Monday Message

CLICK HERE for a recipe for my favorite cinnamon rolls.

"Acquire and store a reserve of food and supplies that will sustain life. ... As long as I can remember, we have been taught to prepare for the future and to obtain a year's supply of necessities.  I would guess that the years of plenty have almost universally caused us to set aside this counsel.  I believe the time to disregard this counsel is over.  With events in the world today, it must be considered with all seriousness."  L. Tom Perry, "If Ye Are Prepared Ye Shall Not Fear," Ensign, Nov. 1995.

Finally feels like fall. Remember, it is still preparedness month and our goal is to be actively working on your storage.

I would like to add another goal. I know you are busy, I do get it, but now the kids are back to school and the goal is to try and live more frugally so that you do not go into debt for Christmas. Be planning on how to have a frugal Christmas. Oh I know there is no snow and you don’t want to think of this till you have to but if you get working on this now you can have a stress-free/debt-free Christmas. I am not ever saying you have to live and do what I do but am offering ideas or different ways of doing things.

I like to get the gifts sent out by Thanksgiving. This is really more for me than anyone else that way I can have some down time and enjoy the season. Another reason why I do this is because I get sick or the storms come and this gives me time so I won’t have to be stressing.  For example, I was running late getting my daughter’s birthday gift ready and right when I was halfway done my husband had an emergency gallbladder surgery that turned into a five day stay because of complications… totally unexpected. I was worried I would not get her gifts ready in time to send.

http://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2015/09/diy-birthday-gift-for-eldest-daughter.html - as you can see I barely was able to get it done in time as I stayed up at the hospital running back and forth and tending what I could which left no time to work on them… things happen so being prepared helps with these things. 

Fall is now in the air! http://www.gracefullittlehoneybee.com/35-fun-fall-activities-for-kids/ - here are fun ideas to do with your kids.

http://tenatthetable.com/recipes/homemade-freezer-biscuits/ this is handy and frugal, plus let the kids help cut out different shapes with cookie cutters. This is very frugal and very handy to have on hand    *****tip….double or triple the recipe, bake some for supper and freeze the rest.

http://www.theyummylife.com/Instant_Oatmeal_Packets - handy to have your own healthy mixes made waiting for a good breakfast. With a little preparing ahead you will have a faster breakfast and save you $!

http://www.copykat.com/2013/10/27/how-to-make-italian-seasoned-breadcrumbs/ - this too will save you money.

http://livesimply.me/2013/05/06/homemade-yogurt-in-the-crock-pot-recipe/ - I threw this in so you have an alternative way to make yogurt.

Here is the recipe that I make - http://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2015/03/monday-message_30.html

http://www.gracefullittlehoneybee.com/slow-cooker-apple-butter/ apple time of the year, I thought you might like these apple sites http://www.gracefullittlehoneybee.com/22-amazing-apple-recipes/

It is time to be looking at your storage to see where you need to beef it up….

Also it is general conference time which is a reminder to some to update their 72 hr kits.

We have a tradition of having chili and cinnamon rolls during on conference weekend, here's my recipe for cinnamon rolls - http://www.beckysbacktobasics.com/get_full_recipe.php?search.x=21&search.y=27&File=1270333649

http://www.gracefullittlehoneybee.com/10-forgotten-money-saving-skills/ learning to be frugal is a wonderful skill.

We don’t want to shovel more out the back door than what comes in the front door is an old saying meaning don’t be wasteful, think how hard it is to earn the income we need to apply all the skills we can to stretch it.

Remember to work on getting your storage in. Look at your storage and see what areas you need to build up. For me it is to get about fifty more lbs of flour, four more shortening and some additional powdered milk and a few more oats… I am sure that you are doing a fantastic job on your storage. Keep up the good work!

DIY birthday gift for eldest daughter

Today is my eldest daughter's birthday! (Happy birthday, Laura dear!)

I made her a set of three Celtic knot heart pillows. Earlier this year she sent me a picture of them from Pinterest and I made a mental note for when her birthday rolled around. You can find a tutorial on how to make these pillows HERE.

Inspired by the pillows I also made her a Celtic knot heart necklace. I knitted the cording and used the same procedure for the pillows on the knot.

Below is a picture of the beginning work on the pillows. These are the long tubes after I got the turned right-side out.

Next it was a lot like stuffing sausage. You roll a magazine and slide the fabric on then start stuffing it.

This is how the pillow looks right before I tied the knot. This part felt like fighting an Octopus! In the end I was pretty happy with how they turned out.

Monday Message

Christmas isn't that far off! Time to learn those basic skills that can make your holidays more frugal!

"We suggest that members concentrate on essential foods that sustain life" (First Presidency letter, 24 June 1988). 

Learn to Use What You Store 

"Every father and mother are the family’s storekeepers. They should store whatever their own family would like to have in the case of an emergency. . . . Some have said, “We have followed this counsel in the past and have never had need to use our year’s supply, so we have difficulty keeping this in mind as a major priority.” Perhaps following this counsel could be the reason why they have not needed to use their reserve. By continued rotation of the supply it can be kept usable with no waste" (James E. Faust, in Conference Report, Apr. 1986, 26; or Ensign, May 1986, 22). 

"A year's supply of food storage is beneficial in several ways: 

1. It provides peace of mind as we obey the counsel to store. 

2. It helps ensure survival in case of personal or natural disaster. 

3. It strengthens skills in preparing and using basic foods" ("Home Storage: Build on the Basics," Ensign, June 1989, 40).

Building on the basics, I like that. Can you make a list of things that you want to learn? It would look different from others’ lists as we all are different.

Sewing…

http://www.sewmamasew.com/2015/05/how-to-make-sew-bias-tape-tutorial/ - this is good to know how to make and if you do not own a device for this make your own using this next link…
http://stitch-n-smile.com/how-to-thursday-create-a-bias-tape-maker/

Tip: Anytime you want something first see if you can make it over half the time you can and save $$ if not checkout thrift stores while you are saving for it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAomYjHzUQk make your own pillow cases, I love this gal's way of explaining.

http://www.goodbyehousehellohome.com/2012/09/a-zebra-slipcover.html this knowledge can save much money

Knitting…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7Aen1ffHpQ basics how to get started on a scarf

http://www.curioushandmade.com/freebobblehat/ how to knit a hat on straight needles

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE5FBD9B9043D0928 mittens on straight needles

If you know how to knit with circulars or double needles, great! Once beginners master using straight needles then learn on others.

Are you working on your food storage goal?? I love hearing what you are doing.

http://www.gracefullittlehoneybee.com/35-frugal-recipes-to-make-when-youre-broke/#_a5y_p=4002362  I personally don’t think we have to have hard times to be frugal. When was the last time you made biscuits?

http://www.averiecooks.com/2014/10/cinnamon-sugar-french-toast-sticks.html  slow down and have breakfast http://www.averiecooks.com/2014/10/cinnamon-sugar-french-toast-sticks.html - kids like to dunk things, yum!

http://www.moneywisemoms.com/2014/05/baked-potato-bar/ this could be fun

http://foodstorage5.tripod.com/recipebook2.html - recipes using food storage, scroll down through, after you get going there are some great ones.

http://pgward.org/ep/archives/category/recipes - more cooking with storage

http://www.hashworks.com/foodstorage.htm great things on here as well, there are great ideas to find the money to stock up.

http://histakes-food-storage.blogspot.com/ - this has more recipes, by the way I love the wheat blender pancakes.

This month is fast leaving us, it really is time to buckle down and get ready for winter. Also, be thinking of gifts you can make to have a frugal Christmas.

I was just talking with a friend who was thinking to better prepare for winter now. Last year was horrific, they had so much snow. She said if it is as bad I say prepare as if they all were bad like that. There is nothing wrong being really prepared and if it isn’t that bad it isn’t like you will throw out the extra, you will use it. It is never a good idea to wait till the end. I like to do a little each month.

You don’t want to be the one trying to go for toilet paper with two feet of snow on the ground.

All that great preparing you have been doing will bless your family!

This is preparedness month so give a bit more attention to it if you can.

Monday Message

"The greatest events that have been spoken of by all the Holy Prophets will come along so naturally as the consequences of certain causes, that unless our eyes are enlightened by the Spirit of God, and the spirit of revelation rests upon us, we will fail to see that these are the events predicted by the Holy Prophets." George Q. Cannon, Nov. 2, 1879, JD 21:266-67.

"We do not know when the calamities and troubles of the last days will fall upon any of us as individuals or upon bodies of the Saints. ... We can rest assured that if we have done all in our power to prepare for whatever lies ahead, He will then help us with whatever else we need. ... We do not say that all of the Saints will be spared and saved from the coming day of desolation. But we do say there is no promise of safety and no promise of security except for those who love the Lord and who are seeking to do all that he commands." Bruce R. McConkie, Ensign May 1979, p. 93.

"I stand before the Church this day and raise the warning voice. ... It is a voice calling upon the Lord's people to prepare for the troubles and desolations which are about to be poured out upon the world without measure.  For the moment we live in a day of peace and prosperity but it shall not ever be thus.  Great trials lie ahead. All of the sorrows and perils of the past are but a foretaste of what is yet to be. And we must prepare ourselves temporally and spiritually." Bruce R. McConkie, Ensign May 1979, pp. 92-93.

“Noah heeded God’s command to build an ark...that they might be saved from the floodwaters…Yet there was no evidence of rain and flood…His actions were considered irrational…The sun was shining and life moved forward as usual. But time ran out…The floods came, the disobedient were drowned… When God speaks and we obey, we will always be right” T.S.Monson Ensign 10-07

SEPTEMBER is preparedness month so I am checking on how you are doing, are you prepared? My test is can you go six months without grocery shopping? If you can, wonderful! Keep working to double that. If your answer is no, you have a large family to feed, I say exactly! YOU have a family to feed, all the more reason to get on it.

I recently commented on a food storage list that we just the two of us go through 25lbs of flour a month. Several people were taken back, how could that be???  If you are living on your storage then you make bread, rolls, cinnamon rolls, hamburger buns, homemade noodles and mixes, croutons, stuffing, cookies and cake, brunch cake, pancakes and waffles, popovers, puff pancakes, tortillas…… Think about what your family really eats in a month whether or not you've made it. I will tell you flour usually is involved right down to gravy…just think about it. Are you prepared??

If something happened October 1st like a pink slip, trucker’s strike (been through those), how about flooding, how about electrical outage? What would you do? How will you eat without a way to cook it? We had a bad winter storm and the power went out mid morning, it was out only five hours but we had ice everywhere even to go out to walk to a neighbor was treacherous. Five hours was a very long time. Granted, we have been blessed to only have a taste of what could be much worse... one minute you are fine, the next you are not.

So are you prepared?? If you could not get groceries starting tomorrow, what will your family be eating in six months?? What would you tell your family who will be looking to you to have stored?

I know we live in hard times, wherever do we get the food storage? With what do we get  it? Now you ask, "where do I get the money for these things? I agree, I need them, but I'm having a hard time making ends meet." Here is how you do it: Use one or more of the following suggestions: Food Storage Christmas: Use 25-50% of money for food storage, New Clothes: Don't buy instead make it last a few more months, use that money for food storage, Vacation/ Holiday: no vacation or holiday until food storage is complete, Recreation: Cut by 50% use money for food storage, find fun, free things to make lasting memories, Snowmobiles/campers/boats: sell or trade to get a year's supply, Change Diet: eat cheaper foods and use extra money for food storage.  

"The Lord will make it possible, if we make a firm commitment, for every LDS family to have a year's supply of food reserves ... All we have to do is to decide, commit to do it, and then keep the commitment.  Miracles will take place: the way will be opened and we will have our storage areas filled.
"I believe it is time, and perhaps with some urgency, to review the counsel we have received dealing with our personal and family preparedness. ... With events in the world today, it must be considered with all seriousness. We are not in a situation that requires panic buying but the instability in the world today makes it imperative that we heed this  counsel and prepare for the future." L. Tom Perry, Nov. 1995. 

This site has wonderful lists and great food storage recipes  http://jamiecooksitup.net/2012/08/40-food-storage-recipes-and-food-storagepantry-staple-lists/

http://preparednessnibblesandbits.blogspot.com/search/label/365%20Days%20of%20Pre-made%20Meals great storage info, one of my favorites

Often I am asked what I use dried apples for and I have used my apples that I dry in these recipes with much success.  I find them more versatile than other ways.
http://preparednessnibblesandbits.blogspot.com/search/label/Dehydrated%20Apples%20Recipes 

http://preparednessnibblesandbits.blogspot.com/search/label/Dry%20Milk%20Recipes great to make your own yogurt, it's very frugal.

I invite you to research on what storage recipes you might like. Just get busy and work on the food storage challenge to be actively working on your stocking up on your storage. Remember, it is not just food. Remember your first aid needs, your hygiene needs, your clothing needs... you get the idea. Get cracking. Build your storage, build your skills. Learn to cook to from scratch and learn to be content. If you are always miserable because of what you don’t have you will be miserable. When times are tough roll up your sleeves and work together.

Keep up the good work! Remember President Hinckley said, “do the best you can”... If this month your budget won’t let you get storage then work on a skill and learn how to stretch it and learn to use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.

Monday Message

Work on building binders of information on food storage and skills you are learning.

(James E. Faust, April 1986 General Conference)
“It is . . . necessary that each home and family do what they can to assume the responsibility for their own hour of need. If we do not have the resources to acquire a year’s supply then we can strive to begin with having one month’s supply.”

What did you do this week towards your food storage and provident living?

One thing I read this week while finding good things for you was…one lady canned 24 quarts of tomatoes, saving the peeled skins and dried them and made tomato powder. I thought this was a wonderful idea so passing it along.

I often talk about making your own mixes and saw this spice cake mix, it would be good to have some jars of it on the shelf. http://bakerette.com/spice-cake-baking-mix/

The more I look and read cooking from scratch as being a way to save money comes up time and again. I will tell you that this is the case for us too, that many people saying it there must be something to it.

That said I want to share a couple of real finds for me….

Pumpkin Pie Spice

1/2 c cinnamon
1/4 c ginger
2 tbsp nutmeg
2 tbsp cloves
I put in small canning jar, shake and label


Pumpkin Streusel Muffins

I mix and set aside the topping

1/3 c. flour
3 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp cold butter

In bowl mix...

1/4 c. soft butter
1/2 c. sugar
1/4 c. brown sugar
2/3 c pumpkin
1/2 c. milk (I add tsp of vinegar to it)
2 eggs
1 tbsp molasses
Mix well

Then I don’t stir again till all dry ingredients are measured in

2 c flour
1 tsp dried orange peel
2 tsp b. powder
1 tsp b soda
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/4 tsp salt
Then stir well and divide between twelve regular muffin cups, I use liners but whatever

By spoon divide topping over all evenly
Bake in a preheated oven 375 degrees for 20-25 min.

This has moved to my favorite muffin spot though I can have them any time of the year. I thought fall makes them even more special.

I know I have had these in here before but sometimes a recipe is worth repeating.

This is a fast favorite too. I mix this and put in seven quart jars and label. Then you just add the wet ingredients which I write on the jar and shake and pour. I actually stir in the jar and then shake but you all have arms that can shake. I then have pancakes ready to go
http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2012/10/homemade-shake-and-pour-pancake-mix.html

These are worthy of putting in your binders, yes I have binders that organize my life. A food storage binder that has my recipes I use. I went through my recipe file of favorites and in this binder it has recipes I could make if I did not have eggs or cheese. Of course these are our tried and true family favorites. I use unflavored gelatin as egg replacer of my choice so I store that. I also can meat so I can make more of the family favorite recipes.

I have reference binders on food storage in general.

I have a working cookbook binder. This is one I keep by the food storage binder in my kitchen

Also with those two I made a go to binder that I use a lot. It has things like my yogurt recipe, white sauce recipe, favorite flour tortilla recipe, hot cocoa recipe that is my favorite, English muffin bread, my chart on mixing powder milk, how to make bread flour, favorite crouton recipe, my favorite taco seasoning, favorite tapioca pudding recipe, crepes again my favorite, most important my favorite popover recipe and pizza dough recipe beats any you can have out by miles, apple crisp that I make from dried apples, my famously talked about choc cake... you get the idea. Fast grab saves me time looking in my files.

I have a bread binder four inches thick.

Remember I told you if you only have your recipes on computer you need to print off to have a hard copy.

I have tatting binders, sewing binders weaving binders, knitting binders broke down in binders like dishcloth and scrubbies has its own, mitten scarves and hats, gifts socks... you get the idea.

If I need something I go to the binder.

I have a binder with info in that is for our appliances, lawn mower, dishwasher, etc.

I have a working genealogy binder, very thick it even has handles.

I have binders on basket making.

I have binders on machine knitting.

Okay so those are some of mine, what would you have? And all of you better say food storage since we’ve been working at building them together.

The binders I have all came from yard sales or Goodwill or were free so this is not a costly thing for me. Some as you see had those clear pockets, I slid in scrapbooking paper also gotten free. Those of you who have little ones at home put in pictures they color for you that to me would be the best ever.

Also I have two sets of cards on rings one is just breakfast the other is all one pot meals like homemade hamburger helper and SOS recipes.

*tip*  When thinking on Christmas make your grown children a binder with all the family favorites, our kids love theirs.

You do not have to do your things in binders or even like me I am just throwing out frugal ideas that work for me.

Are you all preparing for winter?? I write this as hot weather has returned but the weather people are telling us it will be a “Godzilla El-Nino” which could mean a lot of snow. I of course never look forward to shoveling. What do I mean by getting ready for winter?

Here is a good list…http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/beforestorm/supplylists.asp be sure to scroll down to car kit. When the kids were drivers I made one for each of the vehicles. Start filling your car full, when it gets halfway pretend it is empty and fill. There have been many stranded on the interstate and you will need heat which means gas but if you get stuck and have to turn off your car to ration your gas you will have blankets in your car kit. I always leave it in the trunk if i can help it plus it keeps any groceries from rolling out of reach.

Be working on your storage goal. Be actively working on your storage to get in what you can by year's end and let me know what you are working on. Believe it or not I have gotten reports from Minnesota, so keep me posted and keep working on it. Do the best you can.

Things to think on…building your skills...

How to hem https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMqK-fNrCrM - see you have a teacher.

How to sew a seam https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-jIFZD3mxQ

How to read a pattern https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kJx3SiGKtA

This is a very good place to start learning to sew.

So keep in mind you are building skills and storage. 

Monday Message

Scroll down for a link on how to make your own homemade noodles!

http://providentlivingandme.blogspot.com/2011/08/first-presidency-letter-to-priesthood.html - it is important!

Are we an ant or a grasshopper??
https://www.lds.org/liahona/1987/09/provident-living-a-way-of-life?lang=eng 

I have been thinking this week about making your own mixes. I always think of them this time of year as the weather starts cooling down finally. I start to think about getting ready for winter. I start feeling like a squirrel, they work very hard burying the walnuts. Are they setting the example for us?? I think it is a feeling of all is safely gathered in. When a winter storm was on the way as long as everyone was home and safe it mattered not how many inches came.

I saw this and thought that we all would benefit by having this recipe, I also think now that we have it why buy it again? http://thehumbledhomemaker.com/2013/02/homemade-allspice-alternative.html

Make your own pudding mixes to have as an after school snack or on snow days which were always family party days
http://www.recipegoldmine.com/mixes/chocolate-pudding-mix.html

http://www.recipegoldmine.com/mixes/vanilla-pudding-mix.html

This is handy for making fast your pie crust  http://www.recipegoldmine.com/mixes/piecrust-mix.html

http://www.recipegoldmine.com/mixes/flavored-rice-mixes.html - make a rice mix

http://chickensintheroad.com/cooking/how-to-make-homemade-dough-enhancer/ - if you wish to try a dough enhancer this is a good place to start.

With the ever sky rocketing price of cereal... http://chickensintheroad.com/cooking/making-your-own-cereal-mixes/

I used to love having these on hand -http://chickensintheroad.com/cooking/white-sauce-butter-balls/

http://chickensintheroad.com/cooking/quick-mix-biscuits-muffins-and-pancakes/ - very versatile mix

http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/fruit-crisp-topping-mix - this would save time to have on hand, an easy dessert!

This is a wonderful one with 44 variations of muffins from one mix http://www.recipelink.com/msgbrd/board_2/2007/APR/20958.html

Tip: I like to have my dry ingredients measured the night before on muffins or coffee cakes or pancakes or waffles, it makes a morning meal not so hectic.

http://www.beckysbacktobasics.com/provident_living/ This link takes you to the best collection I have seen of provident living info. Warning! - if you intend to print it is like a ream of paper but the info is so valuable. Joanna E. Banks was the stake provident living specialist at the time she has another calling now but this info is good to have.

http://www.beckysbacktobasics.com/get_full_recipe.php?File=1271360405&search.x=41&search.y=48  I love these croutons

http://www.beckysbacktobasics.com/get_full_recipe.php?File=1274380338&search.x=22&search.y=18 - make your own noodles

Dry your herbs... http://www.beckysbacktobasics.com/aboutthehouse.php?File=1273501476&search.x=21&search.y=11

Frugal idea - http://learningthefrugallife.blogspot.com/search/label/Cloth%20Napkins

http://learningthefrugallife.blogspot.com/search/label/Stockpiling - this has a good list and some inspiring info

How are you coming on you food storage challenge (which is it be actively working on your storage)? Do as much as you can by year's end. We have had plenty of ideas on how even with low budgets one can work on this goal. I love hearing what you have done. Try to do more prudent things. Live on less then you make and be actively gathering storage. President Hinckley said do the best you can. Would you be willing to eat in more and the money saved use on storage? Just a thought.

Monday Message

Vacuum sealing can help extend the shelf life of some of your favorite dry goods! Scroll down for more tips on vacuum sealing.

A reminder: We are working on a food storage challenge to be actively working on our food storage, to do as much as we can by year's end… you are doing great so far!

        Today, I emphasize a most basic principle: home production and storage. Have you ever paused to realize what would happen to your community or nation if transportation were paralyzed or if we had a war or depression? How would you and your neighbors obtain food? How long would the corner grocery store—or supermarket—sustain the needs of the community?” (President Ezra Taft Benson)
        Those families will be fortunate who, in the last days, have an adequate supply of food because of their foresight and ability to produce their own” (Ezra Taft Benson)
        Our Heavenly Father created this beautiful earth, with all its abundance, for our benefit and use. His purpose is to provide for our needs as we walk in faith and obedience. He has lovingly commanded us to ‘prepare every needful thing’ (see D&C 109:8) so that, should adversity come, we may care for ourselves and our neighbors, and support bishops as they care for others.” (All is Safely Gathered In pamphlet)
        
I will remind you that a grocery store carries three days of normal shopping but only 24 hours if there was an emergency. We have all seen what happens here when a snow storm is predicted. Three days out everyone is complacent. Two days out a few people go get things that will be needed. One day out a few more people. The day of the storm swarms head to the store and do weird things like buy eight gallons of milk and ten loaves of bread. Then as the storm intensifies lots now decide "wow, I need some groceries" and go out in the middle of a storm risking themselves and others. I liken this to being prepared. Which camp are you in??

If the store has no bread would you know how to make it? Would you have stuff to put on it? If the electricity went out could you still fix supper? Could you find the recipe? Is your recipe file only on the computer?

We don’t know what hardships we will have to pass through. Being complacent is the worse thing as far as getting prepared. Yes, I know we can’t prepare for everything but that should not stop you from preparing. Also, the trap of "I have a great job, what could happen to us? We don’t need to worry." Hmmmmm... not good to think that way. Instead you should be thinking "we have a good job, I think now is the time we should be preparing." Forgo that brand new thing till after you are stocked up then go for it.

Remember The Prophets have not been warning us to put in storage for no reason, there is a reason and we either listen or don’t. The choice is your's but when something happens and you did not store it will be a lot harder to do so in a crisis 

Hmmm, what crisis?? Your car could break down, all kids need dental work, unexpected hospital bills, today you have a job, tomorrow you don’t or you are 45 or heaven forbid older and you can't find a job or your health takes a turn exercise or not. These are personal crisis, now widen that out to a catastrophe in your area.

Brother Shook’s grandma said the next depression will be different. You will need a wheel barrow full of money to buy a loaf of bread, now that is scary.

When my husband was going to Iowa State he had a part time job as security at a plant. He came home one night and said they only want full time workers and he was going to school and could not so basically that was the end of that job. I tried to make a pineapple upside down cake to cheer us up, well I did not have any eggs and by the way they were cheap back then... but we had traded a piece of Dick’s artwork for some canned things in number ten cans, so I opened the powdered eggs and went to work. Well when it was done it fell apart in a really strange way and tasted soooooo awful. All I could do was cry that I had wasted other needed ingredients on something we could not even choke down....that is the great learning, never did I ever want to be in that situation again. Through the years I have learned so many things from Relief Society, things that not only would have really helped us then but continue to help us now.

So what you learn is also part of your storage, soooo....

do you know how to grind wheat???? do have a grinder??
do you know how to make bread?
do you know how to make a cake from scratch?
can you cook totally from scratch?????
can you make what you need????
do you know how to effectively budget, garage sale and thrift buying?
do you know how to shop for groceries effectively?
do you know how to darn socks??
do you know how to knit socks????
do you know how to knit mittens, hats, scarves????
can you refashion your clothes without spending money????
can you make the worlds best cookies?
can you make pancakes from scratch?
can you make syrup for said pancakes?
can you make jam?
can you you can or pressure can or dehydrate?
can you make flour tortillas?
can you sew, can you mend?
can you grow a garden?
can you make yogurt?
can you grow herbs? do you know how to use them?
can you manage not going grocery shopping for a month, two, three or four months? you should see how long you can and see what you are short of though use the grocery funds to get storage while you do this exercise.

This list is much longer and varies with each of you.

Learning to live more providently is a skill that everyone should learn no matter how good a job you have.

Learn the things now while it is running smooth is not so stressful. 

For the gluten free a few recipes... if this is how you have to eat then be stocking up on these ingredients so life could remain normal as it can be in a stressful situation. I have a friend with food allergies and she has trouble finding food she can eat.

http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.ca/2009/03/gluten-free-multi-grain-sandwich-bread.html

http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.ca/2011/02/gluten-free-pizza-crust-my-new-recipe.html

http://frugalandthriving.com.au/2014/advice-that-never-gets-old-47-frugal-tips-from-our-grandparents-era/ this is so good, if you think that being frugal means out of date and ugly, think again! Check out the Ana White website that is highlighted, these are adorable. What? You can’t use power tools? Yes, you can. If I can build an addition and shingle, you can too. Maybe it can be a family activity. I loved how she used scraps. Many times you can get scraps from the lumber yard. Most of the frugal sites I find are younger, half my age, so it means that this is not old fashioned at all.

I want to review using the method I like for vacuum sealing. This is my yard sale found food saver...

The method I like is the canister method. In the picture above you can see the canister is black and you can see the hose hooked to a jar sealer. I have two sizes of these and they are for wide mouth jars and regular jars. But the canister can be any jar from jelly jar, spaghetti sauce jar and any jar that fits in canister…you don’t have to have the jar attachments but I use them on half gallon jars that won’t fit in the canister. You can just hook the hose to sealer and to canister but I just leave the jar topper on the hose and store it in the canister. 

Now the canister has to be for sealers. I have found my seal a meal canister works on the food saver and are interchangeable.

You can see the top of the canister. The picture at the top of the page just happens to be a canning jar but it could be any other as long as you save its lid. I save my used canning lids for vacuum sealing. You cannot use them in canning again but you want to use them here. I can tell my used ones as I write on them like "pizza sauce 2014." When I use the sauce I wash the jar and the lid then I know it is used, plus, I keep new ones in their boxes but new lids don't work good for vacuum sealing.

So I put macaroni in the jar, make sure the rim is clear by running your finger around the rim. Check lid to see that nothing is on the rubber. Put lid on jar and add screw band but don’t crank it down hard. If you were using another jar you would just use its lid. Then set it in the canister

You plug hose into machine and here you just set the jar attachment over the stuff on the lid of the canister. Go ahead and vacuum seal. This machine shows a green light when it is done.

Remove the jar attachment from the top of the canister and then you push the air release button on the top, you will here a whoooosh.

Then open the canister and check your jar. For a sealed jar as in this picture there will be no give in the lid. Every now and again you get a stubborn jar, just check rim and lid again and repeat. If you just can't get it to seal put food in another jar or switch lids.

Absolutely never do powder stuff like flour without cutting a coffee filter the size of the lid and then lay it inside the jar on top of the flour, not on the rim, then proceed.

I purchase vital wheat gluten. It comes in a box. I take it out of the box, it is in a plastic sealed bag, I poke the bag with a pin then put it in the jar and seal the jar.

Why vacuum seal? It helps your food to stay fresh longer as there is no air in the jar.

Never think you can do this with things that need canning....only dry things like nuts, raisins, craisins, dry pastas, chocolate chips, seeds for breads, your dry herbs, it helps their shelf life.

Keep working on your storage!