places like the Museum of Flight, the Pacific Science Center, and the Tacoma Art Museum are all great places to visit and learn. If your going to Tacoma visit the the Museum District. If you want to be super local check out the Karshner Museum. Keep in mind most museums offer one free or discounted admission day each month.

Looking for something a little more romantic? A Bed & Breakfast can be a sweet treat. Washington is full of them. Just google bed and breakfast and you will find tons of sites ready to help you choose. My personal favorite is the Chinaberry Hill . The view is to die for, the food is killer good, they have an open snack bar, and the owners are total sweet hearts!!

Local landmarks. Snoqualmie Falls, Decetions Pass, Mount Rainer, Mount St. Helen. Take your pick. Washington has so much to offer. State Parks.com has a great list of all national parks.

Whatever you do ENJOY IT!!!

Money Monday

Build a Reserve

We have been counseled to build our three-month food supply, get our water and then build a financial reserve. The church has not stated a specific amount. Most money gurus will advise anywhere from 3 to 6 months. Longer if you can. No matter what your end goal is it is better to take baby steps then kill your self trying to make huge leaps and bounds. Start with a week then a month and then start again.

You can start by setting up a separate savings account. My good friend Daphne writes our financial column for our wards Provident Living newsletter and this is what she said about savings accounts, " Saving money is a challenge, and what works for one may not work for another, but this is what has worked for us. We have several accounts set up in a high interest bearing account (ING). Typically it takes 2 business days for funds to transfer to your checking account, so you tend to think twice if you really need that thing you want to buy--as a side note, we also keep a savings account attached to our checking acct., in case we need to transfer some over quickly for emergencies. " She also suggest that you have your savings automatically withdrawn each month or paycheck what ever works for you. you can sometimes set this up through your employer if you have auto deposit or through your bank.

President Gordon B. Hinckley has taught: “Set your houses in order. If you have paid your debts, if you have a reserve, even though it be small, then should storms howl about your head, you will have shelter for your wives and children and peace in your hearts” ("To the Boys and to the Men," Ensign, Nov. 1998, 54).