"Most of us cannot afford to store a year’s supply of luxury items, but find it more practical to store staples that might keep us from starving in case of emergency." (James E. Faust)
Continue to work as you can on storage and skill building.
Learn to put up food.
Check in your area for an extension service. Also, reach out to someone who cans and ask questions, they are a great resource. In Iowa and Minnesota we have a great help line: 1-800-262-3804. There's even good online resources just be sure to get the information for your area because it makes a big difference. Even here in Iowa where people think we are flat we have different elevations which means my canning pressure is different than another area, so learn and be safe in your canning.
Before the derecho hit and took out my garden, we were eating a lot of fresh veggies from it and canning the excess. Eating as much fresh food from the garden helps with the grocery budget which means I can put that towards storage building.
I have made pizza sauce again this year and have been doing so since 2007, it is good to have variety.
Take time to learn. This year my friend Mary Ann shared this tip with me - use the produce bags to make a little hammock to hold my cantaloupe.
Before the derecho killed them all, I had three that were in these. It was cute to see them in their hammocks. I'm sad they didn't work out but maybe next year.
Dehydrating is a good way to put up food too.
Remember to wash your tomatoes so you can save the skins to dehydrate!
Even if you do not have a garden you can dehydrate the produce you need to use up in your refrigerator.
Also, remember you can watch for sales on frozen veggies and dehydrate those as the hard work has already been done, this saves on that and freezer space.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0t2OiG9m5O8 - dehydrating tips.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAvvkCznrcU - more on dehydrating.
Then remember if you have freezer space you can freeze...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XFvo6e4Ntk - here is a bit on freezing food.
Then the other method is store bought canned goods and dry goods.
I also feel vacuum sealing is a good way to make your dry foods last longer - http://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2015/08/monday-message_24.html
I know right now things are harder to find but do the best you can.
Gus and Missy say for you to keep being safe and find things that bring you joy and peace.
QUE BUENO SABER DE TI NUEVAMENTE BECKY, ME ALEGRO QUE TE ESTES RECUPERANDO DE LA TORMENTA QUE SUFRIERON, GRACIAS A DIOS QUE ESTAN BIEN. ESTOY PREPRANDO POROTOS CON PEREGIL Y AJO PICADO, LOS MEZCLO CON UN POCO DE ACEITE Y UN POCO DE VINAGRE DE ALCOHOL, LOS GUARDO EN UN FRASCO DE VIDRIO Y LOS DEJA ALGUNOS DIAS, PARA QUE SE IMPREGNEN BIEN, LOS PODES ACOMPAÑAR CON CARNE AL HORNO, UNA TORTILLA DE PAPAS O ENSALADAS, MILANESAS DE POLLO O DE CARNE, A MI ME GUSTAN MUCHO, TAMBIEN LOS POROTOS, LAS LENTEJAS, LAS ARVEJAS, SON RICAS Y NUTRITIVAS. ESTAMOS TENIENDO MUCHOS CASOSA DEL VIRUS Y MUCHAS MUERTES LAMENTABLEMENTE, SIGO VIENDO QUE LAS PERSONAS NO SE TOMAN EN SERIO ESTO DE LA PANDEMIA, SALEN A LA CALLE SIN PROTECCION, NO CUMPLEN CON LA CUARENTENA Y ESO HACE QUE SE EXTIENDA MAS Y MAS EL VIRUS, ¿POEQUE LA GENTE NO HACE CASO? ¿CREEN QUE NO SE VAN A ENFERMAR? ME MOLESTA MUCHO VERLOS CAMINAR, SE RIEN EN LA CARA DE UNO. BENDICIONES.
ReplyDeleteYes we have many many cases too my mother in law is sick with covid she is in long term care and everyone there has it we are praying for a quick recovery. I just do not think this virus will go away quickly at all so much suffering I think if those not taking it seriously saw a loved one suffer so they would change their behaviors. We are still dragging branches we can do about an hour a day then we need to rest.
DeleteThank you very much for your Monday messages. I hope your put-back-together from the storm is going OK. (Missy and Gus look a little concerned.) Take good care of you and yours.
ReplyDeleteWe are working at it it will take time plus my husband had carpal tunnel surgery and his mom is in last stages of covid it is so sad she is in a lot of pain. The town I go thru to do Walmart pick up has a vet that puts up a funny sign this one said it is 2020....next week locusts too funny but really feels that way.
DeleteWhat are those beautiful purple flowers? I'm in Kansas so they'd probably grow here, as well.
ReplyDeleteBoy, 2020 has sure wreaked havoc in all sorts of ways, hasn't it? My husband nearly took a job sorta kinda near Ames, and we would've lived in a small town named Eldora. Lovely little place. I've wondered how it fared in that Derecho.
I've certainly been doing my share of learning. I tore up something in my knee, which has grounded me. I've been using the time to learn a few new things and to better my sewing. I've done some clothes 'remodeling', but I'm going to attempt a doll's dress to see how I do following a pattern.
Eating loads of cherry tomatoes. Cukes didn't do so great this year. I think that next year, I'm going to plant one less tomato and try a bell pepper plant. That's great for sloppy joes, stuffed with spanish rice, or on pizza.
Thanks for keeping me on my toes. Good week to you!
My sister gave me these flowers long ago maybe some kind of flock they flower for a very long time and come back every year I want it everywhere.. Good job on the sewing I think it hasn't been a good garden year weird weather is my guess.
DeleteHello Becky what do you use tomato skins for? I have only used them when I slice tomato for a sandwich.
ReplyDeleteWhen I can tomatoes I have to blanch and peel off skins the skins I then put into the dehydrator and when dry I powder it in the blender this powder can be added to anything soups, breads what ever you want. Try slicing one of your tomatoes but take a slice and sprinkle sugar on it and eat it....yum. My grandma loved them that way and so do I it makes it more like a fruit.
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