Monday, October 31, 2011
Let the kids do the labor!
I know you're probably thinking, "I don't have time to do chickens, pick raspberries, dry fruit, can chicken, raise rabbits, etc". That's what your kids are for! And it's great for them too! My son mows our lawn. When we can chicken he puts the meat in the jars while I put the broth & lids (we can get 18 lbs in the canner in under 20 min). He completely takes care of all our animals. They're under his stewardship & he gets their food & water every day. When we can or dry peaches he takes the peels off while I do other stuff. He goes out & picks the raspberries & strawberries. The work goes much faster than I could do by myself. And imagine if I had more than 1 child!
Sure, you have to train them to help. At first it might seem easier to do it yourself than hassle them into it. But now my son is just used to helping as part of his daily routine. (ok, he still complains sometimes about mowing the lawn, but he does it). And he's only 8 years old. Kids can usually do a lot more than we think. He's been doing all the mowing since 7. He started taking the peels off the peaches & tops off strawberries at 4. Don't waste these great helpers you already have! It's in their best interest too. And they can take such pride in the peaches they helped can, fruit they helped dry, & "their" animals!
Friday, October 28, 2011
honey butter with whipping cream butter
I wanted to see how honey butter would taste with the butter I'd made from my shelf stable whipping cream. It was very tasty! The only thing I noticed is it didn't whip as much. The color was different because the butter isn't colored yellow like what you buy. And as I stored it, it didn't stay completely mixed. It would start to separate. But after mixing it back together it tasted yummy again.
1/2 cup butter whipped
1/4 tsp vanilla
1 egg yolk (I leave this out if I want it to last longer)
1 cup honey
Whip vanilla & egg into butter. Gradually add honey until light & fluffy.
I tried "canning" some cornbread in my solar oven. I'll be trying this on that. MMM!
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Poppy Seed dressing, my favorite!
Not being a big salad fan I almost didn't try this. I was glad I did, I ate 3 bowls! You can add apples, parmesan cheese & dried cranberries on top. I like at least the cheese & cranberries. I love this dressing & make it a lot in the summer. And anywhere you take it people will say "wow, that's a good salad!" Toss the dressing well with the lettuce & toppings. This does taste better with darker green lettuce, rather than iceberg. This recipe will fill a quart mason jar. I usually make half.
Ingredients:
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup rice vinegar
2 Tbs mustard
2 Tbs poppy seeds
1 medium red onion
1 pint corn oil
Directions:
Chop onion in very fine small pieces. I use my food processor and it kind of makes mushy onions but then the pieces are not big. Add all the ingredients to a blender & run for about 5 minutes on liquify. If the dressing starts to separate after a while, you can put it back in the blender for more mixing.
Ingredients:
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup rice vinegar
2 Tbs mustard
2 Tbs poppy seeds
1 medium red onion
1 pint corn oil
Directions:
Chop onion in very fine small pieces. I use my food processor and it kind of makes mushy onions but then the pieces are not big. Add all the ingredients to a blender & run for about 5 minutes on liquify. If the dressing starts to separate after a while, you can put it back in the blender for more mixing.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Price going up on SOS solar oven
The SOS solar oven is raising prices, & shipping prices on Nov 1. So if you've been considering an oven, now may be the time! Until then, you can still get one shipped to your home for $190. I have the SOS & the Global Sun. While I'm glad to have them both, I use the SOS most of the time. Email me at singlemompreparedness@gmail.com or call 801-400-4597. I have to have orders by noon on Halloween.
PRICE INCLUDES oven w/reflectors, two black enamel pots (3.5 qt.), a WAPI (water pasteurization indicator), built-in thermometer, instruction manual, recipe book and shipping!
- Reaches temp. up to 350 degrees
- Holds two pots of food
- Engineered 3M plastic lid has 1” air-gap for better heat retention
- R 6.5 Insulation in housing
- Weighs only 10 lbs.
- Even works great without reflectors!
- Broad base gives better stability
Great article on preparing to evacuate
I May Never See My Home Again
By Carolyn Nicolaysen
Hurricane Irene, tropical storm Lee, tornadoes, flooding, wildfires in Texas, 5 million without power in California, Arizona and Mexico, and all this since my last article two weeks ago. Yesterday marked the height of the hurricane season however, there are still another two months till the season passes. Fire season is just now beginning as more than 1.5 million acres have already burned and thousands have lost their homes. Lightning sparked over thirty wildfires in California Sunday night.
What if you were called in the middle of the night and told you needed to evacuate immediately. A few years ago this happened to a friend. She could not think clearly about what to do and her comment later was, “I just didn't understand I might not see my home again”. Would you know what to do? Plan today.
No matter what the reason for an evacuation, it is going to be a stressful, chaotic time and you need to be prepared so that you and your family will remain safe and sane until the earthquake, landslide, wildfire, hurricane, tornado, flood, storm surge, tsunami, avalanche, hazardous spill, or terror threat is over.
Start today by preparing the following items to take with you as you evacuate: *
1.* Assemble a 72-hour kits for every family member, be sure to include family photos, emergency phone numbers and family ID cards in a plastic sleeve that can be removed easily.
2.* Assemble a kit of essentials for every pet. Don’t forget a leash for the dog or cat.
3.* Maps: Gather maps of your town, county, state and your out-of-area destination. Take some time and using a highlighter, mark several routes, in different colors, from your home to you destination. Remember the freeways may be very crowded if you wait until an evacuation order is given to leave your home. Longer routes may be the faster in the long run, so think creatively. As you mark your map, note where the rest areas are located. You will need these from time to time, especially if you are traveling with pets and children.
4.* Assemble an emergency car kit and place it in your car now. The kit may include: flashlight, small and large 10” glow sticks (I prefer these to flares because they do not create sparks which are potentially dangerous at an accident scene), folding shovel, tire repair kit and pump, booster cables, work gloves, and a fire extinguisher. Store extra batteries for your flashlight in your 72-hour kit, not in your car, and never in your flashlight (they are less likely to leak or explode if stored separately). To use your flashlight at times other than emergencies, keep batteries in the glove box.
5.* Assemble fun things to do in the car - books on tape, travel games, toys, familiar music that you can sing at the top of your lungs, anything that will keep family members distracted. Remember during a mass evacuation the average time spent in the car is 15-20 hours! You will want to make this time as low stress as possible. Don’t forget scriptures and comforting materials like church magazines.
6.* Assemble a sanitation kit. You should have sanitation supplies in your 72-hour kits but you will want to save those in case you need them at a shelter or at your evacuation destination. If you are evacuating to the home of a friend or family member, others may be doing the same. Don’t assume they will be prepared to care for all your needs. Also, remember there will be many others evacuating. Local residents as well as evacuees will all be at the store trying to purchase supplies when you reach your destination. When you stop at a rest stop along the way there will be no one to re-supply the restrooms and you may be very happy that you have your own stash.* Your sanitation kit should include: Facial tissues, bathroom tissue, wet wipes, hand sanitizer, paper towels, feminine supplies, diapers (always a size or two larger than the baby is wearing at the time you assemble your kit) and biohazard bags (to contain waste until you reach a place where they can be properly disposed of). Place your sanitation supplies with your 72 hour kit so it can be grabbed in a hurry.
7.* Food and drinks for the road. Again, save the food in your 72-hour kit for use later. Gather snacks, crackers, peanut butter, and drinks and place them in a cupboard together. This will make it easy and fast to grab items when you are in a hurry to evacuate. It also makes it easy to pack school lunches every day. You will not be thinking clearly, so make a list of food items to add to this supply and post it on the cupboard door. This could include: bread, cheese, deli meats, mayo, fruit, carrots, anything you may have on hand but is kept in another location. As with 72-hour kits, do not include salty foods such as salted nuts, chips, and jerky. These will just increase your thirst and thus restroom stops, which may not be readily available. Plan to eat in your car. There have been incidents of people being hurt when others demanded their food. If you need to stretch, do so, but keep the food and water out of site and a close eye on the kids. Sad but true.
8. Compile a list of family heirlooms to grab if there is time. Post this list in a cupboard
or closet for quick access in an emergency. If you file it, you know you won’t be able to find it in a hurry. We have all had that experience, “but I know I put it in a place where it would be safe”.
9. Stash cash. Accumulate cash to be used during an evacuation. Cash should be in small denominations, nothing over $20.00, and should also include coins. You should have several hundred dollars. Many banks will be destroyed or without power after a disaster, natural or man-made. If you bank at a local or regional bank it may be days or weeks before you can access your account and withdraw cash. ATMs will be cleaned out in a matter of minutes, so don’t plan to stop at an ATM on your way out of town. Power outages will occur even miles from a disaster site making your credit cards useless.
10.* Take a household inventory. Take pictures or a video of everything in your home, including the items inside closets and cupboards. Place a copy in your 72-hour kit and send a copy to your out-of-state contact.
We have a friend whose home burned down four years ago and the insurance company would not release any rebuilding money until they have turned in a list of everything they lost in the fire. Can you imagine trying to create such a list when you are dealing with such a horrible disaster! Four years later they are just getting back into their home. A home inventory would have greatly reduced this time.
11.* Back up computer files often and send them to your out-of-state contact. Consider backing them up on a server off site so you can keep them current, especially if you have your own business or do much of your work from home.
12.* Compile a list of items to place in the car when you evacuate and post it with your other lists. Include the following and any other personal necessities:
72-hour kit
Pet kit
Maps
Fun things to do kit
Sanitation kit
Food and drinks
Family Heirlooms
Cash
Blankets or sleeping bags
Pillows
Cell phone
Auto cell phone charger
Lap top or computer back up files
Other---such as a walker, baby bottles, or pet cages
13.Assign each family member the responsibility of packing or retrieving each item on your list.
14.Post the Batten down the Hatches List (which follows later in this article).
15. Practice packing your car. Avoid packing heavy items in the passenger area, which can become dangerous if you need to stop quickly. It is better to discover now that you need to pack some items in smaller containers so they will all fit.
16.* Always keep your gas tank at least half full. If you have any suspicions that an evacuation may occur go fill your tank immediately, before others have the same idea. When you return home, park the car in the garage facing out and disconnect the garage door opener in case of a power outage.
The time has come to evacuate.*
1.* Listen to the radio or television for instructions from local officials. They will be able to inform you where shelters are located and which evacuation routes may be open and which closed. Follow their instructions, especially in case of a fire or earthquake. They will help you avoid potential hazards.
2.* Phone or visit house-bound neighbors and/or neighbors whose children may be home alone. Make sure they have heard the warnings and have a way to safely evacuate. This is especially important in case of a fire, every moment counts and parents and caregivers may not have time to get home and rescue children and the handicapped or elderly.
3.* Dress for the occasion. Put on comfortable but protective clothing - no sandals, no shorts, no tank tops. Long pants and long sleeves are the best. Grab an extra change of clothing, but only one. Remember you have another set of clothing in your 72-hour kit, so this will get you through the emergency period.
4.* Remove the radio and plastic sleeve with your maps and phone list from your 72-hour kit and place them inside the car.
5.* Batten-Down-the-Hatches List:
Board up windows
Move all outdoor items inside.
Shut off water, gas and electricity.
Close all interior doors.
Close and lock all windows.
If you are leaving a fire, do not shut off water or electricity and leave lights on. This will help firefighters see your home through the smoke.
Lock all outside doors.
If you are headed to a shelter deliver pets to a pre-arrange care giver.
Leave a note to let neighbors, friends and family know you have evacuated, when you left, and where you are going. This should be out of sight so others will not no your plans. Determine now where you will leave that note and notify your out of area contact and others where that will be.
Notify contact person of your plans and have them notify the rest of the extended family and friends.
Take time now to check with local official to determine what will and will not be allowed in your area shelters. The following may not be allowed:
Alcoholic beverages.
Pets (in some areas, this rule is changing), but guide dogs are always allowed.
Illegal drugs, even if you are using them for medical purposes.
Weapons, including some knives.
Extra food other than special dietary needs. The food in your 72-hour kit is fine.
Valuables. There will be no place to store jewelry, valuable papers or large amounts of money. Again anything in your 72-hour kit will be fine - just be careful and definitely don’t “advertise” that you have anything of value. Don’t access money in front of anyone! Never give children valuables. Prepare your children for shelter living by warning them that other children may want to “share” their toys and books. Discuss how they should handle this.
When faced with evacuation, try to remain calm. Remember, the only really important thing is to get your whole family safely away from the danger around you. Then, when it’s all over, sit down and make a list of everything you would do differently next time, and make an action list. Take time as well to record your experience in your journal. The next generation may find it amazing and inspiring, and your preparation may motivate them to be better prepared by walking in your footsteps.
By Carolyn Nicolaysen
Hurricane Irene, tropical storm Lee, tornadoes, flooding, wildfires in Texas, 5 million without power in California, Arizona and Mexico, and all this since my last article two weeks ago. Yesterday marked the height of the hurricane season however, there are still another two months till the season passes. Fire season is just now beginning as more than 1.5 million acres have already burned and thousands have lost their homes. Lightning sparked over thirty wildfires in California Sunday night.
What if you were called in the middle of the night and told you needed to evacuate immediately. A few years ago this happened to a friend. She could not think clearly about what to do and her comment later was, “I just didn't understand I might not see my home again”. Would you know what to do? Plan today.
No matter what the reason for an evacuation, it is going to be a stressful, chaotic time and you need to be prepared so that you and your family will remain safe and sane until the earthquake, landslide, wildfire, hurricane, tornado, flood, storm surge, tsunami, avalanche, hazardous spill, or terror threat is over.
Start today by preparing the following items to take with you as you evacuate: *
1.* Assemble a 72-hour kits for every family member, be sure to include family photos, emergency phone numbers and family ID cards in a plastic sleeve that can be removed easily.
2.* Assemble a kit of essentials for every pet. Don’t forget a leash for the dog or cat.
3.* Maps: Gather maps of your town, county, state and your out-of-area destination. Take some time and using a highlighter, mark several routes, in different colors, from your home to you destination. Remember the freeways may be very crowded if you wait until an evacuation order is given to leave your home. Longer routes may be the faster in the long run, so think creatively. As you mark your map, note where the rest areas are located. You will need these from time to time, especially if you are traveling with pets and children.
4.* Assemble an emergency car kit and place it in your car now. The kit may include: flashlight, small and large 10” glow sticks (I prefer these to flares because they do not create sparks which are potentially dangerous at an accident scene), folding shovel, tire repair kit and pump, booster cables, work gloves, and a fire extinguisher. Store extra batteries for your flashlight in your 72-hour kit, not in your car, and never in your flashlight (they are less likely to leak or explode if stored separately). To use your flashlight at times other than emergencies, keep batteries in the glove box.
5.* Assemble fun things to do in the car - books on tape, travel games, toys, familiar music that you can sing at the top of your lungs, anything that will keep family members distracted. Remember during a mass evacuation the average time spent in the car is 15-20 hours! You will want to make this time as low stress as possible. Don’t forget scriptures and comforting materials like church magazines.
6.* Assemble a sanitation kit. You should have sanitation supplies in your 72-hour kits but you will want to save those in case you need them at a shelter or at your evacuation destination. If you are evacuating to the home of a friend or family member, others may be doing the same. Don’t assume they will be prepared to care for all your needs. Also, remember there will be many others evacuating. Local residents as well as evacuees will all be at the store trying to purchase supplies when you reach your destination. When you stop at a rest stop along the way there will be no one to re-supply the restrooms and you may be very happy that you have your own stash.* Your sanitation kit should include: Facial tissues, bathroom tissue, wet wipes, hand sanitizer, paper towels, feminine supplies, diapers (always a size or two larger than the baby is wearing at the time you assemble your kit) and biohazard bags (to contain waste until you reach a place where they can be properly disposed of). Place your sanitation supplies with your 72 hour kit so it can be grabbed in a hurry.
7.* Food and drinks for the road. Again, save the food in your 72-hour kit for use later. Gather snacks, crackers, peanut butter, and drinks and place them in a cupboard together. This will make it easy and fast to grab items when you are in a hurry to evacuate. It also makes it easy to pack school lunches every day. You will not be thinking clearly, so make a list of food items to add to this supply and post it on the cupboard door. This could include: bread, cheese, deli meats, mayo, fruit, carrots, anything you may have on hand but is kept in another location. As with 72-hour kits, do not include salty foods such as salted nuts, chips, and jerky. These will just increase your thirst and thus restroom stops, which may not be readily available. Plan to eat in your car. There have been incidents of people being hurt when others demanded their food. If you need to stretch, do so, but keep the food and water out of site and a close eye on the kids. Sad but true.
8. Compile a list of family heirlooms to grab if there is time. Post this list in a cupboard
or closet for quick access in an emergency. If you file it, you know you won’t be able to find it in a hurry. We have all had that experience, “but I know I put it in a place where it would be safe”.
9. Stash cash. Accumulate cash to be used during an evacuation. Cash should be in small denominations, nothing over $20.00, and should also include coins. You should have several hundred dollars. Many banks will be destroyed or without power after a disaster, natural or man-made. If you bank at a local or regional bank it may be days or weeks before you can access your account and withdraw cash. ATMs will be cleaned out in a matter of minutes, so don’t plan to stop at an ATM on your way out of town. Power outages will occur even miles from a disaster site making your credit cards useless.
10.* Take a household inventory. Take pictures or a video of everything in your home, including the items inside closets and cupboards. Place a copy in your 72-hour kit and send a copy to your out-of-state contact.
We have a friend whose home burned down four years ago and the insurance company would not release any rebuilding money until they have turned in a list of everything they lost in the fire. Can you imagine trying to create such a list when you are dealing with such a horrible disaster! Four years later they are just getting back into their home. A home inventory would have greatly reduced this time.
11.* Back up computer files often and send them to your out-of-state contact. Consider backing them up on a server off site so you can keep them current, especially if you have your own business or do much of your work from home.
12.* Compile a list of items to place in the car when you evacuate and post it with your other lists. Include the following and any other personal necessities:
72-hour kit
Pet kit
Maps
Fun things to do kit
Sanitation kit
Food and drinks
Family Heirlooms
Cash
Blankets or sleeping bags
Pillows
Cell phone
Auto cell phone charger
Lap top or computer back up files
Other---such as a walker, baby bottles, or pet cages
13.Assign each family member the responsibility of packing or retrieving each item on your list.
14.Post the Batten down the Hatches List (which follows later in this article).
15. Practice packing your car. Avoid packing heavy items in the passenger area, which can become dangerous if you need to stop quickly. It is better to discover now that you need to pack some items in smaller containers so they will all fit.
16.* Always keep your gas tank at least half full. If you have any suspicions that an evacuation may occur go fill your tank immediately, before others have the same idea. When you return home, park the car in the garage facing out and disconnect the garage door opener in case of a power outage.
The time has come to evacuate.*
1.* Listen to the radio or television for instructions from local officials. They will be able to inform you where shelters are located and which evacuation routes may be open and which closed. Follow their instructions, especially in case of a fire or earthquake. They will help you avoid potential hazards.
2.* Phone or visit house-bound neighbors and/or neighbors whose children may be home alone. Make sure they have heard the warnings and have a way to safely evacuate. This is especially important in case of a fire, every moment counts and parents and caregivers may not have time to get home and rescue children and the handicapped or elderly.
3.* Dress for the occasion. Put on comfortable but protective clothing - no sandals, no shorts, no tank tops. Long pants and long sleeves are the best. Grab an extra change of clothing, but only one. Remember you have another set of clothing in your 72-hour kit, so this will get you through the emergency period.
4.* Remove the radio and plastic sleeve with your maps and phone list from your 72-hour kit and place them inside the car.
5.* Batten-Down-the-Hatches List:
Board up windows
Move all outdoor items inside.
Shut off water, gas and electricity.
Close all interior doors.
Close and lock all windows.
If you are leaving a fire, do not shut off water or electricity and leave lights on. This will help firefighters see your home through the smoke.
Lock all outside doors.
If you are headed to a shelter deliver pets to a pre-arrange care giver.
Leave a note to let neighbors, friends and family know you have evacuated, when you left, and where you are going. This should be out of sight so others will not no your plans. Determine now where you will leave that note and notify your out of area contact and others where that will be.
Notify contact person of your plans and have them notify the rest of the extended family and friends.
Take time now to check with local official to determine what will and will not be allowed in your area shelters. The following may not be allowed:
Alcoholic beverages.
Pets (in some areas, this rule is changing), but guide dogs are always allowed.
Illegal drugs, even if you are using them for medical purposes.
Weapons, including some knives.
Extra food other than special dietary needs. The food in your 72-hour kit is fine.
Valuables. There will be no place to store jewelry, valuable papers or large amounts of money. Again anything in your 72-hour kit will be fine - just be careful and definitely don’t “advertise” that you have anything of value. Don’t access money in front of anyone! Never give children valuables. Prepare your children for shelter living by warning them that other children may want to “share” their toys and books. Discuss how they should handle this.
When faced with evacuation, try to remain calm. Remember, the only really important thing is to get your whole family safely away from the danger around you. Then, when it’s all over, sit down and make a list of everything you would do differently next time, and make an action list. Take time as well to record your experience in your journal. The next generation may find it amazing and inspiring, and your preparation may motivate them to be better prepared by walking in your footsteps.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Start your food storage for $5-10 week.
This is a list from LDS preppers. It was originally on $5 a week & the prices are a bit out of date, but it sure is a starting point. Either raise it to $10 a week, or cut the amount in half where necessary. Costco or the LDS cannery has the cheapest wheat prices usually.
- Week 1: 6 lbs salt (25 lb bags of salt at costco are under $3!)
- Week 2: 5 cans cream of chicken soup
- Week 3: 20 lbs of sugar
- Week 4: 8 cans tomato soup
- Week 5: 50 lbs wheat
- Week 6: 6 lbs macaroni
- Week 7: 20 lbs sugar
- Week 8: 8 cans tuna
- Week 9: 6 lbs yeast
- Week 10: 50 lbs wheat
- Week 11: 8 cans tomato soup
- Week 12: 20 lbs sugar
- Week 13: 10 lbs powdered milk
- Week 14: 7 boxes macaroni & cheese
- Week 15: 50 lbs wheat
- Week 16: 5 cans cream of chicken soup
- Week 17: 1 bottle 500 multi-vitamins
- Week 18: 10 lbs powdered milk
- Week 19: 5 cans cream of mushroom soup
- Week 20: 50 lbs wheat
- Week 21: 8 cans tomato soup
- Week 22: 20 lbs sugar
- Week 23: 8 cans tuna
- Week 24: 6 lbs shortening
- Week 25: 50 lbs wheat
- Week 26: 5 lbs honey
- Week 27: 10 lbs powdered milk
- Week 28: 20 lbs sugar
- Week 29: 5 lbs peanut butter
- Week 30: 50 lbs wheat
- Week 31: 7 boxes macaroni & cheese
- Week 32: 10 lbs powdered milk
- Week 33: 1 bottle 500 aspirin
- Week 34: 5 cans cream of chicken soup
- Week 35: 50 lbs wheat
- Week 36: 7 boxes macaroni & cheese
- Week 37: 6 lbs salt
- Week 38: 20 lbs sugar
- Week 39: 8 cans tomato soup
- Week 40: 50 lbs wheat
- Week 41: 5 cans cream of chicken soup
- Week 42: 20 lbs sugar
- Week 43: 1 bottle 500 multi-vitamins
- Week 44: 8 cans tuna
- Week 45: 50 lbs wheat
- Week 46: 6 lbs macaroni
- Week 47: 20 lbs sugar
- Week 48: 5 cans cream of mushroom soup
- Week 49: 5 lbs honey
- Week 50: 20 lbs sugar
- Week 51: 8 cans tomato soup
- Week 52: 50 lbs wheat
Also watch for sales.
If you get all this, you'll end up with:
- 500 lbs of wheat
- 180 lbs of sugar
- 40 lbs of powdered milk
- 12 lbs of salt
- 10 lbs of honey
- 5 lbs of peanut butter
- 45 cans of tomato soup
- 15 cans of cream of mushroom soup
- 15 cans of cream of chicken soup
- 24 cans of tuna
- 21 boxes of macaroni & cheese
- 500 aspirin
- 1000 multi-vitamins
- 6 lbs of yeast
- 6 lbs of shortening
- 12 lbs of macaroni
I've been told this will do 2000 calories a day for 2 people for around 300 days. Not bad for $5-10 a week!
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Solar Antelope (or beef) meatloaf
One thing that makes this meatloaf so good is the sauce that's cooked with the meatloaf. I will put the original recipe here, but we usually double the sauce.
2/3 cup bread crumbs (I use crushed crackers)
1/4 cup minced onion (any are good, we prefer red)
1 cup milk
1 tsp salt
2 eggs
1/8 tsp pepper
1 1/2 lb ground meat
Sauce:
3 Tbs brown sugar
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 cup ketchup
1 tsp dry mustard
Mix meatloaf ingredients well, & form into loaf. Mix sauce & spread on top. Bake at 350 for 45 min to 1 hour.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Best ever jerky (antelope or beef), solar too!
Everyone I give some of this jerky to, say it's the best they've ever had. I use ground meat & a jerky gun.
This is great with ground beef or antelope. If you use beef, use 90% lean or better. This is for 1 lb of beef. I will put the recipe for beef; if you do it with antelope I would use 50% more marinade to get the same flavor.
The frustrating part about this recipe is I learned it by watching someone who has no recipe. So here's my best attempt to explain it:
1/2 cup soy sauce
1 shake ginger
1 shake dry mustard
8-10 shakes minced garlic
Pour molasses in thin-med stream for slow count of 3 1/2 seconds.
Mix into meat, put into jerky gun & squeeze out onto trays. You can dry this in dehydrator, oven or solar oven.
Really simple & super tasty. It is also an outstanding marinade for steaks, sheesh kabobs, & chicken or fajitas. Yummy!!
I also tried this in the solar oven. The top piece is in my dehydrator, the bottom piece is in the solar oven. It shrunk smaller, & had more flavor because of this. Both tasted great. One might fill your tummy more, & one would take less room to store. I store this in the fridge, & then if we haven't eaten it after a few months (rare), I put them in #10 cans & seal them.
This is great with ground beef or antelope. If you use beef, use 90% lean or better. This is for 1 lb of beef. I will put the recipe for beef; if you do it with antelope I would use 50% more marinade to get the same flavor.
The frustrating part about this recipe is I learned it by watching someone who has no recipe. So here's my best attempt to explain it:
1/2 cup soy sauce
1 shake ginger
1 shake dry mustard
8-10 shakes minced garlic
Pour molasses in thin-med stream for slow count of 3 1/2 seconds.
Mix into meat, put into jerky gun & squeeze out onto trays. You can dry this in dehydrator, oven or solar oven.
Really simple & super tasty. It is also an outstanding marinade for steaks, sheesh kabobs, & chicken or fajitas. Yummy!!
Friday, October 14, 2011
Antelope Sloppy Joes in Solar Oven
So I have all this ground antelope canned. What to do with it now...I decided to try sloppy joes!It's amazing as you start cooking in the solar oven, how many questions you start having. This time cooking answered several of those for me.
Since this meat is already cooked, I was wondering if I could still cook it all day in the solar oven without it being over cooked. The good news is yes! It worked great! If you have no electricity to brown the meat, having it already cooked & canned is going to be something you're grateful for.
The second thing, was usually when you brown the meat, you saute the onions as well. I decided to just throw the raw onions in with the meat & sauce, & see if they cooked. They did! I could tell no difference in the taste.
This is also a recipe I make "to taste". But I didn't really want to taste it while I was mixing it with the cold meat. So I just did my best. Got it pretty close. I was able to add a bit more sugar after it was hot, & that worked just fine. I was glad to know I could still adjust the taste a bit after cooking it all day.
I also made it one day, & then realized we wouldn't be home for dinner that night. So I put it in the fridge in the pot with the lid on (the pot that comes with the solar oven). Turns out that's a great way to store it! It still tasted fresh when I cooked it the next day. And when I wanted to reheat the leftovers, I just moved the pan from the fridge to the solar oven. Easy!!
For those wondering about the taste of ground antelope vs beef...we can't tell a difference. If you didn't know, you'd have no idea. It does seem to take a bit more seasonings or sauce with antelope to get the same potency of flavor of the beef. But that's easy to do. The only thing I'd change is I'd make my homemade hamburger buns instead of buying them (see post recipe in July). The store bought ones were way less yummy & cost WAY more.
Here's a sort of recipe in case you want to try ours. It's great on beef too. Just do this to taste. If you want it more sweet, add more sugar, more zing add more vinegar.
Ground meatchopped onions
lots of ketchup
about 2 handfuls of brown sugar
several shakes of dry mustard, or 1 squirt mustard
splash of vinegar
salt & pepper
splash of worcestershire
Mess around until you get it to taste how you like it. Yum!
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Canning the antelope
Most of it I rawpacked. We had all but one antelope processed into ground meat. Well worth the cost! I had 1 antelope I had to cut up myself, & did in chunks. It took me an hour to cut it up & trim the fat!
I tried making chili with some of it, & my son LOVED it. That gave me the idea, why not make some chili & sloppy joes & can that? That way I don't have to worry about having the ingredients, & I have some ready made meals! So I did. 8 batches of sloppy joes & 6 batches of chili later, I was wondering if I was insane. That was a LOT more work than just rawpacking the meat! So I settled for that much & did the rest the easy way. Hopefully I'll be glad I made some into meals later; right now I'm just exhausted! Even with 2 canners, it took a long time! But how awesome is it to have that jars of meat in my storage?! That's meat for a meal every 3 days for a year! And since it's just my son & I, I figure I can get 2 meals from each can when put with something else (ie buns for sloppy joes). My son said to tell everyone to try dipping my french bread recipe (see post in Sept) in antelope chili. He was a fan!
Monday, October 10, 2011
Hunting for food storage
I've discovered that some kinds of hunting can be a great way to build your food storage. I come from a hunting family. My uncle is a talented hunting guide. Last year he took us antelope hunting. I didn't get one myself last year, but everyone was happy to give me their meat. We took it to a processing place, & I discovered it was only $1.20 a pound to get it ground up like ground beef. That was pretty cheap, so I did that & then canned most of it. We loved it!! I noticed as I browned the meat, that is has much less fat than beef; even less than really lean beef. But how did it taste? I'd heard bad things about antelope meat. It tasted great! I made tacos, & put it spaghetti, & my son had no idea it wasn't beef. The only thing I noticed was it takes a bit more seasoning than beef to get it to taste the same.
So is it cost effective? I figured after the canning jars, & antelope tags & processing, it was still under $2 a pound. Now if you have to figure in gas & staying at a motel & things like that, it might end up not being worth it. But I have family who wants to hunt anyway. It's a hobby. So the cost to me was just the processing & jars. I can't buy lean ground beef for that cheap, so it was a real bargain.
So this year I went hunting again, & we got more tags now that we knew we liked the meat. Our group got 10 antelope on our trip, and I shot my first one! My uncle did have a couple of tips for keeping the meat tasting good. Don't get the antelope running around before you shoot it. We got about half our kills from far away to avoid this (my shot was 680 yards). The other thing he does, is cut the meat off the antelope immediately, rather than gutting it & taking the carcass to hang for days somewhere. He took the meat off the legs, ribs & back strap, put them in large plastic bags in the cooler. Not only does that help the meat flavor, it's faster & easier for the hunter.
Many hunters just want to hunt, & are glad to share the meat. I'll post some of my favorite antelope recipes in the next few days. And maybe I'll have to try deer next!
So is it cost effective? I figured after the canning jars, & antelope tags & processing, it was still under $2 a pound. Now if you have to figure in gas & staying at a motel & things like that, it might end up not being worth it. But I have family who wants to hunt anyway. It's a hobby. So the cost to me was just the processing & jars. I can't buy lean ground beef for that cheap, so it was a real bargain.
Many hunters just want to hunt, & are glad to share the meat. I'll post some of my favorite antelope recipes in the next few days. And maybe I'll have to try deer next!
Friday, October 7, 2011
I went to the self reliance expo!
http://www.selfrelianceexpo.com/salt-lake-city/
I wish I'd had time to stay & take a bunch of the cool looking classes. That would have been awesome! But I was tied up most of the day at a hearing with my ex!
We had a great time seeing all the booths. The Appleseed Project had pellet gun shooting for kids there. My son loved it. There was a wide variety of booths. Tons of food storage samples. Lots of water filters. Some great water storage tanks I hadn't seen, including underground ones. Intriguing! And lots of booths on solar power. I did buy a couple things I hadn't seen before, & will review them on here. If you are in the area, we had fun & thought it was worth the time. Even more so if you can take some of the free classes!
I wish I'd had time to stay & take a bunch of the cool looking classes. That would have been awesome! But I was tied up most of the day at a hearing with my ex!
We had a great time seeing all the booths. The Appleseed Project had pellet gun shooting for kids there. My son loved it. There was a wide variety of booths. Tons of food storage samples. Lots of water filters. Some great water storage tanks I hadn't seen, including underground ones. Intriguing! And lots of booths on solar power. I did buy a couple things I hadn't seen before, & will review them on here. If you are in the area, we had fun & thought it was worth the time. Even more so if you can take some of the free classes!
Free when there is no doctor ebook
http://www.hesperian.org/
This book & the others on their site are often distributed to places where there isn't regular medical care. Since I talked about having a survival library, this is a great place to start. I printed the doctor book (I printed it both sides, & 2 pages per side to make it thinner). Now it's in my survival library for whenever I need it!
I got paper free or very cheap at back to school sales, & I have very very cheap printer ink. So it's an almost free resource!
This book & the others on their site are often distributed to places where there isn't regular medical care. Since I talked about having a survival library, this is a great place to start. I printed the doctor book (I printed it both sides, & 2 pages per side to make it thinner). Now it's in my survival library for whenever I need it!
I got paper free or very cheap at back to school sales, & I have very very cheap printer ink. So it's an almost free resource!
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Start a survival library
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Self Reliance Expo in Utah this weekend
http://www.selfrelianceexpo.com/salt-lake-city/
Friday & Saturday, Oct 7 & 8. Tickets are cheaper if you buy online.
Friday & Saturday, Oct 7 & 8. Tickets are cheaper if you buy online.
Monday, October 3, 2011
RADkids & RADwomens self defense
I'd also like to mention 2 outstanding safety/self defense programs.
The first is RADkids. It is for children ages 5-12. The kids are taught all aspects of safety, from fire, bullying, abuse & strangers. It fixes the flaws in the usual "stranger danger" approach. Everything is taught, & then practiced in drills. This gets much better retention in the children's heads. They are also taught self defense skills they can use to defend themselves. Children all over the country have used these skills to fight off would be abuctors. These techniques are specifically designed for children to use, easily & effectively. And the class is very good at helping prevent abuse from people the children know as well.
The last day of class a policeman in a padded suit comes for them to practice their skills on. This is so empowering for the children! After the class the kids know how to keep themselves safe, rather than you standing over them all the time. And since it's a nation wide program, they can return & retake the class free anywhere in the nation until their 13th birthday. Before this training, only about 10% of children will react physically to protect themselves. After, about 90% will. Pretty amazing for 10 hours of training! I truly believe this is an inspired program. I was so impressed I saved for months so I could pay for the training & equipment to teach this class to homeschoolers, & other kids who didn't have access to it. Interestingly, the Utah director got his training & brought the program here just a few weeks before Elizabeth Smart was abducted. He said that when he went to the Smart house after she was taken, the other children were still answering the door without knowing who was there. After their training, they stopped doing that. Elizabeth Smart & her father are both strong proponents of the RADkids program. It is possible that with this training, her & her sister might have reacted differently in their bedroom & it may have been a different story. Our first usual reaction is shock, & we loose vaulable time.
Their website is www.radkids.org. You can maybe get the program put in your child's school, or find a private class. If you're in Utah, email me I can help you get a class. yulebean@gmail.com
RADwomens is the same thing, except for women. You also learn physical skills & get to practice on the man in the padded suit on the last day. Even if you carry a gun, this is a must take class for all women. Their website is http://www.rad-systems.com/. Hopefully you can find a class near you. If you're in Utah I know the Lehi Legacy center has them at least once a year.
I have opportunities for my son & I to do all sorts of wonderful classes & activities. These two are at the TOP of my list. I wouldn't wait a day longer than necessary to take these classes.
The first is RADkids. It is for children ages 5-12. The kids are taught all aspects of safety, from fire, bullying, abuse & strangers. It fixes the flaws in the usual "stranger danger" approach. Everything is taught, & then practiced in drills. This gets much better retention in the children's heads. They are also taught self defense skills they can use to defend themselves. Children all over the country have used these skills to fight off would be abuctors. These techniques are specifically designed for children to use, easily & effectively. And the class is very good at helping prevent abuse from people the children know as well.
The last day of class a policeman in a padded suit comes for them to practice their skills on. This is so empowering for the children! After the class the kids know how to keep themselves safe, rather than you standing over them all the time. And since it's a nation wide program, they can return & retake the class free anywhere in the nation until their 13th birthday. Before this training, only about 10% of children will react physically to protect themselves. After, about 90% will. Pretty amazing for 10 hours of training! I truly believe this is an inspired program. I was so impressed I saved for months so I could pay for the training & equipment to teach this class to homeschoolers, & other kids who didn't have access to it. Interestingly, the Utah director got his training & brought the program here just a few weeks before Elizabeth Smart was abducted. He said that when he went to the Smart house after she was taken, the other children were still answering the door without knowing who was there. After their training, they stopped doing that. Elizabeth Smart & her father are both strong proponents of the RADkids program. It is possible that with this training, her & her sister might have reacted differently in their bedroom & it may have been a different story. Our first usual reaction is shock, & we loose vaulable time.
Their website is www.radkids.org. You can maybe get the program put in your child's school, or find a private class. If you're in Utah, email me I can help you get a class. yulebean@gmail.com
RADwomens is the same thing, except for women. You also learn physical skills & get to practice on the man in the padded suit on the last day. Even if you carry a gun, this is a must take class for all women. Their website is http://www.rad-systems.com/. Hopefully you can find a class near you. If you're in Utah I know the Lehi Legacy center has them at least once a year.
I have opportunities for my son & I to do all sorts of wonderful classes & activities. These two are at the TOP of my list. I wouldn't wait a day longer than necessary to take these classes.
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