Solar oven corn dehydrating

 I decided to see if I can dehydrate corn from my garden in my SOS solar oven.  You'll notice the tape in the top....that's to keep the oven slightly open.  Solar ovens are excellent at holding in moisture, so you need to have a way for it to vent in order to dehydrate.  I used a black letter tray I got at the dollar store.  Black is better in solar ovens because it traps in the heat.  The Global Oven now comes with dehydrator trays if you buy during a sale (like is going on now!) but I don't have any, so I used these.  They worked great!

After probably 8 hours in the sun, I had dehydrated corn!  It probably would have gone faster if I'd paid more attention to keeping the sun directly in the oven all day.

Wonderful free booklet on solar cooking & food storage

http://www.sunoven.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/EverythingUnderTheSun.pdf

Wendy Dewitt has a wealth of knowledge, & shares it free!  There is some wonderful information in here!

Dehydrating corn

I was blessed to get 50 lbs of corn on the cob free.  But what do to with it?  First of all I decided to try dehydrating it.  I shucked it, washed the silk off, & then cut it off the cobs.  The first suggestion I'd have to is to try to get an electric knife.  By the time I'd cut the corn off all 50 lbs I was blistered!  I did notice it was a bit easier to cut if I used hot water when I was washing the silk off.
I spread the kernels on the dehydrating tray & turned it on 135.  It took approximately 9 hours to dry.  I had 12 dehydrator trays filled...the dried corn filled 2 quart & 1 pint jar.  My friend & I tasted some, & it tastes really good!  I could see eating this as a snack!  (I was using sweet corn).  I'm going to mostly store it though & use it in soups, where it should rehydrate.  Stored in glass jars, this should last a really long time!  And it doesn't take up very much space!

Growing foods from leftovers

http://www.gardenswag.com/2011/12/5-foods-you-can-grow-from-kitchen-scraps/
Very interesting!
http://www.17apart.com/2012/02/growing-celery-indoors-never-buy-celery.html

Work free way to do bees

http://www.beehivecondominium.com/index.html
This is very interesting.  You buy the hive, they do the labor for $25 a year, & you buy the honey from them for a reduced price.  They replace the bees if they die.  I may have to consider this!  I've long wanted bees but I'm very allergic to bee stings.

Solar oven & preparedness package sale!

Sale right now on Global Sun Ovens!

$300 shipped to you!  (Utah residents must add sales tax).  Paypal me at singlemomprep@gmail.com, (include shipping address & phone number), or email me at singlemomprep@gmail.com for other options!

Price good through Sept 28, 2012.

SUN OVEN^® with Dehydrating & Preparedness Accessory Package includes:

• One GLOBAL SUN OVEN^®  With a computer CD with recipes, videos and cooking tips.
• Three Sun Dry Dehydrating Racks With roll of parchment paper)
• Two Easy Stack Pots w/interchangeable enamel and a glass lids
• Multi-Fuel Water Pasteurizing Indicator (WAPI)
• Two Loaf Pans
• Free shipping within continental US

Sun Dry Dehydrating Racks

A simple, effective way to use a GLOBAL SUN OVEN® to dry and dehydrate with the power of the sun. Easily stackable wire racks allows up to 3 layers of drying includes 3 racks and a roll of parchment paper. Use the sun to naturally dry vegetables, fruits, meats, herbs, or fish. Can also be used to bake multiple levels of cookies and other baked goods.

Easy Stack Pots with interchangeable lids

Spill free cooking of multiple dishes. Set of two interconnecting enamelware pots which can be safely and easily stacked. Includes an interchangeable enamel pot lid and a glass lid for improved visibility and browning. Each 3 quart pot holds 3 pounds of poultry, or a 3 pound roast.

Multi-Fuel Water Pasteurization Indicator

A simple reusable thermometer which indicates when water has reached pasteurization temperature and is safe to drink. Can be used in a SUN OVEN® over a campfire, with charcoal, propane, or with any type of fuel you use for heating water.

Wilton Non-stick Even Heat Bread Pans 

Favorite size for homemade breads & cakes.
Constructed of heavy-gauge steel that provides an even-heating performance baking experts prefer for perfectly-browned baked goods.  The non-stick coating improves food release and cleaning. 9 1/4 in. x 5 1/4 in. x 2 3/4 in.

GLOBAL SUN OVEN^® 

With a computer CD with over 80 SUN OVEN recipes, cooking tips, FAQs, written & video operating instructions, a video on how the SUN OVEN works and emergency preparedness tips.

Honey Lemon Apple Jam

http://www.foodinjars.com/2010/01/honey-lemon-apple-jam-recipe/
I got a super deal on some apples from a local orchard & tried this jam.  Super yummy!  I did put less sugar in, around 2 cups.  I also blended mine in the blender because my son doesn't like chunks.

no pectin jam

I just tried this recipe.  I loved it!  It has several advantages by not using pectin.  First of all, you could make it if you're out, it's not available, or to save money.  Using raspberries from my yard, jars I already have, the only cost then is the sugar!  Also, you don't have to have a certain amount of fruit to match the pectin.  You could make only 1 cup of jam if you wanted to!  This is a real benefit when using fruit from your yard, especially if you didn't have a way to freeze or save them for days.
I tried it with raspberries & it was delicious!  I've had other people tell me it works with other berries as well.

• 4 cups mashed raspberries
• 4 cups sugar

Directions:

1. 1
   Use a very large pot.
2. 2
   When the jam reaches a full rolling boil it will double in volume.
3. 3
   Heat mashed berries until they reach a full rolling boil.
4. 4
   Boil 2 minutes.
5. 5
   Add sugar.
6. 6
   Stir well.
7. 7
   Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, boil for 2 minutes.
8. 8
   Remove from heat.
9. 9
   Beat with rotary beater for 4 minutes
10. 10
    Pour in sterilized jars and seal.

Read more: http://www.food.com/recipe/raspberry-jam-35192#ixzz20K7ZzK2H

Free huge preparedness manual download

http://www.ldsavow.com/PrepManualGeneral.html

Jar boxes

http://www.jarbox.com/index.html
These look like a good way to help earthquake proof your canning jars.  But so expensive!  I'd never be able to afford enough of these for all my canning jars!