Monday Message

"Plan to build up your food supply just as you would a savings account... We urge you to do this prayerfully and do it now." - President Ezra Taft Benson

I am finally among the living. Wow, was I sick. Still on health mending duty. Now we have haze from Canada forest. First it sets off a bit of breathing issues but I smell the smoke and am so sad for lost homes.  

I hope you paid attention to how fast they had to evacuate. We may never have to deal with forest fires but fire and many other emergencies that we too might only have minutes. It will take a lot to rebuild, my prayers are with them.  

Along this thought one day it was reported there were eight earthquakes in Oklahoma, so things change.  Also they are now saying in California that they are to prepare as things are ready for an earthquake there as well. We must think of what could happen and prepare as best we can. I am sure there are different things they are asked to prepare as we might be asked to prepare for tornadoes… do the best you can. Even being totally prepared might not be enough but having your 72 hour kits ready at the drop of a hat will help, you can grab and go.

http://www.utah.gov/beready/family/documents/72-hourchecklistpdf.pdf - this is a helpful list.

How are you coming on your skills?

How are you coming on building your storage?

http://www.pnpg.net/guide-des-points-au-crochet-100-symboles-et-points/ - if you crochet this is a really good chart on symbols

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/crafts-hobbies/Crocheting/Stitches.html basic crochet

http://crochet.about.com/od/crochetstitches/tp/basic-stitches.htm basic crochet

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=basic+crochet&view=detail&mid=9E50D9FF1F7B8F7F08A49E50D9FF1F7B8F7F08A4&FORM=VIRE this helps those who need visuals

http://www.lookatwhatimade.net/crafts/yarn/crochet/free-crochet-patterns/simple-crochet-flower/ simple project to start you off


http://www.knowlio.org/knitting-abbreviations-chart-stitches/ here is a good knitting chart as well

http://knitting.about.com/od/learntoknit/u/learntoknit.htm basic knitting

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Cast+On+Knitting+Instructions&&view=detail&mid=36E07C1A1B26EE21217936E07C1A1B26EE212179&FORM=VRDGAR visual how to cast on

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=basic+knitting&view=detail&mid=FB8E55C1AADA0EE86F6AFB8E55C1AADA0EE86F6A&FORM=VIRE for visual learners knit

http://knitting.about.com/od/knittingpatterns/p/garterscarf.htm a great first project

I think you can teach yourself both of the above skills but if you are unsure, ask a friend who knits or crochets to teach you.

I cannot stress to you enough to cook from scratch when you can. This is a great skill and a huge money saver.


http://foodstoragemadeeasy.net/self-reliance/cooking-from-scratch/ do you know how to cook from scratch macaroni and cheese?

http://foodformyfamily.com/the-kitchen-sink/stocking-your-pantry-for-home-cooking-the-basics having on hand what you need is priceless


http://www.justapinch.com/recipes/dessert/pie/basic-scratch-pudding.html nothing beats homemade...notice chocolate pudding in the variations yum.


http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/basic-biscuits wouldn’t biscuits taste good with your meal? Canned type, I don’t think so.

http://www.food.com/recipe/lemon-cake-from-scratch-354350 yum

I have a go to binder that has things for quick find like white sauce, enchilada sauce, taco seasoning... the stuff you need all the time, just the basics. It makes it so easy. When I was still real sick I made up my taco seasoning, now my favorite recipe for taco seasoning. When I found it was just for one batch I measured and remeasured and now when I make it it fills a quart jar so I have it at the ready.

Tarter sauce
Ranch dressing
Croutons
French dressing
1,000 island dressing
Syrup
Mayonnaise
Mustard
Hot fudge topping
Bq sauce
Salsa dip

Think about what you purchase and ask yourself is there a way I can do this homemade? Search online, test recipes by doing them in small batches till you see which recipe you like best. The French dressing recipe I use is better by far than any you can find at the store.

French dressing

1 c. veg oil
1 c. catsup
1 c. sugar
½ c. cider vinegar

One fourth tsp of each….

Garlic powder
Celery seed
Parsley
Minced onion

We put it in a quart jar, add lid and shake and we shake again before using.

Homemade croutons - get the recipe HERE.

I think if you see the savings on things you can do from scratch. Its a huge savings plus no chemicals which is even better.

Start a go-to binder of these things you have handy and won’t have to look up - a great time saver.

If money is not that big of a deal then do it to cut out the chemicals that they are now finding which cause so many health issues.

Store-bought came about to save time but as it ends out the cost is too much.

Keep working on your skills, keep working on your storage… there is always something coming at us around the corner.